ORIGINAL: 3dbob37n
Howdy Hossfly-
1. It would be hard to make MA competitive unless you eliminate all the various categories of model flying and do away with the technical stuff, all of which is not covered in the catalogue type rags. Unfortunately, you would probably lose an awful lot of members who fly other types of models. RC ain't the only type of flying that is done.
Bob there is a BIG world out there. AMA's "MA" has a circulation of well over 150,000 conscripted members. Model Airplane News (MAN) has 75,000 circulation. A color page in MAN costs 3 times that of MA. 1/2 the circulation at 3 times the cost??? Yet just check the Tower ad in MAN -- 8 pages versus the 4 pages in MA. Most anyone can get the message there. If MA set their rates at about the same as MAN and FLY RC, then that million would be back in the bank.
Nothing changes but AMA using the IRC 501 (c) (3) shelter to UNFAIRLY compete against free-market magazines which no longer support AMA and its programs. To get outside the choir and obtain industry support, AMA's current venture into commercial publications requires definite redirection.
2. AMA tries to use available media but the actual work must be done by the various clubs and generally, they just don't do a good job of it. So it's up to the clubs to do it. Motivate the clubs and you will have it. Just try and get members off their butts to volunteer time! Sure.
Again as so many members you are thinking far inside the box. Let's say that the US State Department gets flooded with information reference the international goodwill of the FAI International competition teams. Then all the top TV media gets plenty of same plus all the big happenings around the country including Muncie, Top Gun, etc., etc. Local news stations get their info not only from the clubs but also from the national organization. All levels of government get informational items about their local clubs and all the good things model aviation accomplishes. It may not open the doors for the local clubs when soliciting flying facilities, but I'm betting the doors will not be locked when the clubs arrive.
3. Good idea, but how? The number of flyers, thus members, is always in a state of flux and will always go up and down as do all associations.
True, historically there are ups and downs, however at this time when the electric thing is creating a great demand for things that fly, there is a golden opportunity awaiting AMA. As in the past, the majority will just pass through, yet some will hang on as most of the people now dedicated to the sport have done. If AMA could just get 5%, AMA would hit some $435,000 the first year. Much better than beads and other trinkets.
Information, Local governmental acceptance and more acceptance for flying facilities will make that growth happen.
4. In this suit happy society we have it is hard to get any insurance, much less negotiate better terms. Believe me, I've been there and done that and it don't work at all. How do you negotiate with any insurance company that tells you they don't want your account and there only two or three others out there that will insure this type of program?
Obtaining insurance is a no-sweat item if AMA has the money to pay the premium. They brainwash the membership to accept such philosophy simply to cover over where you are not supposed to look.
As Shakespeare said several hundred years ago: "First, let's kill all the lawyers."
Personally, I don't want to see anyone, ever, injured, and think that the safety regs are what anyone would want and in fact they are generally taken from restrictions the average club enforce. Some are tougher than any of the AMA rules.
AMA needs ideas and input from all of us but they cannot afford to hire personnel to do the things that we would like done and it is up to us not only as individuals but clubs to get those things done on a volunteer basis.
Personally I don't dream idle dreams. I use wisdom quotes, yet I am a realist, not a dreamer. I think the restrictions are far too excessive, especially since so few adhere to them.
Your ideas are all good and correct, but I don't know how we can get them done.
3dbob
Thank You. You see, Bob, I DO KNOW how to get them done. That is why I am agreeable to sacrifice some of these final years in doing them as the AMA EVP / CFO. Vote wisely.