Edition: Model Aviation - 1985/01
Page Numbers: 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114
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AMA NEWS

Executive Council Action — Oct. 20–21 Meetings

Due to the closeness of the fall council meeting to the Model Aviation publishing deadline, only a short report is possible in this issue. The usual synopsis will be presented next month. Highlights from the meetings held in Toronto follow:

  • National Model Aviation Safety Month — special activities and information will be promoted to increase safety awareness.
  • New Nats planning and operations structure approved to improve organization and personnel at future National Championships.
  • AMA Travel Agency approved to provide improved travel services for AMA officers and members.
  • No self‑nomination for AMA officer candidates — nominations must be submitted by someone other than the potential candidate.
  • $7,000 approved for 1984 scholarship awards; six applicants to receive varying amounts.
  • Joint meeting with the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC) held to coordinate activities of mutual benefit.

First Vital People Awards — 1984

In January 1983, Carl and Beth Goldberg proposed that the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) Executive Council implement a recognition program honoring the vital people in the background of the modeling movement — newsletter editors, contest organizers and judges, club officers, and others whose efforts enhance the hobby but are seldom formally acknowledged. Recognition would take the form of annual cash awards together with plaques: six people per year. The AMA would administer the awards.

The Council approved the program and a committee developed administrative guidelines. The first awards were presented August 11 at the National Model Airplane Championships in Reno, Nevada. Known officially as the Carl and Beth Goldberg Vital People Awards for Service to Model Aviation, three awards were presented at the Nats (cash awards of $250 each and a plaque) and three additional awards were presented at various local occasions, for a total of six for 1984.

Candidate Recommendations

  • Any Open AMA member may submit a recommendation on the nomination form available from district vice presidents or AMA Headquarters.
  • Nominees must be living AMA members and have been AMA members for a minimum of four years.
  • Awards will be made annually at an appropriate time and place.
  • Deadline for submission of nominations for 1985 awards: January 1, 1985.

Nomination Process — Inclusion and Exclusion

Included for consideration:

  • Club officers (current and past, if still active)
  • Contest board members and contest coordinators
  • Nats workers and/or officials
  • Special Interest Group officers
  • Appointed district officers
  • "Average" modelers who perform unsung-hero service (newsletter editors, organizers, promoters, youth role models, etc.)

Notes:

  • A recommended nominee may be unknown at a regional or national level; lack of broad fame should not be a barrier.
  • An AMA chartered club may nominate and support one of its members.
  • Any Open AMA member may recommend a nominee, with supporting endorsements, to the appropriate District Vice President.

Excluded from consideration:

  • Members who have already received national recognition
  • AMA officers and employees
  • Magazine columnists
  • Manufacturers or principals in the manufacturing business (hobby‑oriented)

Repeat awards:

  • The award is intended as a one-time honor; a second award to the same member may be considered after five years.

Selection:

  • The awards will be administered by a committee composed of the NAA Representative, the AMA President, the AMA Executive Vice President, and the AMA Executive Director. This committee will review nominations and select the six recipients.

Meetings — 1984 Nats (Recipients and Citations)

  • Susan Streeter (known as “Suzi”) — Recognized for a long history of dedicated work as a local and national contest official; assistant editor of local and national newsletters; NSRCA K‑Factor and USPJA points helper; trade show worker; outstanding member of the BIRDS Club.
  • Edward Aikman, Marion, IL — Recognized for leadership in modeling activities and long-term community support for contests and flying events.
  • John Plet, Sacramento Valley RC Club — Recognized for many years of effort to secure community sponsorships and develop outstanding flying events; responsible for a first‑class field design and active promotion of multiple modeling categories.

(Three additional awards were presented at local occasions to complete the six awards for 1984.)

Executive Council — Selected Minutes and Actions

IX. Self‑Insurance Fund

  • AMA will maintain at least a $50,000 balance in its loss fund covering the past year and a $100,000 loss fund for the current year.
  • If UBNR (losses incurred but not reported) have not been discovered by the end of the second year, AMA should reduce its initial loss fund ($100,000). The initial fund should be reduced by 25% in the third year and closed out in the fourth year.

X. Club Fees

  • The 50¢ per member club fee will be dropped; the basic club charter fee will increase from $15 to $20.

XI. Corporate Funds/Grants

  • A committee will be formed to pursue corporate support and grants. Izzo will follow up with a recommendation at the next meeting.

XII. Resume of Insurance

  • Headquarters will develop a comprehensive synopsis of AMA insurance coverage for Council distribution and member education.

XIII. Recruitment Poster/Program

  • Headquarters to design a recruitment poster suitable for schools and public places and prepare a budget for Council consideration.
  • A recruitment program was approved for the 1985 membership year: the recruiting Open member receives a $5.00 credit toward membership renewal when they recruit a new Full Open member (a “new member” is any new AMA number issuance). Crediting methods may apply to the current or following year’s renewal. Vote: 7 for, 5 against.

