The candidates for AMA office are:

[J_R]

The candidates for President are:
Dave Brown
Dave Mathewson
Bill Oberdieck

The candidates for District I
Andy Argenio
Don Krafft

The candidates for District V are:
Judi Dunlop
Manny Sousa
Tony Stillman

District IX
Mark Smith

[Jim T. Graham]

The Profile Brotherhood will be supporting Dave Mathewson for AMA president. He is the future of the hobby and we will do all we can to support him.
VIVA DAVE MATHEWSON!!

[easytiger]

I vote for Dave Brown. He's great. You know what, though? Dave Matthewson is AOK by me, even DB himself agrees. If he was president, I would be happy with that, too.

You know what DB said to me?
"Even if I managed to please 90% of the constituency, which is probably impossible, 17,000 guys would still hate my guts."
Which, to me, sums up a lot of the opposition.

[Jim Branaum]

What about the third guy?

[Spruce Goose]

OK, Jim, I'll put my vote, and request others to do the same for Bill Oberdieck.

Bill visited our Big Bird Fly-in this weekend and had a lot to say about the future of the AMA. He is a very active VP for District VII and would make a great leader for the AMA.

And, unlike one of the others, he has no connections with SIGs that could sway his leadership.

[Jim Branaum]

Thanks,

Now there is a fair balance.



<G>

I personally know and like all three and think each brings his own special ways to the table. That is going to make the decision difficult.

[J_R]

OK, Jim, I'll put my vote, and request others to do the same for Bill Oberdieck.

Bill visited our Big Bird Fly-in this weekend and had a lot to say about the future of the AMA. He is a very active VP for District VII and would make a great leader for the AMA.

And, unlike one of the others, he has no connections with SIGs that could sway his leadership.

I am curious about your comment on his connection to SIGs (Special Interest Groups). SIGs are the primary input that EC members have to information about the various venues within the AMA. No one EC member, that I am aware of, has expetise in every venue of modeling. How does Bill know, for instance, what the guys that fly foamies, turbines, ff, cl, pattern, indoor, or any other venue want, need or should have? We know he has big bird expertise because he owns Taurus engines. Does he attend other venues in great enough numbers to understand all thier needs from his personal experience without the input from the SIGs?

Can you be more specific on what he sees as the future of the AMA? Where does he stand, for instance, on autonomous flight, turbines, 3d, changing the by-laws, and modifing the Safety Code? These are all issues of pressing importance.

JR

[Enriki]

Very simple JR all he has to do is ask, do you really think these guys don't know what's going on, they read what we have to say on line at different RC sites. Come on JR you know exactly who is selling RC products that are leaders of the AMA, or you don't get out much, probally the latter. No one person has the time to attend all other venue's, when was the last time you attended a FF, thought so, If you want someone to be specific, why not ask the canidate, not the members of this forum. If you want to fight like you do at the other place, this is not the place period.

[J_R]

Very simple JR all he has to do is ask, do you really think these guys don't know what's going on, they read what we have to say on line at different RC sites. Come on JR you know exactly who is selling RC products that are leaders of the AMA, or you don't get out much, probally the latter. No one person has the time to attend all other venue's, when was the last time you attended a FF, thought so, If you want someone to be specific, why not ask the canidate, not the members of this forum. If you want to fight like you do at the other place, this is not the place period.
Hi Enriki

I am not sure why your so defensive.

First, I have talked to Bill Oberdieck, and he stated that he does NOT read much of what in on forums on the internet. Who do you ask if not the SIGs? The SIGs are the ones that recommend changes to the rules and are considered the experts by most on the EC.

Yes, I do know who has what modeling interests and I have stated many times I have no problems with any member of the EC having such an interest. Do you believe there is some problem with it?

I was at a FF field about 6 weeks ago with some friends. I still have an interest in several modeling venues, even if I no longer participate in some of them. It's been about a year since I did some CL flying, before you ask.

