Club Bylaws

Article 1: Name of Organization
1. The name of this organization is the ALBANY THUNDERVOLTS R/C CLUB. The club is incorporated as a non-profit organization under the laws of the State of Oregon.
Article 2: Purpose
1. To maintain an assembly of persons interested in the promotion and encouragement of Model Aviation.
2. To assist its members in the construction, operation, and flying techniques of model aircraft.
3. To promote safety in all phases of the hobby.
4. To provide a forum where members may exchange views and ideas concerning model aircraft.
Article 3: Membership
1. Application for membership in this organization is open to anyone interested in model aviation provided they are current members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). Membership is defined in Sections 3, 6 and 7 of the Article.
2. Dues are payable on or before the date of the January meeting. Dues are $50.00 per calendar year for adult members and $9.00 per calendar year for members under 17 years of age, except as provided in Article 3, Section 7, paragraphs 3 and 4, and Article 4, section 5. Members 55 years of age are eligible for
a 20% discount. Dues paid after November 1st each year will apply to the next years dues.
3. Family membership. Immediate family members living in the same household may also become members at no additional cost. Each must he a current member of the AMA.
4. Each member is entitled to one vote. Proxy votes are accepted in writing only. Members 18 years of age and older are eligible to hold office.
5. Flying privileges are extended to current members of the Albany Thundervolts R/C Club holding a current AMA membership.
6. Membership applications will be accepted at any regular monthly meeting and will become effective immediately upon receipt of the written application and payment of dues. Proof of AMA membership is required.
7. The Membership will be divided into the following categories:
a. Regular Member: All persons meeting the requirements of regular membership. Regular members will be extended full privileges and responsibilities as members of the organization.
b. Associate Member: All persons desiring to participate in and support organizational activities. Associate members will be afforded all privileges and responsibilities except flying privileges AMA membership requirement is waived.
c. Honorary Member: Honorary members are granted this status upon a vote of acceptance by the membership. No dues are required and membership will be for life unless revoked by a majority vote of the membership. Honorary members may participate in all organizational activities except flying and will have no vote. AMA membership requirement is waived.
d. Special Member: Any regular member who, because of outstanding service to the organization or having otherwise distinguished him/her self as a member of this organization may, on a vote of the membership, be elevated to this status, receiving dues free member ship in recognition of his/her effort. Flying privileges are granted and AMA membership is required.
Article 4: Officers
1. The officers of the organization consist of a PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENT and SECRETARY- TREASURER.
2. Election of officers will be held at the October meeting each year. At the September meeting, a Nominating Committee will present a slate of candidates to be voted on. Nominations from the floor will also be accepted subject to approval of the nominee. The candidates and the offices they have been nominated for will be published in the October newsletter. Elections will be by majority vote of the members present at the October meeting. Terms will be for a period of one year. The results of the election will be published in the November newsletter.
3. Term limits: There are no term limits, officers may remain in office as long as they are willing to serve and the membership is willing to vote them back into office.
4. If an elected official is unable or unwilling to fulfill the duties of his/her office, nominations will be accepted at the next regular meeting. The newsletter will publish a slate of willing candidates for the vacated office. Installation of this officer shall be by a majority vote of the members present at the next regular meeting.
5. Officers will receive free membership for their term in office.
Article 5: Officers Duties
1. The President will:
a. Preside at all meetings and regular sessions.
b. Represent the organization at meetings with other organizations.
c. Represent the organization in contacts with local government.
d. Coordinate the organizations business affairs.
e. Serve as chairperson of the Board of Directors.
2. The Vice President will:
a. Assist the President and assume the duties of the President in his/her absence.
b. Serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
3. The Secretary-Treasurer will:
a. Take charge of all correspondence, record the minutes of all meetings, maintain a current roster of the membership, sign all membership cards, advise members of AMA information which may be pertinent. maintain files of AM A regulations, membership and insurance and act as an advisor to the President.
b. Collect organization dues and assessments.
c. Maintain the financial records of the organization and advise the President regarding financial matters.
d. Assume the duties of the President in the President's and Vice-President's absence.
e. Serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
Article 6: Board of Directors
1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the current club officers: President, Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer, Past President, Chief Instructor and Activities Director.
2. Purpose
a. The Board of Directors shall oversee the club's day to day business affairs between regular meetings.
b. It shall oversee the club assets, bank accounts, cash on hand, inventory, and any other assets the club may own. It shall oversee all club debts to see that they are paid in a timely manner. At all times, the Board should make suggestions to the membership as to how the club's financial position could be improved.
c. It shall be authorized to make expenditures of $100.00 or less per expenditure. Total expenditures per month not to exceed $200.00 without approval of the general membership. It may seek pre-approval from the membership on expenditures greater than $100.00 per expenditure or $200.00 total.
d. Assessments
1. Current Debt
If at any time the club's treasury falls below $200.00, the Board of Directors will notify the general membership as early as possible. The Board of Directors may request a special assessment from the membership to cover current debt.
2. Future Expense
The board of Directors may request a special assessment to cover a future expense such as but not limited to: flying site purchase or improvements, club house repairs or improvements, a contest we wish to sponsor, etc.
3. Board members will be required to contribute to assessments that are voted on and approved by the membership. Reason: (Article 4: section 5 Officers will receive free membership for their term in office.) If the assessment is justified for the membership then that assessment should be contributed to by all members except Honorary Members (Honorary members have no vote).
4. All assessments will be accepted or rejected by the membership.
e. It shall oversee the annual accounting of the club's financial matters. The results of this accounting will be published in the club's newsletter and presented to the general membership prior to the annual business meeting held each January. This accounting shall contain a Balance Sheet (assets and liabilities owned by the club) and an itemized Income and Expense Statement.
f. It shall oversee the collection of data used to prepare the annual budget This data shall be collected from the officers and various committee chairpersons. The annual budget shall be published in the club newsletter and presented to the general membership prior to the annual business meeting held each January.
4. The Board of directors shall meet once a month or as often as deemed necessary to transact the clubs business affairs in a timely manner.
5. A majority vote of the board of Directors shall constitute a quorum in matters that do not require a vote of the general member ship (see Article 7: Section 6) or pertain to the by-law (see Article 10: Section 1).
6. Any member of the Board of Directors who is unable or unwilling to fulfill their duties will be replaced. This will be done through normal secession.
Article 7: Meetings
1. One official meeting will be held each year in January. Minutes of that meeting will he kept by the Secretary/Treasurer as required by law.
2. Regular Meetings will be held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
3. Special meetings may be called by the President, The Board of Directors, or by request of a majority of the members.
4. The business portion of a meeting will be limited to 45 minutes unless extended by a majority vote of the members present.
5. Any person(s) unduly disrupting a meeting by conduct or insistence on minor points of procedure may be asked to leave by the President or by a vote of the members present. “Unduly disrupting” may be in the opinion of the President or two or more of the members present.
6. Twenty percent (20%) of the membership at any regular meeting shall constitute a quorum for non by-law change activities.

