In for it now... AKA!

[John Barresi]

Hi all,

Just wanted to touch base here on the digital home front to share some interesting news, if you weren't aware already.

Looks like I'm running unopposed for AKA president, the election will take place at the Annual Business Meeting during AKA Convention first week of October in Enid, OK... New administration takes over on October 16th or 17th, I think.

My candidate statement:

Greetings and good winds!

My name is John Barresi, and I am a kite flier through and through... I have no distractions outside our community since kiting is literally my life in work, sport, family, passion and love - it is happily my sole dedication.

Although I’ve predominantly been a sport kite flier (dual and quad) since I started flying in 1990, those who travel enough to know can vouch for my sincere love and appreciation of ALL things kiting (kite making, fighters, show kites, single line, miniatures, indoor, etc)... Regardless of my personal involvement in each genre, I understand and value the symbiotic nature of all our possible kite expressions - as a presentation; we’re at our strongest working together.

In 2002 I took over ownership of Kitelife.com and started to become very active in the promotion of kiting through the development of various online resources, web services for kite entities, social media and various on-field educational programs. I hope to share some of that experience as we continue improving the organization's overall value and presence.

Most of you know already, I'm not much for administration or giving long speeches... My primary skill set is communication, idea development, team-building, moderation, implementation, web presentation and the effective use of social media and online communities.

With this in mind, should I be elected, I've already secured an extremely experienced and respected Vice President to share the load of day-to-day administration, and if given the opportunity I will select board members who provide a similar balance of actual experience in the various genres, institutional memory AND new, forward thinking (equally important).

To me, serving as AKA president is not about individual accomplishments or accolades (although I’ve listed some below if you care to look)... Presidency is about leading the collective charge, helping to set a tone or mood, delegating effectively, offering new directions for consideration and facilitating discussions.

Those who have dealt with me first-hand know that I'm generally very effective at moderating the BS we *all* generate as individual personalities in order to achieve a result... There are a lot of old conflicts and disagreements within the AKA and its membership that have made the organization a less than favorable environment for those directly participating - I have no problem cutting through tactfully, so we can move forward with eyes wide open and common goals in view.

We learn from the past, we honor it, but we don’t live in it.

---

For the purpose of this ballot and those who aren't familiar with my "hands-on" background, I've listed some of my adventures below.

Online resources:

Kitelife.com (online magazine and community) owner 2002-present

LearnKites.com (video tutorials)

KiteMap.org (global flying locations)

Current team affiliations:

TeamiQuad.com (quad line performance team)

FlyForm.us (indoor kite team)

Organizational Roles:

2005 AKA Sport Kite Committee (Chair)

2005 Member, International Rules Book Committee (IRBC)

2006 AKA Regional Director #9

2006 AKA Sport Kite Committee (Chair)

2006 Judge, World Sport Kite Championships (France)

2006 Chief Judge, Weifang Sport Kite Championships (China)

2006 Member, International Rules Book Committee (IRBC)

2007 AKA Regional Director #9

2007 AKA Sport Kite Committee (member)

2007 Member, International Rules Book Committee (IRBC)

2008 Director, Kite Trade Association (KTAI)

2009 Director, Kite Trade Association (KTAI)

Past recognition:

2007 “Best Retail Promotional Effort” (for iQuad, from KTAI)

2008 AKA Steve Edeiken award

2009 “Best Wholesale Promotional Effort” (for iQuad, from KTAI)

2010 “Best Promotional Effort” (for Kitelife, from KTAI)

2011 “Best Wholesale Promotional Effort” (for iQuad, from KTAI)

Event organization:

West Coast Rev Clinic (2009-2012)

Rev Team Boot Camp (2012)

I was also an active competitor from 1991 through 2008 before retiring to dedicate more time to promotion, pilot education and public outreach... During those 18 years, I earned 19 national sport kite championships in both dual and quad line disciplines as an individual, pairs and team member.

There's not much else to say about it - you all pretty much know what I'm about, we'll let the future speak for itself, for better or worse.

I'll give it everything I've got, you can be assured of that.

Thanks for your support, in any capacity or venue!

[Baloo]

Suppose I could oppose you if you realy need any opposition John.

My candidate statement would read something like.

I do loads of things, somtimes I fly kites. Most of the time I have a kite in my car, come to think of it though not got one in there at the moment.

I am not very good at kite flying, but I do try to help others if they look like they need help, one of my influences to fly kites has been a chap called John Barresi, I think he has something to do with a few on line forums and is quite involved with kite flying in America and all round the World. Think he might be a good candidate but he might be too busy with kite stuff suppose you could ask him too but he might be too nice a chap.

Anyway, that is a start for my statement, I dont see it as a problem that I live in the UK and am not a menber of the AKA, after all we dont want to be countryist and memberist do we?

Anyone think I have a chance?

John, fantastic news, can not think of anone better, even if I am a long way away if I was AKA you would get my vote.

[--Pete]

Vote early and often! (A favorite exhortation from "machine" politics. )

[John Barresi]

Right now, I'm favoring "the best of what's left" slogan for my non-campaign.

[John Barresi]

Don't take that too seriously, I'm just making light... Heady work, to be sure.

I really will do my best, just not taking myself too seriously.

[Baloo]

Seriously, I find it is not good to be too serious. Think if I was to take myself seriously I would have to go out and give myself a good talking too.