Club Bylaws*

 

ARTICLE I – NAME

 

The name of the Organization shall be the “Harrisburg Area Flying Society, Inc.” (hereforth referred to as “HAFS”), a corporation, not for profit, incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania, and affiliated with the Academy of Model Aeronautics as Chapter #576.

 

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the HAFS is to provide an educational opportunity to improve modeling skills, provide the best possibly flying site, and to foster community acceptance of radio control flying as a charitable organization.

 

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

 

1. The membership is open to all persons.  AMA membership is required for flying privileges. Annual membership is from January 1 through December 31.
2. Youth members (up to age 18) may be accepted if accompanied by a dues paying parent or guardian who shall be responsible for their conduct.
3. The Treasurer shall accept new membership applications with first year's dues and initiation fee.  The HAFS Executive Board reserves the right to review all membership applications.
4. The applicant shall be notified by the Treasurer of their approval into HAFS.  Applicant should attend the next General Membership meeting to recieve their new membership packet and be introduced into HAFS.
5. New applicants can begin pilot training after receiving the acceptance letter and an AMA license. New applicants who are experienced flyers on receiving the acceptance letter may demonstrate their ability to fly a model airplane to any Officer and obtain pilot status.
6. Member invited guests and students (whom are AMA members) may fly at the field accompanied by the inviting member. After three (3) visits the guest is required to join the HAFS before any further flying privileges can continue. (This privilege will not include any prior members)

 

ARTICLE IV – DUES, FEES, AND VOTING RIGHTS

 

1. New Member dues and initiation fee are payable to the Treasurer at the time of the application.  Dues paid after August 31 shall be normal rate and will include the balance of the current year and all of the following year.
2. New Renewal members annual dues are payable to the Treasurer between September 1 and December 31.  Renewals paid after December shall be charged a $5.00 late penalty. Members in arrears after January 31 will be dropped from the HAFS.  New application and initiation fee will be required for reentry into the HAFS.
3. The initiation fee shall be waived for succeeding, immediate household members. Additional members of the same household are required to pay half of the current membership fee. Youth members are not required to pay HAFS dues for flying privileges until they reach 18 years of age.

  

ARTICLE V – DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

 

1.        Any member repeatedly violating safety/operational rules or acting in a manner prejudicial to the HAFS can be reported to the Executive Board for possible disciplinary action. Such a report shall be in the form of a written complaint signed by one (1) or more members. At such time the Executive Board must investigate the complaint by interviewing all parties involved. If such charges are found to be accurate, the Executive Board may suspend flying privileges up to 30 days for each incident. A majority vote of the Executive Board is required for action. The member may appeal the decision at the next General Membership meeting.

2.        Continued infractions and/or prejudicial actions of a previously suspended member may result in his presentation to the General Membership for action which may include but not be limited to the member’s permanent loss of HAFS membership and associated privileges.

3.    Nothing in this document shall replace local or state law.

 

ARTICLE VI – HAFS MEETINGS

 

1.        Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the HAFS unless bylaws indicate otherwise.

2.        The Executive Board will determine the location and time of the General Membership meetings. The members will be advised via the newsletter.

3.        Special meetings may be called by the President or at the request of the Executive Board.

4.        Business transacted will require majority vote of the members present except as follows:

a.        Elections – highest number of votes

b.       Bylaws – 2/3’s number of votes

5.        The Bylaws may be amended at any HAFS meeting by a 2/3’s vote of the membership present, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing at a previous meeting and has been published in the newsletter.

 

ARTICLE VII – OFFICERS, THEIR ELECTION AND DUTIES

 

1. The officers of the HAFS shall be President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. These officers shall be elected by ballot. The candidate with the highest number of votes wins the election. Should there be but one candidate for each office the election shall be by voice vote.
2. Executive Board shall select a nominating committee from the general membership in September of each year and present the names of the nominating committee members at the September General Membership meeting . This committee shall nominate at least one candidate for each office. The names of nominees, whether selected by the nominating committee or entered from the floor, will be accepted at the October General Membership meeting only. Nominations for all offices will be closed at the conclusion of the October General Membership meeting. The nominating committee will prepare the ballots for the election. The election will be held at the November General Membership meeting. The new officers will assume their duties at the December Executive Board Meeting.
3. President
2. Shall conduct all meetings of the HAFS and the Executive Board.
3. Shall be a member on all committees except the nominating committee.
4. May sign and disburse checks as necessary in the absence of the treasurer.
4. Vice President
1. Shall in the absence of or by direction of the President, perform the duties of the President.
2. Shall be a voting member of the Executive Board throughout his term.
5. Secretary
1. Shall keep the minutes of the HAFS and Executive Board Meetings with written reports at the respective meetings.
2. Shall send out notices for emergency meetings.
3. In the absence of President and Vice President, shall perform the duties of the President.
6. Treasurer
1. Shall collect the dues and keep a record of all membership accounts.
2. Shall receive & disperse all other moneys for the HAFS.
3. Shall present a written report at each HAFS meeting.

