Long Island Skyhawk s Bylaws and Flying Site Rules September 2016 Bylaws: ARTICLE I - CLUB NAME The name of the club is "LONG ISLAND SKYHAWKS". ARTICLE II - PURPOSE OF THE CLUB The purpose of the club is to develop, promote and enjoy the sport of giant scale radio controlled aircraft flying, in a safe and professional manner. Giant Scale aircraft is defined as follows, 80 inch wingspan for mono plane or 60 inches wing span for multiwing aircraft or a true ¼ scale aircraft or larger, Turbine or Jet powered aircraft, have a combine wing span, plus fuselage length of 140 inches or greater. ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP 1) Club membership shall be limited to fifty (50) members. Members and prospective members will be chosen for their known experience in building, flying and dedication to the sport of giant scale radio controlled aircraft. All members shall have in their possession a current Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) membership and Long Island Skyhawks membership card when flying any radio controlled aircraft. 2) Prospective members of the Long Island Skyhawks must demonstrate their suitability to the club by meeting the following criteria: 3) Attend at least three club meetings. 4) Participate in at least two flying sessions at our club field as a guest of their sponsor. 5) A prospective new member must be sponsored by a current member. A club member may sponsor only one new member on the active waiting list at any given time except when a vacancy has existed for at least six (6) months in which case that member may sponsor one additional member providing six (6) months has passed since the preceding sponsorship. 6) A prospective member must be the owner of a giant scale aircraft in accordance with Article 2. ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP DEFINITIONS 1) Regular members - A person 18 years of age or older who has paid the current dues and is in good standing with the club and AMA. 2) Junior members - A person under the age of 18 years who has paid the current dues and is in good standing with the club and AMA. A junior member shall have no voting privileges. 3) Prospective members - A person who has demonstrated the required experience in building and flying giant scale radio aircraft and has proven through his/her presence at the flying field and club meetings, a sincere dedication to the sport. September 2016 Page 1
The membership committee shall maintain a prospective member waiting list, which contains the names of individuals in the order in which they applied and qualified for membership. Once an applicant has satisfied the required proof of aircraft ownership and flying ability, he/she shall be permitted full flying privileges at the club field providing they have paid the current fees, as charged to regular members, for field rent and maintenance for that calendar year. While in this status, this person shall abide by all flying site rules and have no voting privileges nor be able to host any guest flyers. The waiting list shall consist of no more than five names. 4) Honorary members - Individuals who have performed meritorious service for the club and who no longer wish to be active field participants will be considered for an honorary membership. Honorary membership has no dues requirement. Such individuals will be presented to the membership by the executive board each January for approval; these individuals will not be counted against the 50-member limit. 5) Family members - In order to accommodate the family of current members, a new category of membership is adopted (Family Member). A family member is defined as a wife, son, and daughter. Such individuals will be allowed to join the Long Island Skyhawks without being counted against the 50-member limit. The family member will be included on the active roster and will be required to pay all club fees with the exception of the initiation fee which shall be waived. Family members will also have full field and voting privileges. 6) Member withdrawal - If a member resigns due to personal reasons, his name will be placed at the top of the waiting list. Otherwise, if his /her withdrawal is the result of a failure to pay dues or disciplinary action, the application process will start from the beginning. 7) Probationary Members - Newly admitted members will be on probation for one year from January of the year they are admitted. Within this first year, they must attend at least four meetings and volunteer to work at one of our fun-fly or any other club function. Failure to complete these obligations for any reason will be grounds for dismissal at the end of his renewal year. Individuals must also abide by all club rules. ARTICLE V OFFICERS Club officers will consist of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. These officers are authorized to conduct all business pertaining to the operation of the Long Island Skyhawks. 1) Elections - Election of officers shall be held at the November meeting. 2) Conduct of Elections - The presiding officer shall attempt to obtain a minimum of two (2) nominations for each office. 3) Should more than two (2) nominations be obtained for any one office and no one candidate receives a majority vote, a second vote will be conducted in order to render a majority for one candidate. The voting shall be continued until a majority is obtained. September 2016 Page 2
4) Nomination of Officers - Nomination for all officers shall be held at both the October and November meetings. The election shall immediately follow the closing of the November nominations. Only members in attendance at the November meeting shall have the privilege of voting except when extenuating circumstances exist and a "mail-in" vote will be accepted. Approved "mail-in" votes must be received prior to the election. 5) Term of Office - Term of office will be for one (1) calendar year. There is no maximum term limit to any office. 6) Vacancies - Vacancies of any office shall be filled at the following meeting of the said vacancy. It shall be accomplished in accordance with ARTICLE V, item #4, except for the mentioned months. ARTICLE VI - DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS President: 1) Be the prime business officer of the Long Island Skyhawks. 2) Act as the spokesman for the club. 3) Preside at club meetings. 4) Appoint committees. 5) Update and maintain By Laws and Field Rules. Vice President: 1) Conduct the business and duties of the president in his absence. Secretary: 1) Maintain written minutes of all meetings. 2) Maintain all business and club attendance records. 3) Establish and maintain a current club roster including member names, addresses, phone and AMA numbers. 4) Ensure all members maintain AMA membership and FCC licenses as applicable. (03/07) Treasurer: 1) Be prime financial agent for the Long Island Skyhawks. 2) Collect and maintain a record of all club receipts and expenditures. 3) Report on the financial status of the club at each meeting. 4) Prepare and present the annual budget for membership approval at the fourth meeting of the calendar year (Statement of Solvency). 5) Make payments for all expenditures within budget limitations as directed by the membership. 6) Maintain an organized banking account in the name of the Long Island Skyhawks R/C Club. Checks written in the name of the Long Island Skyhawks shall contain the signatures of either the treasurer or the president. Membership Committee: 1) The membership committee will consist of three club members at least one of whom will be a club officer. September 2016 Page 3
