CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I:  NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Texoma Radio Control Modelers Club.

ARTICLE II:  CHARTER

The club is chartered as a non-profit organization in the state of Texas and, in addition, shall operate as a charter club in the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA).  AMA charter fees will be paid in accordance with Section 9 of the By-Laws.

ARTICLE III:  PURPOSE

The purpose of this club shall be to aid, assist and encourage the building and flying of radio controlled model aircraft.

ARTICLE IV:  MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the club is open to anyone interested in radio controlled aircraft.  A person will be considered a member in good standing of the club when he has both; paid dues in accordance with Section 9 of the by-laws and furnished proof to the secretary/treasurer that he is a current member of the AMA.  Persons 18 years and older shall be Senior Members and those younger than 18 years shall be Junior Members.  A family Membership shall consist of one Senior Member and/or spouse and/or dependant(s) who are under 18 years of age who wish to participate with the Senior Member.

(See change August 4, 2005.)

ARTICLE V:  BUSINESS MEETINGS

Members in good standing that are present at the regular scheduled meetings or any special meeting that has been published in the monthly newsletter, is required to conduct items of business.  Those members present shall include any two of the three elected club officers.  Amendments to the Constitution or By-Laws are covered in Article VI:  Amendments. (This article replaced. See change February 7, 2002.)

ARTICLE VI:  AMENDMENTS

Amendments may be made to the Constitution and these by-laws at any general meeting of the Club membership, provided the members shall have been notified in writing at least five (5) days in advance that the amendments are to be considered.  Copies of the proposed amendments shall be provided to all members as part of the notification.  Amendments shall be approved by no less than a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members present, at the regular meeting.  Mail-in ballots will be made available for those members who cannot attend the meeting.  Those ballots, returned by mail before the next meeting, will be counted as if those persons were present at the meeting.  The secretary/treasurer must be present to verify the standing of the members present. (This article replaced. See change January 6, 2000.)

ARTICLE VII:  RESTRICTIONS

Use of the organization controlled flying facilities is restricted to members in good standing and their guests.  Guest will have proof of AMA membership at the time of their visit.  Guest use of the field shall be limited to twice a year, not counting AMA sanctioned events.  Primary use of the field is restricted to radio controlled flight, but free flight and control line flight will be permitted as long as they do not interfere with the primary use of the facility.  Members will not obligate the organization in any manner not specifically sanctioned by the membership as a whole or by a committee or commission authorized to act for the membership.  The restriction acts specifically to require members and their guests to assume liability for their acts and to indemnify the organization from liability.

ARTICLE VIII:  BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(This article added. See change August 4, 2005.)

BY-LAWS TO THE CONSTITUTION

SECTION I:  OFFICERS

The elected officers of this organization shall be:

a.       President

b.      Vice President

c.       Secretary/Treasurer

An election of officers shall be held during the December meeting of the club and the newly elected officers shall assume their duties at the January meeting.

SECTION 2:  DUTIES OF OFFICERS

a.       The President shall preside at all meetings of the club and shall act as club spokesperson in all manners pertaining to it.  The President may appoint any member to act for him at meetings if both he and the Vice President are absent.  Special officers may be appointed by the President to take charge of flying site(s), club projects or club property.

b.      The Vice President shall act in the place of the President when the President is unable to serve and, in addition, shall be a standing member on all committees whose actions will dictate club policies.  The Vice President shall be responsible for scheduling programs at monthly meetings.

c.       The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep minutes of all meetings of the club.  He will maintain an up-to-date membership roster.  He shall also handle all club correspondence.  The Secretary/Treasurer shall collect all monies due the club (dues, special assessments, donations, contest entries, etc.) and shall keep an accurate record of all monies received and disbursed.  Current reports of the club’s financial status will be given to the membership at monthly meetings.  At the end of the fiscal year, a general accounting will be given showing income from all sources, expenditures and money on hand.

SECTION 3:  TERM OF OFFICE

All officers shall serve for a period of one year from the date of taking office with the exception of the Secretary/Treasurer, which is a two (2) year office.

SECTION 4:  SPECIAL ELECTIONS

In the event that an elected officer of the club finds it necessary to terminate his association with the club, a special election shall be held at the earliest opportunity to select a replacement.

SECTION 5:  CONTEST DIRECTOR’S

The club membership shall include at least one member who has AMA Contest Director’s credentials.  This will enable the club to schedule AMA sanctioned contests.  Special fees for obtaining Contest Director (but not basic AMA membership) shall be provided by the club treasury.

SECTION 6:  MEETINGS

Regular meetings will be held on a monthly basis at a time and place to be determined by the membership.  Special meetings may be called at any time deemed necessary by the President, or by one-third of the membership, provided that notice of the meeting is in the hands of membership at least three days in advance of the meeting date, and the time and place of the meeting is furnished in the notice.  Minutes of any special meeting will be recorded and reported at a general membership meeting.  Conduct of meetings in areas not covered by the Constitution or By-Laws will be based on Robert’s “Rules of Order”.

