- Details
- Written by: Doug Pilcher
- Category: Club Business
Present: Mike Karnes, Doug Pilcher, Samantha McKinney, Phil Vance, Primo Rivera, Brad Davy, Toby Silhavy, Rich Whitlow, Alex Dreiling, and Manrico Mincuzzi.
Absent: Clark Hymas, Jorge Guzman, and Michael Hobson
Guest: Adi Kochav
Meeting began 10:04 p.m. EST.
Covid Direction Thoughts/BOD NATS Thoughts – All BOD Members
Doug asked the BOD their thoughts about the Covid-19 and the 2020 NATs. Texas has begun a limited reopening. Schools are shut down. The states have different reopening plans. There still isn’t a whole lot of flying going on.
Doug suggested that we make our decision on the NATs and get it out to the membership and to AMA.
Rich conducted a poll on attendance for the 2020 NATs. There were a total of 60 votes, with 47 “no” and 13 “yes;” with 9 of the “yes” votes being staff. Only 4 pilots voted that they would attend the NATs. Rich’s recommendation is to cancel the NATs. It will not be a good turnout for the amount of money that has to be spent on the event. There are too many members that said they wouldn’t attend due to the Covid-19 virus, financial restrictions, mandatory quarantines, etc.
AMA isn’t making a decision on the 2020 NATs until June 10th. Pattern cancelled their NATs last week.
Brad wanted to know what is the driving factor to cancel the NATs now, instead of waiting on AMA’s decision. Many of the pilots/staff must schedule their vacation ahead of time. Some companies won’t let employees take time off or won’t allow time off if they only have 30 day notice.
Right now in Indiana, the parks aren’t open yet and not quite sure when they will open. Currently, there are no facilities at AMA that are open. They are requiring pilots to social distance.
The logistics are too great to handle for the NATs. The judges, pilots, and callers would have to be six feet apart. There would have to be social distancing in the pit areas. The bathrooms would have to be cleaned after each use.
Rich has gotten some feed back on why we are even considering having the NATs. He hasn’t gotten any positive feedback. The risk is too big to have the NATs. On top of the Covid-19, it’s not worth the money to host a national event for 10 or less pilots.
Rich also said that we have lost our sponsorship, due to the companies also hurting during this pandemic.
Manrico cancelled the 2020 Europeans in March, when the contest was going to be held in August. This contest had 150 pilots registered. After the contest was called, within the next few weeks everyone was very happy that the decision to cancel was made early. Manrico suggests that we make a decision now.
Toby informed the BOD that Scale and Pattern have cancelled their NATs. He says we have to protect our membership.
A motion was made to cancel the 2020 NATs by Rich Whitlow and seconded by Doug Pilcher. Motion carried unanimously.
Treasury/Membership Renewals – Phil Vance
As of tonight, the balance in the general operating account is:
Checking $ 3,317.26
PayPal $33,307.70
Total $36,624.96
Regional/Covid Issues/Directions in Region – All RDs
Brad said the NE cancelled their season opener. The Canadians wanted to cancel their Quebec contest, but Brad asked them to wait until it was closer to the event. The region still has their fingers crossed for the July contest. The local jurisdictions still have more restrictions in place. They are discussing going to 50 people or less within the next 2-3 weeks. Restaurants have been open through the closings with take-our or curbside. A lot of pilots in their region camp at the fields, and very few stay in hotels.
The SE has had one contest in Miami and events have been cancelled since then. There is a contest scheduled in North Carolina next month, and Primo is checking with the CD on the state/local guidelines. As far as he knows, there is still 10 or less people required for a gathering. Georgia is slowing reopening.
Toby reported that the NC has cancelled all events up to the NATs. Ohio is in Phase 1 of quarantine. People can go out a little more. They are letting a few areas open to Phase 2, where restaurants can have 1/3 capacity. Toby’s employer is predicting that as soon as everyone goes back to work that more cases will arise. Toby is concerned about the rest of the NC season. Currently, we can only have 10 or less for gatherings.
