District XI—Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
Bryan Wood
Vice President
AMADistrictXI@modelaircraft.org
2986 E. Ragusa St, Meridian ID 83642
Tel.: (208) 412-3254
Thank you everyone who voted in this year’s District XI and AMA executive vice president elections! I wish to thank Chuck Bower for having shown me the ropes the past year or so, and paving the way for me to take over.
I have made a few changes. Some of the longtime associate vice presidents (AVPs) have stepped down, and I will seek new, active people to better access the entire district.
This year we are looking at revamping the Leader Member role, and asking that each of our clubs has at least one, if not two. We are looking at giving active Leader Members discounted memberships similar to contest directors. The key word here is active.
Because I work full-time-plus hours, I sadly won’t be able to get to see everyone across the district, but I will try. I will rely on Leader Members, club officers, and the AVPs to help fill this void. Please send me information about your events via the Facebook page, and if I can make it, I will.
I also am getting rid of the current AMA District XI website because it isn’t updated, and is not a good source for what is happening in the district. As many of you know, we have a district Facebook page, and it belongs to each and every one of you and your clubs!
Feel free to hop on there and get us some pictures and stories about what is going on or happening at your field. Feel free to share to the page any events and photos, just keep them clean, please! You can find it at www.facebook.com/AMADistrictXI.
Another thing we are doing is focusing on younger people! The AMA has many programs to help you bring in new members. Take off And Grow grants are an example! We had a club that received an E-flite Apprentice RTF aircraft for its community day. Club members buddy boxed a dozen or so kids all day, sold burgers to raise funds, and at the end of the day, one of those lucky kids won a drawing and went home with the airplane and gear he flew with earlier. That club now has a dad and son as new members.
Another thing I strongly support is STEM education initiatives. I am all for getting model aviation into the hands of Scout leaders, and science and similar teachers to teach aviation, the science and math behind aviation, scientific methods, and showing boys and girls that they can do it. Using the AMA’s FPG-9s, and the newest rubber design, the AMA Alpha, and the Quadzilla quadcopter kit, we have the means, and can assist in getting these items to you.
I have included pictures from Kimberly Williams, science chair and teacher at Sandcreek Middle School in Ammon, Idaho. She was given a bunch of the AMA Alphas, and the curriculum to test. Not only did the kids have fun learning, they took their airplanes home at the end of the day. Now those same kids are gearing up for the upcoming AMA Alpha Postal Contest (www.amaflight school.org/alpha) that should be in full swing by the time you read this.
I have a limited budget, but I’m willing to assist on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are an interested teacher, or Scout leader, please contact me. Many thanks to Kimberly for stepping out on a limb and being willing to test another means to interest kids in science, technology, engineering and math.
As always, happy flying!
Associate Vice Presidents: Chuck Bower, Langley WA; (360) 632-9211; cbower@whidbey.com; Michael Ingram, Wenatchee WA; (208) 573-5542; firercer@cs.com; Jay Schoening, Lynden WA; (360) 220-0407; jjschoening@msn.com; Robert Stephens, Anchorage AK; (907) 440-0478; rfstephens@hotmail.com; Jay Strickland, Central Point OR; (541) 830-7976; strickdog@q.com; FF/CL Event Sanction Coordinator: Mike Hazel, P.O. Box 505, Lyons OR 97358; zzclspeed@aol.com. RC Event Sanction Coordinator: Michael Ingram, Wenatchee WA 98802; (208) 573-5542 firercer@cs.com.
