Executive VP’s Report - 2004/05

168
WE’VE ALL HEARD how they do things
big in Texas and it is the truth. Here is proof.
The following article by John Reed tells
how the North Dallas RC Club raised enough
money to build the kind of field they wanted.
It provides good examples that other clubs can
use to raise money. It may not have to be done
at the same magnitude this article reflects, but
this is a good indicator of what can be
accomplished through hard work.
“Funding a New Flying Field: It was
January 1, 1998, and I had just ‘won’ the right
to be the club treasurer. I also was retiring that
year, so I had a lot of time on my hands and
was about to find out where that time was
going.
“Our old flying field has been located on
the busy North Dallas Tollway for 23 years
and development was coming at a rapid rate.
Our Field Search Committee had been
looking for a new field for more than five
years with little success. It was time to get
down to business and find a new field.
“With only $3,000 in our checking
account and $27,000 in our Field Construction
account, we were going to have to raise
roughly $75,000 more before we could even
think about funding a new field that would be
comparable to our old field. Our club was
already incorporated and held the status of a
501 C-(7) non-profit organization. Donations
to our club were not deductible.
“In order for some or all of our fundraising
efforts to be deductible for the donors,
I set out to change our status to 501 C-(3). I
felt that with the amount of effort that our club
puts into youth programs that we would have
no problems with the IRS in changing our
status. To be certain that I was heading in the
right direction, I engaged a Certified Public
Accountant (CPA) to guide me through the
application process. A few months later, we
received our new tax status as requested.
“Our club has collected $100 initiation
fees from new members (not juniors) for
years. These fees have always gone into our
Field Construction fund. Out of more than
300 members, we lose about 100 per year and
then gain another 100 members during the
next year. This provides several thousand
dollars in new funds each year, but we
realized that dues and initiation fees alone
would not fund the new field.
“Other sources would be required. A
decision was made to sell life memberships.
The plan would allow the sale of life
memberships to adult members for $1,000
and senior members for $500. This plan was
successful and $15,000 from this sale was
added to the building fund.
“Someone suggested selling inscribed
memorial bricks. We found a company who
would sell the bricks—with custom
inscriptions—for $15 each. A sale price of
$115 was established, giving the club a profit
of $100 on each sale. This fund-raising event
added $3,905 to the construction fund. These
bricks were installed in a special memorial
area at our new field.
“An auction was planned and the club
members were asked to donate their
unwanted hobby items. Mike’s Hobby Shop
offered to store the donated items until the
date of the auction. Mike’s shop even offered
to allow us to hold the auction in an area
normally used for indoor car races.
“This auction brought in $2,404. Two
smaller auctions held during regular club
meetings brought in another $1,000.
“Many club members decided to simply
make cash contributions to the building fund.
Remember, these donations were taxdeductible.
Their generosity added $1,500 to
the building fund.
“Unfortunately, two of our great club
members passed away during the fund-raising
period. In both cases, the surviving families
asked that cash donations be made to the club
in lieu of flowers. Their wonderful generosity
added another $1,500 to the building fund.
“Finally, the club has an on-going raffle at
each meeting. Most of the items are donated
by Texas RC Modelers Hobby Shop. The
raffle added another $2,200 to the building
fund.
“By the time construction was about to
begin, our club had collected more than
$96,000.
“A flying site was located and leased in
late 2000. Construction was started in early
October 2001, and completed by July 2002,
expending the entire building fund.
Additional dirt work was required and extra
mowing equipment was purchased.
“In June 2002, our club applied for a grant
from AMA and received $9,675 for which we
were grateful. Our club wound up with a
first-class field, featuring a 620- x 40-foot
asphalt runway, a grass runway of the same
length, and a 16- x 100-foot shed. A steel
shipping container houses our maintenance
equipment.
“Surprisingly, our old flying field is still
in operation and will likely be around a few
more years. Lease payments on both flying
fields amounts to a little more than $7,000
per year. As of October 2003, we have a
balance of $30,000 in our accounts and we
are looking for another flying field.
For good ideas to work, they must have a
landing gear as well as wings.
Remember, always be courteous. Until
later ...
Executive VP’s Report
Doug Holland
AMA Executive VP
3517 Fernwood Dr.
Raleigh NC 27612
(Home) (919) 787-5163
(Office) (919) 787-7454
Each year, the Academy of Model Aeronautics awards Charles
Hampson Grant Scholarships to deserving high-school seniors who
will be pursuing a continuing academic program at an accredited
college or university.
In 2003, 47 applications were received and processed by the
four-person selection committee. Each applicant is screened and
ranked using various criteria. These include such things as gradepoint
average, test results, school and community activities, and
aeromodeling activities.
In addition to the Grant scholarship program, there are
specialized funds available. These include a yearly donation
provided by the Weak Signals club. The funds for this scholarship
are the result of activities which occur at the club’s annual model
expo held each spring in Toledo, Ohio. In 2003, at the club’s
direction, the sum of $4,000 was awarded to the top winner in
addition to the amount provided by C.H. Grant funds.
A third scholarship is awarded from funds provided by Sig
Manufacturing, Inc. of Montezuma, Iowa. This award is based upon
need and modeling activity. The 2003 sum awarded was $2,500.
Currently, the amount awarded through the C.H. Grant
Scholarship fund is approximately $20,000, generated through
funds based on Academy memberships and donations or memorials
designated for that specific purpose. The other awards represent
specific donations by individuals or organizations.
To be eligible for a scholarship, the applicant must:
1) have been an AMA member for the last full 36 consecutive
months prior to the April 30 application deadline,
2) graduate from high school in the year in which the award is to
be granted, and
3) have been accepted by a college or university offering a
certificate or degree program. Applicants are eligible to receive a
grant only once.
Applications and information for scholarships or information
regarding donations to the programs may be obtained by contacting
AMA Headquarters, extension 516, or by E-mailing
[email protected]. Applications and detailed
information are available on the AMA Web site,
www.modelaircraft.org, and the Education Web site,
www.buildandfly.com.
The deadline for applications for the 2004 awards is April 30,
2004.
AMA/Charles H. Grant Scholarships