Club By-Laws

CLEVELAND RC CLUB INC.

CRCC

BYLAWS

 

ARTICLE I –NAME

1. The name of this organization shall be the “Cleveland RC Club Inc.”.

ARTICLE II - DEFINITION

1. The Cleveland RC Club shall include all phases of radio controlled modeling.

ARTICLE III - OBJECTIVE

The objectives of the club shall be:

1. The promotion of all activities possible in all phases of the radio control of models;

2. To conduct and hold club contests

3. To hold inter-club contests 

4. To conduct and hold at least one (1) annual contest once each year, unless conditions are such that it is impossible to do so;

5. To cooperate whenever possible with civic, governmental and commercial groups in holding exhibits, displays and promoting model activities in general, and radio controlled modeling in particular.

ARTICLE III (CONTINUED) – Purposes of the Corporation 

The Corporation is formed exclusively for purposes which a corporation may be formed under the Non-Profit Corporation Law of the State of Ohio, Chapter 1702 et. seq. of the Ohio Revised Code, and not for pecuniary profit or financial gain, including the following purposes:

1. To promote the sport/hobby of remote control aviation and assist with the education and development of the local community regarding remote control aviation as a local tax exempt organization.

2. The Corporation is organized exclusively for educational and scientific purposes qualifying as an exempt organization under Section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION I – ACTIVE

1. Membership shall be left to the discretion of the active membership.

2. All active members shall hold current A.M.A membership to fly as a member of this club. 

SECTION I B — ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Associate members are AMA or non AMA members who wish to stay affiliated with the Cleveland Radio Control Club. They can visit the Club field at there leisure but may only fly during club fun flies or open events.  In that respect they must be an AMA member. They shall have all voting privileges except for the election of officers.  Membership into the Cleveland Radio Control Club is by majority vote of the members present at the meeting. Dues are twenty five dollars per year with no initiation fee.

SECTION II—HONORARY MEMBERS

Honorary members shall, upon being voted upon by a majority of the members present at any regular meeting of the club, be presented with an honorary membership card.  Honorary members shall have no voting power.

SECTION III—LIFE MEMBERSHIP

Life members shall, upon being voted upon by a majority of the members present at two consecutive meetings of the club be presented with a life membership card.  Life members are entitled to all club privileges, are entitled to vote and shall be exempt from dues.  Lifetime membership is purchased at a fee of ten times the current annual dues, one time full payment, after such approval.  

SECTION IV- NEW MEMBERS

An applicant for membership must attend one meeting to signify his intention of joining.  Said applicant’s name, address and phone number will be noted by the Secretary in the regular minutes.  The applicant will be voted upon at the meeting, after stating his intention and is officially accepted upon payment of initiation fee and dues.

SECTION V—REVOCATION OF MEMBERSHIP (Amended May, 2nd 2009)

Should any member of the Cleveland Radio Control Club, through his or her actions, do anything which would tend to harm the club, the executive board, its membership or any member, it shall be the duty of the entire executive board to rule upon such action by a majority vote, and if found to be detrimental to said club, have the authority to impose sanctions or disciplinary actions, at the boards sole discretion, up to and including full revocation of the offenders membership.

1. A vote for membership revocation is a special procedure and a vote is required from each member of the executive board that are presently holding one of the positions of the executive board which could include the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Safety Director/Sergeant at arms and possible ex-facto former President if there is a tie.

2. A majority vote, that is a majority of the votes cast is sufficient for the adoption of any motion that is in order. While it is the duty of every executive board member who has an opinion on the motion to express his or her vote, he or she cannot be compelled to do so. He or she may prefer to abstain from voting. An abstained vote shall be counted as an additional vote for the prevailing side.

3. Should the offending member desire to appeal the Executive Board’s action, they shall have the right to do so at the first regular meeting, providing he advises the President by letter at least seven days prior to said regular meeting.

