Here's an excerpt of my last correspondence with AMA, directly to Rob Dingman...
Jeff Ashe writes...
On the street it makes good sense to purchase AMA's MoTow coverage rather than pay the much higher rate for AAA's RV and Recreational Total Coverage, so that I did. Sometime after my first year of MoTow coverage (around 2006), AMA instituted free/included MoTow for members paying their annual memberships via auto-renewal credit card. Great idea!
Not wanting to miss out on anything, I made my first phone call on the subject to AMA and asked, "What about those of us Life Members? How can we get the free MoTow coverage too?" The answer I was given (and the ONLY response I have ever received from AMA since) was, "We don't have a solution for you yet, but we are working on something."
Since that fateful day, I've been purchasing MoTow coverage separately, each and every year. Each year it "sticks in my crawl" a little bit more. At least once each year I email and phone call to ask again. To say I feel frustrated, angry, ignored and downright abused by AMA would be a massive euphemism. I was never overly fond of AMA before all this, and quite honestly considered AMA membership a "necessary evil".
Here's an excerpt of his response back:
Rob Dingman responds...
Regarding the roadside assistance program, it is important to understand that although the program is marketed as being "free", it is not free to the AMA. The reason it is linked to automatic renewal is because it is being funded with the savings from not having to mail renewal notices. I should also point out that $35 is much cheaper than the previous cost of Motow which was approximately $85.00.
Still, I certainly understand your frustration, and I have tasked the membership and marketing department with developing a better package for Life Members. We are currently in the process of transitioning to a new association management software system that will enable us to do more than our current system allows. I recognize that your patience has worn thin but this is the type of programming limitation that required us to replace the system we have been using for most of the last 30 years.
Looks like nothing has changed... yet. It appears that AMA still feels that I should be glad to pay extra for my MoTow coverage, in addition to the big wad I already dished out for Life Membership. I must have missed out on the "privilege fee" associated with being an AMA Life Member.
I'm tired of waiting and empty promises. AAA will probably get my money this year, just to spite AMA.
Since Mr. Ashe chose to publicize a part of his correspondence with AMA CEO Rob Dingman, As AMA's communications guy, I think it's only fair that forum members read both letters and draw their own conclusions. First, this is Mr. Ashe's entire email...
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:28:04 -0500
Subject: Letter to Rob Dingman
Hello Mr. Dingman,
At the urging of another AMA member, I've decided to make one last attempt to obtain a response from AMA, this time directly from you. Please understand that I have emailed several times using the AMA web site (at least once each year for several years), and made at least two phone calls to AMA representatives about the same topic. I have NEVER received any return response from AMA.
After years of paying my AMA membership annually, primarily for purposes of racing motocross, I decided a few years ago to purchase Lifetime Membership. As old age, bruises and broken bones caught up with me, I "retired" from motocross racing at the ripe old age of 48, and began exclusively riding street bikes, specifically Sport-Touring. I've been riding motorcycles since Age-3, but mostly avoided AMA restricted competition in favor of "outlaw" racing (bigger crowds, better competition, much less BS and politics).
On the street it makes good sense to purchase AMA's MoTow coverage rather than pay the much higher rate for AAA's RV and Recreational Total Coverage, so that I did. Sometime after my first year of MoTow coverage (around 2006), AMA instituted free/included MoTow for members paying their annual memberships via auto-renewal credit card. Great idea!
Not wanting to miss out on anything, I made my first phone call on the subject to AMA and asked, "What about those of us Life Members? How can we get the free MoTow coverage too?" The answer I was given (and the ONLY response I have ever received from AMA since) was, "We don't have a solution for you yet, but we are working on something."
Since that fateful day, I've been purchasing MoTow coverage separately, each and every year. Each year it "sticks in my crawl" a little bit more. At least once each year I email and phone call to ask again. To say I feel frustrated, angry, ignored and downright abused by AMA would be a massive euphemism. I was never overly fond of AMA before all this, and quite honestly considered AMA membership a "necessary evil".
I'm certain that my feelings about the past organization of AMA are not unique. At the local level, especially in motocross, power-hungry representation with the sole purpose of self-promotion and money extraction, is the overwhelming majority opinion of AMA-past. Perhaps your new leadership is in a position to change my feelings. Time will tell. We all wish you luck.
Sincerely,
Jeff "Haulin" Ashe
AMA Life Member - 642844
++++++
...and this is Mr. Dingman's reply...
Date: Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 12:51 PM
Subject: Re: Letter to Rob Dingman
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for your letter.
First, let me tell you how grateful I am that you are a Life Member of the AMA. It demonstrates a commitment to support motorcycling now and into the future, a future we fight for every day. Also I was disturbed to hear that your previous calls and e-mails have not been answered, and I have talked with the member services center about this.
The forces aligned against motorcycling today threaten to shut down millions of acres of public lands to off-road riding, close motocross parks due to excessive sound, ban street motorcycles from city streets if they have non-OE exhausts (not just straight pipes, which AMA opposes), and may well dictate a future of streetbikes with horsepower limits, mandatory airbags, leg protectors, roll cages, etc. The funds provided to the AMA in the way of member dues fund AMA's efforts to preserve motorcycling from these draconian measures.
The AMA also puts money back into the promotion of amateur racing, an effort that suffered greatly while the AMA struggled to manage pro racing, but which has been building steam ever since AMA sold pro racing in 2008. And the AMA actively organizes and promotes recreational riding, not to mention events like AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.
Your point about "power-hungry representation with the sole purpose of self-promotion and money extraction" is well taken. While there are very good promoters involved with the AMA, there are a few that are not acting in the best interests of our organization. The perception held by many is that the money spent with the local promoter all goes to the AMA, yet this could not be further from the truth. Only the $39 membership fee comes to the AMA, and not all promoters have even been sending that along to the AMA. Rest assured that the AMA is addressing this situation. We have instituted greater financial accountability controls to ensure that if a member signs up at a track, their membership actually makes it to AMA headquarters, which has not always been the case.
We have recently begun conducting elections for Congress delegates online to ensure a more democratic process and prevent control of the election by a few self-anointed "leaders."
The AMA Life Member program was conceived to provide individuals like yourself who purchased a Life membership, as well as those who achieve that status after 25 years of AMA membership, with a number of benefits negotiated with AMA partners, benefits that regular AMA members must pay annually to receive. Currently, you are entitled to 34 benefits that AMA has negotiated with partners.
Regarding the roadside assistance program, it is important to understand that although the program is marketed as being "free", it is not free to the AMA. The reason it is linked to automatic renewal is because it is being funded with the savings from not having to mail renewal notices. I should also point out that $35 is much cheaper than the previous cost of Motow which was approximately $85.00.
Still, I certainly understand your frustration, and I have tasked the membership and marketing department with developing a better package for Life Members. We are currently in the process of transitioning to a new association management software system that will enable us to do more than our current system allows. I recognize that your patience has worn thin but this is the type of programming limitation that required us to replace the system we have been using for most of the last 30 years.
It's been about three years since I took over as CEO at the AMA, and a lot has changed for the better. Now that the AMA has modern accounting systems and an association management system that will be functional later this year, your dollars are not wasted as they once were. While there are still challenges ahead, compounded by the slow economy, I am very optimistic that the AMA of the future will serve its members much more effectively than at any time in the past. And that includes Life Members.
Thanks for writing to me and the AMA. It means a lot to me to hear from AMA members.
Rob Dingman
