View from HQ
Joyce Hager — Executive Director
The work has simply moved inside the buildings.
As I write this month's column in mid-November, the weather in Muncie, Indiana, can't decide whether it wants to be Indian summer or the beginning of winter and wind. At this time of year the activity at the AMA flying site has slowed down tremendously. That is a good thing since it is membership-renewal time.
AMA has been asked to address an issue that concerns clubs: how do you verify a new membership when the person doesn't yet have an AMA number? That's a good question, and we are working on a way to assist clubs in this area.
AMA will discontinue issuing 30-day temporary receipts. New membership applications that are faxed or submitted via the Internet will receive a confirmation that the application has been received and will be processed as soon as possible. These new memberships will not be in effect until they have been processed and their AMA numbers assigned. Membership renewals, of course, are good through December 31.
Since this is the busiest time of the year for membership processing, individuals and clubs will need to be patient. License cards are being produced on a daily basis and are mailed two or three times a week. As we explore ways to assist clubs and new members with quick verification of their membership, we will place a notice on our Web site.
Club charter renewal is just around the corner. As in the past, the kits will be mailed to the designated club contact, so be sure that we have the current information for your club. If you have access to our Web site, you can verify the contact person listed for your club in the charter club listing or by using the club search function.
Leader Club Awards
To recognize the leadership of the best model clubs, AMA has established the Leader Club Awards. These can be earned by any AMA-chartered club for meeting certain standards of community service and activity.
There are three levels of Leader Clubs: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Once a club meets the minimum criteria, it qualifies for different levels based on performance.
AMA has established 14 goals for Leader Club status. Five of these goals are required. A club that meets the required five goals and three of the electives qualifies as a Bronze-level Leader Club. Meeting the required five goals and six electives qualifies the club for the Silver level. The ultimate recognition—the Gold level—requires that all goals be met. Each goal must be documented. In the event that an elective does not pertain to your club's operation, an explanation included with your club's application is all that is necessary for inclusion in the program. For example, a club that is devoted exclusively to soaring and uses only winches or hi-starts will not have to deal with sound limitations at its field; its explanation will satisfy elective 5. The same holds true for a free-flight club that is not faced with frequency concerns; elective 1 would be satisfied with an explanation of the club's specific situation.
Each year your club will be sent forms and instructions by which it will be able to show its goals and achievements. These currency reports will be the documentation required for continued participation in the Leader Club program.
Required activities for Leader Club status:
- AMA-chartered club for a minimum of five years. Club membership is open to all AMA members and is not limited to a certain group.
- Club has developed and posted safety and operational rules at its flying site.
- Club has filed a copy of safety and operational rules at AMA Headquarters.
- Flying field has separate areas for fliers and spectators, clearly marked as such.
- The AMA Safety Code is posted and visible at the field.
Leader Club electives:
- Club has implemented and enforces a frequency control plan that allows all 50 RC channels to be used at its club flying site where RC is allowed.
- Club has implemented an AMA Adopt-A-School program or donates a Model Aviation subscription to schools or libraries.
- Club conducts a review of the AMA Safety Code at a club meeting at least once a year.
- Club sponsors an annual public event such as a mall show, flying show, or demonstration.
- Club monitors noise levels and/or institutes club field rules such as a requirement that models be operated at a maximum of 90 dB at 9 feet.
- Club has created an informational handout and provides it to the general public.
- Club participates in charity programs or public fund-raising events.
- Club has a formal lease or agreement for the use of its flying site or owns its site.
- Club participates in the AMA's Introductory Pilot Program or has its own instruction program.
A list of Leader Clubs can be found on our Web site at http://modelaircraft.org/templates/ama/leaderclubs03.asp. Check to see if your club is listed. If not, see if it can qualify. Leader Club status is based on the previous year's performance, so if you applied for status in 2003 it will not be posted to the Web site until 2004.
Attention AMA Members
The new merchandise catalog was enclosed in the December issue of Model Aviation. There are some new products featured, so look through the catalog and see if you can find a special gift for that aviation enthusiast.
Another good gift idea is a Walk of Fame brick. Have someone's name permanently placed on the sidewalk of the AMA administration building. Information about the Walk of Fame program and a printable order form can be found on our Web site, or you can contact Steve Weaver at (765) 287-1256, extension 522, or email him at sweaver@modelaircraft.org.
Happy flying,
Joyce Hager Executive Director jhager@modelaircraft.org
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
