01/21/23 EC Minutes
Executive Council Meeting
January 21, 2023
Muncie, Indiana / Teleconference
The meeting began at 8 a.m.
1. Opening Business
In attendance: President Rich Hanson, Fishers IN; EVP Randy Cameron, Springfield MO (remote); CFO Keith Sessions, Burlington KY (remote); Executive Director Chad Budreau, Parker City IN; District I, Andy Argenio, Smithfield RI (remote); District II, Eric Williams, Schenectady NY (remote); District III, Mark Radcliff, St. Marys WV (remote); District IV, Jay Marsh, High Point NC (remote); District V, Andrew Griffith, Jacksonville FL (remote); District VI, Gary Himes, Kansas City MO (remote); District VII, Randy Gibson, Lansing MI; District VIII, Lawrence Harville, Hurst TX (remote); District IX, AVP Jim Tiller (proxy for VP Brandon Koch), Custer SD; District X, Greg Stone, Yorba Linda CA (remote); District XI, Phil Tallman, Medical Lake WA (remote).
Others in attendance: Rusty Kennedy, AMA Foundation Chair (remote); Felix Gora, AMA legal counsel (remote); District III AVP Lisa Zoldak (remote); District III AVPs John Zoldak (remote); District III AVP Jeff Black (remote); District III AVP Randy Adams (remote); Paul Bretsen (remote); AMA staff Tyler; AMA staff Austin Perlee (remote); AMA staff Tony Stillman (remote); AMA staff Angie Martin (remote); AMA staff Steve Haston (remote); AMA staff Rachelle Haughn (remote); and AMA staff/recording secretary Liz Helms (remote).
Additions to Final Flight list: Greg Brausa and Spencer Wallace.
2. Consent agenda:
Motion to approve consent agenda:
- Approval of October 15, 2022 minutes
Moved by Randy Cameron (EVP), and seconded by Greg Stone (District X), to approve the minutes of the October 15, 2022 EC meeting.
Approved by acclamation.
3. President’s Report
Rich Hanson (President) primarily participated in Zoom calls and much FAI activity. He expressed appreciation to Chad Budreau (ED) for organizing the committee to rewrite the FAI Blue Book. Committee included CDs, Team Selection chairmen, and others from all of the disciplines. He noted much participation and discussion from all participants. He hopes to bring a draft to the EC by the April meeting.
Rich wants to increase participation in FAI competition. He feels that competition is the driving force to the hobby.
He plans to do more traveling, attend more events, and profile competition.
4. Executive Vice President’s Report
Randy Cameron (EVP) has not done any traveling but has participated in many committee meetings via Zoom and attended the new VP orientation for District IX VP Brandon Koch. He also reported that the committee for the National Fun Fly is getting off the ground. Randy oversees the AMA committees and has placed the updated committee list in Dropbox. District IX AVP Jim Tiller will remain on the Education Committee. Greg Stone (X) has been appointed as EC liaison. Archie Stafford will continue to lead the Scholarship committee. Greg Stone will also be the EC liaison for that committee. Brandon Koch (IX) will be the head of the Nominating Committee. Rich Hanson (President) and Randy asked that the committee chairmen populate their committees and share with Chad to put on the website. Exceptions will be sharing the members of the Flying Site grants and Scholarship committee members.
VP replacements: There was discussion about who steps in in the event that the current VP becomes incapacitated. Rich clarified that the first person on the replacement list becomes interim VP, then he/she is to choose his/her replacements. Randy asked for any changes to the list.
District Vice Presidents Replacements
- District I: Daren Hudson and John Yassemedis.
- District II: Michael Wong and Gary Fitch.
- District III: Randy Adams and Jeff Black.
- District IV: Rusty Kennedy and Nic Burhans.
- District V: Bill Barbee and Darrell Sprayberry.
- District VI: Don Way and Leo Rodriquez.
- District VII: Mark Robotti and Peter Vanhuesden.
- District VIII: Tony Breyen and Gary Strickland.
- District IX: Jim Tiller will consult with Brandon and Terry Wiles.
- District X: JR Schiager and Tim Johnson.
- District XI: Rick Crow and Mike Ingram.
District equipment: Randy asked that each VP send a list of district equipment, including make and model number, and take a picture. They should send it to the AMA Controller. Eric Williams (I) asked that a list of equipment currently assigned to each district be sent to each of the VPs. Rich noted that they should be updated by January 31 of each year.
5. Chief Financial Officer’s Report
Financial statements are in Dropbox. Membership revenue was slightly above expectations. Controllable expenses exceeded the budget as inflation hit the organization hard. New revenue from the 2022 dues increase will not impact the organization until the end of 2023 or 2024. Depreciation expenses were increased to cover needed repair/replacement expenses. Investment accounts also took a hit, there was no safe haven for investments. He noted that in his 32 years of banking and investing, that 2022 was the hardest financial year he has seen, including the Dotcom collapse in 2000 and 2001. The portfolio manager has done a wonderful job of steering the investment portfolio.
