Originally Posted by
astrohog
Why can't you guys get over the $$ over anything else thing??????
You simply can't value a non-profit, by the members, FOR the members association such as the AMA by looking at their bank account. Realistically, the AMA could be wildly successful with little to no $$ in the bank from year-to-year.
Take a look at where the AMA's $$ go. The lions' share goes to a magazine and salaries and expenses at Muncie. HOW, pray tell, do those things bring back value to the membership, ESPECIALLY when the salaried folks cannot carve out any exemptions, when our hobby so desperately needs them. Look at the paltry sum of members' dollars that were spent to help other members retain their flying fields. Healthy flying fields are what stimulate the hobby and will attract new members, not trying to force members to justify out-of-control, do-nothing-for-the-members budgets. Anybody remember the EC trying to spend $1M on an indoor flying sit in Muncie? Don't you think that they could develop a world-class, flying site ANYWHERE in the country that could accommodate ALL types of R/C flying AND be ANOTHER venue for contests and a potential NATS site (other than Muncie)?
Astro
Traditionally, the salaried guys were organizing contests and helping flying sites get established along with curating and producing information for members to use. I don't see as much of that anymore, as the contest circuit is pretty established, and people go to the internet for information.
Honestly, I enjoy the magazine. I like to hold what I'm reading instead of using a screen. I don't mind paying for it though if that's what it comes to. I also would be ok losing it; maybe I'd subscribe to something else.
I agree that the AMA has to provide perceived value to its membership. I think they have been trying with government advocacy. Every non-profit has to have a newsletter, which the magazine serves as. I think the flying site and museum, while neat, doesn't actually impact many members. They will have to make cuts somewhere. I hope they keep the flying site assistance and a fairly priced insurance policy.