The AMA provides so much to the aeromodeling community that we take for granted. Just a few, in no particular order:

1) Insurance (members, clubs, and site owners) is a big one - many flying fields never have been possible without this.
2) Information - to the individual member, club officers, competitors, and those who wish to form clubs and/or establish flying sites
3) Representation - to government and it's various agencies
4) Communication - Model Aviation, www.modelaircraft.org , annual meeting
5) Preservation of history - the Museum, the plans service, the reprints in MA

The AMA is not perfect, just like the USA is not perfect. Just as there is no country I'd rather live in, there is no aeromodeling organization that I believe does a better job representing it's membership than the AMA. I intend to join the Sport Flyers as well, but will not leave the AMA.