Operating Agreement for
the River Oaks Aero Modeler's Club,
a Michigan Limited Liability Company
This Operating Agreement is made on June 28, 2005, among
the River Oaks Aero Modeler's Club, a Michigan Limited Liability Company
(henceforth referred to as “Club”), the persons executing this Operating
Agreement as members of the Club, and all of those who shall later be
admitted as members who agree to the following:
Article One: Organization
1.1 The name of this Club shall be the “River Oaks Aero Modeler's
Club, LLC”.
1.2 The purpose of this Club shall be:
1.2.1 To promote the educational
and competitive aspects of model aviation.
1.2.2 To provide the membership
with a constructive spare-time activity.
1.2.3 To promote safety and sportsmanship
in the pursuit of this hobby.
1.2.4 To continuously emphasize
programs, projects and activities directed towards the
membership of this Club.
1.3 The duration of this Club is perpetual. The Club may be dissolved
with the approval of two-thirds vote
of the membership. Any proceeds
from the dissolution of the Club will be donated to the
AMA Scholarship Fund.
Article Two: Membership Policy
2.1 All persons having an interest in model aviation,
regardless of age, sex, race religion or national
origin, shall be eligible for membership provided
they meet the following qualifications prescribed
for this Club and the Academy of Model Aeronautics
(AMA).
2.1.1 Must be an AMA licensed member
to have flying privileges with the Club. AMA membership
is not required for non-flying members.
2.1.2 Must conform to AMA and Club
Field rules in regard to building and flying model aircraft safely.
2.1.3 Must pay all dues imposed
by the Club. Dues are paid on a yearly basis and are due on the last
day of February.
2.1.4 Any member who consistently
violates this operating agreement and/or the club safety rules may
be expelled from the Club. A club officer will have issued sufficient
warning and expulsion shall be by
move of the membership and a two-thirds (2/3) majority present at the
regularly scheduled meeting.
2.1.5 Only members in good standing
are permitted to use the club flying site or facilities.
Article Three: Basic Operating Policy
3.1 The purpose of this Club shall be promoted through
educational programs directed towards modelers
and the general public, and shall be
developed through committees, projects, work sessions
and, contests, and shall be governed
by the basic policies set forth in this article.
3.2 This Club shall be non-commercial, non-profit, non-sectarian and
non-partisan. It shall not endorse
any commercial enterprise or product.
The name of the Club or the name of any members in their
official capacity, or the names of any
sponsor shall not be used in any connection with any
commercial concern or product or with
any partisan interest or for any other purpose than the
regular purpose of the club.
3.3 This Club may cooperate with other organizations and agencies interested
in modeling, provided
its representatives make no commitments
binding upon the membership without approval of said membership.
3.4 This Club will work with the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics),
and within the framework of
the Academy's policy and by-laws. Membership
in the club shall be contingent upon membership
in the AMA.
3.5 This Club will associate itself with the enjoyment of radio controlled
miniature aircraft. When interests
in other types of modeling become known,
the Club will consider pursuing these interests. Flight
training shall be limited to family and
friends of qualified members of the Club on a voluntary basis only.
3.6 Combat flying shall be discouraged until the Club has sufficient
membership to support this category.
Article Four: Dues Policy
4.1 Membership in this Club shall be offered to persons
interested in building and flying model airplanes
and who agree in written application
to abide by this operating agreement and the Club flying site rules.
4.2 Dues Structure will be established upon the needs of the Club, but
will initially be set at:
4.2.1 Individual Adults and/or Family
membership (including spouse and children under 18):
$50 plus Park Pass.
4.2.2 Children over 18 but in school
(high school or college): $25 plus Park Pass.
4.2.3 Seniors (65 or older): $45
plus Park Pass.
4.2.4 The following Club officers
will enjoy (1) year of half dues for membership during their year in
office: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Safety
Coordinator and Newsletter Editor.
4.2.5 New members will be assessed
a $20 initiation fee.
