Clubs from the Grass Roots

by Jim Wallen, AMA Insider Club Editor

Welcome to the “Club Corner.” In this segment of AMA Insider, I would like to focus at the “grass roots” level to share thoughts and creative ideas that could play a helpful role in your club. Pick and choose ideas that you think may work for your particular club and put them to work. Nothing new will happen in your club unless you take the time and effort to go make it happen. If you have ideas you think may be of value to other clubs, let me know (sjwallen@tde.com) and I will pass them along.

Every AMA chartered club should strive to provide a safe, fun, and interesting environment for all its members. New and progressive ideas will make your club and AMA healthier organizations.

Let’s start with the premise that our clubs should be all inclusive and cater to varied interests. It’s amazing how many facets of our sport you find in any random club across the country. We find there are designers, builders, fliers, socializers, and about every other category you can imagine. There are interests in electric, glow, gas, Free Flight, CO2 power, Control Line, competition, and Sport flying. We are truly an all-inclusive hobby. As club members and officers, I think it is important to keep in mind that we run the gamut of varied interests when we conduct business with our membership.

Encourage “Fun Flys” for different interest groups. Cater to all at your club meetings. For sure, don’t forget the spouses and kids! The sense of equality as we interface with our club members makes us a well-rounded organization. After all, our mission is to create an environment in which we can all have good, safe fun. New approaches can create a more exciting atmosphere that everyone enjoys!

All clubs need a sense of stability in order to grow and prosper. Regularly scheduled club meetings are one of the basics in fulfilling this need. Hold a regularly scheduled meeting each month so the members can get it on their calendar.

It may be the same booth in a local restaurant or a meeting hall in the church basement for a hundred members. You may want to conduct the club business at a member’s house. If you must vary the meeting location or time, make sure all members are notified well in advance.

Add a little pizzazz to your monthly club meetings. Once you get past the report on finances, notice of upcoming events, and safety issues, add a special feature like Show-and-Tell. Everyone has an interest in new and creative ideas as well as taking a look at the latest project a member has completed.

Isn’t everyone interested in a special configuration of magnets to hold hatches in place? Special tools are always of interest. How many times do you open your new magazine issue and immediately zoom in to the “new tool and ideas” section? Members have an uncanny ability to design special tools that make building easier.

We all like to take a look at the latest kit that was built. Even ARFs can exhibit creativity in the building process. Kit bashing always gets a few chuckles. Are you proud of that old engine you dug out the other day? Bring it in to the meeting and chat about its history.

Don’t forget to reward those who take the extra step and bring in an item to talk about. Small rewards and recognition go a long way in promoting members’ interest and keeping them active. It’s often the little things that keep your meetings more interesting and well attended.

I look forward to hearing from you with ideas you may want to share with others. Let’s chat again in the next issue.

’Till then, Jim. Q