[NSRCA-discussion] CIAM Meeting Representation

[Keith Hoard]

So basically FAI=United Nations

From: Bill's Email 
Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 10:32 AM
To: General pattern discussion 
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] CIAM Meeting Representation

On 3/13/13 8:10 AM, Jon Lowe wrote:

  Well, not really.  FAI only recognizes a single entity per country for model aviation, and that entity is the AMA in the US, thru NAA.  Remember that the FAI not only covers modeling activities, but also full scale and NAA is the entity for both in the US.  The amount each country sends FAI for modeling activities is based on total membership, not just the number that participate in FAI events.  The amount AMA has to send FAI each year is huge (I'm working on getting exact figures), and last I heard we were the single largest fund source for modeling activities. We still get only one vote at the table.  
>From the minutes of the October 2001 EC Meeting:

" AMA’s relationship with the NAA is much more than just FAI and completely severing ties with the NAA could be detrimental to AMA when trying to generate partnerships and grants with other organizations. The FAI program accounts for approximately ½ of the cost of NAA participation; the NAA participation fee will increase in 2012 (to approximately 56k). "

They looked at 3 options:

" Option 1-Maintain the programs as they are in terms of direct support for the teams, but reduce the number of attendees at CIAM meeting to two, funded people. Estimated yearly cost for entire FAI program-117k. 

Option 2-Major cutback, no more funding for Team Managers, Asst. Team Managers or helpers. No further hosting of WC in the USA. Reduce total allowance for each competitor for Entry fee/Hotel/Food/Travel to $1,000 (average now is $1,700); plus the above reduction for meetings. Estimated yearly cost-72k. 

Option 3-Exit the entire program. This would be a two year process, continuing current funding (with reductions as reasonable) for 2012 and 2013, ending NAA affiliation after 2013, and no longer offering the opportunity to compete on a USA team to an AMA member. Estimated cost per year after 2013-$0. 

Then this was in the July 2012 EC meeting minutes:

" FAI Blue Book
The ‘Blue Book’ is the program with which the FAI program is run. The committee went through the book and made cuts to reduce FAI expenses (as charged by Council).

C. Pierce reviewed changes that were made. She noted one of the biggest changes is the requirement to encourage more participation in the programs in order to receive funding. In the past couple of years, funding has been cut to U.S. representation at the CIAM meetings. HQ is taking more responsibility with the team selection committee to ensure that their programs are run in a manner acceptable to the FAI Executive Committee. Each sub-category in a discipline (for example: F1A under Free Flight) will be responsible for maintaining the required participation to maintain funding.

In the past AMA has paid for each team member’s entry fee, banquet, hotel, and provided each team member $400 for other expenses such as travel. The revision proposes a flat fee of $1,000 per team member. If every team were to qualify under the new requirement and send a full team the most the expense would be is $98k per two-year cycle. Funding is based on both performance AND participation.

Discussion included the bar has been raised a little in the performance criteria but AMA is more strict in the participation criteria; those teams that mostly always qualify for funding based on their performance will now be required to maintain a level of participation to retain funding; it was noted that Mechanics are funded by AMA only when one is required by the FAI rulebook; the FAI continues to add WC events without sun-setting others and this will dramatically impact (negatively) what AMA can fund in the future;  cuts were not made to the Junior Programs; and there is a provision for sunset teams (F4C for example) which allows for re-instatement and for a new program to be created.

The revisions represent a significant 50% reduction to the FAI budget and Council members should be prepared to respond to participating members questions on these cuts. The revised program affects participants starting with those trying for the 2014 World Championship teams; commitments have already been made to those teams competing in 2013 that had team selection programs in 2011.

When the President meets with the FAI President in August, one point for discussion will be the opinion that the fees AMA (the U.S.) pays to the FAI are disproportionate to the services it receives."



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