4. At the appeal, during open regular meeting, the attending membership shall cast a secret ballot, after hearing the Executive Board’s reason for action, the accused member’s reason for appeal and general discussion if warranted.  The member may be reinstated by 2/3 of the membership present.  This vote shall override the Executive Board’s action and the outcome will be final.

( Further amended, July 11th 2009)

The Board shall have the authority to suspend a members privileges for conduct deemed by the Board to be detrimental to the Club or its members.

The Board shall determine the appropriate length of suspension.

The period of suspension must be less than one year.

Any member who’s privileges have been terminated by the Board shall have the right to appeal the Board’s decision after a period of at least 90 days from the date of termination by appearing at a Board meeting to seek recommendation for reinstatement.

The member shall also appear at a general meeting to discuss the reasons for termination with the general membership.

The terminated member shall be reinstated by a majority vote of the attending membership if the Board has recommended reinstatement, otherwise reinstatement shall be by a 2/3’s vote of the attending membership.

Suspended or terminated members may not fly or come up to the field.

This amendment does not apply to any member removed from the Club prior to the July 11th 2009 effective date of this amendment

ARTICLE V—AMOUNT OF DUES (Revised 11-06-2012)

The annual dues are $60 per year per adult 18 years of age and over as of January 1st of the dues year.  The annual dues for a person 16 and up to 18 years of age (as of January 1st of the dues year) shall be $25 per year.  A person under the age of 16 years as of January 1st of the dues year shall pay the annual dues of $10 for the dues year.  Total immediate family dues shall not exceed $100 for the dues year. Any prospective new member applying for membership to the Club, on or after July 15th, shall pay half the regular annual dues for the balance of the dues year. Junior member dues are not subject to discount.

DUES FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR MUST BE PAID BY END OF THE MARCH BUSINESS MEETING.  THERE WILL BE A $10 LATE FEE FOR EXISTING MEMBERS UP TO AND INCLUDING THE JUNE MEETING.  AFTER THE JUNE MEETING, AND FOR A THREE-YEAR PERIOD, THERE WILL BE A $20 REINSTATEMENT FEE.  THEREAFTER THAT MEMBER WILL PAY THE NORMAL ANNUAL DUES.  AFTER THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD ALL MEMBERS WILL BE CONSIDERED NEW MEMBERS.  THE LATE FEE ($10) AND THE REINSTATEMENT FEE ($20) CAN BE WAIVED WITH THE BOARD’S DISCRETION BASED UPON CIRCUMSTANCES.

1. All club members, upon written notification, who are in the Armed Services or attending school out of the area are exempt from all dues and are put on inactive status for the duration of their service or school.  Inactive members shall be given preference over all wait listed persons for active membership upon completion of their service or school.

2. Any former member in good standing may be reinstated under the new member procedure as set forth in ARTICLE IV, SECTION IV, at the discretion of the Executive Board.

3. The Executive Board shall have the right to pass upon placing a member on inactive membership upon written request by that member.  Upon returning to active status dues will be based as if a new member with no initiation fee.

4. EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS SHALL HAVE THEIR DUES     WAIVED FOR THE YEAR IN WHICH THEY ARE AN OFFICER OF THE CLUB. PROVIDING SUCH BOARD MEMBER ATTENDS AT LEASE SEVEN MONTHLY MEETINGS.  

5. New field Assessment Fee for 2009 of $25.00 will be assessed to all active members and officers.  This fee for the cost of new field will be reviewed again in 2009 for the 2010 year. 

ARTICLE VI - Corporate Powers and Authority

The Corporation shall possess all powers and authority permitted by law, except:

1. No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure directly or indirectly to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, trustees, officers or other private persons, and also except to the extent permitted under the Non-Profit Law, except that the Corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered, to reimburse for business expenses, and to make payments in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article III hereof.

2. No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

3. The Corporation shall not discriminate against any person on the grounds of race, color, creed, sex, handicap or national origin.

4. The Corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law); or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law).

The Corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation or reimbursement to any person for services rendered to the Corporation affecting one or more of its purposes, and to make payments and distribution of its funds, income, or earnings in furtherance of one or more of the purposes of the Corporation set forth in these Articles of Incorporation. Such payment of reasonable compensation and the distribution of assets upon dissolution as permitted by Section 1702.49 of the Ohio Revised Code, shall not be deemed or considered to be pecuniary gain or profit or distribution of funds, income or earnings.

ARTICLE VII- Indemnification

The Corporation shall indemnify each incorporator to the fullest extent permitted by law in the State of Ohio.

The Corporation shall also indemnify each trustee and officer, each former trustee and officer, and each person who is serving at its request as a director, trustee or officer of another enterprise and may indemnify any employee or agent, any former employee or agent, and any person who is serving or has served at its request as an employee or agent of any other enterprise to the fullest extent from time to time permitted by the law of the State of Ohio in the event any of such persons shall be made, or be threatened to be made, a party to any action, suit or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative. As used herein, the terms trustee, officer, director, employee and agent shall include their heirs and personal representatives.

ARTICLE VIII - Dissolution

Upon dissolution of the Corporation, the Board of Trustees shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all legal liabilities of the Corporation, dispose of the assets of the Corporation exclusively for the purposes of the Corporation in such manner, or to such organization or organizations as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Regulations there under (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Board shall determine.  Any assets or equipment loaned from an individual or entity to this non-profit corporation shall be returned to said individual or entity.

Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the Corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organizations which are organized and operated for such purposes, as said Court shall determine.

ARTICLE IX—OFFICERS

SECTION I—PRESIDENT

The President shall be the executive officer of the club, shall preside at all meetings, regular or special.  If unable to preside, he shall provide the Vice President to preside in his absence.  The same applies to all meetings of the Executive Board.  He shall be a member ex officio of all committees, and in the event of a tie vote, the president shall cast the deciding vote.

SECTION II –VICE PRESIDENT

The Vice President shall aid the President in the discharge of his duties, shall look after the affairs of the club in matters to which he is given him by the President or the Executive Board.  He shall preside at regular meetings in the absence of the President.

SECTION III—TREASURER

1. The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the club and shall deposit same in such depository as the club or the Executive Board may from time to time designate.

2. The Treasurer, President or Vice President may sign checks and shall pay out and dispose of the funds of the club in accordance with and subject to, the directions of the club or Executive Board up to $500.00.  All checks above $500.00 for major expenses require two signatures.

3. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account and detailed record of his accounts as Treasurer in books belonging to the club.  Said accounts shall be open at all times to the inspection or audit by the Executive Board.  He shall have the power to call for reports from the Secretary at such times as he deems necessary.

SECTION IV—SECRETARY

1. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the club, both regular and special.

2. At regular and special meetings of the club, the Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings.

3. The Secretary shall keep a record of any committee meetings to be turned over to him by the chairman of the committee.

4. The Secretary shall, upon retiring from office, turn over to his successor all books, papers and records in their possession belonging to the club.

5. The Secretary shall furnish each member with a set of the club’s by-laws and see that a set is given to each new member.

6. The Secretary shall send out notices to all members regarding special meetings. 

7. The Secretary shall have charge of notifying all clubs, all magazines and newspapers of all contests and shall have charge of all correspondence for the club.

SECTION V—SERGEANT AT ARMS/SAFETY DIRECTOR 

1. Shall maintain order at all meetings.

2. Shall keep minutes of all meetings in the event that the Secretary is absent from such meetings

3. Shall be responsible for all safety issues regarding the club and suggest modifications of such safety rules to the executive board for approval.

4. Shall chair the safety committee, including safety committee hearings regarding member’s violation of safety rules.  Shall report findings and recommendations to the Executive Board for final decision.

ARTICLE X –EXECUTIVE BOARD

1. The Executive Board shall consist of all the officers of the club.  The President shall act as chairman of all board meetings and shall vote in case of a tie vote.

