Bob,

You are probably correct in that we (the membership) do need a Technical Director. After all, someone does need to be in charge of all the competition events. The last one that we had was terminated about 7 months ago, and we have operated for several months without benefit of one, of course the last one did not call the membership by any derrogatory names.

Bill, AMA 4720

Thanks, 804. That's a start, we now know that he has a secondary job title that actually helps to define what it is that he was hired to do.
The primary question still hasn't been answered and I doubt that the phone number on the back of the card will yield the details that I am looking for. I am 99% sure of that, too. Do you really think that if I call Muncie, they will give me a detailed audit of what the TD does day in and day out?
We're not looking for some boiler plate "mission statement", just a few minutes worth of honest commentary to justify the need for a Competitions Director position, [complete with assistants no less].
The competitions book is virtually unchanged in many areas since I first got into the hobby over 20 years ago [some of it is in sore need of updating]. The contest formats haven't changed much, if at all. The system is on auto-pilot. Questions about local contests and sanctioning could be handled at the district level, anything beyond that could go to either the prez or EC for clarification.
Let's hear some convincing arguments for why the TD/CD at the national level is needed?

"What say you?" First, the AMA President is an elected VOLUNTEER position and he has a full plate with that job. The Technical Director (TD) is a salaried position and is responsible to the salaried Ex. Director for his position. No, the Pres. cannot be expected to assume those tasks.

I voted, "A seperate TD position is essential." From early days the Tech. Director was there to assist the Executive Director and a couple secretaries run AMA which had a typewriter and some file cabinets, down in the not so cozy (well some got cozy ) district of Washington, DC.

The main job of the TD is and was to keep up the Competitions Department, along with the defined requirements of the AMA Bylaws of promoting model aviation:
AMA Bylaws, membership Manual, AMA Web Site.
Bold added:
ARTICLE II

Purposes

Subject to the limitations set forth in the Academy of Model Aeronautics,
Inc., Articles of Incorporation, the primary object of the AMA is to
promote and foster educational and scientific advancement in model
aeronautics, to give recognition to model leadership and to provide
guidance and direction of national model aeronautic affairs by those
individuals who, through their accomplishments in the model field, have
demonstrated their qualifications for such responsibility. More particular
purposes are listed below, but shall not be considered exclusive.

(a) To encourage the study and discussion of scientific problems and to
disseminate scientific news and views.
(b) To organize and sponsor discussion conferences and the
presentation of technical papers at such conferences.
(c) To encourage through recognition, leadership in model aeronautics.
(d) To recognize leadership of unusual quality by the conferring of
special honorary titles.
(e) To encourage joint discussion directed toward group agreement on
development needs relating to model aviation.
(f) To keep model leaders informed through the publication of scientific
journals and news bulletins.
(g) To encourage the contribution of articles on the development of
model aeronautics for the AMA publication.
(h) To associate interested organizations and individuals for group
support of education and development needs related to model aeronautics.
(i) To guide and direct national model activities to the end that model
aeronautics may be advanced in the United States in a manner that will
best serve model aviation as a whole.
(j) To guide and assist in the acquisition and retention of flying sites for
the further growth and development of model aeronautics.
(k) To establish and maintain official regulations governing the conduct
of model airplane records and contests and issue sanctions for same.
(l) To direct the technical organization and conduct of national and
international model contests held within the United States and to act
through the National Aeronautics Association as the aeromodeling
representative in the United States for the Federation Aeronautique
Internationale.
(m) To license model aircraft and fliers thereof for competition.
(n) To promote recognition in the United States and abroad of all
officially sanctioned competitions and records which are conducted by
AMA Contest Directors.
(o) To have as its guiding principle, Of, By, and For the Model Airplane
Enthusiast.
(p) To operate through the National Aeronautic Association in
representing all activities of United States Aeromodeling to the FAI,
such operation to be in accordance with a written agreement between
AMA and NAA.

Now as a DIRECTOR, the individual MUST have a considerable lattitude in formulating his department's specific realm of operation and decisions on where to go and how to go there. Have you read the current TD's monthly article in the April MA? Not a bad article, especially for when it was written, most likely at least 60 days ahead of the mag. date.
OTOH, when an employee deviates from the well being of the organization, then those above him must take some responsibility for that deviation. The Ex. Director sits at the top of the food chain as far as employees go. Above the ED sits the Executive Council, the persons that YOU have elected to formulate policy for YOUR (?) organization.

