154 MODEL AVIATION
THE CONTEST SEASON is about to
begin for most of us. If your club is planning
an event, please make sure your AMA
sanction has been obtained. The publicity
this sanction will provide will certainly
make your efforts worthwhile!
Our new associate vice president (AVP),
Randy Adams, attended the January
Executive Council (EC) meeting. Randy
submitted his views as to the happenings.
The following is Randy’s report.
“I had the distinct pleasure of attending
the January 2006 EC meeting at the AMA
Headquarters in Muncie, Indiana. This was
the first time I was able to make the
meetings as an AVP, so I was not sure what
lay before me.
“The EC is made up of the elected
officials, and I guess the best analogy that I
can think of is it’s the executive, legislative,
and judicial form of governing body. The
meeting started at 8 a.m. and ran with few
interruptions through 7:30 p.m. There was
also a half-day session on Sunday.
“The president, Dave Brown, of course,
chairs the meeting. I was very impressed with
the comprehensive agenda and the systematic
procedure they go through. As I sat through
the meeting, my thoughts were various, but
the one thing that struck me was the scope of
the AMA and how the EC tries to address
each and every concern of the modeling
community. Decisions are based on what is
best for the whole rather than a district.
“Several topics were addressed that are
outside the scope of this column, but I can tell
you that each topic was addressed and
thoroughly covered by the EC and others
from AMA Headquarters. The attendees from
Headquarters, who are normally there during
regular business hours, stayed throughout the
day as well and shared equal enthusiasm.
“I have been an AMA member for well
over 20 years. I’ve heard all the complaints,
concerns, and armchair quarterbacking
directed at the EC. I can tell you this
without contradiction; anyone who feels the
EC has a particular agenda, Special Interest
Group, or cause in mind is sadly mistaken.
From my viewpoint and nearly 12 hours of
session, these folks have the body in mind,
not one limb.
“I was particularly impressed with each
district vice president (VP) and his approach
to the proceedings. I think all of us have sat in
on club meetings and board meetings where
discussions led to arguments, shouting, etc.
That didn’t happen once in my presence. The
meeting was professionally run, objections
were raised, and each person was given his or
her say.
“Regardless of what you may think of our
elected officials at AMA, you can bet that
what they go through for the membership is
huge compared to their compensation. Many
of us would have quit if this were our fulltime
job. If you think of it, drop your district
VP a thank-you once in a while; they do more
right than what they are given credit for.”
Many of our AMA Show Teams bring a
great deal of joy to numerous people. The
efforts needed to create a show team require a
great deal of dedication. Unfortunately, one
of our district’s most dedicated show-team
members has flown his last flight.
Jim Hubbard of Findlay, Ohio, was the
driving force behind the Spirit of America
Show Team. The Academy expresses its
sympathy to Jim’s wife Ruth and the
Hubbard family.
Each year we remind you of the AMA
Leader Club Program. Participation in this
program provides the basic necessities for a
successful club. Additional information is
available at www.modelaircraft.org/PDFfiles/
708.pdf.
This month we highlight the activities of
northeast Pennsylvania’s Black Sheep
Squadron. This AMA Gold Leader Club
exhibits many positive activities during the
year.
One of these, the annual autumn Soup and
Fly picnic features many culinary delights
prepared by club members and families. It
also included the maiden voyage of some
new aircraft.
Thanks to Steve Kurimchak for the
following pictures which illustrate some of
the Black Sheep activities.
Walter Letanski displays his new Hangar 9
Corsair.
Bill Coffay, Bill Jones, and Manny Ramos
display their Blade Squadron.
Steve Kurimchak enthusiastically tries some
of Bill Jones’ chili at the Soup and Fly.
Walter Letanski displays his Hangar 9 J-3.
District III
Bob Brown, District III Vice President; [email protected]
Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
Associate Vice Presidents:
Randy Adams, Fairfield OH;
(513) 858-3154;
[email protected]
Mike Barbee, Delaware OH;
(740)362-5545;
[email protected]
David H. Ellis, Cross Lanes
WV; (304) 776-1408
Nelson Gould, Macungie PA;
(610) 395-9159
Dan Luchaco, Sayre PA;
(570) 888-1856;
[email protected]
Jim Martin, Franklin OH;
(937) 260-0143
Leo Rodriguez, New Stanton
PA; (724) 925-0159;
[email protected]
Matthew Turowski, Drums
PA; (570) 788-0661;
[email protected]
Joseph S. Vislay, Maumee OH;
(419) 893-9537;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinator:
Ron Morgan, Scotland PA;
(717) 264-7425;
[email protected] D
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Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/05
Page Numbers: 154