EC Minutes 06-25-2020
Executive Council Meeting
June 25, 2020
Muncie, Indiana/via teleconference
Opening Business:
Introductions President, Rich Hanson; EVP, Randy Cameron; ED, Chad Budreau; CFO, Keith Sessions; District I, Andy Argenio; District III, Mark Radcliff; District IV, Jay Marsh; District V, Andrew Griffith; District VI, Gary Himes; District VII, Tim Jesky; District VIII, Lawrence Harville; District IX, Jim Tiller; District XI, Phil Tallman. Not present: District II, Eric Williams; District X, Lawrence Tougas. Rich Hanson stated that this is technically a special meeting of the Executive Council. Notice was posted online to make this conference an official meeting and conduct official business. Rich wanted the opportunity to make any last-minute decisions about the Nats and IAC events.
Agenda:
- HQ operational updates
- Government Affairs updates
- IAC Events Committee Updates
Rich noted that the Membership/Marketing Committee, Museum Steering Committee, and Publications Committee have been active.
Chad shared membership updates. Membership numbers are down, although not as much as anticipated. Senior members are solid, but we’re seeing a slight drop in Open Adult members. We brought in a lot of 1-year introductory members last year who have chosen not to renew. People aren’t in the market to jump into membership in the current atmosphere. Sanctioned events/revenue are down. Non-dues revenue is down, advertising is down, but expenses are also down.
There have been conversations with CFO Keith Sessions concerning a balanced budget for next year.
Chad shared a slide outlining Indiana’s reopening the state. AMA is in compliance with this order. The building will be open and at full capacity as of July 6, according to the State of Indiana guidelines. Staff will be able to work remotely in some cases. Plexiglass has been installed in the museum and lobby, with limits to the number of people present, masks are required in common areas and only one person in a common area such as restrooms and breakrooms. Staff will be wearing masks. Masks are encouraged for guests, are available, but not required. Randy Cameron suggested requiring hand sanitizer being required. Andy Argenio asked if anyone has reported a positive COVID-19 test. The answer was no. Andy suggested having more flexibility with at-risk staff members.
Chad discussed the Youth 2.0 initiative that will be effective as of July 1, 2020. The free youth program is still available, but Youth members are encouraged to pay the $15 per year and will have access to the digital version of Model Aviation. The initiative was in an ad in the July issue of MA. Chad doesn’t anticipate any problems with.
The AMA Jr. Camp will run July 6-10. 200 participants got in on the packet, including boxes with supplies. Roughly 500 signed up for the program and the additional participants received supply lists. Jim Tiller noted that it was very encouraging.
Staff was asked to work with NFFS to explore the proposed indoor facility to be built next to the museum. NFFS has obtained donations to fund exploring the proposal. They have already moved forward in working with local officials and Chad anticipates that the completed proposal will be presented to the ED at the October meeting.
Chad updated staffing. Kelsie Walker is the new AMA Foundation director. Her goal is for the AMA Foundation being a true 501(c)(3) and present a true return on investment. Michael Smith, Museum Director’s last day will be July 3. He will be going to the Air Force Museum in Dayton. AMA has been conducting interviews for the Membership Acquisition position and the IT Programming role. Chad noted that Julia Bladen had left and noted that they were interviewing candidates with strong teaching backgrounds.
Rich noted that there have been some really good outcomes with the Safety Risk Management (SRM) in order to get requested higher-altitude exemptions. He noted that bringing in manned aircraft pilots into the discussions has proved fruitful concerning instilling a safety culture into the UAS community. He praised the AMA staff for its hard work with the FAA.
The 91-57C bill will identify the testing protocol for community-based organizations (CBOs) in two to three months and then will go through a comments period. CBO candidates will need to be a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization. Chad noted that universities are applying because they want to manage their own platforms. Rich noted a similarity with the airline regulations a few decades ago.
SRMs: All clubs need to have a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the local airport when in controlled airspace. Most clubs have been accommodated, but a few have not. In the SRM discussions, AMA/clubs must detail how they are mitigating concerns. After approval, meetings are required to ensure that regulations are being met. Andy Argenio asked about AMA’s flying site needing an SRM. Chad noted that the clubs are not a risk and the FAA doesn’t seem to want to regulate everything. He feels that the FAA wants to create a system where facts are plugged into a system and results are produced.