Rich has cancelled 11 events in the SC. A good portion of the season is gone. There will be an aerobatic fun day in Kansas, with a restriction of 10 or less pilots. The Broken Arrow contest is on the books for June 6th, they are waiting to make a decision. The next contest is June 27. Rich is predicting by early July, their contests will be going. Louisiana won’t be out of Phase 1 until mid-June. They still have limitations on out-of-state travel. If they go East, there is a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
The SW has cancelled everything. California is on lock down. Los Angeles has extended their lock down for another 3 months, which affects 3 contests. Arizona has a few things going on. They have rescheduled contests from September to November, every other week. The Tucson Shootout was cancelled.
Manrico said some Europeans countries are coming back. There will be 2 open International competitions, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. There are both held in August. There was originally 8 scheduled and they are down to 2 remaining. Many countries are still shut down. The UK is open. The contests on the website are the ones still happening. Israel is having a couple of events. Most of Europe is still grounded. They are hoping to fly in September, but there won’t be a National Championship this year.
Adi informed the BOD that the online judging school had 30 pilots from around the world. Israel is having a contest in June when they will start their season. The Nationals will be in November. Adi is still working with Facebook and social media to show the pilots that IMAC is still going strong.
Primo asked what we do for the RPS system. Brad says it’s whatever points you got. Rich set a minimum of 3 contests to qualify, due to the restrictions.
Manrico said that there is no danger in IMAC going away. There is a lot of expectations and excitement on what will happen next year.
Mike asked to keep your regions informed and busy with IMAC. Everyone needs to keep their attention and focus on IMAC.
Meeting adjourned 10:45 p.m EST.
- Details
- Written by: Doug Pilcher
- Category: Club Business
- Details
- Written by: Doug Pilcher
- Category: Club Business
Present: Mike Karnes, Doug Pilcher, Samantha McKinney, Phil Vance, Alex Dreiling, Primo Rivera, Brad Davy, Rich Whitlow, Toby Silhavy, Manrico Mincuzzi, and Michael Hobson
Absent: Jorge Guzman and Clark Hymas
Guest: Adi Kochav
Meeting began at 9:04 p.m. EST.
Approval of February Minutes – Mike Karnes
The February minutes are out for approval. There is a duplicate sentence that will be removed. A motion was made to approve the February 2020 meeting minutes by Mike Karnes and seconded by Doug Pilcher. Motion passed unanimously.
IMAC and the Coronavirus in the U.S. – Doug Pilcher
Doug has been contacted by several members on our stand with the coronavirus. Primo has also received several emails with questions and concerns. Currently, President Trump has suggested no more than 10 people in a group and social distancing. Primo will be deciding on Wednesday on whether to cancel the Ocala contest. There are several pilots registered for this contest. Rich believes along with the issue of transmission; will the pilots be able to find a place to stay and eat. Some companies are requiring a self-quarantine of 14 days if an employee has traveled.
The BOD and IMAC must adhere to state and local guidelines. The decision to cancel contests will be left up to the CD, who must adhere to federal, state, and local guidelines.
Rich has contacted AMA to see what their policy is. AMA was having a meeting today and didn’t get back with Rich. A question was raised on if the clubs will be refunded their sanction fee. Alex says they are refundable with sanctions through April 30. Doug says that AMA has always allowed the moving of a sanction date, even if a contest or event is re-scheduled without an additional fee.
IMAC’s stance is for all RDs and CDs to adhere to state and local regulations/guidelines for their contests. Brad recommended IMAC put out a statement to the membership. Doug will write up and send an email to our membership. The BOD recommends that they wait until at least 7 days out to decide on whether to call a contest.
March 15th Deadline for RCPs – Doug Pilcher
Mike checked and no one outside of IMAC has sent in an RCP. There won’t be no new rule changes for 2021-2022.
International Judging School Update – Primo Rivera
Since there will be no rule changes for the next cycle, Mike asked if we should be having an International Judging School. Primo believes we should have something for the instructors, not necessarily a massive school. He has been calling venues and many seem to be expensive. He is currently looking at a place around I-85. This venue does displays with airplanes and it seems promising. They are about 45 minutes from the airport, and close to Hinesville. Primo is also trying to get in touch with Jerry Hailey to see if he would be interested in Childers Racing to host the school. One concern is the weather in North Carolina in January.
Primo was asked if he has checked with any of the local EAA chapters, along with checking with colleges that have aeronautics programs.
