In
my March column I wrote about AMA's long-range strategic
plan that is being drafted and how we intend to position AMA
so that we will continue to play an integral role in the
future of aeromodeling.
Also in the March issue of MA I
wrote that our members have indicated that four primary
issues concern them the most: flying site acquisition and
development, our relationships with government agencies, the
lack of young people becoming involved in model aviation,
and the need to do more to promote model aviation as a
recreational and educational activity.
Last month's column
focused on the first two of those priorities. This month I
want to present plans to further our efforts to attract more
young people to model aviation and to promote aeromodeling.
AMA has an outstanding education program directed by AMA
staff members Jack Frost and April Hathaway. Our Education
Committee, chaired by Dr. Gordon Schimmel, provides an
additional high level of support to the staff.
Through the
work of these people in the last few years we received a
quarter of a million dollars in grants from the Alcoa
Foundation to develop new programs using model airplanes to
teach subjects such as math and science in formal classroom
environments.
We are heavily involved with the National
Science Teachers Association (NSTA), attending several
regional conferences throughout the United States each year.
Through NSTA we regularly network directly with thousands of
teachers. Today most of our programs are designed to "teach
the teachers" who use that knowledge to interact with their
students.
AMA recognizes that many of our clubs have
developed their own programs to reach out and introduce
model aviation to younger members of their communities. Many
clubs have created partnerships with organizations such as
the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, and even
community groups associated with municipal parks and
recreational programs. We will be working toward creating
new programs to aid our members and clubs in developing
these relationships.
The advantage is that we're not only
introducing aeromodeling to our friends and neighbors, but
in doing so we become much more visible in and an asset to
our communities.
Potentially this can return huge benefits
when it comes time to find a new flying site or save an
existing one. Municipalities tend to support groups that
have a history of giving something back to their
communities.
An increased effort to promote model aviation
as an educational and recreational activity can only have a
positive impact on our ability to enjoy aeromodeling.
Presenting a credible and respected picture of what we do as
model-aviation enthusiasts affects our potential access to
new flying sites, the prospects for government agencies to
listen to us seriously, and even our opportunities to
participate in rule-making processes that can impact our
hobby.
I truly believe that there are doors open to us that
we can take advantage of. If someone can get jump-roping
championships and dominoes on television, we ought to be
able to do the same for model aviation. There are several
modeling events that lend themselves to spectator appeal and
would make ideal subjects for television exposure.
Although
it might not happen tomorrow, I do think we can make these
ideas realities.
Sharing organizational news and information
with its members is key to the success of any association.
We have been looking for new ways to increase lines of
communication between AMA and our members. Earlier this year
AMA Publications Director Rob Kurek and I discussed ways we
could accomplish this.
One item we considered was the
concept of an online "blog." A blog—or web log—is nothing
more than an online journal used to share news and
information with its audience.
Blogs are relatively new to
the association world. According to one estimate, less than
1% of all associations have blogs and fewer than 19% of
associations that have an online presence have implemented
blogs on their Web sites.
By the time you receive this issue
of MA, a new section will be added to AMA's Web site (www.modelaircraft.org)
titled "Community." It will contain a link to the
"President's Blog."
I intend to update this space regularly
with important information for our members. This could
include departmental news from AMA Headquarters, notices
about AMA projects or events, or updates on specific issues
relative to our dealings with the Federal Aviation
Administration, Federal Communications Commission, or other
government agencies.
Posts will be relatively
informal—anywhere from a sentence or two to maybe a couple
of paragraphs depending on the issue. Look for more features
that will be added to our "Community" pages in the near
future. MA
See you next time ...
Dave Mathewson, AMA president
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