District X - 2011/05

LAST MONTH I discussed how clubs
could build better ties to their community
leaders. Please continue to send me the tips
and techniques your club uses to keep your
relationship with your field’s decision
makers strong. In a future column I’ll share
the ideas from across the district.
This month I’d like to talk about how we
can be modeling evangelists. One of the
definitions of an evangelist in Webster’s
Dictionary is “an enthusiastic advocate.”
That’s what we need to be to make modeling
thrive.
We can evangelize modeling in our
workplace, during other leisure activities,
and of course at the model field.
Monday through Friday I work in an
office setting. There are several AMA
stickers and modeling pictures in my office.
They are great conversation starters; people
see the pictures and ask about my modeling.
I emphasize that the sport offers a wide
variety of choices. We have FF, CL, and RC
disciplines. I let interested parties know that
for a modest investment and the help of a
club in their home town, they can start to
enjoy the magic of modeling. Launching a
new model into the breeze for the first time
is a thrill they’ll never forget.
In 2010 I convinced two people in my
office to give it a try. Now two people may
not sound like much, but if each person in
the district did that we’d have 46,000 people
trying modeling.
Some AMA members have leisure
interests in addition to modeling. It’s hard to
believe, but I’ve seen the proof with my own
eyes. These interests could include a church
social group, professional organizations,
hobbies, or affiliation with youth groups.
These are all prime opportunities to promote
our sport.
Whether it is the Kiwanis, Toastmasters,
Lions Club, Moose Club, or any other
service organization you may enjoy
membership in, this is a chance to give a
presentation on the aspects of modeling that
you like and encourage others to join you.
The same idea applies at your church or any
youth groups you support. Don’t keep the
passion you have about modeling to yourself
get out and spread the word.
Every club interested in attracting new
members can do a lot to promote modeling.
It can start with a simple hello to newcomers
who visit the field. When you see them,
walk right up, introduce yourself, and offer
to show them around. Answer their
questions and give them a chance to get a
close look at your models.
One word of advice: try not to
overwhelm them with technical jargon.
When they ask questions about the engines,
radios, or aircraft, try to answer them in
plain English at a level of detail that a
newcomer can understand.
They will naturally ask about cost. Try to
discuss purchasing choices that would be
appropriate for someone starting out rather
than what may be the latest and greatest.
Perhaps a good solution would be to have
what your club considers a basic setup
detailed on a flyer and include information
about your club so they can take something
home to consider before their next visit.
One club I’m aware of in our district has
a standing policy of having a trainer and
buddy box set up during the same time
frame every Saturday. This makes it so easy
to give the prospective modelers a chance to
get some hands-on action.
After the prospective modeler has had his
or her first session, invite the person back
for another try. The AMA developed the
Introductory Pilot Program so you can give
the prospective modeler an extended
opportunity to try modeling without
requiring a commitment up front when the
person is trying to decide if modeling is a
good fit. It’s a voluntary program for clubs
and one I highly recommend.
I would be interested in hearing from you
about how you and your club evangelize
modeling. We’ll collect these ideas and
share them on the district Web site so
everyone can benefit from the tools and
techniques that transform prospective
modelers into members of your club and the
AMA.
Never underestimate the power of a
committed modeling enthusiast to change
the world.
I hope you have participated in the AMA’s
letter-writing campaign to oppose the FAA’s
unnecessary regulation of modeling. If you
haven’t yet, this is the time to do so. We’ve
made it simple for anyone to send a letter to
his or her senators and representative.
Go to the AMA home page and you’ll
see a link to the Government Relations page.
On the Government Relations page are links
to create instant letters by entering your
name and address. There are also tips on
writing letters from scratch and a tool to find
out who your senators and representatives
are and what their mailing addresses are.
Anyone can use these tools; you don’t
have to be an AMA member. Please
encourage friends and family members to
help in our campaign. It’s appropriate to
remember what one of our founding fathers
Benjamin Franklin said at the signing of the
Declaration of Independence: “We must,
indeed, all hang together, or assuredly we
shall all hang separately.”
Those words are true today for modelers,
so let’s all hang together.
I am still trying to fill several associate vice
president (AVP) slots. This month we
welcome Duke Chung to be our AVP in
Hawaii.
As of the time of this writing we need an
AVP in Utah, so any Beehive State modelers
who would like to participate in a rewarding
opportunity to oversee modeling in Utah
please contact me.
This is AMA’s 75th anniversary. I am
interested in hearing from modelers who
have been with the organization since our
earliest years. If you live in District X and
joined the AMA in 1940 or earlier, please
contact me.
Please remember to keep sending items for
our Web site. Event write-ups, pictures, and
videos are welcome.
Until next month, may you have nothing
but happy landings.
District X
Lawrence Tougas, District X Vice President; [email protected]
Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah
Lawrence Tougas
Vice President
1827 Santa Monica St.,
Fairfield CA 94533
Tel.: (707) 480-2053
[email protected]
www.ama10.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Tim Attaway, Chula Vista CA
(619) 427-6392;
[email protected]
Denny Baker, Brentwood CA
(925) 513-1224; [email protected]
Duke Chung,, Honolulu HI
(808) 421-1094;
[email protected]
Greg Clemensen, Las Vegas NV
(702) 870-6242;
[email protected]
Kevin Houser, Oro Valley AZ
(520) 490-7657;
[email protected]
Tim Johnson, Downey CA.
(562) 965-4288;
[email protected]
Rick Maida, Morgan Hill CA
(408) 778-6885; [email protected]
Scott Malta, Merced CA
(209) 723-4202;
[email protected]
Roger Willis, Buckeye AZ.
(760) 604-6773;
[email protected]
Contest Coordinators
Ellis Hall, Fair Oaks CA (North);
(916) 217-6302; [email protected]
Tim Attaway, Chula Vista CA;
(619) 427-6392;
[email protected]
District X Volunteers
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