This publication is meant as an independent and open communication platform for paragliding pilots and other interested parties regarding matters pertaining to paragliding in the Garden Route. It is the first step in establishing a broader web-based communication platform.
This blog and associated mail group, will initially also serve to update members in respect of the current processes that are aimed at establishing an organized and structured collective to serve the broader interests of the sport of paragliding in the Garden Route, those of individual pilots, commercial operators, clubs and other interested parties. An invitation will also be formally extended to members of the local hang-gliding community to participate in this platform and communications.
The blog and mail group were established in an individual capacity by Cobus Potgieter, after informal consultations with some other members of the local paragliding community. It is available for use by all interested parties and organizations pursuing the advancement of the interests as stated, including the Interim Working Committee established during the ‘George Meeting’ and whether it may be on a formal or informal basis.
Proposals are invited as to how the management of this blog and associated mail group should take place, in order to ensure it is a neutral and unbiased service to the paragliding community and to maintain its’ integrity as an open and legitimate communication platform, not subject to manipulation of any nature.
Any comments, proposals and inquiries are encouraged and can either be submitted by posting on the blog or per e-mail.
It is hereby recorded that Cobus Potgieter commits to handing over all interests and controls to this service in the event of such a request coming from a new Garden Route-centred Paragliding body or organization deemed legitimate by the majority of interested parties or participants in this service.
Any comments, proposals and inquiries are encouraged and can either be submitted by posting on the blog or per e-mail.
Blog Procedures
An invitational e-mail was initially sent out to known members of the Garden Route Paragliding community and other parties that have shown interest in our processes. It is accepted that some people might have not been reached as yet, and we request that you point our own or their attention to such fact and so to broaden the consultative base of this service.
The mail group - garden-route-pilots@googlegroups.com - will serve as a communication platform along with this blog, the difference being that posts on the blog will be there for all to see and not only for members of the mail group, and importantly, you will be able to post anonymously on the blog. This we do to enable people to freely make constructive inputs, without fear of influence or pressure from peers or organizations as a result of expressing differing views from such parties.
Abusive language and general conduct/content that is in contrast with the stated objectives will be removed and recurring such behaviour may lead to exclusion from the mail group. This function is awaiting inputs from members/users as to how it will be managed, in the interim this task will be shared amongst a few volunteers.
