Penrith Electric Model Aero Club Constitution
1. Name
a) The club's official name will be Penrith Electric Model Aero Club (hereafter referred to as P.E.M.A.C.) No other name will be used in the advertisement or representation of the club.
2. Purpose for the club's existence
a) To fly only electric powered model aircraft, gliders and free flight models, in a safe and controlled environment.
b) To promote electric powered aero modeling under the auspices of the Model Aeronautical Association of Australia (hereafter referred to as the MAAA).
3. Membership
a) Any person may apply for membership.
b) If granted, membership shall be from 1st July to the 30th June the following year.
c) All full members and associate members over the age of 18 will have voting rights.
d) A new member must be nominated by an existing member and approved by a committee member.
e) Membership always remains at the discretion of the committee.
f) The Committee may cap membership at any time.
g) All members will be expected to assist in carrying out tasks for the benefit of all (i.e. attend working bees). (Also see 6(d) below).
h) All members are encouraged to strive to achieve a MAAA proficiency level.
4. Executive
a) The executive committee shall consist of not less than four persons. Functions to be performed are:
- President
- Vice-President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
b) Some functions may be combined under one person, and at least one committee member shall carry over to the next year.
5. Duties
President
Will oversee the other members of the executive in their duties
Will chair all meetings
Will have signing authority for the club together with the Treasurer
Vice-President
Will assume the role and responsibilities of the President in his/her absence.
Will otherwise assist the running of the club.
Treasurer
Will be responsible for all financial dealings of the club
Will keep complete records of all financial dealings of the club (Petty Cash & Bank Statement)
Will have signing authority for the club together with the President
Secretary
Will be responsible for recording the minutes of all meetings
Will keep the membership information up-to-date
6. Finances
a) An annual membership fee will be set and approved by the Committee the first available date after the MAAA and NSWFFA fees are known, and implemented on the 1st July to the 30th June the following year.
b) The fee will never, for the life of the club, be permitted to be set more than $50 above the affiliation/insurance fee set by the NSWFFS.
c) New membership fees are on a pro rata basis and must be paid in full.
d) An additional “ground maintenance fee” may be levied against members who without reasonable excuse have failed to attend arranged working bees.
7. Meetings
a) An Annual General meeting will generally be held in June / July.
b) Members will be informed of each of these meetings at least fourteen days in advance.
c) General Meetings (GM) or Special General Meetings (SGM) may be called by the Committee should the need arise.
d) A quorum will be eight members.
8. Elections and Voting
a) Elections will be voted on at the A.G.M or if a member resigns from the committee.
b) Members may present their votes in writing or provide a proxy vote in writing for any vote being taken.
c) Amendments to the constitution must win a two-thirds majority vote of members.
9. Disciplinary Issues
a) All disciplinary issues will be dealt with by the committee.
b) Members facing disciplinary action may be grounded until a committee hearing has been convened.
c) Members will have a right to present their case to the committee.
d) The decision of the committee in relation to disciplinary hearings shall be final and will not be subject to an appeal.
e) Disciplinary action may include but is not limited to, a period of grounding, a period of suspension, a fine, or loss of club membership.
f) In the case of a grounding, the member will temporarily lose their flying privileges only for the period of the grounding.
g) In the case of suspension, the member shall lose access to our club flying field and all other privileges (voting rights, etc.) associated with being a member of the club, for the period of such suspension.
h) In the case of a fine, such fine shall not exceed $100.
i) In the case of loss of club membership. The member shall have their membership terminated. Any membership fees paid will not be refunded.
10. Compliance with Local Government Regulations
a) The club does not endorse the use of non-MAAA approved flying fields by its members and accepts no liability for the actions of a member or members who fly model aircraft ay any non-MAAA approved location or event.
b) All members of the club will comply with local council regulations regarding the prohibition of flying model aircraft in parks or reserves in any local government area where such prohibitions exist.
c) A member of the club whom is found to have breached section 10(b) may have their club membership terminated.
