Dues increase coming? 1 million spent on government relations.....
11-21-2015, 08:09 AM
#1801
And what was the net result of AMA's action (or inaction)? Loss of a flying site, loss of a club, loss of some members, and loss of an advocate trying to help establish a flying site.
11-21-2015, 08:12 AM
#1802
I wonder if there would be more media interest / support for our hobby if instead of holding nationals only in Munice, they rotated to various sites around the country - ones closer to major media markets?
11-21-2015, 08:22 AM
#1803
IIRC the flying site assistance program only covered 10% of the cost of a project. If you had 30 members and they couldn't come up with the last 10% on their own it indicates to me that those 30 members never wanted a new field to begin with.
As I've said many times, a club is a small business. If you're not going to be creative, innovate, and resourceful and not going to be willing to go the extra mile to get things done it's not going to happy. I've seen very many a club/member unwilling to go out of their way to make things "happen".
11-21-2015, 08:25 AM
#1804
Also, how about the club taking responsibility for their own destiny? Seriously, it's the AMA's fault because they lost their field and couldn't find another one? How do we know they even invested any energy in find another field?
11-21-2015, 09:21 AM
#1805
11-21-2015, 09:39 AM
#1806
What's the point of fair and reasonable accommodation and where does it end? Do you expect the AMA to also build and test fly the members' models, mow the grass, stock the club fridge, and empty their Porta John's?
IIRC the flying site assistance program only covered 10% of the cost of a project. If you had 30 members and they couldn't come up with the last 10% on their own it indicates to me that those 30 members never wanted a new field to begin with.
As I've said many times, a club is a small business. If you're not going to be creative, innovate, and resourceful and not going to be willing to go the extra mile to get things done it's not going to happy. I've seen very many a club/member unwilling to go out of their way to make things "happen".
IIRC the flying site assistance program only covered 10% of the cost of a project. If you had 30 members and they couldn't come up with the last 10% on their own it indicates to me that those 30 members never wanted a new field to begin with.
As I've said many times, a club is a small business. If you're not going to be creative, innovate, and resourceful and not going to be willing to go the extra mile to get things done it's not going to happy. I've seen very many a club/member unwilling to go out of their way to make things "happen".
We can argue all day. No matter what there's an excuse for AMA, and I think they spend too much in Muncie and not enough elsewhere.
11-21-2015, 09:46 AM
#1807
Banned
My Feedback: (8)
Well, considering they were already preparing to pay for concrete for the pit area, metal for the sun shades, fencing for site control, and assorted stuff for pilot stations and work tables, they just didn't have the extra funds to pay for the DG. It's unfortunate, since land is usually the toughest part, and the club had that as well.
We can argue all day. No matter what there's an excuse for AMA, and I think they spend too much in Muncie and not enough elsewhere.
We can argue all day. No matter what there's an excuse for AMA, and I think they spend too much in Muncie and not enough elsewhere.
11-21-2015, 10:57 AM
#1808
Well, considering they were already preparing to pay for concrete for the pit area, metal for the sun shades, fencing for site control, and assorted stuff for pilot stations and work tables, they just didn't have the extra funds to pay for the DG. It's unfortunate, since land is usually the toughest part, and the club had that as well.
So the priority was a concrete pit area, sunshades, worktables, etc. over the DG and having a basic flying field? I'd say their priorities are out of alignment.
We can argue all day.
It's not about arguing, it's about learning how to do the right things, for the right reasons, in the right way. Sorry, but I'd much rather have a flying field with no amenities than have all the amenities and no flying field. Buy hey, that's me.
No matter what there's an excuse for AMA, and I think they spend too much in Muncie and not enough elsewhere.
I see, so your original intent was never to secure a flying site, just to find another reason to berate the AMA.
So the priority was a concrete pit area, sunshades, worktables, etc. over the DG and having a basic flying field? I'd say their priorities are out of alignment.
We can argue all day.
It's not about arguing, it's about learning how to do the right things, for the right reasons, in the right way. Sorry, but I'd much rather have a flying field with no amenities than have all the amenities and no flying field. Buy hey, that's me.
No matter what there's an excuse for AMA, and I think they spend too much in Muncie and not enough elsewhere.
I see, so your original intent was never to secure a flying site, just to find another reason to berate the AMA.
11-21-2015, 11:01 AM
#1809
In an area where during the primary flying season, the air temp can be over 100 for weeks at a time, and a club population of advanced age, shade shelters are virtually a safety issue. We're not idiots contrary to what you're trying to imply.
11-21-2015, 11:05 AM
#1810
11-21-2015, 01:02 PM
#1811
Banned
My Feedback: (8)
Why is it that people that are the most vocal about having small government, and allowing people do deal with things themselves are always the first in line with their hand out...gimmie gimmie gimmie. Wait, I want more, give me more! How come they have more, I want more.
