MINUTES OF APRIL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING
The AMA Executive Council (Board of Directors) met in Long Beach, California, during the weekend of the Model & Crafts Show. The official minutes of that meeting are as follows.
Attendance
- President: John Clemens, Dallas, TX
- Secretary/Treasurer: Earl Witt, Chambersburg, PA
- Executive Director: John Worth, Fairfax, VA
- Vice Presidents:
- District I: Clifton Piper, Atkinson, NH
- District II: John Byrne, Bayside, NY
- District III: Don Lowe, Dayton, OH
- District IV: John Spalding, Lanham, MD
- District V: Jim McNeill, Birmingham, AL
- District VII: Ken Morris, Muscatine, IA
- District VIII: Murry Frank, Wichita Falls, TX
- District IX: Vince Mankowski, Bellevue, NE
- District X: Jim Scarborough, Redondo Beach, CA
- District XI: Homer Smith, Seattle, WA
- National Aeronautic Association Executive Director: Vic Powell, Arlington, VA
Also in attendance: Associate Vice Presidents for Districts X and IX — Betty Stream, Long Beach, CA, and Olie Olson, Omaha, NE. Guests of District X Vice President: Joe Norcross (Free Flight Contest Board representative) and Bev Wisniewski.
AMA Headquarters Executive Staff present: Carl Maroney, Assistant Executive Director; Micheline Madison, FAA/Contest Boards Administrator.
The meeting was called to order by President Clemens at 9:25 a.m. Except for Glenn Lee (VP‑VI), who could not attend for family reasons, the full body of vice presidents was present. Guests were introduced. Special thanks were expressed for the regular attendance of the National Aeronautic Association representative.
President Clemens announced a procedural experiment for the session: all motions must be in writing and would be acted upon at the President’s discretion only after a full round of discussion. General consent was given.
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ITEM I. Budget Review & Dues Increase — Open & Junior/Senior Dues
Background: Executive Director John Worth updated the Council on AMA’s financial picture since the January 28 Council meeting. The initial quarterly report did not reflect the full potential deficit. An anticipated loss for 1978 (largely due to escalated insurance costs) was greater than first forecast. Reserves can cover the 1978 deficit but will likely be depleted by year end. Also, interest income (approx. $20,000) from reserve funds held in savings accounts will no longer be earned.
Worth explained that because dues were not increased earlier, the previously approved 1979 dues increase would likely be inadequate. He recommended a higher dues increase for Open members (at least $5 rather than $3) and suggested considering increases for Juniors and Seniors.
Discussion: Some members felt immediate action was premature and recommended an information campaign via Model Aviation, leading up to the August Nationals Council meeting for a dues vote. Others favored prompt action at this meeting with a sufficient increase to restore a healthy surplus. VPs Lowe (III) and Mankowski (IX) suggested establishing a Budget Committee; several supported the idea but no action was taken. Smith (XI) asked Worth to prepare budget estimates for 1979 and 1980; Worth had a preliminary 1979 budget and agreed to prepare 1980 estimates.
MOVED by H. Smith (XI), seconded by J. Spalding (IV): accept Worth’s dues suggestions for planning and use, with final decision and publication of exact dollar values at the next Council meeting, and provide information via Model Aviation so membership would be prepared for a significant dues increase.
- Vote: Motion not approved — 5 for (XI, IV, I, President, E.D.); 9 against (II, III, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, NAA, S/T).
Further discussion indicated consensus that a dues increase should be substantial enough to:
- raise income to cover immediate needs,
- rebuild financial reserves,
- hedge against further insurance cost increases,
- avoid a prompt additional increase after the next one.
MOVED by V. Mankowski (IX), seconded by D. Lowe (III): raise the 1979 dues structure to:
- Opens: $25.00 (magazine included; no option)
- Seniors: $7.50 (magazine available at extra cost)
- Juniors: $5.00 (magazine available at extra cost)
- Open family member: $12.00 (no magazine)
- Vote: Motion approved — 9 for; 5 against (E.D., President, S/T, XI, I).
