CONSTITUTION

WIREGRASS RADIO CONTROL CLUB

 

The Wiregrass Radio Control Club of Fort Rucker, Alabama, is a non-profit organization chartered by the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and governed by the bylaws and regulations thereunder.

 

BYLAWS

 

ARTICLE I: NAME

 

The name of this organization shall be Wiregrass Radio Control Club of Fort Rucker, Alabama, and may be referred to as the WGRC.

 

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

 

The WGRC shall be nonprofit and have the following purposes:

1.   To promote interest in model aircraft building and model aircraft flying.

2.   To sponsor model aircraft competitive and noncompetitive events.

3.   To promote aircraft modeling social activities.

4.   To help beginners in the hobby.

 

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP:

 

1.       Membership is nondiscriminatory and governed by Army Regulation 210-22.

2.       Application for membership shall be submitted to any WGRC officer and will normally be voted on by the Executive committee (Club Officers) at the next regular meeting.

3.      AMA membership is required for WGRC membership.  This an Army and a WGRC requirement so that each member is covered by the AMA liability insurance.

4.   Any member deliberately breaking WGRC flying guidelines, not acting in accordance with Ft. Rucker requirements, or not acting in a sportsmanship like manner,  is subject to expulsion from the WGRC.

a.   Complaints of alleged violations must be submitted to the Executive Committee.

b.   The Executive Committee shall  review the complaint and if a majority of the Executive Committee vote for expulsion, the accused member shall be notified in writing of results and will be advised that he or she may appeal the expulsion at the next committee meeting.

c.   The Executive Committee may decide that the infractions do not justify expulsion and by majority vote may censure the member by written warning and or place the member on 30 days probation.

d.   Expulsion of a member will be final after any appeal is heard and a vote taken at the next committee meeting.

 

ARTICLE IV.  DUES AND FINANCES

 

1.       Membership dues are to be paid annually for regular members following AMA Guidelines:

a.       Open Membership ‑ $30.00 per person with a maximum of $ 45.00 per family.

b.       Junior Membership (those not yet 19) ‑ $15.00

c.       Senior Membership (those 65 and over) ‑ $15.00

2.       For those in the area for 9 months or less (military TDY, etc.) or for those joining after April 1,  dues shall be paid at the rate of $3.00 per month for Open Membership and $ 1.50 per month for Junior and Senior Memberships for the period in the area or for the remainder of the year.

3.       Annual dues shall be payable after December 1, of each year and shall be delinquent February 1, of the following year.  WGRC privileges shall be automatically revoked and members will not be in good standing until dues are paid.

4.       Dues revisions shall be recommended by the Executive Committee, and approved by a vote of 2/3 of the members present at the next Annual General Membership Meeting in January.  Notice to vote on Club dues revisions shall normally be made in the WGRC newsletter prior to the Annual General Membership Meeting.

5.       All members will be responsible for payment of any assessments approved by the Executive Committee and 2/3 of the members present at an Annual General Membership Meeting.  Notice to vote on  an assessment  shall normally be made. in the WGRC newsletter prior to the Annual General Membership Meeting.

6.       All normal WGRC expenses (postage, supplies, etc.) will be paid from the WGRC treasury routinely by the WGRC Treasurer.  All other expenses will be approved by the Executive Committee .

7.       The WGRC may charge entry fees for events sponsored by the WGRC with the approval of a majority vote of the Executive Committee at a regular meeting.  These entry fees will normally be set so as to approximately cover the cost of hosting the event.  Events will not be hosted as fund raisers to increase the balance of the treasury.

8.       The Executive Committee or any individual officer does not have authority to expend, or authorize expenditures in excess of funds currently in the treasury.

 

ARTICLE V.  MEETINGS

 

1.       An Annual General Membership Meeting will normally be held in January of each year on a date set by the Executive Committee and announced in the newsletter

2.       Regular business meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held as designated by the president at a specified place and time.  These will normally be at two (2) month intervals.

3.       Meetings shall be conducted in an informative, informal, and business-like manner.

4.       WGRC business should prevail at all meetings.  Flying stories, and off the subject comments, should wait until after adjournment of the meetings and programs.

5.       The Secretary shall keep minutes of every meeting.  These will be retained for 24 months.

6.       The following business shall be executed as needed at each business meeting:

a.      Previous meeting minutes.

b.      Treasurer's report.

c.      Committee chairmen's report.

d.      Old business.

e.      New business.

f.        Safety.

g.      Other subjects as determined by the president.

7.    All voting issues must be passed by a majority of the Executive Committee present at the meeting, unless specifically designated otherwise in these bylaws.

 

ARTICLE VI.  BYLAWS

 

1.       The bylaws shall be reviewed every 2 years, in September or October, and changes approved by the membership at the Annual General Membership Meeting.   Revisions shall be subject to approval of the Executive Committee prior to submission to the membership.

2.       Proposed changes shall be published in the WGRC newsletter prior to being voted on at the Annual General Membership meeting.

3.       Approval by the membership shall be by a 2/3 vote of those present at the Annual General Membership meeting.

4.       All additions and revisions are subject to final review and approval by the Fort Rucker Installation Commander or his designated representative.