 

ARTICLE VIII – EXECUTIVE BOARD & DUTIES

 

1. The elected officers of the HAFS and the Chair of each committee shall constitute the Executive Board, which shall govern HAFS affairs according to the Bylaws.
2. The Executive Board meetings will be held at least two weeks before the regular HAFS meeting or at the President’s discretion.
3. For purposes of orienting the new board, both the incoming and outgoing board will attend the December Executive Board meeting.
4. When a vacancy occurs on the board, an appointee of the Executive Board shall fill the unexpired term of such board member.
5. The Treasurer shall prepare a budget for approval by the Executive Board at the January Board meeting and shall present it at the next general meeting.
6. HAFS expenditures shall be limited to $500.00, unless approved by the general membership.  Any single expenditure in excess of $100.00 shall be separately disclosed to the general membership.

 

ARTICLE IX – COMMITTEES & DUTIES

 

1. The following committees are recommended. Terms are a maximum of three years unless approved otherwise by the board.
1. Newsletter
2. Field
3. Safety
4. Program & Competitive Events
5. Public Relations
6. Pilot Training
7. Food Concessions
2. An auditing committee shall be appointed by the President at the December Board meeting, to consist of at least two (2) club members in good standing. The committee shall meet, audit the books, and prepare an auditors report no later than January 31st. They shall submit a report to the incoming President and a copy to the members via the February newsletter.
3. Newsletter – Provide a newsletter consisting of:
1. Meetings (Date & Location)
2. Roster of officers & board members (addresses & phone numbers)
3. Roster of HAFS members (addresses & phone numbers)
4. Copy of standing field rules
5. Copy of ByLaws
6. HAFS & AMA application
7. Post acceptance of new members
8. Special reports (audits, bylaw changes, elections)
9. Classified ads
10. Other information of interest
11. Schedule of events.
4. Field
1. The primary function of the committee is to maintain the best possible flying site.
2. The committee may sub-contract projects and purchase materials/equipment to meet its goal to the extent as approved by the board, subject to Article VIII, paragraph 6.
3. Recruit work crews for maintenance of equipment & field.
4. Prepare flying site for meets or special events.
5. Responsible for organizing volunteers for extraordinary maintenance and special work projects.
5. Safety
1. To oversee and uphold the HAFS standing field rules.
2. Suggest revisions to the board of the standing field rules in order to meet changing field conditions.
3. Report violations of the standing field rules to the board.
6. Program & Competitive Events
   1. Responsible for educational activities for general meetings.
   2. Responsible for all HAFS contests and events.
   3. Responsible for appointing Contest Directors when required, and recruiting staff for events.
   4. Responsible for securing awards for the events.
7. Public Relations
1. Responsible for advertising HAFS activities through the news media.
2. Responsible for fostering community acceptance of radio control flying.
3. Responsible for organizing trips to shows and special events.
8. Pilot Training
1. Responsible for structuring and maintaining new pilot training standards
2. Responsible for organizing and certifying new pilot instructors.
3. Responsible for coordinating contact between new students and flight instructors.
4. Responsible for certifying new pilots for solo flight.
9. Food Concessions
1. Responsible for organization and operation of food stand at HAFS events.
2. Responsible for purchasing necessary food concession supplies, subject to Article VIII, paragraph 6.

 

ARTICLE X – RESERVE FUND

1. There shall be established a reserve account, the purpose for which is to acquire, maintain, and/or develop the HAFS flying site or for use in the case of an emergency, if and when needed.
2. The Treasurer, upon advice of the Executive Board, may establish on behalf of the HAFS any investment instrument necessary to carry out this fund.

 

 

 

 

 

Bylaws amendments first reading:  April 30, 1995.

Bylaws amendments printed in Newsletter:  Vol. XVI – Num. 5 May 1995

Bylaws amendments second reading and amended by 2/3’s vote:  June 25, 1995

 

 

Bylaws second amendments first reading:  January 23, 2000

Bylaws second amendments first reading (revised) February 27, 2000

Bylaws second amendments printed in Newsletter: Volume XXI. Issue II March 2000

Bylaws second amendments second reading and amended by 2/3’s vote: March 26, 2000

 

Bylaws third amendment first reading:  July 30, 2000

Bylaws third amendment printed in Newsletter: Volume XXI. Issue VIII August 2000

Bylaws third amendment second reading and amended by 2/3’s vote: August 27, 2000

 

Bylaws forth amendment first reading:  July 29, 2001

Bylaws forth amendment printing in newsletter: Volume XXI, Issue VII August 2001

Bylaws forth amendment second reading and amended by 2/3’s vote: August 26, 2001

 

Bylaws fifth amendment first reading:  November 25, 2001

Bylaws fifth amendment printing in newsletter: Volume XXII, Issue XI December 2001

Bylaws fifth amendment second reading and amended by 2/3’s vote: January 20, 2001

 

Bylaws sixth amendment first reading: February 29, 2004

Bylaws sixth amendment printed in newsletter: Volume XXV No 3

Bylaws sixth amendment second reading and amended by 2/3’s vote: March 28, 2004

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* Reference Only, current bylaws are maintained by club president.