Grass Roots, yes thats you and I

Dr_Pepper

** DISCLAIMER
This is Conor Scolard's Personal Opinion
I am not on a committe for the IAA or IASRA.
**

Most people here bitch about the IAA or IASRA and offer nothing to help either side.
While this is a natural Irish approach to problem solving it gets us nowhere.


Most however will agree that a representative body is a good thing for the sport but won't get off their asses to help out, whether it be membership fees or going for a position on the committee of that body. I was on the IAA committee for 1.5 yrs. I have been in 2 AGM's and were fast approaching a third. I am appalled at the lack of responses from people to run this association.


If you don't like the IAA and NONE of the previous committee is running for a position then surely its now your IAA if you get up and put in the effort no? I will not stand by and watch this association which has done irrefutably countless great things for our sport dies off because the "community" (which it protected) can't be arsed. When the sport was under threat, when it looked like it was being banned, when the DOJ could have batted and eyelid and destroyed your game, sport or abuse outlet you all looked to those who could do something for you. Now is the time to do something for yourself. Help yourselves and put something back into the game which we all love, the collections that we have amassed and the friendships that we have gained.


I was part of a committee that ran the IAA with 4 people. I'll let that settle in. 4.

The hard work is done, bilis passed and coming next month, even IASRA are now working with the IAA, plenty of affiliates, public recognition. Even internationally the IAA is regarded at an example to follow with many countries looking to coordinate efforts and not re-invent the wheel. So if even 20 of you went forward that workload spread out would be so minute that you wouldn't be putting in the 40 hours a week that we were doing, but you might end up with 6. Bump the volunteers up to anything larger and it becomes a cake walk in comparison.


By not going forward for the most menial tasks or offers of support you are condemning airsoft in every possible form.
You the players/collectors/plinkers are the reason we have so many retailers now with an increasing number of venues to play at.
Put that same desire for a new magazine, for an extra few bb's and redirect it to safeguarding the future of airsoft. Become a member of the IAA.
Put your pride up there with your fellow airsofters and do something together, build on the success of the IAA and spread the word of airsoft to young and old.


This is a decisive time in airsoft, this is where we make it count.
The groundwork is done, the game is set... join in and make a difference.

Stercus Accidit

http://www.irishairsoft.ie/forum/viewforum.php?f=17&sid=5cd2e4d4ba977d24f3257b51d02b099b

Heres where to read about the AGM and the rules for nominations, and a place to make nominations.

Its actually ridiculously simple.

Mervenut

Dr_Pepper wrote: »

If you don't like the IAA and NONE of the previous committee is running for a position...

Well said Conor, I have just, a week ago joined the IAA and do want to see a thriving IAA leading the sport into the future!

However, do I understand you to say that NONE of the current comittee are seeking re-election?
If that is the case it makes it difficult for an incoming committee, no continuity with the past, and while I know a LOT of great work has been done, surely totally a new committee would be at a disadvantage if there are no “carry over” members to help them settle into the job, as it were?

I may be misunderstanding what you are saying on this point, and indeed I hope I am!

gerrowadat

Mervenut wrote: »

Well said Conor, I have just, a week ago joined the IAA and do want to see a thriving IAA leading the sport into the future!

However, do I understand you to say that NONE of the current comittee are seeking re-election?
If that is the case it makes it difficult for an incoming committee, no continuity with the past, and while I know a LOT of great work has been done, surely totally a new committee would be at a disadvantage if there are no “carry over” members to help them settle into the job, as it were?

I may be misunderstanding what you are saying on this point, and indeed I hope I am!

The old committee don't disappear into a black hole -- quite the opposite, I'll certainly be putting together extensive handoff materials, both written and in person. We've seen what happens when a new committee takes over and are left in the dark, and that will never happen with the IAA on my watch.

I'll also be around in general for consultation work. Believe me, if the only way I could contribute was to be on the committee, I'd be running again :-)

As for "carry over" members, I'd take somewhat of an opposite tack to be honest. I'm of the opinion that a healthy organisation can't rely on certain individuals to keep running. It needs to be sustainable for 5, 10, 20 years, and that requires new (and more) people to learn the ropes.

Thanks for your support :-)

extremetaz

- it's the same thing every year.

This is what seperates the men from the boys as it were, and the mouths and posturers from the people who are actually worth listening too.

Now is the time for all the disgruntled to fix the problems they loath so much, and for all those who know better to show us how it's done.

Keith will be sorely missed on the committee, he's always been a great asset to the association.

Conor did great work in his time as well and it's unfortunate that he too is no longer in a position to take on the job.