4.3 Annual dues will cover the period from January 1st through December
31st. New members joining
this Club during the year will be assessed
for the full year when joining prior to August 15st. New members
joining the club after August 15st will pay one half their normal dues
for the remainder
of the year. Members not keeping their
membership current paid by February 15th, shall be required
to pay their year's dues and a $10.00
reinstatement fee (Exclusions: Military Duty).
4.4 Individuals must hold a valid AMA, MAAC (Model Aviation Association
of Canada), to be eligible to participate
in club-sponsored contests or events.
4.5 Membership card must be shown to any club member at flying site,
before flying, if so requested.
4.6 Definitions:
4.6.1 A flying ”Visitor” is any
non-member who does not have, nor intends to fly with, their own
plane / equipment but one who may enjoy assisted flying by an approved
Club training member
and using that member's plane/ equipment or a plane belonging to the
Club.
4.6.2 A flying “Guest” is any non-member
who is a qualified pilot who is invited to fly at our field by
a member and intends to fly using their own plane / equipment. A flying
Guest may enjoy the use
of the field a total of three (3) times before being required to support
the field by joining the Club.
Club sponsored demonstration flights; open fly-ins and competitions
are excluded from the tally of
total visits.
Article Five: Election and Appointment of Club Officers
5.1 The elected officers of the Club shall be the President,
Vice President, Recording Secretary and Treasurer.
5.1.1 Officers shall be elected
annually in the month of November and shall assume their official duties
at the first business meeting in January. Officers shall serve for a
term of one (1) year or until their
successor is elected.
5.1.2 The elected officers may serve
a maximum of four (4) consecutive terms in any one office.
5.1.3 Only those who have consented
to serve if elected shall be eligible for nomination.
5.1.4 A nominating committee shall
make nominations for potential elected officers in October.
5.1.5 All officers shall be
elected by a secret ballot at the November business meeting.
5.1.6 A vacancy occurring in any
elected office shall be filled for the term by a person elected
by a majority vote at the next business meeting following the occurrence
of the vacancy.
5.2 The appointed officers of the Club, if required, shall be the Newsletter
Editor, Field Maintenance
Officer and Safety Coordinator.
5.2.1 Officers will be appointed
to serve for a term of one (1) year.
5.2.2 Appointment of these officers
will be made at the December business meeting.
5.3 All officer nominees and appointments shall be members in good standing
subject to this
operating agreement.
Article Six: Duties of Club Officers
6.1 The President shall preside at all meetings of the
Club. He shall perform such other duties as
may be prescribed by this operating agreement
and shall coordinate the work of the officers
and committees, in order that the objectives
of the Club may be promoted. The President
shall be allocated $100.00 per year for
emergency funding and must inform the membership
of expenditures at the following business
meeting.
6.2 The Vice-President shall act as an aid to the President and shall
perform the duties of the
President in the absence or inability
of the President to serve.
6.3 The Recording Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings
of the Club and shall perform
such other duties as may be delegated
by the membership.
6.4 The Treasurer shall receive all monies of the Club; shall keep an
accurate record of receipts
and expenditures; and shall pay out funds
in accordance with the approved budget, as authorized
by the membership. The Treasurer shall
present a financial statement at every business meeting
of the Club and at other times when requested
by the membership. The Treasurer's accounts shall
be examined annually by an auditor and/or
auditing committee of not less than three (3) members
who, satisfied that the Treasurer's annual
report is correct, shall sign a statement to that effect at
the end of the report. The auditing committee
shall be appointed by the final business meeting of
the year. The auditing committee shall
report its findings at the first business meeting of the year.
6.5 The Newsletter Editor is responsible for assembling and distributing
the club newsletter. The newsletter
should be issued no later than one
(1) week before the monthly business meeting.
6.6 The Field Maintenance Officer is responsible for insuring that the
field is maintained. He will act as the
primary contact between the Club and
the mowing service.
6.7 The Safety Coordinator is responsible for insuring that Club members
are qualified to fly at the field and
shall perform duties as prescribed by
Section 4 of the AMA suggested duties of Club Officers.
Article Seven: Business Meetings
7.1 There shall be no less than twelve (12) regular business
meetings per calendar year. Business meetings
will be established by the membership
at a regular day, time and place.
