Leading charity events - 201209
Revitalizing the AMA Leader Member (LM) program
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, they 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 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 the 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 more closely with the Academy and its leaders, consider becoming an AMA LM.
Wounded Warrior Project — SIRCM Scale Fly-in (Staten Island)
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. The Staten Island Radio Control Modelers (SIRCM) of Staten Island, New York, organized a successful event. Club president Gary Rosenthal sent this report.
The SIRCM club organized the Wounded Warrior Project Scale Fly-in. This was the second year SIRCM hosted the event, and it is planned to become one of the club’s annual events.
The day started with the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner by X Factor 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 in Staten Island, New York.
All guests were given the opportunity to try flying one of the club trainer planes. Training pilots on-site for the day were:
- Gene Gavin
- Dan Basovitch
- Mike Insero
- Jon Gerber
Interest was strong: 25 people registered for their free day of flight training.
This AMA-sponsored event was a huge success. The club raised $1,600 and a club member donated an additional $2,400 through his company. All proceeds were donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Advertising and publicity included:
- Emails to neighboring clubs
- Postings on the club’s website and Facebook page
- Press releases sent to Channel 7 (ABC) community calendar and NY1 (Cable channel 1), both of which ran news of the event on their morning programs
- Posts on online RC boards and their calendars
- Nearly 200 flyers and signs posted around Staten Island
Donations and local support:
- Raffle prize donations: Futaba and Brownies Hobbies (local hobby shop)
- Food and signage donations: Bagels and Buns; Carisma Large Format Printing
- Dick’s Sporting Goods (Richmond Avenue) provided 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 the club website at www.statenislandrcmodelers.org or the 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, gaining free publicity, and showing how much they care for our veterans.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
