AMA: Monthly Mailing
From AMA HQ., By the Executive Director:
NEWSSTAND FOR MODEL AVIATION?
Now that AMA is in the magazine business this subject is getting careful scrutiny. The general feeling is that exposure to potential new members is a vital necessity to long term AMA growth. Newsstand circulation is one obvious means of getting that exposure — it was tremendously important to AMA's growth over the past ten years, largely attributable to that kind of exposure via American Aircraft Modeler magazine which had the largest newsstand exposure of all model magazines.
However, it is not a direction to be entered into lightly. It involves printing many more thousands of magazines than are actually sold so a considerable cost factor is inherent. It also makes a tremendous difference which newsstand distributor is used — some are very effective, most are not. But not all are available to use — most will not distribute competing magazines. Whether AMA goes the newsstand route depends upon many factors. One of the most important has to do with which distributor to use, coupled with the number of copies to be distributed. If we can come up with the right combination, within our means, we'll probably go that route. But it won't happen this year simply because everything depends upon how well the new magazine is accepted by the AMA membership. The real answer to that question will come in the last quarter of 1975, when current members are sent renewal information which will include the option of getting the magazine or not.
TEMPORARY REVISION TO AMA MEMBER FEES
Because reprints of the AMA News pages of the new magazine are currently not available, the former $12 membership has been temporarily discontinued. Such reprints are expected to be available again in 1976 for those members who don't choose to receive the magazine. In the meantime a $10 membership has been substituted, which includes all regular membership benefits but no publications except the rule book. So the choice now for those joining AMA during the balance of 1975 is either $10 or $17.
For 1976, when the reprint service is restored, the non-publication membership will be dropped (except for Juniors and Seniors). The AMA Executive Council, in approving the temporary $10 membership, made it plain that this was strictly a special transitional situation for this year and that the basic policy of AMA has been for many years — and continues to be — to provide each adult member with the general news of AMA business, as a vital ingredient to communications between the national organization and its adult members. The council's action concerning revised fees was made through a combination of mail and phone approval. This action further verified the basic council thinking that members should be given the choice of minimum communications or the magazine, with membership fees scaled accordingly. Thus for 1976, all members may expect to again be offered this choice. This will serve as a very realistic 'vote' on the magazine — those who choose it will pay more than those who don't choose it.
READ THE FINE PRINT!
This issue includes the very lengthy minutes for the Feb. 15 AMA Executive Council meeting — the longest set of minutes ever, we believe. There's lots of good information about how AMA operates, background of key decisions (including the controversial one about the new magazine), details of how your district representative voted, pros and cons about all aspects of AMA matters. It's a lot of text with a lot of fine print — to save space — but it's important if you care about AMA and how your dues dollars are spent. Take the time, in little bits if necessary, to learn more about your own organization. Remember, too, that this is the straight stuff — approved by 13 elected officers of AMA — so it's not a one-man show job!
NFFS SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS FOR 1974
Joe Mekina, a Senior from Barberton, Ohio, won the first place award of $600 in the National Free Flight Society's 1974 Scholarship Program. Second place and $400 went to Bill Shailer of Detroit; third place and $300 went to Richard MacCleery of Birmingham, MI.
In 1975, AMA is to match up to $1,000 in funds with the NFFS for the next scholarship program, when details of a joint AMA-NFFS program are worked out by committees from each organization.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO MEET JUNE 21
Originally set for May 17, the Spring meeting of the AMA Executive Council has been rescheduled to June 21. The meeting will be at Dayton, Ohio and will include a visit to the former Clinton County Air Force Base at Wilmington. The Wilmington site is currently being explored for possible AMA property purchase as an alternative accessibility to purchase of property at Hutchinson, Kansas. Following the Wilmington visit, a decision relating to Hutchinson vs Wilmington is expected.
Other council agenda items for the June 21 meeting:
- Magazine status review. Actual vs projected costs will be compared, as will current policies regarding contents, advertising, number of pages, and other details.