Note: Subsequent mail-ballot action adjusted the family figure from $12 to $17, based on cost factors subtracting the magazine cost from the normal adult member dues.
Smith (XI) recalled a tabled item from January 28 regarding overseas insurance coverage. The current insurance company expected to cover overseas members at the same cost as U.S. members, resolving the previous issue requiring separate higher-cost policies.
MOVED by H. Smith (XI), seconded by J. Spalding (IV): dispose of the tabled item (motion 9, page 14) in the January 28, 1978 Minutes on overseas coverage.
- Vote: Passed — 11 for; 3 abstained (II, III, VIII).
#### C. FAI Surplus
Worth noted more money is generated by membership dues for FAI purposes than currently needed and suggested returning the excess to the general fund.
Discussion: Consensus favored retaining the FAI budget as is until further experience provided a longer-range view. Some felt the matter should be voted on.
MOVED by J. McNeill (V), seconded by J. Byrne (II): return unspent FAI budget money to the general fund.
- Vote: Motion failed — 6 for (Pres., E.D., II, V, I, X, XI); 6 against; 2 abstained (NAA, I).
MOVED by M. Frank (VIII), seconded by J. Scarborough (X): strike further consideration of the FAI budget from the meeting Agenda.
- Vote: Motion passed — 12 for; 1 against (XI); 1 abstained (V).
#### D. Headquarters Salary/Budget
- Executive Director / Executive Staff Salary Relationships:
The Salary Review Committee recommended adjustments to executive staff salaries. To avoid inequity (Executive Director salary out of balance with subordinates), a comparable adjustment to the Executive Director's salary was recommended, based on comparisons with other associations.
MOVED by J. McNeill (V), seconded by J. Byrne (II): raise the Executive Director's salary approximately 9%, effective immediately.
- Vote: Motion passed (voting not recorded).
- Executive Director Secretary:
An agenda request to expand the HQ salaries' budget to hire an extra person was withdrawn by Worth; he stated he had authority to fill the position and could adjust the approved budget to accommodate the salary.
- Annuity Limit for Executive Staff:
Current policy had a $1,500 dollar limit on contributions to the Employees Retirement Fund Program, though the IRS allows a 5% contribution of gross salary. For some HQ staff the $1,500 limit prevented a full 5% contribution. Worth recommended eliminating the dollar limit while retaining the 5% limit.
MOVED by J. Worth (E.D.), seconded by J. McNeill (V): eliminate the $1,500 dollar limit from the Headquarters Annuity Policy, retaining the 5% contribution limit.
- Vote: Passed — 10 for; 2 against (VII, IX); 2 abstained (E.D., VIII).
#### Special Items
- Minutes Taking: Clemens read a letter from Smith (XI) praising improved Executive Director participation since being relieved of minutes taking. Discussion supported having Micheline Madison provide a rough draft of minutes for Worth to finalize and submit to the Council. The Council was unanimous to continue this arrangement.
- Secretary/Treasurer By‑Laws Title: Earl Witt (S/T) suggested abolishing the Secretary/Treasurer title from the By‑Laws, noting Headquarters minutes taker and comptroller fulfill respective tasks. He proposed considering a 1st Vice President position serving national interest. Discussion indicated the Secretary/Treasurer post should be considered for revision during a forthcoming Long Range Planning Session.
- Nominating Committee Reorganization: Spalding (IV) suggested VPs should not vote on their own nominations. This too was referred to Long Range Planning. (See Item VII for further Nominating Committee discussion.)
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ITEM II. AMA Officer Expense Allowance
Background: A motion passed February 18, 1978, intended to clarify the VP $750 yearly expense allowance, but further questions and new factors required action.
Worth (E.D.) described administrative difficulties in interpreting the allowance due to varying district needs. He noted abuse was not apparent; rather, differing district situations required judgment. Worth suggested an undefined allowance, to be reviewed after a year.
MOVED by J. Worth (E.D.), seconded by H. Smith (XI): remove all restrictions on the use of the yearly VP allowance of $750.00, with the sole requirement that itemized statements be submitted to Headquarters for accounting.
- Vote: Passed — 12 for; 2 abstained (NAA, S/T).
