SMITHVILLE DAMBUSTERS RC CLUB

BY-LAWS

September 1, 2008 

ARTICLE 1 NAME

The name of this club shall be THE SMITHVILLE DAMBUSTERS RC CLUB.

ARTICLE 2 MISSION AND PURPOSE

The purpose of the club shall be to promote the building and safe flying of radio controlled model aircraft. All activities should be planned to promote the fun, safety, and good will of radio controlled model aircraft.

ARTICLE 3 MEMBERSHIP

Anyone holding a valid, current membership in the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) is eligible for membership. This is a requirement with NO EXEMPTION because it is a requirement within the property lease with the US Army Corp of Engineers.

There are two classes of membership: active and honorary. An active member is one whose dues are paid up currently. An honorary member is a gift from the club to a worthy individual, nominated by an active member and receives 2/3 majority vote of the active members present at a meeting.

Active membership is considered a family membership for spouse and all children under the age of 18 years of age.

The amount of annual dues will be determined by a 2/3 vote of the membership present at any regular meeting. Dues are due and payable on January 1 or before of each calendar year.

New members joining after September 1, 2008 will receive club voting privilege after six months of membership in good standing ("In good standing" implies having obeyed AMA/Dambuster rules and safety code). The membership of an individual may be terminated for repeated violations of the safety rules established by the AMA, repeated violations of rules that will threaten the loss of the clubs lease with the US Army Corp of Engineers or repeated conduct that is not in the best interest of the Dambuster Club. The member in violation must first be notified verbally by an officer of the club. Repeated violations must be notified to the member in writing. Termination of membership requires a unanimous vote of all officers of the club. A terminated member may apply for reinstatement of membership after one full membership year (January through December) following the year of termination.

The Smithville Dambusters do not discriminate membership based on sex, race, color, religious preference, or national origin.

ARTICLE 4 OFFICERS

Members joining after September 1, 2008 may not hold office until they have been club members, in good standing, for a period of two calendar years. ("In good standing" implies having obeyed AMA/Dambuster rules for the two year period); (Calendar year implies January through December).

PRESIDENT - The president of the club shall preside at all meetings and shall act as spokesman for the club in all matters pertaining to the club.

VICE PRESIDENT/SAFETY OFFICER - The vice president shall act for the president when the president is unable to serve. His authority shall be recognized by all members as related to enforcing the flying field safety rules on the runway, in the pits, and in the spectator area.

SECRETARY - The secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings. He shall maintain a roster of all club members in good standing (dues paid). He shall be the club contact person with AMA and the US Army Corp of Engineers. He shall be responsible for registering the club timely each year with the AMA. He shall be responsible for the timely registration of the club with the Missouri Secretary of State as a not-for-profit corporation. He shall annually submit to the US Army Corp of Engineers the AMA Proof of Insurance and the club Annual Financial Statement. He shall also coordinate the annual "field inspection" with the US Army Corp of Engineers.

TREASURER - The treasurer shall collect and disburse all club funds. He shall maintain adequate records of such transactions. He shall prepare the "Annual Financial Report" and present it to the secretary for submission to the US Army Corp of Engineers.

NEWSLETTER EDITOR - The newsletter (website) editor shall be responsible for the preparation and distribution of the monthly newsletter to the membership. This should be done prior to the monthly meetings.

FIELD MARSHALL - The field marshall shall be responsible for keeping the flying field (runway, pit area, and surrounding area) in a flyable condition and an attractive appearance.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS - The board of directors shall be comprised of the six officers listed above.

CONTEST DIRECTORS - Contest Directors will be appointed for each scheduled event. A contest director shall be registered as such with the AMA. They are responsible to see that the event is sanctioned with the AMA.

TERM OF OFFICE - Officers are elected for one calendar year. They may be reelected for as many terms as they desire or until they lose an annual election.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS - Members may be nominated for office by a member providing the nominated member aggress to serve in the position. Members may nominate themselves as officers. Nominations will be made at the October meeting each year. Election of officers will be at the November meeting each year.

ARTICLE 5 MEETINGS

Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month. The purposes of the meeting will be the transaction of club business, the scheduling of events, the reporting on projects, and all other matters brought by the officers and members of the club.

ARTICLE 6 RECORD KEEPING

As discussed in Article 4, the secretary and treasurer will maintain the necessary records for the operation of the club and those required by regulatory agencies.

ARTICLE 7 FLYING SITE

The club has a ten year lease beginning January 11, 2000, with the US Army Corp of Engineers for the flying field currently used. All club members will make every effort to see that the club is an ideal tenant. Members causing problems with the Corp of Engineers will be counseled by the officers of the club and continued bad behavior will result in termination of membership as discussed above. Behavior that threatens the loss of the flying site is most grievous and will not be tolerated. The club has been using this flying site since the mid-1970’s and has an excellent relationship with the US Army Corp of Engineers.

ARTICLE 8 COMMITTEES

The club has no standing committees. From time to time the president of the club may appoint a special committee for a project. At the completion of the project the committee is dissolved.

ARTICLE 9 ACCIDENTS

If an accident occurs involving injury to a person or to property, other than a model airplane, the accident is to be reported as soon as possible to the vice president/ safety officer. He will, as soon as possible, hold a meeting of all officers and witnesses to determine the facts of the accident and the course of action to be followed. The AMA should be notified as soon as possible.

ARTICLE 10 ADOPTION OF BY-LAWS AND/OR CHANGES TO BY-LAWS

New By-Laws will be mailed to all members prior to a regularly scheduled meeting. The by-laws will be reviewed at the subsequent meeting for changes, additions, and deletions. At the next regularly scheduled meeting the membership present will vote on the by-laws. A 2/3 majority of members present is required for passage. From time to time it may be necessary to change, add to, or delete from the by-laws. A member wishing to change the by-laws will discuss the proposed change at a regularly scheduled meeting. The secretary will prepare the change and distribute it to the membership prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting. The change will be discussed at the meeting and voted upon. A 2/3 majority vote of the members present is required for adoption of the change. All new members will be given a copy of the by-laws. The annual application form will contain a statement that the member will abide by the safety rules and the by-laws. The statement will be signed by each member each year.

APPROVED August 12, 2008

Edward P. Brucker, Secretary

Smithville Dambusters RC Club