Article 1 (General)

This Club has been formed to promote the construction and operation of 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 support and maintain flying site(s) and promote and fund club activities.

Article 1A (Purpose and Use of Funds)

All club funds (donations, dues if any, and monies received) will be used solely for club purposes such as field support, required filings/fees, sanctioning/compliance expenses, safety signage/materials, and club activities.

Article 1B (Meeting Schedule)

At least two (2) membership meetings per year will be held. Meetings may be held in person or by electronic means (Zoom/phone).

Article 1C (Meeting Notice)

Notice of a membership meeting will be provided to members at least seven (7) days in advance and will include the meeting date/time and agenda topics.

Article 2 (Board of Directors and Elections)

Article 2A (Elected Positions)

The elected positions of the club will be the Board of Directors and consist of three (3) Board Members:

1. Administration Board Member
2. Communications Board Member
3. Safety Board Member

Article 2B (Board of Directors)

The Board of Directors will manage the affairs of the club between membership meetings, subject to these bylaws and membership votes.

1. Board Quorum: Two (2) Board Members constitute a quorum for Board decisions.
2. Board Voting: Each Board Member has one vote. Board actions require a majority vote of Board Members.
3. Tie Vote (Board Decisions): In case of a tie on a Board decision, the Administration Board Member may cast an additional vote to break the deadlock.
4. Board Meetings: The Board may meet as needed in person or electronically. The Board will keep basic records of Board decisions (minutes or written electronic record).
5. Email Voting (Board Decisions): The Board may vote by email when a timely decision is needed. Any Board decision made by email must be recorded (email chain retained) and included in the next set of Board or membership meeting minutes.

Article 2C (Elections) (Role-Specific, Open Floor Vote)

1. Term Length: Board Members will serve two (2) year terms.
2. Election Timing: Elections for Board Members will be held every two (2) years in Fall of the election year at a scheduled club meeting.
3. Assumption of Duties: The newly elected Board Members will assume their duties and responsibilities at the beginning of the calendar year (January 1).
4. Role-Specific Elections: Elections will be conducted separately for each Board role in the following order:
   1. Administration Board Member
   2. Communications Board Member
   3. Safety Board Member
5. Nominations: For each role, nominations may be made from the floor by any Member in Good Standing. A member may self-nominate. The meeting chair will ask if there are additional nominations for that role and will close nominations when no further nominations are offered.
6. Voting Method (Open Floor Vote): Voting will be conducted by open floor vote (voice vote and/or show of hands) as directed by the meeting chair.
7. Objection and Count: After calling the vote for a role, the meeting chair will ask: “Are there any objections to the result?”
   • If there are no objections, the result stands.
   • If there is any objection or the result is unclear, the vote will immediately be repeated as a counted show-of-hands (or standing count), and the count will be recorded in the meeting minutes.
8. Majority Requirement: The nominee receiving a majority of votes from Members in Good Standing present will be elected to that role.
9. Runoff (If Needed): If more than two nominees are running for a role and no nominee receives a majority on the first vote, a runoff vote will be held between the top two vote-getters using the same open-floor method described above.
10. Tie Vote (Elections): In the event of a tie in a counted vote, the election for that role will be re-run immediately between the tied candidates until a majority result is achieved.

Article 2D (Special Elections / Vacancies)

A special election or appointment will be held in the event a Board Member decides to relinquish his/her position.

1. The remaining Board Members may appoint an interim replacement for that specific role until the next scheduled club meeting.
2. At the next scheduled club meeting, nominations and election will be held for that specific role by a majority vote of eligible voting members in attendance using the voting method described in Article 2C.
3. If multiple Board Members resign at once and only one Board Member remains active, that Board Member may appoint interim Board Members for the vacant roles until the next club meeting.

