I WANT to thank Dr. Sandy Frank for his
lifetime of volunteer service to AMA, most
recently and significantly as the District
VIII vice president (VP).
Second, thanks for having the faith in
me to be one of your associate vice
presidents (AVPs). It energized me and
gave me the desire to serve in a greater and
more meaningful way. I doubt that I will
use the phrase you have coined but I
believe it truly describes how the AMA
has bonded modelers and model aviation
throughout the years.
Thanks to all who voted in the District
VIII election. Whether you voted for one
of the other candidates or for a write-in
nominee, you expressed your desires and
opinions and have every right to help steer
the future course of the district. If you did
not vote, you missed a great opportunity to
exercise one of your rights in our free
society.
I made no campaign promises but I plan
to approach every issue and opportunity
with the majority of the district interests at
heart. I plan to solicit input and ideas as
opportunity and time permit.
Thanks to Lawrence Harville and Guy
Barber who campaigned for the VP
position. Both contacted me with
congratulations and offering assistance
during my term. They represent what is
good about our hobby and AMA. If you
see either of them, shake hands and thank
them for volunteering to help make a
difference in the district.
I want to express my appreciation to all
volunteers currently serving. I have
contacted most to see who wishes to
remain and plan only a few changes.
Changes are not intended to be a new
broom sweeping clean but rather an
opportunity for some hard workers to take
a well-deserved break while providing
opportunity for new volunteers to help
carry the workload.
As a volunteer in two positions for
Sandy, I know the job can be frustrating
and rewarding. He and I both appreciate all
you have done for District VIII and AMA.
This is part of flightline for the sixth annual
Rice Memorial in Kingsbury, Texas. We had
98 pilots and more than 250 airplanes.
This is how the River City RC club
members moved their shelter. Twelve guys
doesn’t even equal a single horsepower.
Your new vice president is in the picture
huffing and puffing!
My friend George Aldrich commented as
he left this position that his biggest regret
was that he was unable to accept all
invitations he received during his tenure.
Sandy has echoed that sentiment and
advised that if one traveled every weekend
of the year he couldn’t see all he needs or
wants to see.
As the owner of an active hobby shop, a
husband, father, and Opa (German for
grandfather), I am sure demands will far
exceed opportunity and budget. I will
attempt to visit at least one event per
month outside of the San Antonio area and
will attend quarterly Executive Council
meetings in Muncie, Indiana.
I encourage everyone to communicate
with me via E-mail, regular mail, and
telephone. Please do not expect that I will
attend your functions but know that I wish
I could. When I know I am attending an
event and can get the word out, I
encourage you to travel to the same event
if you would like to visit.
Matteo, age 11, carries his Sailplane back
after his first solo flight with the Houston
Hawks. No landing points but hey, he looks
good bringing it back!
This column is our column. I want to turn
it into the product that we need and want.
The size and frequency can’t be changed
but content and structure are open. Give
me your ideas, your photos, and your
articles and I will use them when possible.
The District VIII Web site will remain
active and I hope to make it a bulletin
board for the district that will become a
favorite place on all computers. Stand by
for changes in both areas. They will likely
be gradual to avoid problems as we try to
grow.
I particularly want to solicit input on
how we as individuals, clubs, and leaders
in the Academy can increase membership,
especially youth membership. If you or
your club are doing something successful,
let’s share it with everyone.
I have been a modeler for 57 years and
hope to bring my lifetime of enjoyment
and experience to modelers across the
district. I look forward to meeting many of
you during the next three years.
Have fun and be safe! See you on the
flightline.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/02
Page Numbers: 167