From President Doug Fee

Who Are We? Someone on the airport a while back asked me just what it was that the Auburn Aviation Association does. Which got me to thinking (yes, a painful process). What, and who, are we? What is our reason for being here? After thinking it over, as I see it, AAA serves three separate and distinct functions at our airport:

Airport Advocacy. We are a user's group. We work with the city and our airport manager to address the needs of the airport facility, as well as the wants of the airport users. I believe that we are fortunate to, at the present time, to have city leadership who has a positive attitude toward what the airport can contribute to the greater Auburn community. I say "fortunate" because there are many small airports today who are under siege from the local community. Not all small airports are as fortunate as we are in having a largely cooperative relationship with the local community's leaders.

Scholarship Program. Many would say that this is our most important function. We are willing and able to help to foster the future of both aviation, and our local youth. When you look at the quality and commitment of our scholarship recipients, its hard to not feel proud about our part in helping these fine young people. What could be more important, and more fulfilling, to us as an organization?

A Social Organization at the Airport. There are some who might discount the importance of this aspect of our organization. I would disagree with their assessment because the social component and the entertainment quality of our meetings draws members to the AAA. Why is that important? Because when we talk to the city or the FAA as an organization of 150 or so members of the airport community, we have credibility. If we had only twenty members, we could approach them and might not be taken seriously. Why? Because in a city the size of Auburn, twenty individuals is nothing. A group of only twenty would be seen as nothing more than a small batch of eccentric extremists who were "obsessed" with the airport and its issues. But as a group of 150 airport users, the city and the FAA will listen to us. In short, our numbers matter and give us credibility.

When it comes time to renew your membership, please consider doing so. Not only do membership dues help to fund our scholarships, but also your keeping your name active on our roster helps to improve our membership numbers, which in turn helps the association do its job of airport advocacy. For the price of a few trips to Starbucks, you get entertaining meetings where you can mix with friendly, like-minded folks, and help your association do good work at the airport. Seems like a win/win to me.

Blue Skies,

Doug Fee