April 9 2022 Minutes

04/09/2022 EC Minutes

Executive Council Meeting

April 9, 2022

Muncie, Indiana/teleconference

The hybrid meeting was called to order at 8:05 a.m.

1. Opening Business

Additions to Agenda:

The AMA Finance and Budget Committee is making updates to the executive council’s finances and spending in the Travel and Expense (T&E) Policy. President Rich Hanson received requests to discuss the council’s spending policy in closed executive session instead of open session.

Eric Williams (II) stated that AMA should be transparent to members, but given the sensitivity of certain issues, the policy should be discussed in a closed session. The final determination could then be shared in open session.

Keith Sessions (CFO) stated there is nothing in the T&E policy that is confidential, competitive, or merits attorney-client privilege. Keith added that he is regularly criticized by certain members of this council for enforcing the T&E policy. The conversation should be discoverable in the minutes.

Various council members then discussed whether unfinished committee work or elements of the T&E policy should be discussed in an open or a closed session.

In an unofficial vote, the council was divided with seven for open session (V, VI, VII, IX, X, XI, NAA) and seven for closed session (I, II, III, IV, VIII, EVP, President). Rich Hanson broke the tie and voted for the discussion to take place in executive session.

Additions to Final Flight list: None.

2. Consent Agenda

1. Approval of January 22, 2022, minutes.
2. Motion to approve consent agenda.
3. Approved by consensus.

3. President’s Report (Rich Hanson)

Rich was able to attend the Jim Richmond Open, held March 26-27, in West Baden Springs, Indiana. The purpose of his trip was to recognize and designate the West Baden Springs Hotel as a National Aeromodeling Heritage Program Historic Site. The hotel’s owner, Carl Cook, came to the hotel to accept a temporary plaque. A bronze plaque will later be created to be permanently displayed at the hotel.

Hazel Sig-Hester turned 100 on March 3, 2022. Randy Gibson (VII) said the Montezuma, Illinois, aeromodeling club hosted a big celebration for her. Randy presented her the AMA Presidential Achievement Award at the event. There were more than 100 people at the event, and close to 400 people later attended a birthday party for her. Jim Tiller (District IX) stated that a group of modelers in the Omaha, Nebraska, area held an event in Hazel’s honor, and so did Australia. Two 1/2-scale Sig Spacewalkers are being built (one in Omaha and one in Australia) and should be completed by June 2022.

Rich Hanson announced that AMA has declared June 25 as National Hazel Sig Admiration Day. Chad Budreau (Executive Director) read the proclamation. Rich said the proclamation would be printed and put on a plaque that will be presented to Hazel at the AMA National Fun Fly, if she is able to attend. Randy Gibson and Rich stated that AMA should get it put together as soon as possible so it can be sent to her in advance.

4. Executive Vice President’s Report (Randy Cameron)

Randy updated the council about the AMA National Fun Fly. It currently has 44 preregistered pilots and preregistration closes June 1. Randy stated that he attended the Toledo Swap Meet, where he handed out flyers about the event and invited a boating group to attend. The buddy-box flying might be moved closer to where most of the flying will take place. If enough Free Flight modelers attend the fun-fly, they will be able to use Site 4. A tent would be put over the concrete pad at Site 3.

Site 4 is closed for renovations. Seeding is expected to take place next week, with hopes to reopen the site in May.

A new AMA committee, the Clubs Committee, has been created. Eric Williams (II) will serve as its chair.

Randy also attended the Jim Richmond Open. There he met with NFFS president David Lindley who confirmed support for AMA to construct a pavilion on Site 4. Gary Himes (VI) and Rich Hanson (President) were present during the discussions. Randy will begin efforts to construct the pavilion soon. While at the event, Randy also talked with Bud Layne about possibly becoming a member of the AMA Foundation Board of Directors.

A total of 18 clubs have been selected to receive Take off And Grow (TAG) grants totaling $14,000.

1. Motion I: Moved by Andy Argenio (I) and seconded by Phil Tallman (XI) to accept the TAG awards for 2022 as presented.

Motion passed: 13 Yes (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, NAA, EVP).

