Dues increase coming? 1 million spent on government relations.....
06-05-2015, 01:52 PM
#126
Banned
My Feedback: (8)
One could always become a CD and get a discount that way.
BradPaul had a comment earlier in the thread that made some sense. It related to the ad revenue from the magazine. I would agree, take another look at those rates. Don't know that it makes sense to hit just the big guys (Tower, HH, Hobby King etc). but chances are they can work that into their budgets better than the little mom and pop Interestingly enough, ad revenue increased by about $136,000 from 2012 to 2013. Wonder if that trend continued in 2014.
The other comment pertained to insurance. Looks like insurance costs actually went down from 318,000 in 2012 to 304,000 in 2013. Shopping for good rates is something everyone should do...often!
Another trend, membership was up, and revenue from senior dues membership went up $120,000. Wonder if more seniors joined, or went into senior status and the offset from those dues came from new membership. Dunno...I suck at balance sheets!
06-05-2015, 09:34 PM
#130
My Feedback: (52)
porcia83, yes I have seen them more than once at the high end restaurants. Secondly, we are an organization of Traditional Model aviation, RC, Control line, Free flight etc. We are not an suas organization and heaven help us if we were to be swept into the rules and regulations that control the suas market. Our AMA funds should, in no way, be spent on marketing and education of markets beyond our traditional market. And yes, if the AMA council thinks we should spend money outside of the traditional model aviation field, the membership should be polled. And also, I have expressed these ideas to my Regional AMA VP.
06-05-2015, 10:49 PM
#131
My Feedback: (33)
So, did not AMA spend some millions not long ago on a new building? We paid for that. How many claims have been paid by AMA insurance and for how much? If dues were raised to $60-70, just how many people would be forced to quit? If there were no AMA and after no telling how many lawsuits for damages/injury, then folks would realize that they need to get the hobby insured themselves. Most people don't understand that AMA is secondary coverage anyway. In comparison, dues from 1990 to present have gone up how much? What does that few bucks break down to each year? Then compare that to increases in everything else that goes up how many times that each year. Or gas that goes up and down all the time. Here in Houston, gas has gone up about fifty cents in just the last few months. That pinches millions a lot more severely than a couple of bucks a year by AMA. I'll pay it. One last thing, since AMA is honestly just an insurance premium that we are paying for, why don't the fields that have the AMA requirement just drop that. This would bring more people to a field, and if there is a club involved, surely more members. That club can still apply safety rules and programs while everyone can look out for each other. just say'n…………..
YO RAYBORN………..WANNA MAIDEN MY NEW DIAMOND?
YO RAYBORN………..WANNA MAIDEN MY NEW DIAMOND?
06-06-2015, 02:29 AM
#132
Well CD's do get 1/2 price dues. If you only run one informal swap meet or something a year, probably a pretty good deal.
Organize a decent size event or two a year, you're doing it because you love it not for saving a few bucks on your AMA dues.
Why not drop the AMA requirement from existing fields? Because in a world where you can successfully sue someone because their hot coffee is too hot when you dump it on your own nuts, liability is the name of the game. How many of those fields would be lost if the clubs and members couldn't prove they have liability insurance for something that is potentially a lot more dangerous than drinking even fresh hot coffee?
Sure, everyone could go get their own insurance, but then whatever poor schlep that ends up responsible for checking insurance is buried in paperwork where now you just have to show a club officer a universally recognized card that when current proves you have 2 million in liability insurance. That's not even getting into the percentage of people that would Photoshop their own insurance documents and leave the club, property owner, municipality, and knowing personal injury lawyers maybe the Pope out to dry to get sued if there's a mishap and they have fake insurance papers.
Organize a decent size event or two a year, you're doing it because you love it not for saving a few bucks on your AMA dues.
Why not drop the AMA requirement from existing fields? Because in a world where you can successfully sue someone because their hot coffee is too hot when you dump it on your own nuts, liability is the name of the game. How many of those fields would be lost if the clubs and members couldn't prove they have liability insurance for something that is potentially a lot more dangerous than drinking even fresh hot coffee?
Sure, everyone could go get their own insurance, but then whatever poor schlep that ends up responsible for checking insurance is buried in paperwork where now you just have to show a club officer a universally recognized card that when current proves you have 2 million in liability insurance. That's not even getting into the percentage of people that would Photoshop their own insurance documents and leave the club, property owner, municipality, and knowing personal injury lawyers maybe the Pope out to dry to get sued if there's a mishap and they have fake insurance papers.
06-06-2015, 03:32 AM
#133
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: El Paso,
TX
Posts: 5,277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What is the AMA?
World's largest model aviation association, representing a membership of more than 175,000 from every walk of life, income level and age group.
Self-supporting, non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote development of model aviation as a recognized sport and worthwhile recreation activity.
Organization open to anyone interested in model aviation.
Official national body for model aviation in the United States. AMA sanctions more than 2,000 model competitions throughout the country each year, and certifies official model flying records on a national and international level.
