Hello All
I would like to provide an update to last weeks concerning news about our VACC director, and the actions behind them.
I have spend Friday and Saturday having several very productive meetings with both Phil Hutchinson (VP EMEA) and Mattia Torti (VATEUD), to understand and talk about the processes and events that has led to such an intrusive decision.
The situation started to peak during the event planning at Cross The Pond, when two of our staff members got into a very public disagreement concerning staffing of Finland in relation to flights to Russia. A disagreement which escalated, and eventually led to actions being taken by the VP of EMEA, in order to cool down the situation.
This had quite an adverse effect though, because of the limited information available to the VACC led to us in the board take action, which may have not been ideal for the circumstances, however based on how we saw the situation at the time with the information available. The response by the VACC unfortunately escalated the situation further, which ended in VATEUD asking for the resignation of the VACC director.
In a way, our director has been a somewhat collateral damage in a situation where a board wide decision was agreed, reminding us that the VACC director is ultimately carrying the burden of accountability and flow of information. While feedback was taken during the meetings concerning the rational and reasons for the decision, it was also sharply pointed out from our end that the process of this communication was not acceptable, and for the record to stipulate that the VACC will not tolerate interference into VACC staff without due process and verified sources in the future. This feedback seemed to have been accepted and understood by all parties, which is why I am hopeful we can move on in good spirits.
The conflict on the CTP channel and events that followed, has been thoroughly reviewed, mediations between VACC and controller performed, and an acceptable solution to all parties agreed. This mediations was performed in good faith by Phil and Mattia, and is a good sign of their will to rebuild the trust which has been shaken by the events.
Looking ahead
Now we need to look ahead. Ahead of what we can take away as an organization, and the path we want to take forward.
Using this as a chance to grow as a VACC stands before us. Taking a stand for our values, build up our influence in VATEUD through clear and professional communication, and have open and honest dialogues. Developing a relationship with VATEUD and EMEA which is built on confidence and respect, where we can engage with and approach each other with honesty and directness until the day where we can evolve beyond a VACC.
We will, after an extraordinary board meeting, be posting the vacancy for VACC Director. I urge you all to think about what this role encapsulates. It is the mandate of all the members of VATSIM-Scandinavia to further our organisations interests and solidify us as a leading VACC of Europe. If you feel up for the task and want to make a true difference, I encourage anybody to apply for this position.
Thank you for your time.
NOTE: It is a lot of events, to be condensed to a single post, so please feel free to ask any follow up questions, as long as they are in respect of peoples privacy and COC. I will try to answer best I can with what I know for certain.
