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Why do you belong to the AMA ?
12-08-2004, 05:21 PM
#26
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RE: Why do you belong to the AMA ?
ORIGINAL: Cursor
I would urge those that have enough spare time to post concerns here to get involved -- in their club, in their area, in their District. For starters, vote in the elections. Write or call your VP or AVP. If we have an "Old Boy" network, (debatable) then it's constantly hiring...
Rick Allison
AMA Dist XI AVP
I would urge those that have enough spare time to post concerns here to get involved -- in their club, in their area, in their District. For starters, vote in the elections. Write or call your VP or AVP. If we have an "Old Boy" network, (debatable) then it's constantly hiring...
Rick Allison
AMA Dist XI AVP
I hope it's not news to you, Rick, but a goodly many of 'us' have been involved in trying to make AMA a better place to practice the fine black arcane art of building flying models.
That a significant shift in the makeup of the EC took place via the recent election seems to be proof positive that the actions of those so involved have paid real dividends - one lump of deadwood voted out, and an heir-apparent political appointee relegated to the lavendar and lace bit bucket.
Too bad there weren't enough of 'us' involved to replace Dave Brown, but there's always the next election for which to plan.
Glad to have you in this august pack of lunatics.
12-08-2004, 06:03 PM
#27
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RE: Why do you belong to the AMA ?
ORIGINAL: abel_pranger
The individual being charged apparently has brains and balls; makes it a real PITA for control freaks.
Makes one wonder what "sufficient reason to expel" would be. Were I to be expelled from AMA I could no longer pursue my hobby at clubs I've belonged to for many years. That is, until some stuffed suits got called into a courtroom to explain why. Expect there would be some wild flapping and sqawking over what reason is sufficient then.
Abel
The individual being charged apparently has brains and balls; makes it a real PITA for control freaks.
Makes one wonder what "sufficient reason to expel" would be. Were I to be expelled from AMA I could no longer pursue my hobby at clubs I've belonged to for many years. That is, until some stuffed suits got called into a courtroom to explain why. Expect there would be some wild flapping and sqawking over what reason is sufficient then.
Abel
12-09-2004, 08:21 PM
#32
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RE: Why do you belong to the AMA ?
ORIGINAL: Jim Messer
To Mongo & Jim Branaum: Have no idea what you two are talking about, and I don't see how it relates to the subject matter; "why do you belong to AMA". Am I missing something?
To Mongo & Jim Branaum: Have no idea what you two are talking about, and I don't see how it relates to the subject matter; "why do you belong to AMA". Am I missing something?
12-09-2004, 08:45 PM
#33
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RE: Why do you belong to the AMA ?
ORIGINAL: Red Scholefield
<SNIP> Once one realizes that the EC is NOT the AMA then it becomes much easier to stand one's ground when confronted by these issues.
<SNIP> Once one realizes that the EC is NOT the AMA then it becomes much easier to stand one's ground when confronted by these issues.
If you said "the VP is NOT the AMA", it would be easier for me to agree. Even if you had said a "couple of members of the EC" I could go along. We have SOME pretty good people on the EC who make up the majority (and did before the last election, too), in my humble estimation. It's not fair to paint them all with the same brush.
12-09-2004, 09:11 PM
#34
RE: Why do you belong to the AMA ?
This does raise an interesting two part question: First is there a process for expulsion of a: rank and file member, Leader member, Contest director, AVP, DVP or president? Second and perhaps more important has there ever been a history of such?
12-09-2004, 10:53 PM
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RE: Why do you belong to the AMA ?
ORIGINAL: JohnBuckner
This does raise an interesting two part question: First is there a process for expulsion of a: rank and file member, Leader member, Contest director, AVP, DVP or president? Second and perhaps more important has there ever been a history of such?
This does raise an interesting two part question: First is there a process for expulsion of a: rank and file member, Leader member, Contest director, AVP, DVP or president? Second and perhaps more important has there ever been a history of such?
There was a couple of years ago a statement attributed to an 'official' source in Muncie to the effect that there has been an instance of a member being expelled. It really doesn't matter who is attributed with this statement, as there was no detail whatever provided regarding the circumstances, so it is apocryphal as far as us hoi polloi are concerned. Control freaks that use them well know that the idle threat is disarmed by disclosure of truth.
Abel
12-10-2004, 12:17 AM
#36
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RE: Why do you belong to the AMA ?
John,
The way *I* understand it that really is part of the problem. There seems to be no way under the by-laws to discipline any class other than member. That means if we need to take some action, the only thing is to throw the offender out of the AMA. Now there is a mechanism OUTSIDE the by-laws in place that some on the AMA EC hope to be able to use to punish offending Leader Members (and CD's I think, but don't recall clearly). I predict that will cost us at least one more dues increase to pay for the lawyers we have to buy in an attempt to defend the AMA on this one.
Abel's response is correct.
