2009 Membership Drive Winners Announced
AMA President Announces 2009 Membership Drive Winners
Dave Mathewson
AMA President
The first Academy of Model Aeronautics nationwide membership drive concluded on September 14, 2009, and I’m proud of the effort that 900 individual members, 300 clubs, and 117 hobby shops put into this campaign. “Bringing Modelers Together Begins With You” was the theme, and attracting newcomers to aeromodeling was our goal.
Do you remember how you were introduced to flying models and the AMA? It was most likely through a friend or family member. Model aviation has changed rapidly in the past few years, and as a result of this membership drive, many more people have the opportunity to enjoy our hobby.
Our members need to be the support base to help ensure the success of these new pilots—for better, safer flying and to support the Academy’s mission. For all of you who participated, well done!
To all AMA members, clubs, and hobby shops across the country, get ready for another membership drive in 2010. It really does begin with each of you—and I’ll be there with you when we launch another successful campaign. In the meantime, let’s celebrate this year’s winners!
Grand Prize
Wins a Lifetime Membership, AMA recognition brick, plaque
Binyamin Elkouby
16 new members
North Hollywood CA; District X
Binyamin was the top member-to-member recruiter, securing 16 new memberships. In fact, when called after the drive in November, he indicated that he had yet another new member’s application in hand.
“I just ask newcomers all year long about joining,” says Binyamin, an Israeli native who has been flying models for only the past two-and-a-half years. “They see how cool it is and then I tell them about how helpful Model Aviation is and the fun of joining a club.”
What does Binyamin fly?
“Everything,” he says. “Planes, helicopters—but I really enjoy my micro jet.”
Binyamin is the electric director of the San Fernando Valley RC Flyers, of which he is a member. The club Web site is www.valleyflyers.com. For the past two years, Binyamin has organized the biggest electric event in Southern California: the Western States Electric Fun Fly. You can learn more about this event at http://www.westernefly.com.
Prize: $100 AMA Cloud 9 Museum Store gift certificate
Steve Stoll
Tri-County Aero Club
7 new members
Odon IN; District VI
Ralph Brown
Omahawks R/C Club
7 new members
Omaha NE; District VI
Anthony Desimone
Crosswinds RC
5 new members
Shamong NJ; District II
Kenneth Kehlet
Hi Desert Aero Barons RC
4 new members
Oklahoma City OK; District VIII
Tony Naccarato
San Fernando Valley RC Flyers
4 new members
Burbank CA; District X
Charles Howe
Lake City R/C
4 new members
Mills River NC; District IV
John Curtis
Rock Valley RC Flyers
4 new members
Rockford IL; District VI
Ronald Wegrzyn
Suburban Aero Club of Chicago
3 new members
Mokina IL; District VI
Dale Galland
Glendive RC Bush Pilots
3 new members
Terry MT; District XI
Robert Gizzie
Spirits of St. Louis RC Flying Club
3 new members
Saint Charles IL; District VI
Tony DiLeo
San Fernando Valley RC Flyers
3 new members
Van Nuys CA; District X
Paul Caleca
Belen Area Radio Control Club
3 new members
Los Lunas NM; District VIII
Club to Club
Alpha: 5-10 club members
Prize: $500, banner for club flag, AMA recognition brick, plaque
White Cloud Area Tail Twisters
2 new members
White Cloud MI; District VII
Bravo: 11-24 club members
Prize: $500, banner for club flag, AMA recognition brick, plaque
Note: There was a five-way tie for first place in this category, so the $500 prize was split evenly among the five Bravo clubs. Kings Bay Modelers signed up its new members first, so that club wins the banner, plaque, and AMA recognition brick.
Kings Bay Modelers
2 new members
King Island GA; District V
Gulf Coast Gulls
2 new members
Corpus Christi TX; District VIII
Rochester Modelers Club
2 new members
Rochester NY; District I
Okiflyers
2 new members
Okinawa; District XCIX
Hardin County R/C Modelers
2 new members
Vine Grove, KY; District 6
Charlie: 25-49 club members
Prize: $500, banner for club flag, AMA recognition brick, plaque
Note: Due to a three-way tie in this category, the clubs split the $500 prize (and received $170 each). The Kankakee Valley Modelers signed up its new members first, so it received the banner, plaque, and AMA recognition brick.
Kankakee Valley Modelers
4 new members
Kankakee IL; District VI
Capitol Area Flyers
4 new members
Mechanicsburg PA; District III
Carolina Fun Flyers
4 new members
Mt. Pleasant SC; District V
Delta: 50-99 club members
Prize: $500, banner for club flag, AMA recognition brick
Sun Lakes Model Airplane Club
6 new members
Sun Lake AZ; District X
Echo: 100 or more club members
Prize: $500, banner for club flag, AMA recognition brick
Skymasters RC Club of Michigan
4 new members
Troy MI; District VII
Hobby Shop to Hobby Shop
Prize: Ads in MA and Park Pilot, AMA recognition brick, plaque
Walt’s Hobby Shop
17 members
Syracuse NY; District II
District to District
Prize: Banner for district flag, AMA recognition brick, plaque
Note: District-to-district points were calculated by the percentage of overall growth in each. The total weighted score for each district varies based on the size of the district.
District XI
Bruce Nelson, Vice President
District | Total Points | Weighted Score |
District XI | 126 | 1,755 |
District I | 92 | 1,574 |
District IV | 138 | 1,563 |
District VI | 182 | 1,551 |
District VII | 152 | 1,551 |
District III | 170 | 1,522 |
District IX | 78 | 1,481 |
District II | 121 | 1,323 |
District VIII | 157 | 1,281 |
District V | 233 | 1,146 |
District X | 200 | 947 |
• April 1-September 14, 2009.
• All AMA membership categories valid, except $1 Youth.
• Only US residents accepted as new members.
• New members don’t have to be members of your club, although encouraged.
• Only for new members, or members lapsed for five years and reinstated.
• This membership drive is separate from other membership-development programs, including the Ambassador Program.
• District drives based on highest percentage gain relative to their size.
• Members recruited for Club to Club drive not counted in Member to Member category.
• Tiebreakers in the club division were decided based on earliest submission.
• Commemorative AMA bricks to be laid on the AMA Walk of Fame.
• Winners announced on the AMA Web site, in MA magazine, and in Park Pilot magazine.