THIS IS THE LAST column that I will
write as the executive vice president. If
you voted, you know that I did not run for
reelection this time.
I am interested in remaining active with
AMA and hope to do so in some position
that deals with money and planning for its
use.
Mark Smith will work closely with the
president, Dave Mathewson, but will not
be directly involved in controlling money
management.
Financially AMA has grown a great
deal in the past 10 years. The construction
and financing of the new administrative
building was the largest major addition to
the fixed assets during this period of time.
There have been constant
improvements made to the grounds, flying
field, and the outside area. This will
continue.
The next major structure that will
probably be built is an indoor flying site,
museum, and classroom/library
combination. That will be a very important
addition to the physical plan, opening the
flying and use of the property to more
people all year around.
Naturally, this is an expensive
proposition, so it’s going to be delayed
because of economics and the drop in
membership, but we have to plan in order
to ever have.
The major source of income for AMA
is membership dues. While we have a
substantial amount of non-dues revenue,
our life blood is still membership and the
dues that are generated therefrom.
It would be a great accomplishment to
increase our membership in the next few
years. To do this, not only will AMA have
to continue all the plans that it is presently
using as well as what it hopes to put into
place, but you, as a member, will have to
go out and bring other people into the
fellowship of this great hobby/sport.
If you ever have a problem, don’t hesitate to
take your magazine and find the telephone
number of someone in Headquarters and call
them. If you happen to call the wrong person,
they will put you in touch with someone who
can help you with your problem.
I have a lot of people coming to me and
they said they had been thinking about calling
me but never had. That’s too bad because I
could have helped them earlier had they just
called.
If you need to know something or if you
want to offer suggestions to AMA about how
to do something, please do not hesitate to find
a number and call us.
I have enjoyed seeing a lot of you and
having you as new friends. Regular friends
from modeling prior to becoming active in
AMA are always welcome sights.
It has been a great experience for me to be
associated with AMA in the capacity of the
executive vice president. I hope you will
work with Mark Smith as well as you did
with me.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/02
Page Numbers: 168