Going forward, Keith Sessions (CFO) doesn’t expect things to immediately improve. He expects that inflation, interest rates, and employment numbers will affect the earnings. The first half of the year will be rocky but he thinks that the end of the year will improve.
There was much discussion concerning financial expectations. Keith cited items that will affect AMA, including lobbying efforts with the government, ongoing expenses, inflation, and depreciation. End of the year layoffs will affect the employment rates, but the numbers won’t show it for a couple of months. He reminded everyone that aeromodeling is a discretionary expense and people stop discretionary spending during a recession. He expects that non-dues revenue will be affected and advised cautious spending in 2023.
Keith stated that he will not continue in the CFO position after 2023 because he is a proponent of term limits, and urged the board to begin looking for a new person to fill his position. A number of board members expressed their appreciation for Keith’s services.
6. Executive Director’s Report
Tyler Dobbs, Senior Director of Government Affairs, joined the meeting. He recently returned from Washington, D.C., where he met with Congress, the DOT and FAA. He pointed out that the Government Affairs end-of-year recap was available and posted on the Government blog. Tyler discussed the countless hours dedicated to FAA Safety Risk Management panels to secure clubs higher altitudes and indicated the FAA may streamline the process. Tyler feels that the current process, while time-consuming, may produce better results than a streamlined process.
AMA and the FAA are finalizing plans to secure higher altitudes in Class G airspace for Sanctioned Events.
AMA, Flite Test, FPVFC, and STEM+C are all recognized CBOs now. STEM+C has worked collaboratively with AMA’s Education department in the past.
Tyler, Tony Stillman (staff), and the Advanced Technology committee have been meeting with Remote ID broadcast module developers. There are currently four add-on modules that have an accepted declaration of compliance with the FAA. Prices are roughly $200-$300 per unit, much higher than pre-inflation numbers mentioned in the Final Rule on Remote ID. AMA has urged that these modules be basic and relatively inexpensive; there is no need for unnecessary features and amenities. Andy Argenio noted a company from Poland that offers a product that costs far less than the current available products that has only the features that AMA members will need. Chad noted that some of these companies have expressed interest in partnering with AMA.
The FRIA process is being handled by a team of AMA staff who are on pace to have FRIA applications submitted to the FAA before the September deadline. There was discussion concerning the FRIA process, SRM panels, and Remote ID. Andy Argenio (I) asked about the district VPs helping the process and Tyler stated that AMA clubs department would request help as needed.
Chad Budreau (ED) highlighted the completion of various tasks and motions assigned to staff to include non-dues efforts, launching club awards, and increasing promotional efforts through short videos.
He discussed the 2022 Annual Report which included numerous club efforts such as a new online club management portal, FRIA applications, a rebuilt club field search tool, and new club awards. Other 2022 projects completed include launching AMA digital cards, updates to the museum virtual tour, a complete restructure of communications, and obtaining CBO status.
Chad then discussed the 2023 Program of Work (POW) that was created through EC committees to include surveys, staff, and EC monthly calls. 2023 work includes updating the website’s backend to later allow for front end updates, 100th Anniversary of Nats, revisions of Nats and Bluebook manuals, new learning management systems, introducing AMA STEM kits to 2,500 classrooms nationwide, and more. Chad noted there are several large projects, including the FRIA process which is expected to consume 3,500 staff hours alone. Chad reminded the EC that staffing went down from 70 individuals to 50. Throughout the year staff can remain nimble to tackle new EC initiatives not outlined in the 2023 POW, but the council may need to free up resources by cancelling one of the approved 2023 projects.
7. NAA Report
(given by ED Chad Budreau) Greg Principato (NAA) shared with Chad Budreau (ED) that NAA appreciated having AMA attend the Wright Dinner in DC. NAA worked to keep 2023 FAI dues down, but there will be an increase. The exchange rate is also working against us, but NAA will assume that risk. The FAI general conference will be held in October 2023 in Dayton OH. The air sports communities will also be in attendance. Keith Sessions (CFO) noted that AMA pays a large amount of money to FAI, more than even the full-scale aerobatics community. He stated that FAI participation is predominantly European. He feels that it is a large, disproportionate amount of money for AMA to be paying to a largely European league.
Lunch/executive session.
Motion I: Moved by Eric Williams (II), and seconded by Andy Argenio (I), to accept the results of the ED Review for 2022 and recommendations regarding ED compensation for 2023.
Motion passed. 12 yes, 1 absent (NAA)
8. Committee Reports
AMA Foundation (S. Haston)
Steve Haston, AMA Foundation director, introduced his staff members, Rachelle Haughn (staff) and Austin Perlee (staff). Steve noted that the AMA Foundation exceeded its fundraising goals for 2022. He noted several specific donations to the National Model Aviation Museum, AMA’s education program, and scholarships. Steve reported on several potential donations, including a Ball Brothers Foundation grant.
