View from HQ
Joyce Hager, Executive Director
You must show that you care and are committed to your community.
RENEWAL TIME: I am sure everyone hates to hear those words, but it is that time again. The second week of September, we mailed more than 150,000 renewal notices to AMA members. During the next three months we will receive and process 65% of the renewals for AMA members.
Take time to read your notice, front and back. There is much good information provided there! If you have a question, call us on the toll-free number: (800) 435-9262. Our customer service representatives are here waiting to answer any of your questions.
As with any toll-free number, the busiest times are Monday morning and Friday afternoon; try to avoid these times if possible. AMA provides other ways of renewing.
Our new toll-free number that can be utilized by current renewing AMA members during normal business hours only is (877) 363-9262.
You may also fax your application, and probably receive confirmation the same day, at (765) 741-0057. Review your notice and ensure that we have the correct information in our records.
AMA is currently exploring other possibilities for renewing members. One option would be to renew through our Web site. Another option may allow the member to participate in an automatic renewal process. This means that the customer gives permission for AMA to automatically charge his or her credit card each year when the renewal process for that year begins.
Have any of you had experience in these areas with other associations or publications?
Good Public Relations
I often read in club newsletters where club members have donated their time and efforts to do a program on their own, or partner with another club to raise funds for other nonprofit groups. Since we are getting into the season of giving, I would like to share this story:
"Bayou City Flyers Turn Out to Help Ft. Bend's Muscular Dystrophy Benefit"
In the finest tradition of Radio Control inter-club cooperation, Bayou City Flyers' members gave generously of their time to help the Ft. Bend RC Club with their Muscular Dystrophy benefit event.
This annual flight festival offers non-fliers a chance to fly an RC plane on a buddy cord with an AMA-approved flight instructor. Donations are given directly to the Muscular Dystrophy campaign.
Our folks spent generous amounts of time at the Ft. Bend field, and our instructors, led by Allen Earl, did real yeoman service, flying almost all day long. Tommy Joe was there to help in the non-flying areas.
Ft. Bend's MD efforts this year raised more than $2,000. Sam Grice, a member of the Bayou City Flyers and Ft. Bend RC Club's president, called the amount in to the Jerry Lewis MD Marathon and got the amount matched by a local bank. The gift totaled more than $4,000!
Thanks, Bayou City Flyers and Ft. Bend RC Club for participating in such a worthy cause. Just think of the positive public relations and fun that this event created!
On that note, I will let you know of two events held at the Muncie site.
In August, we permitted a dog show to be held at the International Aeromodeling Center. Not only did it expose dog-lovers to the sport/hobby of model aviation, but the dog show organizers donated $1,200 to AMA. The event provided community awareness of our organization by advertising in the local newspaper, and brought many new faces to the National Model Aviation Museum.
AMA also had the opportunity to share this site with the American Kiefers Association. They chose to have their national event at our site in early October. With more than 400 competitors and a large number of spectators, we received advertising and positive public relations, a great deal of exposure, and many visitors enjoyed the museum.
When becoming part of any community, it may be necessary to do things that will benefit other nonprofit organizations, or host events other than that for which your site was intended. You must show that you care and are committed to your community. If you have site problems, I would hope that because of your dedication to your community, the community would come to your support.
If you have not done something positive for your community, it may be time to get involved.
Happy flying,
Joyce Hager Executive Director [email protected]
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