A total of 41 Flying Site Improvement Grants (FSIG) requests were awarded, totaling $55,000.

2. Motion II: Moved by Randy Gibson (VII) and seconded by Gary Himes (VI) to accept the report by the FSIG committee and to approve the 2022 awards as presented.

Motion passed: 13 Yes (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, NAA, EVP).

5. Chief Financial Officer’s Report (Keith Sessions)

Keith reported that in terms of income, AMA is doing okay but expenses (fuel, paper, etc.) are a concern because they have increased. Inflation is not expected to go away soon. Keith expects interest rates to increase across the board. He added that aeromodeling is a discretionary-income hobby. He thinks AMA will be fine, but spending might need to be more closely monitored.

6. NAA Report (Greg Principato)

Greg stated that he recently renewed a new two-year contract with NAA.

The NAA Collier Trophy was awarded to the Mars Ingenuity team. The awards dinner will take place in Washington, D.C. on June 9, 2022. Rich Hanson (President) and Greg discussed if AMA would like to reserve a table at the ceremony since members helped with the project. NAA will be sending out invitations soon.

NAA has awarded the Katherine and Marjorie Stinson Trophy to Wally Funk; the Bruce Whitman Trophy to The U.S. Army Parachute Team, The Golden Knights; and planned to announce another award recipient later. The NAA is always looking for people to be nominated for awards. Greg suggested that Hazel Sig-Hester might be a good candidate for a national Statewoman Award. Chad Budreau (Executive Director) said he could get started on it soon.

Greg announced that the FAI has suspended Russia and Belarus and no one from those countries can participate in FAI activities. He expects the suspensions to remain for quite a while which could impact upcoming events.

There is an aerobatic World Championship in Poland this year. The US competitors have been having trouble procuring full scale aviation insurance to compete abroad, Greg stated. This bears watching since there will also be a Control Line (CL) aeromodeling competition in Poland this year.

The Woman in Aviation advisory report came out this week and is getting a lot of attention. Greg stated that the report is on the FAA website. Greg feels that AMA needs to consider making the hobby attractive to more members. The underlying story is culture, and it needs to change. Chad echoed Greg’s statements noting that other association and industry leaders are taking affirmative action such as AUVSI (Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International) changing its name to be more gender-neutral. Greg added that if AMA wants to be considered for grants or foundation donations, it might also consider having a more diverse Executive Council.

7. Executive Director’s Report (Chad Budreau)

A. Government Affairs (Tyler Dobbs)

Tyler reported that a number of state-level bills have been introduced. The number of Safety Risk Management (SRM) panels has remained steady, with two in the last month. All continue to result in favorable outcomes for our members and clubs. AMA has been meeting with FAA officials and discussing ways to speed up the process.

AMA attended a FAA and U.S. Department of Transportation listening session. AMA was the only recreational organization represented as the agency listened to AMA’s concerns regarding USC 44809 implementation.

AMA continues to work with FAA to get FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs) in place. AMA also recently met with the FAA’s air traffic policy group, in hopes of streamlining a number of processes. AMA is ready to apply for Community Based Organization (CBO) status once AC 91-57 C is published.

AMA recently received a few certificates of authorization (COA) for flying sites and events, making it the first and only recreational organization to receive COAs to fly model aircraft to altitudes of 2,000 feet.

B. ED’s Report

Membership numbers for 2022 are outpacing 2021, which outpaced the previous year. AMA is on pace to meet its membership goals this year.

Chad also updated the council on first-quarter projects assigned through motions or the Program of Work. Updates included implementation of campaign statements being digitized; discounts for FAI competitors; distributions of awards; and requests for updates to the AMA website. The AMA Snapshot campaign is gaining momentum as staff celebrates our members and clubs.

AMA digital membership cards are completed and will be online once backend web updates are completed per the Program of Work. Members can now reserve campsites online, which was another first-quarter Program of Work project. People can go online and look at a map that shows available campsites. Staff are on pace to complete other 2022 Program of Work efforts.

