AMA Building: Update XV
The Building Fund drive of 1982 had only a few months left to go when this was written. All those who have been acknowledged in these update reports will also be given special recognition in the new home for aeromodeling.
Since this project required a considerable amount of money just to get it started, those who contributed in the beginning will have "up front recognition." The entrance of this new home is reserved for honoring those who donated when it was first needed.
In the years to come there will be hobby businesses, individuals, and clubs that will want their donations honored with acknowledgement "up front" in the lobby of this building. But the lobby area is reserved just for those who contributed prior to December 31, 1982—while the Building Fund Drive was on.
There are many names to record on the various scrolls and plaques. It is a real Who's Who of aeromodeling. When you or your children visit AMA HQ and the AMA Museum, you will enjoy seeing the name of your group (or your own name) on display "up front."
After the first of the year, when the lists are finalized, we will publish all of the names for each level of donation. This will be done, first, to acknowledge the donors once again and, second, to ensure that we have everyone's name in the way each donor wishes it to be placed on the scroll or plaque.
The alms race continues. We reached our initial goal of $160,000 a few months ago, but the drive continues. To anyone who may ask why, consider that, even though the start-up costs are covered, it would be nice to get rid of as much of the mortgage as possible. Every dollar raised is another dollar AMA doesn't have to borrow. When a million-dollar project is involved, there are some startling numbers. Example: If another $100,000 can be raised, we can save over $20,000 a year in mortgage payments!
That amount could save a dues increase. It could also be spent on increased membership services. We asked the PR Department what use could be made of $20,000. Some of their thoughts, if $20,000 additional funds were available for public relations:
- Attend and hold meetings in every AMA district.
- Use a publicity service to place our information in over 50,000 weekly newspapers every month for 10 months.
- Have an AMA representative and booth at more trade and industry shows.
- Be able to participate in non-related shows such as those of the National Recreation and Parks, the American Medical Association, and so on.
- Place advertising in non-hobby-related magazines, such as Smithsonian, American Medical, American Dental, NASA, and other professional journals.
- Use outside printers for some items presently Xeroxed for handouts—for a more professional appearance.
- Hire a full-time graphics person for the PR Department and other AMA uses.
- Place subscriptions to Model Aviation in many schools across the country (2,222 at $9 per subscription).
If you don't think PR pays, consider that there are two dozen mountains in Colorado that are taller than Pikes Peak!
Everything we contribute will come back to us in some form. This is a rare occasion for us to actually lower the cost of a budgeted item. The drive continues.
We keep hearing about more imaginative ways of raising funds. The Valley RC Flying Club raffled a ham and also donated the proceeds of the concessions of a recent fun-fly. Satellite City (a firm we should have mentioned two months ago) is among the companies which donated products for resale at the Nats Hobby Shop; proceeds went to the Building Fund. Model Airplane News' Aero Picnic, directed by Joe Beshar, raised money with a balloon-launch event. This one had names and addresses attached to balloons: after a simultaneous launch, the one returned from the greatest distance was declared the winner. The entry fees were Building Fund donations.
Honor Wall ($1,000 and up)
New additions this month:
- Leon Shulman
- Mid-Hudson RC Society, Inc.
- International Miniature Aircraft Association
Charter Members / AMA Builders ($500 and up)
This month includes:
- Sky Masters RC Club
- In memory of William Wardlow (by the GCA Club and friends)
Contributing Members Honor Roll ($100 and up)
New entries include:
- Joseph Dunkis
- Nico Engraving
- Triad Thermal Thumbers (in memory of Sandy Hudson)
- Satellite City
- VK Model Aircraft Co.
- Valley RC Flying Club
- Whirlwinds of Southwest Michigan
- Palm Beach Sky Hawks
- Western Ohio Radio Kontrol
- Green Mountain R/Cers, Inc.
- Southeastern Virginia RC Group
- Saginaw Valley Radio Control
- Lawrence Pacifico
- Nicholas Johnen
- Winston-Salem RC Club
- Broward County RC Association
- Harlan and Thelma Roth
- Scale Staffel
Gold Members Scroll ($50)
New names this month:
- John Armitage
- D. Copeman
- Al Williamson
- Somerset Signal Senders
- Fred Bopp
- Carey Thake
- George Batiuk
- Kay RC Modelers
- Camarillo Flying Circus
- Fresno Radio Modelers
- Anthony Novak
- James Thornberry
- Evansville RC Model Airplane Club
Renewal message: There is another opportunity to help the Building Fund. The AMA renewal forms sent to every 1982 member have a place for you to add a contribution to the drive. We hope everyone uses this, because if everyone gave just $10, the building could be paid off completely!
It's important to renew early, too. A listing of 1983 AMA members who had signed up by December 15, 1982 will be used as a wall covering in the new building to show who the AMA members were when the building was completed. Renew early—don't get left out.
Vince Mankowski Assistant Executive Director
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
