Section 1. Name. The name of the organization shall be the Alabaster Radio Control Association, Inc.

Section 2. The Association is located in the city of Alabaster, Alabama. General meetings of the members will be held in locations decided by the club. General flying will be held at the Association field in Limestone Park, Alabaster, Alabama.

The purpose of the Association is to further the sport of model aviation.

SECTION 1. Types of Membership. There shall be one type of membership; standard. Standard membership shall include the spouse and anyone under 19 years of age living in the same household. Any person who holds or has applied for an Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) license may become a member of this organization, and as further provided in these By-Laws. All flying members must maintain current membership in the AMA.

SECTION 2. Election of Members. Anyone requesting membership into this organization must complete the club membership application and present it and an application fee equivalent to six (6) months dues to a club officer. The person requesting membership must provide proof of AMA membership. If AMA membership is not available, or valid, the application will be put on hold by the club officer until such proof is available. If a club officer is not available, a club member should assist the prospective member, and provide the material and fee to either the Club Secretary or Club Treasurer as soon as possible. A prospective member is required to attend a minimum of two (2) membership meetings during a 90-day probation period unless he is excused by the Club President because of personal hardship. Application forms will be provided at the field.

The Club Secretary will record the date of the valid application. This will become the starting date for the 90-day probation period of the prospective member. During this 90-day period the applicant will be able to use the field for training or flying, if applicant is a qualified pilot, when other members are present. During the probation period any member with objections to the applicant must inform a club officer who will inform the Board of Directors. The general membership will be informed by the Board of Directors of the presence of any objections, and whether in their majority opinion the objections have merit.

The applicant will not be given a key to the field until he/she is accepted into the club at the end of the 90-day probation period. The Club Secretary will notify the club when the 90 day probation period is up and the membership will vote on the prospective member at the Club meeting following expiration of the probation period. Membership will be conferred on applicants approved by a majority vote of a quorum of the membership present. If the applicant is accepted into membership the applicant will receive a membership card and key to the field at that time.

If the applicant is accepted into the Club the application fee will be prorated to the nearest Dues Due Date to get the member on a regular Dues Cycle. The Club Treasurer will handle this.

SECTION 3. Withdrawal / Resignation of Members. Any member in good standing of the organization may withdraw at any time. The withdrawal of a member does not entitle him to any refund of the current year's dues which have been paid by him

SECTION 4. Termination. If any flying 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.

SECTION 5. Expulsion and Suspension of Members. Any member may be suspended, expelled, or subjected to other disciplinary action for any cause (e.g., violation of safety rules related to flying activities or any other unacceptable behavior in which the individual willfully commits any act or omission which is a violation of any of the terms of these Bylaws, or Rules of the AMA, or which is detrimental to the Association , the AMA, or to model aviation) deemed sufficient by the Board of Directors by a majority affirmative vote of the Directors at a regular or special meeting. Provided, however, that no vote on suspension or expulsion may be taken unless at least fifteen (15) days notice shall be given in writing to the member, of the charges preferred and of the time and place of the meeting of the Directors at which such charges will be considered. At such meeting, the member under charges will be accorded a full and fair hearing. If an affirmative vote is had, as aforesaid, the Board of Directors shall fix the terms of the suspension or expulsion as in their opinion is necessary.

SECTION 6. Reinstatement. Reinstatement of a former expelled or suspended member shall be considered a new applicant and must follow the course prescribed for membership. A majority vote of the membership quorum is required for reinstatement to the club.

SECTION 7. A former member of the association, who left in good standing, may rejoin the Association with payment of the current dues and current AMA membership.

SECTION 8. Liability of Members. Any property of the organization which is damaged by a member or his guest shall be promptly paid for by such member on the same basis, as damages would be measured under the laws of the State of Alabama.

SECTION 1. Monthly Meetings. The organization will meet monthly at such time and place as the Board of Directors may determine. No vote on officers, or any other general business of the organization taken at such meeting, shall be valid unless supported by a majority of a quorum of the membership present and voting. Furthermore, no business may be transacted at meetings unless a quorum is present, as provided in these By-Laws.

SECTION 2. Quorum. Twenty (20) percent of the membership shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote of the quorum shall decide issues. Proxy votes shall also be included but will not be considered in determining a quorum. A standard membership shall have one vote.

SECTION 3. Proxies. At any meeting, a member may vote for an absent member provided such absentee has provided to a board member written authority for such proxy.

SECTION 1. Powers. As is otherwise consistent with these By-Laws, the Board of Directors shall: (a) Direct organization business, make and amend rules for the regulation of the use of the organization property; (b) fix, impose and remit penalties for violation of the By-Laws and rules of the organization; (c) constitute and appoint committees not otherwise fixed by the President of the organization, and define powers and duties of the same; (d) fill any vacancy in the membership of the Board of Directors created by other than normal succession after election of officers.

SECTION 2. Banking. The Board of Directors shall designate the bank in which funds of the organization shall be deposited.

SECTION 3. The Board of Directors may not borrow or otherwise pledge the credit of the organization without specific approval of a quorum of the membership. The Board of Directors shall be authorized to spend up to $1,000 without a vote by the membership in emergency situations.

SECTION 4. Composition of Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be comprised of an odd number of members. The required members are the current President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, Safety Officer(s) and the immediate Past President and at the Board’s discretion, appointed at-large members to maintain an odd number. The President shall vote to break a tie.