- 1976 Reprint. Number of pages, contents of AMA News, to be offered to those not choosing to receive the entire magazine will be explored, to determine what will be offered for 1976 and at what cost.
- Budget review. A comparison of actual vs budgeted AMA overall income and expenses will be made with the particular purpose of estimating what the 1976 dues structure should be.
- 1975 Nats. Current status, with particular emphasis on budgeting, will be reviewed. Of concern at present is whether recruitment of officials is progressing satisfactorily, in view of reduced budgeting for this purpose, or whether some adjustment to compensation is needed.
- 1976. Possibilities will be discussed, with the goal of narrowing down choices to the most likely location. General possibilities exist but none are firm.
- PR Review. A report by AMA's new full-time director will be reviewed to see if current priorities and costs are satisfactory, as guidance for operations during the balance of 1975.
- State Representatives. Consideration of a proposal to establish state AMA representatives will be given, along with a review of the current VP and Associate VP relationship, with the goal of improving AMA member representation. The review will also consider all other district representation.
- Status of SAC. Related to agenda item 7, this was the last field from the previous council meeting; whether to continue with the Soaring Advisory Committee to the RC Contest Board or to eliminate the SAC in favor of National Soaring Society representation to the board.
- Contest Coordinator Term. Also relative to item 7, this will consider possible revision of the normal term of office to end on July 1 rather than at the end of December. The latter is current but causes problems when a new CC is appointed because activity for the new contest season is usually well underway by Jan. 1.
- Contest Board Name Change. Consideration will be given to a by-laws proposal to change the name to Contest Rules Board, to more accurately reflect the business of the board — much non-rules business, though contest-related, goes to the contest boards which more properly is for the council. The change would help clarify the intent and scope of board activity.
- 1974 Nats Problems. Event and category director policies and procedures will be reviewed in connection with a particular CL contestant problem and what, if anything, should be done to solve that problem and similar ones in the future.
- Award Nominations. Possible AMA Fellowships and Distinguished Service Awards will be considered, based on nominations from AMA members, clubs, or council members.
- Junior Programs. Although no specific programs have been submitted to the council, AMA HQ suggestions and questions will be considered for possible implementation in lieu of such programs.
- Other Business. Other items will be considered as time permits.
TEMPORARY REVISION TO AMA MEMBER FEES
READ THE FINE PRINT!
NFFS SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS FOR 1974
Joe Mekina, a Senior from Barberton, Ohio, won the first place award of $600 in the National Free Flight Society's 1974
NEW RULES FOR FILM LIBRARY
As with most things, a few can spoil things for the majority. AMA's Film Library Service is no exception. As a result of some people who have damaged films or delayed return for longer than reasonable, some new rules for this service have been put into effect.
The basic idea is to require a larger deposit, with less money to be returned if the film is held too long. The cost of rental, for those who follow the rules, has gone up, but only $1 (from $2 to $3). The deposit, however, is now $15 for AMA clubs, $22 for others. The full deposit will be refunded for those who return the film to AMA or forward it to the next address in the list within 30 days. If held longer, a progressively reduced refund will be made — no refund if held over 90 days.
MEMBERSHIP NOW OVER 54,000!
Last year's alltime high membership of over 52,000 was surpassed last month. There's no sign of a letup in the steady growth rate which is currently running at about 17% ahead of 1974. If the rate continues, we'll end the year by topping 60,000 — three times what the membership was 10 years ago. Modelers, Southern New Hampshire R/C Club, Charles River R/C Club, the Quincapoxet Model Airplane Club, North Eastern Drone Society, Inc., the New Hampshire Flying Tigers—though not in our District II, we admiringly devote this space to the Council (AMA charter No. 1284) for the fine example of what can be accomplished by the power of "association"—besides, why should our column be provincial in scope, geographical or otherwise?