Stephen is stepping down as well, having done an absolutely stellar job in his time on the committee. His expertise and those of Stephane before him were absolutely invaluable to getting us all to where we are today.

I'm also quite sorry to see that Dave is stepping down as well - we haven't always seen eye to eye but there's no denying that he's done the job extremely well and has moved the IAA in the exact direction it needed to go.

Everyone who's ever been on the IAA committee has had their individual strengths and weaknesses, and it's the combination of those individuals that has always balanced things out and brought the association where it needed to go - and that is exactly why a good team of individuals is needed.

EVERY SINGLE AIRSOFTER in this country owes a debt of gratitude to this assoctiation whether they like it or not - it's not been easy work, it's been long hours, no perks, no pay, and f*ck all gratitude. Those who have done it, have done so because they understand that Airsoft as a sport is a privilage, not a right and that it needs this frontline for now.

Fortunately, Airsoft in Ireland now has it's place in the law, which makes things far more simple for the incoming committee. The vast majority of the donkey work has already been done and now it's going to be far more a question of administration, with political and media time being the very occasional calling, not the norm.

Furthermore, with the latest committe having secured FIS recognition, the sport is now in a position to look for grants to put towards regional clubs and facilities, and maybe even toward international competitions. This is an option which will only be available as long as the IAA is in place.

So if you can spare a just a little of your time, then please, put yourself forward. As Conor has already said, many hands will lighten the load farther, and the positions are there with plenty more available.

It's only a few months work, and those who've been there before you will always be at the other end of the phone if help is needed.

CrazyRabbit

Some people would have a stroke if I went for a position (and got it).

I'd actually love to help more, but I don't even have time to skirmish in the last year (2 games in the last 9-10 months!!), so I know I couldn't give the time commitment needed.

I'm also acutely aware that I don't even know 90% of the players now. That's a huge change from when I knew every player. I kinda feel like an outsider now and not really in a position to represent the views of a community that I no longer really know.

Stercus Accidit

I wouldn't say knowing 9% let alone 90% of the players is necessary.

The old committee aren't wiping their hands of the sport, they'll be training in new committee, giving a hand when needed as already said above.

And in the line of your work, meeting site owners etc, retailers, you'd get to know loads of people.


There's no need to have been in the inner circle or know everyone, the committee needs people with dedication and a good attitude to airsoft, and people with certain skills. Sys admin for the websites etc., legal knowledge for the legal liaison position, the positions are there, and we just need people to step up and offer their time.

I'm not in a position to do so but hope to see some good candidates step up. I hadn't a clue who Stephen Fay was back at last years nominations, and look at the job he has done. I hope there are more people out there like him.

OzCam

Thanks to everyone for their kind words. I too feel that we owe the current, and past, committees a huge debt. Without them we simply wouldn't have a sport.

I would like to say though, that I think it's unfortunate that almost everyone is standing down this time. Changing personnel and introducing new people is great, but we have a ton of work to do to develop airsoft and a wholesale changing of the committee every year is not ideal. That's just my opinion.

Let's hope we have no more political dramas and we can concentrate on normal sports development next year, like any other normal sporting governing body.

TheDoc

I have to say I think it would definitely help a committee to be in the loop and be an active player. It provides so much more, you can be in touch with the community and players and sites, plus during a skirmish you can also spare a few minutes to address players and site owners.

I know from golf a while back, the guys running the GUI looked like they didnt know a spade from a golf club, and it reflected in their policies and directions. The same can be said for the football club i was in and all walks of live.

If you do not have a heavy involvement in the area or the commitee you are going for, then your really going to be out of sync. Thats not to say someone else alongside you that is an experienced player cant aid you.

If 5 people step forward this year who are in the game less then 5 months I;d be very skeptical of how they would get on.

However if there was 3 guys who everyone knows and 2 new recruits, it can balance off.



I for one have some issues I'd like to see the IAA address in the coming year. Unforutnately the last two years have had a lot of **** on plates so actually governing "the game" has been impossible. But this year I hope nothing crawls out of the gutter to disrupt things and attract all the working hours of the IAA.

I for one this year would like to firstly see the game promoted as the game it is. Not a cheap version of paintball, but its own game, with its own values and history.

I'd like to see some groundwork and perhaps foundations laid for the eventual evolution of serious airsofting with teams. The feedback I have received over the ladder is astronomical, and I only see this sport progressing/surviving with a niche part of the game going down the route of leagues and competitions between teams.

I'd also like to see emphasis on promoting Airsoft, not speedsoft. As the governing body it should be a concern and main objective to ensure our game is preserved and played in the correct manner to which not only was airsoft developed, but is played everywhere in the world except Ireland. Speedsoft is quickly annoying me, and I'm sad to see many a GREAT player fading away from the game because of the direction airsoft is taking in this country.