I have talked to each presidential candidate. I have also told each of them I would not act as a conduit to represent their views. On the other hand, I think it behoves the membership to find out what they can about each of the candidates and cast an intelligent vote. Dave Brown has a column each month and any member that reads Model Aviation has a pretty good idea of where he stands. The voting records of Bill Oberdieck and Dave Mathewson are in the minutes of the EC meetings posted on the AMA website, along with motions they have made and occasional comments they have made. Of course, Dave Brown has a section in the minutes as well. Mathewson also has posted a web site at www.mathewson4pres.com to present his views. Offers have been made to all three to participate on internet forums to answer the questions of members. Mathewson has accepted and done so. The official candidate statements will eventually be posted on the AMA site, in MA, and be sent with the ballots. It is a shame to rely on such a short, controlled statement to cast an informed ballot.

Spruce Goose was apparently present during an appearance where Bill was campaigning and may have light to shed on Bill's views. It would be nice if someone would put his views forth. Perhaps you would be willing to contact Bill and see if he is willing to share his thoughts with those of the membership that do view the internet forums.

In fairness to Bill, it should be noted that Dave Brown has compared internet forums to CB chatter, and also says he does not read these forums. Dave Mathewson monitors RC Groups and several other internet forums on a continuing basis.

I will continue to ask questions of those that make statements where clarification may be in order.

[Viper Pilot]

For anybody who is interested, Bill e-mailed this to me yesterday. It may answer some of J-R's questions.



Campaign Statement

For those of you that I have not had the pleasure of meeting, may I introduce myself.

My name is Bill Oberdieck, currently serving as AMA District VII VP for Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

I have the honor of being nominated as a candidate for the office of President of the Academy of Model Aeronautics.

As VP for District VII, I believe I have represented the membership with integrity and honesty.And will continue to do so as President of the AMA. During my tenure, I have established a open door 24/7 policy and web site to encourage communication between me, the clubs and the members. I have been successful in securing new flying sites and assisted in saving other sites that might have been lost.
I led the change that enables AMA members of large over 55 pound model aircraft to be able to fly their aircraft anytime, anywhere rather than at only AMA sanctioned events provided the aircraft and pilot are qualified.

I have been instrumental in proposing a new Safety/Training video to be produced and supplied to all AMA Chartered clubs. The video will benefit not only the new pilot, but serve to assist the older members in implementation of the AMA Safety Code.

My experience of many years as a modeler not only has allowed me to fly a variety of models but also to be close to with those who fly everything from stick kits to turbines.And I maintain that relationship.

As your President I intend to lead the AMA in the 21st century to accomplish the Mission, Goals and Visions of the Academy and its members with this aggressive agenda

1) increase the awareness of aeromodeling to the general public.
2) increase the awareness of aeromodeling to local, state and federal governments to gain support for our activities.
3) expand activity with all major youth groups with more AMA participation.
4) incorporate major support for technological advancements in all the aeromodeling venues based on factual information.
5) eliminate snap decisions without sufficient factual information.
6) reduce ineffective and outdated policies.
7) obtain greater media promotion and coverage of major events.
8) encourage open communications with the general membership.
9) promote safety and training taylored for each of the aeromodeling venues
10) promote the enjoyable activity of all the aeromodeling venues.

As your president I will not be able to accomplish any part of the agenda without the cooperation and support of you the member and the Executive Council. If you agree with my proposed agenda, then your confidence and voice will be your vote. Together it can be and will be accomplished, Your vote for me is your voice, let it be heard.

Thank you

William "Bill" Oberdieck


Viper

[J_R]

Here is the one from Mathewson's website. I have written Dave Brown and will post his if he sends it.

Campaign Statement of
Dave Mathewson
Candidate for AMA President
www.mathewson4pres.com

My name is Dave Mathewson and I’m running for the office of AMA President. I am currently the AMA District 2 Vice President, having held this position for the last four years. Prior to this I was an Associate Vice President for both John Grigg and Wes DeCou.

I have outlined a vision and a set of goals that I believe would enhance AMA’s ability to serve our members and advance model aviation. Times change, and AMA needs to make a shift in what have been our priorities.

