Here it is—time for my April column. This is only my second solo flight at this, but I am finally feeling more comfortable. I must admit that before I stepped into this position, I never really used the AMA website much. But I am using it now and finding a wealth of information. My latest find is a 36-page membership manual that probably tells you everything you wanted to know about the AMA (www.modelaircraft.org/files/memanual.pdf).
Spring is starting to show and we all should be outdoors flying a lot more again. I have not received any information or pictures from anyone yet, so you are going to be putting up with more of my material.
I would like to discuss the AMA Leader Member Program. A Leader Member (LM) is the highest level of membership in the Academy of Model Aeronautics. It is the responsibility of every LM to represent and promote AMA and the sport of aeromodeling.
LMs have the right to vote on AMA bylaws changes. Every LM AMA card includes an endorsement identifying the member as such. LM hats that uniquely identify you are available.
The four core requirements are as follows:
1. Only Adult AMA members, who have been members for three years before application, are eligible to become LMs.
2. He or she must be willing to provide assistance as a volunteer.
3. An email address is required.
4. He or she must have the district vice president’s approval.
It is a goal of the AMA to have an LM at each club, so these individuals can help inform club members of information provided solely to them. You can learn more about the LM Program by visiting www.modelaircraft.org/membership/leadermember.aspx. There is a link for the LM application at www.modelaircraft.org/files/leadermemberapplication.pdf.
Now I would like to discuss associate vice presidents (AVPs). A requirement of becoming an AVP is being an LM. AVPs are appointed to their position by the vice president in their respective districts. AVPs do not serve for a specific term or time-frame, but at the pleasure of their vice president.
The AVP serves as a liaison between the members of the district and the district vice president (VP). He or she might attend functions on behalf of the VP and perform other duties as required within his or her specific area.
Although AVPs are AMA officers, they have no authority to make any decision or take unilateral action on behalf of the AMA. Such authority is reserved for AMA Executive Council members elected by the membership.
A detailed description is found in the AMA Membership Manual starting on page 18. Again, the address is www.modelaircraft.org/files/memanual.pdf.
I wrote about all of this to get to a point! I need AVPs, particularly in the states of Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri, to help me represent District VI. I expect my AVPs to represent all facets of this hobby, including drones, fairly and equally. This does not mean you have to be involved in every facet of our hobby; you only have to be willing to represent and support them.
I don’t need AVPs to be clumped together in a general area. I need them widely spread across the district. I want you to attend events in your area, then supply me a short write-up and a few quality pictures for this magazine.
If this interests you, please send me an email and simply put AVP in the subject line. Tell me a little about yourself, where you reside, your AMA number, and why you would make a good AVP for me and the AMA organization.
Now for a few of my personal, random pictures. If you want to see your own event here, email me a short write-up with the word magazine in the subject line, and attach a few high-quality digital pictures!
Gary Himes
Vice President District VI
You’re doing a fine job. See you at EC
Rusty Kennedy
AVP, D-IV