2. The Executive Board shall have authority to transact all business of the club, except as otherwise specified in these by-laws.  The Executive Board can approve expenses up to $750.  Expenses from $751 up to $1500 must be discussed and approved by the members at one business meeting.  Expenses over $1500 must be discussed at two business meetings and approved by the members at the second business meeting.  In the event that there is an emergency that could result in losing our flight field or altering our flying season, the Executive Board has the right to authorize any amount of money as long as the vote of the Executive Board is five to zero to spend the emergency money.

3. If any member or group of members wishes to recall any members of the Executive Board, he or they must submit a petition stating his or their reasons to the Executive Board.  This petition must be signed by two-thirds (2/3) of the active membership before it is presented to the Board. Submission of such an adequate petition automatically would recall this member from office.

4. The Executive Board shall meet when required or called for by the chairman.

ARTICLE XI—MEETINGS

SECTION 1—REGULAR MEETINGS

Regular meetings shall be held throughout the year at the times and dates as determined by the membership.

SECTION II—SPECIAL MEETINGS

A special meeting may be called by the President or the Executive Board, with the membership to be notified in writing, within a reasonable time period prior to the meeting.  The membership is to be notified as to the time, place and reason for the meeting.

SECTION III—QUORUM

Fifteen percent of the voting membership of the club shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any regular or special meeting of the club.

ARTICLE XII—ELECTION OF OFFICERS

SECTION I—NOMINATIONS (Revised 11-06-2012)

The annual nominations of officers shall be held during the meeting preceding the December election meeting.  Nominations shall be made from the floor during the meetings. 

A requirement of being nominated for any office is that the nominated member must be a member for 5 consecutive years (including the year of nomination).  Members who joined prior to this change on May 7th, 2008 are grand fathered in and can run for office without having to meet this requirement. If there's no Nominee that meets the 5 year minimum requirement any member can then be nominated.

SECTION II—ELECTION

The annual election of officers shall be held during the first meeting of December each year.

SECTION III—METHOD OF VOTING

Election of officer shall be by written ballot.  A simple majority shall be required for the election of any officer.  If a simple majority is not reached on the first ballot, the nominee having the least number of votes shall be dropped from the ballot and another vote taken.  Absentee ballots are not accepted.  Election of unopposed can be by verbal approval.

SECTION IV--OFFICERS TO BE NOMINATED

The following officers are to be voted on and make up the Executive Board.

1. President
2. Vice President
3. Treasurer
4. Secretary
5. Sergeant at Arms/Safety Director

SECTION V—INDUCTION OF OFFICERS

The new officers shall take office at the first regular meeting of the year.

SECTION VI

In the event of an officer of the Executive Board vacates their position for any reason (except President in which the Vice President automatically becomes President), the President shall immediately ask for nominations to that position.  At the next business meeting there shall be a vote and the member with the most votes shall take office immediately.  

SECTION VII—PAST PRESIDENT

Upon the election of a new President, the outgoing President shall automatically become a member ex-officio of the newly elected Executive Board for the term of one year maximum.  He shall vote only in the event of a tie vote.

ARTICLE XIII—CONTRACTS

All contracts or bills payable entered into by the club shall express the following terms; provide that under no circumstance shall any member of the club, or the officers authorized to sign such contracts or executing the same on behalf of the club, be held to assume ether directly or indirectly any personal liability or obligation there under.

ARTICLE XIV —AMENDMENTS

Amendments to these by-laws of the Cleveland Radio Control Club may be made by the Executive Board, upon approval of the membership.  Such amendments shall supersede and revoke any provisions of the by-laws which are contrary to or in conflict with the said amendments.  Motions to amend the by-laws will be read at two consecutive meetings and voted on by the membership after the second reading.  Approval constitutes a by-law change.  These by-laws shall not be considered in effect until signed and dated by the then current President and Secretary.

 

 

November 6th, 2012

Al Mixter, President
Rocco Giordano, Vice President
Scott Sala, Secretary
Paul Deininger, Treasurer
Mark Miller, Sgt at Arms/Safety Dir.