The cost of maintaining
standards
Bob Brown
bobb@modelaircraft.org
In last month’s Model Aviation, AMA Executive Director Dave Mathewson, Chief Financial Officer Keith Sessions, and I offered specific comments concerning the upcoming dues increase.
A simple definition of cost of living is the cost of maintaining a certain standard of living. I doubt if anyone wants the standards that AMA provides its members to be less. For those of us living in the US, the cost of living has risen considerably. It’s sad, but true. When I was a kid, I remember my mother giving me a quarter and sending me to the grocery to buy a loaf of bread. That sure won’t happen today.
“I hope this new structure will be more equitable for all members.”
On September 15, 2015, the new dues structure will become effective. Open membership will increase to $75 and Senior membership will be $10 less at $65. However, you can opt to renew your membership for 2016 at the current rate of $58/$48 until September 14, 2015. You can save even more and purchase a two-year membership for $113/$93. For more information, visit www.modelaircraft.org/membershipfaqs.aspx.
Another change for next year will be going to a year-to-date membership structure. For members who renew before December 31, 2015, when their current license expires, their card will be valid through December 31, 2016. For new or previously expired members, the month of enrollment becomes the month of expiration the following year. If a person joins on September 15, 2015, his or her license will be good through September 30, 2016. This should make the membership process much simpler. To help charter club officials maintain a current membership listing, several club officers will be emailed monthly rosters. I hope this new structure will be more equitable for all members. The length of membership and missing magazines should no longer be a problem.
I spent a couple of days at Camp AMA in Muncie, Indiana. AMA members should be proud of this effort. It has become a highlight in the lives of several young AMA members. They all share a strong interest in aviation.
I want to extend a special thank-you to the staff and instructors who make this happen! If any of you have a direct line to Mother Nature, please ask for perfect weather for next year.
AMA’s Special Interest Group (SIG) program is receiving new interest under the efforts of District VI Vice President Randy Cameron. We are attempting to provide additional efforts that will allow each SIG to become more effective to their members.
Randy has spent considerable time discussing this with the SIG leaders and the groups appreciate the program’s revitalization. Understanding the needs of all of the SIGs is a necessity for affirmative results.
