Thank you
View from HQ by Dave Mathewson, AMA Executive Director
There’s never a bad time to say thanks, but as we embark on 2016, I want to recognize some within the AMA organization who certainly deserve our recognition and thanks for their efforts during the past year.
First, the AMA staff. It’s amazing the time, effort, dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm our staff members put into doing their jobs. Although some are, not all are model aviation enthusiasts, yet they give 110% every single day to make sure that our members receive the type of service they deserve to ensure we all get the most enjoyment we can out of aeromodeling. Any of you who have contacted the staff members at AMA Headquarters know that we regularly conduct exit surveys. I always like to point out that our member satisfaction rating is better than that of GEICO! Thank you …
No membership organization can be successful without a system of volunteers willing to donate their time and effort in support of the organization’s mission. AMA is fortunate to have thousands of volunteers working on behalf of the overall membership.
From Leader Members to Contest Directors to Contest Coordinators to Contest Board members and others, each of these volunteers plays an important role in making AMA better for all of us. They do this not for the recognition, but simply for the satisfaction in knowing that they are giving something back. Thank you …
The AMA Executive Council (EC) is composed of modelers, like you and me, from across the country. Comprising the AMA president, executive vice president, chief financial officer, and vice presidents representing the 11 AMA districts, each of these individuals devotes hours a month—hundreds of hours per year—to help guide AMA so that it continues to support its members and model aviation enthusiasts, as it has for nearly eight decades.
Thank you to everyone—to our staff, our volunteers, our Executive Council, and maybe most importantly, to you, our members.
Members of the council juggle the workload of being an EC member along with family commitments, jobs, and other life challenges that are constantly tossed their way. Their only compensation for doing this is when you say thanks when you run into them at the field or at events. Thank you …
And last, but certainly not least, are you, our members. I remember someone once telling me that even if we could keep 90% of our members happy at any given point in time, we would still have 18,000 members who felt we should be doing things differently. I think there’s a lot of truth to that.
However, there are some easy indicators that we can look at to assess member satisfaction. One, obviously, is whether or not the membership is growing. I’m pleased to report that in 2015, for the fourth consecutive year in a row, AMA’s paid membership has increased. Additionally, when we factor in our Youth membership numbers, AMA total membership is at an all-time high. This is good news for both model aviation and our organization, and I think it bodes well for AMA’s future. Thank you …
A large percentage of our members believe so strongly in AMA that they show their support by donating to AMA, in excess of their annual membership dues. They do this not because they have to, but because they want to. Member donations in 2015 once again broke records and have increased nearly 500% over what they were only a few short years ago.
It shows us that these members believe in AMA, believe in the work the organization is doing on their behalf, and they provide this additional support to show their appreciation. Thank you …
AMA faced some significant challenges in 2015, and it’s likely we can expect more of the same in the coming year. However, we are committed to working through these challenges, one at a time, to the best of our ability, and to the benefit of our organization and our membership. The goal, of course, is to advocate for our members and to provide the level of services and benefits you deserve.
In the meantime, thank you to everyone—to our staff, our volunteers, our Executive Council and maybe most importantly, to you, our members.
All the best for a great 2016 and, as always, see you next time …
