AMA News

Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/07
Page Numbers: 162,163,164

Announcements, news, and information from the Academy of Model Aeronautics and the elected district representatives.

AMA Executive Council Meeting

April 19, 2008 Muncie, Indiana

The motions below are part of the unofficial minutes of the meeting. Minutes from a given meeting are not official until they are approved at the following quarterly Council meeting. Questions or comments concerning the motions should be addressed to your district vice president.

Motions/Acclamations

It was approved by unanimous acclamation to approve the minutes of the January 26, 2008 Executive Council meeting.
It was approved by unanimous acclamation to accept changing the word "position" to "duties" in the approved changes to Article X Officers, Section 2 of the Bylaws (Motion VII).
It was approved by unanimous acclamation to move forward with the online incident report form.
It was approved by acclamation to accept the E-mail Executive Council poll of the Park Pilot Legal Aircraft Logo Program.

Motion I: Moved by D. Holland (EVP) and seconded by T. Stillman (V) to accept the auditors' report.

Motion passed unanimously.

Motion II: Moved by C. Bauer (VI) and seconded by J. Rice (VIII) to increase the number of recognized holidays for AMA staff to 11 (eleven).

Motion passed: 9 Y; 4 N (EVP, II, III, IV).

Motion III: Moved by C. Bauer (VI) and seconded by B. Nelson (XI) that Council adopt the new Standing Rule relating to Article III Club Officer Coverage.

Motion passed unanimously.

"Club Officers who are designated on the AMA Club Charter form application, or any proper amendment thereto, are provided primary insurance coverage under the AMA General Liability Policy while performing their duties as Club Officers for their AMA Chartered Club."

Motion IV: Moved by C. Bauer (VI) and seconded by B. Nelson (XI) to submit the changes to AMA Bylaws Article III Membership, Section 2(a) to the Leader Members for ratification.

Motion passed unanimously.

Change the first sentence to read: "The Charter provides the local organized group with added insurance protection for the Club, the Club Officers related to their duties as officers, and flying site owners."

Motion V: Moved by T. Stillman (V) and seconded by M. Smith (IX) to submit the changes to AMA Bylaws Article VIII Meetings, Section 2 to the Leader Members for ratification.

Motion passed unanimously.

Change the first sentence to read: "Special Executive Council Meetings may be called by the President, Executive Vice President, any five (5) EC members, or upon written request of 5% of voting members of the Academy."

Motion VI: Moved by C. Bauer (VI) and seconded by B. Nelson (XI) to submit the changes to AMA Bylaws Article IX Nominations and Elections, Section 3 to the Leader Members for ratification.

Motion passed unanimously.

Change the first sentence to read: "To be eligible to discharge the duties of AMA President or Executive Vice President, a nominee must be a Leader Member of the AMA and must previously have served as a member of the Executive Council or Associate Vice President or as a Contest Board member for at least 1 year."

Motion VII: Moved by M. Smith (IX) and seconded by B. Teague (IV) to submit the changes to AMA Bylaws Article X Officers, Section 2 to the Leader Members for ratification.

Motion passed unanimously.

Change the first paragraph to read: "In the event of a vacancy in the position of AMA President during a regular term due to death, incapacity, inactivity, resignation, impeachment or removal from office, the Executive Vice President shall assume the duties of President of the AMA until a special election can be held for a new President so that the newly-elected President would fill out the remaining position time of the Presidency until the next regularly scheduled election."

Motion VIII: Moved by B. Nelson (XI) and seconded by M. Smith (IX) to submit the changes to AMA Bylaws Article X Officers, Section 4 to the Leader Members for ratification.

Motion passed unanimously.

Section 4 to read: "The Executive Vice President is an Officer of the AMA, and will perform such duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Council of the AMA. The Executive Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in the event a vacancy as described in Section 2, until such vacancy is filled at the first Executive Council meeting after the election of the even-numbered District Vice Presidents for a 3-year term. The Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer position is a voluntary Executive Council Board position. The Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer shall serve in accordance with the position description of functions and be subject to minimum qualifications and experience as adopted by the Executive Council."

Motion XI: Moved by C. Bauer (VI) and seconded by B. Brown (III) to submit the changes to AMA Bylaws Article XI Executive Council, Section 2 to the Leader Members for ratification.

Motion passed unanimously.

Section 2 to read: "The Executive Council shall be composed of the President, the eleven District Vice Presidents, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer and an ex-officio member who shall be an Officer of the National Aeronautic Association designated by the NAA. The NAA designee is an ex-officio member who has the right to vote, but shall not be counted in determining if a quorum is present at a meeting. The Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer is a non-voting ex-officio member of the Executive Council. The AMA President shall act as Chairperson of the Executive Council."

Motion XII: Moved by C. Bauer (VI) and seconded by J. Rice (VIII) to accept the report of the Flying Site Grant Committee.

