NIMA (NORTHERN INDIANA MODELERS ASSOCIATION) CLUB BYLAWS
ARTICLE 1: DUTIES
1. Board of Directors: (defined as President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Safety Officer) the management of the affairs of the club shall be vested in the board of directors who shall have the authority to establish and administer its policies. Official decisions may be made by a two-thirds majority vote or by quorum. A quorum shall consist of at least 50% of the current board members. Official decisions shall 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 shall preside at all meetings of the club and shall act as a spokes person in all matters pertaining to it. He/she will also be the club’s contact person with AMA in case of questions, problems or situations.
3. 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.
4. Secretary: The Secretary shall record minutes of each club meeting and handle correspondence pertaining to club activities.
5. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall collect all moneys due and shall keep a record of moneys disbursed by the club.
6. Field Marshall: The Field Marshall shall be responsible for establishing mowing crews and mowing equipment maintenance crews. He/she is to ensure that the field is properly maintained and recommend improvement/changes. Field Marshall shall be appointed by the President. (See Article 3 Section 1)
7. Safety Officer: The Safety Officer shall be responsible for chairing the safety committee and ensuring existing rules are enforced. The safety committee is comprised of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and safety officer. This includes processing the grievance forms and following the existing grievance procedure documented in the bylaws. Safety Officer shall be appointed by the President. (See Article 3 Section 1)
8. Contest/Event Committee Chairman: The Contest/Event committee Chairman shall be responsible for coordinating and establishing, in conjunction with all the club’s contest directors, a schedule for the next contest/event season. The schedule will be decided by the contest directors and approved by the members.
9. Meeting Activity Coordinator/s: The Meeting Activity
Coordinator shall be responsible for coordinating model-related activities immediately following the business portion of the meeting.
1. The President or his/her appointees will make a periodic audit of
the Treasurer’s books.
ARTICLE 3: TERMS OF OFFICE
1. All elected officers of the club shall serve for one (1) year date of
Election. Officers are to be elected by a vote of simple majority of those present at the regular meeting in the month of December. New officers will take office at the January meeting. Personnel will be appointed by the elected President and confirmed by a simple majority vote of those members present during a regular meeting: i.e. Newsletter editor, contest director etc.
2. Nomination of club officers shall be made at the general
membership meeting during the month of November and beginning the December meeting. Nominations for office may be made by any active club member holding voting rights, either in person or by submitting a proxy nomination to an existing officer. All known nominations for office will by published in the newsletter prior to the election. Absentee voting can be made by sending ballot to any member of the Board of Directors via regular mail or email. All mailed ballots will be opened and read at the time of voting.
3. A secret ballot is required for elections, for the removal of a club
Officer, a member of the Board of Directors, and for the expulsion of a member from the club unless waived by a simple majority vote of the members present at the meeting.
ARTICLE 4: VACANCIES
1. Vacancies in any office shall be filled by appointment by the
Remaining officers, such appointee to serve until the end of the term for which his/her predecessor was elected.
ARTICLE 5: COMMITTEE
1. The committee of the club shall be appointed by the President and
may be approved by a simple majority vote of the members present at a meeting (if a vote is requested), to serve throughout the term, or less, of his/her tenure of office. Standing committees are the Safety Committee and the Field Maintenance Committee.
ARTICLE 6: MEETINGS
1. Regular meetings shall be held at a time and place designated by
the club officers and published in the club newsletter. Meetings are usually held the 1st Sunday of each month except for holiday weekends in which the meeting will be held the following Sunday. Meetings are held at either the flying field or LaPorte Airport. Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb ,Mar ,April ,May are usually held at LaPorte Airport due to weather.
2. Club officers may call special meetings with no less than five days
prior written notice of a special meeting. The purpose of the special meeting shall be stated in the written notice.
3. At any club meeting a simple majority shall be over 50% of the
members voting at the meeting. A quorum to hold a meeting is considered 25% of the membership.
4. Any member or probationary member of the club may initiate a
formal request for action by the Board of Directors by submitting
a written proposal to the President. The proposal shall include a written description of the nature, type, and extent of the Board action recommended. The President of the Board shall forward copies of the proposal to the other members of the Board of Directors for their consideration. Either the President, or any other Board member, may have the matter placed upon the working agenda of the next club meeting.
ARTICLE 7: DUES AND MEMBERSHIP
1. The annual dues to be paid to the club shall be determined by the
club officers with the approval of a simple majority vote. Dues are non-refundable, except under extraordinary circumstances, which will be determined by the Board of Directors on a case-by-case basis. Dues are to be paid no later than the March club meeting. Failure to pay dues on time will require repayment of initiation fees.