11-21-2015, 02:25 PM
#1812
July is only averaging 82F:
http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate...tates/uspa2543
11-21-2015, 02:27 PM
#1813
Why is it that people that are the most vocal about having small government, and allowing people do deal with things themselves are always the first in line with their hand out...gimmie gimmie gimmie. Wait, I want more, give me more! How come they have more, I want more.
11-21-2015, 02:32 PM
#1814
Last edited by Chris P. Bacon; 11-21-2015 at 02:35 PM.
11-21-2015, 02:45 PM
#1815
Excuses, excuses. All the more reason to blame the AMA. The last time I checked, State College, PA wasn't that far South. Heck, you're not even considered part of the South.
July is only averaging 82F:
http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate...tates/uspa2543
July is only averaging 82F:
http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate...tates/uspa2543
That's not where I was stationed at the time.
11-21-2015, 02:52 PM
#1816
When did the AMA become government? Last time I checked, they were a dues collecting private organization. In which case, members have every right to ask for things.
11-21-2015, 03:39 PM
#1817
Join Date: Dec 2003
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11-21-2015, 07:10 PM
#1818
Banned
My Feedback: (8)
Ask for as if it's an entitlement you mean, because you're a dues payer? I wasn't aware that was one of the rights and priveldges of being an AMA member, that being the right to ask for some of my dues back for pet projects.
As you were last checking, did you notice that this private organization already does give money out, site grants and scholarships being just two examples? I know this won't be nearly enough, they have to give more and more money away to make everyone happy, but will it? Of course not, because then someone will come along complaining that they didn't get something, or that another group got more than they did.
Weren't you one of the folks complaining about the AMA's cash on hand position not that long ago too? The AMA is run like a business, not Pop Pop and Granny at Christmas time checking off wish list items.
11-21-2015, 07:12 PM
#1819
Banned
My Feedback: (8)
AMA members are entitled to utilize the flying facilities at the IAC at no charge. Some restrictions apply when special events are in operation. Members are encouraged to call Joyce Hager (ext 200) prior to coming out to fly, to assure the facility they wish to use is not in use by a special event. To view the IAC calendar, click here.
AMA members may request the use of the IAC for sanctioned events. If you wish to run an event at the IAC, the steps are simple. No events (except those run directly by AMA) are given traditional status. Click on this link for the 
event registration form. Print and fill out the form then fax to Joyce Hager at (765-289-4248) or mail to: [email protected]
Academy of Model Aeronautics
C/O Joyce Hager
5161 E Memorial Dr
Muncie IN 47302
event registration form. Print and fill out the form then fax to Joyce Hager at (765-289-4248) or mail to: [email protected]Academy of Model Aeronautics
C/O Joyce Hager
5161 E Memorial Dr
Muncie IN 47302
(800) 435-9262
11-21-2015, 07:41 PM
#1822
Ask for as if it's an entitlement you mean, because you're a dues payer? I wasn't aware that was one of the rights and priveldges of being an AMA member, that being the right to ask for some of my dues back for pet projects.
Some? How about the guys who expect more than they'll ever put in? You know, because they're fed up and aren't going to renew for the following year.
As you were last checking, did you notice that this private organization already does give money out, site grants and scholarships being just two examples? I know this won't be nearly enough, they have to give more and more money away to make everyone happy, but will it? Of course not, because then someone will come along complaining that they didn't get something, or that another group got more than they did.
Weren't you one of the folks complaining about the AMA's cash on hand position not that long ago too? The AMA is run like a business, not Pop Pop and Granny at Christmas time checking off wish list items.
Some? How about the guys who expect more than they'll ever put in? You know, because they're fed up and aren't going to renew for the following year.
As you were last checking, did you notice that this private organization already does give money out, site grants and scholarships being just two examples? I know this won't be nearly enough, they have to give more and more money away to make everyone happy, but will it? Of course not, because then someone will come along complaining that they didn't get something, or that another group got more than they did.
Weren't you one of the folks complaining about the AMA's cash on hand position not that long ago too? The AMA is run like a business, not Pop Pop and Granny at Christmas time checking off wish list items.
11-21-2015, 07:44 PM
#1823
11-22-2015, 04:18 AM
#1825
Banned
My Feedback: (8)
One of our clubs best events is our frozen finger fun fly, Jan 1 of each year. Don't know if I mentioned but I sent a grant request to the AMA for individual solar powered heated huts for each member of the club to fly from, but I never heard back from them. You would think with all that money and property and that highfalutin museum they could have thrown me a few thousand dollars, after all, I pay dues. Rumor is they have stockpiled gold bullion in the basement. 