It was asked if it was practical to having an online judging school for the instructors. Brad thinks we could do it, just wouldn’t have the visuals. There wouldn’t be as much interaction between student and instructor. This class teaches instructors how to teach the class. He doesn’t necessarily believe it will be effective online. It is something to consider if we don’t' have any other options. We might possibly get more participation but cannot predict that.
NATs 2020 Update – Rich Whitlow
Currently, we have three committed judges, which includes Doug and Mike. Rich has emailed Yolanda to see what they are thinking about the NATs in general over the coronavirus. The T-shirt sizes are in and Rich will be getting with Rosie to talk over preliminary plans for the banquet.
Regional Savings vs. Regional Budgeted Funds – Mike Karnes
The Executive BOD is currently working on this issue. The plan is to separate regional budgeted funds from their actual regional’s funds. This has never been done; it has always been reported with the IMAC General Operating account. Currently, the regions have more money saved up than what the General Operating account has.
It was discussed last month to currently only use the budgeted funds for awards and regional judging schools. Alex asked if we should lower the IMAC budgeted funds, thinking the $1,250 is too high. With the savings in each region and what is budgeted for each region, the current money owed to the regions is over $20,000.
2019 Year-End Financials – Phil Vance
Brad would like to see a comparison of the 2019 Budget versus 2019 Actual Financial Statement before releasing to the membership. Phil will get these numbers together and get it out to the BOD.
Treasurer’s Report – Phil Vance
As of tonight, March 16, 2020, the General Operating Account has:
Checking $ 5,248.65
PayPal $31,032.38
Total $36,281.03
Regional Issues – All RDs
Alex just cancelled the contest this weekend for the SW. The governor just put a 50-person limit on group gatherings.
The Toledo Show was cancelled in the NC region due to the coronavirus. The T-shirts were not Toledo Show theme-based, so Toby will be selling them throughout the region this month. The next thing up is the judging seminar in Muncie in a month. Toby has been working with Dan Carroll from Australia on an electronic scoring system.
The SC region has a skills clinic schedule for this weekend. Rich predicts it will be cancelled, but the decision won’t be made until Wednesday. The following week was supposed to be a clinic in Kansas, but they are already cancelling it.
Primo will speak with the CD of the Ocala contest on Wednesday and decide on the contest. He will follow Florida’s state and local guidelines. After that, there is a judging school in the SE region, but will wait and see what happens.
The NE region doesn’t start their season until the end of April.
NE is keeping their fingers crossed. End of April is when the schedule starts.
In the European region, Manrico has postponed the Europeans until 2021 due to the coronavirus. The plan is as of now to continue with the first addition of the Euro Cup.
In the Asia-Pacific region, Michael is in the process of signing up 50-60 members. Australia is trailing the U.S. by a month or two on the coronavirus. The restrictions will possible mirror the U.S.
Meeting adjourned at 10:22 p.m. EST.
- Details
- Written by: Doug Pilcher
- Category: Club Business
Present: Mike Karnes, Doug Pilcher, Samantha McKinney, Phil Vance, Brad Davy, Alex Dreiling, Primo Rivera, Toby Silhavy, Manrico Mincuzzi, Clark Hymas, Rich Whitlow and Michael Hobson
Absent: Jorge Guzman
Guest: Adi Kochav
Meeting began 9:00 p.m. EST.
Approval of December 2019 Minutes – Mike Karnes
The December 2019 minutes have been posted in the BOD forum. A motion was made to approve by Mike Karnes and seconded by Doug Pilcher. Motion passed.
SE Region Hosting International Judging School – Primo Rivera
Primo has started preparing the International Judging School. Primo has sent an email to his ARDs. He has a couple of venues in Jacksonville in mind to host the school. The last judging school in Jacksonville was very expensive. Primo mentioned looking into Atlanta, since there is also a major airport.
Continued: Increasing Membership Fees Outside the US Establishing a Committee for IMAC Affiliation Fees – Mike Karnes
Manrico is still wanting to have the mass registration of $20 available to the International regions. This amount has already proved that it works. Manrico is afraid that if we go back to the $30, or $40 that the U.S. pays,we will lose several of the memberships. Manrico suggests staying at $20 for several years, then slowing increasing the membership dues.
