SWAMP CREEK R/C MODELERS BYLAWS
ARTICLE 1: DUTIES
ARTICLE 2: AUDIT
ARTICLE 3: TERMS OF OFFICE
ARTICLE 4: VACANCIES
ARTICLE 5: COMMITTEE
ARTICLE 6: MEETINGS
ARTICLE 7: DUES AND MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE 8: MEMBER STANDING
ARTICLE 9: RESIGNATION, TERMINATION
ARTICLE 10: AMENDMENTS
ARTICLE 11: SPECIAL FUNDS
ARTICLE 12: DURATION
ARTICLE 13: DISSOLUTION
ARTICLE 14: GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
ARTICLE 1: DUTIES
1. Board of Directors: the management of the Swamp Creek R/C Modelers (SCRCM) shall be vested in the Board of Directors who shall have the authority to establish and administer its policies. All decisions, other than changes to these bylaws, may be made by a 50% (1/2) majority vote of Board Members present at a scheduled Board of Directors meting. At a minimum, the President and two other officers must be present to have a vote. Official decisions shall be consistent with the stated purposes and objectives of SCRCM and the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). When issues arise that are not specifically defined by SCRCM or the AMA, The Board of Directors shall act in accord with the best interests of the R/C hobby.
2. President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and shall act as a spokesperson in all matters pertaining to it. All public statements related to Club issues shall be approved, if not made by the President. The President shall provide leadership and direction to all Club efforts. The President shall maintain an accurate record (including place of storage) of all Club assets and records.
3. Vice-President: The Vice-President shall act for the President when he/she is unable to serve.
4. Secretary: The Secretary shall record minutes of each Board and Membership meeting and handle all correspondence pertaining to Club activities. He/she will also be the Club’s contact person with AMA in case of questions, problems or situations.
5. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall prepare an annual budget, track income and expenses against the budget, collect all moneys, pay bills and maintain the Club Checking Account (non-interest-bearing).
6. Field Marshall: The Field Marshall shall be responsible for establishing “site maintenance crews” and “oversee mowing equipment maintenance”. He/she is to ensure that the field is properly maintained and recommend improvements/changes.
7. Safety Officer : The Safety Officer shall be responsible for chairing the safety committee and ensuring the existing safety rules are enforced. The Safety Committee shall consist of the Board of Directors, Chaired by the Safety Officer.
8. Optional – Contest/Event Committee Chairman : The Contest/Event Committee Chairman shall be responsible for coordinating and establishing, in conjunction with all the Club’s Contest Directors, a schedule for the next contest/event season. The schedule will be decided by the Contest Directors, and approved by the members.
9. Optional – Meeting Activity Coordinator : The Meeting Activity Coordinator shall be responsible for coordinating model-related activities.
ARTICLE 2: AUDIT
1. The President or his appointees will make a periodic audit of the Treasurer’s books. This audit should occur at least annually during the transition of the Board of Directors. It should be participated in by both the incoming and outgoing Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 3: TERMS OF OFFICE
1. Elected officers of the Club shall serve for one (1) calendar year. Officers are to be elected by a vote of simple majority of those present at the membership meeting in the month of December. The vote shall be the last order of business at the December meeting. Mail-in ballots will be made available for those members who have voting rights but cannot attend the meeting. Members wishing to use a mail in ballot must request one from the Club Secretary and ensure the completed ballot is delivered to the President by the time of the vote. Those ballots returned in time for the vote will be counted as if those persons were present at the meeting. New officers will take office immediately after the vote. The outgoing Board of Directors will transition Club affairs to the incoming Board during the January Board of Directors Meeting. Both Boards will work cooperatively during the December to January transition period, with the newly elected Board having the final say in all decisions.
2. The Board of Directors may appoint newsletter editors, web site administrators, contest directors, flight instructors and other persons as they see fit and following the voting rules outlined in Article 1.
3. Nomination of Club officers shall be made at the general membership meeting during the month of November. Nominations for office may be made by any active Club member holding voting rights, either in person, or by submitting a proxy nomination to an existing officer. All known nominations for office will be published in the newsletter or on the Cub web site prior to the election.
