RAMS Club

400 Acres of RC Heaven


RAMS rules (The Short Version)
1. NO Alcohol -- This is very important. It's in the RAMS By-laws, the property lease, and the membership application you signed. (I will add no drugs to this.)

2. AMA required. All members, All Guests. The only way to fly at our field without AMA is the Intro Instructor program. So if you have a guest without AMA they must fly with a designated RAMS Club Instructor. No exceptions.

3. All Take-offs and landings must be between to fight line and the yadkin river. (That means NO take-offs from the pit area.)

4. All members must clean up after themselves, leaving no trash at the field. (Now if you are accusmtomed to having your wife or mom pick up after you please remind her to come to the field with you.)

5. Common courtesy shall be observed.

6. Use the frequency board.

7. Follow the AMA saftey code (There is a copy on the door of the building)

8. While four letter words are spoken, please refrain from using them around guests. If you cannot, then you will be asked to stop. If you can't stop, you may be asked to leave.

RAMS By-laws (Full version)
Riverside Aero Modelers Society
CLUB BY-LAWS
January 1, 2004

ARTICLE I: Authority and Objectives

Section 1: The club shall operate in accordance with its charter and within the constitution and by-laws of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA).
Section 2: The objectives of the club are:
a. To promote and encourage the design, construction and operation of radio controlled aircraft.
b. To promote fellowship among R/C modelers.
c. To maintain a suitable flying site.

ARTICLE II: Name

Section 1: The formal name of this club shall be Riverside Aero Modelers Society and shall also be known and designated by the short title of RAMS.

ARTICLE III: Meetings

Section 1: The regular meetings of the club shall be held monthly on a pre-specified date determined by majority vote of the club.
Section 2: Special meetings: A special meeting may be called by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors or shall be called upon demand by six active members (an active member is one who is in good club standing and has paid his current dues in full.). The purpose of such meetings shall be announced to all members not less than four (4) days nor more than ten (10) days before the date thereof.
Section 3: Quorum: A quorum for transactions of business at a regular meeting shall be 15% of the active members of the club.
Section 4: Parliamentary Authority: The rules contained in “Robert’s Rules of Order” shall govern the club in all cases that they apply and in which they are not inconsistent with these by-laws or with the AMA.
Section 5: The meeting chairman may set a time limit on discussions concerning motions.

ARTICLE IV: Activities

Section 1: Activities other than the monthly meeting shall include informal flying sessions all year, weather permitting, and organized contests and fun-fly’s involving group participation, subject to the wishes of the majority of the members.

ARTICLE V: Organization

Section 1: Officers: The officers shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and at least three Members at Large.
Section 2: Election: The President shall at the October meeting open the offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer in turn for nominations from the floor. Each member who nominates must ask the nominee if he would accept the office. If there is more than one nominee for an office, there shall be an election for the contested office by written ballot at the regular November meeting. The officers shall be installed at the December meeting. Should the office of Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer become vacant an election shall be held at the next regular meeting. Nominations from the floor shall prevail. Should the office of President become vacant, the Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President and a new Vice-President shall be elected at the next regular meeting.

ARTICLE VI: Duties of Officers

Section 1: President: The club President, if present, shall preside at all meetings, preserve order, put all proper motions before the meeting if duly seconded, and decide all questions of order subject to appeal to the meetings. He shall cast the deciding vote in case of a tie. He shall in honor of his office be a member of all committees. He shall appoint all committees not otherwise provided for. In the absence of any officer, he may appoint a member to act in his place. He shall call all necessary meetings of the Board of Directors. The President shall nominate all Members-At-Large. These nominations must be voted on by the club at a regular meeting by a show of hands. All appointments by the President shall require acceptance by the appointee. At the second meeting of the year the President will present a tentative budget and program for the coming year.
Section 2: Vice-President: The Vice-President shall preside over the meetings at which the President is not present. In the event that the Presidential office becomes vacant, the Vice-President will be installed at the next meeting.
Section 3: Secretary: The Secretary shall keep accurate records at all meetings of the club. He shall receive, record and transmit for review to the club members the applications of prospective members. The Secretary shall coordinate the publishing of the club newsletter, contest advertising, etc.
Section 4: Treasurer: The Treasurer shall collect all dues or other funds of the club and deposit them as directed by the club. He shall pay normal and usual bills as needed up to and including $125.00 without consulting the Board of Directors or the club members. He shall consult the Board of Directors for bills between $125 and $200. For any amount over $200.00 the club members will be consulted at the next meeting. He shall keep books of accounts correctly posted and ready for audit. He shall at each meeting present a report of the finances of the club. The Treasurer or the Vice-President may sign for bills paid.
Section 5: Members-At-Large: The Members-At-Large shall have duties appointed by the President. They shall serve on the Board of Directors of the club. There will be a minimum of three (3) Members-At-Large, and/or one Member-At-Large for every ten (10) club members.
Section 6: Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall conduct the ordinary business of the club, referring appropriate items to the club. It shall supervise the property and expenditures of the club within the limits previously described. It shall consist of all current club officers and Members-At-Large. The Board of Directors shall be the budget committee.

