03/10/08

ARTICLE I

THE CLUB

Section 1.1: Name

The Club shall be known as "Omaha NTrak Modular Railroad Club", herein referred to as "The Club".

Section 1.2: Objective

The Club's objective is to promote and practice the hobby of N-scale model railroading as a community activity. This objective is to be pursued as a not-for-profit organization operating solely on the contributions of members, associated organizations, and funds raising events within the community.

Section 1.3: Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Club shall be from January 1 to December 31.

Section 1.4: Amending the By-Laws

These by-laws may be amended or superseded only by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members in good standing, as defined below, at any annual, business, or special meeting for which proper notice has been given.

Section 1.5: Eligibility of Members to Vote

All regular members in good standing are eligible to vote on the basis of one (1) vote per member.

Section 1.6: Dissolution

The Club may be dissolved by a two-thirds majority vote of members in good standing. Such a vote may be taken at any business, or special meeting, for which at least fourteen days notice is given to all active members that such a vote is to be taken.  In the event of dissolution, disposition of the Club's assets shall be by auction to the membership, regardless of the class of membership, at a time and place to be determined by the officers. Notice of the auction must be given at least thirty days prior to the event to all regular members, affiliate members, and members on leave of absence.

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

Section 2.1: Concerning Membership

Membership is open to any person actively engaged, or desiring to become engaged, in the hobby of N scale model railroading, subject only to the limitations described in this article.

Section 2.2: Membership Classification

The following membership classifications are established:

2.2.1: Regular Membership

Regular members shall have full membership rights and responsibilities and may sponsor affiliate youth members. Regular members must be at least Twenty (20) years of age.

2.2.2: Affiliate Youth Membership

Affiliate youth members must be sponsored by a regular member and are subject to approval by the Club officers. They shall enjoy all rights of regular members except voting and are subject to all responsibilities of regular members.

2.2.3: Honorary Membership

Honorary membership may be conferred upon any person or persons deemed worthy by a vote of a majority (more than 50%) of Club members. Honorary members' rights are limited to occasional use of Club property and visits to or participation in Club activities. They shall not be exempt from responsibilities of regular members except that they shall not be required to pay dues, and are not required to participate fully in Club activities. Honorary members do not have voting rights.

ARTICLE III

DEFINITIONS

Section 3.1: Quorum

A quorum shall consist of more than fifty percent (50%) of regular members in good standing being in attendance. Any meeting at which a quorum is not present may not conduct Club business.

Section 3.2: Member in Good Standing

A member in good standing is a member of any classification who is current with their dues, and has neither been dismissed nor is on suspension or leave of absence.

Section 3.3: Notification

Notification of meetings must provide the date, time, and location. Notification may be made in person, by phone, by e-mail, or letter to the member's address currently on file. In the event of e-mail or letter notification, the mail must be date stamped or postmarked at least fourteen days prior to the meeting.

Section 3.4: Proxy

Proxies are authorizations granted by one regular member in good standing to another to cast their vote on a particular issue or for a particular individual running for office. Proxies must be written and signed by the granting party; are only valid for a designated meeting, and must stipulate the vote to be made. Blanket proxies for unspecified votes or the granting of authority to another member to determine the manner in which a vote should be cast are not permitted.

ARTICLE IV

CLUB DUES

 Section 4.1: Initial Application Fee

An initial application fee shall be $25.00 and is payable upon application for regular and affiliate youth memberships. This shall apply for all membership classifications. The member will receive a new member packet containing, but not limited to:

a. N-TRAK manual

b. Application to N-TRAK

c. Club membership roster

Section 4.2: Annual Dues

The annual dues for regular membership are $20.00. The annual dues for affiliate youth membership are $5.00.  Annual dues are payable during the month of January each year and are considered delinquent not later than the last day of January.  Annual dues may not be accepted after February 15, unless the member has made prior arrangements with any of the elected Club officers. Cash or personal checks are accepted.

ARTICLE V

MEETINGS

Section 5.1: Annual Meeting

The annual meeting is the first business meeting to be held following the start of the fiscal year. Appropriate elections are held and the Club's annual financial report is provided at this meeting.

