Elections and leadership
View from HQ
by Dave Mathewson, AMA Executive Director
By the time this issue of Model Aviation reaches you, two new presidents will have been elected in the US. One, of course, will become our nation’s leader, beginning on January 20, 2017. The other will become AMA president on January 1, 2017, and lead our organization for the next three years.
There was considerable interest this year in AMA’s national election. In addition to the three candidates on the ballot, there was also a formidable candidate who threw his hat into the ring, hoping for the write-in vote.
Each of these individuals is a bright and talented person who has the best interest of our association at heart. Although their campaign platforms were clearly diverse, the common denominator among them is that they all want the best for AMA and model aviation.
AMA’s system of governance is unique in the association world. Our members elect our board of directors or Executive Council (EC) by district as well as electing the executive leaders, those who serve in a nationwide role that includes our president and executive vice president. Our system of elections and governance closely mirrors the model used by our country.
So, what role does the AMA EC play in our association? The EC’s role is to govern. The members of the EC set policy, develop strategic initiatives and long-range goals, and generally set the course for AMA. Conversely, the staff’s role is to implement goals and objectives outlined by the EC and to manage day-to-day business operations.
Success requires that the executive leadership, the EC, and the staff work together toward a common goal.
I firmly believe that by working together we can continue to have those successes that are so important to our members. AMA’s future is bright.
I’m sure that many of you are familiar with the three-legged stool analogy. With all three legs, the stool stands solidly. Take one leg away and the stool falls.
Although a president might have good ideas and philosophies for the association, to move any of those ideas forward requires the agreement of the EC. What this means is that the president’s primary role is to work closely with the council to form a consensus.
With a new administration, there is always new energy and enthusiasm.
We see that in all elections from national elections down to elections for the leaders of our AMA chartered clubs. It’s just natural.
I am confident that whoever becomes the next AMA president will bring this philosophy to the table, which bodes well for AMA’s future.
I’d like to tell you a few things about AMA’s EC that you might not know. The AMA vice president positions are separated into 11 districts. Each AMA vice president represents his or her district—similar to how a US senator represents his or her state.
AMA vice presidents act as a conduit between the membership in their districts and the leadership of the organization. This system of governance has worked well for more than 80 years because it creates a true connection between AMA and its members.
The members of AMA’s EC are diverse. They run for office because they believe they have something to give back to AMA and model aviation. Although their modeling interests might vary, they are all modelers.
The EC is composed of individuals who receive no compensation for their work. They volunteer their time and effort because they believe in AMA and its mission. And, I can tell you because I once sat on that side of the table, the commitment that all of our council members devote to AMA is considerable and significant.
Let’s face it, those of us who have been model aviation enthusiasts for a while recognize that these are challenging times for aeromodeling, and although we have had considerable success in addressing these challenges, for every one that we resolve there will likely be another to take its place. I firmly believe that by working together we can continue to have those successes that are so important to our members. AMA’s future is bright.
As we move toward the end of the year, I want to thank each of you for being members and for your support in making AMA the foremost model aviation organization in the world.
See you next time ...
