Club Handbook
I. NAME and PURPOSE
The club name shall be The Fayette Flyers of Georgia. The purpose of the Fayette Flyers (Club) is to further the Hobby/Sport of radio controlled model aviation in Fayette County by assisting persons expressing an interest in model aviation, and to provide a safe and appropriate flying site and suitable meeting place for Club members.
II. MEMBERSHIP
A. Qualifications: Members must hold a current membership in the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). All members shall have equal rights, privileges and responsibilities. Prospective members must be present at a regular Club meeting, receive an affirmative majority vote, and pay his/her 6-month or yearly dues to become a member. Members must read and understand these Club Bylaws and the Club Safety Code and Field Rules. The AMA Safety Code must be followed in all instances. The Club Safety Code and Field Rules must be followed unless an exception is allowed during an AMA sanctioned event.
B. Dues: Club dues are set by the Executive Committee at the November Club meeting for an individual or family membership. A family is those persons related by marriage, blood, or adoption and residing in the same residence. Annual dues are per calendar year. Renewals must be paid by January 31st. A late fee of $10.00 will be added after February 1st. After March 31st the member will be removed from the roster. Persons who have not renewed by January 31st shall lose voting and field privileges until they render payment. A 6-month membership is available at one-half annual dues for six (6), consecutive months. This membership becomes effective the first day of the month after payment is received and is renewable. Payment of dues may be made by PayPal on the Club Website, or by check or cash to the Club Treasurer.
C. Resignation: Any member in good standing may resign his/her membership by giving written notice to the Club.
D. Termination: If any member ceases to have membership in the AMA, his/her membership in the Club shall thereby terminate, subject to reinstatement upon restoration of eligibility.
E. Expulsion: This section provides for enforcement of the Safety Rules that are related to flying activities or any other unacceptable behavior by an individual member or members. Any individual may be expelled from Club membership upon a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership present and voting by secret ballot at a regular monthly meeting if, in the Executive Committee’s (EC) determination, such individual willfully commits any act or omission which is a violation of any of the terms of these Bylaws, the Club Safety Code and Field Rules, the Rules of the AMA, or which is detrimental to the Club, the AMA, or to model aviation.
F. Reinstatement: Any member who is expelled from membership may be reinstated after a one-year expulsion only by two-thirds (2/3) majority affirmative vote of the Club membership present and voting by secret ballot at a regular monthly meeting.
III. CLUB OFFICERS and DUTIES
The President: presides over monthly meetings, called meetings, fills officer vacancies by appointment from the Club roster, and is the public spokesperson for the Club.
The Vice-president: serves in the absence of the President. He/she will discharge responsibilities as delegated or assigned to him/her by the President.
The Secretary: is the liaison between the Club and the AMA, keeps written minutes of all meetings, maintains the Club roster, and keeps written records of all grievance procedures.
The Treasurer: receives all monies associated with the Club, keeps all financial records, and furnishes financial statements at the regular monthly meetings for review by Club members.
A. Voting Privileges: All officers have voting privileges. However, since the President or designee presides over all meetings in the role of moderator/chairman, he/she shall vote only if a question results in a tie. At that point the deciding vote may be cast.
B. Public Discussion: Any officer or member may discuss any issue and express an opinion privately or in Club meetings. However, except for the President, neither officers, members, nor the Public Affairs Committee shall speak publicly about Club issues as spokesperson for the Club without prior Club authorization.
C. Election of Officers: Club Officers will be nominated at the regular October Club meeting, and their election will be at the regular November Club meeting. Their election will be by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of members present. New Officers will assume office in December.
D. The Executive Committee is made up of the Club Officers. The Executive Committee shall propose a budget to be voted on by the membership at the November meeting each year. This budget shall include the coming years’ expected operating expenses as best as can be determined by the committee. During the year, any expense over the sum of $250 and not included in the budget, will be submitted to the membership for approval.
IV. STANDING COMMITTEES
There shall be six (6) standing committees each with an appointed chairman as deemed necessary by the elected officers. Public Affairs, Internet Website, Contests, Youth Activities, New Member & Training, and Safety.
A. Public affairs: This Committee shall be responsible for informing the membership and the general public of Club events. The Chairman may use the Internet, flyers, newspaper articles, etc., and post appropriate signage to direct participants and/or spectators to Club events. The Committee will furnish Club event information to the AMA District V Vice President.
B. Internet Website: The Webmaster shall update the Fayette Flyers Website by the last day of each month. Members are encouraged to furnish technical and news articles for posting. New information must be in the hands of the Webmaster no later than the 21st of the current month.
