Hill Country Aeromodelers

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Hill Country Aeromodelers Bylaws

Version 2026.05232026 Effective: July 15, 2026

Article I – Name and Location

1. Name: The name of the Club is the Hill Country Aeromodelers Radio Control Association,Inc. (“the Hill Country Aeromodelers”, “HCAM” or “the Club”).
2. Location and Mailing Address: The Club’s flying field (“the Flying Field”) is located at Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park in Austin,Texas. The official mailing address of the Club is the current President’s home address. Mail to the Club can be sent to other officers, directors, or members as necessary to conduct Club business.

Article II – Purpose

The Club is a self-supporting, non-profit organization chartered by the Academy of Model Aeronautics (“AMA”). The Club promotes model aviation as a sport and recreational activity in the Austin area. The Club is open to anyone interested in model aviation.

Article III – Membership

1. Qualifications: All persons are eligible for membership. Club members are required to be current full members of AMA and are required at all times to comply with these Bylaws and the Club’s Flying and Safety Rules. If any bylaws violations, Club safety rules violations, or AMA violations are committed by a member, this may be cause for their membership to be canceled by the Board of Directors. Park Pilot AMA membership is not permitted for due to insurance restrictions.
2. Fees and Dues: During the last quarter of the year the directors will review the anticipated financial needs of the Club and set the dues for the following year. Family dues rates will be the current rate for the primary member and 50% for each additional person over 18 years of age.

Members age 18 and younger are not required to pay HCAM club annual dues, but are required to be current paid members of AMA.

Dues for new members joining on or after July 1 shall have their dues prorated to ½ (one-half) of the annual membership dues. Anyone who was a HCAM club member the previous year cannot prorate their dues the following year and must pay dues for a full year, regardless of when paid.

The Board of Directors may vote to waive dues for individuals in recognition of their extraordinary service to the Club under special circumstances.

In recognition of members who perform major routine services for HCAM, which include club officers, board members, instructors, field maintenance crew, webmaster, special position appointees, shall have their dues automatically waived unless they decline the waiver.

3. Resignation: Dues are not refundable, except under extraordinary circumstances which will be determined by the Board of Directors on a case-by-case basis.
4. Associate Membership: HCAM may offer an Associate Membership to individuals who meet the following qualifications.

1. Candidates must provide proof of full AMA membership and fully paid membership to a home Club for the same nominal period of time as HCAM membership before associate Membership application will be considered.
2. Applicants are required to agree to and abide by both AMA’s safety rules, HCAM’s current Flying and Safety Rules and these Bylaws.
3. HCAM shall offer, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, an “Associate Membership” to join HCAM, for members in good standing with any other RC Club.
4. The HCAM Associate Membership cost shall be determined at the same time membership dues are reviewed and set.
5. The Associate Member shall have no HCAM voting rights or be eligible to hold an elected office. All other Club privileges will be extended to the associate member.

Article IV – Club Officers and Board of Directors

1. Board Responsibilities and Authority: The Board of Directors shall manage the Club’s affairs. The Board has authority to establish and administer the Club’s policies and to expend the Club’s money. Actions of the Board shall be consistent with these Bylaws, the Club’s AMA charter, and the Club’s agreement with the City of Austin governing use of the Club’s Flying Field.

Unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws, decisions of the Board shall be by simple majority vote of the officers/directors present. A quorum of four (4) Board members is required to conduct business. If Board action is required before a meeting of the Board can be scheduled, the President may collect votes by telephone, by email, or by any other manner deemed appropriate by the President. All Board members must be contacted if possible.

If such an emergency vote is invoked by the President, he is accountable for normal record keeping. As with normal board meetings the Secretary must still record the voting results and actions.

2. Elected Officers: The elected officers are members of the Board of Directors, and shall consist of the President, Vice President/Safety Coordinator, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Coordinator and one Directors elected at large. An Officer may hold more than one position, i.e., Treasurer/Membership.
3. Additional Directors: Additional Directors that are Presidential appointments may include the positions such as Maintenance Coordinator and Club Webmaster. The Maintenance Coordinator is responsible for coordinated maintenance of the field and the field equipment. The Club Webmaster is responsible for maintaining the Club website and all Club group emails, blogs or other internet based Club communications.

At his or her sole discretion, the immediate past President who completes his term and continues as a HCAM Club Member may serve as a “Director Emeritus” and is a voting board member for a period of one year.

4. Terms of Office: Officers and directors shall be elected at the regular Club meeting held in March of each year. Elected officers shall serve for a period of one year. Directors appointed pursuant to Article IV.C shall serve until the next regular election of officers. An officer or Board member may resign at any time by giving written notice to the President.