I'd also love to see more international invitations to teams/players/organisers abroad. This year Dave in Rathbeggan had a Dutch group over famous for their exploits internationally, who have spread the word about airsoft in ireland. I know from the people we have met through Wales and Berget other nationalities would love to come try it out here in our more grueling weather.
I'd like to see perhaps more international players coming to our shores, so I can stop forking my ****ing life out on transport.

I'd also like to see ACU banned, everyone forced to use armalites and multicam dawned as the IAA members dress code for meetings and AGMs, but then again a merger between the IAA,IASRA, The Unit and The Jedi order couldnt accomplish that....


yet....

k99_64

U throwing ur hat in the ring Doc?

Stercus Accidit

TheDoc wrote: »

I have to say I think it would definitely help a committee to be in the loop and be an active player. It provides so much more, you can be in touch with the community and players and sites, plus during a skirmish you can also spare a few minutes to address players and site owners.

Dave was only playing for a certain number of months, 6, correct me if I'm wrong, when he was nominated, its about the person not the skirmish count, my point is that it would be wrong to alienate new players, or to imply people with the right skills and attitude couldn't do wonders for the sport even with half a years gaming under their belt.

I'd also like to see emphasis on promoting Airsoft, not speedsoft. As the governing body it should be a concern and main objective to ensure our game is preserved and played in the correct manner to which not only was airsoft developed, but is played everywhere in the world except Ireland. Speedsoft is quickly annoying me, and I'm sad to see many a GREAT player fading away from the game because of the direction airsoft is taking in this country.

I agree with everything you've said bar this, its not the IAA's job to decide how people play once they play legally and responsibly. I haven't seen inflatable terrain or luminous jumpsuits yet, the "speed"softers tend to be new, and most evolve into mid cap users and focus on more realism, we all start somewhere, and the game offers an easy introduction financially and many rewards with time. Basically, play how you want once its by the rules of that game, and we will naturally see people mature and tend towards mid caps, milsim and so forth.

By all means , promote the deeper game, but we don't need to force people to play in the "correct" manner.

TheDoc

I'm deeply worried by the fact that a new breed of airsoft has been formed here in this country.

And I think we all stood by and let it happen, it was the norm. But now that we are all getting more sites, more equipment and games, and more importantly getting international experience and seeing we are far behind, its time to start laying foundations to get the standard higher.

Don't get me wrong its not a bad thing, I just do not feel it should be the main game, or the norm, yes it might be me being biased, but then again I'm also making logical sense. Theres a reason why we are not an international attraction for international gamers. I know its early days, but if we did have the sites and the resources and facilities, we still wouldn't get them. We have a reputation of being hi cap skirmishers playing speedsoft ( sorry this is a term i picked up abroad) and has no attraction.

I just get worried when I see a game like Jebrovia, get sweet **** all attendance, where in any other country in the world it would rope in hundreds, and the hold would be the sites, at the moment its players number count. We have numerous people both players and site owners out there who can write a proper whopper milsim, but they just dont get the backing

I'm not saying ban speedsoft, but surely some education and awareness would be nice to see.

And no ****ing way am I throwing my hat in, final year of college and I'm not eligable for nomination due to my employment...

In the drug trade

hrta

TheDoc wrote: »

Don't get me wrong its not a bad thing, I just do not feel it should be the main game, or the norm, yes it might be me being biased, but then again I'm also making logical sense. Theres a reason why we are not an international attraction for international gamers. I know its early days, but if we did have the sites and the resources and facilities, we still wouldn't get them. We have a reputation of being hi cap skirmishers playing speedsoft ( sorry this is a term i picked up abroad) and has no attraction.

I just get worried when I see a game like Jebrovia, get sweet **** all attendance, where in any other country in the world it would rope in hundreds, and the hold would be the sites, at the moment its players number count. We have numerous people both players and site owners out there who can write a proper whopper milsim, but they just dont get the backing

I'd say it might be more down to people not having the money, with times as they are.

k99_64

hrta wrote: »

I'd say it might be more down to people not having the money, with times as they are.

Well also in this country public transport can only bring u so far.

Fallschirmjager

extremetaz wrote: »

- it's the same thing every year.

This is what seperates the men from the boys as it were, and the mouths and posturers from the people who are actually worth listening too.

