JULY 2006 DISTRICT 1 REPORT:
Andy Argenio, District I Vice President

AMA FUNDS allocated to districts are used by the vice presidents to pay for traveling expenses to district clubs, flying sites, events, and any activities that promote and ensure the status and growth of the AMA within the district.

Last year, as part of the revitalization plan for District I, the district associate vice presidents (AVPs) and I decided that the best way to promote the AMA, the sport of aeromodeling, and improve members’ attitudes would be to sponsor yearly district flying events. The host clubs receive $300 to $500 from district funds. For this payment, the clubs agree to open the events to all AMA members at no cost for site entry and flying fees.

The hosting clubs may earn additional money from food concession and raffles. The AMA district officers will help the club members run the event and set up areas for parking, impound static display, selling, and vendors. The district officers will sanction and CD the event, as well as handle the promotion and advertising. The officers will also write an event report for publication.

Host club officers will receive AMA screen-printed t-shirts and be invited to a Saturday night dinner with the district officers.

We had our first district-sponsored fun-fly and air show during September 2005, in Gardner, Massachusetts. As most of you are aware, it was a tremendous success.

Many members have written or spoken to us about how much they enjoyed the event and how pleased they were to see AMA funds being used for the enjoyment and benefit of the district members.

In keeping with what we hope becomes a tradition, we have been talking and working with many clubs throughout the district to find hosts for two flying events during 2006.

It was decided that one event each year would be a general fun-fly and air show open to all types of aircraft flying and allowing for times during the day to showcase special categories.

The second event would be a specific event category (float plane, large aircraft, Scale, warbirds, jets, helicopters, electrics, Soaring, FF, or
CL event) and the category would change each year.

This year, two district-sponsored events will take place in Connecticut. The first event is the AMA District I Big Bird Fun-Fly and Air Show. This event will be at the Woodstock Airport in Woodstock, Connecticut, August 4-6, and the Woodstock R/C Flyers will be the host club.
The second event will be the AMA District I Fun-Fly and Air Show. This event will be in Salem, Connecticut, September 22-24 and hosted by the RC Propbusters.

Please mark these events on your calendar and plan to attend. Many of the celebrity fliers from throughout the district and your district officers will be in attendance.

District AMA charted clubs interested in hosting an event may complete an event-hosting application form. This form will be reviewed by the district officers who will make the host selection based on location, availability of non-conflicting dates with other traditional events, and suitability of flying site (size, runway type, noise restrictions, parking, etc.) for the type of event being considered.

Only two clubs per year can be selected; however, applications will be filed for future consideration.

For friendships, flying, and fun, I hope to see you at the next district event.