York Area Radio Control Club Incorporated By-Laws
I – Objectives
To promote the sport of radio-controlled aircraft modeling (flying and construction).
To promote the safety of radio-controlled equipment for recreational purposes.
To develop further interests in the sport of radio-controlled flying.
To promote and organize recreational flying events and competitive flying contests in the York area.
Article II – Meetings
Club meetings will be held in March, July, October, and December. The designated meeting place and time will be determined by the President.
The Executive Board will meet monthly. The designated meeting place and time will be determined by the President. All members are encouraged to attend Executive Board meetings. The Secretary will submit a report of the meeting minutes.
Special non-scheduled meetings may be called at any time.
Article III – Offices
A. The offices to which an open member may be elected to.
1. President
2. Executive Vice President
3. Vice President of Special Affairs
4. Secretary
5. Treasurer
6. Field Committee Chairman
7. Fund Raising Committee Chairman
8. Contest Committee Chairman
9. Newsletter Committee Chairman
10. Entertainment Committee Chairman
11. Safety Committee Chairman
B. Club Officers and Committee Chairmen
The Club Executive Board will consist of B. Club officers and committee chairmen, who will be responsible for conducting Club meetings, managing the day-to-day operations of Club facilities, and subject to the approval of the membership. The Executive Board will also constitute the Disciplinary Board, which is not subject to the approval of the membership.
C. Executive Board Election
The Executive Board will be elected during the November meeting.
D. Term of Office
All elected offices will have a one-year term, except for the Club Treasurer, who will serve a two-year term.
E. Nomination and Voting
Members need not be present at the meeting to be nominated. Nomination and voting will take place for each office individually in the order shown under Offices. Voting will be by written ballot, and there should be at least two names placed in nomination for each office. If only one person is nominated, a voice vote will be accepted for election to that office.
F. Refusal of Office
Any member elected to the board who wishes to refuse the office must have a valid reason for not serving, subject to the approval of the membership of the Club.
G. Committee Membership
Members to serve on the committees will be chosen by the Committee Chairman.
Article IV – Duties and Responsibilities
Section 1 – President
A. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and the Executive Board and maintain order.
B. The President shall have the right to vote at all elections of officers and, in the event of an equal division of votes, shall have the deciding vote.
C. In the event of a vacancy in any of the elected offices, the President shall appoint an open member of the Club to fill such vacancy until a successor is elected at the annual election of officers.
D. The President shall establish other committees as necessary and, in lieu of volunteers, shall appoint members to fill vacancies.
E. The President shall be responsible for the overall operation and activities of the Club.
Section 2 – Executive Vice President
A. The Executive Vice President will assist the President in all duties.
B. The Vice President will preside at all meetings in the President’s absence. In the event of the President’s resignation or other incapacitation, the Vice President will assume the office of President.
Section 3 – Vice President of Special Affairs
A. The Vice President will oversee special projects for the Club, including those involving the AMA headquarters and other specialized assignments.
Section 4 – Secretary
A. The Secretary will maintain a comprehensive written record of the minutes from all Club and Executive Board meetings.
B. The Secretary will ensure that the membership list is up-to-date and current.
C. The Secretary will handle all necessary correspondence and correspondence-related tasks.
D. In the event of the President’s absence or the Executive Vice President’s absence, the Secretary will preside at all meetings.
Section 5 – Treasurer
A. The Treasurer will maintain detailed financial records of the Club’s financial standing and ensure the accuracy of all business transactions.
B. The Treasurer will collect all dues and fees payable to the Club and fulfill the Club’s financial obligations as required.
C. The Treasurer will provide monthly reports at Club meetings, detailing all income and expenditure data.
D. In the event of the President’s, Executive Vice President’s, and Secretary’s absence, the Treasurer will preside at all meetings.
E. The Treasurer will only disperse funds upon the approval of the Club membership.
Section 6 – Field Committee Chairman
A. The Chairman will oversee the maintenance and operation of Club facilities, including the flying field and its associated facilities.
B. The Chairman will be responsible for collecting all funds generated at the concession stands.
C. The Chairman will establish their own committee to assist and support their efforts.
Section 7: Fundraising Committee Chairman
A. The Chairman will initiate and conduct special activities as necessary to raise funds that may exceed the Club dues and initiation fees.