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ITEM III. FAI Team Selection Committee
Smith (XI) noted his draft "FAI Committee Guidelines" was near completion and suggested deferring discussion until the document could be reviewed.
Worth commented on MACA's attempt to form a new FAI Team Selection Committee without HQ guidance, which used incorrect procedures. The situation was rectified to conform with the "FAI Program Management and Line of Authority" document. Worth reminded VPs of their obligation to follow guidelines for approving district committee nominations.
Micheline Madison asked VPs to confirm district representatives not yet approved. She advised MACA President that the FAI Team Selection Committee would be accepted pending appointments by McNeill (V) and Mankowski (IX).
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ITEM IV. Redistricting
Discussion focused on Districts VII and III. Morris (VII) reported petitions from modelers in eastern Michigan wanting to move from District VII to District III. Lowe (III) was generally neutral and proposed canvassing modelers in District VII and checking District III before action.
Worth stated precedents allowed vice presidents to agree among themselves, subject to Council approval. Members thought further exploration was needed (possibility the issue was contest coordination) and that membership in both districts should be consulted before definitive action.
MOVED by M. Frank (VIII), seconded by V. Mankowski (IX): table Council discussion until further information is forthcoming from the districts involved, including a specific proposal.
- Vote: Passed unanimously — 14 for.
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ITEM V. Associate Vice Presidents
J. Byrne (II) requested authorization to appoint an eighth Associate Vice President (AVP) for the Atlantic City, New Jersey area.
Discussion covered successes and disappointments with AVPs. Worth said the AVP program is sound in theory but requires careful selection. Examples of effective AVPs were noted in District X (Betty Stream) and District IV (Chuck Foreman).
MOVED by J. Byrne (II), seconded by C. Piper (I): authorize a maximum of eight (8) associate vice presidents for AMA districts which have "APO" membership areas within their jurisdiction (including District V regarding Puerto Rico and Panama).
- Vote: Passed — 8 for; 3 against (S/T, X, XI); 3 abstained (Pres., E.D., NAA).
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ITEM VI. Member Age Date
Proposal: change the traditional July 1 date to January 1 for separating age groups (submitted to Contest Boards as a rules change). Council guidance was requested due to HQ processing implications.
Historical note: age grouping was Jan. 1 in the past but revised to July 1 to be equitable for young competitors. HQ noted administrative issues could be accommodated.
MOVED by E. Witt (S/T), seconded by J. Scarborough (XI): Council endorsement for age grouping based on member age as of January 1.
- Vote: Motion did not pass — 4 for (X, S/T, III, V); 7 against; 3 abstained (E.D., IV, NAA).
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ITEM VII. Nominating Committee Chairman
Concerns were raised about lack of procedures for selecting the Nominating Committee chairman. Smith (XI) felt the By‑Laws inadequately define the process and recommended changes be incorporated.
A generally approved idea: the chairman should not be up for re-election in the same year the committee convenes.
MOVED by E. Witt (S/T), seconded by J. McNeill (V): Vice Presidents (or their delegated representatives) elect their own chairman from among members of the nominating committee; the senior VP (time in office) shall preside at the beginning of the meeting until a chairman is elected. In case of equal seniority, the lowest AMA-numbered Vice President shall preside.
- Vote: Passed — 10 for; 4 abstained (NAA, IV, VIII, E.D.).
AMENDMENT by K. Morris (VII), seconded by J. Worth (E.D.): the chairman of the committee cannot be up for re-election during the year the Committee convenes.
- Vote: Passed — 11 for; 3 abstained (E.D., IV, NAA).
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ITEM VIII. Awards
No nominations for awards were offered at this meeting; no action taken.
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ITEM IX. Other Business
A. Indoor Committee Conference Call: The FAI Indoor Team Selection Committee requested authorization for a second telephone conference. Worth estimated prior conference cost around $400 but the bill had not been received. Council felt the reasons were not urgent.
MOVED by M. Frank (VIII), seconded by J. Byrne (II): authorize the requested conference call.
- Vote: Motion failed — 0 for; 13 against; 1 abstained (E.D.).
