Article 1 (General)

This Club has been formed to promote the construction and operation of radio-controlled model aircraft for the enjoyment and recreation of its members. Suburban R/C Barnstormers is a non-profit organization in which all dues and monies received will be used to provide and maintain flying site(s) and promote and fund club activities.

Article 1A (Meeting Schedule)

Club meetings will be held on a regular basis. Board meetings will be held as needed prior to general meeting.

Article 2 (Club Offices and Elections)

Article 2A (Elected Positions)

The elected positions of the club will consist of four Club Officers: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Article 2B (Board of Directors)

The Board of Directors will be comprised of ten members, consisting of four current Club Officers, one Safety Chairperson and five Board Members at Large. The five Board Members at Large will consist of out-going officers (if applicable) and others chosen by the president. Also, the President will appoint the Safety Chairperson. An out-going officer is a current Club Officer that is either not nominated for another term, chooses not to run for another term or is voted out of office. If a person holds two or more positions that typically are also board member positions, they only fill one of the ten board member positions.

The Board of Directors will be the ultimate governing body of the club. Decisions reached at board meetings requiring membership approval will be presented at the club meeting as a motion. All motions presented to the membership will be open to discussion and require the approval of the majority of the members in attendance. Board meetings are open to all general members by request. However, they do not have voting privileges.

1. Resignation: Voluntary resignation from the Board.
2. Incompetence: If an Officer becomes incompetent in fulfilling their responsibilities, the President will notify them.
1. After two notices, the Officer will be temporarily relieved of their position.
2. A vote by the other Officers will then determine the next course of action regarding the Officer’s status.
3. A majority vote of those in attendance will be required for the decision. In case of a tie, the President has an additional vote to break the deadlock.
4. If necessary, a new Board Member will be elected to the Board of Directors.
3. No Confidence: In accordance with (2) above, any Club Officer not performing to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors, whether it is incompetence in the fulfillment of duties, unsportsmanlike conduct, conduct not in the best interest of the members or the club as a whole, will be subject to disciplinary action deemed just and necessary by the Board of Directors.

Article 2C (Elections)

Elections for Club Officers will be held every two years. Elections will be held in November of the election year. Elections will be decided by a majority vote of the members in attendance. Voting for all positions will be by secret ballot unless the majority of members in attendance decide otherwise. The ballot will be for Club Officers. The newly elected Club Officers will assume their duties and responsibilities at the beginning of the calendar year.

Article 2D (Special Elections)

A special election will be held in the event an Officer decides to relinquish his/her position. The replacement candidates will be nominated and elected during a regularly scheduled club meeting by the majority of members in attendance.A special election will be held if a Board Member chooses not to continue.

Article 3 (Club Officer Duties)

Article 3A (President)

The President is responsible for assigning specific duties to Club Officers, Board Members, and general members as needed to support and promote the club.

1. No other officer can assign duties to Club Officers, Board Members or General Members, except for the President or Acting President as the need arises to enhance and promote the club.
2. The President must be familiar with the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) rules and regulations.
3. The President will serve as the primary point of contact (or can assign an active Board Member) with the DuPage Forest Preserve District (DFPD) and the West Chicago Park District (WCPD) for issues related to field maintenance, modifications, rule changes, and promoting goodwill between the club and these districts.
4. The President will preside over all meetings and conduct them in a responsible parliamentary manner. It will be their express responsibility to check on all club activities and records to make certain that everything is being managed in the best interest of the club.

Article 3B (Vice President)

The Vice President will take over the duties of the President at the regularly scheduled club meetings in the absence of the President. The Vice President will have the following responsibilities:

1. Become thoroughly familiar with the AMA rules and requirements of our club and our club members.
2. Oversee all committee activities being performed.
3. Plan entertainment for club meetings such as visitor talks, movies, etc.
4. Present plans for holiday activities.

Article 3C (Secretary)

The Secretary will have the following responsibilities:

1. Maintain a club roster to be used for communication among members only and provide an electronic or written copy to members in good standing upon request.
2. Take attendance at each club meeting and keep a record of attendance.
3. Take minutes at all board meetings and other important meetings.
4. Be prepared to read the minutes when requested.
5. Keep an updated version of the club bylaws and provide an electronic or written copy of bylaws to members upon request.

