Executive Director View from HQ

Executive Director View HQ wasnt voluntary assistance . AMA would flat its back month have chosen summarize article published March 1948 Air Trails Operation Headache Gordon S Light $64 answer What Get Buck question Americas famous model aeronauts revealing behind scenes picture what goes Academy Model Aeronautics Headquarters Operation Headache began 1935 movement truly national model organization took definite shape year series meetings during St Louis Nationals Hobby leaders parts country threw ideas organization set up agreed upon Model Builder rallying cry Officers elected Academy Model Aeronautics created beginning operated out vest pockets its officers 1939 national headquarters set up Washington troubles dumped lap headquarters staff thus Operation Headache started thirteen years AMA has grown sizeand have problems Today headquarters has worse headaches About 1942 lost first hand contact Academy afler having participated its activities since 1935 Moving Washington long ago brought us again up date Operation Headache Headquarters still getting sandbagged frequently enough keep life becoming monotonous still some unhappy lambs fold though minority vociferous HQ dong fine job carrying out Operation Headachekeeping model builders happy time Unhappy model builders usually timid about revealing feelings Washington headquarters over staffed overstuffed group ringleaders delight forcing rules down throats innocent modelers playing favoritism group another same rascals headquarters play hands pressure groups write rules suite manufacturers generally ignore poor little model builder Headquarters used such talk However well meaning AMA member serves important committee first time becomes baffled critical tone letters unhappy AMA members hurts sensitive soul Apparently no writes letter unless unhappy pulling punches certain amount sniping good sign Academy should wrapped up moth balls laid away members agree gummy disinterested fashion Snide remarks ought tempered little sense however because organization Academy thoroughly completely democratic individual member carries weight comparable national organization model builders still running won show Some criticism directed toward AMA headquarters legitimate enough Too little money obvious shortcoming whole set up might hard explain Academy members currently asking What get buck Academys goal promote model building coordinate activities nationwide basis help clubs individual model builders maintain system licensing sponsor contests exhibitions promote safe sane flying score other duties need experienced personnel working full time Aside salaries staff members cost maintaining small office considerable Innocent little items such printing postage make quite dent meager budget Academys income membership fees alone fifly-cent dollar memberships cant stretched far enough its financially impossible Academy give kind service wants its members Headquarters efforts necessity spread thin budget too small put staff members field contact groups parts country Theres just no money traveling expenses takes real emergency justify AMA financed field trip Does still sound familiar wasnt voluntary assistance individuals AMA would flat its back very wonderful peopleofficers committee chairmen members contest directors advisors-throw efforts pay personal satisfaction having helped worthwhile cause What might have hands today patient people hadnt nursed Academy idea though critical years indeed frightening would dozen organizations so-called national basis-with own national contests own national champions AMA has built up well-deserved prestige among sponsoring groups look Academy help advice Academy membership activities have increasing steadily through years Dreams replacing todays shoestring budget large enough adequate program gradually coming true membership dollars urgently needed larger sums publicspirited citizens understand important role model aviation plays life youth nation However active participation also needed AMA organization y flying CL Joyce Hager Executive Director jhager@modelaircraftorg 168 Model Aviation