The way *I* understand it that really is part of the problem. There seems to be no way under the by-laws to discipline any class other than member. That means if we need to take some action, the only thing is to throw the offender out of the AMA. Now there is a mechanism OUTSIDE the by-laws in place that some on the AMA EC hope to be able to use to punish offending Leader Members (and CD's I think, but don't recall clearly). I predict that will cost us at least one more dues increase to pay for the lawyers we have to buy in an attempt to defend the AMA on this one.
Abel's response is correct.
12-10-2004, 08:50 AM
#37
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RE: Why do you belong to the AMA ?
ORIGINAL: JohnBuckner
This does raise an interesting two part question: First is there a process for expulsion of a: rank and file member, Leader member, Contest director, AVP, DVP or president? Second and perhaps more important has there ever been a history of such?
This does raise an interesting two part question: First is there a process for expulsion of a: rank and file member, Leader member, Contest director, AVP, DVP or president? Second and perhaps more important has there ever been a history of such?
Wether such processss are followed by the EC is the matter for another discussion.
12-10-2004, 10:49 PM
#38
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RE: Why do you belong to the AMA ?
I believe the AMA is comprised of two very different hobbies.
Group 1.) People that love to build models and love to fly them.
These people will sometimes volunteer to perform administrative duties for thier club, but consider them a chore.
Group 2.) People that love to be a part of the administration of an organization.
These people are rarely seen at the field and are almost never seen building or flying.
Based on personal accounts , the sport seems to be comprised of both groups.
Each group has its view of the AMA . And the AMA seems to offer both groups something .
A persons view of the AMA depends greatly on which group the person belongs.
Group 1.) People that love to build models and love to fly them.
These people will sometimes volunteer to perform administrative duties for thier club, but consider them a chore.
Group 2.) People that love to be a part of the administration of an organization.
These people are rarely seen at the field and are almost never seen building or flying.
Based on personal accounts , the sport seems to be comprised of both groups.
Each group has its view of the AMA . And the AMA seems to offer both groups something .
A persons view of the AMA depends greatly on which group the person belongs.
12-11-2004, 01:24 AM
#39
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RE: Why do you belong to the AMA ?
Barney,
Your observation is probably close enough to be right.
However, there is a subset of the first group that just takes on the admin work to see that it gets done correctly to insure the availability of a flying site. Those folks generally are welcome in my home as we all have similar goals and desires. To my way of thinking, these are the important people in the AMA and part of the reason to be a member.
It is the second group most of us wind up trying to find a way to deal with, against our better judgment, most of the time. Generally those who reside in that second group are among the bunch that would not be welcome in my home as they more frequently than not do not represent my goals, desires, and interests. Mostly they do not represent real modelers, which includes the guys who do ARF's, turbines, C/L, FF, R/C and soaring. Rather they represent themselves, their desires, and unfortunately their morals (or lack of them in some cases).
Your observation is probably close enough to be right.
However, there is a subset of the first group that just takes on the admin work to see that it gets done correctly to insure the availability of a flying site. Those folks generally are welcome in my home as we all have similar goals and desires. To my way of thinking, these are the important people in the AMA and part of the reason to be a member.
It is the second group most of us wind up trying to find a way to deal with, against our better judgment, most of the time. Generally those who reside in that second group are among the bunch that would not be welcome in my home as they more frequently than not do not represent my goals, desires, and interests. Mostly they do not represent real modelers, which includes the guys who do ARF's, turbines, C/L, FF, R/C and soaring. Rather they represent themselves, their desires, and unfortunately their morals (or lack of them in some cases).
12-16-2004, 09:06 PM
#40
RE: Why do you belong to the AMA ?
It's not because of the Insurance, nor is it because of the magazine. These are only a small part of it So is the Muncie flying field. The increasing Archiving of Model Aviation's history is another part. So is supporting the AMA Scholarship program. The AMA contacts with Federal Government offices such as FAA and FCC. It's the AMA's work in not only getting and keeping RC frequencies, but even in increasing the number of available frequencies over the years. AMA's tchnical columns on sound level management. Numerous other activities.
I didn't really appreciate the AMA as much as I should until I read an editorial in a CB magazine about mid 1968 in which the Editor was knocking the disregard for the FCC regulations in Citizen's Band radio. This was back when all we had for R/C were 6 frequencies from 26.995 mHz to 27.255 mHz, and if you wanted to learn Morse Code and basic radio electronics circuitry, the Ham bands. The Editor's main point was that the FCC almost shut down the Citizen's Radio Service back then "Except for a group of Model Aviation enthusiasts represented by a group called the AMA which stressed and accepted conformance to the rules and regulations." This might not be an exact quote, but it is the gist of the article. If the FCC had shut CB down, where would R/C be today? Would it be around today? Don't knock the AMA until you understand EVERYTHING it's doing.
