CONSTITUTION

Article I – Name
The name of this organization is THE FORT WORTH THUNDERBIRDS RADIO CONTROL ASSOCIATION INC., hereinafter referred to as THE ASSOCIATION.

Article II – Charter
The association is chartered (Charter Number 1217) by The Academy of Model Aeronautics, Inc. (of Muncie, Indiana), hereinafter referred to as THE AMA.

Article III – Purpose
The purpose of this association is to promote the safe, educational and technical hobby of model aeronautics. Through the assistance, encouragement and devotion of the Association and its members it is committed to anyone that wishes to build or fly model aircraft. The Fort Worth Thunderbirds are devoted to promoting the enjoyment of each member and visitor through safety, understanding and innovation of the technical evolution of radio controlled model aircraft. The Association will sponsor activities and events directly related to R/C model aeronautics several times each year to support community involvement and to promote the future of the Fort Worth Thunderbirds.

Article IV – Membership
Membership in the association is open to anyone interested in the hobby/sport. An active member is any person who is up-to-date in the payment of dues and shows interest in the association’s activities and welfare.

Article V – Quorum
A quorum consisting of 50 percent of the active members or 20 members in good standing, whichever is smaller shall be required to conduct items of business.

Article VI – Amendments
The Constitution and/or The Bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the association, provided that members have been notified at least 30 days in advance that such amendment is to be considered. Official notification as set forth above shall be published in the association newsletter.

BYLAWS

Section I – Officers
Officers of the association shall be the President, the Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer and the Safety Officer.

Section II – Duties of the Officers
A. The President shall preside at all meetings and shall act as the association spokesman. His signature shall be required together with the Treasurer’s for all expenses not previously approved in the Constitution, Bylaws, or by vote at any official meeting. The president shall appoint committees as necessary to conduct the business of the association.

B. The Vice-President shall be responsible for the meetings and program arrangements, and shall act for the President when the President is unable to serve. He shall also be a standing member on all committees whose actions affect association policies.

C. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all association meetings, and will provide copies for publication in the monthly newsletter. He will maintain a roster of the association membership with an up-to-date listing provided to the newsletter editor for publication in the September newsletter. The Secretary is responsible for all association correspondence.

D. The Treasurer shall collect all moneys due the association (membership dues, special assessments, donations, fund-raiser, concession and other moneys). He shall maintain an account in the name of the association in a federally insured banking institution, and will have all association funds deposited within one week after their receipt. The Treasurer will provide a monthly statement and report on all transactions conducted during the previous month at the next meeting. The monthly statements will comprise the annual financial report to be given to the newly elected treasurer at the beginning of the next term. The treasurer shall submit/file required documentation annually to the State of Texas to maintain non-profit incorporation status.

E. The Safety Officer ensures compliance with the AMA Safety Code and the Flying Site Rules. A monthly safety briefing will be conducted as part of the association monthly meeting. The safety briefing should educate and inform the membership of safe operating procedures or local and national safety issues. The Safety Officer may designate an alternate to conduct the monthly briefing if it will enhance the safety message.

F. All officers are required to have active and monitored e-mail accounts to enable contact with the AMA, association members, and the association web site.

Section III – Terms of Office and Election Procedures
A. All officers shall serve for one year beginning with the day of the January meeting.

B. Candidates for office shall be nominated at the October meeting. Candidates can be nominated from the floor or by mail (if received by the Secretary at least one week prior to the meeting). Approval for inclusion on the ballot shall be obtained by a second nomination from the membership present.

C. To be eligible all candidates must acknowledge nomination acceptance to the association secretary prior to the November newsletter cutoff date.

D. The membership will vote from the candidates selected at the October meeting. The secretary will provide ballots for inclusion in the November newsletter, and balloting will end on the third day prior to the December meeting. Officers shall be elected by a simple majority of the votes cast.

E. Election results will be announced at the December meeting. In the event that a candidate does not achieve a simple majority, a runoff election between the two leading candidates shall be held at the December meeting. The secretary will provide paper ballots for secret balloting.

F. In order to provide for orderly transition and transfer of records to the new administration, incumbent officers will remain in office until the day before the January meeting.

G. Officers may be removed from their positions by a vote of ¾ of the members present at any official meeting. An officer unable to attend meetings regularly will automatically be removed from office at the third consecutive missed meeting, or on the fourth missed meeting during the term of office.

