Fellow Feathers of Fort Funston Hang Gliding Club Bylaws

Revised 7/19/2007

Section 1: The Name of the organization is the "Fellow Feathers of Fort Funston Hang Gliding Club".

Section 2: The purpose of Fellow Feathers is to provide an organization to engage in and improve the sport of hang gliding by:

A. Preserving the Fort Funston/Westlake flying site by working with governmental agencies and private individuals;

B. Promoting safety and providing assistance to all pilots;

C. Improving the public image of the sport; and

D. Holding meetings and activities which promote the exchange of ideas and information among flyers.

Section 1: Fellow Feathers may be affiliated with other organizations of similar purposes that include the USHGA and other hang gliding clubs.

Section 1: Membership is open to anyone interested in the sport of hang glding regardless of race, creed, sex or national origin. Persons will become members after paying the annual dues.

Section 2: There shall be two classes of members, voting and non-voting. Voting members shall be members who have flown hang gliders at Fort Funston for more than 20 hours in the calendar year preceding the year in which they are entitled to vote. All members who are not voting members shall be non-voting members. Voting members may vote on matter of Club business and in Club elections. Non-voting members may not vote on matters of Club business and in Club elections. By majority vote the Executive Committee shall determine whether members are voting or non-voting. In making its determination, the Executive Committee shall consider logs, pilot statements and all other relevant information. By majority vote the Executive Committee may waive the 20-hour flying requirement to allow members who have made contributions to flying at For Funston to become voting members. The Executive Committee shall not waive the flying requirement for more than 3 members at any one time.

Section 1: Monthly Meetings. Meetings are held monthly for the purpose of conducting whatever business is brought before the members. Any change in the usual date, time or location will be posted on the bulletin board prior to each meeting.

Section 2: Quorum. Business at any meting may be conducted by a majority vote of the members present at the meeting.

Section 1: The officers consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Westlake Director, Safety Director and Clubhouse Manager.

Section 2: Duties and Powers. The Executive Committee is the governing body and business administrator of Fellow Feathers. It is responsible for carrying out the purpose of the club. To this end, it may set club fees and sign contracts in the name of Fellow Feathers and control expenditures of the club’s funds, as authorized by the club.

Section 3: Election of Officers. Officers are elected one month after a majority of either the officers or the members request an election, but no longer than one year after the last election. A roster of nominees is posted on the bulletin board prior to the election. Final candidates may be nominated at the election meeting prior to the voting for each office. All candidates for office must be members of Fellow Feathers. Elections are decided by a simple majority of the club members present at the election meeting. The term of office is variable. Vacancies in any office during the term are filled by a vote of the members present at a monthly meeting without the one-month notice.

Section VI: Responsibilities of Officers. All officers are required to attend the monthly meetings.

1. President provides leadership and direction to the club. The President presides at all meetings, appoints committees as needed, signs contracts in the name of the club as authorized by the members and generally manages the activities of the club.
2. Vice President has all the powers and responsibilities of the President in the absence or disability of the President. The Vice President manages and oversees the disbursement and collection of the sticker package.
3. Secretary keeps the minutes of the club meetings, submits minutes at next meeting and prepares any documents needed.
4. Treasurer manages the receipt and disbursement of club funds.
5. Westlake Director manages the Westlake Sticker program.
6. Safety Director provides and collects USHGA accident report forms from pilots having accident in the Fort Funston/Westlake flying area that involves significant injures to the pilot or glider damage over $250.00. Safety Director is responsible for investigating complaints against other pilots.
7. Clubhouse Manager maintains records of those with keys and displays a current list in the clubhouse. The Clubhouse Manager provides access to the clubhouse when space is available, collects money for membership and storage and turns the money over to the Treasurer.

Section 1: Special Committees may be appointed by the President at any time deemed necessary to carry out specific responsibilities. Any committee actions, including Executive Committee that affects the club members in general must be submitted to the members for approval at a club meeting.

Section 2: Executive Committee shall meet at any time that reasonable notice is given to Executive Committee members for the purpose of conducting emergency business that should not wait for the next regular meeting or for the purpose of discussing a disciplinary problem. Executive Committee meetings may be open or closed as the situation dictates. A report of all Executive Committee meeting will be given by the President at the next regular meeting.

Section 1: An officer may be removed from office for cause by a majority vote of the members present at two consecutive meetings. The officer shall have an opportunity at the meetings to present a defense.

Section 1: The fiscal year is from October 1 to September 30.

Section 1: For violating Fort Funston or generally accepted rules and conduct, a pilot’s or a member’s flying and other club privileges may be suspended accordingly:

1. For up to 7 day by an club officer;
2. For longer than 7 days, by a majority vote of the Executive Committee members present at an Executive Committee meeting at which at least one witness to the violation or offenses testifies and at which the accused pilot has the following rights:
1. Notice of violation;
2. Notice of hearing;
3. Name of witnesses to violation;
4. Opportunity to questions witnesses;
5. Opportunity to be heard; and
6. Opportunity to produce witnesses.

Section 2: A disciplinary action imposed by the Executive Committee may bemodified only by the Executive Committee.

Section 1: These bylaws may be amended by an affirmative vote of two thirds of the members present at two consecutive club meetings. Notice of the proposed amendment must be posted on the clubhouse door prior to the meetings.