Motion passed unanimously.

Motion XIII: Moved by J. Rice (VIII) and seconded by B. Brown (III) to accept the Scholarship Endowment Fund program as presented April 19, 2008 by the Scholarship Committee.

Motion passed unanimously.

Motion XIV: Moved by B. Brown (III) and seconded by C. Bauer (VI) that AMA builds a pavilion in close proximity to Nats Headquarters with a financial constraint of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); the pavilion will be named The Buso Pavilion.

Motion passed: 12 Y; 1 Abstain (NAA).

Motion XV: Moved by M. Smith (IX) and seconded by G. Fitch (II) that Council engage the services of J. Walcher Communications for a period of 12 months beginning in 2008.

Motion passed unanimously.

Motion XVI: Moved by J. Rice (VIII) and seconded by T. Stillman (V) to accept the report of the Safety Committee.

Motion passed unanimously.

Motion XVII: Moved by C. Bauer (VI) and seconded by R. Hanson (X) to accept the Safety Committee's recommendation to waive—on a provisional basis—the Frequency Sharing Agreement requirements as listed under item 6 in the RC section of the current AMA Safety Code for club(s) operating exclusively on 2.4 GHz. The club(s) must obtain a special wording Certificate of Insurance for each site operating exclusively on 2.4 GHz if a Certificate of Insurance is required by the site owner.

Motion passed: 12 Y; 1 Abstain (NAA).

Motion XVIII: Moved by B. Teague (IV) and seconded by T. Stillman (V) to accept the Executive Director Evaluation Committee's report for the Executive Director evaluation for the period December 4, 2006 to December 31, 2007, to include the recommended adjustments in salary.

Motion passed: 12 Y; 1 Abstain (NAA).

Motion XIX: Moved by R. Hanson (X) and seconded by B. Teague (IV) that Council approve a one-year membership pilot program for the 2008 air show season by which the AMA Air Show Teams offer a ten dollar ($10) 90-day AMA Introductory Membership as an Air Show (at the show only) "Special." To be evaluated for continuation in subsequent air show seasons.

Motion passed unanimously.

Motion XX: Moved by R. Hanson (X) and seconded by B. Teague (IV) to send the disabled membership dues concept to the Membership Committee for further review.

Motion passed unanimously.

Proposed Bylaws Changes/Additions

The AMA Bylaws Committee, as directed by the President and the Executive Council, is responsible for reviewing Bylaws, recommending changes, and preparing written proposed amendments for deliberation by the Executive Council. If the recommended amendments are accepted by a majority vote of the Executive Council, the amendments must then be ratified before adoption by a mail ballot to AMA Leader Members.

An affirmative vote of two-thirds of Leader Members responding within 45 days of issuance of the mail ballot is required to adopt the amendments.

During the April 19, 2008 AMA Executive Council meeting, the Bylaws Committee presented proposed Bylaw amendments for deliberation to the Executive Council. The Bylaw amendments were all unanimously passed and directed by the Executive Council to be submitted to the Leader Members for ratification in Motions III through XI.

The following represents a summary of the motions and the rationale for the recommended changes:

Motion III and IV deal with changes in the Bylaws that will guarantee primary insurance coverage for club officers related to their duties as officers. The insurance industry calls this "vicarious liability" for the acts of others or flying accidents caused by others.
Changes were recommended because the current wording in the Bylaws was too vague and didn't clearly provide for indemnification of club officers.
There is a possibility that coverage might be construed as being secondary or in "excess" to any other applicable coverage, such as homeowner's, and the intent of the AMA and Executive Council was to provide officers with primary liability coverage relating to their duties as officers.

Motions V through XI deal with changes in the Bylaws regarding the duties and responsibilities of the Executive Vice President and the creation of a new AMA Officer position to be titled "Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer." These changes were recommended so the Executive Vice President could assume a new role, more typical of a Vice President, performing duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the President or Executive Council.
This new role would allow the Executive Vice President to work more closely with the President and Executive Council in planning, organizing and implementing programs. The Executive Vice President would be better prepared to assume the duties of the President in the event of a vacancy or to assume some of the ceremonial duties of the President such as attending functions and events that the President may not be able to attend.
The Executive Vice President would no longer be the Chief Financial Officer nor have to monitor and report on the financial affairs of the AMA. The financial aspect of the Executive Vice President's position would now be the responsibility of the new "Chief Financial Officer."
The "Chief Financial Officer" would be appointed by a 3/4 affirmative vote of the Executive Council to a three-year term. The "Chief Financial Officer" would also be a voluntary position.

The table on the following page further details the current Bylaws and the proposed changes. AMA Leader Members have received their ballots and are expected to vote on the proposed changes before the July Executive Council meeting.