An officer or Board member who consistently fails to perform his or her duties may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the other members of the board.

5. General Duties of Club Officers:

In addition to the duties set forth in these Bylaws, all officers shall have the duties, responsibilities, and authority customarily associated with their office and such other duties assigned by the Board of Directors or the President.

1. President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and the

Club and shall act as official spokesperson in all matters pertaining to the Club. The President, Vice President, and Secretary shall be responsible to ensure that Club’s bank accounts and membership records are reviewed as necessary. The President may appoint Club Members to serve in temporary positions needed for the operations of the Club.

2. Vice President/Safety Coordinator: The Vice President shall act for the President when he/she is unable to serve. The Vice President shall also serve as the Safety Coordinator and be responsible for coordinating programs following the business portion of each Club meeting.
3. Secretary: The Secretary shall record minutes of each Club and Board meeting and post them to the HCAM website and field bulletin board in a timely manner. He or she shall also be responsible for general Club correspondence in coordination with the Club President.
4. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall collect all moneys due to the Club, pay all bills, and keep a record of money disbursed by the Club. The Treasurer, or their representative, shall present a financial report at each Board and Club meeting.
5. Membership Coordinator: The Membership Coordinator will receive new/renewal applications at the field, at meetings, and in the mail for processing of new/renewed memberships. He will verify AMA current year (full membership) status for each new or renewed member, to include junior members; make Club cards for new and renewed members, and mail them make them available after dues have been paid.
6. Safety Coordinator: The VP/Safety Coordinator’s goals are to help our members be

safe. In the event a Club member needs help or correction, the Safety Coordinator’s job is to arrange for assistance, training, or education to promote safety, improve skills, or otherwise help in a manner that promotes fraternity and fun.

The Safety Coordinator is responsible for developing, promoting, and encouraging a general climate of safety awareness within the Club and provides a communications link between AMA and HCAM in matters related to safety, including filing accident reports, in a timely manner or distributing AMA materials.

The Safety Coordinator may conduct safety training at Club meetings and present a “Safety Report” of any accidents of safety issues he has observed. He shall investigate any major accidents causing reportable personal injuries or property damage and make any needed safety recommendations to the Directors. He will assist AMA in establishment of a national safety program to reduce accident/incidents.

7. Enforcement: The Safety Coordinator is not to be the “Club Policeman”. Enforcement of Club and AMA rules is the responsibility all Club Board members.

Board members, as part of their safety obligations, have the authority to suspend flying privileges for any member for the day if the Board Member believes safety may be compromised.

Although Club Officers and Directors have the first level of responsibility for safety and enforcement, the general membership should be cognizant and aware of any unsafe situation and take reasonable action to resolve and promote safety.

Article V – Meetings

1. All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the general provisions of “Robert’s Rules of Order”
2. Club Meetings: Regular meetings of the Club shall be held on a specified date of each month at a time and place set by the Board. Special meetings of the Club shall be held on such dates and at such times and places as determined by the President or the Board of Directors. The Club members will be notified timely of the purpose, location and time of the special meeting by an email to the Club mail list, posting on the homepage of hillcountryrc.org, and by prominent posting at the Club field.

At any Club meeting a simple majority shall be over 50% of the members present. Unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws a simple majority vote shall be required for actions taken by the Club.

 

3. Board Meetings: Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held as needed on the Sunday preceding the regularly scheduled Club meeting or on such dates and at times and places designated by the President. Board meetings may be virtual or in person. At any Board meeting a quorum of five (4) members shall be required to take any action that requires a vote. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, a simple majority vote (over 50%) shall be required for actions taken by the Board of Directors.

Board meetings are open to all Club members unless a closed “executive session” meeting is called by the President or his representative to discuss an issue containing personal or health information requested to be protected. All grievance action meetings shall be public unless specifically requested to be closed for the purpose of protecting such personal information. The minutes of closed meetings shall remain confidential but the results of the meeting shall be published by the Secretary.

Article VI – Record Keeping

1. The President shall keep AMA charter records, insurance records, and records of agreements with the City of Austin.
2. The Secretary shall maintain the highlights of all Club and Board meetings.
3. The Treasurer will safeguard all Club funds, and maintain auditable financial records. Monthly bank financial statements will be maintained and provided to the President for review if requested.
4. The Membership Coordinator shall maintain all Club membership records.
5. The Club Webmaster shall maintain an electronic file of website content.
6. Outgoing officers and directors shall transfer Club records and conex keys to incoming officers and directors as soon as possible, but no later than one month following elections at the March Club meeting.