C. Contests: This Committee is chaired by the Contest Director (CD) and is responsible for all Club sponsored AMA sanctioned events. The CD will assure adherence to AMA regulations and will spell out applicable rules and procedures in advance of each event. The CD is granted specific authority relating to event organization, rules, and safety. The CD has the authority to prevent any participant from using any equipment, which the CD deems unsafe. The CD shall have irrevocable authority to disqualify or prevent any participant from flying, whose ability is, in the CD's opinion, impaired by the use of alcohol or drugs.
D. Youth Activities: The Chairman shall encourage participation of young people in model aircraft activities through presentations, building, training, and flying sessions. He or she should work with local school systems and/or civic organizations where possible.
E. New Member & Training: The Chairman will furnish new members a copy of the Safety Code and Field Rules and explain how to access the Member’s Only section of the Club website. He/she will provide a list of instructors and how to obtain flight instruction. Note: Instructors are not responsible for damage to or by a student’s aircraft and/or equipment.
F. Safety: The Chairman will be known as the Club Safety Officer. The Safety Committee shall be composed of the Chairman and at least two (2) members selected by the Chairman in concert with the Club officers. The Chairman shall have final authority on safety issues and be the spokesperson for the Committee. Safety Committee duties include:
- Posting the Club Safety Code and Field Rules on the flying field bulletin board.
- Enforcement of the AMA Safety Code and Club Safety Code and Field Rules.
- Ensuring the Grievance Procedure is administered in a fair and impartial manner.
- Right to prevent individual fliers from flying if their conduct or aircraft is not suitable.
- Supervision of Flight Areas, Spectator Areas, and frequency control.
- Knowing the shortest route to the hospital, police station, and fire department.
- Ensuring the field fire extinguisher is properly maintained.
Duties may also include:
- Pre-flight inspection of all new and repaired aircraft.
- Analysis of causes for any crash, pilot error included.
- Conducting periodic safety classes at regular meetings.
G. Special Committees: The President may appoint other committees deemed necessary.
V. DISSOLUTION
A. The duration of the Club shall be perpetual. The Club may be dissolved with the approval of a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the total membership.
B. Upon the dissolution of the Club, the Executive Committee shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all liabilities of the Club, dispose of all assets of the Club, to the Academy of Model Aeronautics, Inc., or to other non-profit organizations operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or scientific purposes, as the Committee shall determine.
VI. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE (FLIGHT and SAFETY RULES)
A. The grievance procedure provides a mechanism to enforce the existing safety rules by providing a progressive disciplinary system when needed. Although most complaints can be resolved informally, if a complaint is serious or cannot be resolved informally, the matter should be referred to the Safety Committee for its consideration by means of a Grievance Form filled out and turned in to the Club Safety Officer. At least one witness to the violation of the Club Safety Code and Field Rules is required to sign the Grievance Form.
B. The Safety Officer/Committee shall use its judgment in carrying out action on the following:
1. First Violation
Viewpoints of both complainants and accused will be considered. Complainant’s name will be disclosed. If the complaint is found to be valid, a verbal reprimand will be given to the accused by the Club Safety Officer, and this will be recorded in the Club records.
2. Second Violation
Complainant’s name will be disclosed. The accused has the right to a written rebuttal, to be reviewed by the Club Safety Officer/Committee. If the Committee so decides, the flying privileges of the accused will be suspended for thirty (30) days. A written notice of this shall be issued and a copy posted in the Member’s Only section of the Club Website.
3. Third Violation
Upon the third verified violation within a two-year period, the Committee will notify the accused in writing and the Club members via the Member’s Only section of the Club Website that the Club will vote on the expulsion of the accused at the next meeting. Said expulsion will last for a one-year minimum. A member may be expelled from the Club only upon a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership present at the meeting. Voting will be by secret ballot. The expelled member may reapply for membership after the expiration of the expulsion period.
4. Retaliation
Any member receiving a Grievance, who directs any retaliatory action against the person filing said Grievance, will be subject to immediate expulsion from the Club. This is to include threats, intimidation, physical harm, intentional equipment damage, or any other action deemed to be retaliatory by the Executive Committee.
VII. MISCELLANEOUS
A. Any complaint that is filed against the operation of the Club shall be made in writing to the Executive Committee and will be disposed of by that group in a closed session within 15 days.
B. All motions that propose a change to these Bylaws will be voted on at the next regular Club meeting and will be posted in the Member’s Only section of the Club Website prior to the vote. Bylaws may be amended only upon a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership present at this Club meeting. All changes supported by an affirmative vote shall be effective at the time of ratification. A copy of the newly ratified Bylaws shall be posted on the Club Website within 30 days of ratification, as information to the membership, and will also be forwarded to the AMA by the Club Secretary
C. Any member of the Executive Committee may call a special meeting of the Club. At least three (3) executive members must be present.
