I would like to draw your attention to an article “Changing” of this month’s issue penned by our senior director of membership and business development, Susan Lausch. In the March AeroSafety World, I talked about the Flight Safety Foundation’s value proposition and how it relates to membership. Susan has written about the Foundation’s new membership structure and how it will enhance our ability to serve our members.
When we looked at our membership demographics, we found a diversified group of individuals, students, companies, airports, airlines, business aviation operations, manufacturers, governments, support services and associations in our list of more than 1,000 members. What that means is, we enjoy wide recognition and support, but we also must appeal to each constituency with some focus on what is important for them. Not an easy task, but we started looking at it in terms of what we provide to everyone. That is where the value proposition comes in.
There are two flight paths to take on the value proposition. The first is that contributing to the Foundation is socially responsible because of all the work that we have done since 1947 to keep aviation safe. Everyone who has been a part of aviation has benefited from a safe industry. In short, “It’s the right thing to do.” Pay back what we all have gained to continue to be safe. Contributions through membership will sustain the Foundation’s ability to initiate research and to be involved in team efforts in technical aviation safety issues, so that we may all continue to benefit from being part of one of the safest transportation modes on Earth.
The second flight path is the bottom line approach. This is where there must be some type of direct return on investment (ROI for the financial types) for the dues paid to the Foundation. Many members ask me, “What do I get for my money?” The answer varies by category of membership and how much they want to gain. Basically, we provide aviation safety information and research that is delivered in three ways: our website and its many links, ASW and seminars. Through those outlets, you can gain a wealth of information that will keep your segment of the FSF membership demographic informed and safe. Many of you are required by regulation to demonstrate how you keep abreast of current aviation operational and safety issues. The Foundation should be right there at the top, and by the way, it is readily accepted as such. Take that statement to your CEO, COO or CFO, and they should now understand the ROI.
The Flight Safety Foundation is an honest broker in aviation safety issues, and we are able to offer that information in an independent and impartial way because we are not directly affiliated with any business or government entity. We will be able to maintain that international, independent and impartial status on aviation issues with your continued support. For that, I thank you on behalf of the Foundation.