This could be titled The AMA Listens to the Membership;
In Ms. Joyce Hager's column, page 192, Model Aviation, October 2004, (the official newsletter and IRC 501 (c) (3) non-related business publication) Ms. Hager, as the Executive Director of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, so stated "....document # 537 provides a guideline for the duties of a club safety officer ..." in reference to the AMA EC's mandate that all Charter Clubs must have a Safety Officer for 2005.
Now on AMA's web site one can find:>>>>
"Safety Officer/Coordinator (Added 9/10/04)
We have been receiving a lot of information regarding a document listed on the web site, PDF Document #537. Please understand that this document was created in 2001; it only suggested guidelines or responsibilities that a safety officer could use. The Executive Council did not make a motion to approve this document; it only stated that each club for 2005 will be required to have a safety officer/coordinator. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. ?Joyce Hager Executive Director
CLUB SAFETY OFFICER This should be an appointed position, within a club. The appointment should be made by the club?s elected officers. The person chosen needs to be mature, knowledgeable, and able to express himself/herself before an audience as well as on a one-to-one basis. Duties include:
- Pre-flight inspection of new aircraft ........... etc. etc. etc.
Investigate Methods to Enforce Reasonable Safety Practice on Part of Members
D. Brown informed Council that the Committee has been unable to develop program. Discussion of this topic included: should AMA mandate safety officers for all clubs, this would be the contact point for AMA to distribute safety information;
the safety officer could be the contact where AMA gathers incident reports (as mentioned in the Safety Committee report);
one of the VP told Council that he has requested his AVP?s investigate any incidents they are aware of and report their findings to him;
clubs have difficulty in finding a person to be the clubs safety officer; some perceive this position as a ?bad guy?;
MOTION VI: It was moved and seconded that effective with the 2005 Charter Club Renewals, all clubs are required to name a Safety Officer. This officer must have access to email. MOTION passed unanimously.
The named safety officer will be the communication link for safety matters to the chartered clubs. AMA will keep complete push email list of the officers. Over time the President would like to build a safety infrastructure within districts. A job description for safety officer is already in place and is listed within charter club packages.