From the Sept / Oct 2009 issue of Marsh Rider:

Reflections
By BISHOP WRIGHT, Jr.
President, Florida Airboat Association

Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate the 4th of July and say “thank you” to our award Winners. A BIG Thank You to the superstars who have helped FAA and airboaters accomplish so much this year.

The Executive Committee dinner for airboat manufacturers on July 3rd was a success & we appreciate the feedback we received. This is the first of many such events.

Again, Osceola Airboat Association put on an awesome barbecue. Lake Cypress Fish Camp was a super host, and we love their 100% airboat friendly place. If you missed the show on the ridge Saturday night, it was spectacular- thanks to KRVSA.

This year alone we have gained more access than we had in the previous year, which is something that has not been achieved in a decade. This talented group has a bright future but only if the Airboating community continues to give financial support.

I would suggest when purchasing a raffle ticket or donating an auction item, that you ask if the club or cause supports FAA financially and whether any part of your donation will go to FAA. If the answer is no, then make your donation to someone who is supporting your cause by supporting FAA. Honestly, you would think everybody is helping FAA after all the big battles we’ve taken on but unfortunately this is not a case. So help make changes in the airboating community, because it’s your future.

If you do not have airboat insurance yet, you need to get it. FAA has teamed up with Charter Lakes Insurance to provide you with an awesome opportunity, which in return will help you and FAA in the long run. (see story on page 19)

Why should you and your club support FAA? Because we have a lobbyist in Tallahassee who is helping us gain access, change your boating & laws, hunting laws, and try to keep our enemies away from the front door. Because of her work, you now have more privileges than in the past.

We have hired an attorney to show county commissioners we’re not playing when it comes to access.

We have grass roots airboaters who attend government agency meets throughout the state . Access is everything and it takes money to have the right people watching out for us.

In October, a talented group of Airboaters will be selected to represent you as officers or part of the 2010 executive board of FAA. The Nominations are:
President - Bishop Wright, Jr.
Vice President, Jim Brown;
Secretary, dawn Patterson;
Treasurer, Laura Hasty or John Halvorson;
Webmaster, Charity Chardt;
Executive Committee: Danny Brantley; Byron Maharrey; Jerry Wetherington; John Storms,John Halvorson; Danny Emmons; Dave Markett; Scotty Sommers; Nat Italiano, Jeffrey Breisinger; Earl Stidham.

As you prepare to vote, on October 11, remember the executive committee should understand & be willing to listen to what drives folks like you, understand what our passions are, and have the same values we all hold dear to ours heart. Most people look for three things: agility, ability and availability. The first two stand alone, and the third is as much an attitude as it is anything else. This is why some people with these talents have greater inner drive that helps the cause go so much further.

As volunteers, we can only try to motivate people to do things on our behalf. Because we all have to go to work every day, we learn to put things aside so we can focus on the work at hand. As president, I’ve learned the best leaders are ones which have sense enough to pick good people to help do what needs to be done. Those leaders need enough restraint to keep from meddling with our “hired help” while they do what we need done. It’s obviously worked well in the last two years and with the right mix on the executive committee, we’ll keep moving forward.

Through everything that’s happened this year, the FAA superstars never give up and certainly never get enough credit for their accomplishments. We have worked hard to make a positive statement and I feel Team FAA has gone above and beyond. So when you see them give them a highfive for me. I believe we are now on a roll.

Our 2009 SUPERSTARS
Mary Ann Westwood, Woman Airboating Enthusiast
Wayne Bradbury, and Jay Vetzel, Horizon award
FSCA, Affiliate of the Year
Byron Mahaerry, Randy Dowd Award
Danny Brantley, board member
Scotty Sommers, volunteer Award
Justin Merritt, Youth Award;
Bonnie Basham accepting Voice of Airboating award for Dustin Basham
Senator Dave Aronberg and Rep.
Doug Holder, Legislative awards
Don Coyner, agency award.
Also presented to Nancy Marquis were Governor and Cabinet, House and Senate Resolutions honoring Bud Marquis. Copies of these Resolutions also were presented to AAOF for their clubhouse wall.