Section 5.2: Business Meetings

Business meetings are held no less frequently than quarterly to transact Club business. These meetings are normally held at a time and place determined and announced by the Club officers. However, any Club meeting where a quorum exists may be a business meeting.

Section 5.3: Special Meetings

Any regular member may call special meetings to present or conduct special business of the Club. Notification of the meeting to members is required and a quorum is required to conduct Club business.

Section 5.4: Work Sessions

Work sessions are held when necessary to perform tasks or planning to further accomplishment of the Club's goals and/or activities. Each regular and youth club member is required to attend at least one work session per fiscal year to support Club initiatives.   No Club business may be conducted at work sessions lacking a quorum.

ARTICLE VI

GOVERNING BODY

 Section 6.1: Officers

Elections of officers shall occur at the annual meeting of the Club. Nominations shall be accepted from the floor subject to acceptance of the person nominated and, after nominations have been closed, voted upon by the members in good standing present. A majority (more than 50%) of votes taken is necessary for election. Officers may not be selected without their consent. Titles and duties of the officers are:

6.1.1: PRESIDENT

The president shall preside at all business and special meetings. He or she establishes all committees, appoints committee chairpersons, appoints others to handle and coordinate other duties as required, and is a member ex-officio of all committees. The president is responsible for the overall conduct and planning of Club activities.

6.1.2: Treasurer

The treasurer maintains custody, and keeps appropriate records of all Club assets. He or she presents a statement of financial funds and properties to the members at least semi-annually. This office is responsible for the collection of dues and fees, and is responsible for certification of members in good standing. He or she must be bondable and presides at meetings from which the president is absent.

6.1.3: Secretary

The secretary keeps minutes of all Club meetings, and is responsible for notification of Club members regarding meetings and activities. He or she handles Club correspondence, including publicity, maintains attendance records, and is responsible for publishing and distributing changes to Club by-laws and/or rules. The secretary presides at Club meetings from which the president and treasurer are absent.

6.1.3:  Road Superintendent

The Forman of roads is responsible for inspecting and approving the module of all club members for club operations.

6.1.4: Show Coordinator (optional)

The Show Coordinator represents the Club at all shows.  The Show Coordinator is the primary Club Coordinator for any show or event in which the Club is involved. He or she can select assistant coordinator(s) for these events and may delegate any or all Coordinator duties to the assistant(s). The Show Coordinator presides at Club meetings from which the president, treasurer, and secretary are absent.

Section 6.2: Terms of Office

6.2.1: PRESIDENT, TREASURER, AND SECRETARY

Term of office for these officers shall be twenty-four months. Elections will be staggered to prevent a complete change of officers in any one year, by holding elections for president and show coordinator in even-numbered years, and for treasurer and secretary in odd-numbered years.

6.2.2: Show Coordinator and Roads Superintendent

The term of office for the Show Coordinator and Forman of Road shall be 25 months from February 1st of the election year to March 1st of the year in which the term expires.

Section 6.3: Filling Unexpired Terms

In the event an officer resigns his or her position, a special election will be conducted at the first business meeting following notification of the vacancy. The election will follow the stipulations of this article except that the term will be limited to the unexpired duration of the original term held by the resigning officer.

ARTICLE VII

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS

Section 7.1: Rights of Members

Regular members in good standing shall, subject to limitations of membership classification, enjoy the following rights:

a. Voting on Club business.

b. Operation of equipment on the Club modules or layout.

c. Participation in Club activities.

d. Attendance at Club meetings and other functions.

Section 7.2: Responsibilities of Members

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

a. Timely payment of dues as specified.

b. Adherence to Club rules.

c. Regular attendance at Club meetings.

d. Participation in Club activities.

e. Promoting Club goals and activities.

f. Voting on Club business.

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

h. Acceptance and support of Club decisions once established.

i. Cooperation with others.

j. Honesty, integrity, and respect for the rights of other members and guests.

Section 7.3: Application for Membership

Application for membership shall be made by payment of the application fee specified in Club rules, and acceptance of membership shall be after a probation of no longer than two (2) months following application. Acceptance is subject to the applicant's acceptance of the above responsibilities and adherence to Club rules as determined by a majority (more than 50%) of members in good standing.