SOCIAL NOTE
The Thirteenth Model Aeronautical Dinner-Dance, sponsored and held by the Garden State Circle Burners, Inc. on 10 May at Elmwood Park, N.J., was a most enjoyable affair which attracted modelers from both N.J. and N.Y.—attendance was very good, despite the fact that the affair was held on Mother's Day Eve. "Nan At Work" Walt Schroder and I shared the dais and the distinct honor of addressing this warm and wonderful assemblage of modelers and their ladies.
APTITUDE FOR APATHY
Inarticulation is our weakest link—a real District II fighter in this battle for improved communication and greater articulation is Joe Friend of the Monmouth Model Airplane Club, Inc., located in the area of Freehold, N.J. Joe is not only the editor of the club's fine newsletter, but also serves well as R/C Contest Director—his next effort in this area will be the District II R/C Pattern Championships to be held at Lakehurst, N.J. on August 24, 1975—for details contact Joe at 62 Lyman Terrace, Freehold, N.J. 07728 (201-462-8324). Joe aspires toward connecting his club's annual pattern contest with a National Semi-Finals R/C Aerobatics plan; i.e., he would like to see a District Semi-Finals Program for contests for all categories, organized and aimed at ultimately relieving the load on the Nationals. Joe continues: "We have the resources but not the organizational drive—we'll bet that Joe will do something to remedy that drawback!"
"JUDGE NOT, LEST YE BE, ETC."
Hail to the new "United States Pattern Judges Association", of which we first learned through "X-Factor", the newsletter of NSRC, in which we boast membership (45)! The Association has, as its goals, the standardization of R/C Pattern judging and the improvement and certification of judges and their rating as competent on the basis of performance, consistency, ability and impartiality—how can they go wrong with that kind of format? Entries are presently 56 per year—for further information, contact Sgt. Roger Kirschenman, 21103 S. New Hampshire Avenue, Torrance, Calif. 90502 (213-328-7958).
UP NORTH AND TOWARD THE WEST
Our worthy AVP in Lockport, N.Y., John Grigg, has provided us with a report of goings-on in his part of District II. First, there were the May 4th "Warm-up" Pylon Races held at the EAA field in Jamestown, N.Y.—though the weather conditions left much to be desired (i.e., 40 degrees temperature with a 20 mph, heavy overcast, occasional light rain) 20 hardy contestants fought the good fight—and were rewarded by the new and used door prize donated by the sponsor. Events ranged from Senior and Junior class, Tin-foils and Spooled Speed which were this year's high flyers and were hugely enjoyed by all. The EAA field, by the way, is a top notch site for contest flying.
AMA: Monthly Mailing
From AMA HQ, By the Executive Director: NO. 101
NEWSSTAND FOR MODEL AVIATION?
Now that AMA is in the magazine business this subject is getting careful scrutiny. The general feeling is that exposure to potential new members is a vital necessity to long term AMA growth. Newsstand circulation is one obvious means of getting that exposure — it was tremendously important to AMA's growth over the past ten years, largely attributable to that kind of exposure via American Aircraft Modeler magazine which had the largest newsstand exposure of all model magazines. However, it is not a direction to be entered into lightly. It involves printing many more thousands of magazines than are actually sold so a considerable cost factor is inherent. It also makes a tremendous difference which newsstand distributor is used — some are very effective, most are not. But not all are available to use — most will not distribute competing magazines. Whether AMA goes the newsstand route depends upon many factors. One of the most important has to do with which distributor to use, coupled with the number of copies to be distributed. If we can come up with the right combination, within our means, we'll probably go that route. But it won't happen this year simply because everything depends upon how well the new magazine is accepted by the AMA membership. The real answer to that question will come in the last quarter of 1975, when current members are sent renewal information which will include the option of getting the magazine or not.
