District VII-2011/09

September 2011 141
I WILL STRAY from the normal opening
for just a moment. Please bear with me. This
year is an important election year for the
offices of president, executive vice
president, and several district vice
presidents, with nominees for each position.
You, the membership, are the AMA. The
Executive Council (EC) is elected by you to
carry out the programs and mission
statements of the Academy of Model
Aeronautics in accordance with the
procedures as set forth in the Bylaws and
Standing Rules.
As a member it is your responsibility to
be informed about the candidates for the
various offices. I urge you to read the
résumés and the campaign statements, ask
questions, and check out actual experience
needed. Only by being informed can you,
the member, make an educated decision
with your vote. And as I have said
throughout the years, your voice is your
vote; let it be heard.
Now back to the business of this column.
The EC is always searching for ways to
encourage clubs and members to become
involved in promoting our hobby/sport. This
participation is showing some positive
results. The AMA membership continues to
rise, slowly but surely. A true sign that
involvement works. The following reports
are proof of the concept.
Ed Kincer, District VII associate vice
president (AVP), reports that at virtually the
last minute, the Michigan Department of
Recreation contacted the Holly Cloud
Hoppers club to put on a demonstration of
aeromodeling at the Holly Recreation Park.
Attendees included Secretary of State
Ruth Johnson and Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) Director Rodney Stokes,
as well as other dignitaries. It was a
successful event, and a major step was taken
to become involved with officials who can
help in our hobby/sport with flying site
acquisitions.
Holly Cloud Hoppers members.
Seated (L) Michigan Secretary of State Ruth
Johnson with DNR Director Rodney Stokes
at the microphone.
The second report is how the Michigan
Signal Seekers, of Westland, Michigan, used
the Take off And Grow (TAG) program to
introduce aeromodeling and its benefits to
local youngsters and the community.
I was in attendance at this event to
observe. Scott Paschen, club president,
supervised the two-day program with RC
and CL demos. Unfortunately the names of
the folks in the pictures were lost.
Geoff Barrance furnished the following
information and picture through Lloyd
Swanson, District VII AVP for Eastern
Iowa.
The Cedar Rapids R/C Club’s Frank
Gutierrez and Geoff Barrance put on a
display and flying demonstrations for the
Cub Scouts at Camp Waubeek in June.
There were handouts to everyone present.
Frank also showed how the airplane controls
work and explained their functions.
These events get attention, not only to
interest youngsters but to place our
hobby/sport in the forefront.
“And that’s what I’m talking about.”
Frank Gutierrez explaining control functions.
Till next time, get involved, let your voice
be heard and vote, and fly safely and have
fun. C.A.V.U.
District VII
Bill Oberdieck, District VII Vice President; [email protected]
Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Bill Oberdieck
Vice President
Box 1076
Southgate MI 48195
Tel.: (734) 283-4813
Fax: (734) 283-0650
www.amadistrictvii.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Lee D. Frederickson,
Ada MI; [email protected]
Bud Gorman, Knife River MN;
[email protected]
Don Held, Elmira MI;
(231) 584-2662; [email protected]
Ed Kincer, Fenton MI; (810) 610-
7791; [email protected]
Tom Pierce, St. Clair MI; (810)
367-6450; tom_pierce_48079@
yahoo.com
Mark E. Robotti, Lindstrom MN;
[email protected]
Tom Ryan, Greenfield WI;
(414) 881-0070; tomcat@
execpc.com
Lloyd Swanson; Cedar Rapids IA;
(319) 373-0947; [email protected]
Kent Woods, Ames IA ; (515)
232-8180; [email protected]
Frequency Coordinators
West: Al Schwartz, Roseville
MN; (651) 633-2286
East: Pete Waters, Northville MI;
(248) 486-4800
Contest Coordinators:
Wayne Yeager, RC (Michigan
only), (517) 260-0132; yogi1931@
comcast.net
Michael Haller, RC (except
Michigan), (920) 979-9452;
[email protected]
Flying Site Coordinator
Tony Stillman, Tony
[email protected]
Webmaster
Ed Kincer, [email protected]
District VII Volunteers
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