Gill Robb Wilson Association

[ascorbate]

The idea of a Gill Robb Wilson Association was discussed in this forum back in 2009 as noted at: http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=9213.0

There is even a Gill Robb Wilson Award Network at: http://grwilson.ning.com with a 2012 mention that a Gill Robb Wilson Association is "in the works." Anyone know the who, what, where and when of how this effort might (or might not) be progressing forward?

[Al Sayre]

Haven't heard anything about it...

[flyboy53]

You have a Spaatz Award. Any ideas how to form such an association?

[ascorbate]

You have a Spaatz Award. Any ideas how to form such an association?

Yes I do... but I don't want to step on any toes nor do I want to duplicate efforts if someone else is tackling this task.

[AdAstra]

PM sent.

The first question: What would be the purpose of the GRW Association?

The Spaatz Association is an great model, but two attempts at a NSC Alumni Association petered out when they couldn't answer that question.

GRW #404

[James Shaw]

There is also a GRW Association listed in LinkedIn with 7 followers. There is also a GRW group on another social network website I have seen but do not know for sure which on it is.

There is also a GRW page on FaceBook, though I have never gone to it until this morning. It has about 10 people.

[ascorbate]

The first question: What would be the purpose of the GRW Association?

GRW #404

Possibilities:
1) promote the legacy of Gill Robb Wilson
2) promote personal (eg. persistence, determination) and professional development (eg. leadership, integrity)
3) serve as a repository for all GRW recipients
4) fund aerospace and/or PD scholarships
5) develop a mentoring initiative for senior members... and maybe senior cadet officers

[Eclipse]

As someone who is one click away from Wilson, this isn't something I'd be interested in.

[FlyTiger77]

I only lack NSC, but I like the idea and will be interested when/if the time comes.

[flyboy53]

You have a Spaatz Award. Any ideas how to form such an association?

Yes I do... but I don't want to step on any toes nor do I want to duplicate efforts if someone else is tackling this task.

So what would you have other Wilson recipients -- like me -- do to help you?

I never got any where close to a Spaatz when I was a cadet, so achieving my GRW was just as important to me. I guess I had another motivation because I grew up not far from where Gill Robb Wilson was born in Clarion County, Pa., and I knew a CAP charter member who was a personal friend of his.

The sad thing is that most NSC graduates and GRW recipients tend to lose contact or interest unless you were fortunate to be in the same NSC Class.

I think the association might be worthwhile, but I am aware of other movements that went nowhere -- like cadets that tried to start a Mitchell Association back in the 1970s in the Indiana Wing

[ascorbate]

So what would you have other Wilson recipients -- like me -- do to help you?

The sad thing is that most NSC graduates and GRW recipients tend to lose contact or interest unless you were fortunate to be in the same NSC Class.

Regarding help, I'll need it... if we overcome liftoff inertia, so stand by for now. I've received a couple of PMs suggesting that I spool up CAP NHQ about this proposal. I'm hopeful of moving this along faster than the characteristic Maxwell pace.

Another Possibility:
6) promote fellowship

[ascorbate]

So the proposed purpose of the GRW Association:

Short Term Goals:
1) promote the legacy of Gill Robb Wilson
2) promote personal (eg. determination, discipline) and professional development (eg. leadership, integrity)
3) serve as a repository for all GRW recipients
4) develop a mentoring initiative for senior members... and maybe senior cadet officers
5) promote fellowship

Longer Term Goals:
1) bequeath aerospace and PD scholarships... since this will likely require the formation of a non-profit organization under section 503(c)(3) of IRS rules, this would be a longer term goal after getting a fraternal/maternal organization up and running on social media.

[ascorbate]

The Will To Lead

by Gill Robb Wilson

(First published in Flying Magazine 1960)


So long as this is a free man's world
sombody has to lead;

Somebody has to carry the ball in word
and thought and deed;

Somebody's got to knock on doors which
never have known a key;

Somebody's got to see the things that the
throng would never see.

Hotter than thrust when the boost is hit,
somebody's faith must burn;

And faster than mach when the rocket's lit,
somebody's mind must turn;

Somebody's got to get the proof for what
the designers plan;

And test the dreams that the prophets dream
in behalf of their fellow man.

Somebody's got to think of pay in terms
that are more than gold;

And somebody has to spend himself to buy
what the heavens hold;

Somebody's got to leave the crowd and walk
with his fears alone;

Somebody's got to accept the thorns and
weave for himself a crown.

It's ever thus as the ages roll and the
record's written clear–

Somebody has to give himself as the
price of each frontier;

Somebody has to take a cross and climb
to a rendezvous

Where a lonesome man with a will to lead
can make the truth shine through.

[Critical AOA]

I think the association might be worthwhile, but I am aware of other movements that went nowhere -- like cadets that tried to start a Mitchell Association back in the 1970s in the Indiana Wing

I recall that effort.  I had my Mitchell for a short while and was approached by a couple of others who were trying to get that group going.  These were other teenagers who wanted to make some changes to CAP as they did not like the way it was.  That was almost 40 years ago so I don't recall the exact details.  I do recall though that I didn't care much for their plans or their approach to things and passed on joining their group.