In the past, the AMA has transferred risk through the purchase of insurance. It appears that the rising cost of insurance has created concern, and other methods are being employed to reduce/mitigate risk. When one, or two people are trying to make the determination of unacceptable risk, the potential for personal prejudices comes into play. The question becomes: “what risk is unacceptable, and what risk should be transferred through insurance or other methods?”.
IMO, the application of the subject "Risk Management" is simply a camouflage within the AMA EC for the real problems the AMA faces. Examples are:
1. Hiring a "name" Ex. Director and basically increasing the bureaucracy by another top-level paycheck and applicable benefits, since no change is made other than adding another warm body.
2. A declining membership as both clubs and individuals are tiring of the so called 'risk management' rules levied on what the vast majority consider a recreational activity for their enjoyment.
3. Publishing a commercial magazine that costs almost as much as the applicable liability insurance package and actually results in the loss of support from those other model aviation magazines that have to depend on free market economics for their survival.
4. Non-acceptances of model flying facilities in numerous areas of the constantly increasing population expansion or areas of potential for population increase.
5. Poorly organized AMA publicity of model aviation as an educational, technical, indoor hobby and outdoor sport and recreation.
There are definitely a number of other problems.
IMO, To H-ell with so called "Risk Management". What AMA offers as secondary liability insurance can be obtained. It is worth three times the current cost simply for the peace-of-mind by knowing that the numbskull next to you on the flightline can cover your expenses should he bust you up a bit.
It's far past time that the AMA EC forgot about pompous self illusion of being a *big business* and got down in the trenches with the reality of promotion of the hobby/sport of model aviation so Clubs can build flying sites and restore the membership to a solid increasing factor. Of course, the Clubs can initiate this by requiring all members to vote in AMA elections and to change out the current deadwood and self-illuminating individuals.