Antelope Valley N-Scalers Model Railroad Club

Antelope Valley N-Scalers Model Railroad Club

By Laws 2004

ARTICLE 1:THE CLUB

Section 1: NAMEThe club shall be known as the Antelope Valley N-Scalers Model Railroad Club or A.V. N-Scalers

Section 2: OBJECTIVEThe Club’s objective shall be the formation and maintenance of a not-for-profit association for the purpose of promotion and practicing the hobby of N scale model railroading.

Section 3: Fiscal YEARThe fiscal year of the club shall be from January 1 to December 31.

Section 4: AMENDING THE BY-LAWSAny club member-in-good-standing may propose changes to the by-laws. The proposed change will be introduced at a regular business meeting, where it will be distributed and discussed by the membership. A vote on the proposed change will occur at the following business meeting, to allow the club membership to study the proposal. Any change to the by-laws must be approved by a majority (51%) vote at a meeting where a quorum exists. If a quorum does not exist at the meeting at which a vote is to be taken, it will be delayed until the next meeting at which a quorum exists.

Section 5: DISSOLUTIONThe Club may be dissolved at any duly called meeting at which a quorum exists, subject to a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those members eligible to vote. In the event of dissolution, disposition of the Clubs assets shall be recommended by the Board of Directors, subject to the approval of a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those membership eligible to vote. Such disposition of assets must take into consideration the rights of all club members.

Section 6: ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS TO VOTE.All members-in-good-standing, as defined in the by-laws, are eligible to vote on club issues on the basis of 1 (one) vote per member. The member must be present to vote, PROXY votes will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Article 2: MEETINGS

Section 1: QUORUMA quorum shall consist of 51% (fifty-one percent) of all members in good standing and at least two-thirds (2/3) of the officers being attendance at a duly called meeting. Any meeting at which a quorum is not present may not transact club business.

Section 2: ADJORNMENTAny meeting of the members, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned by a majority (51%) vote of the members present. No further club business may be conducted once a meeting has been adjourned.

Section 3: CLASSES OF MEETINGMeetings of the Club shall be classified as:

A:Annual Meeting: To be held at the first business meeting of the fiscal year for the purposes of electing Club Officers (Board of Directors).

B:Business Meeting: Shall be held to transact regular club business, other than operation and construction. These meetings are held the Sun. morning at the Train Show that the Club is a participant at. The location is with the Layout or other location of mutual consent; the time is of mutual consent of the membership. This time and location will be in effect until a clubhouse is re-established.

C:Regular Meetings: For the purposes of enjoying N scale model railroading operation, layout construction, any other activities associated with the hobby. These meetings are held when a work session or other activity is scheduled.

1. Special Meetings: To be held for business or concerns that cannot wait for a normal business meeting, as deemed necessary by the membership or club Officers. All members in good standing must be notified 24 hours in advance of the meeting prior to its occurrence.

E.Work Sessions: To be held as deemed necessary by the club Officers or membership to perform tasks or planning which may become necessary to further accomplish the Clubs goals or activities. No other business may be conducted at such work sessions.

Article 3: GOVERNING BODY

Section 1: BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Board of directors

shall be responsible for governing the activities and meetings of the Club, subject to the majority vote (51%) of the club members in good standing. All club powers not specifically prohibited shall be vested in the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers and any of the nine founding members of the Club that are still members in good standing with the Club.

Section2:ELECTIONS. Elections of the Club officers shall occur at the Annual meeting, or, if a vacancy occurs, at the first Business meeting following the creation of the vacancy. Nominations shall be accepted from the floor, subject to the acceptance of the individual nominated. Once nominations have closed, they will be voted upon by the members-in-good-standing present. A majority of votes (51%) is necessary for election. A quorum must be present for elections to be held.

Section 3:OFFICERS. Officers shall be selected from all members-in-good-standing, at the time of nominations. Officers may not be selected without their consent. The titles and duties of the Officers shall be:

1. PRESIDENT. Shall preside at all Club and Board meetings. He shall appoint all committees and temporary/special offices and is an ex-officio member of all such committees. He shall be responsible for the overall planning and conduct of Club activities.

B. VICE PRESIDENT. Shall preside at all Club and Board meetings and be responsible for the overall planning and conduct of Club activities. when the President is not present.

B. SECRETARY. Shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings and shall be responsible for notification of Club members regarding meetings and activities. He shall handle all club correspondence and publicity, and shall be responsible for informing members to any changes of the Club By-Laws. He shall preside over any meeting where the President and Vice-President are absent. This office will be merged with the office of President whenever the membership drops below 12 and until it reaches 20.

