AMA is looking for advisory HELP!

[Hoss Cain]

The AMA is searching for YOUR help.

http://www.modelaircraft.org/news/amastf.aspx

I may well apply for one of those positions within the bureaucracy as soon as I can relocate my RoundTOIT. 

[Brett Buck]

The AMA is searching for YOUR help.

http://www.modelaircraft.org/news/amastf.aspx

I may well apply for one of those positions within the bureaucracy as soon as I can relocate my RoundTOIT. 

   I read this, and it sounds absurd, and off-topic for an "academy". At first blush, they are making the same sort of mistake that Brodak tried with PAMPA - forgetting that it's a SERVICE to modelers, and instead treating it like a for-profit BUSINESS. And then making huge changes to attract more bodies whether or not it serves the original goals. I guess I am not surprised, given that MA has attempted to emulate RCM for years, but I see this as indicating that the marketers are fully in control. Trying to attract the "instant gratification" crowd can only hurt the original purpose.

       I know they are terrified of the Park Fliers but the AMA has (had?) a purpose and selling as many memberships as possible no matter what it takes is not it.

      Brett

[peabody]

I volunteered....
Not so much to change things as to keep things...

[CougDave]

About 1993, I joined a Jaycee's chapter, as a pretty young lady talked me into it during a membership drive.  The chapter was in its second year of charter.  We were in a fairly small town, and we had about 15 members.  The next year, we had a huge membership drive, and got up to about 40 members.  Some of the original members were wondering what we did other than get more members.  We were constantly reminded by the chapter leadership, "If we're not growing, we're dying."  By 1995 we had about 70 members, and we were starting to wonder what our mission was.  Apparently, our mission was to recruit more members.  I remember we peaked at just over 100 members.  By 1998, we had folded as a chapter because we didn't have the required members to hold our charter. (I think there were 7 people left.  We recruited a lot of 1 and 2 year members, but without any real purpose or benefits other than sitting in a bar together (Which can easily be done without paying dues) and getting certificates to hang on our wall every time we recruited a new member, we foundered.  

I think before the AMA can figure out how to grow, it needs to figure out how to retain the members it has, and what to do with the new ones it is recruiting.  I was in the AMA for several years back in the '90s, but let my membership lapse for several years.  I was not flying in an AMA club, and I didn't need their insurance.  I hung on to my membership for a couple of years just so that I could go to flying events put on by AMA clubs, until I realized that the independent clubs put on most of the good events up here.  

  If we recruit a thousand park flyers because of a big ad program, but then don't engage, challenge, or offer anything to them, we will have a one or two year bump in membership, and be right back where we were before.  Also, we will have another thousand potential recruits lost, as those people will know that we offer them nothing, and they won't buy into our next big ad program.  If we recruit a few members who really want what we have to offer, and work hard to retain the members we have by serving them, listening to them and working with them, not lording over them, we will get some steady, sustainable growth.

Dave

[john e. holliday]

Maybe it should be required reading to go read about the other AMA I almost became a member of.  I is called The American Motorcycalist Association.  I only hear from them during Daytona Speed Weeks or there happens to be a race within a days drive.

[peabody]

I don't know.....but what I do know is that it does very little good to stand on the outside and criticize....

The problem probably won't fix itself.....

I volunteered.....

[Mike Keville]

They want HELP?  Perhaps they should return to their roots....model BUILDING rather than TOY flying.

Their current emphasis on foam RTFs and Park Flyers is definitely NOT what I recall from the good old days.

Am seriously considering ending my association with the Academy of Mostly Arfs.....even though that would mean no more flying in sanctioned contests.  (Not that they much care for competition anyway.)

[Clancy Arnold]

I think I will volunteer and see if they really want help or just confirmation of what they are allready doing.
Clancy

[Randy Powell]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I maintain my AMA membership for one reason only. I have to have an AMA license to fly at contests. If not for that, I would dump them in a heartbeat. If, say, PAMPA were to come up with a way to provide insurance, even at increased dues (which it would certainly need), I would dump AMA and just join PAMPA. The insurance is the ONLY reason I belong to the AMA. I'm sure that's true for a lot of us. We need it to compete.

