Club Rules & Constitution

Marston Green Model

Flying Club 2016

Rules and Constitution

 

MGMFC Flying Field Rules....

  1. Members will at all times follow the contents of the BMFA Handbook, current
    edition, and have read the following sections:-

The BMFA Guide to the safe operation of model aircraft The BMFA Guidelines and safety codes for model flying.

  1. The permissible engine/propeller noise limits will be set by the committee as
    necessary; currently 80dba at 7m, when tested in accordance with the
    guidelines from the BMFA.

Models failing this energy level will not be allowed to fly.

  1. Members will at all times follow the guidelines laid down by the flying site
    safety marshal and the BMFA safety codes, and will also comply with the
    terms of the planning permission granted by the North Warwickshire Borough
    Council, & MGMFC club rules.

After flying ALL members must register their flights by phone or email to the contact number/email advised on their membership card.

  1. When arriving at the flying site, members MUST report to the safety
    marshal BEFORE assembling aircraft or switching on transmitters, and

must provide their own peg which clearly states their name & frequency for each frequency they will fly on.

  1. Members must hold a valid Certificate of 3rd Party Insurance through the
    BMFA of up to £5 million also CAA Registration and be able to produce proof of this if requested.
  2. Members must be aware that safety of persons and property is paramount
    and at no time must they consciously jeopardise such.
  3. All aircraft WILL be restrained by a suitable device on initial start up and
    tuning procedure.
  4. The club flying site WILL be flown lawfully and in a safe manner and within the
    boundaries specified on the flying site plan.
  5. No more than FOUR models, irrespective of how powered, are allowed in the air at any one time.
  6. Fixed wing and helicopters must not be flown at the same time.
  7. Only members who have received adequate training will be allowed to use
    mechanical equipment on the flying field.

Members must be accompanied when flying at the field at all times.

...................................................................................................................................

 

The BMFA Guidelines and safety codes for model flying.

 

  1. The permissible engine/propeller noise limits will be set by the committee as necessary; currently 80dba at 7m, when tested in accordance with the guidelines from the BMFA.

Models failing this energy level will not be allowed to fly.

 

  1. Members will at all times follow the guidelines laid down by the flying site safety marshal and the BMFA safety codes, and will also comply with the terms of the planning permission granted  by the North Warwickshire Borough Council, & MGMFC club rules. After flying ALL members must register their flights by phone or email to the contact number/email advised on their membership card.

 

  1.  When arriving at the flying site, members MUST report to the safety marshal BEFORE assembling aircraft or switching on transmitters, and must provide their own peg which clearly states their name & frequency for each frequency they will fly on.

 

  1. Members must hold a valid Certificate of 3rd Party Insurance through the BMFA of up to £5 million & be able to produce proof of this.

 

  1. Members must be aware that safety of persons and property is paramount and at no time must they consciously jeopardise such.

 

  1. All aircraft WILL be restrained by a suitable device on initial start up and tuning procedure

 

  1.  The club flying site WILL be flown in a safe manner and within the boundaries specified on the flying site plan.

 

  1. No more than FOUR models, irrespective of how powered, are allowed in the air at any one time.

 

  1. Only members who have received adequate training will be allowed to use mechanical equipment on the flying field.

 

 

 

Appendix 2

 

MGMFC Disciplinary Procedures (Amended 2014)

Any complaint concerning a member must be made in writing and signed by the complainant(s). This must be forwarded to the Hon. Secretary who will be responsible for ensuring that the Chairman is notified and it is addressed at the next committee meeting.

If an allegation of misconduct is made against a member, then the member is suspended whilst the committee instigates an investigation.

  1. The suspension imposed must not exceed 90 days and must be accompanied by a verbal and/or written warning that gives details of the misconduct/misdemeanour and what the member is reasonably required to do to make amends.
  2. If the member does not respond he/she will be given a written warning by an authorised committee member to advise him(her) of the misdemeanour and what is reasonably required to make amends.
  3. If the member still fails to respond, the committee should invite the member in writing to meet the committee on a date and time agreed by committee to discuss the situation, advising the member that they are considering withdrawal of membership.
  4. If the member fails to respond to reasoning or fails to attend without reasonable cause the committee can advise in writing that the membership is withdrawn and stating the reasons why this decision was reached.
  5. When the member is advised of withdrawal of membership the member must be given the right of appeal. If the member opts for right of appeal this will be to the club membership at an EGM, which the committee will call on the member’s behalf on a previously agreed date and time.
  6. The motion to uphold the membership withdrawal or reverse it must be accordance with the voting procedures set out in the constitution.

