Club By-laws (Revised) September 2002
Article I - Name
Section 1 The name of the association shall be known as Cascade Rotory Wings RC Helicopter Club, Herein known as the "club". It shall be incorporated under the corporation laws of the state of Oregon as a non-profit organization.
Article II - Purpose
Section 1 The purpose of this club shall be to maintain an assembly of persons interested in the promotion and encouragement of radio control model helicopters. To assist its members in the construction, set up, Operation and flying techniques of radio control model helicopters. To promote safety in all aspects of the hobby. To provide a forum where members may exchange views and ideas concerning radio control model helicopters. Through its dully elected officers to represent the membership to government or private agencies in matters of interest to the club.
Article III - Membership
Section 1 Application for membership in this club shall be open to anyone interested in radio control model helicopters provided they are current members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). Membership is defined in section 6 of this article.
Section 2 Membership application will be accepted at any regular monthly meeting or gathering and will become effective immediately upon receipt of the written application, Proof of current AMA membership and the payment of dues.
Section 3 Dues shall be payable on or before the date of the January meeting and shall be set by a vote of the membership. Currently the dues are Twenty five dollars ($25.00) per year per member; new members shall pay a Twenty dollar ($20.00) initiation fee unless waived by club officers. Members who join for the first time during a colander year may have their membership prorated for the first year. Members joining after November 1st of each year will have their dues applied to the next calendar year. Any member delinquent in dues beyond the third Thursday in January shall forfeit all rights and privileges of membership until said dues are paid. A Grace period is extended to the February club meeting for payment of dues without penalty. Any member delinquent in dues beyond the February meeting will be charged an additional ten dollars ($10.00) as a dues penalty and shall forfeit all rights and privileges of membership until said dues and penalties are paid. Those who have not paid their dues as of March 15th will be dropped from the club in poor standing. Dues notifications will be posted in the club newsletter.
Section 4 Each member shall be entitled to one vote. Proxy vote will be accepted in writing only. The club Presidents vote is for tie breakers only.
Section 5 Family Membership: Immediate family members living in the same household may also become members at no additional cost other then the cost of his or her nametag. Each must be a current member of the AMA.
Section 6 Regular Member: All persons having met the requirements of membership shall be extended full privileges and responsibilities as a member of the club.
Associate Member: All persons desiring to participate in and support Club Activities. They shall be afforded all privileges and responsibilities except being able to fly.
Honorary Member: Honorary members are granted this status upon a vote of acceptance by the members of the club. No dues are required and membership will be for life unless revoked by a vote of the club membership. Honorary members may participate in all club activities but will not have a vote. AMA is not required.
Lifetime Member: Any regular member who becomes of outstanding service to the club or having otherwise distinguished him/herself as a member of this club may, On a vote of the membership be elevated to this status. Lifetime members receive dues free membership in recognition of his or her effort. A lifetime membership can be revoked by a vote of the membership.
Section 7 Termination of Membership maybe accomplished in the following ways:
1. Voluntary: By Resignation either Verbal or Written
2. Involuntary:
a. Due to non-payment of dues
b. At direction of the executive committee for flagrant or continued violations of club conduct rules or regulations.
c. Or on the grounds of the detriment of the club and or hobby.
Section 8 Reinstatement of Membership maybe accomplished in the following ways.
1. Members who resign in good standing may be reinstated if they can produce a valid AMA license and pay the dues of the current calendar year + initiation fees. Initiation fees need not be paid unless absence is for more then one calendar year.
2. A person dropped from the membership at the direction of the executive committee and voted by the membership will not be considered for reinstatement without approval of the Executive committee and 100% approval by the current membership.
3. Persons dropped from the membership for non-payment of dues shall be reinstated after his or her said dues and penalties are paid. These persons will be treated as new members after a calendar year has past and will be required to pay initiation fees aging.
Article IV - Officers
Section 1 The officers of the club shall be President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and Safety Officer.
Section 2 Election of officers will be held during the September meeting each year. The secretary/Treasurer will distribute Nomination forms to the members prior to a vote for nominated officers. All nominations by the floor or other wise are subject to approval by the nominee. Election shall be by majority vote of the members for a term of one year, But not for more then three (3) consecutive terms.
Section 3 All officers shall have voting privilege except for the president who may only vote in the case of a tie to break the vote.
Article V - Officers Duties
Section 1 President: To preside at all regular meetings of the club and to coordinate the business affairs. Act as a spokesman for the club.
Vice-President: To assist the president and to serve in his or her place when president is not present.
