Constitution

MIDLAND R/C MODELERS CLUB, INC.

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 1: NAME

Section 1.0 The name of this organization shall be “Midland Radio Control Modelers Club, Inc.”

 

Section 2.0 This organization may conduct or participate in contests, exhibits, civic events or other events as the members may desire when the activity promotes the interest of the club, the community, or radio controlled modeling.

 

 

ARTICLE 2: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.0 Membership shall be divided into classes as follows:

1.1  Regular Member – A person who is 19 years of age or older October 1st; a current member of AMA; paid all club dues and fees; may hold club office, vote on all club issues before the general membership, and has flying privileges within current flight rating.

1.2  Junior Member – A person who is 18 years of age or younger October 1st; a current member of the AMA; paid all club dues and fees; may hold club office, vote on all club issues before the general membership and has flying privileges within current flight rating.

1.3  Family Member – Current spouse and any children 23 years of age or under October 1st, of a paid up regular member in good standing.  Each family member shall be a current member of AMA; has flying privileges within current flight rating of each family member. Family members must be living at home and children must be full time students.

1.4  Honorary Membership – A member or business designated as such by a majority vote of members present at a general membership meeting for a specific or open ended time period. Such member shall not have duties, privileges, assessments, or dues of a regular member. They must have current AMA membership if flying privileges within current flight rating are desired.

 

Section 2.0 A person will be accepted as member only if the club votes to accept the applicant at a regular club meeting. To be accepted as a member will require a majority of votes among those members present and voting at the meeting.

 

Section 3.0 Involuntary termination of membership shall result if, after investigating the facts and hearing testimony in closed session, the Board of Directors feels there is sufficient cause to expel members is presented. The Board shall inform the general membership of its findings and recommendation. The judgment of the Board shall require ratification by a majority of the membership present at a regular or special meeting by secret ballot. Expulsion may occur to any member who has by their words or deeds placed the organization in a compromising, embarrassing or threatened position or has otherwise failed to carry out the duties and obligations as a member or has committed repeated or flagrant safety violations. A pro-rated refund of dues will be made to the expelled member.

 

 

ARTICLE 3: OFFICERS

 

The officers of the corporation will be as follows: President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, (1) Trustee one year; (1) trustee two years and (1) Trustee three years. Election of trustees shall be staggered so that no two trustees are elected in the same year (staggered). The President and Vice President shall be considered as Trustees as elected to their respective offices.

 

Section 1.0 President It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the club and Board of Directors.  The President will have authority to approve expenditures up to $50.00. The President’s name shall appear on all bank accounts of this club. The President may sign checks in the absence of the Treasurer. The President shall have authority to appoint and remove members to temporary and standing committees.

 

Section 2.0 Vice President The Vice President shall assist the President in the discharge of his/her duties and shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence. The vice president shall assume the presidency if that office becomes vacant. The Vice President shall be chief safety officer of the club, shall receive any violation reports and take necessary action and report the violation to the Board of Directors for consideration and further action. The Vice President shall be responsible for arranging meeting programs to be presented during current year meetings.

 

Section 3.0 Recording Secretary It shall be the duty of the recording secretary to make and keep a record of all meetings and Board meetings. The recording secretary shall keep copies of all official club forms and have an appropriate supply available at all meetings of the club. The recording secretary shall receive all applications for membership. The recording secretary will make a report at all club meetings on the previous club and Board meeting and shall provide a copy of meeting minutes to the newsletter editor for publication. The recording secretary shall maintain an up-to-date copy of the Constitution, Bylaws, and all other previous revisions but only current versions need be published.

 

Section 4.0 Corresponding Secretary It shall be the duty of the corresponding secretary to maintain the club charter with AMA. The corresponding secretary shall manage all club communications as directed by the Board, and shall be responsible for renewal of the license or lease agreement for landlord and special events.

 

Section 5.0 Treasurer It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive all dues, initiation fees, assessments, fines and any other financial receipts of the club. The treasurer shall write checks drawn on the club treasure, keep a proper balance of the books and funds of the club and shall deposit all money collected in a suitable bank as may be directed by the club Board of Directors. The treasurer shall turn over all books and records to the trustees for yearly audit prior to the annual elections, and such other times as requested by the Board of Directors. He/she shall deliver all books and financial records to his/her successor. The treasurer will report the club financial status at all regular club meetings, and maintain a paid-up roster of current club members. The treasurer shall be authorized to pay normal bills and debts of the club that are within the approved budget as they become due, without seeking additional membership approval. He/she shall prepare a budget for the upcoming year that shall be voted upon by the membership at the first regular club meeting of each new year. The treasurer shall act as “statutory agent” of the club’s not-for-profit status with the State of Michigan and with the Internal Revenue Service. He/she shall provide each member in good standing with an up-to-date copy of the constitution and bylaws when they are elected as a member of the club.

 

Section 6.0 Trustees There shall be three trustees who will each serve a three-year term, except at initial elections, where one trustee will serve a one year term, one trustee will serve a two year term, and one trustee will serve a three year term. After this initial election, one trustee will be elected each year, to a three year term, to replace the trustee who’s term is expiring that year. Trustees shall maintain a listing of all club property and who is in possession of it. The two trustees not seeking re-election shall form a nominating committee that will prepare a slate of officers and an election ballot, and count the votes for each office. Should all trustees be seeking office, two members with voting rights and not seeking office shall be appointed by the President to form a nominating committee. The trustees shall arrange for auditing the club books yearly by and independent party and shall constitute a special committee for the purpose of carrying out any special functions of the club in the even such should arise.  Trustees along with the current officers shall serve as members of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 7.0 Members may hold more than one office at any one time, except that the position of President and Vice President may only hold one office.

