Article I- Name
Article II- Mission
Article III- Officers
Article IV- Membership
Article V- Meetings
Article VI- Membership Meeting Conduct
Article VII- Committees
Article VIII- National Association
Article IX- Promotional Raffles
Article X- Donations
Article XI- Club Dissolution
Article XII- Bylaws Amendments

[Name]

The name of “Michigan Scale Model Boat Club” is the official name of the scale boating club, referred to herein as the Club or “MSMBC”. The name of “Task Force 196”, will also apply to this club, as it is a branch of MSMBC and referred to as

“TF-196”. For purposes of this document, both will be referred to as the Club.

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[Mission]

The purpose of the Club is to enjoy and have fun while promoting the Radio Controlled and Static, scale model ships. To promote the model boating hobby, by hosting and attending invitational “Fun Runs”, regattas and static displays.

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[Officers]

The Club will maintain a minimum of four (4) active members to remain an active club. There will be six (6) elected positions within the Club as follows:

1. This person will preside over all meetings.

2. Will form committees and request volunteers from the membership.

3. Will report to the members of the club.

4. Will represent the Club on matters concerning the direction and monies with respect to other area clubs, and report back to the membership.

5. Will promote stability within the ranks of the Club

6. Will advise and recommend direction to the Club

7. Will be a liaison between the Club and area clubs or appoint one.

 

1. This person will preside over any meeting (s) in which the Captain is absent.

2. Will report directly to the Captain and to the members of the club in the Captain’s absences.

3. The XO shall aid and assist the Captain in any way possible and shall assume the office of the Captain should that office become vacant.
   

1. This person will take minutes of meetings and read the minutes of the last meeting.

2. Keep and maintain Club activity records, books and current membership roster.

3. Take over as Purser if the Purser is unable to attend club meeting (s).

4. Keep records of who is and who is not a member in “Good Standing”.
   

1. This person shall aid and Assist the XO and Captain in any way possible and shall assume the office of the XO should that office become vacant.

2. Make any special Announcements via electronic, phone, postal mail or other means.

3. Shall write and publish a newsletter for the Club, at the Club’s expense, as approved by the membership.
   

1. Report Treasury status at regular meetings.

2. Present bills to the attending membership for approval.

3. Write checks covering approved bills.

4. Maintain Dues Records

5. This person shall keep all financial records.

6. Take over as Yeoman if the Yeoman is unable to attend club meeting (s)

7. Will represent the best interest of the Club at all times.

8. This person will NOT purchase, write checks, or otherwise disperse any clubs funds without approval from three (3) other officers or approval of the membership as stated in d; 2 of these bylaws.

9. All Checking/Savings or other money accounts shall be set up with two of the officers names on these accounts.

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1. This person is responsible to develop and maintain Safety rules and regulations, in accordance with local, national, and National Hobby Association’s guidelines.

2. To develop and maintain Radio Frequency Clips for Fun Runs and Regattas.

3. To report to Membership on Safety issues.

4. To maintain an inventory of Club property.

5. To find, and / or arrange someone outside of the Club to speak at our meeting(s) or to arrange to attend a demonstration by a firm or individual related to the Hobby. These meeting speakers or demonstrations shall be conducted at a minimum of twice per year.

 

The above officers shall form the Executive Committee and act in the best interest and welfare for the Club.

The election of the officers shall be held once per two (2) year period, alternating three (3) officers at an election, at a regular meeting of a quorum of members. (Quorum, meaning all those members in good standing and present and causing a majority vote of all members in good standing and present. Except, the quorum number shall not be less than one-quarter of the Total Membership).

A member in good standing shall be one that has attended a minimum of one half (1/2) of the regularly scheduled meetings / fun run meetings. Included in this are Regattas that may require representation by the Club and put on by a different organization. Any member that does not meet or exceed these requirements shall maintain his/her membership but will not possess any voting rights. Legitimate excuses such as but not limited to, work, illness, family commitments, health or other items as determined, will not be held against a person of good standing.

Nominees for these positions shall come from the membership at a regular meeting prior to January of the voting year. Nominees will be members in “Good Standing”. The voting shall be at the regular January meeting with a quorum of members present. The person receiving the majority of votes then shall assume the elected position after the meeting, for a period of two (2) years or until a) he/she resigns, or b) withdrawal is requested by the majority of members at a regular meeting.

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(Membership)

There shall be no restrictions on membership based on gender, race or creed. All memberships shall have the same rights and privileges with respect to memberships in “Good Standing”. All other members will have the same rights and privileges except for voting. [See section under Article III].