2. No special assessment shall be levied upon the club membership,
Unless it is approved by a vote of two thirds (2/3) majority of the members present at the regular monthly meeting, and the members have been given five (5) days prior notice along with an explanation of the assessment.
3. New members who join in October through December will pay
Initiation fee and membership rates. This will cover the membership dues until the end of the following year.
4. A member shall be in arrears and shall not be considered active if
his/her dues have not been paid as provided in Article 7, Section 1.
Any member who allows their membership to lapse beyond the June meeting of any year shall be considered a new member when renewing their membership and will not be given preference over any other applicant should membership waiting list be in existence.
5. Types of membership and limits on the total number of members
shall be determined by the club officers and approved by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members present at the meeting.
*6. Any member holding an office position of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Safety officer, members of the mowing crew ( up to 4 members), and Club Webmaster will have their dues waved for their services.
* Section 6 was removed via ammendment vote by the body March 3,2016
ARTICLE 8: MEMBER STANDING
1. All persons shall be eligible for membership and shall agree to
abide by the club’s bylaws and those of the AMA.
2. The membership shall be divided into the following categories:
a. Full Member: Is sixteen (16) years old or older and has full
privileges and voting rights. Dues: Full Member rate plus AMA Membership.
b. Junior Member: Is younger than eighteen (18) years old, has limited privileges and voting NO rights. Dues: ½ membership rate plus AMA Membership.
c. Family Membership: Includes all flying members of the
immediate family (spouse and children). They have full privileges and voting rights.( , See Article 8 Section 2 a & b) Dues: One (1) Full membership plus one (1) junior membership, plus AMA Membership for each flying member. Children are included until their 19th birthday and from their 19th birthday until their 25th birthday, provided they remain continuously dependent upon their parents for their principal support.
d. Associate Member: A Non-flyer, who is interested in the
activities of the club, pays dues has voting privileges and receives a newsletter.
e. Probationary Member: A new member within the first
year of membership. This member is not eligible for elected office; however they may serve the club in appointed positions. Member has full voting rights at club meetings. Membership dues are per the rate structure. Only one newsletter per family address.
3. Flying members will be required to hold and maintain a license
issued by the AMA. All first time flying member applicants, as well as present flying members seeking membership renewal, must show proof of membership in the AMA. Non-flying and Associate Members do not require AMA membership.
4. Before joining the club, new members shall be introduced in
person by their sponsor and or officer. The membership, by a majority vote of members present at a meeting, shall approve any application for membership. The applicant will be on probation for one (1) calendar year subsequent to the approval of his/her application for membership. After this probationary period has ended, his/her membership application may again become subject to the approval of the club. Probationary members are ineligible to hold any elected office in the club.
5. New member's sponsor shall take the initiative to take the
perspective member to the flying club meetings/field and orient them to the club’s rules and AMA requirements.
A. Purpose for member sponsorship in NIMA
a. Safety of all members.
b. A means for a new member to receive help and guidance with both building and flying aspects of the hobby as well as to have a friend/contact into NIMA.
c. To insure that club and AMA rules are observed and followed so as not to jeopardize the existence of the club flying site.
B. Sponsorship Structure
a. All new members must have a sponsor. The
new member will have a sponsor until their sponsor/flight instructor deems them competent, and are fully cognizant of both NIMA and AMA rules and safety regulations.
b. The sponsor will accompany the new member
to the flying field and assume the responsibility
for the new member’s conduct and well-being.
1. Insures member does not get into a
position that could be hazardous to him/
herself or to others.
2. Insures member gets the help required to
fly their model, tune engine, radio check
and check control surfaces.
3. Introduce new member to others.
4. Answer questions as they arise. Help
member to relax and enjoy the hobby.
c. If the sponsor is unable to attend the field with
the member, then the sponsor will get another
person to take his/her place.
d. If the sponsor is not the members’ flight
instructor, the sponsor will make arrangements
for a NIMA instructor.
e. The sponsor will help/guide the new member
with all aspects of the hobby.
6. Any member receiving a safety grievance as stated in Article 16,
who is involved in a non-flying violation, or who has key information of a non-flying violation and withholds it from the Board of Directors, may at the Board of Directors discretion be placed on probation for one (1) year regardless of his/her tenure.
ARTICLE 9: RESIGNATION, TERMINATION, DISCIPLINARY
ACTION, EXPULSION AND REINSTATEMENT OF
MEMBERSHIP
1. Any member in good standing may resign his/her membership by
giving written notice to NIMA.