 

In the event of gross misconduct, immediate dismissal without warnings may be considered but the member must be still accorded the right to present a case to the committee and be given a right of appeal in accordance with paragraphs d-f above.

In the event of dismissal, the committee will arrange for the ex-member’s current membership fee (excluding BMFA subscription) to be reimbursed in full.

 

 

 

 

Appendix 3

 

  1. a) The procedure for care and protection of children and vulnerable adults

MGMFC policy is to provide a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults.

All junior members or visiting juniors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times at any club flying site or meeting or function.

The Welfare Officer will be appointed by the committee and be responsible on advising all club members of their obligations under the act, as described in the BMFA handbook.

The Welfare Officer will act as a contact point and will keep any club instructors or members informed of any bulletins or information issued by the BMFA concerning the training of children or vulnerable adults.

Club instructors who instruct children or vulnerable adults will be asked to participate in the voluntary Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) offered by the BMFA.

 

MGMFC does not undertake to supervise junior members or vulnerable adults other than for the purpose of model aircraft flying, associated pre-flight and post-flight checks.

MGMFC activities do not finish at regular times and therefore parents and guardians keep the responsibility for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the junior member or vulnerable person.

If the parent or guardian wishes to leave someone with the club it is their responsibility to make arrangements with a senior member of the club to provide supervision in their absence and to arrange a mutually agreed time for collection.

The parent and / or the legal guardian must countersign all membership forms for junior members and vulnerable adults.

 

 

 

Guidance for caring for junior members

Responsibility for junior members is shared between the parents/guardians and club members.

 

MGMFC rules for junior members

  1. Junior members are defined as being 18 years or under.
  2. A responsible adult is defined as a senior member or parent or guardian that has the experience commensurate with the type and degree of supervision required.
  3. Junior members must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult. The level of supervision should be commensurate with the junior members age, maturity, capabilities and level of experience.
  4. Junior members under the age of 14 shall not start an engine or fly a model aircraft unless supervised by a responsible adult or unless the junior member holds the minimum of a BMFA Achievement Scheme “A” certificate and has been authorised by the club.
  5. No senior member is to be expected to assume responsibility for a junior member unless specifically asked to by the junior member’s parent /guardian. If requested to do so, he/she is to assume total responsibility whilst the junior member is in their charge.
  6. Should any member discover a junior member is unsupervised then they are required to assume responsibility until the situation can be rectified by seeking out the parent/guardian/ nominated supervisor. Any instance of this having occurred should be reported to a member of the committee as soon as possible.

Whilst supervising a junior member senior club members should be made aware of the requirements of “The Children’s Act (1989) and avoid placing themselves in any position that could be open to misinterpretation or question. Advice can be obtained from the Welfare Officer or the BMFA

......................

Constitution....

 

                                                                    Consultation Process

       Author:  Sheena Wilkes

 

 

   Draft Document History:

Date of 1st Draft:           3rd June 2014

Date of 6th Draft:         February 2015

Date of 7th(a) Draft:      April 2015

Date document first submitted to committee for approval:           April 2015

 

 

Following further revisions by committee the constitution was re-submitted to committee for approval on the following dates:

Date of 8th Draft:         May 2015

Date of  8th(a) Draft      June 2015

Date of 9th Draft:         August 2015

Date of Final Draft:     January 2016

 

Date of final revised Draft

prior to approval at AGM:    June 2016

 

Approved at AGM:      October

 

Members of the Review Group:

R Wilkes – Treasurer

L Nye – Committee Member

K Goodman – Member

T Williams – Member

           

 

Index

 

Contents                                                                                                  Page