Chad expects that FAA will have a Remote ID final ruling by the end of the year. A clear timeline for reasonable implementation has not been shared at this point. Rich feels that the recommendations will require a trust relationship between modelers and airports in reference to risk management.
IAC: Rich noted that the EC determined that the 2020 Nats would continue. He noted that there was much concern among the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) concerning the determinations.
[Randy Cameron moved and Andrew Griffith seconded the following motion: “Due to the extraordinary circumstances and uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 AMA National Championships are hereby canceled as a national Five-A event. The motion to cancel the 2020 Nats failed with 5 affirmative votes, 8 and negative votes. As such the 2020 AMA National Championships shall take place as scheduled to the extent that individual Nats organizers plan and conduct their respective events. Note: All activity occurring at the AMA International Aeromodeling Center (IAC) must be conducted in full compliance with Federal CDC guidelines, Indiana State executive orders, and all criteria and restrictions established by local authorities. Nats participants and visitors to the IAC will have limited access to AMA facilities and should anticipate a scaled-back Nats experience.]
It was determined that an event could still be held if a SIG decided to pull its backing, but the event would not be considered to be a national, official event. SIGs were given a June 24 deadline to put into writing to AMA their intention to withdraw from the official Nats. Chad determined that NFFS, National Society of Radio Controlled Aerobatics (NSRCA; Pattern), National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA), and the International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC) had officially withdrawn. NFFS and IMAC want to unofficially host an unofficial event.
Rich noted that participants have been made aware that they should be anticipating a scaled-back event. There was discussion about various SIGs conducting Team Selections events at other locations and hosting other large events later in the year at other locations.
Chad discussed other scheduled events including the National Fun Fly, MultiGP, and the IRCHA Jamboree. Rich noted that as long as the gatherings were meeting state and local guidelines, that AMA would not be in a position to tell the groups that they could not hold their events. Mark Radcliff noted that it was important that the various organizers ensure that attendees follow appropriate protocols. Chad feels confident that AMA can safely conduct these events.
Randy Cameron asked about the National AMA meeting scheduled in late July. Rich suggested that EC members be allowed to attend virtually. Andy Argenio expressed reservations concerning in-person attendance. Rich encouraged using Zoom meetings. Randy noted that roughly 60 people have committed to attend the National Fun Fly and Membership Meeting. He was in favor of Livestreaming the meeting on YouTube and Facebook. Chad noted that the Wi-Fi onsite was not reliable enough to host the meeting. Rich suggested that the “panel” be in the boardroom and a screen be placed out onsite. Chad will explore this option. Rich reiterated that discussions would continue with MultiGP and IRCHA for safety protocol.
A consensus was that the July 26, 2020 meeting would be a personal-attendance optional meeting.
Committee Updates:
Cost-savings ideas were presented to streamline Model Aviation. The committee is looking at the viability of scaling back the magazine. Keith Session (CEO) noted the actual costs of producing the print magazine. Rich noted that a portion of the paid membership goes into the production of the magazine. Jay Marsh and Jim Tiller noted that some of their constituents stated that they would be willing to pay more for a printed version of Model Aviation. Lawrence Harville noted that in his district that the magazine is what his members consider the most valued. Mark Radcliff agreed. Lawrence suggested polling the membership to see what they thought. Keith Sessions suggested that all of the content be released online as soon as it is available.
Chad introduced the Museum Steering committee and its process. Chad expects that by the July meeting a plan can be presented to the EC. The Strategic Long-Range Plan is being addressed. Michael Smith has departed.
The Marketing Committee is addressing the new AMA Tagline. Conversations are ongoing. Discussion ensued on the design and the wording.
Andy Argenio opened a discussion about a survey of his district and presented the findings. He received a 45% engagement from district clubs. Among the items polled included sites closed, reasons why, and whether it was club or state required. He plans to make the results available to all district clubs. Andy also questioned sites on or adjacent to Massachusetts wildlife sites (fishing and hunting areas).
Motion to adjourned.
Release Date
Mon, 11/30/2020 - 11:46