AMA News - District I Report

Don Krafft Vice President PO Box 1828 Duxbury MA 02331-1828 (781)934-6248 Associate Vice Presidents James M. Semonian, 166 Allen Road, Billerica MA 01821-5240 M.C. McGuffin, 116 Hillview Avenue, Moulton ME 04730-2312 Harry S. Newman, 36 Sherwood Drive. Hooksett NH 03106-1077 Richard Sherman, 30 High Street, Plymouth NH 03264-1223 Andrew Argenio, 3 Sheila Ave., Smithfield RI 02917 Bob Wallace, 91 Sylvan Street, Avon CT 06001-2230 Frequency Coordinator Joel Chappell, 21 Billings Street, Milford NH 03055-3906 Ph. (603) 673-6240 THE FOLLOWING, written by George (Joe) Bridgham, was reported in the R/C Gulls newsletter. The Tale Spinner. "Howard Smith "December 1924-May 2002 "For those who have not yet heard, our past club newsletter editor, Howard Smith, has passed away. He was 77 years old and had spent most of those years in the model airplane hobby, or at least thinking about the hobby. "Howard was a devoted member of this club, and would help in any way he could He also helped many club members build and fly, and provided model supplies to those who needed them. If you paid him back, good, but if not, that was okay, too. "And most can tell you, if you needed an explanation on any subject, you would get that information and plenty more. All past and present members know what I am talking about. "Howard will be missed by all who knew him. The club and members have lost a true friend." Bob Wallace, Associate Vice President (AVP) for Connecticut, submitted the following article. This is the first part and the rest will be in next month's column. "A Day to Remember: March 22, 2002 will be a date long-remembered by the members of the Northern Connecticut Radio Control Club (NCRCC), for on that day, they joined that select group of Radio Control (RC) clubs that actually own their flying field. "Now, when NCRCC members refer to their flying field, it has special meaning for it truly is theirs! Unique and setting the NCRCC farther apart from the other clubs that own their flying sites, is the fact that 75% of the 40-plus acre land purchase is surrounded by property that will serve as a buffer zone against possible future commercial, industrial, or residential developmental encroachment. "The surrounding property is wooded or open agricultural areas. The agricultural areas will continue to be leased to the same area farmers, so the NCRCC is now both a property owner and a landlord! "The NCRCC's flying field purchase is an inspirational story. It wasn't the result of a gift or by virtue of a few financially well endowed members shelling out huge amounts of cash to make it possible. "It was made possible by a widespread, enthusiastic membership response that resulted in financial donations and pledges being made by more than half the club's membership. Some donations and pledges even came from non-club members who have enjoyed participating in sanctioned competitions that are held annually at the NCRCC flying site. "The people who truly made it happen were the members of NCRCC's board of directors, led by president Bob LaFlamme. From the time in early 2001, when it became known that the tract of land on which the club's leased flying field is situated was to be sold, Bob and his fellow officers adopted a positive, 'we-can-do-this' mind-set that proved to be contagious. "Whether or not they could raise the necessary funding was never seriously questioned; the focus was always on how best to do it. A point was reached during late summer where pledges and donations had slowed to a trickle with the club's financial goal still many thousands of dollars short. Compounding the problem was the fact that time was running out, and a binding offer had to be made for the property within several weeks. "The board of directors meeting at that point was pivotal. Surprisingly, there was no 'gloom-and-doom' and the discussion remained positive and focused on how best to attain the club's financial goal. This truly was a group not about to fail! "Additional solicitations, combined with a bit of gentle verbal arm twisting, resulted in the club's financial goal being realized. A period of anxious waiting then ensued, as an additional land survey was found to be necessary due to a questioned property border, and the actual closing date had to be rescheduled several times. "Finally, at 10 a.m. on March 22 in Norwich CT the closing was held, thus making what is only a distant dream for most RC clubs a reality for the Northern Connecticut Radio Control Club. Membership pledges and donations made this possible, but it was the dedicated, enthusiastic efforts of the club's board of directors and Bob LaFlamme who made it happen! "March 22 is now a date that most NCRCC members will never forget. The NCRCC is a club rich in history and well known for its annual Auction & Swap Shop that is arguably the largest, best-organized, well-managed, and successful event of that type in the entire Eastern part of the country. "Now they are proud flying site owners and landlords!" NCRCC's latest and most significant accomplishment is one that serves well as a showcase example of what is possible if a club has great leadership and a supportive membership. inSr Mission Statement The Academy of Model Aeronautics is a world-class association of modelers organized for the purpose of promotion, development, education, and advancement of modeling activities. The Academy provides leadership, organization, competition, communication, protection, representation, recognition, education, and scientific/technical development to its members. Vision Statement We. the members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, are the pathway to the future of aeromodeling and are committed to making modeling the foremost sport/hobby in the world. This vision is accomplished through • Partnerships with its valued associates, the modeling industry, and governments; • A process of continuous improvement; • A commitment to leadership, quality, education, and scientific/technical development; and • A safe, enjoyable modeling environment.