I believe we need to focus more on promoting model aviation as a worthwhile, recreational activity. This positive exposure would pay off primarily in our efforts to acquire and retain flying sites, our top priority in District 2 during my time here. In fact, AMA’s opportunity to testify before a Congressional Committee in Washington, D.C. investigating recreational uses of federally owned lands was a direct result of the work of our members in District 2. Our emphasis on acquiring flying sites led to a dialog with the Commissioner of Parks in New York State that resulted in the implementation of a pilot program to determine the compatibility of modeling activities in the New York State Parks System. Other efforts led to a meeting with the Northeast Director of the US Fish &Wildlife Service. These are the types of efforts I would like to see AMA more involved in on a national level.

We need to continue to support our members who fly competitively. They are part of our original foundation that always has been and always will be a part of AMA. Yet we need to focus more on our members who fly for fun; our largest and fastest growing segment. In 2002 I created an annual District 2 Fly In to help promote that concept. It has become a way for our sport members to come together to meet and fly with those from other clubs in a relaxed atmosphere, the ultimate goal being to enhance their modeling experience.

The average age of our members continues to rise. We need to focus more on education and attracting young people into our hobby. Our best resource to realize this goal lies with our members. For you to be able to accomplish this task we need to provide you with as much support as we can. This is why in 2001 I appointed the first AMA District 2 Education Coordinator. We need to recognize and react to the rapidly growing number of new modelers, many of them teenagers and younger, entering the hobby through “park flyer” type models. Our goal should be to help educate these new modelers concerning issues such as interference and safety. We should do this primarily as a benefit to our existing members. But we also need to recognize that these new modelers may represent both model aviation’s and AMA’s future. Many will soon begin to move towards a more diverse form of model aviation. Our job should then be to make them more aware of AMA, our system of chartered clubs, and invite them to become a part of the world’s largest sport aviation organization.

Advancements in technology have taken model aviation to new levels. It’s not realistic to expect every member of the Executive Council to be an expert in every discipline. Yet we are still charged with creating guidelines under which our members fly, a difficult task at best. To address this problem we need to include those who participate in a discipline in setting guidelines for that discipline. Seeking the input of our Special Interest Groups is a good first step. Part of AMA’s mission is a commitment to scientific/technical development. We need to allow our members the latitude to experiment, to try new things, and not stifle their creative efforts. We need to embrace new technologies and encourage those that offer these new technologies to help find a way to safely incorporate them into model aviation. We need to do this without creating an underlying risk to our members’ ability to enjoy model aviation. At times this won’t be easy, but an effort needs to be made and solutions need to be found.

A trend has developed over the last few years where liability concerns are driving the direction of our Safety Code. I believe this is a mistake. Most of our members make an effort to fly safely. I believe a better alternative would be to tailor the Safety Code to encourage reasonable, safe flying practices without individually targeting certain styles of flying. Then we need to ask for your help to ensure that we all fly within those guidelines. It’s you who can be our biggest source of help in implementing a program to reduce risks.

I believe all of these areas need increased attention, yet not at the expense of some of what we are already doing. Our efforts with regard to frequencies, and cementing relationships with government agencies to ensure your continued right to enjoy our hobby should not be overlooked.

Finally, I am a proponent of term limits. I raised the issue before the Executive Council in 2001. I think we owe a debt to the current president for his quarter century of work on behalf of AMA as a member of the Executive Council. But a member organization like ours regularly needs new people with new visions and new enthusiasm to remain a viable, thriving organization whose mission is to meet the needs of the members. I believe that I possess these qualities and I ask for your vote and the opportunity to lead AMA into the future.

[Jim Branaum]

For anybody who is interested, Bill e-mailed this to me yesterday. It may answer some of J-R's questions.





Viper

Bill O. voted against the new turbine waiver rules which was Dave Browns position. Mathewson voted for the JPO sponsored rules which are in effect today. Bill O voted against revoking Safety Code rule 9, the no tail touch rule that Dave Brown supported. Mathewson voted to retract the rule. Bill O previously said things that do not match what you have posted.

The following was taken from the District VIII list and raises more questions than not.