Now is the time for all the disgruntled to fix the problems they loath so much, and for all those who know better to show us how it's done.

this to me this is the key comments above......and perhaps they can do better so i would like to see their proposals for change....


bravo gentlemen on a steller year. bravo to all of those who have represented us so far and thanks for all the late nights. To be honest we would be well and truly ****ed without all your efforts.


i would also like to answer what doc and hrta said in the mid cap thread.

fayer

When I first offered my help to the IAA I was quite surprised by their reaction, it was nearly shock that someone was offering to help, Ronan gave me quite a talk on how thankless a position it etc. I totally disagree with him on this now. This has been one hell of a year, and I won’t dress it up for the sake of deluding possible new volunteers from coming forward, it involved a massif amount of work, time, and stress but it was worth it. I have seen the IAA past and present stay off legislative changes that would have ended Airsoft in Ireland twice now and bring us to a point where our sport is recognised in law and for that I am proud to call myself a member. Thanks for me is being able to arrive to one of the now many fantastic sites in Ireland and simply play, that is all I ever wanted and all I need.

Irelands achievements have not gone unnoticed, the IAA has been contacted by several countries that wish to follow our example on how they should secure the future of Airsoft in their country and as will be formally announced in the coming weeks we are one of 7 EU countries that have come together to form the European Airsoft Association.

The community should be proud of what we have achieved, and by “we” I mean all Airsofters, the IAA is only the sum of its parts and those parts are you. Everything the IAA has done, said and wrote is the combined feedback and suggestions from the community, the committee merely put it in a nice package.

The hard work is done. The association will now move, primarily into a frame of operation centred around development and promotion of the sport, and not battling against the government, or internal discontent that’s only foundation is the events of a time long past. It is time the community take pride in what “we” all together have achieved, if you have an hour a week to spare get involved, if you have a few hours run for a position on the committee, if your still sitting on the fence get off it, without you there is no IAA, and we are open to be picked apart the next time we face a challenge.

I have enjoyed my time on the IAA committee (for all the years it has taken of my life) but most of all I am proud to be part of a small community that in a very short space of time has achieved so much, that so many thought impossible.

Steve

Killinator

Unfortuneately its a stark reality that many people who play dont have time to do this kind of thing, I know I dont what with full time college and work to deal with,
I'm sorry but I have no intention of spending whatever few hours I have free working on the kind of things that the IAA work on, I applaud anyone who does work for it, fair play, but attacking those who can't( by assuming they just couldn't be arsed) is not going to serve any purpose,
The result will be and has been for the most part, a thanks-fest thread for the 'under appreciated IAA'
I might aswell throw my thanks in the hat....the IAA has done a great job, theve no doubt saved airsoft from a grizzly lime green or worse fate,
But I dont even get more than a few hours a month to go airsofting if I'm lucky, so simply put I have no intention of working in the dark basement that keeps the big airsoft machine ticking over, and no it dosnt make me a boy as opposed to a man(as someone said it would earlier) its me having to put up with the circumstances I find myself in and making a choice not to run due to those circumstances,
But hey, way to presume everyone should be able to help out and if they cant it'll be there fault airsoft dies!

fayer

Killinator wrote: »

Unfortuneately its a stark reality that many people who play dont have time to do this kind of thing, I know I dont what with full time college and work to deal with,
I'm sorry but I have no intention of spending whatever few hours I have free working on the kind of things that the IAA work on, I applaud anyone who does work for it, fair play, but attacking those who can't( by assuming they just couldn't be arsed) is not going to serve any purpose,
The result will be and has been for the most part, a thanks-fest thread for the 'under appreciated IAA'
I might aswell throw my thanks in the hat....the IAA has done a great job, theve no doubt saved airsoft from a grizzly lime green or worse fate,
But I dont even get more than a few hours a month to go airsofting if I'm lucky, so simply put I have no intention of working in the dark basement that keeps the big airsoft machine ticking over, and no it dosnt make me a boy as opposed to a man(as someone said it would earlier) its me having to put up with the circumstances I find myself in and making a choice not to run due to those circumstances,
But hey, way to presume everyone should be able to help out and if they cant it'll be there fault airsoft dies!

I think you missed the word "if" in my post. As in "if" you have the time. I am not running again as I do not have the time so do not presume I am attacking everyone that dose not give their lives to the IAA.

Killinator

fayer wrote: »

I think you missed the word "if" in my post. As in "if" you have the time. I am not running again as I do not have the time so do not presume I am attacking everyone that dose not give their lives to the IAA.