Be nice if there were a splinter group from AMA focused exclusively on model builders and fliers that largely compete at contests. But that's not likely to happen.

[Andrew Borgogna]

I have been an AMA member for over thirty years, having said that if there was an alternative that offered the same insurance I would jump ship in a second. 

When I was flying R/C the AMA championed our frequency needs with the FCC.  But with the advent of spread spectrum that is just not a problem anymore.  They sponsored a national contest that traveled the US giving me a chance to attend and even participate if I chose.  Then they squandered resources by buying the Muncie flying site and anchoring the Nats to Muncie.  Finally I use to look forward to getting Model Aviation every month, but that rag has degenerated into something I have no desire to read.  What really upsets is at no time did the AMA ever ask if we the membership wanted these changes.  I guess the straw that broke the camels  back was the way AMA treated the one and only booth that was dedicated to control line flying at the January convention here in So. Cal.  We tried to talk with the AMA leadership, but they just didn't have time for us.

For what it's worth I dropped my PAMPA membership, I really didn't see how it benefited me.  Well I am about to send in my check and rejoin. 
Andy

[Jim Thomerson]

A serious question.  Is it really necessary to have contests sanctioned.  Could we not run contests just as well without AMA sanctions?  On thinking about it I really don't see much that a sanction does.  As has been said, my major reason for belonging to the AMA is the right to fly in a sanctioned contest.  Is this just a habit, or are there compelling reasons to have sanctioned contests at the local level?  Incidentally, I am a CD, and have been CD for  various contests.   

[ptg]

IF……….someone has a better way, has the tenacity, is willing to commit the time, has the communication skill, organizational ability, leadership imperative and financial resources to execute, maintain and grow this mysterious control line Camelot that seems to be the bain of progress please let everyone know. 

I have been a designer, builder, competitor and promoter of control line miniature aircraft for over 50 years.  That fact not withstanding I do enjoy meeting, talking to and LEARNING from others who don’t necessarily share my passion for control line or competition. 

It seems like every time there is an opportunity to grow, expand and innovate the Nay- Sayers and grousers jump in with some convoluted agenda to make sure nothing positive or progressive for control line has a chance to root and blossom. 

In the mean time, AMA is doing exactly what it needs to do by ignoring the complainers and looking to modernize itself because like or not this is not 1960 and things are different.  It is a service business.  It’s members are declining thru mortality and myopia. Here we have yet another opportunity to step up and actually fly in parks again! 

What is wrong with organizing control line park flying? 
Lets see; it would favor electric planes that don’t require building or a whole lot of parts.  Kids and adults might actually see it, try it and get hooked on flying with direct physical connection and feedback from planes.  They might bring new ideas and innovations to the control line.  And heaven forbid, model flying might actually displace soccer fields in parks all over the country. 

Yep!  That’s a lousy idea………….

[Jim Thomerson]

There was tongue in cheek comment in an Aeromodeller article some years ago.  Due to urbanization and environmental considerations, at some time in the future the only outside model flying will be electric control line.  I can picture electric control line being allowed in a park where RC or free flight would be banned.  Just because of the limited and controlled area needed.

[Richard Grogan]

IF……….someone has a better way, has the tenacity, is willing to commit the time, has the communication skill, organizational ability, leadership imperative and financial resources to execute, maintain and grow this mysterious control line Camelot that seems to be the bain of progress please let everyone know. 

I have been a designer, builder, competitor and promoter of control line miniature aircraft for over 50 years.  That fact not withstanding I do enjoy meeting, talking to and LEARNING from others who don’t necessarily share my passion for control line or competition. 