The Membership is expected to act in the best interest, and welfare of the club.

Any member of the club may be suspended or have their membership terminated by a majority vote of the members at a regularly scheduled meeting for infraction of the Club’s rules and regulations, or if it is apparent to the membership that the member does not have the welfare of the club in his/her best interest.

Any member in question will be counseled by committee in an attempt to resolve problems and/or attitudes. Failure to resolve the issues at the committee level will result in the suspension of the member.

Active Member / Member in Good Standing, deemed to be an individual with an R/C operational and/or Static scale model boat, completed or under construction, wishing to publicly display and/or operate at club events and regattas, be willing to help and participate at club functions and events, and above all want to have fun and enjoy the hobby.

A member in good standing shall be one that has attended a minimum of one half (1/2) of the regularly scheduled meetings / fun run meetings. Included in this are Regattas that may require representation by the Club and put on by a different organization. Any member that does not meet or exceed these requirements shall maintain his/her membership but will not possess any voting rights. Legitimate excuses such as, but not limited to, work, illness, family commitments, health or other items as determined, will not be held against a person of good standing. 

Associate Member, deemed to be an individual or commercial business not wishing to participate as an Active Member and in addition, be willing to help and participate or contribute to club functions and events. (A member NOT in Good Standing will automatically become an Associate Member until such time as he/she becomes a member in Good Standing).

Honorary Membership may be granted at the discretion of the Executive Committee and the majority of the membership at a regular meeting.

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(Meetings)

Regular meetings (usually one per month during the Winter Months) shall be held on a day, time and place to be determined by the attending members at any given meeting, fun run, or Regatta. The Captain and/or Officers can call a special meeting any time upon sufficient notice (5 days) to all members of the Club, via electronic, voice, fax, mail or other means of communications.

It is encouraged that all members attend as many meetings and Club functions as possible.

 
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(Membership Meeting Conduct)

Meetings shall be conducted in the following manner.

Meeting called to Order by presiding person

Roll call (a sign in sheet)

Minutes of the last meeting read. Additions and corrections asked for, then approved by membership

Treasurer’s report read and approved.

Bills presented for payment, or if prepaid with officer’s consent [see Article III, section d, paragraph 8). Motion, support, and acted upon with voice vote. (Note: bills prepaid will be presented as a matter of record only, all prepaid bills are pre approved).

Letters and other communications presented and read.

Old business,

a. Reports of delegates and committees

b. Any other old business.

New Business

Adjournment

After Adjournment then our guest (s) will present their presentations.

Meetings shall be conducted in a professional fashion following the format given above, with a version of Robert’s Rule of Order, being the preference.

Members shall raise their hand and be acknowledged by the Chairperson for the floor and not interrupt the member currently speaking nor begin a new point of discussion without approval of chairperson. Talk among the membership shall be avoided or kept at a minimum during the course of the meeting.

 
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(Committees)

Committees shall be formed to carry out the duties assigned to it by the Captain. The Captain or chairperson of the meeting shall appoint them. Committee members shall be Volunteers present at the meeting at which the Committee is formed.

Committees shall report their status and progress at each scheduled meeting.

Committees have the authority to request assistance from any member in order to achieve its objective.

 
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(National Association)

The Club shall be a chartered Club member of a National Scale Model Boat Association (such as the SSMANA) as voted on by the membership for the purpose of obtaining national recognition and liability insurance for its public regatta and home pond site, if required, and this liability insurance is not purchased locally.

The operational boats shall be scale model designs driven by Electric, Steam, or Sail. Except for Sail, the boats must have the capability of going Forward, Stopping and Backing up. Operational model boats entered for competitions shall be measured and judged by the guidelines set forth by the national association.

All members, will be encouraged, to be members of the Club’s National Association Affiliation.

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(Promotional Raffles)

If the Club decides and votes for a promotional raffle, that function will be within the current guidelines set forth by the State of Michigan.

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(Donations)

Donations to the Club shall be handled in the following manner:

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Article XI
(Club Dissolution)

If the Club should dissolve for whatever reason, it is agreed to sell, any and all of its assets and the proceeds combined with the remaining treasury, and donate these proceeds to a charity chosen by the remaining members.

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(Bylaws Amendments)

Amendments to the bylaws, if any, shall be presented at a regular meeting for discussion. If the attending membership agrees the amendment has merit, the amendment shall be published in the next two (2) newsletters, during the next regular meeting after the second newsletter, the attending membership will vote to accept or reject the amendment. If the amendment is passed, it will be adopted immediately within the Bylaws.

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