At the National Model Aviation Museum, renovations are near competition in the area that once housed the theater thanks to staff and volunteers. The museum’s digital collections are also being updated.

Chad concluded that updated the MOU with MAAC is in process.

8. Committee Reports

A. Marketing/Membership (Eric Williams)

Eric Williams (II) reported that the committee is looking at marketing opportunities for seniors and membership. The committee is also looking for ways to better assist clubs and help them grow. AMA is providing tools and materials to clubs to help them improve. Rich Hanson (President) added that he sees membership acquisition as the number one goal for AMA.

B. Foundation (Rusty Kennedy; Kelsie Walker)

Kelsie Walker (Foundation Director) shared the foundation’s first-quarter performance. The foundation had a great first quarter and is exceeding 2021’s first quarter. Kelsie discussed a bequest it received from a donor who passed away in 2019. A bench in the donor’s honor will be placed at Site 1.

The foundation is at 38% of its 2022 fundraising goal of $300,000. The foundation received roughly $820 from AmazonSmile in the first quarter of 2022 and received more than $2,500 total from AmazonSmile in 2021. Between January 1 and April 1, 2022, the foundation received 724 financial gifts.

Rich Hanson (President) stated that the National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA) has supported the Cliff and Nancy Telford Scholarship for a number of years. The scholarship just reached the milestone of $100,000 and will now be set up as an endowment. It will be a $5,000 scholarship each year.

Rusty Kennedy (Foundation Board of Directors Chairman) asked the EC for permission to add Free Flight pilot Bud Layne to the foundation board.

Motion III: Moved by Randy Cameron (EVP) and seconded by Gary Himes (VI) to confirm Bud Layne as a member of the AMA Foundation Board.

Motion passed: 13 Yes (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, NAA, EVP).

A total of $59,000 will be awarded to 16 students through the Charles Hampson Grant, Cliff and Nancy Telford, Ryan M. Sherrow, and Dorothy and Basil Cooper scholarships.

C. Education (Jim Tiller)

Motion IV: Moved by Jim Tiller (IX) and seconded by Randy Cameron (EVP) to accept the report from the Scholarship Committee awarding the 2022 scholarships.

Motion passed: 13 Yes (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, NAA, EVP).

Jim Tiller reported that there are still several open spots for Camp AMA 2022, which will take place June 12-18. AMA Jr. Camp will take place April 25-29, 2022.

Randy Cameron (EVP) announced that a developer plans to build a hotel on city-owned land near the International Aeromodeling Center (IAC). Chad Budreau (Executive Director) is scheduled to meet with city officials in April. The project is expected to cost $2 million and be near Indiana State Road 32.

D. Publications (Gary Himes)

Gary Himes (VI) said that the Publications has had three meetings about Park Pilot magazine. He shared some numbers with the board about circulation, membership trends, and demographics.

Gary provided some options to the council. The first option is for the magazine to be digital only. The second option would be to add Park Pilot content to Model Aviation Digital. A third option would be to add Park Pilot content to Model Aviation Digital and Print each month or quarterly. Gary said that if the magazine were only available in digital format, it could indicate how AMA members feel about digital editions.

Randy Cameron (EVP) added that if the magazine were published digitally, AMA would still have to pay for digital processing. Chad Budreau (ED) added that converting Park Pilot to a digital only publication would not yield significant savings in production costs.

Eric Williams (II) shared that Park Pilot magazine was launched as part of the Park Pilot Program, which includes insurance. The idea was to have park flying sites across the country. When the program was launched, AMA hoped to have 10,000 to 100,000 enrolled. He asked the council if the existing Park Pilot Program could be modified into something else, such as information for beginner pilots. He stated that the program doesn’t seem to be working.

Council members discussed several options for the magazine, including changing it to a publication for beginner pilots, sunsetting it altogether, making it digital only, and adding pages to Model Aviation. The council did not vote about the future of the publication and tasked Gary with finding out the cost of making the publication digital only verses adding pages to Model Aviation.