SECTION 7:  COMMITTEES

Committees for the following named functions shall be appointed by the President as it becomes necessary:

   Safety                        Newsletter

   Social Functions        Contests

   Publicity                    Refreshments

   Programs                   Field Operations

   Training                     Special Projects

Committees will be allowed to make expenditures and decisions for the club only to the extent approved by members present at a general membership meeting.

SECTION 8:  FLYING FIELD

The flying field shall be open for the use of all members of the club in good standing.  All club flyers must have both a current AMA license and a valid FCC license (if required).  Expenditures required for maintenance of a flying field must be approved by the membership as described in Article V of the Constitution.

SECTION 9:  DUES

Senior and Family membership dues for this organization shall be $48.00 per year, beginning in 1996, non-refundable, payable in full by January 31 of each year.  Dues for a Junior Member (not part of a Family Membership) are $24.00 per year.

Returning members whose dues are not received by the end of the February meeting will be charged a $10.00 late fee, beginning in 1996.  A returning member is defined as a one who was a member for the year immediately preceding the year for which dues are being paid.

New members joining the club during the year will be charged dues as follows; 1/12 of the annual dues for his category of membership, times the remaining months of the year.  The month during which the dues are paid will be counted in the calculation.  A new member is defined as one who was not a member of the club for the year immediately preceding the year joining the club.

There shall be no special assessments levied upon the membership at any time except by vote of the full membership, and then only upon a majority approval of two-thirds of the membership. (See Changes March 6,200, June 2 20053)

Those fees necessary to obtain AMA Charter club papers and/or a Contest Director’s license shall be taken from the club treasury as necessary.

SECTION 10:  CONSTITUTUION & BY-LAWS DISTRIBUTION

A copy of the constitution and by-laws of the club will be furnished to all new members within 30 days of joining the club.  A copy of the constitution and by-laws of the club will be available at all club meetings.

SECTION 11:  GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE (OFFENSIVE BEHAVION / FLIGHT AND GROUND SAFETY RULES)

CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS.

February 2, 1995

Changes and additions to the constitution and by-laws were voted on and ratified by a quorum of 19 members of the total membership of 46.  Present were the president, vice-president and secretary/treasurer.

January 6, 2000

ARTICLE VI:  AMENDMENTS: Replaced;

Article VI: Amendments

The Constitution and/or By-Laws may be amended at any general meeting of the club membership, provided the members shall have been notified at least three days in advance that an amendment is to be considered.  Copies of the proposed amendment shall be published in the club newsletter and received by the membership prior to the general meeting where the amendment is to be considered.           

These two changes to the Constitution were voted on and ratified by 31 members of the total membership of 46.  Present were the president, vice-president and secretary/treasurer.  

January 3, 2002

SECTION 9: DUES

1)      $36.00, To: $48.00

These changes were voted on and ratified by a quorum of 21 members of the total membership of 48. Present were the president, vice-president and secretary/treasurer.

February 7, 2002

ARTICLE V: BUSINESS MEETINGS:

(Replaced)

ARTICLE V: QUORUM

A quorum, which shall consist of the members in good standing that are present at the regular scheduled meetings or any special meeting that has been published in the monthly newsletter, is required to conduct items of business.  A quorum must include any two of the three elected club officers.  A quorum for amending the constitution or By-Laws shall require one-third of the membership.  The secretary/treasurer must be present at constitution/by-laws amendment meetings to verify the standing of the members present.

 March 6, 2003

SECTION 9: DUES

 (Section is amended to add the following:)

All members will be required to pay a $35.00 mowing deposit. This deposit will be refunded to the member when the member has taken their turn in either mowing the flying field or performed other duties as outlined in the mowing plan. If a member chooses not to participate in the mowing plan then the member will forfeit the deposit. This deposit will be paid in addition to annual dues.

This change to the Constitution was voted on and ratified by 27 members for the change, 3 against and 10 abstaining, of the total membership of 40.  Present were the president, vice-president and secretary\treasurer.

June 2, 2005

SECTION 9: DUES

(Section is amended to add the following:)

Any member that is or will be 70 years of age during the year that dues are paid will be exempt from paying the $35.00 mowing deposit and will not be required to participate in the programs that are required to receive a reimbursement for the deposit.

This change to the Constitution was voted on and ratified by a quorum of 23 members for the change, and 2 against. Present were the president, and secretary\treasurer.

