I have a question. I didn't join the AMA until June of 2004. I paid the $58 for a year but now its saying that my membership is expired.

Do the extra 5 months roll into 2005 or do I just have to pay the full $58 for 2005? If I'm right and they credit the first 5 months of 2004 that I wasnt a member, I think it would be a saving of $24.

I know I'm cheap. But, I can think of other things to spend the $24 on..

you have you have to pay the full 58.00 seems odd to me to but there it is

So can they! Like a bureaucratic Model Aviation staff.

Under the requirements of AMA/Club operations, memberships for 1 year from date of joining simply will not work. It would work well at AMA, however clubs would be totally out of control. Even now the paperwork for club officers is far too monumental for guys that do this as a support of the hobby/sport.

Join in Jan. each year and keep it coming all year.

If you maintain continous membership (i.e. you renewed before 2005) then the next year (2005 in your case) would be prorated at a quarterly rate. June falls into the 2nd quarter so you would have to pay 3/4 the dues.
Now if you didn't renew prior to the 2004 membership expiring, then 2005 would be full charge.

Fritz

Fritz has it right on. Your first year, even a partial year is full cost. But the 2nd year, when you renew, they will discount the renewal since you "overpaid" for the first year. But if you lapse and get a "new" membership again in the 2nd year, then you loose out.

Try calling AMA and talking to the membership folks there, they might be able to straighten you out.

Of course, why didn't you renew when the forms showed up in the mail at the end of last year?!? Nothing irks me more than all the loosers out there who don't renew in time each and every year. Why is it half the club membership doesn't bother to re-up until March? Sure, the weather sucks, but you pay the same either way, and if we do get a warm spot in Jan, you're covered to fly.