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...
goodwill
generated by these
small actions:
priceless!
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We
receive too many telephone calls or e-mails
that start like this: "The local city
council has just banned all model flying in
the public parks. What can we do?"
Regretfully, it's often too late if the
council has acted and the ordinance has
passed. It is much harder to have a city
ordinance repealed than to prevent one from
passing.
Most city and county procedures call for
multiple readings of a proposed ordinance
before it can be enacted. Unless there is a
reason to declare an emergency, the process
usually takes time so that the public can be
made aware of the proposal and has an
opportunity to react.
This awareness process generally doesn't
apply to recreation and parks' governing
boards. Issues such as banning model flying
have a greater chance of "flying under the
radar" before action is taken. It is often
too late to avert a ruling that a little
public relations and community involvement
might have prevented.
The development of the park flyer type of
aircraft, and the ability of a
nontraditional RC pilot (newbie) to go out
and fly anywhere space is available, have
counteracted the positive public relations
efforts of organized clubs. The new flier
has likely never heard of the AMA Safety
Code, doesn't think twice about flying in
unsuitable areas, and often performs antics
that would make any club safety officer's
blood boil.
My point is that clubs can never do too much
building of good relations with the
community, elected officials, and park
governing boards.
There is an urban legend about losing a
flying site. It is the story of a young dad
going out to a flying site with his son,
seeking help with a park flyer. The "gang"
at the site basically told the man that they
didn't mess with park flyer airplanes and he
needed to take his "toy" elsewhere.
This young father happened to be the son of
the mayor. The story goes on to reveal that
the flying site was on city property and its
lease was due to be renewed. You can guess
the rest.
I'm amazed how well some clubs are able to
build those important relationships in
advance of a crisis or problem. I'm also
astonished at the naiveté of other clubs that
think they exist in a vacuum when it comes
to the world around them.
While he was still the District IX vice
president, Mark Smith invited Dave Mathewson
and me to attend a local club meeting and
participate in a ceremony awarding the
members their Leader Club pins. The club had
thought to invite two of the local officials
to be a part of the celebration. As a part
of the recognition ceremony, the club
presented a plaque to the officials in
appreciation of their support of the club.
As the credit-card commercial goes, cost of
time inviting the officials: $15; cost of
plaque: $20; goodwill generated by these
small actions: priceless! Next time this
club has a problem, the value of the
relationships built by this action is
incalculable.
If your club doesn't have a person
responsible for public relations, consider
the benefits of adding that position to the
list of officers or committee to the club.
It can pay dividends.
It has been said that locating things on
AMA's Web site can be challenging. The site,
www.modelaircraft.org, contains a wealth of information—if you can find it.
To help those such as myself, who sometimes
find themselves broken down on this
information super highway, an
AMA Web site
map can be found on page 150. I hope this
guide will prove helpful in navigating this
member resource.
MA
In the spirit of
flight.
Jim Cherry, Executive Director
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