2. If any member ceases to have the qualification necessary for
membership in the AMA, his/her membership in the club shall
thereby terminate, 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 1, 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 determination, such individual willfully commits any act or omission which is a violation of any of the terms of these Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, 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 two-thirds (2/3) 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: AMENDMENTS
1. Amendments may be made to the Constitution and these bylaws at any general meeting of the club membership, provided the members shall have been notified by phone call, email or social media at least five (5) days in advance that the amendments are to be considered. Copies of the proposed amendments shall be provided to all members as part of the notification. Amendments shall be approved by no less that a two-third (2/3) majority vote of the members present, at the regular monthly meeting. Mail-in ballots will be made available for those Full members who cannot attend the meeting. Those ballots, returned by mail before the next meeting, will be counted as if those persons were present at the meeting.
ARTICLE 11: SPECIAL FUNDS
1. The Treasurer of the club is authorized to receive contributions or
specially obtained funds from any individual or institution, to be
applied to the operating expenses of the club.
2. The President will have discretionary spending, of up to $250.00
without requiring club approval.
ARTICLE 12: DURATION
1. The duration of this club shall be perpetual.
ARTICLE 13: DISSOLUTION
1. The Club(N.I.M.A.) may be dissolved with the approval of a two-
thirds (2/3) majority vote of the total membership.
2. Upon the dissolution of N.I.M.A., the Board shall, after
paying or making provision of the payment of all the liabilities of
N.I.M.A., dispose of all the assets of N.I.M.A. exclusively for the purposes of N.I.M.A. in such manner, to the Academy of Model Aeronautics, Inc., or to such other organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or to such other organization with purposes similar to the purposes of N.I.M.A., as the Board shall determine. Any of such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas (or similar court) of the county in which the principal office of N.I.M.A. is then located, exclusively for such purposes and to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
ARTICLE 14: INCORPORATION
1. The incorporation of this membership shall be a minimum of three
(3) of the four (4) elected officers.
ARTICLE 15: LOGO
1. The official club logo shall be:
ARTICLE 16: 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 form will be filled out and turned into the Safety Committee Chairman. At least one witness is required.
(b) FIRST VIOLATION
a. Viewpoints of both complainants and accused will be considered.
b. Complainant’s 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. Complaint’s 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 in the club newsletter.
(d) THIRD VIOLATION
a. Committee will notify the accused in writing and the club members via the club newsletter 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, and physical harm,
intentional equipment damage, or any other action deemed
to be retaliatory by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 17: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
1. NO DRINKING AND FLYING
2. If you drink you must discontinue flying.
3. If you drink and become obnoxious and/or otherwise cause a
disturbance, you will be asked to leave the flying field. Refusal
to do so will be reason for termination of membership to NIMA.
ARTICLE 18: FLYING FIELD AND SAFETY RULES
1. Beginning flyers must be under the supervision of a qualified
instructor.
2. All transmitters must have proper channel and aircraft ID
on antenna.
3. Flying is permitted on 2.4 GHZ, 27 MHz. Only narrow band on
72 MHz is allowed. Old band receivers are permitted. Operator
is responsible for possible 2nd order interference (23 channels away either side of channel in use.)
4. Flight line and Pit area must conform to AMA regulations.
5. NO flying over the “PIT” area.
6. NO taxing into the “PIT” area.
7. Engines may be started in the Pit area and aircraft carried cautiously to the taxiways to get to the flight line area.
8. After flying you may taxi back to the flight line barrier strip and to taxiway after you’ve landed and retrieve your aircraft from the taxiway
9. A maximum of 4 aircraft in the air at one time
10. A spotter is required when more then 1 plane is in the air
ARTICLE 19: GUESTS
1. A non-member may fly at the NIMA facilities as a guest provided
non-member has AMA insurance and he/she is with a NIMA
member. The NIMA member is responsible for the conduct of
the guest.
2. Guests are welcome to fly on an occasional basis three (3) times
per flying season. If flying on a regular basis occurs, the guest
will be encouraged to join NIMA. If the guest declines to join
NIMA then they will be required to discontinue their flying
activities at the NIMA facility.
THESE BYLAWS WERE ADOPTED BY THE NIMA MEMBERSHIP ON
DATE 5/4/2014
PRESIDENT Rodney Peters
VICE PRESIDENT Brad Barclay
TREASURER Robert Taylo
SECRETARY Lou Carlassara
SAFETY OFFICER Jeff Tibbot
