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Ocala Model Railroaders By-Laws
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Ocala Model Railroaders Historic Preservation Society Bylaws Revised 03-23-05 Article I: The Club 1.1 - NAME - The Club shall be known as the Ocala Model Railroaders Historic Preservation Society Incorporated. 1.2 - Objective - To promote the hobby of Model Railroading, To build and operate various scale Model Railroads and to help preserve the Railroad history in the Ocala/Marion County area. 1.3 - Fiscal Year - The Fiscal year of the club shall be from January 1st to December 31st 1.4 - Amending the Bylaws - By Laws may be amended by: A. a two - thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors, subject to the approval of the membership, or B. The vote of a majority (51%) of the membership at any meeting. 1.5- Dissolution -Upon the dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed as stated in Article 3 of the Articles of Incorporation and will be distributed to one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.
Article II: Governing Body 2.1- Board of Directors - The Board of Directors shall consist of the following: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and three members at large in good standing - two representing HO, one from N. The Board shall be responsible for governing the activities and meetings of the Club, subject to approval of a majority (51%) of members in good standing. The Board of Directors is authorized to expend up to $300.00 . All Club powers not specifically prohibited shall be vested in the Board of Directors. 2.2- Elections - Elections of the club officers shall occur at the first meeting in the month of December, or if a vacancy occurs, at the first Business meeting following the vacancy. Elections of the three members at large shall occur at the first business meeting in May Nominations shall be accepted from the floor subject to the acceptance of the person nominated and must be in good standing. Nominations shall be opened in October for club officers. Nominations for board members (at large) shall be open in April. After nominations have been closed, only members in good standing at the time of the election may vote. A majority (51%) of votes is necessary for election. 2.3- Officers - A. President - Shall preside at all regular Business Meetings, Board Meetings and or other special meetings. The President shall appoint all committees and shall be a member ex-officio of all committees appointed. The President shall be responsible for the overall conduct and planning of Club activities. The President will be the official representative of the Club. B. Vice President - Shall assume the responsibilities of the President in the President’s absence. C. Treasurer - Shall have custody, and keep account of all Club financial assets. He shall present to the membership a statement of such funds at regular Business meetings. The Treasurer shall be responsible for collection of dues and fees, and shall be responsible for certification of members in good standing for voting purposes. The Treasurer shall prepare a year end financial statement for the club, no later than February of the next year. D. Secretary - Shall keep accurate minutes of all Club and Board Meetings, maintain said minutes in the Club Notebook. And shall be responsible for notification of Club members regarding meetings and activities, The Secretary is responsible for informing members of any changes to the Club By Laws and or rules. And will be responsible for Club correspondence. 2.4 - Terms of Office - Term of Office for the elected Officers positions shall be for one year (January - December). At large members’ terms shall be from June to May (one year). 2.5 - Board Meetings - Meetings of the Board of Directors will be held on the Wednesday prior to the First Tuesday meeting every month. 2.6 Roberts Rules of Order- The Ocala Model Railroaders Historic Preservation Society Incorporated meetings shall be conducted in accordance with “Roberts Rules of Order”, unless the club’s bylaws specify otherwise. Article III: Membership 3.1 - Eligibility for membership - Membership in the Ocala Model Railroaders Historic Preservation Society Incorporated is open to anyone actively engaged, or desirous of becoming engaged in the hobby of Model Railroading, railfanning, related interests and subject to the following membership classifications - 3.2 - Classification of Members - The following classifications of Members, with limitations as specified, shall be used - A. Regular Member - Shall have full membership rights and responsibilities, and may sponsor Affiliate Members. Regular Members shall be over sixteen years of age. B. Affiliate Member - Is available to household and immediate family members of Regular members. Other persons from the age of ten years of age who are sponsored by Regular members, subject to the approval of the membership. They shall enjoy all rights of Regular members except voting, and are subject to all responsibilities of Regular members. Household and immediate family members under the age of eighteen will not be charged dues. C. Honorary Membership - May be conferred upon those persons deemed worthy by a vote of a majority (51%) of Club members. Honorary Members are not exempt from responsibilities of Regular membership, and may not vote and are not required to pay dues. 3.3- Rights of Members - Members in good standing shall, subject to limitations of membership classification above, enjoy the following rights: A. Voting on Club business on the basis on one vote per member. B. Operating of equipment on the Club layout(s). C. Participation in Club activities. D. Attendance at Club meetings and other functions. 