Beyond that it's probably the preferable way.

Given that they are hung up on the SO having the email address, I can only conclude, as others have, that the purpose is for quick dissemination of safety related information of some sort. If time is not of the essence then a notification in the magazine would do the trick just as well. But why specify JUST the SO? Why not any club officer? Certainly the subset of clubs with no officers having email is smaller than the set of clubs with an SO not having email. AMA sets up an address group with what they do have, and for the few and far between times when some sort of emergency communication IS required out goes a broadcast email. Then, someone picks up the phone for those clubs with no email contact at all.

Can someone please tell me when was the last time AMA saw fit to make some sort of short term emergency communication to all of the clubs?

Hold up a charter for this? Someone isn't thinking straight.