Red wrote this a few years back. Although a little dated, it still covers the question better than anything else I have seen.
*****
> But, the reason I ask is this. Everything I have ever done I
have
> supported the National Association. I shoot so I am in the NRA. I
trap
> so I am in Fur Takers and the National Trappers Assoc.. and the list
> goes on and on. Supporting your hobby and/or sport is just
something I
> believe in doing.
You have probably stated the very best gut reason for joining the AMA. You want to support the organization that represents your hobby or sport.
Like the NRA, the AMA promotes the hobby it represents, sets rules and safety guidelines, charters clubs, sanctions competition, and is the official national body for the hobby.
Like the NRA, there are some warts. There are things that could probably be done better, there are some things that should be and are not being done yet, but like the NRA there are limited resources in getting some of these things implemented and there is a broad divergence in the membership as to which is most important and an even larger portion of the membership could care less. Or at least they don't care enough to even vote when there is an opportunity to change the make up of the AMA Executive Council.
* * BENEFITS OF THE ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS * *
PROGRAMS
1. Sanctioned Competitions with over 2,500 annually
2. Assistance in getting and keeping flying sites
3. National Safety Advisory Program and Safety Codes Standard
4. Annual Youth Scholarship Program
5. Youth Education Programs
6. Club chartering Program provides club and site assistance to
almost 2,400 clubs
7. Dues structured by age groups ? younger and older modelers pay
less
8. Opportunity to serve in leadership roles of Contest Director or
Leader Member
9. World Championships Teams selected and financing
10. Support and promotion for the sport of aeromodeling for schools,
service groups and clubs
11. Air Show Team Program offers demonstrations of model aircraft to
millions of people
12. Club Officer Recognition
13. Members elect corporate officers ? annual elections
14. Mall Show Program for clubs
15. Historic Preservation and Research (Museum, Archives, and Library)
16. Introductory Pilot Program
17. Attend major modeling trade shows for member assistance and
provide public awareness
18. Conduct volunteer program for member's participation of the
International Aeromodeling Center activities
19. Opportunity to be an elected corporate board member and vote in
behalf of the district
20. Leader club recognition
21. Hobby shop display for AMA information center
22. Hall of Fame recognition
23. Experimental Aircraft Inspectors for models over 55 lbs.
24. Turbine Waivers for jet pilots
SERVICE
1. Liability Coverage for Operations of Model Aircraft, Boats, Cars
and Rockets
2. $2,500,000 Comprehensive General Liability Protection for model
activities for members, clubs, site owners and sponsors
3. $25,000 Accident/Medical Coverage for members
4. $10,000 Maximum Accidental Death Coverage for members
5. $1,000 Fire, Theft, and Vandalism Coverage for members
6. Primary Site Owner Insurance ? $5,000,000 each location
7. Published???Financial Information, Contest Calendar, Construction
Articles and News
8. Non Profit status to retain income as a Tax Exempt organization
under IRS Section 501(c)(3)
9. Accumulated assets ($11 million)
10. Safeguarding radio frequencies through liaison with Federal
Communications Commission
11. Achievements recognized through the Awards Program
12. World Record performances processed through F.A.I.
13. Contest scheduling coordination to avoid conflicts
14. National Records recognized and recorded
15. Liaison maintained with major Government agencies (Corp. of
Engineers, Navy, Air Force, Army, Marines)
16. Film Library with rentals available to members, clubs and general
public
17. National Museum ? Frank V. Ehling National Model Museum ? free
admission to all members
18. Museum Store for visitors
19. Museum Patron Program
20. Support and sponsorship of technical meetings
21. American representation to the Federation Aeronautique
Internationale (FAI), Paris, France
22. Over forty full time staff members, dedicated to serving all
aspects of aeromodeling interests
23. The National Center for Aeromodeling, the world's only full?time
model aviation facility
24. Lee Renaud Memorial Library ? more than 25,000 publications and
books with research service available
25. Specialty member programs offered only through AMA membership ?
Optional insurance, Credit Cards and Eye Care Discounts
26. Serving aeromodeling since 1936???now over 60 continuous years
27. Fax?on?Demand for forms and information 1?800?500?3139
28. Affiliate of National Aeronautical Association
29. Web page on Internet ? Information dissemination
30. Internet E?mail ? to improve ease of communications
31. Federal land use with Department of Interior
32. District meetings for in person contact
33. Free 800 number for member service
34. Administrative staff to assist with explanation of various
programs
35. Coordination with Federal Aviation Administration to promote safe
regulations for flying models.
EVENTS
1. National Championships, world's largest model airplane meets
2. World Championships and other special activities hosted
3. Development of new outdoor promotional modeling events
PRODUCTS
1. Model Aviation Magazine ? The Voice of Aeromodeling News
2. Standardized competition rules ? the Rule Book
3. Field Safety and Frequency Posters
4. Modeling publications available at discount through Supply &
Service Department
5. National Newsletters for clubs
6. Delta Dart Kit for introduction to aeromodeling
7. Hobby Shop lists for promotions
8. Club Labels for promotions
9. Club Newsletter Labels for promotions
10. Museum newsletter Cloud 9 for patrons
11. Competition license for sanctioned events
12. Advertising about the Association Services in other modeling
publications
The negative points on the AMA are that too few modelers ever get involved in the organization, just joining so that they can fly at AMA chartered clubs. The AMA has to operate then, on very little input from the membership and only hears the *****ing when they do something a member finds does not fit his or her personal agenda. While there are exceptions, these same individuals usually don't usually get involved in running their local clubs or contributing anything of a positive nature at the local level either. While you will hear that the AMA does not communicate with the membership you will find that they do this quite well in their monthly magazine Model Aviation.
Unfortunately a vocal few of the members just don't take the time to read it and would rather ***** instead. As with all generalizations there are exceptions to this. This is not to say that the AMA and its officers are without some warts. In the past they could have done a better job in some areas, but these are unpaid volunteers and it is impossible to make everyone happy. The overall operation of the AMA has been steadily improving at a faster rate than one would expect considering the apathy on the part of the membership to provide any constructive comments as to how things could be improved.
Most clubs in the country are AMA chartered clubs (this is the choice of the membership at the local level) and as such require AMA membership to fly at their facilities. Non AMA clubs are quite limited in number.
Bottom line, if all you want or need is the insurance, never plan on flying at any other club site or function, don't want a magazine that covers general aeromodeling, flip a coin. For $38 you can get insurance from the UMA (
http://www.unitedmodelers.com/) or for $48 you get all the AMA has to offer.
I would encourage you to consider the later and become an active part of the modeling organization with a half-century of service to modeling.
Red Scholefield - AMA 951 IMAA 18939
District V Leader Member/CD