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NEWS OF THE ALVIN R/C MODEL AIRPLANE ASSOCIATION
Editor: Thomas Stancliff
Alvin, Texas
April 2008
April Meeting to be held
Saturday April 26, 2008 @ 9am at the FieldEditor’s Notes
What do you think of the dues rate of $150? Some members believe we cannot get new members because the dues are so high and that we have to compete with clubs with $60 dues. Other members believe that if we control the spending that we can get by on $120 per member per year. Still others believe that if we recruit more new members that this will enhance the budget and help lower the dues rate. At this coming meet we will decide which way to go so come, voice your opinion, and vote. This is your club and it is spending your money.
Regardless of what we do with the dues we need new members. The future of this sport and, more immediately, the future of this club is dependent on a continuing infusion of new participants. The younger they are the longer they may stay with the sport. The AMA has a program in place for clubs to induce people to take basic instruction in expectation that many will continue with the sport.
The club has applied to join the program with Robert Bernal coordinating the activities. The AMA gives a money grant to assist with equipment but we need help form our membership as well. We need trainer aircraft and flight simulators as well as instructors. WE also need YOU to RECRUIT potential students. For details come to the meeting Saturday and participate in the first secession afterwards. Bring a student too.
Public Flight Show May 17th
Our club has been invited by Bass Pro on highway 288 to do an Air Show in the field behind the store as part of an "Event" that the store does to attract customers. This will expose our club to the general public in the Pearland area and could attract new members. We need people to come out and fly everything from trainers through giant 3D aircraft. We also need helicopters too. We want to show lots of glitz but we want to show that these flight styles have a starting point.
This site has a limiting situation that goes with it. Tom Bass Park is across the freeway and has a flying field. We can fly without interference if we fly with spread spectrum radios. This could be a problem if we do not have enough participants with this capability. As for the field behind Bass Pro, the surface is sandy clay that has been prepared for construction of the shopping center and needs to have a runway prepared. This will require a tractor with box blade to smooth the surface and fill ruts. Please email me if you can participate in any way.
Tstancliff@warpspeed1.net SHOWTIME everyone
Breakfast is back on Saturdays
Gene is the Executive Chef. Serving ends at 9:00.
Welcome our new members
Sam Matzas
is back. He is a past member that has contributed much to the club and he is rejoining.I know that there were many that joined in the time interval with no newsletters that have not been recognized in print. Welcome anyway.
There is someone I have missed and I apologize. If you see someone you do not recognize, introduce yourself and welcome him or her. That person might be handing out $10 bills.
Club Apparel
Hats and patched. – There is a shop in Manvel who will do caps with anything you want on caps and shirts. – Make It Personal 281-489-9329. Call for directions. The club emblem has been captured and can be added to just about anything.
Club Meetings:
Just a reminder, Club meetings are held the fourth Saturday of every month and begin @ 9 AM.
Vendors:
RC Hobby Shop
13837 South West Freeway
Sugar Land, Texas 77478
281 265 4844
Odyssey R/C Hobbies
281 333 1957
H Squared Catering Service
Jay Haskins Alvin RC Member
281 487 0414
Your add here. Email me
tstancliff@earthlink.net
Minutes
Alvin RC Club
March 29, 2008
The meeting was called to order by Jack Kimbrough, president at 9:00am.
Tom Stancliff read the minutes of the January meeting.
John Desmond presented the financial report. The cost of electricity was discussed with the possibility of changing providers. No action was concluded.
The electric fly-in was discussed with entry being $5 and open to all AMA members. The date is proposed for June or July waiting on fair winds.
Phil Vance proposed that the club join the Alvin – Manvel Chamber of Commerce for public exposure. Coat is $100 per year. The motion passed. The CC is doing an event in OAK Park in August and the club will apply for space for a static display of models with members representing the club.
The dues were discussed. John Desmond stressed that the costs of doing business have increased significantly in the last two years; costs such as taxes, electricity, and maintenance of the club assets. Robert commented that other clubs do not have such high dues and that we cannot attract their members with our dues structure. Phil stated that the dues cost is a deterrent to novices joining the first time. A discount was proposed for new members. The subject will be discussed at the April meeting with a vote on dues.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50
Attendance
Phil Vance Ken White Tom Mattes Warren Binkley
Grady Owens Jack Kimbrough Fred Daniels Jack Webb
Pat Reynolds Carl Butler Frank Scott Robert Bernal
Hunter Bernal Cody Lee John Desmond Charles Patterson
Tom Stancliff Bill Bley