I live in one of the western states and I was a memeber of AMA for many years. As far I am concern and seen out here they did not do anything to benefit us in anyway or premote modelling , except to raise and collect the anaual fee every year. we were left on own to improve our own flying field to help other club members and basically everthing was done based on indivitial members inititives. when they finally buit the huge headquarter and personnal flying field in Indiana I decided not to play the sucker anymore and got out , you may say I voted with my feet. I really believe in a strong national organization to protect the rights of the modellers, plus provide insurance, but ripping off the modeller is not the way to do it. Hope some day there is a major shake up at top of AMA.