I'm the President of a club that has been run real lenient the past 3-4 years(i just became president this year) and I'm worried that because of this we will loose our field due to something dumb. We are located in a state park and we draw big crowds in the summer. I'm wondering How other clubs out there INFORCE the club and AMA rules to their members. Also what due members out there like to see in a flying site. Thank you

Rich

Well congratulations on being the new president (I think). I fell into the same situation a few years back. The main thing is to be consistant. You won't win a popularity contast right off the bat, but when people start to realize that you are fair and that you trying to protect the flying field you will gain their respest. And there will always be people who want to do things there own way, but you have to decide what is more important, preserving a field or satisfying the whims of a few who care only about themselves.

Keep your chin up.

Weekend Flyer
AMA 5815

Know your club bylaws well, and stay within them. You cannot do it all, nor do most bylaws allow you to. The entire officer corps must be on the same page. Without the help of the Secretary, Safety Officer and Newsletter editor, you will accomplish nothing except animosity.
Enlist them, and work together. It can be a wonderful thing.

Responsible people don't need rules to tell them how to behave appropriately. Irresponsible people will screw up no matter what rules you have and how vigorously you attempt to enforce them. If you have club rules that derive directly from rules imposed by the state park as a condition for your use of the park, do what you can to see they are complied with, and get a ranger to back you up when necessary. Put AMA and arbitrary club rules on the back burner, unless you can be on-site during all hours of operation, wearing a flak jacket. Protect your club's right to use the park property first, by ensuring that you are operating by their rules, and you'll have your hands full and be doing something worthwhile. Club rules tend to be fluff that serves little purpose other than to feed the egos of the control freaks that make them. I've seen clubs with rules that count with the powers that be (sound levels, allowed hours of operation, etc.) getting lost and ignored in the clutter of arbitrary rules that either attempt to formalize common sense, or conversely defy it.

Abel

Considering your locale, do everything you can to preserve the flying site, because flying sites in your neck of the woods are hard to come by.

Thank you for the replies. Yes it is hard to find a field in my area. Its also hard for me because im one of the young guys in the Club. I think im the first ever President under 25 years of age. here is the club website if you care to look. www.countrysquires.com . Right know i am President, Membership, newsletter editor, and website editor. Its a real burden, but im trying to keep the club up and running and working on members taking over a few possitions in doing. Thank you any other Info would be great

Rich