Im sorry I wasnt actually talking about your post, sorry if it seemed like that,
I was more refering to the attitude (on the first page) that seemed (to me) to imply that if your not helping out then its becasue you dont care or are happy to let others put in the hard work for you( not becasue you have a legitimate reason)

fayer

Killinator wrote: »

Im sorry I wasnt actually talking about your post, sorry if it seemed like that,
I was more refering to the attitude (on the first page) that seemed (to me) to imply that if your not helping out then its becasue you dont care or are happy to let others put in the hard work for you( not becasue you have a legitimate reason)

Thanks.

I agree people should not be bashed for not having the time or otherwise to get involved. It is more of a case to demonstraight that the IAA actually needs new people getting involved more regularly.

extremetaz

It was me who made the men from the boys comment and I've nointention of reviewing the point. I've earned the rightto make it!

Whilst I sympathise Killinator - I served on the committee for two years whilst simultaneously studying full time for an M.Sc. (in which I achieved first class honours), working a three day week in Trinity College, and running my own business two evenings a week, and weekends.

Stephen Fay has also studied and worked whilst on the committee.

The bottom line is that those who are dedicated enough FIND the time required. If you can't then so be it, it's a can do attitude that's required in any case, not an "I can't" personality - I still say it's no harm to try though.

And in my opinion - if you've enough free time to play the sport, then you've enough free time to make some attemp to see that it's there to be played.

Killinator

extremetaz wrote: »

It was me who made the men from the boys comment and I've nointention of reviewing the point. I've earned the rightto make it!

Whilst I sympathise Killinator - I served on the committee for two years whilst simultaneously studying full time for an M.Sc. (in which I achieved first class honours), working a three day week in Trinity College, and running my own business two evenings a week, and weekends.

Stephen Fay has also studied and worked whilst on the committee.

The bottom line is that those who are dedicated enough FIND the time required. If you can't then so be it, it's a can do attitude that's required in any case, not an "I can't" personality - I still say it's no harm to try though.

And in my opinion - if you've enough free time to play the sport, then you've enough free time to make some attemp to see that it's there to be played.

You see I dont have enough free time to play the sport, the only time I'm free to play is by chance and rarely when anyone else is out playing,
I dont expect you to review your post, your entitled to your opinion, and I commend you on your ability to do so much work you have earned the right to say whatever you want as have I as a player(as little as I get to play),
I reject the your opinion that I'm a 'boy' due to a lack of action, and that is your opinion of me( after all you said you wont review the comment),
but personaly you can think whatever the hell you want of me, becasue (no offence intended) you might aswell be an annonymous person on youtube for all the difference it makes to my state of mind on the matter.

Stercus Accidit

If you have the time and motivation volunteer.

If you don't, peh.


This thread is trying to inform people that we do need people with time to help out, not to yammer on about who does and doesn't and how that reflects (it doesn't) on people.

extremetaz

Killinator wrote: »

but personaly you can think whatever the hell you want of me, becasue (no offence intended) you might aswell be an annonymous person on youtube for all the difference it makes to my state of mind on the matter.

you sure?

you seem awfully eager to defend yourself from this anonymous onslaught? :rolleyes:

don't worry about it, I am essentially an anonymous person, that's the whole handicap with the internet.

The whole point I had been making in the initial instance was that there are many "anonymous" voices issuing command and opinion in the background at all times and that now is the chance for them to prove that they are actually even sligthly worth paying notice to.

Anyone can scream and shout for change - it takes dedication, determination and committment to actually get up and do something about it though.

ie: separation of the men from the boys.

Hell, at the moment not even the above is needed - what's needed is merely people with the will to try and keep things moving along.

Dr_Pepper

I don't have the time anymore. I stepped down because of this.
So im in the same boat as you Killinator.

I think your misunderstanding the difference between "ah someone else will do it" and "**** i would if i just had more hours in the day".
You seem to be in the latter, as are most posting here.

Now what sean is saying is that even he was in the latter but sacrificed a lot to make room.
I sacrificed lots when i was on the committee. Thats the "men from boys" bit explained.

Killinator

Dr_Pepper wrote: »

I don't have the time anymore. I stepped down because of this.
So im in the same boat as you Killinator.

I think your misunderstanding the difference between "ah someone else will do it" and "**** i would if i just had more hours in the day".
You seem to be in the latter, as are most posting here.

Now what sean is saying is that even he was in the latter but sacrificed a lot to make room.
I sacrificed lots when i was on the committee. Thats the "men from boys" bit explained.

Thats fair enough, and I'm not in for an arguement.
I still dont agree with the 'men from boys' bit though, an unfair comment as far as I'm concerned.

TheDoc

I have to agree its unfair also.

I probably have plenty of time to do IAA stuff, but I'm sorry I'm genuinely not arsed. I would rather play the game, play wow, watch paint dry, then have to deal with the stuff the lads do, and I get a nice insight into what they actually do.

