BYLAWS – Bradley County Radio Control Flying Club

BYLAWS OF THE BRADLEY COUNTY RADIO CONTROL MODEL AIRCRAFT CLUB

President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and shall act as a spokesperson in all matters pertaining to it.
Vice President: The Vice President shall act for the President when he/she is unable to serve, and is to maintain an accurate record (including place of storage) of all Club assets.
Secretary: The Secretary shall record minutes of each Club meeting and handle all correspondence pertaining to Club activities. He/she will also be the Club’s contact person with AMA in case of questions, problems, or situations.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall collect all monies due and shall keep a record of monies disbursed by the Club.
Field Marshall/Safety Officer: The Field Marshall/Safety Officer shall be responsible for establishing “mowing crews” and “field maintenance crews.” He/she is to ensure that the field is properly maintained and that recommended improvements/changes are implemented. He/she shall be responsible for enforcement of all Club safety rules and AMA rules and regulations as defined in the current AMA Safety Manual. This includes processing grievance forms and following the grievance procedures documented in the bylaws.

All elected officers shall serve for one (1) year from January 1 to December 31. Officers are elected by simple majority vote of members present at the November meeting. Mail-in ballots will be accepted if returned before the December meeting and counted as if present. New officers take office immediately after the December meeting.
Officer nominations occur at the October meeting. Nominations may be submitted in person or via proxy to an officer. All known nominations will be published in the newsletter prior to the election.

Vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the remaining officers to serve the remainder of the term.

Committees shall be formed as needed by Club officer appointment and may be approved by a simple majority of members present (if a vote is requested).

Regular meetings shall be held at times and places designated by Club officers and announced in the newsletter.
Special meetings may be called by officers with at least five days’ written notice and purpose stated.
A simple majority is over 50% of members voting at a meeting.
Any member may submit a written proposal to the President or raise a topic during a meeting for action by the Club officers.

Annual dues are set by Club officers with approval of a simple majority. Dues are nonrefundable unless extraordinary circumstances are determined by Club officers.
Special assessments require two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of members present, with five days’ notice and explanation.
Members joining after July 31 pay 50% dues for the remainder of the year.
A member is not considered active if dues are unpaid as outlined in Article 7, Section 1.
Anyone under 18 must have a parent or guardian present while flying.
Club dues for those 18 and under with no adult family member in the Club are $25.00 per year.

Membership is open to all who agree to follow Club bylaws, safety rules, and AMA regulations.
Membership categories:
- Full Member: Age 16 or older, with full privileges and voting rights. Requires AMA membership.
- Family Membership: Includes all immediate family flying members. Full privileges and voting rights. Requires AMA membership for each flying member. Children remain covered until age 19 or up to age 25 if financially dependent.
All flying members must maintain AMA membership. Proof required for new and renewing members.

Members may resign in writing.
Loss of AMA membership results in termination of Club membership, subject to reinstatement.
Safety rule violations or other unacceptable behavior may result in disciplinary action or expulsion by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of Club officers.
Expelled members may only be reinstated by two-thirds (2/3) officer vote.
Officers may impose lesser disciplinary actions at their discretion.

Bylaw amendments require written notice to members at least five (5) days in advance and must be approved by a simple majority at a regular meeting. Mail-in ballots are allowed and counted.

Dissolution requires approval by two-thirds (2/3) of total membership.
Upon dissolution, remaining funds are distributed equally among current members.

Grievance procedures support enforcement of safety rules through a progressive disciplinary system.
Procedure:
- A grievance form must be filed with the Safety Officer with at least one witness.
- First Violation: Verbal warning issued and recorded.
- Second Violation:
  - Accused may submit a written rebuttal.
  - Officers may suspend flying privileges for 30 days with written notice.
- Third Violation:
  - Written notice and Club-wide vote at next meeting.
  - Expulsion for at least one year if approved by two-thirds (2/3) vote.
  - May reapply after expulsion period.
- Three violations must occur within two years for enforcement.
- Retaliation results in immediate expulsion.

All pilots must be current AMA members.
All AMA rules must be followed.
Spectators and children must stay behind designated barriers.
Beginners must be checked by a qualified instructor.
No flying on Sundays before 12:00 noon or weekdays before 8:30 a.m. (except electric aircraft).
Unqualified flyers may not fly at events unless assisted.
New/repaired aircraft require test flights before event use.
Only FCC-legal radio frequencies may be used.
Use of the frequency board is mandatory.
Range checks must be performed before first flights.
Engines must be started away from the pits and spectators.
No taxiing in/out of pit area; aircraft must be carried.
Turns after takeoff must avoid pit and spectator areas.
High-speed passes must stay toward runway center or beyond.
Flying near houses is prohibited.
All members are responsible for enforcing rules and ensuring guests do as well.
Members must comply with all federal, state, and local laws.