Article 1: Name

The name of the club will be Tokay Radio Control Modelers (TRCM), hereafter referred to as The Club.

Article 2: Purpose

The mission of Tokay Radio Control Modelers will be to introduce and promote the sport of model aviation to all persons of all ages in the Lodi and surrounding area.

Article 3: Membership/Dues

1. All persons shall be eligible for membership, and shall agree to abide by the Club’s bylaws, and those of the AMA. All New Members and Active Members are required to maintain AMA membership, pay dues and keep a current signed TRCM Release & Indemnification Agreement on file with the Treasurer.

2. New Member applicants shall provide a completed TRCM Member Application together with payment. There shall only be one Field Assessment Fee required per family household plus the regular annual dues (prorated as indicated in paragraph #6 below). The Club Membership shall review the application and, upon majority approval vote of those members present at the meeting, shall approve the application for membership.

3. Types of membership and limits on the total number of members shall be determined by the Board of Directors and passage by a simple majority vote of the membership present at a meeting. Current club membership shall be limited to one hundred (100) active members in good standing.

4. Each new member must fly the first time at the club field with a club instructor who will review the club safety and field rules, AMA safety rules, and ascertain that the new member can adequately, safely fly their aircraft.

5. Junior members are those eighteen years of age and younger. Adult members are those nineteen years and older. Junior members shall be exempt from the Field Assessment Fee required of adult members.

Junior members shall remain exempt from the Field Assessment Fee as long as there is no lapse in their membership. Should their membership lapse at the adult member age (nineteen years and older), they will apply for membership as an adult member and be required to pay the Field Assessment Fee.

6. Renewal of membership will occur in January each year with proof of AMA membership required. Dues are mandatory by January 31st. Membership dues will be required for the entire year for a renewal even if the member does not pay until later in the year. The member is not allowed flying or voting privileges until membership is paid. In addition to the required Field Assessment Fee, dues for new members will be charged for the remainder of the year at the rate of 1/12th of the total year’s dues times the number of months left in the year.

7. No special assessments or dues increase will be levied on the club members except by vote at a general club meeting which is approved by two-thirds of the members present. A special assessment or dues increase must be announced one month prior to any vote. Absentee voting will be by email and verified against the email address on file with the Treasurer.

8. Membership dues will be waived for Club officers for the year to which they are elected to serve.

Article 4: Meetings

1. Monthly meetings will be held at a time and place designated by the club officers and be published.

2. A simple majority will be over fifty percent of the members voting at the meeting.

3. Club officers may call a special meeting with no less than five days prior notice of a special meeting. The purpose of the special meeting will be stated in the notice.

Article 5: Offices/Duties

1. Board of Directors—The Board of Directors will consist of five members; President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Safety Officer, and, if necessary, a member(s) at large by appointment. Official club business will be decided by three of the five directors. Club business will be consistent with the stated purposes and objectives of the AMA as set forth in its Bylaws and, where those Bylaws are not specified, vested in the sound discretion of the Board of Directors.

2. President—The president will preside at club meetings and will act as spokesperson in all matters pertaining to the club. Will make appointments and committee assignments as necessary. An appointee will make a periodic audit of the treasurer’s books. The president will have discretionary spending of up to $300.00 without requiring club approval.

3. Vice-President—The vice-president will act for the president when the president is unable to serve. The vice-president will be chairman of club activities.

4. Secretary—The secretary will record minutes of each club meeting and handle all correspondence for club activities.

5. Treasurer—The treasurer will collect all money due and will keep a record of money disbursed by the club. The treasurer will submit a written or verbal account of the club finances at each meeting. The treasurer will maintain the membership database, verify AMA status and file TRCM release forms and applications.

6. Safety Committee Chairman/Safety Officer— The Safety Committee will consist of the Board of Directors. The safety officer will be responsible for chairing the safety committee and for ensuring all safety rules are enforced. This includes processing the grievance forms and following the existing grievance procedure documented in the Bylaws.

Article 6: Terms of Office

1 All officers of the club will serve for one calendar year. Officers are to be elected by a vote of a simple majority of those members present at the regular meeting in the month of December.

2. Nomination of officers will be made at the November meeting. Nominations may be made by any member either in person or by submitting a proxy nomination. All nominations for office will be emailed or published prior to the election.

3. A secret ballot is required for elections, for removal of a club officer, and for expulsion of a member from the club unless waived by a simple majority vote of the members present at the meeting.

Article 7: Vacancies

1. Vacancies in any office will be filled by appointment by the remaining officers and will serve the remainder of the term for the vacated office.

Article 8: Committees

1. Appropriate committees will be appointed by the president to serve throughout the term of the presidents’ tenure in office, except the Safety Committee which consists of the Board of Directors.

Article 9: Resignation, Termination, Disciplinary Action, Expulsion and Reinstatement of Membership

1. Any member in good standing may resign his/her membership by submitting written notice to the club.

2. If any member ceases to have the qualification necessary for membership in the AMA his/her membership in the Club shall there by be terminated, subject to reinstatement upon restoration of eligibility.

3. This section provides for enforcement of the Safety Rules that are related to flying activities. Any other unacceptable behavior by an individual member or members, as defined by the Board of Directors, become the responsibility of the Board of Directors as stated in Article 5, Offices/Duties, Section 1 of these Bylaws. Any individual may be expelled from membership from the Club by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board of Directors if, in the Board of Directors determinations, such individual willfully commits any act or omission which is a violation of any of the terms of the By-laws, or the Rules of the AMA, or which is detrimental to the Club, the AMA, or to model aviation.

4. Any member who is expelled from membership may be reinstated to membership only by majority vote of the Board of Directors.

5. The Board of Directors shall have the discretionary authority to provide for and to impose disciplinary action for such acts or omissions, which do not justify expulsion from membership.

Article 10: Grievance Procedure (Flight and Ground Safety Rules)

1. Purpose: The grievance procedure provides a mechanism to enforce 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 to be filled out and turned into the Safety Committee Chairman. At least one witness is required to sign the grievance form.

2. Safety Committee

The Safety Committee shall use its judgment in carrying out action on the following:

(a) A grievance will be filled with the Safety Committee Chairman. At least one witness is required.

(b) FIRST VIOLATION

a. Viewpoints of both complainants and accused will be considered.

b. Complainants name will be disclosed.

c. A verbal reprimand will be given to the accused by the Safety Committee, and this will be recorded in the Committee files.

(c) SECOND VIOLATION

a. Complainants name will be disclosed.

b. The accused has the right to a written rebuttal, to be reviewed by the Committee.

c. If the Committee so decides, the flying privileges of the accused will be suspended for thirty (30) days. Written notice of this shall be issued and a copy published.

(d) THIRD VIOLATION

a. Committee will notify the accused in writing and the Club members notified that the Club will vote on the expulsion of the accused at the next meeting.

b. Said expulsion will last for a one-year minimum. (Longer if deemed necessary by the Board of Directors).

c. A member may be expelled from the Club only upon a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership present at the meeting.

d. Voting will be by secret ballot at a regular monthly meeting.

e. The expelled member may reapply for membership after the expiration of the expulsion time period.

(e) The three actions will not be enforced unless they are accumulated within a two-year period of time.

(f) Any member receiving a Grievance, who directs any retaliation 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 Board of Directors.

Article 11: Amendments

1. Amendments may be made to these bylaws at any general meeting, provided the members have been notified at least five days in advance that the amendments are to be considered. Notification at the previous club meeting or published in the previous two months is considered to meet this requirement. The complete amendment must be provided to the members or published, and absentee balloting will be conducted. Amendments must be approved by two thirds of the voting members.

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