Secretary/Treasurer: To take care of all correspondence, Record the minutes of all meetings, Maintain a current roster of the membership. Collect dues from members, Pay any club bills the club approves, and Keep records of all club funds in a checking/Saving account as approved by the executive committee. Act as an advisor to the President.
Safety Officer: To help in controlling the members and guests at all activities of the club in assuring safe flying. To help control transmitter impound and frequency board during activities. To maintain all files regarding the AMA, Safety information and current insurance information regarding the club. Act as an advisor to the president.
Article VI - Executive Committee
Section 1 Current club officers shall constitute the Executive Committee.
Section 2 The Executive Committee shall direct the affairs of the club and day to day business. It shall be empowered to authorize expenditures without the further approval of the club if 2 or more Executive Committee members agree upon the expenditures. Annual audit of the books and club belongings shall be done in November of each year by the executive committee.
Section 3 Executive Committee meeting may be called at any time by the president or his delegate.
Section 4 A majority of the executive committee shall constitute a quorum and can make changes and decisions for the good of the club without a 7 member or 60% vote of the members
Article VII - Meetings
Section 1 Regular monthly meetings shall be held on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. All club officers shall meet at 7:00 p.m.
Section 2 The executive Committee may call special meetings at any time. All members will be notified by E-Mail or Phone.48 hours in advance.
Section 3 Seven (7) members or 60% of the membership at any official meeting shall constitute a quorum. If less then 7 members or 60% of the members are at any meeting, then the Executive Committee shall vote the decision for the good of the club as per Section 4 of Article VI.
Article VIII - Safety
Section 1 All flying activities under the sponsorship of the club shall be in accordance with AMA rules and regulations. The current AMA safety codes shall be that of the club in addition to any local rules and regulations.
Section 2 The safety Officer or an Instructor that has been appointed shall be responsible for the enforcement of the safety rules.
Section 3 The safety officer and the members shall formulate a list of field regulations to insure safe operating conditions at the flying site and present them to the executive committee for approval. Rules may be added, Deleted or changed as the need arises and members notified.
Section 4 All contact with the site owner is to be the responsibility of the executive committee or a special delegate assigned for that purpose. Members other then those mentioned will not contact the site owner relative to club business.
Article IX - Amendment of By-Laws
Section 1 These articles may be amended my majority vote of the membership at any regular monthly meeting. Any member in good standing may make a proposed amendment to the By-laws of the club at the discretion of the Club President for the good of the club. Amendment proposal shall be presented one month prior to the vote.
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Field rules and Management Guide
The objective is to extend privileges of enjoying the R/C Helicopter Hobby to all members and authorized guests with maximum emphasis on safety and control of the model. While this guide sets forth Club rules for this objective, nothing herein should overwrite common sense and courtesy.
General Items
1. All model aircraft operation shall me in accordance with the official Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) safety code and field rules.
2. All pilots shall be current members of the AMA
3. Alcoholic beverages are strictly forbidden at the flying field.
4. Pilots must have both a current AMA open license and a current Club membership card at hand for verification when engaged in flying activities at the club field.
5. All members shall.
A. Ensure that spectators are aware of restricted areas.
b. Leash their pets.
c. Supervise their children
d. See that the pit area is free of litter, Cigarette butts, Helicopter parts, Etc.
Safety Items
1. A single straight line (Flight Line) will be established for all modeling activity, one side of which is for flying and the other side for pilots, Helpers and spectators.
2. Deliberate flying behind the flight line is prohibited.
3. Flying beyond the designated boundaries of the field is prohibited.
4. Helicopter engines shall be started with one hand on the head of the helicopter to prevent accidental rotation.
Radio Control Items
1. Each transmitter must have the recommended AMA frequency identification attached to its antenna.
2. Each pilot must have the correct club frequency control pin attached to his or her transmitter or person. Transmitters must be placed in impound when not in use.
3. Frequency pins may not be removed from another pilots transmitter or person without acknowledgement of that pilot and the placement of the transmitter into the impound area
4. Anyone operating a transmitter without the possession of the correct frequency control pin, thereby causing a crash of another pilots aircraft on the same frequency that is in possession of the correct frequency pin is liable for all damages and injuries resulting from the crash. These may include the following but not necessarily limited to:
a. Repair or replacement of radio equipment
b. Repair or replacement of engine
c. Repair or replacement of helicopter.
Note: The parties involved should determine the monetary value of the damaged models. If satisfactory assessment of such damage cannot be reached in the manner, all parties agree to bind by evaluation made by the clubs executive committee.
5. Any accident involving personal injury or damage to the property other than the models shall be reported immediately to a Club Officer