No one should be put on a guilt trip for not doing it, its a choice, a voluntary choice.

I shouldnt have to feel guilt or be a "boy" because I'm not arsed. I give my support through membership and my small little messages via boards or in person to the lads of past and current, and for me thats enough.

People should not feel compelled to jump in the deep end, you also have to remember there is people who would possibly be horrendous at the job and feel intimidated. Like I said I've got the spare time, and I would like to help out, but I want to distance myself from it, because I just don't think I'd work well on it.

I'm too opinionated, I've little time for pussy footing. I would have done a lot of things differently. I like to think I have some respect and friend within the community, and I also know there is those that despise me..but sometimes it takes more of a man to take a step back and realise " I'll do more damage then good" rather then jump in and try get all the spoils for the wrong reasons.

Your tenner and membership is to show your support and elect those who you feel best represent you in the political arena, and the well spoken face of the sport, its not an apprenticeship into a committee.

I wouldn't label your sacrifice as being men from the boys, that just your choice. And your making it sound all wrong. You decided to make that sacrifice, no one forced you, you stepped up and your applauded for it, but to expect others to make the same sacrifice is expecting too much, especially for a voluntary position.

Because someone doesn't want too, doesn't feel they can do it, or n my case, genuinely not arsed, that reflects nothing on me, I've no obligation to anyone to go and save the game.

I'm sure there will be dedicated people running for the new committee and if I feel they will represent me best they will get my vote.

But please don't throw around the men from the boys **** please.

In the same way of thinking, I'm a ****ing collosal man because I play airsoft 2 times a week, am getting high grades in my honours degree in college, write voluntary articles from everything from airsoft mags, to internet websites, spend a hefty portion of the evening anwsering customers private messages to me here on boards, keeping in touch with my mates, finishing projects, maintaining a healthy relationship with my girlfriend and being able to be a pretty decent end game raider in WoW.

I'm the ****ing Chuck Norris of men by that account

extremetaz

Killinator wrote: »

Thats fair enough, and I'm not in for an arguement.
I still dont agree with the 'men from boys' bit though, an unfair comment as far as I'm concerned.

And all I'm saying is that in the length of time you've spent posting in this thread, you could, if you were so inclined, have written weekly news update for the website therefore leaving one less job for someone else to do.

As mentioned earlier - many hands make light work.

extremetaz

@Doc - lol, and you think I'm a "PC" type? :P

I actually happen to think that you'd do quite well on the committee - you'd certainly get my backing!

But hey, like you said, it's voluntary work, people undertake it of their own accord and it's not my place or anyone elses to "guilt" you or anyone else into it.

However, if that's what's required to get people motivated enough to continue to preserve this sport, then believe me, it's not beneath me! :P And if you're motivated enough to comment, then you should at least be motivated enough to help out in some way(that's not aimed at you Doc, I know you help out! That point was never in question).

It keeps being said - a small contribution from each of a good group of people is all that's needed.

Stone.cold

holy sh8t im having a flash back :mad: it wasnt 12 months ago when i recieved a pm after starting the petition to the DOj been told if i wasnt on the IAA bandwagon to basically be quiet. The committee of the last 12 months hav in my opinion built a lot of bridges in this community one with me in particular and now i see this from non committee members. if you think that insults and bully tactics will make people stand for election be prepared for empty seats

CrazyRabbit

Stone.cold wrote: »

holy sh8t im having a flash back :mad: it wasnt 12 months ago when i recieved a pm after starting the petition to the DOj been told if i wasnt on the IAA bandwagon to basically be quiet. The committee of the last 12 months hav in my opinion built a lot of bridges in this community one with me in particular and now i see this. if you think that insults and bully tactics will make people stand for election be prepared for empty seats

You missed this bit:

** DISCLAIMER
This is Conor Scolard's Personal Opinion
I am not on a committe for the IAA or IASRA.
**

Stone.cold

CrazyRabbit wrote: »

You missed this bit:

** DISCLAIMER
This is Conor Scolard's Personal Opinion
I am not on a committe for the IAA or IASRA.
**

No i didnt, because i never said it was the IAA commitee saying anything bad, i know most of them and they have done amazing things in the last few months without having to resort to this type of posts

Fallschirmjager

i read this and it was clear at least to me.

over the last few years there was quite a few people who were not just critical of the IAA but almost IMHO hyper critical. There was comment after comment on what they should be focusing on. Now personally i dont know if they are right or wrong but this is their chance. This is their chance to stand up and say this is what i want to do with the IAA and show leadership to the airsoft community.