************************************************** **
I had a few minutes free and made a mistake by checking the list. I am
having serious doubts about some of the members on this list.
It appears some might lay awake at night thinking of things to crab
about.
Some of them don't read too well. and some have nothing else to do.
And some think they are intitled to know where and how money is spent.
If they were stock holders in a corporation, then yes to have a say
so. But as a member of ANY organization they are intitled to the benefits
and
any protections offered by said organization. To my knowledge the only
place a member of an organization can have a say so is at the local club
level. Now if said members are disatified as to how the organization is
being
managed they have the option of trying for an officer seat and or
voting others into office that may or may not do a better job.
Now I do not recall anyone twisting anyones arm to join the AMA.
True,if that person would like to fly at a AMA chartered field they have to
be
a member of the AMA and also the club.BUT it isn't necessary if that
person just wants to fly his/her model at a non-chartered field.example is
the current Park Flyers.
Now to change the subject, unless you certain individuals have a way of
seeing into the future, we will just have to rely on present methods
of trying to predict the future.
Hindsight is always 20/20
I expect this will generate some flack, but don't expect me to answer
to it.
Just remember as a member you can voice your opinions to whomever you
voted for to represent you. Thats why you voted for him/her. You did vote
didn't you? sure all 12 percent.
Have a nice holiday.
************************************************** *****

[Viper Pilot]

. . .. .The following was taken from the District VIII list and raises more questions than not. . . .

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Viper

[Jim Branaum]

Woops!

Sorry Viper, I forgot to pull the header or properly attribute that stuff. The quoted material was one of Bill O.'s posts on that particular forum.

The votes are a matter of public record, and I think all AMA members are the proper public. Those were both issues that raised significant ire and caused much discussion across almost all venues, so it is important to see where each of the candidates fits in those areas. Hard to expect something different from the leapord.

I found the differences between my 'quote' and the contents of your post interesting. Odd how they fit together, don't you think?

[J_R]

Dave Brown sent his statement

Campaign Statement 2004

My name is Dave Brown, and I am a candidate for re-election as President of AMA. Before I make any statement, I would like to acknowledge that the candidates I am running against are good people, who have worked hard for the AMA membership. I have nothing but respect for them.

Aeromodeling, today, faces challenges which are unique to the times in which we exist. Advancing technology, combined with our societies focus on security, present many situations in which our basic right to continue to fly, hangs in the balance. Working together, I believe we are in a good position to continue to enjoy model aviation, but we cannot allow internal strife to jeprodize that position.

My style of leadership is, and has been, to work hard to achieve concensus. Please understand that the President has very little, absolute, authority under the AMA Bylaws, and his influence on the direction the organization takes will be determined by his ability to lead the Executive Council to concensus. I believe my strength is in my ability to do that. The membership elects it's representatives to the Executive Council, and the President, has no control over who holds those positions. The challenge the President faces is to keep those, sometimes diverse, people, working together for the good of aeromodeling. I believe I do a good job of that, and I am willing to stand on my track record.

While no candidate for AMA President can tell you that he will promise anything, beyond his hard work, and dedication, any candidate should be able to give you an idea of what he hopes to achieve. I believe that protecting your right to continue to enjoy aeromodeling is the first priority. In these troubled times, that may be as much of a challenge as we are able to handle. Flying sites are central to our activity, and we need to continue to support local efforts to find, and keep, flying sites, as well as working, at the national level, to create more opportunity for the establishment of local flying sites. Frequencies, and the usability of those frequencies, are central to the majority of our activities, and we need to continue to defend those frequencies against anything which threatens our use of them. We need to, continue to work with the FAA, in order to maintain our right to operate in the airspace, and we need to monitor all federal agencies to minimize, not only the creation of rules, and regulations which would be aimed at model aviation, but the un-intended consequences which may arise when those agencies pass regulations aimed at other activities. Of course, we need to do all of this, while being efficient in terms of cost.

In the end, we need to do all of this, without losing sight of the fact that this is supposed to be fun.

I ask for your vote, but will state that it is more important that you DO vote, than who you vote for. This is your opportunity to influence YOUR organization.