Club Corner
The Club Corner
by Jim Wallen,
AMA Insider Club Editor
What do you think is the most
important thing that keeps our flying clubs active
and growing? We all know that our clubs are the
focal point of some great social activity and a
great place to fly the projects that are our pride
and joy.
Everything becomes secondary however, if we do not
maintain and improve our flying sites. Providing a
safe, comfortable, and well-maintained site is the
glue that holds the club together. Without the
field, clubs will fade away.
There is a financial burden we must bear in the
maintenance and improvement of the flying fields.
Dues are the primary source of getting the basics
done. That is how we pay for the bucket of paint,
gas for the lawnmower, repairing the start-up table,
and other day-to-day needs. If major projects or
large repairs are required the clubs must delve into
the arena of fund-raising.
What techniques are effective in raising the cash
requirements? Let me name a few that come to mind.
Auctions are a good way to raise some cash. Have
members clean out their rebuild areas and donate
items they no longer use to the club auction.
Partnering with a community charity and sharing the
proceeds works well. Social events such as “pancake
feeds” work for some clubs. Don’t forget that AMA
has a pool of cash available for club site
improvement projects that can fund 10% of the
project cost.
AMA has recognized that the subject of fund-raising
is important on both the local and national level.
Chris Brooks at AMA Headquarters has taken on the
challenge of addressing our funding needs. If you,
or your club, have some creative ideas in addressing
fund-raising at the local level, send Chris an
e-mail so he can share your thoughts with other
clubs. Chris can be contacted at chrisb@modelaircraft.org. Q
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