B. AMA Relationship to Non‑Flying Groups: Worth reported pressure to involve AMA with non‑flying groups (e.g., plastic scale modelers). Nat Polk requested an AMA representative attend the plastic modelers convention in July. Some members supported inclusion of other modelers; others feared spreading AMA too thin. Council agreed to investigate and have an adviser attend the convention. Worth advised Frank Ehling would attend.
MOVED by D. Lowe (III), seconded by J. Byrne (II): take no definitive action at this time to include plastic modelers in AMA.
- Vote: Passed — 12 for; 1 against (NAA); 1 abstained (XI).
C. Award of Excellence Program: Worth noted many clubs had received the Award of Excellence and recommended establishing standards and criteria to preserve its significance. As a temporary measure:
MOVED by K. Morris (VII), seconded by J. Scarborough (X): the Award of Excellence be given as the Vice President of each district sees fit, provided concurrence is obtained from the Executive Council.
- Vote: Passed — 8 for; 1 against (XI); 5 abstained (I, E.D., S/T, NAA).
D. Air Show Teams and Chartered Clubs: M. Frank (VIII) raised scheduling conflicts between show-team demonstrations and sanctioned club contests. Due to time, full consideration was deferred to the next Council meeting.
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ITEM X. New Business
The following subjects were submitted but not addressed due to time constraints:
- President termination follow-up
- HQ Review Committee status
- Life memberships
- Big model safety problems
- Revision of the rules-change cycle
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Adjournment: MOVED by H. Smith (XI), seconded by K. Morris (VII): adjourn the meeting.
- Vote: Passed unanimously — 14 for.
Next Meeting: Lake Charles, Louisiana, during the Nats, immediately following the 8 p.m. Wednesday Nominating Committee meeting of Nats week; exact location to be posted at the Nats.
Note: Model Aviation (previous issue, page 57) provides further background on the Executive Council's action on the 1979 dues increase and AMA’s financial status.
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AMA NEWS
Executive Council Summary
The AMA Executive Council met in Long Beach during the Model & Crafts Show weekend. Key actions included approving a dues restructure for 1979, removing restrictions on the VP expense allowance (with accounting requirements), approving an Executive Director salary increase, eliminating a dollar cap on HQ annuity contributions (retaining the 5% limit), and adopting procedures for Nominating Committee chair selection.
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1979 Dues
AMA faces rising operating costs—most notably insurance—which have depleted reserve funds accumulated during membership growth. Dues have been held steady for six years despite inflation and rising costs. The Council elected to raise dues for 1979 to maintain operations, provide services, and protect members. The dues changes should be seen as an overdue adjustment, reflecting the reduced value of the dollar since the last increase in 1973.
(Refer to Model Aviation for further details and exact dues amounts as determined and published.)
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IN PERSPECTIVE (President's Column excerpts)
Less than 50¢ per week for adults and less than 10¢ per week for juniors is what AMA members will pay for 1979 membership. Active modelers will find this a small percentage of typical hobby costs. The protection and peace of mind provided by AMA membership and insurance are valuable.
LOOKING AHEAD — AT THIS COLUMN: With a new AMA president next year, the author notes the column has become a unique communication tool—mixing information, humor, philosophy, technical notes, history, and encouragement. Members interested in its continuation are encouraged to send messages.
SPEAKING OF SOUND: With money devaluation, the phrase "sound as a dollar" may no longer be flattering.
SHARE A GRIN: Humorous items and club anecdotes follow in the regular president’s column.
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OCTOBER — TIME TO SPREAD THE WORD
October is National Hobby Month, sponsored by the Hobby Industry of America. AMA clubs can use the month to promote model aviation and increase membership by:
- Contacting local public libraries to offer talks and exhibits (libraries will publicize events).
- Offering programs to schools and highlighting AMA’s Delta Dart classroom learning tool and Teacher's Guides.
- Working with Boy Scouts and civic groups (Kiwanis, Rotary) to offer hobby programs tying into youth and community activities.
Plan in advance and use the national publicity to gain easier cooperation from community organizations.
