WMARCC Bylaws (Draft)

Article 1. Name

The Name of this club is West Michigan Area R/C Club – referred to herein as WMARCC or the club.

Article 2. Purpose

Promote and generate enthusiasm for the sport and hobby of radio controlled model building and operations.
Provide meeting and operations facilities.
Assist and encourage beginners, builders, and designers.
Promote safety and education.

Article 3. Formation

A. Board of Directors

WMARCC shall operate as a 501(c)(7) non-profit, non-stock holding organization.
The fiscal year shall coincide with the calendar year.
WMARCC shall maintain Remotely Operated Auto Racers (ROAR) registration and membership, and follow any and all ROAR safety guidelines, policies and rules. (www.roarracing.com/join.php)

Article 4. Officers

Board of Directors:
1. The Board of Directors, herein referred to as the Board, shall consist of the elected positions of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer plus appointed officers as necessary.
Nomination and Election of Officers:
1. Nomination of officers will take place at the regular September meeting. Elections of officers will take place at the regular October meeting. Officers are elected by a simple majority vote of the attending members voting.
Term of Service:
1. Members of the Board shall not hold any office for more than three consecutive terms.
2. After a single term break they will be allowed to return to the board serving in any position they are elected to fill.
3. Board members shall serve for one year, or until their successors are elected.
Vacancies:
1. Vacancies created by officer re-election, resignation, or other reasons shall be filled by a majority vote of the members present at a regular club meeting.
2. Board members elected to fill vacancies hold office only for the balance of the term.
Meetings:
1. The President will call Board meetings as necessary, notice being given by the Secretary, allowing sufficient time for members to be present.
Expenditures:
1. The WMARCC officers may, by majority vote, approve club expenditures of $100.00 or less without membership approval.
Appointed Officers:
1. Appointed officers are Safety officers and the Technology Officer.
2. Appointed officers will perform their duties for the same duration as elected officers however they are not subject to term limitations.
Responsibilities of Officers:
1. President:
  A. Presides at all WMARCC and Board Meetings and acts as the official club spokesperson.
  B. Sets the agenda for club meetings.
  C. Appoints all committees.
  D. Calls for board meetings as needed.
2. Vice President:
  A. Presides when the President is unable to serve, and has the power of the President when doing so.
  B. Assists in all matters pertaining to WMARCC.
  C. Responsible for WMARCC tracks/courses and maintenance of same.
3. Secretary:
  A. Keeps and maintains all records and accounts of WMARCC
  B. Handles all official WMARCC correspondence.
  C. Records the minutes of each club and Board meeting.
  D. Reads the minutes at each WMARCC Meeting.
  E. Shall create, maintain and publish to all WMARCC members a monthly newsletter.
  F. Shall create & maintain a WMARCC member list with contact information.
  G. Communicates with all members when a board meeting is being called.
4. Treasurer:
  A. Has charge of WMARCC funds. Maintains and records all income and payments of club finances in a readily available, easy to read manner.
  B. Keeps all WMARCC funds in a bank approved by the Board and in WMARCC’s name.
  C. Shall pay in a timely manner all the bills incurred by WMARCC and strive to stay within the parameters of the previous year spending limits.
  D. Disburses funds;
  1. Approved by the board within their jurisdiction.
  2. Approved by a majority vote of the members present at a club meeting.
  3. In the amount of $100.00 or less, approved by one of the elected officers, within normal operating expense, without prior approval of the Members.
  4. Has the authority to receive special funds or donations from any individual or institution, to be applied to the operating expenses of the club.
  5. Is responsible for collecting the annual membership dues from all club members.
5. Safety Officer(s):
  A. Appointed as needed by the Board.
  B. Responsible for enforcing the club rules at any club event.
  C. Responsible for enforcing the local track rules at any club event.
  D. Has the authority to restrict or eject any member or guest from the club site or club event for not conforming to the club rules or specific track or course rules.
  E. May Delegate his authority and duties, and appoint assistants as needed.
  F. Is empowered to control the parking of vehicles and policing of the track/course or pit areas.
  G. Responsible for Club field equipment and maintenance of the same.
6. Technology Officer:
  A. Responsible for updating and maintaining the WMARCC website.
  B. Responsible for updating and maintaining any and all official WMARCC social media pages and/or sites.