TEMPORARY REVISION TO AMA MEMBER FEES
Because reprints of the AMA News pages of the new magazine are currently not available, the former $12 membership has been temporarily discontinued. Such reprints are expected to be available again in 1976 for those members who don't choose to receive the magazine. In the meantime a $10 membership has been substituted, which includes all regular membership benefits but no publications except the rule book. So the choice now for those joining AMA during the balance of 1975 is either $10 or $17. For 1976, when the reprint service is restored, the non-publication membership will be dropped (except for Juniors and Seniors). The AMA Executive Council, in approving the temporary $10 membership, made it plain that this was strictly a special transitional situation for this year and that the basic policy of AMA has been for many years — and continues to be — to provide each adult member with the general news of AMA business, as a vital ingredient to communications between the national organization and its adult members. The council's action concerning revised fees was made through a combination of mail and phone approval. This action further verified the basic council thinking that members should be given the choice of minimum communications or the magazine, with membership fees scaled accordingly. Thus for 1976, all members may expect to again be offered this choice. This will serve as a very realistic 'vote' on the magazine — those who choose it will pay more than those who don't choose it.
READ THE FINE PRINT!
NFFS SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS FOR 1974
Joe Mekina, a Senior from Barberton, Ohio, won the first place award of $600 in the National Free Flight Society's 1974 I’m unable to reliably read enough of the scanned page to extract and correct the continuation of the "AMA: Monthly Mailing" article. The image resolution is too low in the area where the article continues, so I can’t confidently transcribe without risking invented or incorrect text.
Please either:
- Upload a higher-resolution scan (or a zoomed crop) of the top-left / upper-center portion of this page (where the "NFFS SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS FOR 1974" paragraph and the rest of the AMA Monthly Mailing continuation appear), or
- Allow me to use the OLD OCR text as the source and correct it where possible (I can do that, but it may still leave uncertain words).
If you upload a higher-res crop, include the area from the end of the prior page context through the column break up to the "VI DISTRICT REPORT" heading so I can extract exactly the article continuation. from anyone with a complaint. What about the rest of you? Am I to assume that silence means approval.
The gentle Texas breezes were gusting to 30 plus knots in April. That did not slow up anything but top speed at the Dallas Rounders spring contest. They had a good turn out of contestants. I was happy to see so many of our younger fliers out. The young Clem and Mike Bussell of Dallas, Coby Garcia and Victor Radisi of Houston, Tom and Derrick of Gainesville, and all of the events were combined.
The Rounders put me to work at the Combat circles. I never did get over to the Thunderbirds contest at Benbrook Lake. Sorry Guys, I'll try to make it another time. Hear they had some good flying despite the winds.
From what I hear, the Houston Aero Modelers contest has been well attended also. Bill, does Dicky (DUKE) Ritch hold up the combat like he did at Dallas?
Got to see and talk with some of the Cliff Cloud Climbers when they came out to spectate the control line contest.
Tom Southern called the other night. Longview may delay their contest until after the NATS this year. A small problem with their field. Tom tells me that MACA plans to run a products report on the Fox engine, and Duke may not like it.
Also talked with Hugh Hunton, C.D. for the Sky Demons. Shreveport looks for a good turn out and welcomes all there.
AMA HQ will be looking at some Ohio property, Wilmington Industrial Airport. They have some property we could be interested in, if we can afford it and if we can get use of the airfield for our contest and possible NATS use. They may not be able to close it down for any length of time. What I would like to see is AMA with property on both coasts and central so that we could rotate our NATS with no problems.
To reply to all of the questions I have been getting. No, I can't tell you who the event directors will be at the '75 Lake Charles NATS. I just do not have that information. Yes, I was at the NATS planning meeting. Yes, I did turn over some lists of names to the category directors. As of now, it seems that they are still trying to get the district directors to pick up their budgets. With all of the qualified people within 500 miles, to my knowledge none has been contacted. Maybe it is the NATS committee needs shaking up — what about John? Do they have a lifetime appointment?
At this writing, I can say for sure that we will have a control line Dist. meeting at Dallas, June 21st. It will be in conjunction with the "AAA" control line contest.