Organizer of the annual National Aeromodeling Championships, the world's largest model airplane competition.
Chartering organization for more than 2,500 model airplane clubs across the country. AMA offers its chartered clubs official contest sanction, insurance, and assistance in getting and keeping flying sites.
The voice of its membership, providing liaison with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, and other government agencies through our national headquarters in Muncie, Indiana. AMA also works with local governments, zoning boards, and parks departments to promote the interests of local chartered clubs.
An associate member of the National Aeronautic Association. Through NAA, AMA is recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world governing body of all aviation activity, as the only organization which may direct U.S. participation in international aeromodeling activities.
World's largest model aviation association, representing a membership of more than 175,000 from every walk of life, income level and age group.
Self-supporting, non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote development of model aviation as a recognized sport and worthwhile recreation activity.
Organization open to anyone interested in model aviation.
Official national body for model aviation in the United States. AMA sanctions more than 2,000 model competitions throughout the country each year, and certifies official model flying records on a national and international level.
Organizer of the annual National Aeromodeling Championships, the world's largest model airplane competition.
Chartering organization for more than 2,500 model airplane clubs across the country. AMA offers its chartered clubs official contest sanction, insurance, and assistance in getting and keeping flying sites.
The voice of its membership, providing liaison with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, and other government agencies through our national headquarters in Muncie, Indiana. AMA also works with local governments, zoning boards, and parks departments to promote the interests of local chartered clubs.
An associate member of the National Aeronautic Association. Through NAA, AMA is recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world governing body of all aviation activity, as the only organization which may direct U.S. participation in international aeromodeling activities.
Mike
Last edited by rcmiket; 06-06-2015 at 03:35 AM.
06-06-2015, 03:48 AM
#134
I did. The answer is highlighted in red in my post. If you're going to host national and international events you need a dedicated facility to do so.
06-06-2015, 03:56 AM
#135
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: El Paso,
TX
Posts: 5,277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mike
Last edited by rcmiket; 06-06-2015 at 04:07 AM.
06-06-2015, 04:37 AM
#136
Really? That's no answer. So by that logic any open national event (and there are many) should be funded and built by the AMA..The Nationals could be held in different locations throughout the US to accommodate everyone and support the host club along with the community where they are located.
Mike
Mike
06-06-2015, 04:40 AM
#137
Banned
My Feedback: (8)
Well CD's do get 1/2 price dues. If you only run one informal swap meet or something a year, probably a pretty good deal.
Organize a decent size event or two a year, you're doing it because you love it not for saving a few bucks on your AMA dues.
Why not drop the AMA requirement from existing fields? Because in a world where you can successfully sue someone because their hot coffee is too hot when you dump it on your own nuts, liability is the name of the game. How many of those fields would be lost if the clubs and members couldn't prove they have liability insurance for something that is potentially a lot more dangerous than drinking even fresh hot coffee?
Sure, everyone could go get their own insurance, but then whatever poor schlep that ends up responsible for checking insurance is buried in paperwork where now you just have to show a club officer a universally recognized card that when current proves you have 2 million in liability insurance. That's not even getting into the percentage of people that would Photoshop their own insurance documents and leave the club, property owner, municipality, and knowing personal injury lawyers maybe the Pope out to dry to get sued if there's a mishap and they have fake insurance papers.
Organize a decent size event or two a year, you're doing it because you love it not for saving a few bucks on your AMA dues.
Why not drop the AMA requirement from existing fields? Because in a world where you can successfully sue someone because their hot coffee is too hot when you dump it on your own nuts, liability is the name of the game. How many of those fields would be lost if the clubs and members couldn't prove they have liability insurance for something that is potentially a lot more dangerous than drinking even fresh hot coffee?
Sure, everyone could go get their own insurance, but then whatever poor schlep that ends up responsible for checking insurance is buried in paperwork where now you just have to show a club officer a universally recognized card that when current proves you have 2 million in liability insurance. That's not even getting into the percentage of people that would Photoshop their own insurance documents and leave the club, property owner, municipality, and knowing personal injury lawyers maybe the Pope out to dry to get sued if there's a mishap and they have fake insurance papers.
06-06-2015, 04:47 AM
#138
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: El Paso,
TX
Posts: 5,277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, that's my answer. As far as I know there is no requirement that NATS events be held at the IAC and several events do not take place at the IAC. If you're interested in a particular event you need to check with the event organizer to see why the IAC was chosen and make suggestions for alternative locations for future events.
Mike
06-06-2015, 04:53 AM
#139
Banned
My Feedback: (8)
porcia83, yes I have seen them more than once at the high end restaurants. Secondly, we are an organization of Traditional Model aviation, RC, Control line, Free flight etc. We are not an suas organization and heaven help us if we were to be swept into the rules and regulations that control the suas market. Our AMA funds should, in no way, be spent on marketing and education of markets beyond our traditional market. And yes, if the AMA council thinks we should spend money outside of the traditional model aviation field, the membership should be polled. And also, I have expressed these ideas to my Regional AMA VP.
