CHAPTER LEADER ACADEMY Five Chapter Leader Academy weekend sessions were held at EAA headquarters in 2008. Chapter leaders engaged in a variety of fun, fast-paced and fact-filled activities aimed at generating ideas and suggestions to help strengthen and sustain their local EAA chapters. The 2008 sessions generated ideas for programs such as, Trial Membership, Meeting-in-a-Box, Web presence for all chapters (through EAA’s new online community, Oshkosh 365), online insurance form, and revision of orientation ride guidelines. Chapter leaders were provided with networking and fellowship opportunities, and had the opportunity to meet EAA staff members who provide support to their activities throughout the year.
ONLINE CALENDAR OF EVENTS EAA launched an entirely new online Calendar of Events tailored to helping chapters promote local events for chapter members to do things with their airplanes. Advance search and display functions make the calendar a useful tool for people seeking an event, and also assists chapters with avoiding time conflicts with other activities—both helping chapters see better attendance. The new website also generates maps, airport information, and links to EAA Flight Planner. It has since evolved into the world’s largest calendar of aviation activities, with more than 3,000 events entered annually.
ONLINE SPEAKER’S BUREAU Surveys revealed that one of the common challenges faced by chapters is finding relevant, entertaining speakers for monthly meetings and annual banquets. EAA’s online Speaker’s Bureau was developed to assist chapters with this challenge. Currently, more than 500 individuals are registered in the speaker database, including members of the EAA Board of Directors. The search functions allow members to search by location, subject matter, or name.
CHAPTER E-GRAM In March 2008, the monthly EAA Chapter E-Gram electronic newsletter was redesigned to include more graphics and be more reader friendly. The editorial focus also shifted to news, information, and ideas that appealed more to chapters, including content that could be used in chapter publications.
Total Active Chapters
EAA
International Aerobatic Club
Ultralight
Vintage Aircraft Association
Warbird Squadrons
References:
Archives