Article 2E (Relief / Removal of Board Members)

A Board Member can be relieved of his/her position for the following reasons:

1. Resignation: Voluntary resignation from the Board.
2. Failure to Perform Duties / Inactivity:
   1. If a Board Member is not fulfilling responsibilities, the Board will provide written notice (email acceptable).
   2. After two (2) notices and reasonable opportunity to correct the issue, the Board Member may be relieved by a Board vote.
   3. Relief/removal requires a 2/3 vote of the Board (two of three Board Members).
3. No Confidence / Conduct Not in the Best Interest of the Club: Any Board Member whose conduct is unsportsmanlike, unsafe, or materially harmful to the club may be subject to disciplinary action deemed just and necessary by the Board of Directors, including removal under the process above.
4. Membership Review: A Board Member removed by the Board may request that the membership vote on the removal at the next scheduled club meeting. A majority vote of eligible voting members in attendance will affirm or overturn the Board’s decision.

Article 3 (Board Member Duties)

Article 3A (Administration Board Member)

The Administration Board Member is responsible for general administration, continuity, and finances of the club.

1. Assign duties to Board Members or General Members as the need arises to support, enhance and promote the club.
2. Must be familiar with AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) rules and regulations relevant to club operations.
3. Serve as the primary point of contact (or may assign another 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. Assure the club maintains required administrative items such as AMA sanction requirements and required LLC annual reporting/filings.
5. Preside over club meetings and conduct them in a responsible parliamentary manner.
6. Maintain club financial accounts in the club’s name and arrange transfer of same to the succeeding Administration Board Member.
7. Maintain an archive of financial information and provide an electronic or printed backup if requested by a club member.
8. Provide a report at each club meeting of all receipts, expenditures, and account balance.
9. Develop the proposed operating budget and present it to the Board of Directors and Membership.
10. Collect dues if dues are established by membership vote (see Article 4C).

Article 3B (Communications Board Member)

The Communications Board Member will take over meeting-chair duties at scheduled club meetings in the absence of the Administration Board Member. Responsibilities include:

1. Maintain the club roster to be used for communication among members only and provide an electronic or written copy to members upon request.
2. Send meeting notices and general communication on behalf of the club.
3. Take minutes at club meetings and Board meetings, and distribute them to members.
4. Keep an updated version of the club bylaws and provide an electronic or written copy upon request.
5. Support basic club presence (email list, website/social media if used).
6. Keep records of attendance at membership meetings when practical.

Article 3C (Safety Board Member)

The Safety Board Member will have the following responsibilities following the guidance of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and posted field rules:

Work together with the Board of Directors to:

1. Develop and recommend a plan for safe field operations.
2. Develop club literature / awareness program as needed.
3. Encourage compliance with current AMA requirements and field rules.

Work with the club members to:

1. Determine members’ needs and safety concerns.
2. Create awareness of known hazards.

At the field:

1. Encourage that club, field and AMA safety codes are followed.
2. Work out problems diplomatically.
3. Make safety the #1 priority and escalate repeated unsafe behavior to the Board.

Article 4 (Membership)

Article 4A (New Members / Registration)

Subscription to the club must be done on a formal basis. Prospective members must provide a full name and a way to communicate with them. Preferred communication method is an email address. This information can be emailed to treasurer@suburbanrcbarnstormers.com, given to an SRCB Board Member at the flying fields, or brought to a club meeting.

Article 4B (Member Types / Good Standing / Voting)

1. A Registered Member is a person who has provided name and contact information to the club.
2. A Member in Good Standing (Voting Member) is a Registered Member who is not currently suspended under Article 4D.
3. Only Members in Good Standing may vote or hold a Board position (see Article 7).

Article 4C (Club Dues)

1. Current Dues: Annual dues are $30.00 for the primary member age 18 to 65; Senior Citizens (age 65 and over) dues are $15.00. Junior members (aged 17 and under) are Free.
2. Future Dues / Increases: If future funding is needed, dues may be established or increased by a majority vote of Members in Good Standing at a club meeting with quorum as defined in Article 7B.
3. The fiscal year for the club will be from January 1 through December 31. If dues are established, they will be due by January 1 unless the membership vote establishes a different due date.

Article 4D (Suspension of Membership for Cause)

To protect safety, field access, and the club’s standing with local partners, a member may be temporarily suspended from “Member in Good Standing” status for cause, including unsafe conduct, repeated rule violations, or conduct materially harmful to the club.