One of the problems Manrico is encountering is getting the $20 to work in each country. The International regions have signed several members, but still doesn’t have members from the bigger countries.
Michael agrees with Manrico on the $20 membership dues. If the membership fees go up, we won’t be able to keep their membership. Many International countries have national organizations that keep things running on the ground. They must have money to do what they need to do. IMAC provides the unknowns and the rule book, so many of the pilots are questioning what they receive for their membership. For many of the contests or major championships, IMAC does not contribute financially. The International dues would be used to run things in the United States. The $20 in U.S. dollars, is $30 Australian.
If the fees increase to $40 U.S. dollars, the membership won’t happen. Internationally, IMAC is perceived as a U.S. body. Michael believes that IMAC should have national based organizations in each country. Another concern of Michael’s is that we might fall victim to our own success. If the International region keeps growing in numbers, it will surpass the U.S. in members. With this, the focus of the organization would move away from the U.S., with a potential of the BOD being more International members. Michael believes that there should be a separate domestic body for IMAC in the U.S. Adi said that we shouldn’t be afraid of globalization and we should look at the next five years.
Rich and Alex agreed with Manrico on the $20 mass registration. Manrico believes that in Europe, the members will multiple by 3 to 4 times. The International region has a huge number of participants. If we go after them one by one, it won’t work. Brad commented that we had the $20 mass registration last year and we didn’t pull has many members as predicted. He also asked that if they didn’t do the mass registration last year, why would they do it in 2020. Manrico stressed that the national directors of each country says this needs to happen. Many of them promised they would do it this year, but some will not. The countries that did last year, now have a procedure established. The $20 membership fee is the only change to make reoccurring membership happen.
One of the issues is getting them used to paying an IMAC membership fee. Currently, they get everything for free, which Michael disagrees with. Currently, there are around 5 IMAC members from Australia. Michael has around 40-50 member that have signed up with the $20 mass registration; he will get with Phil. they are thinking about using the championships for the mass registration. They are also throwing around the idea of having a little bit from each contest entry fee that would go towards an IMAC membership. Australia is also looking at the affiliation fee.
With the By-Law change, this allows the BOD to set the affiliate country membership fee. The plan is to give the countries 2 choices: to join IMAC under an affiliation fee, which would be a flat rate; or give them the option to register a percentage, 70-80%, of their pilots into IMAC. Michael agrees with giving the country the option to decided.
Manrico believes that mass registration will work and make the pilot feel they are a part of the IMAC organization. For this to work individually, we cannot take them away from what they are used to. Rich and Mike are in favor of extending the mass registration until we get the affiliation standards are in place.
A committee needs established to present the options to the BOD. We will need Michael, Manrico, and Jorge’s input, since they will be the ones that implement these fees. Mike appointed Adi to put this committee together.
A motion was made to extend the mass registration of $20 up until we have and the BOD approved an International strategy for affiliation and membership choices by Rich Whitlow. An amended motion was presented to extend the mass registration process in the International regions until we have approved affiliation standards in place by Brad Davy and seconded by Rich Whitlow. Motion passed unanimously.
Adi will keep Mike notified on how the committee is coming.
Posting of the By-Laws – Brad Davy
We are good to go ahead and post the By-Law changes. The AMA membership requirement has been dropped for required IMAC membership.
Manrico believes that IMAC should be a part of FAI. He says it would benefit our organization in many countries. Manrico says that FAI is looking at supporting IMAC. It’s a discussion that we can have at any time.
NATs 2020 Update – Rich Whitlow
Rich has a group email out to the staff. We established a good portion of the staff. We currently have 3 judges in place, looking for 5 more. Yolanda said that we have the camping spots. We have the meeting room and the banquet room. We are on the back site, site 4. We can also camp on the back site if anyone wants to. There is electricity and water back there. There are currently 5 guys that have signed up for the competition.
RCP’s due by March 15th – Doug Pilcher
Doug hasn’t heard of any RCP’s as of late last fall from Ty Lyman. There was some discussion of centering lines/maneuvers. This would take a great deal of work to get this done by the sequence committee. Brad has had discussion on airspace control and whether we want to establish more of an end box criteria or an outward criteria. March 15th is the deadline to get he RCPs in.
