The following are some of the most common questions I receive when I meet AMA members. I complied this list to help voters make their choice. Please pass it on . If you would like to ask me a question that is not on the list please email me at [email protected]. You can also read more about my campaign at my website which is http://ama-district-x-election.blogspot.com/.



Q: Is the District X Vice President a paid position?
A: No it is not, it is strictly voluntary, there is a small budget to cover the Vice President and Associate Vice President's out of pocket expenses for travel and other incidentals, but no salary.

Q: What area does District X cover?
A: District X covers California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Hawaii, and Guam. It covers almost 500,000 square miles. There are 285 clubs and 27,000 members in our district. It is the largest district in the AMA.

Q: Where is my ballot?
A: Your ballot is a postcard attached to your 2010 AMA renewal notice. You tear it off, fill in the square for the candidate of your choice, and drop it in the mail. It is already addressed, and has the postage on it too.

Q: Can I put my ballot in the envelope I return my dues renewal in?
A: NO, I'll say it again, NO, one more time NO, you cannot mail your ballot in with your renewal. If you do it will go to AMA Headquarters instead of Brady Ware, and Shoenfeld, the company that is paid to be a neutral third party tabulating the results, and it will be invalidated. So please mail the postcard separate from your renewal.

Q: I can vote online so I don't need my paper ballot right?
A: WRONG. You can not vote online. You must use your paper ballot. It is a postcard attached to your 2010 AMA renewal notice, and you must mail it separately from your dues renewal. You can pay your 2010 AMA dues online.

Q: I lost my ballot what can I do?
A: You can get a replacement ballot by calling the AMA at 800-435-9262 extension 290 and ask Shawn Grubbs to send you a replacement ballot.

Q: Why do you want to be District X Vice President?
A: I enjoy all aspects of modeling. I have built and flew free-flight, control line, R/C both Gliders and Planes. I can find something in all aspects of our sport to enjoy. I can't imagine a more exciting thing than being able to partake in all of the fun there is in District X and make a difference for our modelers. I would be on the Executive Council and able to shape AMA goals and policy that affects District X members.

Q: What makes you different from the other guy?
A: I think the biggest difference is that I have a plan with specific goals. In the year since my opponent was appointed our Interim District VP he hasn't laid out a long term plan for District X. Without a plan how do we know if we're making progress or even traveling in the right direction.

Q: What is your plan?
A: I have three issues I want to concentrate on initially. First I want to help clubs find and keep their fields. I have some specific ideas on how clubs can market themselves to their community and local officials. This will build good will and a relationship with the people who decide the matters that affect your field. This will be better than scrambling at the last minute when your field is threatened, and it will also make it harder for an official to say no to you. Its always harder for them to say no to people they know than a faceless group.

Second I want to improve the District X website. Most members don't realize that one exists. We could take the typical coverage that is put in the District X column in Model Aviation magazine which is a summary of a flying event somewhere in the district and move it to this website. We would have more room to cover events, and enjoy color photos, and video of these events. We could have a district specific event calender that puts all of the events that occur in one location categorized and color coded by type with links to maps to the event.

Finally I want to create an AMA West National Flying Site. This would be a site where we could hold major competitions and gatherings on the West Coast. Muncie is a jewel of a site and I am glad the AMA has it, but it does not serve modelers on the West Coast. We need and deserve a field that is closer to our homes.

Q: Where will you put the AMA West Flying Site?
A: I would leave that to a work group of District X members to consider the issue. That being said I would imagine that factors such as the geographic, and population centers of the district along with the price of land, and proximity of commercial air service, and accommodations would all be factors.



Q: Why should I vote nothing ever changes?
A: All I can say is give me a chance to prove you wrong. I have definite stated goals for District X. I'm able to travel because of my job so I will be out showing the flag as often as possible. I'm interested in all forms of our sport, certain regions of District X, as well as C/L, free flight, and soaring modelers all feel under represented, I will change that. Only 5-10% of AMA members vote; that means of those who do their vote carries the weight of 10 to 20 votes. Your vote matters, you have a choice this year, make a difference and cast your vote.

Lawrence Tougas
Candidate for AMA District X Vice President
http://ama-district-x-election.blogspot.com/