1. The Board will provide written notice (email acceptable) describing the issue and expected corrective action.
2. If the issue continues, the Board may suspend the member’s “good standing” by a 2/3 vote of the Board.
3. A suspended member may request membership review at the next scheduled club meeting. A majority vote of Members in Good Standing present will affirm or overturn the suspension.

Article 4E (Life Members)

The original four founding and charter officers of the Suburban R/C Barnstormers are granted lifetime membership. Also, any member that has performed outstanding service to the club and its members for at least ten (10) years may be nominated for life membership.

1. Nominations for life membership can be made at any meeting by any Member in Good Standing.
2. The decision to grant life membership will be decided by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of Board Members in attendance.

Article 5 (Flying)

Article 5A (AMA Membership / FAA / Site Requirements)

1. All pilots participating in club sponsored flying events must have a current AMA membership and comply with current FAA requirements.
2. All members flying at the Pratt’s Wayne Woods facility must have a current DFPD model aircraft permit.
3. All pilots must comply with posted field rules and safety zones.

Article 5B (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 6 (Budget / Spending)

Article 6A (Budget)

The Administration Board Member will recommend a proposed operating budget for the upcoming year. Once approved by the Board, the budget will be affirmed by a majority vote of Members in Good Standing present at the next club meeting, subject to the quorum rules in Article 7B.

Article 6B (Spending Authority)

1. The Board may spend club funds consistent with the approved budget.
2. Any single unbudgeted expenditure of more than $250 requires approval of a majority of Members in Good Standing present at a club meeting, subject to the quorum rules in Article 7B, except in emergencies necessary to protect field access or satisfy required filings/fees.

Article 7 (Voting / Quorum)

Article 7A (Voting Eligibility)

Only Members in Good Standing may vote. Each Member in Good Standing has one vote.

Article 7B (Quorum) (Simplified / Tiered)

1. For routine business, a quorum is the Members in Good Standing present at a scheduled club meeting with proper notice.
2. For the following actions, a minimum of five (5) Members in Good Standing must be present:
   1. Elections (Article 2C)
   2. Establishing or increasing dues (Article 4C)
   3. Approval of unbudgeted expenditures over $250 (Article 6B)
   4. Bylaw changes (Article 8)

Article 7C (General Voting Rules / Consistency)

All issues subject to membership vote must be passed by a majority vote of Members in Good Standing present, subject to the quorum rules in Article 7B, unless otherwise specified in these bylaws. Voting may be by voice vote or show of hands; if the outcome is unclear or any Member in Good Standing objects, the vote will be repeated as a counted show-of-hands (or standing count) and recorded in the minutes.

Article 7D (Email Voting by Membership)

When a timely decision is required between scheduled meetings, the Board may conduct a membership vote by email under the following rules:

1. The Board will email the motion/question to all Members in Good Standing with a clear description of what is being voted on.
2. The email will include a deadline for votes (not less than 72 hours from the time sent) and instructions on how to vote “Yes” or “No.”
3. Only votes received by the deadline will be counted.
4. Routine Business by Email: Routine business may be decided by a majority of votes received by the deadline.
5. Major Actions by Email: For the following actions, at least five (5) Members in Good Standing must participate by returning a vote by the deadline:
   1. Elections (Article 2C)
   2. Establishing or increasing dues (Article 4C)
   3. Approval of unbudgeted expenditures over $250 (Article 6B)
   4. Bylaw changes (Article 8)
6. The Board will record the vote totals and retain the email record, and the results will be included in the minutes of the next membership meeting.

Note: Email voting may be used for normal club business. Bylaw changes must still follow Article 8 notice and voting requirements.

Article 8 (Bylaw Changes)

Additions or revisions of the bylaws are subject to review by the Board of Directors prior to being submitted to a membership vote.

1. The membership must be informed of an upcoming bylaw revision vote prior to the club meeting (at least seven (7) days notice).
2. This notice will include a copy of the current and revised bylaws for review.
3. Bylaw revisions must be approved by a majority vote of Members in Good Standing in attendance at a meeting, subject to the quorum rules in Article 7B.

Revision History