I don't mean to de-rail the thread...but why do you say OBAP wants to empower based on race/gender? I just read our mission statement again and it's about our desire to use our knowledge and experience in life to mentor youths that are sometimes lost or unaware of career opportunities available in S.T.E.M disciplines and don't know that these fields are within their reach. I think that unless you have been active as a member, participated in the community school events and A.C.E camps, that your statement is way off.

Is it because we are mostly a minority organization? We welcome any race/ethnicity; but it has been my experience that a lot of people have joined solely to benefit themselves thanks to our networking opportunities with members in all areas of aviation. I myself am a minority but not in the majority (or even close) at OBAP; and no member has ever expressed their desire to help out only a certain group of people. Instead we all help each other because we feel unity and obligation to push each other forward because we all remember our struggles and work beside each other in the community projects held regularly...so we see those that are active, participate and have a sense of helping the community/youths; they become part of our personal network within a larger one. I have been actively seeking out more members with CFI's or any aviation experience to add to our chapter but not many people like to donate their time and see the makeup of our organization and don't bother to learn about what we do. Btw I'm Hispanic and never have I come across someone who made me feel marginalized because I'm not African American.

Please consider attending a meeting where community projects are discussed and think of how your ratings/experience/wisdom can help mentor younger people and keep interest in aviation/math/engineering/technical careers.




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