August 4, 2005

ARTICLE IV:  MEMBERSHIP:

(Section is amended to add the following:)

Termination of Membership

Termination of membership may occur under the following rules:

a. If any member ceases to have the qualification necessary for membership in the AMA, his/her membership in the Club shall thereby terminate, subject to reinstatement upon restoration of eligibility.

b.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 Section 11 of these Bylaws.

c.         Any individual may be expelled from membership from the Club by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership at a regular club meeting as outlined in Section 11of the bylaws 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 the Constitution and Bylaws, or the Rules of AMA, or which is detrimental to the Club, the AMA, or to model aviation.  The Board of Directors shall have the discretionary authority to provide for and to impose disciplinary action for such acts of omissions, which do not justify expulsion from membership.

Resignation

Any member in good standing may resign his/her membership by giving written notice to the Corporation.

Reinstatement

Upon written request signed by a former member and filed with the Secretary, the Board of Directors may, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board, reinstate such former member to membership on such terms as the Board of Directors may deem appropriate.

This change to the Constitution was voted on and ratified by a quorum of ____ members for the change, and ___ against. Present were the president, and secretary\treasurer.

August 4, 2005

ARTICLE VIII:  BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Added

General Powers

The affairs of the club shall be managed by its Board of Directors.

Number, Tenure, and Qualification

The number of Directors shall be six (6), the six Directors being the same individuals elected and or appointed to the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, Safety Officer, and one member appointed by the President from the general membership.  The President shall preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors.

Regular Meetings

A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without other notice than this bylaw, immediately before the regular meeting of members.  The Board of Directors may provide by resolution the time and place, either within or without the State of Texas, for the holding of the additional regular meetings of the Board without further notice than such resolution.

Special Meetings

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the President or any two Directors.  The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board may fix any place, either within or without the State of Texas, as the place for holding any special meetings of the Board called by them.

Notice

Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given at least two (2) days previously thereto by written notice delivered personally or sent by mail or electronic mail to each Director at his addresses as shown by the records of the club.  If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail so addressed with postage thereon prepaid.  If notice be given by electronic mail, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the electronic mail is delivered to the Internet.  Any Director may waive notice of any meeting.  The attendance of a Director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a Director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.  Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by law or by these bylaws.

Quorum

A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board; but if less than a majority of the Directors are present at said meeting, a majority of the Directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.

Manner of Acting

The act of a majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, unless the act of a greater number is required by law or by these bylaws.

Vacancies

Any directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of Directors shall be filled by the Board of Directors.  A Director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office.

Informal Action by Directors

Any action required by law to be taken at a meeting of Directors, or any action, which may be taken at a meeting of Directors, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken shall be signed by all of the Directors.

This change to the Constitution was voted on and ratified by a quorum of ____ members for the change, and ___ against. Present were the president, and secretary\treasurer.

August 4, 2005

SECTION 11. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE (OFFENSIVE BEHAVION / FLIGHT AND GROUND SAFETY RULES)

(This Section added)

Purpose.

The grievance procedure provides a mechanism to enforce existing safety rules and reporting behavior that is offensive, conduct that is not gentlemanly or ladylike, 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 or Board of Directors for its consideration by means of a Grievance Form to be filled out and turned into the Safety Committee Chairman or Board of Directors as applicable.  At least one witness is required to sign the Grievance Form. In a case where no witness is available the grievance form may still be initiated, and the Board of Directors will perform an investigation. Disciplinary action in such cases where no witness is available will require a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors.

Safety Committee / Board of Directors

The Safety Committee or Board of Directors shall use its judgment in carrying out action on the following:

A Grievance Form (example form follows in this section) will be filled out and turned into the Safety Committee Chairman or Board of Directors.  At least one witness is required except as noted in “Purpose” section of this article.

FIRST VIOLATION

(a)    Viewpoints of both complainants and accused will be considered.

(b)   Complainant’s name will be disclosed.

(c)    A verbal reprimand will be given to the accused by the Safety Committee/Board of Directors, and this will be recorded in the Committee files

SECOND VIOLATION

(d)   Complainant’s name will be disclosed.

(e)    The accused has a right to a written rebuttal, to be reviewed by the Committee.

(f)     If the Committee so decides, the flying privileges of the accused will be suspended for thirty (30) days.  Written notice of this shall be issued and a copy published in the Club newsletter.

THIRD VIOLATION

(g)    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.

(h)    Said expulsion will last for one year, minimum. (Longer if deemed necessary by the Board of Directors).

(i)      A member may be expelled from the Club only upon a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership present at the meeting.

(j)     Voting will be by secret ballot at a regular monthly meeting.      

(k)    The expelled member may reapply for membership after the expiration of the expulsion time period.

THE THREE ACTIONS

The three actions will not be enforced unless they are accumulated within a two-year period of time.

RETALIATION    

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.

This change to the Constitution was voted on and ratified by a quorum of ____ members for the change, and ___ against. Present were the president, and secretary\treasurer.