Sites Officer

The Role of SHGC Sites Officer

From the Constitution;
The objects of the Club are@@@..
2(a) To negotiate for, acquire and protect flying sites for its members.

Firstly. The over riding principle is the protection of our Sites.
Keep the Landowners as happy as possible and try to keep site fees under control.

Secondly. To seek out and pursue the possibility of adding new sites.
It is a fact that all or most of the possible potential sites in this area that members might think would be suitable are in fact not available because 1) the landowner wont allow it and 2) there may have been a previous agreement but the site has been lost due perhaps to a conflict or dangerous flying or non member problems and is irrecoverable.

Some detail to help you:-
The Sites Guide and the Site Master documents are your reference manuals.
This information gives you details of the rents paid (if applicable), the name of the landowner, the name of the farmer ( owner or tenant), the name of land agents, the leases and agreements for sites, any potential or ongoing issues, and what has gone before and is on record @..
On occasions you may need to meet with Landowners or their Agents. You do not need to do this on your own. There are others who will help you if you ask them.
You will take responsibility for site signs, warning flags, windsocks and padlocks.

You can draw on the experience of others who will always be happy to help you. ie. former Sites Officers, your Committee, experienced pilots, and you can call on the BHPA Sites Officer if necessary.
There is always going to be some cross referencing between the Sites Officer, the Safety Officer and Membership Secretary.

Some tips:-
* Being a diplomat comes in very handy.
* Keep friendly with the locals. Most of them like us and know that we are a bona fide Club trying to keep everything under control.
* Be a good listener.
* Don't over-react.

You are simply continuing the stewardship of what the SHGC has developed over 30+ years so that the next generation can have what we enjoy.

You don't need to be an expert at anything. There are other people around who will help you appear to be an expert! Everything you do is for the benefit of the membership whether they know it or not.

David Webb
Outgoing Sites Officer