H. Vacancies, for whatever reason, shall be filled for the remainder of the term by officers advancing to the next level. If agreeable to the incumbent, the Secretary and Treasurer posts will be combined for the remainder of the term. If not, a Treasurer shall be elected by voice vote.

I. Officers may be re-elected for any number of terms.

Section IV – Membership
A. Membership in the association may be in any of 5 categories:
1) Individual

2) Family

3) Lifetime

4) Honorary

5) Associate

B. Individual Membership:
1) Defined as a dues paying member in good standing.

2) Individual member is eligible to participate in all association functions and special voting regarding association issues, projects, or policies.

3) Individual member shall be a current AMA member.

4) Individual member is eligible to hold association officer position or serve on special committees.

C. Family Membership:
1) Family members are defined as those individuals in the primary member’s immediate family to include: Spouse, children and step children.

2) Children are defined as those persons 18 years of age or younger residing in the same household as the individual member.

3) Family members are eligible to participate in all association functions.

4) Voting privilege for family membership is limited to Two (2) votes per family unit. Voting family member must have current AMA membership and AMA number must be recorded with Club Secretary to be eligible.

5) All flying family members shall possess current AMA membership.

6) Only primary member is eligible to hold a association officer position.

D. Lifetime Member:
1) Lifetime members are elected to lifetime membership status by a majority vote of all lifetime members (minimum five lifetime members). If there are less than five lifetime members available then the current association officers will supplement the voting quorum.

2) Lifetime member elections are limited to two persons per year.

3) Lifetime member nominations are autonomous and submitted to association officers by the October meeting.

4) Lifetime members shall have the same rights and privileges as individual members except they are exempt from paying annual dues, but are subject to other expenses such as landing fees, party fees, special funds, etc.

E. Honorary membership:
1) Defined to recognize individuals in civic positions or businesses demonstrating continued support of the Fort Worth Thunderbirds in further expanding the association’s role in providing family oriented activities.

2) Honorary members are not required to be current AMA members unless they are actively involved in flying activities and then shall abide by the posted association safety rules at the flying site.

3) Any person may be elected to honorary membership by nomination and a simple majority vote of the members present at any official meeting

4) Honorary members are not eligible to vote on issues regarding association projects, policies, or issues.

5) Honorary members are not required to pay dues.

6) Thunderbird Member of the Year nominations will be made at the October meeting. The candidates will be published in the newsletter. Those listed will be added to the ballot with the option for a write in candidate.

F. Associate Membership:
1) Defined as either a Non-Flying or Flying Associate member.

2) A Flying Associate Membership is available to those who are not located in the immediate vicinity of the Fort Worth Thunderbirds flying field (50 miles).

3) A Non-Flying Associate Membership is available to those who wish to support and participate in the association's activities.

5) Associate members are required to pay a fee of ½ the annual association dues.

6) Associate members are not eligible to vote on issues regarding association projects, policies, or issues.

8) Associate members are not required to be current AMA members unless they become actively involved in flying activities. They must then acquire an AMA membership and comply with F(2) or purchase an Individual or Family Membership.

G. General Guidelines:
1) Any member may be expelled from membership by a vote of ¾ of the members present at any official meeting.

2) Any member may resign at any time by writing the president and stating his desire to resign. No proportional share of any unused funds or dues will be refunded.

3) Expelled member has the right to appeal:

i. Intent to appeal must be submitted to association officer.

ii. Expelled member shall present their reasons the expulsion is felt to be unjust at the next scheduled monthly association meeting.

iii. Discussion/questions are appropriate prior to final vote.

iv. Expelled member shall not be present when membership takes final vote.

v. Expelled member shall be notified by association president of final decision.

4) Reinstatement of expelled or resigned members shall be effected in a like manner to expulsion, but payment of any back dues must be received prior to reinstatement.

5) Expelled or resign members forfeit payment of prorated remaining annual dues.

Section V – Dues and Fees
A. Annual dues shall be set by a majority vote of members at any official meeting.

B. First time members will pay a minimum of 50 percent of the annual dues, plus monthly proration for any period exceeding six months.

C. No dues are required from lifetime members or honorary members.

D. Dues must be submitted in full to the association Treasurer before 1 January of each year. On that date a grace period of thirty days shall begin. At the February meeting all unpaid members shall be dropped from the association’s active roster.

