Proposed Amendments to MPM Bi-Laws

(Changes are Highlighted)

Date of Revision     January 17, 2022

MOONPORT MODELERS INC.  CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Article 1

Section 1.    The name of this organization shall be the Moonport Modelers Inc. and shall hereinafter be referred to as the CLUB.

Section 2.     The location of the club shall be Titusville, Florida and the mailing office shall be and directed by the current board of directors.

Section 3.    The club is a non-profit corporation organized under the state of Florida, and the by-laws of the Academy of Model Aeronautics Inc., which is noted hereinafter as the AMA. Additional charters can be accepted if their insurance is equivalent or better.
 

Article II

Section 1.    Subject to the limitations set forth by the AMA, the primary objectives of the club are to promote safety and to foster educational and scientific advancements in model aeronautics, to give recognition to model leadership and to be an asset to the community. Additional purposes are listed below:

Section 1A.   To have as its guiding principle, of, by and for the Model Aircraft Enthusiast.

Section 1B    To encourage through recognition, leadership in model aeronautics.

Section 1C.   To encourage joint discussion directed toward group agreement on development needs relating to the club and model aviation.

Section 1D.   To associate interested organizations and individuals for group support of education and development needs related to the club and/or model aviation as a whole.

Section 1E.   To guide direct local model activities to the end that model aeronautics may advanced in the community in a manner that will best serve the club and model aviation as a whole.

Section 1F    To acquire and retain suitable flying sites for the future growth and development of the club.

Section 1G   To establish and maintain official regulations governing the conduct of its members so as to remain a viable asset to the community and to the AMA.

Section 1H.   To organize, assist in and/or sponsor educational programs designed to encourage the youth of the community to become involved in model aviation.

Section 1I.    To promote model aviation competition.

Section 1J.   To promote fun and fellowship among the members.          

Article III

Membership types, Dues and Guest Flyers

Section 1.    There shall be four classes of membership:

1. Full membership- an unrestricted membership with all rights and privileges.
2. Associate membership-Any adult (age 18 or older) living under the same roof as a full member and is a spouse of, child of, grandchild of, or ward of said full member. Their dues will be one half of that of a full member, and shall have all the rights and privileges of a full member.
3. Junior membership- any child, grandchild or other person who is under 18 years of age who is sponsored by a full member, may become a junior member at no charge. A junior member does not have voting rights, nor may he /she hold office, but he/she may otherwise participate in all other club activities.
4. Non-Flying membership- a restricted membership with all rights and privileges of full membership except it does not allow them to fly at our club field(s)

Section 1A.    All class of memberships, except for non-flying memberships, must belong to the AMA or other acceptable chartered organization and agree to abide by all club rules.

 Section 2.   Dues

Section 2A.    Dues for full membership are $90/year.

Section 2B.     A new member who joins the club after July 1, but before the end of the year, may join for the remainder of the year for $45.00. There is no discounted part-time or seasonal membership.

Section 2C.     Non-Flying membership dues are $45.00
 

Section 3.    Guest Flyers.    

Section 3A.    Any full member may sponsor a guest to fly for up to 30 continuous days under the following provisions:

1. The guest must be an AMA member or member of a club approved organization.
2. The sponsor must be present any time the guest is flying.
3. The sponsor is responsible for the actions of the guest.
4. A previous club member (nonresident members are exempted) still residing in the area may not fly as a guest.                                                                                              

Article IV

Resignation, termination, Disciplinary Action,

Expulsion and Reinstatement

Section 1.    Any member may resign his/her membership by notifying a member of the Board of Directors

Section 2.    Any member except a NON-FLYING member who ceases to be a member of the AMA or other previously approved chartered membership shall also cease to be a member of the club, but may be re-instated upon restoration of acceptable charter membership and accompanying proof of insurance.

Section 3.    Any member may be expelled from the club if ¾ of the Board of Director, followed by a 2/3 vote of the membership present at the next scheduled club meeting; or by 2/3 of the Safety Committee recommendation followed by a 2/3 vote of the membership present at the next meeting vote aye. Such action will occur only if an individual is found to willfully violate club rules, safety rules or in some manner seriously jeopardizes the club's existence or stated purposes

Section 4.    Disciplinary Action - The safety committee is authorized to handle minor disciplinary matters instantly and without other members participation. They can request any flyer to curtail operations for the rest of the day, or until the matter under consideration is corrected to their satisfaction. Any safety committee member(s) present may initiate such action.  All instructors are designated as safety officers and anyone else the President so designates.

Article V

Books and Records

Section 1.   The club shall keep correct books and records of accounts, and shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its members, committees, and the Board of Directors.