I will have gone to the IAPF's Fort Sill soaring contest. Jim Simpson could not make it. They also were expecting a good turn out.
Come June 29th, I hope to be visiting at the Scale Bash at Abilene. I'll be there with camera in hand. I'll be looking for you at all of these good places.
By the way, if you tried to call me during the weekend, you can see why I was not home. Try me in the evenings. I am never in bed before midnight.
I would like to wish the ARCS luck with their talks with the city council. They are looking for a new site. Maybe they can get John Cone from Lubbock to show them how it is done. HDO tells me the new pamphlet on the subject is about to come out.
If any of you need help, contact me. You don't have to be contest oriented to need help or request it.
From your newsletters I see that many of the clubs have beginners programs. Not all beginners are kids. It is programs like this that help AMA to grow. We are well over 50,000 members now, and still growing. So whatever we are doing it can be all that bad.
IX DISTRICT REPORT
AMA STATE REPRESENTATIVES:
Following is a corrected copy of a letter that I mailed to the Executive Council on May 2nd, 1975 concerning a proposal by the Radio Control Club of Connecticut for the creation of an AMA State Representative position for each state within the various AMA districts:
The February 5th, 1975 proposal of the Radio Control Club of Connecticut for the creation of an AMA State Representative position for each state within the various AMA districts seems to become more attractive the more thought that is given to it. Since the idea of a State Representative will be on the agenda for the June 21st, 1975 Spring Executive Council Meeting, I would like to put forth the following ideas:
- Re-assign certain Associate Vice Presidents at the time of creation of state representatives.
- At this time I believe that the state representative should be appointed by the VP of the District in which the state is located rather than the state office being elected by the state membership. As of now the state representative would be more responsible to his VP and also effect a considerable savings to AMA Headquarters in the holding of nationwide elections. The nominating and selection of the state representatives should be done by the District VP with assistance from the District officials if they so desire.
- State Representatives, as well as all other appointments made by the District VP's, should be on a year to year basis. That is, appointments would be for one year only, with appointments made by the new District VP at the beginning of each calendar year. The appointment need not be tied to a term of office but rather re-evaluated each year.
- A District Meeting between the District VP and all of his State Representatives should be required of the VP. This meeting should be held once a year and preferably 30 to 60 days before the Spring Council Meeting or just as soon as the Spring Council Meeting agenda is published. Some allowances or reimbursement for travel expense should be made for each State Representative and lodging should be provided in full for each State Representative during the time of the District Meeting.
Replacement of certain Associate VP's with State Representatives would give the State Representative a clearer-cut area of responsibility bounded by the State which he represents. Some present Associate Vice Presidents' area of responsibility is often very fuzzy and some Associate VP's are elected to represent special interest aspects of model aviation. Formation of a State Representative system would create a larger reservoir of potential officers for AMA in the future.
I strongly urge that each of you give serious consideration to the State Representative Proposal as presented by the Radio Control Club of Connecticut and recommend that we institute a State Representative format at our next Executive Council Meeting.
SIOUX FALLS' DISTRICT MEETING:
The District IX Meeting and banquet at Sioux Falls, South Dakota on April 26th was just a super meeting — fun — good food — well planned meeting — excellent attendance — entertainment — excellent meeting — and Johnny Clemens, AMA President.
John Donovan, ably assisted by Bill Beck, Pres. of the Sioux Falls R/C Club, Ken Williams, Secretary, Les Bloomhall, VP, Keith Brown and many others helped make the meeting a time to remember for all those present.
The entertainment for the meeting was provided by Lee Reifert, very accomplished magician and member of the Sioux Falls R/C Club. It still can't be figured out how he got Rene's leg into a box with only one 3" coffee can on it. Johnny also presented the outstanding club award to the Sioux Falls R/C Club who received one of our new state banners.