11. Resignation/Transfer of Members
a) Any member may resign or transfer to another club at any time. No fees are refundable to a member as a consequence of resignation/transfer to another club.
12. Visitor Pilots
a) Visiting pilots are most welcome at the club.
b) A visiting pilot is classed as a model aircraft pilot whom wishes to use our club’s facilities and is:-
- Not a former terminated member or
- A person who has been refused membership by the committee.
c) Visiting pilots may fly no more than six times a year at our club and must thereafter apply for either associate or full club membership.
d) All visiting pilots wishing to fly at the club must be either:-
- Novices seeking (or under) the instruction of a club member or
- A current M.A.A.A. member.
e) All visiting pilots must sign the visitor's book and produce their MAAA registration card (if a member) to the field safety officer prior to flying.
f) Visiting pilots will comply with all reasonable instructions of club officials at all times.
13. Pilot Training
a) Pilot Training may only be carried out by a competent club member who has been approved by the committee.
b) All M.A.A.A. proficiency rating recommendations to M.A.A.A. will be made by a qualified flight instructor.
c) Remuneration for pilot training is not endorsed by the club and is considered a private matter between the parties concerned. The club shall not be responsible for any default or breach of contract, verbal or otherwise between the parties concerned and will not be obliged to provide any refund of monies or to provide an alternative instructor.
14. Instructors and Test Pilots Liability
a) Instructors or Test Pilots cannot be held liable for any damage caused to the model they are flying whilst training student pilots or test flying a member's model aircraft.
15. Flying Field Safety and Use
a) Before any flying may take place at our field a Safety Officer must be appointed from those members present. Should that member indicate they are leaving the field, a new Safety Officer will be appointed from the remaining members present.
b) The safety officer will be responsible for over sighting all operations at the flying field when the operation of model aircraft is taking place, including ensuring the visitors book and Safety Officers log are updated and maintained.
c) The Safety Officer will wear the Safety Officers vest at all times.
d) The Safety Officer will conduct all pre-flight checks of all model aircraft being flown for the first time or after repairs have been affected and may at any time ground any model considered unsafe to fly.
e) The Safety Officer will also be responsible for assessing and monitoring the noise of all model aircraft being flown at the field and may ground any aircraft they believe to be emitting noise which may give rise to a complaint from residents. (See Section16)
f) The safety officer may ground any member who breaches MAAA and/or club safety rules. The grounded member shall not fly for the remainder of that day.
g) Grounded members will be recorded in the Safety officer log and be reported to the Committee on the day they are grounded.
h) The Safety Officer will conduct an inquiry and provide a report to the Committee in the case of any accident causing personal injury or damage to property arising from the operation of model aircraft at the club field. The Safety Officer will use the appropriate MAAA accident/incident reporting forms.
16. Noise Issues
a)The retention of our flying field is based on our clubs ability to ensure the operation of our models does not interfere with the comfort or repose of local residents. Therefore:-
- Members will take all measures to ensure their models do not create excessive noise to a level which may give rise to a complaint.
- In the event of a complaint being received by the Club in regard to a particular model, that model may be grounded until the issue has been resolved.
- As a guide, a model that is considered to create excessive noise is the “Stryker”. “Strykers” and models which generate similar levels of noise are never to be flown at our field.
17. Insurance
a) Financial members are covered by MAAA insurance policies.
b) Members have the responsibility of understanding the terms of the insurance policy and any periodic amendments.
c) Members are to conduct flying activities within the constraints of local rules and policies of P.E.M.A.C as well as the policies and associated MAAA rules.
18. Indemnity
a) The Club, the Committee or the membership as a group do not accept any liability caused by any individual or group of individuals through flying activities or behaviour or actions at the club airfield or associated clubs premises, that result in injury or loss to its members or any third party.
b) The member or members causing such injury or loss will carry full responsibility and have no recourse to the Club, the Committee or Club members.
19. Life Membership
a) Life membership may be conferred upon any member by two third majority vote at any AGM.
b) Life Members shall only be responsible for the payment of the annual insurance/affiliation fee to the NSWFFA each year, no club fees will be levied against life members.