District X
The number one concern for AMA members is a flying site. This makes sense because our sport begins and ends with a place to fly.
As modelers, we do a great job honing our building and flying skills, but we sometimes fall short in marketing ourselves to our communities, which I believe is key to finding and keeping our flying fields. We're going to take steps to change that starting this month. I'll share some of my ideas and I would love to hear yours, too.
Best practices for flying-field acquisition and retention
We will assemble a list of best practices for flying-field acquisition and retention. Being active with the site owner, according to the AMA's Flying Site Assistance Coordinator Tony Stillman, is one of the most important things a club can do to protect a flying site. Let's begin with techniques we can use for fields on public land.
Attend public meetings regularly
Public entities typically have monthly meetings such as city councils, county boards of supervisors, and parks and recreation meetings. Appoint a club member to attend every one of these gatherings.
- Pick the right person: the face of your club to decision makers should have a pleasant manner and the ability to charm.
- Sit in the front row so you can make eye contact and the official can see your approving nods when he or she speaks.
- Don't only attend when there's an issue affecting your field. Be at each meeting and start building a dossier on each decision maker.
Get to know decision makers
Learn their backgrounds, the issues they are tackling, which issues they care most about, when they next stand for election, and what charities they support. Find out if they work outside their council duties and in what capacity.
- Watch council dynamics to see who is most influential and focus efforts on that person.
- The goal is to learn what is important to these decision makers so your club can become an asset to them.
If a subject they favor is being discussed and you have an opportunity to speak during public comment, do so in support. Conversely, don't oppose issues they support—your attendance should build support for your club. Personal issues must come second.
Make a good impression
When you know a bit about each council member, introduce yourself and let them know about your club.
- Prepare a brief handout that includes a short club history, community service projects your club has performed, and directions to your field. Keep it simple and clean.
- Invite them to visit the field and assure them you aren't looking for something in return. Give them a telephone number, preferably a cell number, so they can reach you easily.
- Be patient—several invitations may be needed before they commit to a visit.
If they visit the field, stress the charitable work your club has done, programs to teach beginners how to fly, and how your club is a good custodian of the public land entrusted to you. Introduce them to members and give them the opportunity to speak. At the end of the visit, ask how your club can help them and, whenever possible, muster club support—manpower or money—to assist. This investment in goodwill will be remembered when you need support.
Help with elections and campaigns
Most decision makers must stand for election—this is a golden opportunity to build closer ties. Elections are run on volunteer manpower; clubs should provide labor.
Ways your club can help a candidate:
- Distribute and install campaign signs.
- Call voters to encourage them to vote.
- Walk precincts distributing campaign material the weekend before election day.
- Shuttle voters to polling places on election day if they cannot drive themselves.
If your club can muster 10–20 people to help, you will be noticed and remembered by decision makers.
Partner on charitable events and publicity
Most clubs conduct fundraisers for charities. Double the effectiveness by choosing a charity favored by the decision maker and involve them in the activities. Include the official in any photographs showing a donation.
- Send a press release with photographs and a write-up to local media. Having the official at the event increases the chances of media coverage and gives them public exposure they need.
When your club holds a barbecue or holiday dinner, invite VIPs and their significant others. Treat them to a meal and give them an opportunity to address your members. Even if they do not attend, they will know they were welcome. Remember their birthdays with a card and include them on the club's Christmas card list.
Maintain regular contact and offer help
Try to establish a regular lunch or dinner meeting with these officials. Use the opportunity to brief them on what you're doing to maintain the facility and again ask how your club can help them. Most meetings should be framed around offering assistance.
If you have 10 interactions with them, nine should be you asking how you can help. When a crisis occurs and you need their help to protect your flying site, you will have a much better chance of success than if you are meeting them for the first time. Building these relationships takes effort but is worth its weight in gold.
Resources and how to contribute
This is the first in a series of columns about how to protect our flying sites. Please send comments and ideas. We will have a special section on our District X website to collect all best practices for flying-field acquisition and retention. Together we can improve access to flying fields and enjoy the sport we love.
Did you know the AMA has a booklet titled Getting and Keeping Flying Sites? Every club should have a copy. To obtain one, call Erin Dobbs at AMA Headquarters and she will send your club a copy free of charge.
The district website continues to grow. We'd love your contributions—please send event coverage and articles to me for the site. We'll help publicize your club and build attendance for your next event.
That's it for now. Until next month, may you have nothing but happy landings.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