 

ARTICLE VII.  NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS

 

1.       Officers shall be elected for a two (2) year term.

2.       Informal nominations may be made by members anytime in October. 

3.       At the November Executive Committee Meeting, formal nominations will be by committee appointed by the President.

4.       The names of nominees shall be included in the monthly newsletter prior to the election.

5.       Elections shall normally be held during the Annual General Membership Meeting.

6.       A majority vote by the membership present and mail‑in ballots received prior to the meeting shall determine the election results.

7.       Installation of officers shall be at the close of the Annual General Membership Meeting


8.       Officers to be elected are:

a.       President

b.       Vice President

c.       Secretary

d.       Treasurer

e.       Field Marshall/Safety Officer  (2 each)

f.         Member at Large

9.    Filling a vacant office:  If the office of President becomes vacant, the Vice President will assume the office.  All other vacancies will be filled by nomination of the president and vote of the Executive Committee.

10. Recall of officers.  Any member wishing to recall an officer may circulate a petition within the membership.  When a 2/3 majority of members have signed the recall petition, it shall be submitted to the Member at Large, President, or Vice President.  At the next regular meeting of the Executive Committee, that officer shall be removed from office and the vacancy filled IAW paragraph 9 of this section.

 

ARTICLE VIII.  EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

1.  The Executive Committee shall be made up of the elected officers.

2.  The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the overall direction and planning of Club activities.

 

ARTICLE IX. DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

 

1.  The President shall preside over all meetings and conduct same in a reasonable parliamentary manner.  It shall be his/her responsibility to check all financial and other Club records to be sure that they are properly maintained.  The President shall be the point of contact for Fort Rucker.

2.  The Vice President shall assist the President and act as President in the President’s absence.

3.  The Secretary shall be the point of contact for the AMA and shall record the minutes of all meetings and submit them for approval at the following meeting and submit a copy to the Ft. Rucker DCFA within 14 days after the meeting.  He/she shall be the custodian of all Club records, except financial records, and shall notify members of any special meetings.

4.  The Treasurer shall collect all monies and keep a record of same. He/she shall submit a financial report at each meeting outlining all receipts and expenditures.  He/she shall submit a financial statement to the Ft. Rucker DCFA as required by Army Regulation 210-22, paragraph 9.(5) 2.  He/she shall collect dues and maintain a bank account in the WGRC name and arrange for transfer of same to the succeeding Treasures. 

5.    The Field Marshall/Safety Officer(s) shall have the primary responsibility of enforcing and interpreting the bylaw rules and flying guidelines of the WGRC and AMA, and of keeping the WGRC informed and up to date on any needed revisions.

6.    The Member at Large will serve as the link between the general membership and the Executive Committee.

7.    In the absence of the President, the Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer, in that order, shall preside over and conduct the business meeting.

 

ARTICLE X.  PUBLICATIONS

 

Newsletter

a.       The newsletter shall be prepared and edited by the editor(s).

b. The editor shall be responsible for obtaining news, Club minutes, editing, typing, printing, and mailing or otherwise distributing the newsletter to each WGRC member in good standing.

 

ARTICLE XI.  PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES AND CONTESTS

 

The WGRC may organize and participate in competitive and, noncompetitive aviation events, demonstrations, promotions, etc. as approved by the Executive Committee.

 

ARTICLE XII.  AFFILIATIONS

 

1.  AMA ‑ Academy of Model Aeronautics

2.  Fort Rucker (Office for community and family activities)

 

ARTICLE XIII. FLYING SITE LIMITATIONS

 

Flying at those stagefields so designated for Model Aircraft operations by Ft. Rucker, Alabama and which the WGRC has been directed to monitor is restricted to current AMA and WGRC members with the following exceptions:

a. Guests who are on a student/instructor basis, with a Club member.  The WGRC member assumes all liability.

b. Guests who are AMA licensed members of another club and accompanied by a Club member.

c. Guests will be permitted use of the flying site(s) for up to thirty (30) days.

 

ARTICLE XIV.  MEMBER LIABILITY

 

All members of the Wiregrass Radio Control Club are potentially liable for outstanding debts, liabilities, obligations or claims not covered by the assets and/or insurance of the organization.

 

ARTICLE XV. U.S. ARMY,  FT. RUCKER,  AMA,  & WGRC DIRECTIVES AND GUIDELINES

 

1.   All WGRC members shall conform with all U.S. Army and Ft. Rucker directives.

2.   All WGRC members shall follow mandatory AMA flying directives as required by appropriate AMA rulebook and AMA code.

3.   The WGRC shall publish local area flying guidelines to promote smooth, safe flying site operations, and satisfy conformity with AMA and U.S. Army/Ft. Rucker directives.

4.      WGRC rules and guide lines will be revised by the Executive Committee at regular Executive  Committee Meetings as required.  Any changes will be published in the next three consecutive WGRC newsletters.

 

ARTICLE XVI. CLUB DISSOLVEMENT

 

In the event the WGRC is dissolved, all funds in the treasury at that time will be used to meet any outstanding debts, liabilities, or obligations.  The balance of those assets will be disposed of as determined by the Executive Committee.

 

 

 

 

   Approved by majority vote of WGRC members at the ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING on JANUARY xx, 2006

 

 

 

 

                  __________________________________      _____________________________________

                  PRESIDENT                                        SECRETARY