  1. General 4                     
  2. Aims 4                     
  3. Membership
    • Life Membership 5
    • Senior Club Membership 5
    • Junior Club Membership 5
    • Social Membership 6
    • Guests 6
    • Termination of membership 6
  • Committee Structure & Appointments 6
  • Committee Organisation & Powers 7
  • Voting & conduct of the committee 8
  • Insurance & legislation 10
  • Dissolution of MGMFC 11

 

 

 

Appendices:

  1. Flying Field Rules
  2. MGMFC Disciplinary Procedures
  3. a) The procedure for care & protection of children and vulnerable adults
  4. MGMFC rules for junior members

 

 

  1. General

 

The MGMFC statement of the constitution and procedures are based on the model produced by the British Model Flying Association and are to be formally adopted at the October 2016 Annual General Meeting. The revised constitution supersedes and replaces all former versions of Marston Green Model Engineering Club’s constitution and rules.

 

 

The constitution provides MGMFC with a set of rules that enable the club to conduct its business lawfully and with consideration to its members. In turn it provides a framework to provide members with an understanding of what is required of them and their rights as members of the club.

 

 

 

 

  1. 2. Aims

The aims of MGMFC shall be to:

  1. Unite modellers dedicated to the building, safe flying and enjoyment of all types of model aircraft, and from time to time to organise events at which the members may fly such aircraft.
  2. Assist those modellers in the design, building and safe flying of model aircraft,
  3. Liaise with and to represent MGMFC’s interests with other Clubs and Organisations.
  4. Offer the services of MGMFC to other groups and bodies in connection with the organisation of meetings and events involving the flying of model aircraft.
  5. MGMFC is constituted as a private member’s club and is as such free to govern its affairs as it sees fit. However, MGMFC recognises that it is subject to UK legislation governing fairness and equality and is an affiliated club of the BMFA.

 

 

 

  1. Club Membership     

All members, without exception, agree to abide by the Constitution and Rules of MGMFC by accepting membership.

Membership of MGMFC shall be limited to 80 flying members and other categories as decided upon from time to time by the Committee.

New members will be admitted when and if vacancies occur following the AGM in any year. Individuals seeking membership at other times cannot be accepted unless the committee approves the application, in which case the new member will pay fees in accordance with the scales proposed by the Hon. Treasurer and agreed by committee and members at the AGM.

Applications forms should include full information on membership of previous/current clubs.

All new members will be required to serve a probationary period of 12 months. During this time their membership may be terminated, by the committee, for unsatisfactory conduct. A new member may not teach nor instruct any other person until they hold appropriate qualification which has been verified by the committee or they have been nominated by a MGMFC Flyer Instructor.

 

Membership categories:

  1. Life Members: Any member can be made a life member for extensive services to MGMFC of any nature, wherein the members benefit from having such advice, services and presence of the life member. Life members will be nominated by committee and subject to the agreement of the majority of the club members at the AGM.

 

 

  1. Senior members: are18 years old and over

 

 

  1. Junior members: are members under 18 years of age.

 

Junior members up to 18 years of age must be accompanied at all times by a parent or a legal named guardian (or responsible family member) at any club meeting, flying site or function.

 

Members who have remained in full time education after their 18th birthday only have to pay a junior membership subscription until they finish full-time education.

 

 

  1. Social Members: are members who support MGMFC without being active flyers.

 

 

  1. Guests: Members should attempt to notify a committee member prior to bringing a guest.

All guests are to be under the supervision of an appropriate Club member, who shall be responsible for checking their insurance if they are planning to fly.

 

Where necessary, a committee member should be notified as soon as possible after the event. Any members bringing guests shall ensure that their guests observe all rules as though they are members of MGMFC.

Flying field charges for guests are £5 per session up to a maximum of 3 sessions after which the guest shall be asked to apply for membership or will not be allowed to attend again.

 

  1. Termination of membership

Membership will be deemed to have ceased if any member has failed to pay their annual subscription by the 30th November in any year. If a member fails to re-join by the agreed date, then the member will have to reapply to the committee.

In the event that a member breaks the club rules, or if his/her conduct on the field or elsewhere is contrary to the aims of the MGMFC, or is disruptive and behaves in a manner designed to interrupt the proper and harmonious conduct of MGMFC action will be taken (see Disciplinary Procedure: Appendix 2).