I didn't really appreciate the AMA as much as I should until I read an editorial in a CB magazine about mid 1968 in which the Editor was knocking the disregard for the FCC regulations in Citizen's Band radio. This was back when all we had for R/C were 6 frequencies from 26.995 mHz to 27.255 mHz, and if you wanted to learn Morse Code and basic radio electronics circuitry, the Ham bands. The Editor's main point was that the FCC almost shut down the Citizen's Radio Service back then "Except for a group of Model Aviation enthusiasts represented by a group called the AMA which stressed and accepted conformance to the rules and regulations." This might not be an exact quote, but it is the gist of the article. If the FCC had shut CB down, where would R/C be today? Would it be around today? Don't knock the AMA until you understand EVERYTHING it's doing.
12-17-2004, 10:44 AM
#41
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RE: Why do you belong to the AMA ?
ORIGINAL: 50+AirYears
It's not because of the Insurance, nor is it because of the magazine. These are only a small part of it So is the Muncie flying field. The increasing Archiving of Model Aviation's history is another part. So is supporting the AMA Scholarship program. The AMA contacts with Federal Government offices such as FAA and FCC. It's the AMA's work in not only getting and keeping RC frequencies, but even in increasing the number of available frequencies over the years. AMA's tchnical columns on sound level management. Numerous other activities.
I didn't really appreciate the AMA as much as I should until I read an editorial in a CB magazine about mid 1968 in which the Editor was knocking the disregard for the FCC regulations in Citizen's Band radio. This was back when all we had for R/C were 6 frequencies from 26.995 mHz to 27.255 mHz, and if you wanted to learn Morse Code and basic radio electronics circuitry, the Ham bands. The Editor's main point was that the FCC almost shut down the Citizen's Radio Service back then "Except for a group of Model Aviation enthusiasts represented by a group called the AMA which stressed and accepted conformance to the rules and regulations." This might not be an exact quote, but it is the gist of the article. If the FCC had shut CB down, where would R/C be today? Would it be around today? Don't knock the AMA until you understand EVERYTHING it's doing.
It's not because of the Insurance, nor is it because of the magazine. These are only a small part of it So is the Muncie flying field. The increasing Archiving of Model Aviation's history is another part. So is supporting the AMA Scholarship program. The AMA contacts with Federal Government offices such as FAA and FCC. It's the AMA's work in not only getting and keeping RC frequencies, but even in increasing the number of available frequencies over the years. AMA's tchnical columns on sound level management. Numerous other activities.
I didn't really appreciate the AMA as much as I should until I read an editorial in a CB magazine about mid 1968 in which the Editor was knocking the disregard for the FCC regulations in Citizen's Band radio. This was back when all we had for R/C were 6 frequencies from 26.995 mHz to 27.255 mHz, and if you wanted to learn Morse Code and basic radio electronics circuitry, the Ham bands. The Editor's main point was that the FCC almost shut down the Citizen's Radio Service back then "Except for a group of Model Aviation enthusiasts represented by a group called the AMA which stressed and accepted conformance to the rules and regulations." This might not be an exact quote, but it is the gist of the article. If the FCC had shut CB down, where would R/C be today? Would it be around today? Don't knock the AMA until you understand EVERYTHING it's doing.
I remember paying a buck or two for a CB license. FCC, in a sole source position much as AMA is in today, smelled revenue enhancement opportunity and hiked the fee by an order of magnitude to $20-25 IIRC. CBers responded like some rowdys in Boston had a couple hundred years ago, and tossed tea into the harbor. Few "accepted conformance to the rules and regulations" as apparently AMA did, and FCC didn't sell many CB licenses after that. CB subsequently became "license free."
Abel
12-17-2004, 05:38 PM
#42
RE: Why do you belong to the AMA ?
As I recall at the time of the article, I was paying about $1.00/yr for the CB liscense while in the AF. Non-regulation operation on CB was still a problem for the FCC even then, including 1 to 5 KW linear amplifier operators blanking out community operations, such as traffic light operations and CB outfits used for emergency vehicles. The higher fee came later, about the time I dropped out of R/C to raise a family. When I got back in in the mid 70s, the band was Liscense Free. The newly negotiated 72 mHz radios were just showing up ain large numbers at our local field. The article's point was that the RC users in general operated their equipment in conformance to the regulations, and this operation was a selling point the AMA was able to use to help at least keep the frequencies then available open to the RCers, and by default, available to the other CB users in general. I'm not ignoring the lobbying done by the radio manufacturerers, or some of the CB groups who were supporting legal operation, just pointing out one positive contribution out of many the AMA has made to the Sport/Hobby!
08-30-2005, 01:05 AM
#43
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RE: Why do you belong to the AMA ?
Why do I belong to the AMA....one simple reason.....so the "club members" can't kick me out of the club field. I don't fit their bill to fly with them, but I'm an AMA member so they can't kick me out. Plain and simple. I prefer to fly at our non sanctioned field so I can actually get a chance to fly besides a 20X200 foot runway is boring. If your not a member there, or your not some RC bigshot, or you dont have a jet, dont even bother gettin out your plane.