Article 5. Membership

Eligibility:
1. Members must be 18 or older. Those under the age 18 must have their parent/guardian maintain membership with the minor/child/dependent listed as a family member. Minors must be supervised by a parent/guardian at all times.
2. New members must have completed a club membership application form and pay the prorated dues levied at that time.
Regular Members:
1. Shall remain a member as long as dues are paid for the current year and they are in good standing with the club.
2. Is responsible for keeping up the good name and character of the club.
3. Is responsible for enforcing any and all club rules along with any site specific rules and or regulations for any of the tracks, courses or locations we may operate at as a club.
4. May invite guests to club activities. Member is responsible for any and all activities of their invited guests. Any rule breaking done by guests will reflect upon the member whom invited said guest. Member shall be held financially accountable for activities performed by their guest that result in any form of financial loss or hardship for any other member or the club.
Dues and Assessments:
1. Club dues are $50.00 to be paid annually by April 1 of each year. Dues paid by renewing members after April 1 will not be prorated.
2. If membership lapses beyond April 1 of the following year, reinstatement will be via new member rules.
3. Special circumstances may be considered by the Board.
Resignation and Termination:
1. A member may resign from WMARCC at any time by giving notice in writing to the Secretary.
2. Any elected or appointed officer absent from 2 consecutive meetings without just cause/or prior notification to any officer, shall be considered as voluntary resignation, and shall be replaced by majority vote of the members present at the next regular meeting. Notice of the action will be published in the newsletter and/or Facebook group prior to the meeting at which a vote will occur.
3. Membership can be terminated by recommendation of the Board, and approved by a simple majority vote of the members present at a regular monthly meeting. Notice of the action will be published in the newsletter and/or Facebook group. The terminated member will be notified in writing explaining the reason or reasons for the termination.
4. Membership can be terminated for, including but not limited to the following reasons:
  1. Disruptive Behavior which shall be defined as repeated acts of offensive, threatening, harassing, abusive, endangering or dangerous acts or which impair the normal activities of the club.
  2. Destruction of track/course or owner/club property.
  3. Theft of others’ property.
  4. Any violation of Federal, State or other government law.
5. If a resigning or terminated member is in possession of WMARCC property, arrangements must be made within 14 days for an officer to retrieve any and all WMARCC-owned property.
6. No dues or assessment prorating, rebate, or refund of any kind will be given for resignation or termination.

Article 6: Meetings

Club meetings will be held no less than 6 times per year. Meetings will be announced in the newsletter and/or Facebook group.
Special circumstances such as Holidays may require altering the meeting schedule or simply skipping a meeting. In such cases notice will be given in the club newsletter and/or Facebook group.
Special meetings may be called by the president. If a special meeting is called then the entire board will make every effort to contact members informing them of the special meeting and its purpose.

Article 7: Amendments to Bylaws

Amendments may be proposed at any regular meeting, advertised via the club newsletter and/or Facebook group, and voted on at the next regular meeting.
Amendments are adopted by a majority vote of the voting members present.

Article 8. Dissolution

WMARCC may be dissolved with the approval of a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the total membership.
Upon the dissolution of WMARCC, the Board shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all liabilities of the club, dispose of all the assets of the club to such other organizations operated exclusively for social or sporting purposes as shall at the same time qualify as an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended, or to such other organizations with purposes similar to the purposes of WMARCC, as the board shall determine.

Article 9: Chronology of By-Laws:

May 15, 2015 – Executed By-Laws; posted to Facebook Group by Todd Ogren
February 20, 2020 – Posted to website as DRAFT; removed mention of Junior Membership and reordered Articles; A.Urick