Well...oddly enough, I'm not arguing that some sort of policy is not needed. Just about all youth-oriented programs require some sort of checks like this. EAA has to protect itself if anything actually *does* happen; they have to show that they were aware of the possibility and took steps that were in line with what other organizations do. I am reminded of the FBI a few years ago. Most people in intelligence-related jobs have to undergo periodic lie detector tests. But not FBI special agents...oh, no, these are trusted people who the FBI brass would never insult by making them take a lie detector test.
Then FBI Special Agent Robert Hanssen decided to sell secrets to the Russians.
All it takes is one case, and EAA is in a world 'o hurt. So I see the need to implement a policy. EAA needs to protect itself, and I understand that.
It just seems that the membership was blindsided by this. Maybe this was discussed with the chapter YE coordinators...but they didn't mention it at any of my chapters. There are a lot of outraged people here, many of them apparently joining the forums just to air their disgust. Note that no one has been posting, "Sure you were warned, remember the XXXXXX". EAA is telling us, after the fact, that we had been adequately warned of this policy change...but I'm not really seeing any sign of adequate promulgation, here. If there had been, the registration process wouldn't have required the SSAN at first and then be modified to eliminate it after the outcry.
Ron Wanttaja