Money Matters
MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS
EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS
By Keith Sessions, AMA Chief Financial Officer | keithsessions@hotmail.com
So far, 2021 seems to be a continuation of 2020. Many hoped that the development of a vaccine would quickly bring us back to normal. Even as I write this at the beginning of the year, it is apparent that it will be mid to late summer at the earliest before we start to feel “normal” again.
This has impacted model aviation in several ways. The most obvious is the cancellation or postponement of events. Joe Nall has announced that the 2021 event is canceled. This was not a light decision, but I completely agree with and support the group at Triple Tree Aerodrome in Woodruff, South Carolina.
At this time, the AMA Executive Council (EC) is determining what to do with two world championships scheduled for this summer in Muncie, Indiana. We hope that large events can be moved to later in the year and still occur. I am saving my vacation time for the fall.
Federal Funding
On the financial front, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about opportunities for funding to help offset the loss of revenue for organizations. In 2020, the AMA participated in the Payroll Protection Program (PPP). These funds were fully forgiven at the end of the year. For 2021, we have applied for and been accepted in the next round of PPP money. There are much stricter qualifications in 2021 for this money to be forgiven, but we are confident that the AMA will meet all of them.
Within the AMA, we saw our membership numbers climb back to and slightly exceed our expected 2020 numbers. We expect this trend to continue in 2021.
Mandatory recreational knowledge and safety testing has impacted similar organizations in other countries, but only temporarily. Testing is coming. Because it is a no-fail test, I hope that the impact to membership is minimal.
Upcoming Elections
At the January EC meeting, the council offered and I accepted another term as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This will be my third and final term. Council members are limited to three terms unless no one else runs for the position.
I feel strongly that nonprofit boards benefit from new members and term limits. This does not imply that longer-tenured board members are not a benefit—quite the contrary. They offer tremendous experience and guidance.
Before working with the AMA, I volunteered for the United Way. Part of my role was to evaluate organizations that received funds from the United Way. It was apparent from that work that the turnover of board members brought in fresh ideas and helped the organizations prosper.
Although the CFO role does not have an official term limit, I plan to adhere to the same limit as other council members. This means that in 2023, we will be looking for my replacement. Please let me know if you have an interest.
Five of the 11 districts are up for election this year. If you are interested, I encourage you to review the AMA Bylaws and Standing Rules and consider running for an office.
Every year, I see social media posts about someone who wants to run but only after the ballots have been printed and mailed. That is too late. The deadline for nominations is much earlier in the year. (Please see page 93 for nomination requirements and deadlines.)
I hope to see many of you at events later this year. Until then, please stay safe.