Lunch/Executive Session

E. FAI

Rich Hanson (President) stated that some guest pilots from other countries competing in the upcoming FAI F3D/E RC Pylon Racing World Championships would like to compete in the 2022 RC Pylon Racing Nats. The visiting pilots are requesting that AMA waive their Affiliate membership dues to also participate in Nats taking place at the IAC.

Motion V: Moved by Randy Gibson (VII) and seconded by Mark Radcliff (III) to extend Affiliate membership benefits to F3D/E global competitors to participate in 2022 Pylon Nats.

Motion passed: 9 Yes (I, II, III, IV, VII, VIII, IX, X, NAA); 4 No (V, VI, XI, EVP).

Rich Hanson (President) reported that the F2A/B/C/D World Championships in Poland is still planned to take place in August. Poland borders Ukraine, which is currently at war with Russia. Rich stated that as long as the event hasn’t been canceled and travel in that area is still permitted, the team should plan to attend unless the team members decide as a group that they would not feel safe doing so. The entry fees for the contest are due May 15, 2022.

F. Finance Committee

Chad Budreau (Executive Director) reported that AMA has updated its corporate resolutions forms with Merrill Lynch and Bank of America. These forms authorize the President and AMA staff to sign checks and oversee accounts with Merrill Lynch and Bank of America.

9. New Business

A. Life Membership

Chad Budreau (Executive Director) stated that AMA’s current Program of Work includes making improvements and updates to the AMA Life Membership category. AMA Membership Director Angie Martin served as project lead for the effort working with the Membership and Marketing Committee. Chad added that numerous staff helped with the project to include staff who have personally purchased Life Memberships.

Numerous recommendations were presented to include some language updates to the Standing Rules. It was recommended that staff be empowered to provide Life members with complimentary custom alpha-numeric AMA numbers as an alternative to an L-number. Other suggested changes included better promoting the membership category, offering a 12-month payment plan, and providing engraved bronze AMA cards to Life members who have received an award or paid in full.

Chad also shared that AMA would like to begin offering a limited number of hats and polo shirts to Life Members. Rich Hanson (President) suggested that AMA consider creating a special logo for Life Memberships. It could be featured on merchandise that the Life Members could purchase at a discount. Council members agreed by consensus that AMA staff could move forward with designing Life Member swag.

Motion VI: Moved by Mark Radcliff (III) seconded by Andy Argenio (I) to accept the recommendations by staff to implement the Life Member procedures as presented and to modify the Standing Rules as follows:

Life Member - Those who have made a commitment to AMA’s mission by purchasing a life membership at the established rates or received either the AMA Fellowship Award or the AMA Hall of Fame Award, under criteria established by the Executive Council. A Life Member shall be entitled to full Adult Membership privileges and benefits for life.

Motion passed: 13 Yes (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, NAA, EVP).

10. Awards

Rich Hanson (President) presented an AMA Exemplary Service Award to Andrew Griffith (V) for his first term of service on the EC. An Exemplary Service Award and an AMA Fellow Award was presented to Randy Cameron (EVP). An AMA Distinguished Service for two terms was presented to Gary Himes (VI). An AMA Fellow Award was presented to Jim Tiller (IX) for serving three terms.

Rich received an Exemplary Service Award.

Jim shared that he would be presenting an AMA Award of Excellence to the Fargo Moorhead Skylarks Control Line (CL) Model Airplane Club (sic until awarded) in honor of its 65th annual Control Line contest. The contest started in 1957.

Eric Williams (II) asked the council to consider Charles Scholeno (sic until awarded) for an AMA Fellow Award for his lifetime of working to support the hobby and AMA.

Motion VII: Motion by Eric Williams (II), seconded by Mark Radcliff (III) to award Charles Scholeno (sic until awarded) for the AMA Fellowship Award for decades of contributions to clubs, AMA members, and the hobby.

Motion passed: 13 Yes (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, NAA, EVP).

Meeting adjourned at 4:03 p.m.

Release Date

Tue, 05/17/2022 - 16:40