Article VII – Committees

The Club has no standing committees. The Board of Directors or the President may establish ad hoc committees as necessary to accomplish Club business.

Article VIII – Elections, Nominations, and Recall

1. Elections: Election of officers and Board members shall be held annually at the March Club meeting. Those elected shall begin their term of office at the conclusion of the March Club meeting.
2. Nominations: The Board of Directors shall have a slate of Club officers and directors for election at the February Club meeting. Nominations may be submitted to the Board prior to the February Board meeting.

Nominations may also be made from the floor at the March Club meeting. Nominees must be Club members in good standing and must be willing to serve in the capacity for which they have been nominated.

3. Recall: A recall election for an officer or director shall be scheduled if requested in writing by at least twenty-five (25) Club members. Notice of the recall election shall be published on the Club’s website and/or field bulletin boards. The notice shall include the name of the officer or director subject to recall, together with the date, time, and place of the meeting at which the recall election will be held.

To be enacted, a recall shall require three-fourths (3/4) majority vote of the members present at the meeting when the recall election is held.

Article IX – HCAM Flying and Safety Rules, Grievances, and Disciplinary Actions

1. Rules: The Club’s current Flying and Safety Rules are adopted and incorporated herein by reference. A copy of these Rules shall be posted on the Club’s website, and at the Flying Field at all times.
2. Bi-Annual Review: The Board of Directors shall review the Flying and Safety Rules for sufficiency at least bi-annually on even calendar years. The Board or any Club member may propose amendments at any time. A simple majority vote of members present at the monthly Club meeting at which a proposed amendment is considered shall be required for the amendment to be adopted.
3. Agreement with Other Rules: The HCAM Flying and Safety Rules shall be consistent with AMA safety rules, policies, and guidelines. In addition, they must also agree with the City of Austin rules governing use of the Club’s Flying Field.
4. Violations of the Club’s Flying and Safety Rules shall be grounds for expulsion, suspension of flying privileges, or other discipline the Board deems appropriate.
5. Grievances: Issues that cannot be resolved informally shall be referred to the Board of Directors in writing. The Board of Directors shall resolve the issue as provided in these Bylaws.
6. Expulsion and Reinstatement: The Board of Directors may expel a Club member by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote if the Board determines:

1. The member has violated the HCAM Flying and Safety Rules, or
2. The member’s actions including but not limited to intimidation through threats of physical harm have endangered or harmed other persons while they are on Club property or at authorized Club events, or
3. The member’s actions including but not limited to threats of property damage have endangered property on or near the Club’s flying field, or
4. Any act or omission which is a violation of AMA rules, or which is detrimental to HCAM or AMA. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board of Directors shall be required to reinstate any member who is expelled. Unless reinstated, an expelled member shall not be eligible for Club membership.

G. Suspension of Flying Privileges and other Forms of Discipline: The Board shall have the authority to impose appropriate disciplinary action for acts or omissions that do not justify expulsion, including but not limited to temporary suspension of flying privileges and/or requiring additional instruction before further solo flight is permitted.

Article X – Miscellaneous

1. Club Website: The Club may publish timely information on the Club’s website, on the field bulletin boards or through the club email system. Club officers and directors will make every reasonable effort; by use of Club bulletin board postings, member e-mail notification, and website postings, to keep members timely informed. This includes: notice of Club events, annual or recall elections, proposed and adopted amendments or revisions to the Bylaws or the Flying and Safety Rules. The official Club website is http://hillcountryrc.org.
2. Club Dissolution. Prior to dissolution of the Club all debts and other financial obligations of the Club shall be paid or otherwise satisfied. Any money remaining in the Club treasury after satisfaction of all Club debts and other financial obligations shall be distributed as determined by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Article XI – Bylaws,

1. Amendments: The Board of Directors or any Club member may propose an amendment to the Club’s bylaws. A proposed amendment shall be submitted to the HCAM Secretary. The proposed amendment shall be posted timely at the field, on the HCAM website, and on the HCAM members email system.

Any amendment of the Club’s bylaws requires a simple majority vote of the Club members present at the meeting where the amendment is considered.

Every even calendar year, the Club President shall appoint a committee to review both the Club Bylaws and the Club Flying and Safety Rules and recommend potential changes to the Board of Directors

2. Upon adoption, these Bylaws shall be posted to the HCAM Website and at the flying field.

These revised club Bylaws were discussed and presented to the club Board of Directors/Officers and were formally adopted by the Board at a board meeting vote held ________________________________________.

/S/ Bobby Yount

Bobby Yount

President, Hill Country Aeromodelers

/S/ Richard Frysinger

Richard Frysinger

Club Secretary, Hill Country Aeromodelers