The Hon. Secretary will give notice to the member of termination of membership in writing and such notice shall set out in brief form the grounds upon which the decision has been taken by committee.

 

 

  1. Committee Structure and Appointments

The committee has 4 flag officers and these are the Hon. Chairman, Hon. Vice-Chairman, Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer. There is also currently a Hon. President who does not have voting rights.

 

The Hon. Chairman and committee members shall be elected and constituted as follows:

1)   The Committee will comprise of no more than 12 members and consist

of Hon. Chairman, Hon. Vice-Chairman, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Safety Officer and 7 Ordinary Members will be elected by a majority vote at the Annual General Meeting.

  • A welfare officer will be selected by the committee as clarified in the club’s procedure for “The care and protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults” (see Appendix 2).

N.B. The welfare officer does not have to be a committee member but is accountable to the committee.

  • Members shall not be eligible to serve on the committee until they have fulfilled 12 months’ continuous membership.
  • The Committee will, if they decide, co-opt further members as required to do work on behalf of the committee
  • Any member of the Committee may retire on 14 days’ notice to the Chairman in writing.
  • Committee meetings will be held four times a year and, other meetings if required, as deemed necessary by the Hon. Chairman.
  • The Hon. Chairman will conduct all committee meetings.  He/she will be entitled to vote and in the event of a tied vote he/she will then be entitled to cast a deciding vote.
  • The Hon. Chairman and Committee members will serve from one AGM to the next AGM unless agreed otherwise by committee who then appoint replacements as necessary
  • With the exception of Flag Officers, the two longest serving committee members must offer themselves for re-election at each AGM and will if re-elected, be deemed to be new members of the committee.
  • Nominations for committee members should be received no later than 28 days prior to the AGM where the elections would be held.
  • All paid members and Life Members are eligible to vote with the exception of the Hon. President.
  • All committee members should be a member of the BMFA.
  • The committee should appoint annually a committee member to be the clubs’ BMFA delegate who will represent the club at relevant meetings.

 

  1. Committee organisation and powers

The yearly accounts will cover the period of one year commencing on a date decided by the Hon. Treasurer which enables a report to be prepared in sufficient time for the AGM.

 

The accounts prepared by the Hon. Treasurer will be audited by at least one ordinary member of the MGMFC duly appointed and having knowledge of accounting procedures.

 

Members elected to office shall have full voting rights at all meetings. In the event of a tie in the votes the Hon. Chairman will have the casting vote in addition to his initial vote.

 

Committee members can be authorised by the committee to carry out negotiations and make decisions in the interest of MGMFC or on behalf of the membership where necessary without consulting members. If expenditure incurred would be greater than £75 then approval from the committee must be sought.

 

The authorised signatures for the club are those of the Hon. Chairman, Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer. Money may be withdrawn from club funds by cheque using two of the three authorised signatories.

 

The Hon. Secretary must be informed of any negotiations proposed by club members that affect MGMFC as a whole and copies of any written correspondence must be submitted to the Hon. Secretary to enable the committee to be made aware and for record purposes.

 

No member of the committee can be a committee member of another flying club.

 

Any committee member who is absent from 3 meetings without reasonable cause will automatically forfeit their seat on the committee.

 

 

 

  1. Voting and Conduct of committee

Committee meetings

All committee meetings will have an agenda, relevant papers and copies of previous minutes, in which all discussion will be accurately and fully documented. These will be circulated prior to each meeting.

 

For any decision to be agreed by the committee there needs a to be a quorum present (5) at the meeting.

 

Minutes will be placed on the committee section of the notice-board in the club once the minutes are approved by committee.

All matters concerning the management of MGMFC and the conduct of the membership, is at the sole discretion of the committee, but views and votes, where taken, will be fully considered when agreeing at a decision which will be recorded in the minutes.

The Hon. Chairman will have a casting vote and his decision is final in all circumstances.

The committee reserves the right to refuse membership to applicants.

Keys to the Club House are held by committee members and remain the property of MGMFC and must be returned to MGMFC when committee membership ceases.

 

Annual General Meeting
The AGM shall take place in October of each year and notification of it shall be sent by the Hon. Secretary to all current paid-up members along with all relevant papers.

