
What myself and a couple of helpers have discovered is that the decision to disallow F-Class Queens badges was technically made by a unanimous decision of the S & T delegates at a NRAA Members meeting. I say technically because you would expect that the NRAA Board contributed to it, and I say unanimous only because they all ended up agreeing (some reluctantly) to fall into line. And in fairness to the NRAA, the issue seems to have been triggered much earlier by the question of whether previous F-Class Queens No 1 badge winners should be able to march behind the chairing procession.
Does this change anything? It certainly reduces our suspicions of a hidden agenda. But regardless of what brought it about, whichever way you look at it, the decision is disrespectful to F-Class. It sends a clear message that we are not considered worthy of earning a Queens badge. Even if some of the S & T delegates were led to believe that the NRA of GB might punish us, why did they choose to sacrifice F-Class to save TR??
Something that is very relevant to this issue is that there is an NRAA Members meeting very soon (Wednesday Feb 25 I believe). This sounds like the same type of meeting as the one which made the earlier decision, with delegates from all the S & Ts attending. What better group of people to send our message to? So regardless of whether we do a petition, it now seems that contacting your own S & T Association BEFORE that meeting will be very effective.
The poll above is different from the earlier one in the light of this new information. We'd appreciate some guidance on where to go on this issue so your vote will be appreciated.
Alan