C: TREASURER. Shall have custody and keep account of all Club assets. He shall present to the Board of Directors, and Club members such statements of funds and properties as may be required, and preside over any meeting where the Superintendent and Stationmaster are absent. He shall be responsible for collection of all dues and fees, and for certification of members in good standing for voting purposes.

D: SHOW COORDINATOR. Shall coordinate all shows and official public appearances for the club.

E: LAYOUT DESIGNER. Shall design how the club will be displayed at all shows and appearances. Shall coordinate with the Show Coordinator.

F: WEB MASTER. Shall coordinate with the Superintendent, show coordinator and Layout designer. Shall place information regarding the club on the Club web site. All information placed on the web site must be approved by the Club.

Section 4: TERM OF OFFICE.Term of office for Club Officers shall be 2 (two) years. No officer may serve more than 3 (three) consecutive terms in the same office, to promote the sharing of responsibility within the club.

Section 5: BOARD MEETINGS. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall occur quarterly at the Boards convenience, or at other times as deemed necessary by the Club President. Presence of a majority (51%) of the Board shall constitute a quorum at such meetings, which will be restricted to the conduct for routine Club business relating to the Board. Adjournment of the Board meetings shall be at the vote of majority of the board members present, or a withdrawal of sufficient members to leave less that a quorum.

Article 4: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP. Membership is open to any persons actively engaged in, or desirous of becoming engaged in N-Scale model railroading, subject to the limitations of membership cited below.

Section 2: CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS. The following classifications of Members, with the limitations as specified, shall be used:

1. Regular Member. Shall have full rights and responsibilities Regular Members must be at least 18 years of age or written consent of a parent or guardian of the responsibility for the youth to join. In addition, a regular member must own or build an N-Trak standard module, as defined in the club rules.

B.Honorary Member.May be conferred upon those persons deemed worthy by a vote of a majority (51%) of Club Members. Honorary Member’s rights are limited to occasional use of Club facilities and participation in Club Activities. They shall not be exempt from the responsibilities of Regular Members except that they are not required to pay dues, or participate fully in club activities, and are not eligible to vote.

C.Lifetime Member. Shall have all the rights and responsibilities of Regular Members, except that they do not have an N-Trak standard module of their own and they are not required to hold office.

Section 3: RIGHTS OF CLUB MEMBERS. Members-in-good-standing shall, subject to the limitations of membership classification, enjoy the following rights:

1. Voting on Club business on the basis of

one vote per member.

1. Operation of personal equipment on the Club layout.

1. Participation in all Club activities.

1. Attendance at all Club meetings and functions.

Section 4: RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS. Members of

the Club shall have the following responsibilities, subject to the limitation of membership classification:

1. Maintenance of Member-in-good-standing status by paying dues and fees as specified.

1. Adherence to Club rules.

1. Attendance at the Club activities.

1. Participation in Club activities.

1. Promoting Club foals and activities.

1. Voting on club business.

1. Acceptance of “majority rule” when counter to ones desire.

1. Honesty, integrity, cooperation, and respect for the rights and property of others.

1. Reasoned opposition or objection to Club activities, policies, or goals in timely manner, instead of after the fact complaining.

1. Performance of duties or tasks to which one may be assigned or volunteer.

Section 5:APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP. Application for membership shall be made by payment of minimum dues and fees specified in the Club Rules and acceptance of membership shall be after a probation of no longer than 6 (six) months following application. Acceptance is subject to the probationer’s acceptance of the above responsibities and adherence to the Club Rules, as determined by a majority (51%) of members in good standing.

Section 6:LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Members-in-good-standing may apply to the Board of Directors for a leave of absence on advance of the date it is to commence. The member must also provide advanced notification of their anticipated return.

Section 7:SUPENSION/DISMISSAL: Members in arrears in payment of dues/fees for three months are subject to automatic suspension. Members in violation of Club rules, or who have not fulfilled the responsibilities of membership are subject to suspension or dismissal at the option of the Board of Directors, subject to approval by the Club membership.

Section 8:REINSTATEMENT. Reinstatement of suspended/dismissed members shall be subject to a majority vote of the Club members-in-good-standing, and take into account all of the criteria for acceptance of new members. Application of reinstatement must include payment of either all dues and/or fees from the date of suspension/dismissal, or new member fees, whichever is lesser. Members on Leave-of-Absence shall be reinstated following notification of the Board of Directors, and payment of one month’s dues/fees.