The close mindedness and antiquated thought process of not adapting and recognizing new forms of flight isn't an issue for the AMA. If it was, it would have become a relic long ago.
06-06-2015, 05:10 AM
#140
That's not the way they've always done it. Where do you think these events took place before the IAC was built? The IAC is still relatively new and this year's NATS is the 89th! They did take place all over the country before the IAC was built. Guess what? Finding a different suitable location every year is no simple task either. It's also important to understand these events are run by volunteers.
06-06-2015, 06:06 AM
#141
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Four wonderful flying sites in my area, three of which are land based acreage donated by the local communities and BLM, only requirement is the clubs carry a AMA Charter/insurance, all flyers be AMA and do not discriminate, the fourth site is a waterborne National Recreation Area for float flying and the NPS's only requirement is all who fly be AMA members. Equation is simple, AMA insurance goes away, then so do the flying sites. Folks we can theorize our fingers to the bone but all we'll get is boney fingers, the simple reality is AMA provides insurance and protects the hobby and that has a cost associated with it.
06-06-2015, 06:26 AM
#142
Four wonderful flying sites in my area, three of which are land based acreage donated by the local communities and BLM, only requirement is the clubs carry a AMA Charter/insurance, all flyers be AMA and do not discriminate, the fourth site is a waterborne National Recreation Area for float flying and the NPS's only requirement is all who fly be AMA members. Equation is simple, AMA insurance goes away, then so do the flying sites. Folks we can theorize our fingers to the bone but all we'll get is boney fingers, the simple reality is AMA provides insurance and protects the hobby and that has a cost associated with it.
Again, if it's something you want to happen you need to reach out to the event organizers and let them know.
06-06-2015, 06:29 AM
#143
Banned
My Feedback: (8)
He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery. ~Harold Wilson
If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. ~Mary Engelbreit
It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory. ~W. Edwards Deming
06-06-2015, 06:39 AM
#144
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: hemet , CA
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
all this talk about ama increase wait till your real old cant work see what you think then i hate being 83 but cant do a thing about it just count my pennies pay my rent car insurance life insurance lite bills gas bills water bills and so on happy flying
06-06-2015, 06:48 AM
#145
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: El Paso,
TX
Posts: 5,277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The irony of course is that the organization has changed, and has "thought outside the box", yet is constantly criticized for it, see above for pauls86 comments regarding suas, and the need to keep things "traditional".
He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery. ~Harold Wilson
If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. ~Mary Engelbreit
It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory. ~W. Edwards Deming
He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery. ~Harold Wilson
If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. ~Mary Engelbreit
It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory. ~W. Edwards Deming
Besides tossing a bunch of money on the whole drone thing I see no change, Care to enlighten me on other changes and where this kind of money is being spent?
Mike
06-06-2015, 07:33 AM
#146
The irony of course is that the organization has changed, and has "thought outside the box", yet is constantly criticized for it, see above for pauls86 comments regarding suas, and the need to keep things "traditional".
He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery. ~Harold Wilson
If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. ~Mary Engelbreit
It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory. ~W. Edwards Deming
He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery. ~Harold Wilson
If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. ~Mary Engelbreit
It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory. ~W. Edwards Deming
Here are a few more:
The only thing constant is change.
There are Four Kinds Of People:
1) Those who make things happen;
2) Those to whom things happen;
3) Those who watch things happen;
4) Those who don’t even know things are happening.
~Lou Gerstner
06-06-2015, 08:01 AM
#147
My Feedback: (66)
I am not rich but a 30 dollar increase is no big deal.That is just one gallon of heli fuel or one 2200 MaH battery. most club dues are over that price. Dont take wife to the movies one time for the year and pay for the dues. People always complain they spend 3000 dollars on a airplane and then complain about a 15 dollar switch going up in price to 17 dollars.
We need the AMA now days and will need it even more in the future.
We need the AMA now days and will need it even more in the future.
06-06-2015, 08:55 AM
#148
My Feedback: (58)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: here
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by [email protected]
all this talk about ama increase wait till your real old cant work see what you think then i hate being 83 but cant do a thing about it just count my pennies pay my rent car insurance life insurance lite bills gas bills water bills and so on happy flying
06-06-2015, 09:10 AM
#149
I hear you oneaew. I would be more than happy to pay more dues if AMA provided free membership to our older guys...especially those on a minimal fixed income. I've been very happy to see AMA give youth free memberships and likewise would be pleased to see them do the same for our older guys too. I truly feel for guys like you on fixed incomes and even though my income is broke, i still think we should do more for our seniors that contributed so much for so long.
06-06-2015, 09:54 AM
#150
My Feedback: (58)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: here
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Couldn't care less about how the federal government qualifies anything but any vet that was in harms way should certainly have free memberships. As for those "career type" desk jockeys...all bets are off...as they are generally only self-serving anyway...