The AGM shall be conducted by the Hon. Chairman, who shall place before the members attending any matters which may in his/her view be properly discussed at such a meeting and in accordance with the following agenda: -

  1. Approval of the Minutes of the last AGM

(to be circulated along with the agenda and all relevant papers 4 weeks prior to the AGM)

  1. Report by the Hon. President,
  2. Report by the Hon. Chairman,
  3. Report by the Hon. Secretary,
  4. Report by the Hon. Treasurer,
  5. Approval of Accounts,
  6. Report by Flying Officer,
  7. Report by Welfare Officer (if necessary),
  8. Notification of any committee members standing down at AGM and receipt of nominations received prior to AGM (normally 2 weeks before AGM),
  9. Election of Hon. Chairman and Committee members,
  10. Any other business (ideally raised with the Hon. Secretary 2

weeks before the AGM).

 

If the Hon. Chairman is unable to attend then he/she will nominate the Hon. Vice Chairman to in act his/her place.

If any member wishes to raise any issues in respect of the club rules he/she shall advise the Hon. Secretary and the Hon Chairman in writing 28 days before the AGM. It will be at the Hon. Chairman’s discretion whether the matter be discussed at an ordinary committee meeting or at the AGM.

A maximum of 15 minutes discussion time shall be allocated to each motion prior to a vote being taken.

 

For the AGM a quorum of members shall be 20% of the membership excluding the Officers and Committee of the Club.

 

Alteration or amendment to the Constitution and Rules can only take place at an AGM and requires a majority of two thirds of the votes of the members present at the meeting.

 

Extraordinary General Meeting

If at least 25% members of MGMFC require it, an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called at any time.  The said members must give notice of intention to call the meeting by written request sent to the Hon. Secretary stating the matter to be discussed and the letter should be signed by all those raising the issue/s

If the committee has terminated a membership the member has the right to have an appeal heard at an EGM.

The rules governing the conduct of an EGM shall be the same as those governing the conduct of the AGM.

 

  1. Insurance and Legislation  

As per MGMFC’s affiliation to the BMFA, insurance shall be as provided by the BMFA for both Civil and Employers Liability.

 

Any MGMFC member who wishes to obtain their own BMFA membership (country membership) or obtains it through another BMFA affiliated club (their lead club) must produce their valid BMFA certificate of insurance to the Hon. Secretary or Hon. Treasurer after their annual membership is confirmed.

 

Each member by his/her acceptance of membership of MGMFC thereby fully agrees that no liability of any kind will attach to the Committee arising from and in any manner in connection with such insurance claim or such loss whatsoever.

 

The club will indemnify all committee officers and members if they occur any liability on behalf of the club. In the event of a committee member being awarded damages or costs in the course of proceedings taken by them in their representative capacity, such damages or costs belong to the club not the committee member personally and upon receipt the member will pay the award to the Hon. Treasurer.

 

Pulse jet motors or any engines of this type must not be test run or flown on MGMFCs’ flying field.

 

It shall be the responsibility for each member to ensure that his/her operation of radio-controlled aircraft complies in every particular with any current legislation, rule or official requirements governing, controlling, or appertaining to the operation of such model. Each member accepts that the said insurance cover shall not protect him/her from loss if in breach of such requirements. The statutory obligations are set out on the C.A.A. website.

 

  1. Dissolution of the club

In the event of MGMFC’s activities being terminated due to the loss of a flying field and no alternative is in prospect, MGMFC could be wound up twelve months or other time as decided by the committee after the event.

 

Should it be necessary to dissolve the club the committee is required to call an EGM. If a quorum fails to be present a further EGM must be called within 14 days. If at this meeting a quorum fails to attend, the meeting will proceed and motion carried by a majority vote.

 

Any monies remaining after paying outstanding debts, including repayment of outstanding subscriptions, will be donated to a suitable charity or charities decided upon by members at the time of the clubs’ dissolution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix 1

MGMFC Flying Field Rules

  1. Members will at all times follow the contents of the BMFA Handbook, current edition, and have read the following sections:-

The BMFA Guide to the safe operation of model aircraft

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