2) The membership committee will be responsible for maintaining the prospective member list, which will consist of no more than five names. 3) The membership committee will screen all applicants prior to their being placed on the waiting list. 4) The membership committee will review all probationary members at the end of their initial year and determine if they have met the requirements for full membership. Safety Coordinator: (adopted 07/05) 1) Annually appointed position by the president after the November meetings officer elections. 2) In accordance with AMA guidelines, the safety coordinator will act as liaison between the club and AMA concerning safety related matters and will keep club members current with all such information. 3) The safety coordinator will have the authority to enforce all field safety rules at the club flying site and will report violations the club officers for possible further action. All Members: 1) Pay dues when due. 2) Maintain a current AMA membership and FCC license if applicable. 3) Accept and abide by club rules and safety codes and be willing to enforce them when necessary to the best of their ability. Members should also be willing to assist in assuming club duties when requested. 4) Construct aircraft according to existing AMA safety standards and operate them in a safe manner within the intent of the design. 5) In order to receive a Long Island Skyhawks membership card for that year, each member shall provide at the request of any club officer, their current AMA membership card. This action shall be in lieu of the inability of ascertaining AMA current status via official AMA roster information. 6) All members are urged to purchase and wear club available attire, such as jackets, shirts, Tee-shirts, sweat shirts and hats, while participating in the hobby. 7) Any member accepting any form of compensation for the use of the club field will be in jeopardy of losing his membership. 8) Regular members, with the exception of those on the Membership Committee, may sponsor one new applicant during any calendar year. (03/07) 9) Shall not utilize the club s name in any form for personal use, without the consent of the membership. Executive Board: 1) The Executive Board shall be comprised of the elected Club Officers and three regular members. A total of seven members shall comprise the Executive Board and be elected yearly at the November meeting. (Adopted 7/25/02). The Executive Board, when requested by the president, shall assist in the making of important decisions concerning the good and welfare of the club. These matters will generally concern issues of discipline, policy, safety, flying site preservation September 2016 Page 4
and club finances. Official decisions of the Board will require a 2/3 majority vote of the entire Board. (Adopted 3/27/03). ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS 1) Monthly meetings will be held at a time and place determined by availability of a suitable meeting site. 2) Meetings shall be conducted in accordance to the rules of Parliamentary Procedure. 3) A quorum is required to conduct business. A quorum shall consist of 25% of the regular members who are in good standing. 4) Whenever there is a proposal to spend more than $300.00 on anything not related to average club expenditures for the year, a written notice will be sent to all members (with ample time) prior to conducting club business. At which time written proxies will be allowed and the vote of the majority of the regular members in good standing will be accepted. Members who do not respond to the notice shall be counted as an absentee vote, being neither for, nor against, the proposal. 5) Written or verbal notice is required to all members prior to conducting a special meeting. 6) The order of precedence for a presiding officer to conduct a meeting will be President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. ARTICLE VIII - DUES AND FEES 1) There will be an initiation fee of $100.00 for all new members. This fee shall be waived for any member who is rejoining the club after leaving it in good standing. 2) Dues will be $30.00 per year, per member, plus field assessment. 3) Special assessments may be levied on all members on a "need to" basis when voted on by the membership with acceptance of 2/3 of the membership in attendance. 4) Dues will be paid by the November meeting date, for the next calendar year. 5) New members will pay all dues and initiation fees within thirty (30) days of acceptance into the club. There will be no prorating of dues. 6) Members not meeting any financial obligations may be subject to club termination without notice. 7) Club officers may decide on any special cases in respect to dues and membership fees and act accordingly. Discretion shall be used to avoid possible embarrassment. ARTICLE IX - FINANCE 1) The club officers shall be authorized a maximum expenditure of $50.00 for club needs without membership approval. 2) The club is authorized to accept contributions from any source. A written report describing the source, amount, reason and disposition shall be furnished to the membership. 3) The Long Island Skyhawks fiscal year shall coincide with the calendar year. September 2016 Page 5
ARTICLE X - COMMITTEES 1) Committees shall be established as required by the president. 2) Committees shall be established for a definite purpose, having a prescribed time limit with defined responsibility and authority. 3) Committees shall report to the president concerning progress prior to membership presentation. ARTICLE XI - ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS 1) To change any existing by-law, it must be presented to the membership as a motion and a "second" must be obtained from the membership. At this time discussion on the subject will be in order then voted on by the membership and approved by 2/3 of the members in attendance. If approved, this procedure shall then be repeated at the following month's meeting and again must be approved by 2/3 of the members in attendance to become a by-law and be dated, recorded and included as part of the year s current copy of the by-laws. ARTICLE XII EXECUTIVE BOARD AUTHORITY The Executive Board shall have the discretionary authority to expel any individual from the Club by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board if, in the Board s determination, the member willfully violates any provision of the Club by-laws or rules, Rules of the AMA or, acts in any such way that could be detrimental to the Club, the AMA, or to model aviation. (Adopted 7/25/02) September 2016 Page 6