4. Removal from office or expulsion from the Club. A Board Member may be removed from office with a 50% majority of those present. A motion shall be made during a Membership meeting stating the reasons for removal. The person being “charged” shall be given a written copy of the charge at least one week prior to the meeting where the motion is to be presented and at that meeting have an opportunity to present their side of the case to the membership. Following the presentation and an open debate, the presiding office shall call for a vote.
ARTICLE 4: VACANCIES
1. Vacancies in any office shall be filled by appointment by the remaining officers, such appointee to serve until the end of the term for which his/her predecessor was elected.
ARTICLE 5: COMMITTEE
1. When required for any purpose, a “Committee” may be formed to work on a specified project or issue. A “committee” of the Club shall be appointed by the President.
ARTICLE 6: MEETINGS
1. Regular meetings shall be held at a time and place designated by the Club officers and published in the Club newsletter / web site.
2. Club officers may call special meetings with no less than five days prior notice of a special meeting. The purpose of the special meeting shall be stated in the notice.
3. Any Club membership vote shall be a simple majority of the members voting at the meeting unless specifically required otherwise by these Bylaws.
4. Any member or probationary member of the Club may initiate a formal request for action by the Board of Directors by submitting a proposal to the President. The proposal shall include a description of the nature, type, and extent of the Board action recommended. The President of the Board shall forward copies of the proposal to other members of the Board of Directors for their consideration. Either the President, or any other Board member, may have the matter placed on the working agenda of the next Club meeting.
ARTICLE 7: DUES AND MEMBERSHIP
1. The annual dues to be paid to the Club shall be determined by the Club officers with the approval of a simple membership majority vote. Dues are non-refundable, except under extraordinary circumstances, which will be determined by the Board of Directors on a case-by-case basis. Dues are to be paid no later than the January Club meeting.
2. No special assessment shall be levied upon the Club membership, unless it is approved by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members present at the regular monthly meeting, and the members have been given five (5) days prior notice along with an explanation of the assessment.
3. A member shall be in arrears and shall not be considered active if his/her dues have not been paid as provided in Article 7, Section 1.
| Member Category | Annual Dues (Calendar Year) |
| Full Member (18 and over) | $65 |
| Junior Member (under 18 years old) | $25 |
| Family Member | $90 |
| Courtesy Membership | Free |
| Initiation Fee associated with new membership | $10 |
| Late renewal fee (after March 1) | $10 |
ARTICLE 8: MEMBER STANDING
1. All persons shall be eligible for membership who agree to abide by the Club’s bylaws, Township and Field Rules and the AMA Safety Code.
2. The membership shall be divided into the following categories:
a.Full Member: Eighteen (18) years old or older, holding a valid AMA card – is granted full privileges and voting rights.
b. Junior Member: Younger than eighteen(18) years old, holding a valid AMA card – is granted full privileges and voting rights. Junior members are included until their 19th birthday and from their 19th birthday until their 25th birthday provided they remain continuously dependent upon their parents for their principal support.
c. Family Membership: “Family membership” applies only to dues rates. Family members will be Full and / or Junior members. Includes designated members of the immediate family, residing under the same roof (Father, son, brother, Father daughter etc).
d. Courtesy Membership: Generally non-flying members, generally persons over age 79 and others whom the Board of Directors may designate.
3. Flying members are required to have a current AMA card. The AMA card must be in their possession while flying. All first-time flying member applicants, as well as present flying members seeking membership renewal must show proof of membership in the AMA. The only exception to the AMA Membership requirement is for those who are enrolled in the AMA Introductory Pilot Program – in which case AMA membership can be waived for 60 days (see AMA rules) and non-flying Courtesy Members.
ARTICLE 9: RESIGNATION, TERMINATION, DISCIPLINARY ACTION, EXPULSION, AND REINSTATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP
1. Any member may resign his/her membership by giving written notice to the Club President.
2. If any Flying member ceases to have the qualification necessary for membership in the AMA, his/her membership shall
revert to a non-flying status membership, subject to automatic reinstatement upon restoration of eligibility.