 

 

ARTICLE 4: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 1.0 The Board shall supervise all club activities and shall have authority to approve expenditures of club funds.

 

Section 2.0 The Board may not borrow assets from any source without approval from a majority of the total voting membership. A mail ballot may be used to insure all eligible members the right to exercise their vote.

 

Section 3.0 The Board will investigate all charges of unsafe or inappropriate practice by a member and in extreme cases may recommend to the membership that a member be expelled.

 

Section 4.0 All members of the Board will be Assistant Safety Marshals in the Vice President’s safety program and shall report all safety violations. A member’s flying privileges may be temporarily suspended by the Vice President after receiving a violation report. A full hearing by the Board of Directors after an accused member has been notified to appear shall be required before any flying member is permanently grounded or expelled from the club.

 

Section 5.0 Emergency Powers The board of Directors shall have the authority to act in the club’s best interest, even if contrary to the constitution, when time doesn’t allow a full membership meeting. The Board must first decide, by a majority vote, if this is an emergency situation before proceeding. Any actions taken under this provision must be reported to the voting membership at the next regular meeting of the club.

 

Section 6.0 Whenever one of the club offices other than the office of the president, becomes vacated the Board of Directors will meet to appoint a replacement member to fill the term. In the event the presidency shall become vacant the vice president shall assume the President’s office and a new person shall be appointed Vice President.

 

Section 7.0 Meetings Meetings of the club will be scheduled for the upcoming year by the newly elected Board of Directors prior to the start of the new year. The meeting time, date, and place shall be published in the club newsletter. Two club officers and at least ten percent of the voting membership or a majority of the Board of Directors must be in attendance before any business can be conducted.

 

7.1  A special meeting may be called by the president provided a minimum of 72 hours notice has been given. The board of directors shall attempt to contact the general membership. Twenty five percent of the voting membership shall be present before any business can be conducted.

 

7.2  The Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the President provided at least 72 hours notice has been given. A majority of the Board members must be present to conduct a meeting of the Board.

 

Section 8.0 Disbandment A 2/3 vote of the voting membership after a recommendation of the Board of Directors shall be required to disband this organization. A mail ballot may be used to allow all voting members a voice. The Board shall liquidate all club property in a fair and timely manner, and in accordance with provisions outlined in ARTICLE VII of the Articles of Incorporation.

 

 

ARTICLE 5: ELECTIONS

 

Section 1.0 Term The term of the President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer shall be for two years. The newly elected trustees shall be for a term of three years, except that initial elections of trustees shall be one (1) for one year and one (1) for two years and one (1) for three years.  Each trustee then shall serve the elected term and a replacement elected in the year the term expires so that only one trustee term expires in any one year.

 

Section 2.0 The newly elected officers shall assume office and conduct the first meeting following the elections.

 

Section 2.1 Election Ballots  Election ballots shall consist of absentee and prepared election ballots. An absentee ballot may be used by any club member who is eligible to vote, when they cannot be present at the meeting where elections take place. The absentee ballot shall be obtained from one of the members of the nominating committee. After the absentee ballot is completed, it must be returned to a member of the nominating committee prior to the election of officers. The nominating committee shall keep track of who received absentee ballots, and absentee ballots are valid only if they were obtained directly from a member of the nominating committee.

 

 

 

Section 3.0 Elections Provisions The club trustee’s not seeking election will form a nominating committee.  At the October meeting, the nominating committee will announce board positions open for election. At the November meeting the nominating committee will nominate a list of candidates. The elections will take place at the December meeting after nominations from the floor are solicited and nominations closed. Should there be two or more candidates for an office, a candidate must receive 51% or more of the votes cast to be elected or a runoff election shall be held at that meeting between the top two candidates.

 

Section 4.0 Election Run-offs In the event of a tie between candidates or a non-majority of votes, a runoff election shall be held at the meeting where elections take place. The run-off shall be between the two candidates with the most votes for each office. A simple majority of those members present at the relevant club meeting shall be sufficient to elect club officers.

 

Section 5.0 Recall Whenever the Board of Directors receives a petition signed by twenty five percent of the club voting members which demands the recall of a club officer, the club President must schedule a vote on this matter at the first meeting possible. Notice of the recall election, however, must be given to all members via the club newsletter prior to the election.

 

 

ARTICLE 6: COMMITTEES AND POSITIONS

 

Section 1.0 The President and/or board of directors shall make all appointments to committees and positions as needed.

 

 

ARTICLE 7: BYLAWS

 

Section 1.0 Bylaws are rules of this club which are not a part of the Constitution, but a separate document titled “Bylaws of the Midland Radio Control Modelers Club, Inc.” Bylaws shall not conflict with the club constitution or Articles of Incorporation.

 

 

ARTICLE 8: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

 

Section 1.0 An amendment to this constitution may be proposed by any club member who has voting rights.

 

Section 2.0 If the proposed amendment is seconded by two other members with voting rights, the exact proposal will be carefully recorded, but no other discussion will take place during that meeting. The proposed amendment must be published in the next club newsletter and discussed in the next club meeting following publication. It may be modified and voted upon at that time. Any changes to the constitution shall be published in the club newsletter, recorded by the club secretary, and appended to the constitution along with the date of adoption included for future reference.

 

Section 3.0 To be considered passed an amendment must receive a 2/3 majority of votes of the members present and voting at the relevant meeting.

 

Adopted this 6th day of May, 1998 by unanimous vote of membership present at regular meeting.

 


APPENDIX to the Constitution

 

ARTICLE 9: DISCRIMINATION

 

Section 1.0 The Midland Radio Control Modelers Club shall not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, race, creed, or national origin. (Adopted October, 2000)