Working in the spear tip of airsoft is a fracken thankless task. I truly dont believe some people realise how difficult it is. I understood the boys and men comment and i think if that has upset anyone, then i dont think leading the IAA is something to consider, IMHO.

Stone.cold

Fallschirmjager wrote: »

i read this and it was clear at least to me.

over the last few years there was quite a few people who were not just critical of the IAA but almost IMHO hyper critical. There was comment after comment on what they should be focusing on. Now personally i dont know if they are right or wrong but this is their chance. This is their chance to stand up and say this is what i want to do with the IAA and show leadership to the airsoft community.

Working in the spear tip of airsoft is a fracken thankless task. I truly dont believe some people realise how difficult it is. I understood the boys and men comment and i think if that has upset anyone, then i dont think leading the IAA is something to consider, IMHO.

So only people with hides like a rhino should stand for election yeah? theres a campaign slogan

Fallschirmjager

as it happens that is quite a catchy slogan....:D

iceage

Rhinocharge for Chairperson!!!!!!!!;)

Stone.cold

Fallschirmjager wrote: »

as it happens that is quite a catchy slogan....:D

whatever floats your boat

the fact of the matter is some people are not made for public office, some people do have very little time on their hands to take on a task like running the IAA, are they to be belittled because of that No. Are they any less important than the people that do stand No, the IAA of the last 12 months achieved so much because they were on the same level as any airsofter out there one of the boys so to speak. and for someone to come on here and say if someone cant find the time to be on the committee means they are not dedicated to airsoft is a down right insult, i am dedicated 100% to airsoft and its survival and have done a lot to aid this in the last 12 months I havent the time to take on the task of the IAA committee so does this mean im not dedicated after all?

iceage

You signed up to the IAA then stone?

Stone.cold

iceage wrote: »

You signed up to the IAA then stone?

i fail to see how that is any of your concern Iceage, but if you must know, no i havent our site is affiliated and some of our members are members but i havent yet no? does that mean i'm also less dedicated to airsoft?

Rhinocharge

iceage wrote: »

Rhinocharge for Chairperson!!!!!!!!;)

Cheers Iceage, but as it stands commercial interests cannot hold a position of office. :cool:

iceage

Idle curiosity, nothing else.

I think the more obvious thing any of us can do lads is ask the IAA directly is there anything we CAN do. Is there anything specifically that they require at this time.

Also I notice that the nominations are very far and few between, Actually only one so far has been proposed and seconded. You obviously all know this of course....no, Ahhhhh that right nobody actually checks the IAA website and Forums do they....

As a member it has all to do with me Stone as it does to all the other members. As your so vocal so recently I think in defense of the IAA I politely suggest you sign up.

Sod'o swords

Stone.cold wrote: »

i fail to see how that is any of your concern Iceage, but if you must know

Well it's interesting actually.

How you praise the IAA (and rightly so) plus have a site affiliated with them, but yet are not a member yourself.
Of course i'm not saying there's anything wrong with it. It's just, interesting.

iceage

Rhinocharge wrote: »

Cheers Iceage, but as it stands commercial interests cannot hold a position of office. :cool:

Your welcome Steve, I am aware of commercial conflict clause..I was just trying to bring some lighthearted banter to the table thats all.

Stone.cold

iceage wrote: »

Idle curiosity, nothing else.

I think the more obvious thing any of us can do lads is ask the IAA directly is there anything we CAN do. Is there anything specifically that they require at this time.

Also I notice that the nominations are very far and few between, Actually only one so far has been proposed and seconded. You obviously all know this of course....no, Ahhhhh that right nobody actually checks the IAA website and Forums do they....

As a member it has all to do with me Stone as it does to all the other members. As your so vocal so recently I think in defense of the IAA I politely suggest you sign up.

i can tell you who nominated who, who was excepted and who declined oh but wait nobody vists the forum so how could i know that, i have nothing against the IAA not now not before and i will sign up if and when it suits me iceage you or no one else will tell me when too. and i will always be vocal in the defence of airsoft

Stone.cold

Sod'o swords wrote: »

Well it's interesting actually.

How you praise the IAA (and rightly so) plus have a site affiliated with them, but yet are not a member yourself.
Of course i'm not saying there's anything wrong with it. It's just, interesting.

I havent got around to it (I know Gerrowdat is shaking his head at me). I will sign up and i have encouraged all our members to do the same.

Rhinocharge

Guys we're all on the same side here.
I don't believe that anyone is questioning anyone else's integrity. :):)

iceage

I think we can all agree with you there Rhinocharge. Agreed Stonecold.

Sod'o swords

Stone.cold wrote: »

I havent got around to it (I know Gerrowdat is shaking his head at me). I will sign up and i have encouraged all our members to do the same.

