Presidents PERSPECTIVE Growth responsibility value activity will appraised m large part rate growing declining saying Business 101 goes something like business either growing dying model aviation unlike other industries industry has traditionally relied organization its customers promotion growth activity exceptions industry did some promotional work involved industry helping modelers run programs industry looked AMA AMA looked its clubs clubs looked its members has historically worked very well aeromodeling grew sport/hobby today fact may have worked too well As aeromodeling has grown has also changed character changes have occurred slowly subtly have affected modeling public well industry changes have profound effect organization AMA Aeromodeling has changed activity primarily scientific competitive primarily recreational social majority aeromodelers today far interested flying models building industry has catered interest introducing more prefabrication its kits more AREs being sold Contests once mainstay aeromodeling scene being replaced fly-ins fun-flys very large portion membership now buys models similar fashion buying skateboard personal watercraftits recreational device Gone days average aeromodeler would spend hundreds hours building pride joy industry has also changed considerably Although exceptions days mom-and-pop hobby business has gone way Cleveland kit business has changed today dominated few large companies run companies just like other business necessarily bad thing fact enjoy benefits result products can buy today far advanced used have old days uureasonably priced large portion products purchase aimed general consuming public products aimed large market beginners Admittedly almost RC although purist areas EF CL affected flood good products has resulted growth beyond imagination well beyond ability cope new customers have dropped onto network clubs least consideration taught fly will Most clubs thrilled get members involved eagerly set up training programs Clubs grew point became overwhelmed members put limits membership order survive AMA reaped benefits growth membership grew 50000 late 70s 170000 1993 started fall off During time able create permanent home aeromodeling Muncie see association cement itself reasonably financially secure position Thats far cry 1960s AMA brink bankruptcy oaly dump deficit campaign very industry now speak saved organization Now membership numbers declining slowly industry crying about lack growth responsibility growth industry looking us programs would enhance such growth have past would certainly best interest AIvIA organization grow what about members After AMA organization members such should reflect desires its members am sure average member AIvIA today concemed about growth hobby fact am reasonably sure doesnt care As organization AMA industry have common interest seeing activity grow sense AMA industry have common AMA large portion its own membership typical AMA member rightfully interested what AMA doing him what AMA doing aeromodeling So question remains responsible growth Id guess share responsibility element needing try understand others perspective industry needs understand AMA primarily consumer group responsibility its members firstand members see expansion primary benefit AMA members need understand growth important almost anything strengthens AMA will indirectly benefit ability pursue hobby AMA organization needs understand must balance activities benefit organization activities directly benefit its members WE ALL need recognize what right isnt always what popular what popular isnt always what right point clarification April EC minutes showed approval motion establish fund new product review motion easily misunderstood intent cover costs purchasing equipment inventory well costs preparing location production merchandise items sale AMA Items such shirts hats plan operation will just steps taking reduce dependence dues income Till next mouth Dave Brown AMA President October 1997 7