Model Aviation Online - View from HQ (November 2006)

Renew! Don't wait!

Another month has come and gone. It seems there are not enough hours in the day to do all the things that you want to do.

     This past month was busy with last-minute details for the 2007 budget, the 2007 Nats planning meeting, preparing for the ballot and renewal notices, and organizing the October Executive Council meeting. Meanwhile, the site is still busy with various activities.

     As I write this column Tom Schwyn, our marketing director, is busy with the final details for the Boy Scout Jamboree, which will take place the weekend of the Executive Council (October 14-15) meeting. You can see that there is plenty going on in Muncie, but soon the weather will be limiting the use of the site.

As the year comes to a close I want to remind our members that AMA is a non-profit organization. For individuals who are looking for a tax write-off, consider donating to AMA.

     Donations can come in various forms including gifts by check or credit card; gifts of stocks; purchasing a brick in the Walk of Fame for yourself or in memory of someone who has passed away; or by purchasing a Life Membership. So far in 2006 43 members have bought a Life Membership.

     This month concludes the list of names in the Walk of Fame. More than 500 individuals, clubs, and organizations have purchased bricks that are permanently placed in front of AMA Headquarters in Muncie, Indiana. The three levels of donations—$100, $500, and $1,000—are a unique way to support your organization and your hobby.

     Donations don't have to be financial. The National Model Aviation Museum accepts donations of books, magazines, electronics, and other memorabilia on a case-by-case basis. The donation form can be found on AMA's Web site at www.modelaircraft.org/PDF-files/804.pdf.

I want to thank those members from chartered clubs who responded to my October column. I am pleased by the E-mails and letters that indicate most clubs are good ambassadors for AMA.

     It is through local clubs and hobby shops that AMA receives most of its new members, and we are considering new programs to reward these clubs and hobby shops for a job well done. Most of the new programs will be discussed at the October 2006 meeting. If all the details are worked out and are approved by the Executive Council, check the Web site and MA for details.

Not only is it time to renew your individual AMA membership, but we are also looking toward updating the club rechartering kit for 2007. I hope that the improvements we made in 2006 helped.

     Our goal is still to make the 2007 club renewal process available via the Web for clubs that choose to use this method. One thing that will be new for the coming year is that we are requesting all chartered clubs to allow us to publish their flying-site locations.

     With this information we will be asking if there are any restrictions that apply to the site. These would include no flying before 10 a.m., electric flight only, must contact a club member prior to entering field, etc.

     Be on the lookout for the rechartering kit, and please be sure to include this information when returning your renewal.

Renew! Don't wait! Go online to do so or call our (800) I-FLY-AMA ([800] 435-9262) number. MA

Safe flying.

Joyce Hager, Acting Executive Director

Comments on the magazine?
or call Model Aviation Editorial offices: (765) 287-1256, ext. 224.
(8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays). Fax: (765) 289-4248.
Address: 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302