B. The Chairman will establish their own committee to assist and support their efforts.
C. The Chairman will provide monthly reports at Club meetings of their activities as required.
Section 8: Contest Committee Chairman
A. The Chairman will plan, arrange, and conduct flying events, special meeting events, and inter-club activities.
B. The Chairman will establish their own committee to assist and support their efforts.
C. The Chairman will provide monthly reports at Club meetings of the progress and objectives of their activities.
Section 9: Newsletter Committee Chairman
A. The Chairman will compose, publish, deliver, and mail Club newsletters to all Club members on a monthly basis.
B. The Chairman will endeavor to secure local and national publicity for the York Area Radio Control Club.
C. The Chairman will be accountable for enlisting the assistance of their committee in supporting their efforts.
Section 10: Entertainment Committee Chairman
A. The Chairman will organize and operate special events that have been approved by the Club membership.
B. The Chairman will be responsible for ensuring that the committee assists and supports their efforts.
C. The Chairman will provide a monthly verbal report at Club meetings of their activities.
Section 11: Safety Committee Chairman
A. The Chairman will be responsible for maintaining order, adhering to field rules, and ensuring a safe environment on the Club field in a responsible manner.
B. The Chairman will appoint deputies if necessary to assist in the safety duties.
C. The authority of the Safety Committee and its deputies can only be overridden by the Executive Board. The authority of the deputies can only be overridden by the Safety Committee Chairman or the Executive Board.
D. If any open member believes that any Safety Deputy is abusing his authority, the complaint shall be given in writing to the Safety Committee Chairman. If, for some reason, the Safety Committee Chairman is unavailable, it should be given in writing to the Executive Board. A special meeting will be called by the Executive Board to make a ruling as to the validity of the decision, with all people involved given at least one week’s notice to attend.
If the ruling is in favor of the Deputy and is made by the Safety Committee Chairman, a final appeal may be made to the Executive Board, with all individuals involved receiving at least one week’s notice to attend. Until this time, the ruling remains in effect. If any open member believes that the Safety Committee Chairman is misusing their authority, the complaint shall be submitted in writing directly to the Executive Board. If the ruling is in favor of the open member, the Safety officer shall be relieved of their duties, and another person shall be appointed by the Executive Board. All rulings by the Executive Board or the Safety Committee Chairman concerning disputes shall be subject to a majority vote by the open membership at the next scheduled meeting. Until the time the open membership convenes, the initial ruling by the Executive Board or the Safety Committee Chairman remains in effect.
Article V – Committees
A. Committees shall be established on a volunteer basis. Appointments will be made by the Committee Chairman to fill vacancies.
B. As committees are established, they shall submit a proposed schedule of events for approval by the Executive Board.
C. If funds are not available as activities arise, they may be canceled or a fee charged for members wishing to attend. This decision shall be made by a majority vote of the membership present.
Article VI – Amendments
A. Proposed amendments must be submitted verbally or in writing at a regularly scheduled meeting. Proposed amendments must be approved by 2/3 of the current members in attendance at the meeting to proceed for incorporation into the By-Laws.
B. Proposed amendments must be mailed/emailed or posted on the web site to the membership, then read at the next meeting. Upon being read , they will be voted on by the membership. It will require a 2/3 vote in favor of said amendment, by the members present, to be passed.
C. Upon acceptance, the web site by-laws will be updated with the most current changed edition. The bylaws will then be rewritten and the old paper copy saved.
Article VII – Membership
All members must hold a current American Model Aeronautics (AMA) membership.
Types of Memberships:
– Open Membership: Members who are not restricted by age or educational status.
– Junior Membership: Members up to the age of 18 or full-time students.
– Honorary Life Membership: Members who enjoy the same rights and privileges as open members without paying annual dues. To be eligible for this membership, members must be current AMA members.
– Family Membership: Immediate family members of open members, excluding junior flyers.
– Senior Citizen Membership: Members aged 62 and older. This membership offers the same benefits as open membership with a discount on dues.
Application Process:
Applicants for membership must be proposed by a Club member in good standing. The Executive Board will interview the applicant to explain their duties and responsibilities before accepting them into the Club.