2019 IMAC Year-End Financials – Phil Vance
Phil presented the 2019 IMAC Year-End Financials. This was posted to the BOD forum for the BOD members to review. Brad wondered if Phil could break out individual dues versus the mass registration. Adi said the countries that were in the mass registration were Poland, Czech Republic, and Italy, which was around $1,300. The total income for 2019 was $27,519.53. The total expenses for 2019 were $31,817.94. There was a total net loss of $4,298.41.
Brad wondered if we could line this up with the budget versus what we actually spent.
We didn’t receive any money for the judging manuals are inserts.
Treasurer’s Report – Phil Vance
At the end of January, the General Operating account is as follows:
Checking $ 6,935.10
PayPal $27,264.58
Total $34,199.68
As of tonight, February 17, the General Operating account is as follows;
Checking $ 6,907.12
PayPal $28,492.46
Total $35,399.58
Phil sent out the regional funds to all the RDs. There is a disagreement on the regional funding for each year. The Executive BOD was under the impression that regions that had excessive funds would have to spend down their account before they received additional funding from IMAC.
Brad remembered that each region would get $1,250 from IMAC on a yearly basis. If they didn’t spend it, the remaining balance would return to IMAC. If they went over the budgeted $1,250, it would be taken out of the regional accumulated fund. Some regions are saving towards electronic scoring. Phil was concerned about the IMAC liability that is due to the regions and being spent each year. Eventually the regions would have more than what IMAC has combined.
The point was for the reserves in the funding would be used because the budget couldn’t sustain the reserves. The money agreed to be held over was the money that was raised by each region. Many RDs thought that each year they would get $1,250 for their regions; if they went over, it came out of their accumulated regional funds.
The RDs want it to be kept separate, the $1,250 allocated budget and the reserves (savings) that is in their account. Rich had a question if you had a fundraising, where would the money go, general operating or regional account. Many agreed that this would go into the regional funding.
Brad suggests that we need to better define what are the allowable expenses the RD can spend with the allocated budget. In Brad’s mind, the budgeted funds should only be spent on regional awards and regional judging schools. Alex believes that banquet style for food should come out of the regional funds. Rich agrees that the $1,250 should be used for the regional awards and judging schools. Primo agrees to put limitations on the allocated budgeted funds.
Mike showed the numbers if the RDs would happen to empty their regional funds and use the allocated budgeted numbers. IMAC General Operating would be hard to self-support if the region retains funds. This paints a grim picture. We’ve carried their funds in with IMAC budget for too many years. IMAC only has $12,000 to work with, not $31,000.
Rich asks that we bring this into the forums to be discussed. We don’t want to destroy the budget, but we can’t have IMAC go broke. We will get together and see what we are going to do. We need to split it out and see what is accurate, along with what is guaranteed to the regions.
Regional Issues – All RDs
There isn’t much going on in the NW. Clark reported their judging school is in 2 weeks. The first contest is scheduled for the first of April.
The first contest in the SW was last month and had 36 people. There are three contests coming up next month.
The SC has a boot camp on the 22nd. There is a judging school in a few weeks. Some members are going to Clover Creek to help with their judging school. First contest is in Odessa. There is a skills clinic coming up as well. We get started on the 28th of March.
The NC has several things going on. Toby wants to ask the BOD about the Toledo show. Last year, the BOD allowed people to join as new member or expired member for $20. We got 18 people signed up last year. We would like to continue that, which is currently at the discretion of the RD. In the booth, there are dedicated volunteers. We will have T-shirts for sale. We are going to have simulators there with IMAC models. Bert Garrison is going to do a monitor with all the pictures from the last year. We also have several primers this year in the region. We have 2 on the schedule now, and will be another in the Chicago area.
The NE scheduled is coming together; waiting on April to get things rolling.
The SE will be having a contest in Miami. There is 17-18 pilots signed up, none for basic. Primo is struggling to get people to show up to judging school. Primo is looking for a South Carolina ARD.
The European region has a lot of boot camps going on. They are working on the Europeans. Everything is ready, except for a few things.
Meeting adjourned 11:18 p.m. EST.
- Details
- Written by: Doug Pilcher
- Category: Club Business