You seem to be looking at kids. The OP is talking about people in their mid-20s and up, in terms of AMA leadership roles.

It's easy to understand why such people are not putting themselves in such positions. It's got little to do with instant gratification, and much more to do with societal changes. A bachelor's degree today is the equivalent of a high school diploma sixty years ago. It's the norm, and it is expected. Those hoping to secure a better life for themselves and their families need to pursue an advanced degree. Such things are not inexpensive today, both in terms of time and money. There are few young couples where both spouses don't work and have career aspirations. Housing costs have risen to the point where it is unrealistic to have a single-income family. Young children are being raised in day cares, and time spent with them is precious to their 40+ hour a week parents.

Tell me where, in terms of priority, does active AMA involvement rank for these people? Pretty low, I'd say. For those involved in modeling, it's hard enough to find the time to participate in the hobby, let alone to think about taking a leadership role in it. For the best and brightest, life has imposed other priorities. And rightly so, too.

I look at my own situation. I fly at a public field that is in danger of being closed. I've helped organize the fliers and worked with the responsible local government to keep things moving ahead. Ideally, I'd get a club started. I've got my eye on what would be a premier local flying site. Getting it started would require considerable work, in terms of lobbying the various local governments that would be involved, finding a workable arrangement with the landowner, and starting a local club in a way that would attract the right type of members. Those are responsibilities that I simply cannot take on at the moment. I'm balancing full-time law school along with a career that requires considerable attention. Once school is done, my priority has to be changing careers. I'd like to make time for a family. Becoming more active within what I view as a status quo, good'ole boys' organization is not a priority for me, and can't be for some time.