READING & DISTRICT MODEL AIRCRAFT CLUB GENERAL RULES 2007

 

 

1.     The Club shall be called The Reading & District Model Aircraft Club.

2.     The Club shall be affiliated to the British Model Flying Association.

3.     The Club shall consist of persons actively interested in the model aircraft movement.

4.     The Club shall as far as is practical follow the guidelines as laid down by the BMFA.

5.     The membership year shall run from 1st January to 31st December each year. The membership fees shall be set at the A.G.M. Fees become due on or before 1st January each year. Any member not renewing their membership by this date will not be insured and must not fly.

6.     There will be an initial joining fee payable upon joining the club. If a renewal subscription is not paid by 31st January then the joining fee is payable again. The amount of the joining fee shall be set at the A.G.M.

7.     Applications for new membership will only be considered during January, May and August, there being no reductions in fees for part of year. New members will only become full members on completion of a 3 month probationary period. Probationary members will be entitled of all the privileges of full members with the exception of a vote in any club ballot. The club and BMFA subscription is payable on application. Unsuccessful applicants will receive a full refund of the club fees. The club reserves the right to refuse membership and to withhold the reasons for so doing. 

8.     The affairs of the Club shall be in the hands of the elected Committee, which shall consist of three officers and a number of committee members. The club officers shall be: - Hon Chairman, Hon Secretary and Hon. Treasurer. The committee shall appoint a safety officer from within their number. The Committee may appoint or authorise members to carry out specified duties on its behalf.

9.     Under normal circumstances only one of the officers will stand down in rotation at the AGM, and may be re-elected or replaced in the normal way.

10. The Committee shall meet at least four times a year, at which five persons shall form a quorum.

11. The Committee shall have in particular the power to :-

 

1.     Authorise the expenditure of Club funds.

2.     Appoint any officers as required.

3.     Establish any sub-committee it might think necessary.

4.     Suspend or expel any member for conduct prejudicial to the Club.

 

12. The A.G.M. shall normally be held on the 1st Tuesday in December.

13. At Annual General Meetings of the Club and the Committee Meetings, decisions shall be by majority vote, as provided by Rule 15.   In the event of a tie, the Chairman shall have the casting vote.

14. These Rules may be deleted, amended or added to at the A.G.M. or at an Extraordinary General Meeting, provided that a two-thirds majority of those voting is obtained.

15. Voting will normally be by a show of hands, but any member may demand that a written ballot be taken of any motion.  The Hon. Secretary will conduct the ballot.

16. An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called giving at least 14 days notice, if the Committee considers one necessary or if twelve or more members give notice to the Hon. Secretary in writing, specifying the business to be discussed.

17. Members must abide by the Flying Field Rules and the BMFA Code’s of Practice.

18. Club members must not cause a public nuisance or behave in a manner lightly to prejudice the club, or the sport of model aviation

19. Minor rule breaches should be dealt with by a verbal caution from a Committee member, preferably on the spot.

20. Significant breaches of Club Rules brought to the committee’s notice by two or more members may result in a verbal caution being given by two Committee members, who will report the event at the next Committee Meeting.

21. Further significant breaches of club rules brought to the committee’s notice, supported by written statements from two Club members will result in an interview with two Committee members, one being if possible the Hon. Chairman. A letter may follow this from the Hon. Chairman and imposition of a one-month suspension of the offending member, together with a warning of possible expulsion if misbehaviour continues.

22. Further significant breaches of club rules brought to the committee’s notice, supported by written statements from two Club members will result in immediate suspension until the next Committee meeting where expulsion will be considered. Written confirmation of the suspension shall be given at soon as practicable after the event. The offender will be able to appear before the Committee if they wish.

23. Dangerous behaviour will result in immediate suspension of the member. The member would have the right to appeal.