SECTION 1. The officers of the organization shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Safety Officer. They shall be elected at the last meeting of the year and shall hold office for the next calendar year.

SECTION 2. Powers of the President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the

organization. He shall appoint all committees. The President shall be authorized to spend up to $500 in emergency situations as appropriate.

SECTION 3. Powers of the Vice President. The Vice President shall act as President of the organization in the absence or disability of the President and in the event of resignation, removal, or death of the President, shall succeed to that office until the next December meeting. The Vice President shall perform other duties that the Board or President shall prescribe.

SECTION 4. Powers of the Secretary. The Secretary shall maintain a true record of all meetings. He shall also have the responsibility for all official correspondence and application of membership.

SECTION 5. Powers of the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall keep a record of the accounts of the organization. He shall have the sole responsibility of the collection of all revenues and for the payment of all obligations. He shall have supervisory power over all the funds of the organization deposited in the authorized institution. He shall, within a reasonable time after receiving funds, deposit same in the aforesaid depository. The treasurer is subject to audit at the Board’s discretion.

Section 6. Powers of the Safety Officer(s). The safety officer shall observe members flying and ground operations behavior, accept grievance forms regarding violation of safety rules, supervise maintenance of appropriate signs and notices of rules, and report general topics of interest regarding safety to the members.

SECTION 1. NOMINATIONS. Nominations for club officers shall be solicited in the October meeting. Nominations for the officers of the organization may be made by any member in good standing of the organization at the October meeting of the organization. Nominations for the officer positions can be from the floor, mail or by email to any current Board member.

SECTION 2. ELECTIONS. The election will be held at December regular meeting. Nominees for any officer position may state or present a campaign / position statement at the November regular meeting.

SECTION 1. Description of Annual Dues. The Board of Directors shall report at the December Meeting the dues for the ensuing year. These fees shall be of sufficient amount to provide funds sufficient for the expenses of the organization and proper maintenance and improvement of the organization's property. The Annual Fee shall be one hundred (100) dollars unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors at the December Meeting. Fifty (50) dollars of the Annual Fee will be due by January 31st of each year. The remaining Fifty (50) dollars will be due by July 31st of the same year. A member may have the option to pay the entire $100.00 in January of each year. Income from Dues will be put into the Operating Fund.

SECTION 2. Refund of dues. In no event and for no reason, shall any dues or part thereof, be refunded.

SECTION 3. Assessments. When the operation of the organization so requires additional funds, assessments for this amount may be levied by a majority vote of a quorum of the membership at any regular meeting, provided the membership has been given notification of the intent of such vote in the monthly newsletter. Any such assessment shall be mandatory on all members of the organization, and failure to contribute by a member shall result in automatic expulsion from the organization.

SECTION 4. Any member, who has not paid the first installment of his Dues by January 31st, shall be suspended by the Board of Directors. Provided, however, that any person thus suspended shall have ten (10) days in which to remit the amount due to the organization or in extenuating circumstances make payment arrangements with the President. If he does the foregoing, he shall not be suspended. The ten (10) days provision aforesaid shall also apply to the nonpayment of assessments. The same shall apply to dues due by July 31st.

SECTION 5. New members shall pay the same dues as existing members and at the same time. New members joining the club between January 1st and June 30th will pay $50.00. These members will be considered full members. Dues will be prorated for the remainder of the year. New members joining after July 31st will pay $50.00 for the remaining part of the year.

The Board of Directors shall have exclusive administrative power to interpret the provisions of the By-Laws.

Proposed Bylaws amendments must be submitted in writing at any regular meeting. The amendment must be discussed by the Board and discussed in at least one regular meeting before it may be voted on by the membership.

The By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of the members present at any meeting of the organization.

All bank accounts of the organization shall be carried in the name of the organization with the authorized signature being that of the Treasurer of the organization. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for the supervision of the accounts of the organization to insure that they are properly set up.
 

SECTION 1. 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 shall be referred to the Board of Directors.

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

a. A grievance form shall be filled out and turned into the Safety Officer(s) I Board of Directors. At least one witness is required.

b. FIRST VIOLATION

Viewpoints of both complainants and accused will be considered. Complainant's name will be disclosed. A verbal reprimand will be given to the accused by the Safety Officer(s) I Board of Directors, and this will be recorded in the Club records.

c. SECOND VIOLATION

Complainant's name will be disclosed. The accused has the right to a written rebuttal, to be reviewed by the Club Safety Officer(s) / Board of Directors. If the Board 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 Association newsletter.

d. THIRD VIOLATION

Safety Officer(s) I Board of Directors will notify the accused in writing and the Association members via the Association newsletter that the Association will vote on the expulsion of the accused at the next meeting. Said expulsion will last for a one-year minimum. A member may be expelled from the Association only upon a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership present at the meeting. Voting will be by secret ballot at a regular monthly meeting. The expelled member may reapply for membership after the expiration of the expulsion time period.
 

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

f. 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 Club Officers.

The duration of the club shall be perpetual. The club may be dissolved with the approval of two -thirds vote of the membership.

Section 1. The Association meetings will be governed by Roberts Rules of Order.

Section 2. The fiscal year of the Association will be January 1 to December 31.

Section 3. An Association newsletter will be distributed at least quarterly. A membership roster will be distributed annually in April.
 

Adopted February 1, 2007

Ray Antonio

President