Section 7.4: Leave Of Absence

Members in good standing may apply to the officers for a leave of absence in advance of the date that it is to commence. Such notice must also include advance notification of the anticipated date of reinstatement.

While in leave of absence status, a member may not hold office or enjoy the privileges of membership and is released from Club Responsibilities outlined in Section 6.2. No dues or fees are required from members on leave of absence.

Section 7.5: Suspension and Dismissal

Members in arrears in payment of dues for three (3) months are automatically suspended. Notification of the suspension is to be communicated to the member and the membership by an officer of the Club. Members in violation of Club rules or who have not fulfilled Responsibilities of members are subject to suspension or dismissal by the Club membership.

Section 7.6: Reinstatement

Reinstatement of dismissed members may be made upon application by the dismissed member, subject to approval of a majority (more than 50%) vote of the Club members in good standing. Qualification for reinstatement is based upon all of the criteria for acceptance of new members. Application for reinstatement must include payment of the smaller amount of either all dues and fees accessed during the period of absence or the amount currently assessed new members.

Members on leave of absence shall be reinstated following adequate notification of the officers of their intention to be reinstated.

Section 7.7: Club Responsibilities

The Club shall accept financial responsibility for property loaned to it, providing consent to the loan has been obtained from the officers in advance of the loan being made. The Club shall not be responsible for:

a. Property of members or visitors left deliberately or inadvertently at Club meetings or activities.

b. Damage caused to the belongings of members or visitors while attending Club meetings or activities which is determined by the officers to have been preventable by diligence on the part of the owner.

ARTICLE VIII

CLUB RULES

The following Club rules are hereby adopted, and are subject to revision by a vote of a majority (more than 50%) of the members in good standing.

Section 8.1: INTOXICANTS

No intoxicants shall be tolerated at any Club function.

Section 8.2: MODULE SPECIFICATIONS

All modules must meet N-TRAK specifications and Club standards as to construction and track placement as well as Club standards as to appearance. Club standards for modules require the following:

a. All exposed non-sceniced surfaces, including the frame, sides, rear of sky board and legs, shall be painted flat black, unless covered by skirting.

b. All surface areas must be fully sceniced to include as a minimum; ballasted roadbed, painted surfaces, and ground foam or other appropriate ground materials.

c. The module must meet Club configuration requirements under N-TRAK standards. These standards require the use of red, yellow, and alternate blue mainline placements, or optionally the use of the "bi-rail" track placement.

d. On club-owned modules and newly constructed member-owned modules, all track, turnouts, and crossovers on mainlines shall be code 80. Track that is not a part of the three primary lines shall be code 80 or less. Modules brought in by new members at the time of their joining the club are allowed to have track codes between 80. An exception shall be requested at application for membership. The owner of such module bears the primary responsibility to ensure that the module can be properly connected to club standard modules.

e. Members must provide 2 "C" clamps and 3 connecting tracks for each module.

f. Acceptance of modules for participation in Club activities and the configuration of modules designated for these activities are the responsibility of the Road Superintendent or the designee appointed by the president.

Exceptions to N-TRAK specifications are allowed for modules having non-standard track placement where they can be installed and operated as a unit with suitable transition to and from Club standard modules.

Section 8.3: ROLLING STOCK

All rolling stock operated on the Club's modules or layout must conform to the Club's published weight, free rolling, and coupling specifications. All engines and cars are subject to inspection by the officers or their designee.

Section 8.4: OPERATING RULES

The following rules shall apply for operation at shows and at Club operating sessions:

a. Club dues must be paid.

b. All members are to assist in preparation and transportation of modules and ancillary equipment to and from shows, including setup and tear-down.

c. No person shall leave their train running or sidetracked unless they have arranged with another operator to watch it.

d. Members' families, visitors, and guests may operate on the Club layout subject to the above restrictions.

e. Modules may not be removed temporarily from the Club layout, or removed early from a show layout, unless provision is made by their owner to make substitution, either by installation of a "bridge" or of another module.

Section 8.5: CLUB NAME TAG

Each member shall wear their name tag.