Article 3D (Treasurer)

The Treasurer will collect all monies and keep a record of same. The Treasurer will have the following responsibilities:

1. Give a report at each meeting of all receipts, expenditures, and account balance.
2. Collect member dues.
3. Maintain financial accounts in the club’s name and arrange for transfer of same to the succeeding Treasurer.
4. Develop the annual operating budget for the club and present it to the Board of Directors.
5. Maintain an archive of all financial information and provide an electronic or printed backup of club financial reports if requested by a Board Member.

Article 4 (Committee Chairperson Duties)

Article 4A (Safety Chairperson)

The Safety Chairperson will have the following responsibilities following the guidance of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA)

Work together with the Board of Directors to:

1. Develop a plan for safe field operations.
2. Develop club literature / awareness program.
3. Ensure compliance with current AMA requirements.

Work with the club members to:

1. Determine club members' needs.
2. Create awareness of known hazards

At the field:

1. Ensure club, field and AMA safety codes are followed.
2. Work out problems diplomatically
3. Make safety our #1 priority.

Article 4B (Flight Instruction Chairman)

The Flight Instruction Chairman will have the following responsibilities:

1. Develop an instruction plan with the Board of Directors.
2. Maintain a list of active and qualified instructors.
3. Recruit new qualified instructors and train as needed.
4. Work with instructors to ensure availability to club members.
5. Keep and maintain all flight instruction equipment.
6. Present solo certificates.

Article 4C (Fun Fly Chairperson)

The Fun Fly Chairperson will have the following responsibilities: Work with the Board to define:

1. The number of events to be held during the flying season.
2. The dates for events.
3. Arrange for trophies, prizes, or ribbons for club contests.
4. Arrange for members to organize and run each event.
5. Set up inter-club flying events.
6. Provide adequate notice to all members of upcoming events.

Article 5 (Membership)

Article 5A (New Members)

Subscription to the club must be done on a formal basis. Prospective members must fill out an application for membership. The completed application can be emailed to treasurer@suburbanrcbarnstormers.com, given to an SRCB member at the flying fields, or brought to a club meeting.

Article 5B (Club Dues)

Annual dues will be determined by the Board of Directors. The fiscal year for the club will be from January 1st through December 31st. Club dues are due by January 1st.

1. A General Member will pay full dues.
2. A Junior Member (under age 17) will pay half the general member rate. Exceptions will be managed on an individual basis by the current officers.
3. Current club officers will be granted free membership during their term of office. Life Members will also be granted free membership.
4. Senior citizens aged 65 and over will pay half the open member rate.

Article 5C (Life Members)

The original four founding and charter officers of the Suburban RC Barnstormers are granted lifetime membership. Also, any member that has performed outstanding service to the club and its members for at least ten years may be nominated for life membership. Nominations for life membership can be made at any meeting by any member. The decision to grant life membership will be decided by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of Board Members in attendance.

Article 6 (Flying)

Article 6A (AMA Membership)

All pilots participating in club sponsored flying events must have a current AMA license and be registered with FAA. All members flying at the Pratt's Wayne Woods facility must have a current DFPD model aircraft permit.

Article 6B (Member Responsibility)

All members will be personally responsible for damages caused by them to persons and property and will satisfy said responsibility before resumption of flying.

Article 7 (Budget)

The Treasurer will recommend a proposed annual operating budget for the upcoming year. Once approved by the board, the budget will be affirmed by a majority vote of members present at the next club meeting. Once approved by the club the Club Officers will be empowered to execute the approved budget. Any additional expenditure of more than $100 will require the approval of the majority of members present at club meetings by a majority vote.

Article 8 (Voting)

All issues subject to membership vote must be passed by a majority vote of all members present. Each member will have one vote.

Article 9 (Bylaw Changes)

Additions or revisions of the bylaws are subject to a majority approval of the Board of Directors of the club prior to being submitted to a membership vote. The membership must be informed of an upcoming Bylaw revision vote prior to the club meeting. This will include a copy of the current and revised bylaws for review. Any new bylaw revisions must be approved by a majority vote of members in attendance.

Revision History