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RC PATTERN RULES
The AMA RC Contest Board clarified that the 1978–79 AMA Novice, Advanced, and Expert classes must be isolated from the 1978 Masters (FAI) rules. Novice, Advanced, and Expert maneuvers should follow:
- AMA RC Pattern Judges' Guide (1978–79 rule book, pages 42–43)
- Plus the 1976–77 rule book (present Expert pattern — pages 76–80)
K‑factors in Expert should follow the 1976–77 rule book (pages 76–80), which differ from the 1978–79 book for Takeoff, 3‑Turn Spin, and Landing.
Reprints of the “RC Pattern Rules” article (including maneuver descriptions and clarifications) are available from AMA HQ upon request.
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FILM: "MARVELOUS MINIATURES"
The new AMA film "Marvelous Miniatures" continues successful showings. The film captures model aircraft in flight with humor and skill and is a valuable public-relations tool for clubs seeking to impress community and governmental groups about model aviation. Clubs are encouraged to borrow or schedule showings to support flying-site efforts and public outreach.
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SILENCE PLEASE(S)
From Paul Wedeking, Millstone Valley Silent Flyers: the group formed a soaring club in mid‑Jersey and received AMA Charter No. 1169. They report active weekly flying and contest participation (over 50 pilots in recent contests). New clubs are encouraged to notify District VPs for recognition.
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JACK FLORENZIE
The passing of Jack Florenzie was noted with sadness. He was a respected free-flight modeler and member of the Thunderbirds Free Flight club in New Jersey; his loss is felt in District II and the broader modeling community.
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CLUB & MEMBER NEWS (selected items)
- Weak Signals RC Club (Toledo) annually raffles donated merchandise and donated $1,225 to AMA, some toward national RC trophies and the rest to the AMA Scholarship Fund — a commendable gesture.
- New invention anecdotes and club humor appeared in local newsletters (e.g., DCRC’s “Finger Beater” gag).
- Mail-damage prevention tip: taping the corners on folded newsletters works much better than stapling.
- "Off Duty" magazine (military leisure publication) featured radio gliders and power boats, an excellent PR opportunity for model aviation.
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FUN FLY & CONTEST HIGHLIGHTS
- Seattle Radio Aero Club’s 1978 Carnival included events such as Poker Sketch, Rope, Loop‑de‑Loop, Sinker, Lift/Loop/Land, Taxi Pylon, 2‑Minute Touch & Go, and Duration; ended with potluck and sing‑song.
- The IMAC Bipe contest and other events continue to draw interest. Film showings and air‑show teams are promoting the sport effectively in various regions.
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DISTRICT REPORTS (selected excerpts)
VIII District Report — Murry Frank (District VIII Vice‑President)
- Murry Frank announced retirement and nomination of Bill Lee as his replacement.
- Lawton LAFF sailplane contest was well attended.
- Abilene RC Society’s Texas Scale Champs & Fun Fly had 26 contestants; new paving on runway and taxiway noted.
IX District Report — Vince Mankowski (District IX Vice‑President)
- Coordination reminder: contest directors should respond to contest coordinators; preference will be given to early responders when sanction conflicts arise.
- Thanks to clubs sending newsletters; lists of sample newsletters acknowledged.
- Recent events included Millard Aviation Day, Lincoln Pattern Contest, and Junction City Large Model events.
- Award of Excellence presented to the Wichihawks of Wichita, KS (Charter Club Award).
(For full district-by-district reports and local contact information, consult the District Reports section of Model Aviation.)
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REMINDERS & ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES
- Rules proposals must be submitted by September 1 on standard proposal forms. Consider the rules-change cycle when preparing proposals.
- Contest sanctioning requires properly completed sanction-request forms; Contest Coordinators often have a thankless job.
- Changes in HQ policy and By‑Laws items (e.g., Secretary/Treasurer title, nominating procedures) will be further considered in Long Range Planning sessions.
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NEXT ISSUE
Watch Model Aviation for full meeting minutes, official dues notices, further guidance on FAI team procedures, Nominating Committee changes, and detailed district reports.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