7.2 Roberts Rules of Order (revised) shall govern this Club in all cases
which they are applicable and in which
they are not in conflict with the
Operating Agreement of the Club.
7.3 The order of business meetings shall be:
7.3.1 Call to order.
7.3.2 Announcements and the recognition
of guests.
7.3.3 Reading and/or approval of
minutes from the previous meeting.
7.3.4 Statement of the Treasurer.
7.3.5 Reading of communications.
7.3.6 Reports of their Disposal.
7.3.7 Unfinished Business.
7.3.8 New Business.
7.3.9 Safety issues with discussion.
7.3.10 Show and Tell (If a member
brought a model to the meeting).
7.3.11 Adjournment.
Article Eight: Membership Rights
8.1 The highest authority shall be the dues paying members
of the Club assembled at any authorized
business meeting. A quorum shall
consist of a simple majority of the dues paying membership
assembled at an authorized business meeting.
8.2 Each member of this Club will be given a copy of this Operating
Agreement upon acceptance of
his/her dues.
8.3 This Operating Agreement shall be binding upon all members of the
Club.
Article Nine: Exculpation of Liability
9.1 Unless otherwise provided by law, or expressly assumed,
any person who is a member or officer
of the Club, shall not be liable for
the acts, debts, or liabilities of the Club.
Article Ten: Club Field Rules
10.1 All members of the Club shall obey the following
Field Rules:
10.1.1 All pilots wishing to use
this flying field are welcome, BUT must be a current member of
The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA or MAAC).
10.1.2 Piloting a model aircraft
after consuming alcoholic beverages is prohibited and alcoholic
beverages are NOT permitted on the premises.
10.1.3 The frequency pin must be
reserved before turning on the transmitter and the frequency pin must
be attached to the transmitter. The transmitter must have the frequency
identification number
attached. Transmitters and receivers operating on the 50 MHz and 72
MHz band must be narrow
banded.
10.1.4 Pilots must make sure their
models are securely restrained while starting by a mechanical
restraint or another person.
10.1.5 The average maximum sound
level for models flown at the field is 98 db.
10.1.6 Taxiing anywhere between
the fence and the taxi line (the Pit area) is prohibited.
10.1.7 Flying of models is restricted
to the boundaries of the field: i.e.- M-96 on the north side of the
field.
Inside the fence away from the Benteler property on the east side. Away
from the Ball Diamonds to
the south side, and away from the entrance road to the west. Flying
behind the flight line is
prohibited.
10.1.8 Piloting a model is permitted
only while standing at one of the 4 (four) designated flight stations.
Rotary winged aircraft will have their own flight station on the south
end of the pits. There will be a
total of 5 (five) flight stations.
10.1.9 Rotary winged models will
not hover outside the designated hover area at the south end of the
Pit
area or at over 15 ft of altitude. Unsafe starting procedures and 360-degree
fly-arounds are
prohibited.
10.1.10 Models shall not exceed
10 pounds during general flying or 12 pound during special club
sanctioned events.
10.1.11 Gasoline powered models
are prohibited to fly at this field.
10.1.12 Persons walking onto the
active runway must positively notify pilots flying of their intentions.
10.1.13 All pilots will follow the
official AMA Safety Code.
10.1.14 Only persons essential to
flight operations are permitted on the flying side of the fence.
10.1.15 Members must keep the field
and surrounding area clean and take home all their trash each time
out. If necessary, the Field Marshall or any Club Officer may close
the field down for clean up.
Smoking is prohibited in the pits and on the flight line at all times.
Article Eleven: Amendments
11.1 This Operating Agreement may be amended at a regular
business meeting of the Club by a 2/3 majority
vote of the dues paying members present
provided that a notice of the amendment is presented at the
previous business meeting in written
form. The membership shall be notified of the amendment by mail
(or electronic mail) a reasonable time
before the meeting at which the vote is taken.
11.2 A committee may be appointed by simple majority vote (of the members
present at any authorized
business meeting) to prepare and submit
a revised Operating Agreement to the membership which will
then be voted on in accordance with section
11.1.
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