Have you spotted a BPA Star?

We’ve all heard moans about poor service.  But we also know there are many examples of fantastic service within our sport.  And we believe it’s time for them to be recognised!

That’s why we’re asking A licence holders and above to tell us about great service.  Have you received a shining example of customer service at a Club or Centre from another BPA member - service above and beyond the norm that goes the extra mile?  Service that’s made a real difference by helping you to stay in the sport, to achieve your next goal, or by giving you that all-important extra support just when you needed it most?  Have you received Customer Service that deserves To Achieve Recognition?

Well, now’s your chance to thank that member in a special way by telling us all how they sparkle!  Nominate them as a BPA Star and both they - and you - could be recognised on AGM Day in January 2014.  There’s being helpful and then there’s being super-helpful.  In sorting out a problem, giving help you weren’t expecting that made all the difference - that’s what we’re looking for.  The member whose customer service shines through, who goes above and beyond the call of duty.  The glittering performance that makes all the difference.  A BPA Star!

How to nominate a BPA Star 2013 

1.  This year's closing date to nominate a BPA Star is Monday 4 November 2013. 

2.  To be eligible for consideration, the nominee must be at least an A licence holder and the reasons why s/he deserves to be considered for the award of a BPA Star must be set out in no more than 250 words.  The nomination must be from the member who actually received the excellent service.  Nominations should be e-mailed to skydive [at] bpa.org.uk  headed 'BPA Star nomination' and begin with the name, membership number (if known), A or above licence number and date (if known), and home DZ of the nominee.  The nomination must also include the name, membership number, home DZ, 'phone number and postal address of the nominator, and a statement of their relationship (personal, business, etc) if any with the nominee.  (The information about the nominee and nominator do not count toward the 250 word limit.)  It is a condition of nominations that the nominator agrees to publication of the nomination text, or extracts thereof, in BPA media (Mag, website, soicial media etc) subject to the agreement of the nominee.  However, publication is not promised or guaranteed.  Receipt of nominations will be acknowledged by e-mail, so if you do not receive an acknowledgement, please check with the BPA Office that your nomination has been received.

3.  Each eligible nomination will be considered by a panel of judges - the BPA Vice Presidents - who will decide on whether the nominee should be awarded a BPA Star.  The decision of the judging panel is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

4.  Winners of a BPA Star will be advised and announced on the BPA website before the AGM and recognised at BPA AGM Day on Saturday 25 January 2014 at the East Midlands Conference Centre (EMCC), Nottingham.

5.  Nominators of those awarded a BPA Star will also be recognised.

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 "BPA Star is our new Award to recognise members who go the extra mile in helping and supporting A licence holders and above stay and progress in the sport" 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martin Soulsby , BPA Chair (above), says, "Camaraderie and that comfy feeling of being welcome and belonging can make the difference between staying in the sport or leaving.

The BPA Star nominations are all heartwarming personal stories which, in aggregate, shine a light on the human factors that help to improve retention - essential if our sport is to grow and flourish. Retention rates may be expressed in cold statistics, but these statistics cover stories of humility, friendship and warmth - stories of BPA members who genuinely care about the progression of their brother and sister members."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BPA Star Certificate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BPA Stars and their nomintors receive a BPA Star travel mug

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you've spotted a BPA Star, nominations for 2013 are open until Monday 4 November 2013.   Please see 'How to nominate a BPA Star 2013' above.

 

Meet your BPA Stars 2012

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            BPA Stars Victoria (left) and Rebecca Bradley

Victoria & Rebecca say, "It was such a surprise to be awarded our BPA Stars, what an honour! We're both delighted that we've helped to give newbies a positive experience of our brilliant sport, and perhaps helped retain a few more experienced jumpers along the way.  It's lovely to get such positive feedback from one's peers."

One of their nominators, Gabriel Luc said, of Victoria & Rebecca, "I had done 58 jumps in May 2012, and pretty much nothing but solos since getting my A licence 2 years earlier. I was desperate to get my FS1, but found it hard to get regular coaching.

I then heard about a BPA roadshow at Langar, so went along and met Victoria and her twin sister Rebecca.  We did 5 2-way coached jumps that weekend, and I was ready for the 3-way next. They did a world of good to my confidence in the sky, and I went from thinking FS1 was a distant unrealistic objective to thinking it might be within reach. Victoria made me feel incredibly relaxed on the jumps and I learnt to just enjoy the 2 ways instead of seeing them as tests, which was key to my progression.

I suppose it could be argued this is just good coaching, however 2 weeks later, they really did go the extra mile. Having been incredibly busy with the build up to the Nationals, they just wanted a quiet weekend, but they knew I was jumping at Sibson so they came all the way there just to get me through my FS1 while I still had the momentum. I now have my sticker!"

 

BPA Star Georgie Roles

Isy Davies said in her nomination of Georgie Roles, "Georgie approached my progression with the right balance of support, fun, patience and determination to help me overcome my nerves and develop through FS1 and into a 4-way team.  She then coached our Rookie team (altruistically), passing on her own experiences, always with enthusiasm and energy.  Later, she encouraged me to progress towards becoming an FS1 coach, giving me the confidence to believe in myself. 

Georgie's dedication to FS has inspired many skydivers who are looking to progress, working with individuals and teams in the sky, the tunnel and on the ground.  She will always help out, offering advice or observations when wanted, making her a much loved and approachable face around the DZ.  Her passion and enthusiasm has led her to set up an FS coaching team at Hinton having recognized a need for a structured approach to help students find FS coaches and meet their goals.  The coaching team is encouraged to share experiences amongst themselves for personal development, and meet students varying styles and needs.  Students speak of their experiences with her with respect and enthusiasm.  The enjoyment of their jumps with her is obvious from the grins.  She also gets results, whilst maintaining high standards and expectations to get the best out of whomever she is coaching."   

 

BPA Star Sian Stokes

Cath Anderson said in her nomination of Sian Stokes, "Skydiving is a small community comprising people that you would never see together in ‘real life’.  Sian is one of those people who acts as the glue holding our community together.  Not only is she an ambassador for the sport, having been in an advertising campaign on prime time television and welcoming potential newcomers to the sport by working with tandem customers at Langar, but she is an inspiration to those of us already in the sport.  From offering encouragement and moral support to AFF students, to the fantastic skill, demeanour and genuine passion that she puts into her FS coaching, Sian is a magnet for anyone with low confidence or in need of a friendly face. 

Sian’s professional approach is appreciated by all of the staff at Langar, especially the lengths she goes to in order to make their day run more smoothly, whether it’s packing tandem rigs on a busy day or going the extra mile to organise the paperwork for the camera pool.  On top of this it is my pleasure to say she is my friend - and I’m sure that you would be hard pushed to find anyone who knows her that could say otherwise." 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BPA Star Joyce Carter

Adele Scott (left, in orange) said in her nomination of BPA Star Joyce Carter (right), "I recently got my A licence after being a student for almost 2 years. In those 2 years, I hadn’t progressed past 5 second freefall.  Suddenly, within 4 months of Joyce Carter asking ‘Can I jump with you today?’ I had my A licence. Joyce went above and beyond the role of an instructor and essentially became my ‘skydiving maw [mother]’, in that not only did she provide advice and training as an instructor should, she took time to understand the things that I was afraid of and provided me with the reassurance that I needed to motivate me. Other jumpers have told me she did the same with them, taking the time to get to know them and help them accordingly.

I honestly think that without all of the help, advice and enthusiasm that Joyce has given me I would not be jumping, and missing out on what is now one of the most enjoyable aspects of my life. She hasn’t only helped me - at Strathallan, she is always there doing refreshers, briefs etc."