Leading charity events - 201209

AMA has had a
Leader Member
(LM) program for
many years. The
job description
was for volunteer
members willing to
assist the Academy,
but it wasn’t clearly
defined beyond voting on AMA bylaws
changes, which only LMs can do. In the
past, when a member became a CD, he
or she also received the title of Leader
Member, which swelled the LM ranks,
but didn’t accomplish much for the
program.
LMs are the highest level of
membership and are respected by
the Academy. We are revitalizing our
LM program and redefining the job’s
description and organization. Rusty
Kennedy from Virginia is heading this
project. Rusty is the chairman of the
LM Committee, and is working with the
Executive Council, district associate vice
presidents, and others to complete this
task.
Rusty’s goal is to develop this
program so our LMs are informed
AMA spokespersons familiar with our
programs and working on AMA’s behalf.
LMs will still vote on changes to our
bylaws, but we believe their value is far
greater.
We would like our LMs to reach out
to clubs to discuss AMA business so our
members receive important information.
Our ultimate goal is to have at least one
LM per AMA chartered club.
LMs must be Open members. The
application is on AMA’s website or
you can call AMA directly to obtain
one. If you want to work closer with
the Academy and its leaders, consider
becoming an AMA LM.
In my July column, I mentioned the
Wounded Warrior Project. This program
is gaining momentum across the country,
raising money to support our wounded
veterans’ needs. Enter the Staten Island
Radio Control Modelers of Staten Island,
New York, or SIRCM. Club president
Gary Rosenthal sent in this report.
“The SIRCM club organized a
spectacular event that hit close to home
for many Americans, the Wounded
Warrior Project Scale Fly-in. This is the
second year that SIRCM has organized
and hosted the event and it will become
one of SIRCM’s annual events.
“The day started with the singing of
the Star Spangled Banner by XFactor
contestant, Brittneyann Accetta, and was
attended by nearly 120 pilots, veterans,
and spectators. The event was held at
SIRCM’s Field of Dreams flying site
located in Staten Island, New York.
“All guests who attended the event
were given the opportunity to try their
hand at flying one of our club trainer
planes. Our training pilots on-site
for the day were Gene Gavin, Dan
Basovitch, Mike Insero, and Jon Gerber.
The interest was amazing, as 25 people
registered for their free day of flight
training.
“This AMA-sponsored event was
a huge success, with the club raising
$1,600 and a club member also donated
$2,400 through his company. All
proceeds collected were donated to the
Wounded Warrior Project.
“Much of the advertising for the
event was done via emails to the
neighboring clubs as well as postings
on the club’s website and Facebook
page. Press releases were forwarded to
local television station Channel 7 (ABC
TV) community calendar, as well as
NY1 (Cable channel 1). Both of these
broadcast stations ran news of the event
on their morning programs. Online RC
boards also posted the event to their
respective calendars. Nearly 200 flyers
and signs were posted around Staten
Island to help promote the event.
“Donations were made by Futaba and
our local hobby shop, Brownies Hobbies,
for raffle prizes. Food and signage were
donated by local businesses Bagels
and Buns and Carisma Large Format
Printing, and a special thank-you goes
to Dick’s Sporting Goods on Richmond
Avenue for providing a 20% discount on
the purchase of drink and food coolers.
“If you are looking to attend a fantastic
event and help a great cause, mark your
calendars for next year, Sunday, June 2,
2013. For more information, go to our
website at www.statenislandrcmodelers.
org or our Facebook page (Staten Island
RC Modelers).”
Imagine a flying club in New York
City raising $4,000 for a worthwhile
organization in only the event’s second
year, getting free publicity, and showing
how they care for our veterans and their
community. Well done SIRCM!
For those clubs looking for a charity
event to help sponsor, you won’t find a
better one than the Wounded Warrior
Project!
Until next month, help secure our
future and take a youngster flying!