The last part of the meeting was reserved for questions from the floor with some very interesting questions concerning the AMA state office and District meetings. Many questions from the members in attendance were answered.
Fargo, North Dakota (250 miles north of Sioux Falls) were well represented by the local clubs. Bruce Bina, Paul Kegler (where was Linda), and Seymour Olson with representation from Moorhead and other clubs were present. Many district members were there and at the meeting I presented some remarks and answered questions. Several good points and suggestions were made by those present which I will pass on to the Executive Council.
I wish to thank all those who attended and helped in making the District IX meeting a success. A special thanks to John Donovan and his committee for arranging such a fine meeting.
DRIVING IN THE RIVER?
While driving south, about 100–150 miles south of Sioux Falls on the return leg of the three day trip, I drove squarely into a spring runoff stream that had overflowed the highway. The car stalled and we had some anxious moments before getting safely out. A reminder — use caution when driving in spring thaw conditions.
AMA: Monthly Mailing
From AMA HQ, By the Executive Director: NO. 101
NEWSSTAND FOR MODEL AVIATION? Now that AMA is in the magazine business this subject is getting careful scrutiny. The general feeling is that exposure to potential new members is a vital necessity to long term AMA growth. Newsstand circulation is one obvious means of getting that exposure — it was tremendously important to AMA's growth over the past ten years, largely attributable to that kind of exposure via American Aircraft Modeler magazine which had the largest newsstand exposure of all model magazines. However, it is not a direction to be entered into lightly. It involves printing many more thousands of magazines than are actually sold so a considerable cost factor is inherent. It also makes a tremendous difference which newsstand distributor is used — some are very effective, most are not. But not all are available to use — most will not distribute competing magazines. Whether AMA goes the newsstand route depends upon many factors. One of the most important has to do with which distributor to use, coupled with the number of copies to be distributed. If we can come up with the right combination, within our means, we'll probably go that route. But it won't happen this year simply because everything depends upon how well the new magazine is accepted by the AMA membership. The real answer to that question will come in the last quarter of 1975, when current members are sent renewal information which will include the option of getting the magazine or not.
TEMPORARY REVISION TO AMA MEMBER FEES Because reprints of the AMA News pages of the new magazine are currently not available, the former $12 membership has been temporarily discontinued. Such reprints are expected to be available again in 1976 for those members who don't choose to receive the magazine. In the meantime a $10 membership has been substituted, which includes all regular membership benefits but no publications except the rule book. So the choice now for those joining AMA during the balance of 1975 is either $10 or $17. For 1976, when the reprint service is restored, the non-publication membership will be dropped (except for Juniors and Seniors). The AMA Executive Council, in approving the temporary $10 membership, made it plain that this was strictly a special transitional situation for this year and that the basic policy of AMA has been for many years — and continues to be — to provide each adult member with the general news of AMA business, as a vital ingredient to communications between the national organization and its adult members. The council's action concerning revised fees was made through a combination of mail and phone approval. This action further verified the basic council thinking that members should be given the choice of minimum communications or the magazine, with membership fees scaled accordingly. Thus for 1976, all members may expect to again be offered this choice. This will serve as a very realistic "vote" on the magazine — those who choose it will pay more than those who don't choose it.
READ THE FINE PRINT! This issue includes the very lengthy minutes for the Feb. 15 AMA Executive Council meeting — the longest set of minutes ever, we believe. There's lots of good information about how AMA operates, background of key decisions (including the controversial one about the new magazine), details of how your district representative voted, pros and cons about all aspects of AMA matters. It's a lot of text with a lot of fine print — to save space — but it's important if you care about AMA and how your dues dollars are spent. Take the time, in little bits if necessary, to learn more about your own organization. Remember, too, that this is the straight stuff — approved by 13 elected officers of AMA — so it's not a one-man show job!
NFFS SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS FOR 1974 Joe Mekina, a Senior from Barberton, Ohio, won the first place award of $600 in the National Free Flight Society's 1974
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