3. This section provides for enforcement of the Safety Rules that are related to flying activities. Any other unacceptable
behavior by an individual member or members, as defined by the Board of Directors, become the responsibility of the
Board of Directors as stated in Article 1, Section 1.
a. Any individual may be expelled from membership from the Club by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board of
Directors if, in the Board of Directors’ determination, such individual willfully commits any act or omission which is a
violation of any of the terms of these Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, or the Rules of the AMA, or which is
detrimental to the Club, the AMA, or to model aviation.
b. Any member who is expelled from membership may be reinstated to membership only by two-thirds (2/3) majority
vote of the Board of Directors.
c. The Board of Directors shall have the discretionary authority to provide for, and to impose disciplinary action for
such acts or omissions, which do not justify expulsion from membership.
4. Any member receiving a safety Grievance as stated in Article 14, who is involved in non-flying violations, or who has key
information of a non-flying violation and withholds it from the Board of Directors, may at the Board of Directors’
discretion be placed on probation for one(1) year regardless of his or her tenure in the Club.
ARTICLE 10: AMENDMENTS
1. Amendments may be made to these bylaws at any general meeting of the Club membership, provided the
announcement was made at a prior membership meeting that the meeting would propose amendments to and include a
vote to change the bylaws. Other reasonable efforts such as an email message to the membership should be used. A
copy of the proposed amendments shall be made available at the meeting when the vote is scheduled. Amendments
shall be approved by no less than two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members present at the regular monthly
meeting.
ARTICLE 11: SPECIAL FUNDS
1. The Treasurer of the Club is authorized to receive contributions, or specially obtained funds from
any individual or institution, to be applied to the operating expenses of the Club.
2. The President will have discretionary spending of up to $500.00 without requiring Club approval.
ARTICLE 12: DURATION
1. The duration of this Club shall be perpetual.
ARTICLE 13: DISSOLUTION
1. The Club may be dissolved with the approval of a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the total membership.
2. Upon the dissolution of the Club, the Board shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the Club, dispose of all the assets of the Club exclusively for the purposes of the Club in such manner, to the Academy of Model Aeronautics, Inc., or to such other organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or to such other organization with purposes similar to the purposes of this Club, as the Board shall determine. Any of such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas (or similar court) of the county in which the Club is then located, exclusively for such purposes and to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
ARTICLE 14: GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE FOR FLIGHT AND GROUND SAFETY RULES
1.Purpose
The grievance procedure provides a mechanism to enforce existing safety rules by providing a progressive disciplinary
system when needed. Although most complaints can be resolved informally, if a complaint is serious or cannot be
resolved informally, the matter should be referred to the Safety Committee for its consideration by means of a written
Grievance submitted to the Safety Officer. At least one witness is required to sign the Grievance Form.
2. Safety Committee
The Safety Committee shall use its judgment in carrying out action on the following:
a. A grievance form will be filled out and turned in to the Safety Committee Chairman. At least one witness is required.
i. FIRST VIOLATION
1. Viewpoints of both complainants and accused will be considered.
2. Complainants name will be disclosed.
3. A verbal reprimand will be given to the accused by the Safety Committee and this will be recorded in the Safety
Committee files.
ii. SECOND VIOLATION
1. Complainant’s name will be disclosed.
2. The accused has the right to a written rebuttal to be reviewed by the Safety Committee.
3. If the Safety Committee so decides, the flying privileges of the accused will be suspended for thirty (30) days.
A written notice of this decision shall be issued and a copy will be published in the Club newsletter.
iii. THIRD VIOLATION
1. The Safety Committee will notify the accused in writing, and the Club members via the Club newsletter, that the
Club will vote on the expulsion of the accused at the next meeting.
2. Said expulsion will last for a minimum of one year (longer if deemed necessary by the Board of Directors). A
member may be expelled from the Club only upon a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership present
at the meeting.
3. Voting will be by secret ballot at a regular monthly meeting.
4. The expelled member may reapply for membership after the expiration of the expulsion time period.
5. The three actions will not be enforced unless they are accumulated within a two-year period of time.
iv. Any member receiving a Grievance, who directs any retaliation action against the person filing said Grievance, will
be subject to immediate expulsion from the Club. This is to include threats, intimidation, physical harm, intentional
equipment damage, or any other action deemed to be retaliatory by the Board of Directors.