Acceptance:
Acceptance of an applicant must be by majority vote of the Executive Board.
Non-Flying Members:
Non-flying members who do not belong to AMA will be designated as such and will receive all Club benefits except access to the flying field.
Article VIII – Initiation Fee
Membership Initiation Fees
Initiation fees for all membership categories will be as stipulated on the current member application form. This application form will be periodically updated after the fees have been approved by the Open Membership at a regularly scheduled meeting.
Article IX – Dues
* Junior Membership: Dues will be stipulated on the current application form per calendar year. Full payment is due by the February meeting.
* Open Membership: Dues will be stipulated on the current application form per calendar year. Full payment is due by the February meeting.
* Senior Membership: Dues will be stipulated on the current application form per calendar year. Full payment is due by the February meeting.
* Family Membership: Dues will be stipulated on the current application form per person per calendar year. One open membership in the family is required.
* Military Members: Members serving in the military outside of York, Pennsylvania, will not be required to pay any dues.
* Members Delinquent: Members who become 30 days delinquent (by the March meeting) in payment of dues will automatically lose the use of Club facilities. Members who become 60 days delinquent (by the April meeting) will automatically be dropped from the Club membership. However, if they wish to rejoin the Club as an active member, they can do so by applying for a new membership. This will not require an initiation fee. The annual dues will be collected in full.
Acceptance of Applicants: The acceptance of an applicant must be by majority vote of members in attendance at the meeting.
New Members Joining After the July Meeting: New members joining after the July meeting will pay an initiation fee of $10.00 and half of the dues stipulated on the current application form for that calendar year. Returning former members will pay only half of the dues stipulated on the current application form for that calendar year.
Non-Flying Members: Non-flying members will pay half of the Open Membership dues stipulated on the current application form.
Annual Dues: Annual dues must be paid in full. There will be no payment schedule allowed.
Individuals paying by check that do not clear the bank are liable to pay any penalty incurred by the club, as well as any initiation fee if applicable and the membership dues stipulated on the current application form, in cash.
Article X – Proceedings
The proceedings of this club shall be governed and conducted in accordance with the latest addition of “Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Law.” The fixed order of business shall be as follows:
1. Reading of the Minutes
2. Treasurer’s Report
3. Reading of Correspondence
4. Committee Report
5. Old Business
6. New Business
7. Adjournment
8. Entertainment
Article XI – General
Club membership dues or assessments to any national, state, or local affiliations (such as club membership in the American Model Aeronautics Association (AMA), the Electronics Club of South Carolina (ECSS), etc.) will be paid from the club’s treasury if said membership is to be continued by the York Area Radio Control Club. Field conduct, flying, and safety rules will be in accordance with the standard American Model Aeronautics Association (AMA) field safety rules.
Article XII – Disciplinary Action
A. If any open member or members believe that disciplinary action is warranted against another member, the Committee Chairman, or a member of the Executive Board, the President will convene a special Disciplinary Board meeting. The accused member will be notified in writing or via email at least one week prior to the meeting. If the accused member is unable to attend, they may appoint a representative to stand in their stead. The time for the meeting will be determined by the President. The Disciplinary Board will consist solely of the Executive Board. Should the complaint be directed against any member of the Executive Board, that individual will not be a member of the Disciplinary Board. If the complaint is against the President, the Executive Vice President will preside over the meeting. This procedure adheres to the chain of command, culminating in the Treasurer. Should the complaint be directed against the entire Executive Board, the complaint will be heard and resolved at and by the open membership attending the regularly scheduled meeting. The complaint must be submitted in writing and addressed to the Disciplinary Board. A verbal testimony will be presented, and the Disciplinary Board will render a decision, which may include a written reprimand, suspension, or expulsion from the Club. Should expulsion be imposed, the member’s dues will be prorated to the current month and forwarded to their residence. The decision made by the Disciplinary Board may be subject to challenge by the member within a 30-day timeframe. The member must draft a letter to the head of the Disciplinary Board who rendered the decision, requesting a second meeting. Following this second meeting, a final decision will be made by the Disciplinary Board. The head of the Disciplinary Board will ensure that all pertinent documentation is meticulously recorded and preserved within the Club’s records for future reference.