ARTICLE VII: Membership

Section 1: The requirements of membership in this club are:
a. Participate in at least one club flying session prior to application.
b. New members must be recommended by two full members in good standing and be approved by majority vote at the next scheduled meeting.
c. Hold a valid, current Academy of Model Aeronautics Membership or show proof of application .
d. Payment of annual dues.
e. Abide by and enforce the official RAMS Operational and AMA Safety Code.
f. A new member must provide the club his newly issued AMA card and AMA number within 60 days of joining if he joined by proof of application to the AMA.
g. Any new member not complying with Article VII, section f will be dropped from the club roster immediately. Dues paid will not be refunded.
h. Any member not complying with the official RAMS Operational and AMA Safety Code will be warned by letter from the Board of Directors. Upon further non-compliance the Board of Directors has the authority to expel the member from the club. All club privileges for this member will be revoked. The expelled member may reapply for membership as a new member. Any unused dues will not be refunded.
i. The following categories of memberships are available.

Full Member - All club privileges. Full members have voting privileges.
Honorary Member - Lifetime membership with all club and voting privileges. This very special membership is reserved for members who have continually made unselfish contributions toward the advancement of the RAMS club. Honorary membership will be nominated in the January meeting; a notice of Honorary Membership will be posted at the flying site and club meeting location. Honorary Membership can only be bestowed by majority vote of qualified members present at the February meeting.
Associate Member - Must live farther than 20 air miles from the club field and belong to another Chartered AMA Club. Proof of membership to another club required. No voting privileges.
Senior Member – Must be at least 60 years old. All club privileges. Senior members have voting privileges.
Student Member - Any full time student age 21 or less. No voting privileges
Family Member - One person in the household must pay full dues.
Definition of persons eligible for Family Memberships.
The following persons meet the criteria to be added as a family member to a full member’s membership:
1. Married spouse’s of full members.
2. Children of full members who are full time student age 21 or less.
3. Grandchildren of full members who are full time student age 21 or less.
No other person is eligible for family membership.
Family members added to a full member’s membership will have no voting privileges.
j. The dues for each class of membership will be set annually by the board of directors. Rates will be proposed at the December meeting. Voting and approving of the Dues rates for the upcoming year will occur at the December club meeting.

ARTICLE VIII: Dues, Late Penalties

Section 1: Dues shall be payable according to the following schedule:
a. Members: Due and payable Jan. 1 of each year.
b. NEW Members: January 1 to August meeting, full years dues. September to November meeting, ½ yearly dues. December meeting, full years dues, 100% applicable to the year following.

Section 2: Payment: Payments can be made in three consecutive installments at the regular meetings in January, February, and March.

Section 3: Delinquent Dues: Members who’s dues are not paid in full by the conclusion of the March club meeting shall be declared delinquent. Delinquent members are:
a. Dropped from the club roster
b. Banned immediately from flying at the club field.

Section 4: Reinstatement:
a. A dues delinquent member may be reinstated to a member in good standing in the following manner:
1. Pay any past dues at the full year prevailing rate.
2. Delinquent member must be recommended by two full members in good standing and be approved by majority vote at the next scheduled meeting

ARTICLE IX: RAMS Operational Rules

Section 1: All flying will be done in accordance with the AMA Safety Code and the RAMS Operational Code. The waiver of liability that appears on the AMA membership application also extends to cover the Riverside Aero Modelers Society and its Directors. In addition, the following rules apply:
a. Common courtesy shall be observed while visiting the field.
b. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at the RAMS field .
c. All members must clean up after themselves, leaving no trash at the field.
d. Traffic on the gravel road to the field must not exceed 10 MPH.
e. The Board of Directors has the power and responsibility to impose Flying Regulations necessary to preserve the RAMS flying site. Flying Regulations may only be imposed by 100% yes vote of the Board of Directors. Flying Regulations become effective immediately. At the next scheduled club meeting the Flying Regulations must be explained to the membership and supported by a majority vote of members present. If the Flying Regulations are not supported; the regulations will be removed. The Board of Directors should review Flying Regulations to insure they are current and needed by the second club meeting of each year.
h. Have fun.
i. Pilots shall observe “No Fly Zones”. Flying behind the flight line or above the tree line past the southern most boundary of the flying site is prohibited. The boundary is defined by the east pointing leg of the tree line at the south end of the field.
j. All aircraft shall comply with “Noise Level Guidelines”. Aircraft will have a maximum noise level on the ground of 105 Db (decibels) and 90 Db in the air. The ground testing procedure will comply with AMA Competition Regulations, Sound Addendum guidelines. The “in the air” test will be measured from the pit area to an aircraft making a high speed pass down the center of the runway at a height of 25 feet or less. Pilots are responsible for compliance. A pilot can be challenged to test their aircraft. If an aircraft does not comply with Article IX, item “j”, the aircraft cannot be flown at the RAMS flying site.
k. All “Take-Offs” and “Landings” must be between the flight line and the Yadkin River.

ARTICLE X: Visitors

Section 1: Qualified AMA Member visitors will be allowed visiting and flying rights provided they show proof of AMA membership, abide by the RAMS Operational Code, and are sponsored by a club member. The number of repeat visits in a year before requiring a visitor to join the club is three (3).

ARTICLE XI: By-Laws

Section 1: Any changes to the by-laws shall be proposed and discussed at a regular club meeting. All voting members in good standing shall be notified, in writing, of the proposed changes at least ten (10) days prior to the regular meeting during which the proposed changes will be voted on. Proxy ballots will be mailed to all voting members as part of the notification. Votes of qualified members not present at the meeting or not responding by proxy shall be cast by the Board of Directors.
Votes on By-Laws changes need the vote of two thirds of the voting members voting yes to pass and therefore be adopted.

ARTICLE XII: Dissolution of the Club

Section 1: In the event that this club should dissolve and cease to exist, and there is in existence assets belonging to the club, the said assets shall be sold and the proceeds thereof divided equally among the full members of the club.