Ah.
Same boat as many of us have been in then.

Which explains that so!

Stone.cold

Sod'o swords wrote: »

Ah.
Same boat as many of us have been in then.

Which explains that so!

pretty much

Hivemind187

Whenever I post about this kind of thing it tends to end up in keyboards at forty paces however on this particular issue I have a unique perspective (18 hours of Barcelona airport control and Dublin city traffic not-with-standing).

Three years ago around a pub table in Bray the IAA was started by three people who barely new one another and certainly had very little in common beyond the sport of airsoft (at the time). Back then airsoft wasnt merely a fringe sport or a niche interest it was a catagorical oddity in the Republic. The only places people had skirmished were in the North (Predator was the usual name bandied around). The vast majority - and in the case of those three people the only - information and community resource that existed was this very board.

There was maybe two dozen threads then. One moderator (with back up from Sparks). No one was entirely sure of the fundamental engineering or science behind the kit and there was a lot of confusion regarding the law of the land and whether or not it was really legal after all (see the needle_two debacle).

Posters on this board were murmuring that some kind of organised effort needed to be made in order to safe guard what we all saw at the time as a very shakey future. Constitutions were drawn up. Arguments were had (some absolute blinders in fact). Many peoples personalities and ego's became intrinsically linked to a particular point of view. Words were had. Names called. Threats made.

What we got out of it was a functioning system of self governance unmatched (to my knowledge) by any similar airsofting organisation in the world.

In any historical context individuals are singled out because they were the signatory, or they were the leader or they happened to be a commentator at the time. Any historian worth their salt will tell you however that mass movements do not happen thanks to the efforts of a few individuals but through the combined consciousness being raised by all those who invest in those individuals. In essence, the individual is merely the icon or the name or the puppet through which the masses change their circumstances.

Simple things like knowing the law and science regarding the 1 joule issue or understanding the fundamental flaw in describing an airsoft as a "weapon" or knowing the appropriate manner in which to transport kit ... these things are not dictated. They evolve through argument, testing, analysis and practical use. A small group of individuals will only ever influence their own circle of contact, however the adoption of these ideas/mechanics etc on a universal scale happens by the idea seeping into the group consciousness.

Where am I going with this?

Simply put. The IAA Committee is powerless without the support of every member, every airsofter and every business it can find. Equally, without the distillation of the groups desires into a single, small unit - it has no voice. It will not be heard.

So no. Its not right to condemn those who havent the resources to invest in the day-to-day operation of the association. Its not right to condemn those who simply do not want to do the job, that is a personal decision and it does not prevent the individual from supporting the organisation as a whole.

It is equally incorrect to condemn those who are doing the work unless you have also done so. It is the same as telling a carpenter he is cutting timber in the wrong way when you have never even held a saw.

I would urge anyone with any standing in the community to put themselves forward for positions on the committee. Those with the skills. Those with the knowledge and the drive and the ability but most importantly the simple desire to see this story play out with a happy ending.

Many of you reading this are considering running. Stories the former and out-going committee members have to tell are often discouraging - I have told enough of them myself - but perhaps what you should be hearing are the positive stories. The big wins. The small triumphs. The excitement. The knowledge that you are doing something for no other reason than you think it genuinely the right thing to do.

I'll start.

I lived on my nerves, a handfull of pro-plus and a two-hour nap a night from October early December in 2008. I was up all night reading and re-reading our revised stance on the major issues. We were wary of publishing too soon for fear of over-looking a glaring error of logic. We were anxious to get the document into public hands as soon as possible so we could make those with the power aware that efforts by the responsible community were being made. I can't tell you the number of mornings I would still be up typing and re-typing to see people log into IRC that I had said goodnight to 10 hours previously.

Then, one afternoon I returned to my keyboard to continue some marathon row I was having (that seemed sooooo important at the time) to find my inbox had an email from the Department of Justice in it. I honestly thought I was going to have a heart attack. It took me a half hour to work up the nerve to open the email.

That was the email that told us we had won. Airsoft would be recognised. Legislation based on our analysis and proposals would be enacted.

2 years of hard work was well worth that one moment when I forwarded the email to the other committee members. Perhaps this is too nostlagic but it's my big example of the intangible rewards for doing the job. I know the other have their own stories.

Please, if you are reading this and you are teetering on the edge of whether or not you should run - if you have the time, energy etc etc - throw your hat into the ring. Its like seeing a fire, you dont assume someone else will ring the brigade, you make a call anyway.

iceage

Nicely put Hivemind.

Don't forget the Redbulls.