-- Andy Argenio Bylaws Committee Chairperson

Motion III

New: Article III, Club Officers

Proposed New Standing Rule: "Club Officers who are designated on the AMA Club Charter form application, or any proper amendment thereto, are provided primary insurance coverage under the AMA General Liability Policy while performing their duties as Club Officers for their AMA Chartered Club."

Motion IV

Article III, Membership 2(a)

Old: The Charter provides the local organized group with added insurance protection for the club, the club officers, and flying site owners.

New: "The Charter provides the local organized group with added insurance protection for the Club, the Club Officers related to their duties as officers, and flying site owners."

Executive Vice President

Bylaw Changes for Executive Vice President:

Motion V

Article VIII, Meetings (2)

(a) The purpose of a Special meeting shall be stated in the call. Except in cases of emergency, as determined by the President, at least 15 days notice shall be given.

New: Add: "Special Executive Council Meetings may be called by the President, Executive Vice President, or by any five (5) EC members, or upon written request of 5% of voting members of the Academy."

Article IX, Nominations and Elections (1)

Keep.

Motion VI

Article IX, Nominations and Elections (3)

Old: To be eligible to discharge the duties of AMA President, a nominee must be a Leader member of the AMA and must previously have served as a member of the Executive Council or as Associate Vice President or as a Contest Board member for at least one year.

New: "To be eligible to discharge the duties of AMA President or Executive Vice President, a nominee must be a Leader Member of the AMA and must previously have served as a member of the Executive Council or Associate Vice President or as a Contest Board Member for at least 1 year."

Motion VII

Article X, Officers Section 2

New: "In the event of a vacancy in the position of AMA President during a regular term due to death, incapacity, inactivity, resignation, impeachment, or removal from office, the Executive Vice President shall assume the duties of President of the AMA until a special election can be held for a new President so that the newly elected President would fill out the remaining position time of the Presidency until the next regularly scheduled election. In the event of a vacancy in the position of AMA Executive Vice President during a regular term due to death, incapacity, inactivity, resignation, impeachment, or removal from office, the Executive Council will appoint an interim Executive Vice President to serve until a special election can be held. The newly elected Executive Vice President will then serve the remaining position time of the current term of the Executive Vice President until the next regularly scheduled election."

Motion VIII

Article X, Officers Section 4

Old: The Executive Vice President shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the AMA, shall monitor the financial and corporate affairs of the AMA, make an annual report to the membership regarding the financial affairs of the AMA; and shall make periodic reports, not less than quarterly, to the Executive Council regarding financial matters of the AMA, and shall assume the duties of the President in the event of a vacancy as described in Section 2, until such vacancy is filled.

New: "The Executive Vice President is an Officer of the AMA, and will perform such duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Council of the AMA. The Executive Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in the event of a vacancy as described in Section 2, until such vacancy is filled and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all of the restrictions upon the President."

Motion IX

Article X, Officers (1)

Add: "Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer"

"The Officers of the AMA shall be a President, an Executive Vice President, a Chief Financial Officer, and a Vice President to represent each of the AMA Districts. Terms of Office for the President, Executive Vice President, and Vice Presidents representing each of the AMA Districts shall be 3 calendar years or until their successors are elected. All terms of office shall begin January 1. The Chief Financial Officer shall be appointed by 3/4 affirmative vote of the Executive Council to a three-year term. In addition, there shall be an Executive Director who shall be selected by a 3/4 affirmative vote of the Executive Council, and who shall serve in accordance with a contract approved by the Executive Council."

Motion X

Article X, Officers (8)

Add: "The Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer of the AMA shall be an Officer of the AMA and a non-voting ex-officio member of the Executive Council. The Chief Financial Officer shall be appointed by a 3/4 affirmative vote of the Executive Council at the first Executive Council meeting after the election of the even-numbered District Vice Presidents for a 3-year term. The Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer position is a voluntary Executive Council Board position. The Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer shall serve in accordance with the position description of functions and be subject to minimum qualifications and experience as adopted by the Executive Council."

Motion XI

Article XI, Executive Council (2)

Old: The Executive Council shall be composed of the President, the eleven District Vice Presidents, Executive Vice President, and an ex-officio member who shall be an officer of the National Aeronautic Association designated by the NAA. The ex-officio member shall have the right to vote, but he shall not be counted in determining if a quorum is present at a meeting. The AMA President shall act as Chairperson of the Executive Council.

New: "The Executive Council shall be composed of the President, the eleven District Vice Presidents, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer and an ex-officio member who shall be an Officer of the National Aeronautic Association designated by the NAA. The NAA designee is an ex-officio member who has the right to vote, but shall not be counted in determining if a quorum is present at a meeting. The Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer is a non-voting ex-officio member of the Executive Council. The AMA President shall act as a Chairperson of the Executive Council."

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.