Rachelle reported the 2022 status of Flying Site grants, Take off And Grow grants, and AMA Walk of Fame improvements. Rachelle also reported on the status of living will donations and the status of recurring donations, including Torchbearer, Planned Giving, and other giving/donation opportunities.
Austin reported about donor engagement via social media, the number of responses, and how well the emails and blogs have worked.
Eric Williams (II) thanked the staff and expressed his appreciation for the presentation. Randy Cameron (EVP) asked for an update to fund SIGs through the TAG grant program. Steve noted the Foundation Board approved plans to set aside TAG grant funds for the SIGs. The EC concurred with this plan and tasked the Foundation to manage the program.
Rusty Kennedy, Foundation chairman, thanked Steve, Rachelle, and Austin for their work in a short amount of time.
PADCOM (R. Cameron)
Randy Cameron (EVP) stated that a number of the tents have been destroyed or reached end of life. Randy presented a plan to either buy new tents, rent tents as needed, or replace the tents with permanent pavilions on Site 4. PADCOM recommends AMA build pavilions as a cost-effective solution. A plan was presented showing the prospective positions of the pavilions. Tony Stillman (staff) explained details of the project to include providing power throughout the structures. Eric Williams (II) suggested the pavilions have the ability for signage.
A survey went out to SIGs and Nats leaders, preliminary results seem to be in favor of building pavilions. There were concerns by the National Free Flight Society (NFFS) about potential obstacles and the need for a long-range plan.
Chad Budreau (ED) suggested the pavilions could be open to all members to use, similar to the pavilions on Site 1. Council members noted that other national events charge for renting tents or solid structures to recoup the cost of such amenities. Discussions continued about charging for (e.g.: a 10 x 10 foot) area beneath the structure. The EC asked staff to present a fee structure to council.
Rich Hanson (President) requested a “straw poll” from the EC who expressed support for the pavilions. Rich asked PADCOM to complete their work and present a final recommendation to the EC on Basecamp.
The EC also discussed the 24x40 pavilion on Site 4 that was originally proposed in October 2021 with funding earmarked. A vote was taken on this pavilion with the remaining pavilions tabled for further discussion.
Motion II: Moved by Gary Himes (IV), seconded by Mark Radcliff (III), to build a single 24 x 40 semi-open pavilion on Site 4 over the concrete with electricity as presented for a maximum of $21,000.
Motion passed: 12 yes; 1 absent (NAA)
Nats Manual (Mark Radcliff, Tony Stillman)
Tony Stillman (staff) discussed the history of the Nats rules and need for updates. For months the Nats Committee has been working with Nats leaders and the EC to update the Nats Organizations and Functions Manual. Tony highlighted updates to include the need for a Nats director, empowering individual CDs, and creating event contest directors. He discussed various responsibilities for staff, SIGs, CDs, and others involved. NatsNews authors will be shifted to the SIGs to ensure coverage of each event. He detailed the structural changes concerning trophies and what constitutes a national event (number of participants actually participating).
Randy Gibson (VII) asked for clarification about various events and titles in the new manual. Tony explained the titles and responsibilities. Randy provided some grammatical edits as well as suggested text edits.
Mark Radcliff (III) and Tony said there was much feedback from Nats leaders to include roles and titles; overall they were generally supportive.
Motion III: Moved by Mark Radcliff (III), seconded by Lawrence Harville (VIII), to approve the revised Nats Organizations and Functions Manual with the clarifications noted.
Motion passed: 10 yes; 2 no (EVP and District VII); 1 absent (NAA)
Motion IV: Moved by Randy Gibson (VII), seconded by Randy Cameron (EVP) to table the Nats Organizations and Functions Manual motion.
Motion failed: no (9); 3 yes (District I, VII, EVP); 1 absent (NAA)
Publications (G. Himes)
Park Pilot magazine is on track to be sunsetted at the end of 2023. Content will be moved to Model Aviation Digital for all Park Pilot members.
9. Old Business
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Workgroup (R. Gibson)
Randy Gibson (VII) stated that we need to shine a light on what might be considered offensive, how new terminology might be better, and how to celebrate the Nats. He held a Zoom meeting with the DEI workgroup. The workgroup discussed diversity among the AMA staff and during recruitment. It was noted that 57% of the staff leadership is female, and 56% of the staff overall is female. One of the goals of the workgroup is to increase awareness of model aviation among a more diverse group of people. Initially, Randy will use the workgroup to “shine a light” and learn how the organization can be more inclusive.
11. Awards
Mark Radcliff (III) made a nomination for a Distinguished Service Award.
Award agreed by acclamation.
12. Adjournment
At 3:56.
Release Date
Mon, 03/06/2023 - 11:11