Section 9:CLUB RESPONSIBILITY. The club shall accept financial responsibility for property loaned to it provided that consent for the loan is obtained from the Board of Directors, prior to the loan itself. The club shall not be responsible for:

1. The property of members or visitors left deliberately or inadvertently on club premises.

1. The property of suspended/dismissed member or members on leave of absence left on club premises.

1. The property of members or visitors donated to the club, until such times a formal letter of donation is signed.

1. Any damage 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 on the part of its owner.

1. Any injury to a member, visitor, or guest, which is due to negligence on the part of that person.

Article 5: CLUB RULES

Section 1: The following Club rules are hereby adopted, and are subject to a revision by a vote of a majority (51%) of the members-in-good-standing and the Board of Directors.

Rule A:SECURITY. The club shall be secured at all times while members are not present. Each member and guest is responsible for their own equipment and tools, which should be removed from the site after each meeting, unless specific permission to leave them is obtained from the site owner.

Rule B:HOUSEKEEPING. Each member shall be responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of his immediate area of activity, in addition to the general cleanliness of the club area. If you make a mess, clean it up. If you see a mess left behind, or a hazard condition, correct it. Make certain the club area is clean before finishing a meeting, as we are guests in an area that does not belong to us.

Rule C:DUES/FEES. There are no monthly dues or fees unless the club votes to purchase an item or items that brings the Club bank account below $500.00. If this takes place, a $5.00 monthly fee will be imposed on all members (except Lifetime members) until the balance achieves $500.00. Any member that leaves the club during this time then later would like to rejoin must pay any fee that was missed. Any new member must complete and N-Trak module by the end of their first year with the club. Each member must participate in at least two shows in a 365-day period.

Rule F:INVITED GUEST. Non-Club members may be invited to participate in an operation session by the Club members. Invitation is extended by a majority vote (51%) of the Club.

Rule G:INTOXICANTS. No intoxicants will be permitted at Club functions. Illegal intoxicants will not be tolerated and will be bounds for immediate dismissal from the club.

Rule H:REQUIRED EQUIPMENT. Regular members are required to have a minimum of one N-Trak standard module and associated equipment, as defined in Rules C and I. Probationary regular members must be making reasonable progress towards the completion of their module by the end of their probationary period, as determined by the Board of Directors, and must complete their module, to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors, within 12 (twelve) months of their membership application. Failure to do so may result in the suspension of the member until such time as the member’s module is completed.

Rule I.MODULE SPECICICATIONS. All modules must meet N-Trak specifications as to construction and track placement, unless the owner provides a suitable transition to the non-standard modules. All modules must include two “C” clamps, and three Atlas connecting tracks (or equivalent), for use to connect to the community layout. In addition, members may be required to provide a throttle for use in community operation. This throttle should be clearly marked at to ownership, and remains the separate property of the owner. Throttles for operation of diorama tracks within the module do not satisfy the community throttle requirement, if imposed.

Rule J:ROLLING STOCK. All rolling stock operated on club modules must conform to the following standards:

1. Weight: All cars must be weighted for proper operation and to prevent derailments. Proper car weight is determined by the following formula: Weight = .5oz + .15oz/per 10 scale feet of car length.

1. Couplers: For operating purposes, all cars should use Micro Trains couplers or other coupler that will mate with the Micro Trains style couplers. Members may use cars with other, non-compatible couplers, provided an “interchange car” with both style of coupler is also provided. For shows, where trains will be continuously running without switching, other couplers are acceptable, as trains will be kept as a unit.

1. Repair: All rolling stock to be used on Club trackage must be in good operation condition. Failure to do so will cause the equipment to be removed from the layout until such time as repairs have been corrected.

Rule K:OPERATING RULES. The following rules shall apply for operation at shows and club operating sessions.

1.All dues or fees must be current.

2.All members are to assist in transportation of modules and ancillary equipment to and from shows, including setup and take down of at least two shows in a 365 day period.

1. No person shall set-up, take down or operate his train on the diorama trackage of another module without the permission of the module owner.

1. After set-up, all carrying cases, boxes and other personal property must be stored in an out of the way location.

1. No person shall leave his train running or sidetracked unless he has arranged with another operator to watch it.

1. All members are to take scheduled shifts tending the throttle block control at meets and shows.

1. Visitors and guests may operate equipment on the club layout, subject to the above restrictions.

1. Modules may not be removed temporarily from the club layout, or removed early, unless provisions are made by their owner to replace them, either with another module, or a bridge.

1. Failure to abide by the operating rules will result in the suspension of operation privileges. Repeat failure to abide by the operating rules will result in additional disciplinary action, as determined by the Board of Directors.

Accepted and passed by

The membership of the

AV N-Scalers

The th day of , 2004

President

Secretary