MARCH '00 PRESIDENT's CORNER
By Ron Gibby

It seems to be the desire of most of the club members that we continue to mow the flying field on a volunteer basis. Rob Opgenorth has volunteered to manage the mowing activity for this year. He will compile and post a mowing roster that will include all able club members, and he will ensure that the lawn is mowed at least weekly during the growing season. It is essential that we all honor our mowing tasks so Rob is not burdened with a lot of extra work finding others to cover missed mowing assignments. Always complete your mowing task even if you think the lawn has already been mowed recently. If this year turns into a repeat of last year we may have to again consider other options. Thanks Rob for stepping up to the plate!

The 2000 budget as presented by the club treasurer, Clee Childress, was approved at the last club meeting. According to the budget there will be no major construction activities at the flying site this year. Rob Opgenorth will continue to pursue options for running electrical power to the field. Specifically, Rob will try to identify an option less expensive than the one presented late last year. If such an option is found, and appears feasible to implement, we will likely pursue that option and install electrical power at the field this year. Dennis Cone is currently discussing with the City of Richland, the possibility of the club obtaining an unused gazebo the City has in storage. If the City agrees to donate the gazebo, we would then set it up at our field and buy the materials for a roof, which is not available for the gazebo. Construction of the gazebo would be done next year.

The combination on the field locks will be changed next month, so remember to pay your club dues this month to receive the new combination. Currently, only those who are members of the AMA for 2000 should be flying at the field. If you have not renewed your AMA membership for 2000 please do not fly at the field. Our AMA club charter and our agreement with the City of Richland require that only AMA members fly at the ORV Park field. If non-AMA members fly at the field we could lose our club charter and our agreement with the City could be canceled. When flying at the field please place your AMA membership card on the frequency board to identify the frequency you are using and to let other know that you are flying legally. Because of the potential seriousness of this situation I will propose that the club bylaws be amended so that beginning in 2001 club membership dues must be paid before January 1, 2001 for those wishing to fly at the field at the start of the year (this implies that AMA membership is also renewed before January 1). The club lock combinations would be changed on January 1 and the new combination would be provided to all club members at the time their 2001 dues are paid or prior to January 1, 2001.

Until next month, happy flying.

For comments or questions about the club please contact me by phone at 946-5356 or by Email at President@tcrcm.org