The RTWR Executive Committee are pleased to make the following announcements. We should also like to make a request for the teams to select members to the Racing Committee.
1. Appointments.
First, Austin Davis has graciously accepted a position on the Executive Committee. Second, we are absolutely delighted that Eamonn Watson has volunteered to take on the role of Communications and Technology Officer for the race.
For RTWR 2013 and possibly going forward, we should like to announce an expanded governing structure for the Race.
Race Management Group.
Call the overall structure the Race Management Group. It includes three committees, the Executive Committee, the Racing Committee, and the Resources Committee.
Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee remains in place. Its small membership works by consensus to find common ground. The Executive Committee makes final decisions about the overall features in the race. It also designs special requirements and the race course. During the race, it provides elaborations on and interpretations of the rules. Members take a secondary role in the leadership of the teams and refrain from building the teams' strategic flight plans.
Racing Committee.
The Racing Committee consists of three to six members, with at least one and a maximum of two selected from each team for a renewable term, to cover the current race. The Racing Committee has overall authority and responsibility for managing the day-to-day running of the race. From their number, they select a daily Race Master who exercises executive authority over the daily operations. The Race Master organizes the Duty Officer roster – to be staffed by members of the Racing Committee, the Executive Committee, and the Resources Committee.
The Racing Committee also serves as the primary appeals institution. For controversial or difficult decisions, or in response to participants appeals, the Race Master forms an Appeals Board consisting of three members. Whenever practicable, these members come from the Racing Committee and one member comes from each of the teams. The Appeals Board establishes the facts, consults with the Executive Committee about rules interpretations, and deliberates over the outcomes. Their majority decision is final. (Rarely, and only when fundamental issues are at stake, the Executive Committee will hear a secondary appeal.)
Resources Committee.
The Resources Committee is made up of volunteers appointed by the Executive Committee to execute specific functional operations. For example, we expect a Communications and Technology Officer and an Aeronautics and Aircraft Eligibility Board. (These are constituted in bare bones form for this year.) While serving, the members of this Committee are full-fledged members of the Race Management Group.
Deliberations and Race Participation.
Whenever possible and practicable, the entire Race Management Group will deliberate over decisions. The primary decision-making responsibilities vary, of course. But good decisions reflect an open sharing of expertise and judgment. The Executive Committee retains ultimate responsibility for making the race a fun and fair event for all.
All members of the Race Management Group participate in the Race. While Executive Committee members limit their team-specific leadership and planning functions, other Group members are encouraged to play as vigorous a role as they wish. It is important that the members be directly involved so as to understand what pilots think and want – people often have different ideas about what makes for a good event. The goal of race governance is to provide a challenging and enjoyable experience that reflects the views of all participants.
4. Selection of Racing Committee Members.
We ask that the veterans on each team develop a process and then select one or two Racing Committee members to serve for the 2013 Race. The selection of two members (rather than one) reduces the burden of service for any single pilot. We ask teams to pick volunteers who are race-savvy enthusiastic participants and who are willing to give some time and effort to the overall community. A February 1st deadline makes sense so that the Racing Committee members can participate in the final stages of the race setup.
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