Now if you want the competition rules and procedures changed, then you have the DVP's appointed volunteer contest board members to work with for that job. Of course the Significant Interest Groups have a strong hold on the CB members. Takes a lot more than wishful thinking to get changes made.

That is exactly how the system works right now for those truly involved in sanctioned events. The TD just gets into it when a rule is asked for, which is already available for your consideration on that infamous electronic web that all are so loving of.

One little item and it is worse now than back then: When I was District VI DVP, I originated the first training program for Contest Directors. When accepted by the EC, I did all the work setting it up, and the DVPs had to each take care of their own district. They sent the training materials, administered the tests, and qualified the new CDs. Well, you should of heard the whining!
Whining from the DVPs for having to do it, whining from the applicants for the LOOONNNGG delays, and whining from the headquarters for not being able to do it should they get the job. Of course within a year after I left the EC, the task fell upon the headqtrs. to do and the entire program became virtually a waste. It is better now but not really much. That is one area the TD could very much improve on, however the members applying for CD would whine and squawk, and the EC would stop any real training.

Some years ago I served on an "ad hoc committee" concerning various AMA EC applications along with the late Jim McNeil and the current Dist. XI DVP Bruce Nelson. They never turned a hand. I did ALL the work, and submitted the report.
What the EC turned that into was beyond belief, and even I felt sorry for the EC for that bunch of garbage they came up with.[:'(]

The only people that could effect any change at AMA are the voting members. In Districts II, III, VII, and XI, and the EVP, here in 2008, if any sitting person runs unopposed for reelection, then no AMA member of such district or national (EVP) has any right to squawk about anything. [>:]

Yes, while the TD is a much needed position, however there has to be both latitudes and limits, and the AMA EC needs to keep some tight reins on the top administrative staff. The voting members need to keep tighter reins on the EC. [sm=angry_smile.gif]

edited for some rewrites.

>> M170, the timing of this topic is connected to recent circumstances........I've already explained that and make no bones about it. <<

Well your position on the "poll" (I'm being kind here) is not really in doubt, is it? So again.......on just what do you base your choice of response in the poll? You've admitted that you know little about the job description or responsibilities, so it seems clear to me that you've made your choice based on the fact that you just don't like what he said in his editorial.

Do you really not understand that this is just the kind of cr@p that he was pointing out? You are doing a very good job of illustrating his point for him it would seem.

I'm going to drop it here as I've made my point, I believe, and there is little value to kicking a dead horse.

Bob

M170, I base my response on the knowledge that the AMA already has a very well set up and complete system for how to have sanctioned competitions. I'm sure that there are little wrinkles that need ironing from time to time, but for the most part every contest that I have ever taken part in [about 100 by now] has taken place with virtually no intervention from the AMA. Based on that past experience I've wondered what could possibly keep the national contest director busy 40 hours per week. It seems like pretty light work.

Hoss, thanks for weighing in. I'll take your word for it if you say that the position is essential, you strike me as someone who knows what an honest days' worth of work is about. Your past experience with the inner workings is also a good reason to close this topic, I'm pretty sure that if you felt that the TD/CDs' job was superfulous you would have chimed in here somewhere back around post #2 or so.

Folks, as a past Technical Director I can tell you it is a very full-time and essential postion at AMA HQ (when done properly). I don't have the time, nor inclination to go into the details of the job when I was there. However, this person is responsible for the day to day ops of the Competition Dept, records, sanctioning, world championship teams, liason with FCC and attorneys AMA uses for FCC related matters, sound issues, the rule book, educating the membership on emerging technology...the list goes on. I don't know what the current job description is however.

The best advice I can give you is to call HQ or talk to you VP if you have questions. Get the right answers from the right source.

Steve

I noticed you didn't list mowing... it sounds like the big guy just props his feet up on the desk and the TD does everything Just kidding...thanks Steve.

Now if the real TD would post a few syllables...we know he is watching.[8D]

I think this point needs to be emphasized. Every time I've called, I've gotten straight answers, and never made to feel I was wasting their time. In fact, when thanking them for their time(including the time I talked to Mr. Kaluf), the reply has always been "you're welcome, thats what we're here for."