I don’t know about you but time sure seems to slip by faster as I get older. I remember how time seemed to drag by when I was younger. Day to day activities seemed to move along at a snail’s pace. I’ve finally reached the age where I have trouble keeping up with the world around me. Either I have too many things going on or I’m just not as efficient as I once was. Since I’ve spent 50 years of marriage trying to convince my wife that I’m perfect it must be that I have too many “things” happening in my life. I guess having to many activities is better than having none but sometimes it sure gets hectic.
I do have a couple of items to mention that are time sensitive. If any of the following item’s appeal to you now is the time to be acting on them. If you are like me, they will be in our rear-view mirror before we know it.
1. Now is the time for you to decide if you are interested in participating in MAFCA’s leadership as a National Director. Information is available on the MAFCA website at: https://www.mafca.com/elections.html. Additionally, each Director is available to answer your questions and help steer you in the right direction to run for office. Having a sufficient number of volunteers to run our club is essential to MAFCA’s future. There is no better time to get involved than now.
2. Our 2024 MAFCA national convention, Southwest “A”ventures, is scheduled for June 23 – 29 and is being hosted by the Southwest Model A’s. They have planned a great list of activities and are working diligently to put together a great outing. Check their webpage: https://www.southwestaventures.com/ for information on registration, including the registration forms, convention clothing items, raffle items and access to purchasing raffle tickets. The registrations are steadily coming in and we’re sure to have a great convention. Sounds too good to miss so start your planning now!
3. In prior years MAFCA has clearly supported the concept that youth are essential to the Model A hobby’s future and chapters are the means to introduce youth to the hobby. Two great organizations: The Model A Youth Restoration Award, MAYRA, provides financial support to youth whose interest in the hobby is demonstrated by their efforts in restoring a Model A and the Model A Youth Scholarship Fund provides financial support to assist children and/or grandchildren of any MAFCA/MARC member in pursuing their undergraduate education, whether it be a state university, college or technical school. Both organizations have website links on the MAFCA website under Youth, Grants and Scholarships. Establishing club activities that invite youth participation is a fundamental key to turning our youth into lifelong hobbyists. May of each year has been designated as Model A Youth Month. Now is the time for chapters to complete their planning and begin to publicize their event. I look forward to reading about the many different ways our chapters are involving our youth in the hobby.
It’s shaping up to be a great year in the Model A hobby. On a national level we have a MAFCA presence at the annual MAFFI Model A Days, MAFCA’s national convention in Ruidoso, NM, MAFCA’s annual award banquet in Salt Lake City, UT and a MAFCA tent and seminars at Hershey. Throw in a few local state tours along with some local club tours and everyone call fill out their calendar with Model A touring events. Looks like I’m going to have a big mileage year, I hope you do as well.
“See you down the road.”
Robert Bullard, 2024 MAFCA President