AMA Building Fund: Update XI
It has been suggested that this report try to relay to AMA members some appreciation for the extent of all the preliminary paperwork, preparation, and legwork that was necessary just to begin constructing the new building.
At this point, please realize that the Building Fund articles typically are written while riding a daily commuter bus. This month has been even more than unusually busy, so the article is being assembled late on a Friday night at the writer's old homestead (it being due Monday morning).
Scattered about the desk is what may seem like senseless clutter to the uninitiated. The sometimes frightening truth is that all these bundles of paper are within arm's reach and in quite an orderly state.
If you have read this far, you may have realized that the words in this month's article are taking on a more personal tone. Because of the tremendous response to the Building Fund Drive and the hundreds of warm letters, a strong personal bond has been formed. It is a tie that is hard to understand until all those supportive and kind letters are read. Certainly the number of contributed dollars is very impressive, but that this project has touched the hearts of so many of us is much more worthy of note.
The problem this article presents is how to make interesting the underlying necessary items—which would be mundane if performed regularly.
Paperwork and Documents
Within grasp is a copy of the Building Permit application. Equally accessible are:
- Storm water detention agreement
- Conservation agreement
- Certificate of authority for corporate accounts
- Current survey
- Estimate of costs
- The builder's contract along with schedules for his draw and completion
- A master set of plans
- Site review documents
- Promissory note purchase agreement
- Deed of trust — second copy
- Copy of the deed of assumption
- Copy of the land deed
- Water authority easement agreement
- The appraisal
- Copies of what was sent to the AMA president and executive vice-president for their signatures
- Insurance certificates and policy copies
- Copy of the certificate of qualification to do business in Virginia
- And much more
Of the latter, most are copies of documents either from the bank or its attorney, the county or state, AMA's attorneys, the general contractor, or material generated here.
Interesting? Yes, in a way. Perhaps what is most apparent is that there are so many business matters that this AMA has not had to tend to in the past. The word "revolutionary" has been heard to describe this. The shrugging of the role of tenant and the stepping into the world of owner certainly is a dramatic change. A more accurate one-word description: evolutionary.
The boys of years ago have grown up. The technology of the past has given way to the present. We have been joined by many new faces. For a time, we have stopped pondering the Nats' location, the rule book, who is running for what office, and how big is big. It has mattered little if our aircraft's flight is controlled by wires, radio, or predetermination. We have rallied to fulfill our dream. We are building ourselves a home.
Financial Status
As reported last month, our initial goal of $160,000 has been reached. Each additional dollar raised for the Building Fund will go toward paying off the mortgage debt. We have all the necessary funds to start the project. The architectural, engineering, and legal fees, etc., have been covered. AMA can make a loan agreement to finance the project. Each dollar of Building Fund money contributed from now on will help to retire that debt.
Just since the last issue of Model Aviation, the debt has been reduced by thousands of dollars. Now, that's interesting!
Recognition and Donors
Honor Wall (recognition for contributions of $1,000 and up) will be recorded in the new building.
- This month: $1,000 donation — anonymous
Charter Members, AMA Builders (plaques acknowledging contributions of $500 and up):
- South Bay Soaring Society
- $500 donation — anonymous
Contributing Members Honor Roll (donors of $100 and up) now include:
- Aero Masters Model Airplane Club
- Atlantic Hawks RC Club
- Blue Angels Model Airplane Club
- Charleston RC Club
- Columbus–Ft. Benning RC Flyers
- East Side RC Club
- Fredericksburg Aero Masters
- Frost Bit Flyers
- Indianapolis West Side RC Modelers Club
- Max Men of Southern California
- Mid Missouri Radio Control Association
- Ocean City Modelers
- Pebble Creek Flyers, Inc.
- Remote Control Association of Central Florida
- Roanoke Valley Radio Control Club
- San Diego Aeroneers
- Signal Seekers Radio Control Club, Inc.
- Sky Squires RC Club
- Soaring Union of Los Angeles
- Texas City RC
- Ventura County Comets
- Woodbridge Radio Control Club
- Jerry Cowan
- N. P. (Pop) Curtis
- Robert Hockley
- Pete Rawlings
- Frank Raymond
- Bob Wilder
- Ken Willard
- Walter Zaharevitz
Gold Members (donated $50 — to be listed on the Gold Members Scroll). This month's additions:
- Good Old Okie Flying Society
- Shasta Area Flying Eagles
- Herb Aeziman
- Richard Allen
- Edward Keneffs
- Richard McCauley
- Marvin Mace
- Jim O'Reilly
- John Preston
- Arthur Turrill
- Ernest Wrisley
- Elbert Witt
Vince Mankowski Assistant Executive Director
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