XIV. Noise Problem Committee

  • Council agreed on the high priority of noise reduction; educational efforts and peer pressure tactics will be promoted.
  • Izzo to collaborate with Crispin to pursue committee formation and industry cooperation.

XV. Use of Special Interest Groups

  • Headquarters should consult SIGs prior to decisions affecting their disciplines and make greater use of their expertise.

XVI. FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) Items A. Travel Reimbursement

  • AMA will pay the lowest available fare for a direct coach flight from the major airport nearest the team member’s home to the nearest city to the World Championship; if no direct flight exists, then the most economical connecting flight will be paid.

B. Team Model Boxes

  • Headquarters will investigate existing aircraft size limitations before imposing size restrictions on team model boxes.

C. Funds Solicitor

  • Discussion held on hiring a fundraiser to solicit support for AMA FAI activities; President to pursue a prospective candidate.

XVII. 1986 Nats Site

  • Lake Charles, LA approved unanimously as the 1986 Nats location.

XVIII. Employees Salary/Insurance

  • Council ratified the Executive Director’s decisions to offer medical insurance in lieu of salary increases and approved that AMA will pay 100% of employee medical insurance coverage (with partial contribution toward family coverage).

XIX. Headquarters Salary Budget

  • The Council declined a request to carry over salary budget savings from year to year and stipulated salary budgets be addressed annually.

XX. FAI Meeting Agenda Items

  • Two CIAM agenda items that could impact AMA’s budget were reviewed; the President requested they not be forwarded to Paris.

XXI. Pylon Equipment

  • An additional $200 was appropriated to finalize payment on Nats pylon equipment upon receipt of an invoice and itemization. Vote: 11 for; 1 against.

XXII. District XI VP Travel Budget Increase

  • District XI travel allowance increased from $1,400 to $2,000 while McCollough is in office, effective 1984. Vote: 9 for; 3 against.

XXIII. Property Offer

  • A property donation offered by former VP Horace Cain was accepted with thanks.

XXIV. FVP Travel Allowance (Mileage)

  • For Council members who elect to drive instead of fly to meetings, mileage reimbursement will be:
  • 20¢ per mile for the first 1,000 miles
  • 16¢ per mile for the second 1,000 miles
  • 12¢ per mile for the third 1,000 miles
  • 10¢ per mile for all mileage thereafter

Vote: 8 for; 4 against.

XXV. Nats Officials

  • Concern expressed about officials with belligerent attitudes toward contestants. Headquarters was asked to address the issue; further discussion required.

XXVI. Policy on Flowers

  • By consensus, besides the Executive Director’s discretion, Council members may request AMA Headquarters to send flowers (typically to spouses/families of AMA members or as a condolence).

XXVII. National Sport Fliers Day

  • Concept introduced to organize an annual open house day for sport fliers; further discussion to follow.

Saturday Opening of Headquarters

  • Headquarters has been open Saturdays from noon to 4:00 p.m. with two employees staffing; $100 charged to the PR budget. Proposal to continue mid‑June through Labor Day met no objection.

XXIX. Safety Flags for Clubs

  • A plan to award a safety flag to clubs with no accident claims during the year was favorably discussed. Jim Scarborough to develop an administrative system for presentation at the next meeting.

XXX. In‑House Computerization

  • The in‑house PC accounting system produced a preliminary mid‑year financial statement; the outside accounting services contract has been cancelled.
  • An evaluation of bids for an in‑house membership computer system will be presented in October.
  • In‑house PC system now handles routine tasks: monthly magazine updates and subscription labels; Nats processing; routine correspondence and mailing lists; club processing.

XXXI. Frequency Flags

  • Complaint that the Frequency Committee chairman made unilateral decisions when publishing a frequency flag monitor system; chairman advised to seek committee input.

XXXII. Awards

  • AVP Bob Brodeur of New Hampshire was unanimously awarded a Distinguished Service Award.

XXXIII. Next Meeting

  • Fall meeting scheduled in Toronto, Canada, October 20–21. AMA’s meeting will be October 20; the joint meeting with MAAC October 21.
  • Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

AMA HQ — By Executive Director (selected notes)

Effective communication is a two‑way street. AMA’s volunteer officers encourage members to write to their District Vice President or Associate Vice President to complete the communications link and share ideas.

AMA HQ SERVICES STAFF

  • Executive Director: John Worth
  • Assistant Executive Director: Vince Mankowski
  • Executive Secretary: Joyce Hager
  • Comptroller: Gisele Jackson
  • Competition Services Director: Micheline Madison
  • Special Services Director: Carl Maroney
  • Membership: (list continues at Headquarters)

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.