It seems like every time there is an opportunity to grow, expand and innovate the Nay- Sayers and grousers jump in with some convoluted agenda to make sure nothing positive or progressive for control line has a chance to root and blossom. 

In the mean time, AMA is doing exactly what it needs to do by ignoring the complainers and looking to modernize itself because like or not this is not 1960 and things are different.  It is a service business.  It’s members are declining thru mortality and myopia. Here we have yet another opportunity to step up and actually fly in parks again! 

What is wrong with organizing control line park flying? 
Lets see; it would favor electric planes that don’t require building or a whole lot of parts.  Kids and adults might actually see it, try it and get hooked on flying with direct physical connection and feedback from planes.  They might bring new ideas and innovations to the control line.  And heaven forbid, model flying might actually displace soccer fields in parks all over the country. 

Yep!  That’s a lousy idea………….

Truer words have never been spoken...Thanks Mr.G

This seems like a great opportunity to give some valuable input. The AMA is wanting change, and they want us to be a part of decisions/help for the betterment. They recognize CL's popularity comeback, and wants to help promote it.We have a place/forum to voice our opinions and ideas directly to and with the AMA. I see alot of discussions about the AMA, and folks expressing/complaining their disgust over the AMA's lack of "yadiyadiyadi"... all over these forums.And that's fine,except burning up the energy to type about it here seems a waste of ones time, other than the venting aspect!

I am the CL forum moderator at http://www.modelaircraft.org/forums/tt.aspx?forumid=152    ,and I haven't seen a single complaint posted there!(CL forum,that is) The forum is CL specific, and AMA District VPs and Dave Mathewson himself frequents it.It isn't designed to be a "fun" place like SH,but rather as a place to discuss issues with the organization, just what was needed. Why not take advantage of the AMA's eyes and ears being at your disposal? The time is right for making improvements, and you should use your voice where it counts- as a member... Are the stars,moon,and sun mystereously aligned??? Quit whinning and get involved! It's worth a shot.

[Clancy Arnold]

A few years back I worked with the local park to allow us to fly Control Line only in an unused corner of Southeastway park.  It was approved an posted Control Line flying only.  Guess what, with in one month RC fliers were there flying and buzzing the other park patrons.   We all got the boot.  I asked  one of the RC fliers why they were flying at a Control Line only flying site.  His answer is not printable!!!

The real bad part was they were considering paving a circle that in the winter could be diked around covered with water and, if it got cold, a SAFE ice skating rink.

That was in my original proposal but it never happened.

Clancy

[Andrew Borgogna]

"This seems like a great opportunity to give some valuable input. The AMA is wanting change, and they want us to be a part of decisions/help for the betterment."

If that were only true.  Our club was, and still is, in danger of loosing a flying site that has been around for over 40 years.  At the AMA convention we asked the AMA powers that be if we could talk and get some help from them to keep and secure our flying site.  The county wants to turn it into soccer fields.  The response we got from AMA was sorry but we just don't have the time.  Remember we were the only Control line representation in the entire convention center.  So if I seem less  than convinced about your statement I have reason to be.
Andy

[Richard Grogan]

Andy, I'm not trying to win a prize or convince anyone anything here; just pointing out what has been stated by the AMA needing our help, and the existence of a website/forum that is available as a direct pipeline to the AMA for open discussion. Did you use proper protocol when setting up your meeting with the powers that be, or did ya'll just show up at the convention and expect instant help(lynch mob style!?)? I wouldn't think a convention would be a very good setting for one,but thats probably just me. Usually things like this are supposed to be steered through you district VP/AVP and to Joe Beshar or whoever does site aquisitions these days. As a member of the AMA Forum,(are you?) you have the ability to shoot them a PM and will generally get a response.Maybe shoot Dave Mathewson a PM about your experience.I wish you much success in keeping your field. I can see your point of view, but don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger!    Heck, maybe you could get on the STF and bring about change.Back up and punt.

The STF...>>>--->>>     http://www.modelaircraft.org/news/amastf.aspx