AMA News: District I-2013/02

comWithin the AMA community, there are special members who frequently volunteer to take on responsibilities and perform activities that make the sport of aeromodeling better for everyone. Each of us needs to recognize the contributions of these members with a simple thank you to convey personal appreciation.As a district vice president, I am called upon to present formal awards to the extraordinary special members who, for years, give their time and energy to advance the mission of the AMA, its members, clubs, competitions, and future. The highest award a district vice president can give a member is the Distinguished Service Award, which requires Executive Council approval. I have presented three Distinguished Service Awards and this column tells the story of one of the award winners.In July 2012, my dear friend and AMA CD, Billy O’Donnell, passed away after a brief illness. We lost one of the friendliest and most passionate leaders in our aeromodeling community. Billy was a member of a number of AMA clubs, serving as a president, club officer, and event director for numerous events including the multi-club events that he created and promoted. These multi-club events were conceived to bring members from district clubs together in a collaborative effort designed around having fun-fly, non-competitive flying events hosted at suitable club locations. Multi-club events were an immediate success, and as a result of Billy’s inspiration, these types of events have spread throughout New England. The South Shore Radio Control Club (SSRCC) has renamed its annual event The Billy O’Donnell Memorial Multi-Club Event.In 2007, Billy convinced the public parks authority in Milford, Massachusetts, to allow the Millis Model Aircraft Club to conduct an RC demonstration day event in a public park within town limits. This event has grown to one of the largest-attended flying events in the district—exposing thousands of spectators each year to the joys of RC model aircraft flying. Billy was also the originator of the District I club presidents’ meetings in which club presidents had the opportunity to get together along with the district vice president and associate vice presidents for a meal and meeting to discuss methods to address common club issues and concerns, develop ideas for shared events and activities, and means to improve community relations and public awareness of the sport of aeromodeling.I was privileged to have awarded Billy O’Donnell the AMA Distinguished Service Award posthumously. It was accepted by his wife, Maureen, and his family during the October multi-club event held in Billy’s honor at the SSRCC flying site. This award was presented for Billy’s 10 years of exemplary efforts in advancing AMA’s mission as an AMA member, club officer, CD, and for planning, organizing, and conducting flying events to promote aeromodeling and comradery amongst members and clubs.Future columns will tell the stories of other Distinguished Service Award winners from District I.
The Distinguished Service Award is presented posthumously to Billy O’Donnell and accepted by his wife, Maureen, along with family members, friends, and district officers.
Billy O’Donnell, CD, at a 2010 multi-club event.
The Billy O’Donnell Memorial Multi-Club Event was held at the flying site of the SSRCC in October 2012.