Porsche Jim,
A few thoughts:
I have assumed a CBO to be an association of individuals skilled and knowledgeable in a particular thing, who, when banded together regulate themselves. The examples that come to mind might include the other AMA (American Medical Association), the NHRA, the American Bar Association, etc. Each has their critics, but the basic idea is that it is in their own self-interest to regulate themselves as they are the most able to do so.... That being accepted as a member carries with it proof of competence. And that gives the body some enforcement leverage. No one wants to be thrown out as it would affect their ability to earn a living among their peers. Do I want to go to a doctor who has been thrown out by his peers? No.
But here is where our AMA seems to overestimate it's standing both with the government and the FAA, and with its own members.
When it comes to it's membership, the traditional attraction has largely faded. The AMA itself will tell you that it is not really a competition organization so much any more. They even tried to get by for a while with no Technical Director. That speaks volumes by itself. It has moved into fun flys and gatherings. I know, because they created Event Directors and have fees for events which are in lieu of a contest. Seems like Huckfests are (were?) a big thing in the Midwest. Do I need a competition regulating body to go around Hucking? No. On the other hand, what percentage of current members goes to the NATS? If you want to challenge the best to see if you can compete at that level, then you can't afford to be an outsider to the CBO. That is leverage. But if the GPS-linked autopilot crowd does not want a piece of that offering, or the AMA does not know how to provide it, or is viewed as a "late to the party" opportunist, then...they ain't got no leverage, because they are trying to co-opt a new community that doesn't speak the same language, or they don't want to. Think early skateboard culture. Or surfing. Or...well practically anything. They want to be the new outlaws. It's a new thing because it is their thing. Ok, not all of quad culture is like that. But of the fraction that is, how long is it going to take for them to decide they are better off falling in line with a old, established, stodgy CBO and following the rules? Thereby finally giving you some leverage?
So the AMA resorts to the easiest and simplest argument (leverage) available: our rules, our dues, or no insurance. Then, to a much, much lesser extent: want to compete? Our rules, our sanctions, our authority as flowed down via the NAA. So you can see if only they could get the FAA to agree that they were the only, or the most viable CBO then the government itself would be granting the AMA more leverage. But that's not where the FAA appears to be at. And the "professional drone organizations," ie. the commercial organizations are going to pull all the operators who see themselves not as hobbiests, but guys in the industry. They want to make a buck taking shots of real estate, or doing a utube channel, or inspecting crops or recording facilities condition/damage. In short, the FAA carved off the serious quad guys that fly camera platforms and will route them thru a Part 107 certificate. The AMA will likely have no participation that I can see. Are they going to want to insure profit-making entities? So that leaves the quad racers, who are self-styled outsiders, like all new-fad guys before them.
If a new organization comes along and directly challenges AMA insurance, it is the most direct assault on the AMAs authority. You don't have to say the AMA insurance is no good. All you have to prove is that your insurance is valid, and more or less equal. Then nearly all of the AMA "CBO" leverage is gone. Hence, the huge reaction. I am puzzled here about the timing though. If the competing organization has actually been known to exist for many months, I would have expected a very strong AMA response immediately and before now. Perhaps there was work being done behind the scenes. Perhaps.
So my stalking horse comment simply meant this: if you can't get the AMA to deal with current realities, and they keep pounding away at methods that are not having the desired effect, then a little competition might just wake them up and force some new ideas to be considered. The most troubling aspect I found recently was that headquarters didn't need any help, and the membership couldn't possibly understand the problem better than they, or contribute toward moving the matters ahead. Really? It is a member organization. The AMA was not mentioned in any stone tablets that came down from a mountain....
Dave
PS--Perhaps a final thought? I would have considered WAM to be a CBO, if management theorists had created the term back when that organization was running.