Article 8: Safety

1. The current AMA Safety Code will be that of the organization in addition to any local rules and regulations.
2. Instructors will comprise the Safety/Flight instruction committee.
3. New instructors will be elected by the Safety Committee and will be responsible to the Chief Instructor.
4. The Safety Committee will formulate a list of field regulations to insure safe operating conditions at the flying site and present them to the Board of Directors for approval. Rules may be added, deleted or revised as the need arises. Members will be notified of changes at the next monthly meeting and in the newsletter.
5. All contact with the site owner is the responsibility of the board of Directors or a special delegate assigned for that purpose. Members, other than the aforementioned, will not contact the site owner relative to organizational business. This is considered a safety matter due to the fragile nature of our fly site conditions.

Article 9: Committees

1. Committees, including but not limited to Nominating, Safety/Flight Instruction, Field Planning, and Activities report directly to the Board of Directors.
2. The policies and procedures for these committees are kept under separate cover in the organizations Policy and Procedures Manual.

Article 10: Changes and Amendments to these Articles

1. These Articles may be amended by a quorum consisting of one third (1/3) of the membership at any regular meeting. Amendments will be presented at the meeting one month prior to the vote.
2. Proposed changes are to be published in the club newsletter prior to the regular meeting and introduced as motions at that meeting for discussion, and revised or withdrawn by the person introducing them.
3. Revised motions will be published in the newsletter as accepted or rejected.