E. There shall be no special assessment levied on the membership at any time except by vote of the membership.

F. Fees to obtain AMA charter license and other fees such as association insurance, etc. shall be paid from the association treasury as necessary, once the appropriate vote is taken.

G. Family membership (dues) is set to current dues amount plus $10.00.

Section VI – Contest Directors
A. The association membership must at all times include at least one member, preferably a volunteer, who has AMA Contest Director credentials.

B. If there is not a volunteer, the member shall be selected by a vote of the membership.

C. Special fees for obtaining Contest Director’s status (but not the basic AMA membership) shall be provided by the association treasury, but only in case a Contest Director is appointed by vote. All volunteer Contest Directors shall pay their own fees.

Section VII – Meetings
Regular meetings will be held monthly at a place, time and date determined by the membership. Special meetings will be convened by decision of at least three of the association officers, and the membership must be notified at least five days in advance.

Section VIII – Committees
Special committees shall be appointed by the president to perform functions essential to the association. These appointments shall be performed at any monthly meeting and shall require only the approval of the selected members. A committee shall consist of a minimum of three members, plus the Vice President, who shall be notified of the purpose and scope of their function, as well as of the results expected and the timing to complete the assignment.

Section IX – Flying Field
The association leases and maintains a flying field on Benbrook Lake property owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The association has made improvements to the property, which now consists of a paved runway, taxi ways, model parking strip, a shelter, frequency board, protective barriers, and other items. The field is open for the use of all members and their guests. Maintenance and improvement expenditures must be approved by the association membership.

The following flying field safety regulations/disclaimers are posted at the flying field and shall be adhered to by all people that fly at the ASSOCIATION flying field:

1. Fort Worth Thunderbirds are not responsible for accident or injury.

2. An AMA insurance card is required to fly.

3. Reserve a frequency by placing your card in the proper position in the frequency control board before turning on your transmitter.

4. Remove your AMA card after your transmitter has been turned off to open the frequency to other pilots.

5. Flying over the pit area or west of the road is strictly prohibited.

6. All engines are required to have a muffler.

7. Pilots shall stand in the designated pilot boxes closest to the downwind end of the runway.

8. Aircraft must follow the takeoff and landing pattern in effect.

9. Landing aircraft have the right of way over aircraft taking off.

10. Running aircraft shall not be left unattended.

11. Pilots shall not taxi west of the safety fence.

12. Pilots shall not run up engines in the shelter area.

Section X – Events
A. Yearly events will be submitted no later than the January meeting for the calendar year. This is published in the association newsletter of scheduled events.

B. Additional events may be submitted at any time during the calendar year. However, it is advisable that a three month (90 day) advance be used for coordination, planning, advertising, etc.

C. All operating expenses for the scheduled events will be presented at the February meeting of the calendar year. This is needed for yearly operating budget expensed projections.

D. Event forms shall be approved by association officers and expense requests shall be approved by a majority vote of members in attendance (February meeting).

E. Cash advances for an event shall be approved by association officers.

F. All association advances, expensed shall be receipted and accounted for at completion of event. Expenses shall be submitted to treasurer not later than 7 days following completion of event.

G. All AMA sanctioned events shall be supervised by a recognized AMA Contest Director.

H. Non AMA sanctioned (association) events may be supervised by individual association members.

Section XI – Budget
A. A set percentage of all general funds shall be dedicated for field improvements, and new field acquisition. The set percentage amount will vary from year to year based on account balances and projected expensed for the coming calendar year. Target percentages are not less than 15% and not greater than 25%.

B. Motions to transfer and/or use monies that earmarked for improvements and/or new field acquisition, to other accounts for expenses, shall be voted on by association members prior to the transfer. Approval shall be 2/3 majority of members present at meeting.

C. Recurring monthly operating expenses shall be projected in advance for the coming calendar year at the March association meeting. Past operating expensed shall be used as a baseline to compute these expenses.

A. In the event of dissolution of the association, disposition of all funds in the association treasury shall be voted on by association members. Funds may be distributed to the AMA or retained by a core group of individuals who intend to perpetuate the association. Said funds shall be for the purpose of securing a new flying site. The new flying site shall be secured within two years; otherwise, all funds shall be donated to the AMA. During the two year interim, association funds shall be controlled and monitored by two individuals; a core member, and non-partisan (non-core member).