RE: Why did you join the AMA?
My Dad first joined the AMA in 1968 (AMA 10220, he still holds that #). Back then I think the family was covered under the one number. I got my own number in 1977 (80026). Back then it was just the thing to do. You didn't have park flyers, so you had to go to a field and most clubs just expected you to be an AMA member.
The insurance, although it was always there, never became an issue until the 1980's when it seemed that everyone was suing everybody over everything. So it was nice to know you had some protection.
I became much more active in the hobby in the mid 90's becoming a CD (now AMA 8026) and a Large Model Aircraft Inspector.
I make a living in aviation, and I see the benefits of modeling introducing young people into aviation both for fun, for learning advanced principles and as a potential carreer.
So I started out in the it was just the thing to do category, I now maintain my membership to promote and protect the hobby.