I just read John Boomhower’s press release asking for support for the Professional Aviation Maintenance Foundation, (PAMF), a 501c3 founded by PAMA, but not integral to PAMA’s operations. Support is needed to provide scholarships to worthy young aircraft maintenance students that will find it difficult to pursue their goals without this financial assistance. Boomhower runs a good ship and the foundation has done excellent work over the years. But it can do more and it needs the support of the industry members that benefit from bright new talent entering the aircraft maintenance business.
AMTSociety is also linked to a 501c3, the Northrop Rice Foundation. This organization also provides scholarships for aircraft maintenance students. Additionally it provides financial and tooling support to aviation maintenance schools and instructors, a worthwhile and necessary pursuit.
While both undertakings are without question worthy of industry’s support I can’t help but wonder if their separate efforts are effectively cancelling each other out. These are tough times for the OEMs, MROs, and other aircraft maintenance organizations that are being solicited. Contributing to these scholarship requests stretches an all ready tight budget. I do not think, however, there would be any hesitancy if these contributors felt they were putting their donations in the right place. They need to be confident that the funds will be used as advertised and wisely. Two organizations soliciting from limited membership bases may be sending a mixed message and effectively negating the assistance each is requesting.
This, in my mind, is another example of why we must go forward. PAMA is fading away and the Society is emerging on the horizon. There is no reason that each of the foundations can’t work with the Society to funnel their efforts with more effective results. There should be no confusion. A needy, worthwhile student will appreciate help in any case, whether it’s from the NRF or PAMF.
That’s what I think. How about you?