Section 1a.   All records will be retained for the previous two (2) calendar years.

Section 2.   The club shall maintain a roster of all members names and other pertinent details.

Article VI

Meetings

Section 1.   The club shall attempt to hold at least one meeting per month unless special circumstances prevent it. Time and place are to be decided by majority vote of the membership.

Section 2.    Any member of the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the Board and/or membership as necessary to resolve any real time issue. 

Article VII

Nominations and Elections

Section 1.   To be elected by a majority vote of the members present at the December meeting each year. If circumstances make a December meeting impossible, the election will be held at January meeting, or as soon as possible. 

Section 2.    Members, in order to be considered as candidates for an office on the Board of Directors must be members of the AMA and may be nominated by any voting member.  Nominations will be accepted at the October and November meetings.

Article VIII

Board of Directors

• The Board of Directors shall consist of the following officers: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and Safety Coordinator.

Article IX

Committees

Section 1.   The club shall have a safety committee. The safety committee shall consist of the Safety Coordinator and all designated Flight Instructors, and any other members appointed by the president.
 

Section 2.   The President may appoint as many committees as necessary to assist the board with any club activities. A committee may consist of one or more members and include Junior members

Section 3.   A committee shall be considered active until the task is complete, or the committee activities are terminated by the President.

Article X

Contest Board

Section 1.   The club may have a Contest Board, whose members are appointed by the President.  All classes of members are eligible.

Section 2.   The Contest Board shall be responsible for the organizing, advertising, and conduction of club contests.

Section 3.   The Contest Board shall be responsible for actively seeking out members who desire to become AMA Contest Directors and make every effort to assist said members in the pursuit of that goal.

Article XI

Duties of Club officers

Section 1.   President- shall monitor and/or supervise all club functions and activities and functions of the Board of Directors. He shall also conduct all club meetings using Roberts Rules of Order. Items not within the scope of the By-Laws which require immediate disposition shall be ruled on by the President in consultation with the other members of the board, and then presented to the membership at large at the next meeting for ratification or other action, as dictated by the membership.

Section 2.    Vice President- shall be responsible for the club’s public relations programs, and shall assume the duties of President, in the Presidents absence. In case the President cease to be a member of the club, the Vice-President shall become the club President for the remainder of that term. 

Section 3.   Treasurer- shall conduct the financial affairs of the club, and maintain complete    records of all financial transactions. When financial transactions are done via checking, the signatures of at least two officers must be on the check: usually the treasurer and one other, but the signature of any two officers is allowed. Should both the President and Vice-President cease to be members of the club, the Treasurer shall become club President.

Section 4.    Secretary- shall keep and maintain club records. This shall include minutes of each meeting and copies of club correspondence. The Secretary shall perform all club correspondence to AMA, other clubs and etc. Note: this requires that a copy of any correspondence done by any member of the club be provided to the secretary. 

Section 5.        Safety Coordinator promotes and encourages a climate of safety awareness within the club.  He or she provides a communications between AMA and the club in matters related to safety.  A safety audit of club facilities, equipment, and grounds to ensure everything is in good working order and safe for normal use by members and the public is recommended at least annually.  He or she establishes a club emergency action plan to handle serious accidents/incidents and annually reviews emergency procedures with club members.

Section 6.    Anytime that the office of Vice- President, Treasurer, Secretary or Safety Coordinator becomes vacant for any reason, a replacement should be elected at the next meeting, or as soon thereafter as possible. A 2/3 majority vote of members present will be required.

Section 7.   The Safety Committee shall be responsible for ensuring that the club safety and operational rules at all club flying sites are current and complied with. The rules shall be distributed to all members. If, and when necessary, any changes shall be presented to the club for approval prior to incorporation.

Section 7A.   Members of the Safety Committee shall notify any individual found to be in violation of the rules so that conformance can be implemented. If an amicable solution can not be reached, see article IV Section 4 for allowable action.
 

Section 8.    Members at large- shall support the club activities to the best of their abilities. They should strive to conduct themselves in a manner which reflects credit upon both themselves and on the club.

Article XII

Flying Sites

Section 1.   The club flying site(s) shall be controlled by existing club rules as determined by the membership.  The AMA safety rules shall be used as a guide.

Article XIII

Amendments

Section 1.   Changes to these amendments can be proposed by any member, or group of members at a regular club meeting. The Board of Directors shall direct the proposal to the By-Laws committee. The By-Laws committee must submit said proposal at the next scheduled meeting, along with any appropriate comments or recommendations. A 2/3 affirmative vote of members present is required for approval at this meeting, as well as the next.  It must be approved during two meetings.