View from HQ - 2001/01

192 M ODEL AVIATION
aS I wrITe this column, AMA Headquarters
staff is heavily involved in the preparation of the
2001 operating budget. This annual budget
itemizes all our operational costs, then balances
those costs with a realistic projected income.
Not included in the 2001 operational
budget are items such as improvements to the
site, equipment repair and replacement, or the
new administration building and furnishings.
These funds come from donations, the sale of
the Reston building, and fund-raising efforts.
The 2001 budget has more than $130,000
dedicated to the promotion of aeromodeling
projects, ranging from Air Show Teams to
education programs. (The Radio Control Hobby
Trade Association [RCHTA] donated an
additional $75,000 during a two-year period, for
education projects.) Displays, handouts, films,
mall shows, Homecoming/Grand Event, and
other promotional projects are included.
The budget addresses insurance premiums
and fees, the cost of National Aeronautic
Association (NAA) and Fédération
Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) fees,
postage, freight, telephone, membership
supplies, Internet access, and other expenses.
There is also the cost of owning property,
such as AMA vehicles, lawn mowers, the
flying site, and land. Expenses for these
properties include taxes, insurance, principal
and interest payments, and utilities.
The budget also addresses the cost of doing
business. Line items include data processing,
professional services, salaries and benefits, and
other normal operational expenses.
As Executive Director, I present a breakeven
budget to the Finance Committee
(Executive Vice President Doug Holland,
Chairman and District IX Vice President Russ
Miller, and AMA member-at-large Charles
Castaing). Once I have developed the budget,
the committee meets and we discuss each line
item listed. Then the budget is presented to
the Executive Council for final approval.
This is a long process, with many checks
and balances. Doug Holland has done an
excellent job of presenting this information
in his column in the past few years.
reminder: It is time to renew your AMA
membership for 2001.
Renewal notices, along with ballots for
those in districts whose representatives are
up for election, have been mailed to all
AMA members.
If you didn’t receive a notice, use the
application in the magazine or call the tollfree
membership renewal line, (877) 363-
9262. (This number is to be used for
membership renewal only.)
Please read your notice carefully; it
contains pertinent information. If you have a
question concerning the amount due, call
our customer service line at (800) 435-9262,
or contact the Membership Department via
E-mail at [email protected].
Renewal notices are customized for the
individual member. If you return your notice
with an amount other than what is due, it
will delay the processing.
Mail is very heavy this time of year. It
takes at least four days from the time you
mail your renewal to the time we receive it;
the same goes for the return of your
membership card. The volume of renewals
is large, and it may take one or two weeks to
process your information.
The deadline for voting in districts with
representatives up for election was
November 10. I hope all members in these
districts took the time to read the campaign
statements and return their ballots.
The incumbents were running
unopposed, but it is still important to cast
your vote. Let your representative know you
appreciate the job he is doing.
For the first time, we included postage
on the return ballot, hoping to encourage
everyone to cast a vote. When the votes are
tallied, we will find out if this increased the
number of responses.
Volunteering for an organization of this
size and diversity takes many hours of a
person’s time, which takes away from his or
her flying time.
I received the following letter from Max K.
Burkhead. It is great to get letters like this one.
“Just a note to let you know how much
the AMA has meant to me all of these years.
Although I’m nearing 70, I’m still cutting
balsa and flying model airplanes.
“I started building [in] about 1943 and
reading Air Trails. My first engine was a
Phantom P-30; ignition of course, and
before Ray Arden invented the glow plug.
“I am VP [Vice President] of the Fairmont
Flyers with 30 active AMA members. We
have already held four mall shows this year,
raffling off a trainer complete with radio and
engine, benefitting the Boy Scout Aviation
Education program and other club projects.
“One of your columnists, Indoor builder
Bud Tenny, was in the Air Force Tail
Twisters MAC along with me back in 1952-
53. The years pass really fast when you’re
having fun.
“Several of the Fairmont Flyers plan to
attend some Muncie events this year and
also visit the Air Force Museum in Dayton.
“Again, thanking you and your staff for
your work in helping our hobby thrive.”
Thanks for the great letter, Max.
Max also sent me a copy of a newspaper
article that ran on the front page of the West
Virginian Times, along with an article in the
“Life Styles” section.
Great publicity for the Fairmont Flyers
and for model airplanes! MA
Happy flying,
Joyce Hager
executive Director
[email protected]
This is a long
process, with many
checks and balances.
Joyce Hager Executive Director
View from HQ
Fairmont Flyers MAC’s Vice President
Max Burkhead with the Mountaineer
Mall Show display.