3.4 - Responsibilities of Members - A. Maintenance of member in good standing status by paying dues as specified in bylaws article 4.6. B. Adherence to Club rules. C. Attendance at Club meetings and other functions. D. Promoting Club goals and activities. E. Voting on Club business. F. Acceptance of “Majority Rule” concept when counter to one’s own desires. G. Cooperation with others. H. Honesty and integrity, and respect for the rights of others. I. Performance of duties or tasks to which one may be assigned or for which one may volunteer. 3.5 - Application for Membership - Application for membership shall be made by completion of a Membership application submitted to the President and payment of the minimum dues and initiation fee to the Treasurer. 3.6 - Leave of Absence - Members in good standing will apply to the Board of Directors in writing for Leave of Absence in advance of the date in which it is to commence and must provide their anticipated date of reinstatement. Monthly dues will be suspended while on approved Leave of Absence. 3.7 - Suspension/Dismissal - Members in arrears in payment of dues for three months are subject to automatic suspension. Members in violation of Club Rules or who have not fulfilled responsibilities of members are subject to suspension or dismissal at the option of the Board of Directors, subject to approval of Club membership at the next Business meeting. Members suffering a financial hardship may request a waiver of monthly dues, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors 3.8 - Reinstatement - Reinstatement of suspended/dismissed members shall be subject to a vote of the Board of Directors, and may take into account all of the criteria for acceptance of new members. Application for reinstatement must include payment of the lesser dues and fees accessed during the period of absence or new member fees. Members on Leave of Absence shall be reinstated following notification of the Board of Directors of their intention to be reinstated. Payment of monthly dues begin upon return. 3.9 - Club Responsibility - The Club shall accept financial responsibility for property loaned to it providing consent to the loan has been obtained from the Board of Directors in advance of the loan itself, and a written record of the loan is provided to the Secretary. The Club shall not be responsible for: A. The property of Members or visitors left deliberately or inadvertently on the Club premises. B. The property of Suspended or Dismissed members or members on Leave of Absence left on Club premises. C. The property of Members or visitors donated to the Club. D. Any damage caused to the belongings of members or visitors while attending Club meetings or activities which is determined by the Board of Directors to have been preventable by diligence on the part of the owner. E. Any injury occurring to a Member or visitor or guest which is due to negligence on the part of that person. Article IV: Club Rules 4.1 - These Club Rules and other House Rules are hereby adopted, are subject to revision by a majority (51%) of the Members in good standing, or by a majority vote of the Board of Directors : 4.2 - Sign - in Log - Shall be maintained at the Club. All Members are responsible for signing themselves in and out; they must sign in any visitors or guests with them. The Secretary is responsible for maintaining the sign - in Log. 4.3 - Security - The Club premises are to be secure at all times when no member is present. It shall be the responsibility of the “Last Member Out” to ensure that the Club is secure, including switching off any power or appliances, and water. 4.4 - Housekeeping - Each member shall be responsible for maintaining cleanliness of their immediate area of activity, as well as for general cleanliness of the club. If you made a mess, clean it up. If you see a mess left behind, or a condition of uncleanness or hazard, correct it. 4.5 - Keys - Key shall be issued in accordance with current House Rules. Keys shall not be loaned to persons who are not members. Members who are suspended, resigned or dismissed shall surrender their keys to the Club President. 4.6 - Club Dues - Dues shall be at the rate of $20.00 a month per regular Member. Dues are payable by the second Tuesday Meeting of every month. 4.7 - Initiation Fee - Shall be $ 60.00 for new members; partners will be exempt, however it must be paid within three months of Membership. 4.8 - Alcoholic Beverages - There will be no alcoholic beverages allowed inside the Club at any time. Revised 03-23-05
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