STL,
It has nothing to do with recruiting new members.
No organization allows non-members to vote, why should we listen to persons who have no vested interest in the organization. The US doesnt allow non-citizens to vote, Corporations dont allow their competitors into the boardrooms.

The simple fact is people who have never once got off their butts to support the organization should have ZERO say when it comes time for us to choose our leadership of OUR organization. Non-members dont have anything invested in the failure or successfulness of the AMA. Its easy to pick a side when you have nothing to lose.