THE FORMATION OF MODEL CLUBS
To form a model aëroplane club at least six interested persons are necessary. As soon as a place in which to hold meetings has been decided upon the club should proceed to elect a director whose duty should be to manage the affairs of the club. One of the first things to be considered is the name under which the club will operate; the custom is usually to adopt the name of the town or city in which the club is located, viz.: Concord Model Aëro Club, Concord, Massachusetts, although it is the privilege of the majority of the members to choose a name such as they might feel will best benefit the purpose for which the club was organized. As in the case of the Aëro Science Club of America, this club was formed for the purpose of stimulating interest in model aëronautics and to help those who might become interested therein, not only in New York City but throughout the entire United States.
When the matter of name and place has been settled the club should decide upon the course it is to follow, first by electing officers and second by preparing a constitution and by-laws. In the case of clubs whose membership does not comprise more than six members, it does not seem desirable to have more than one officer, namely, a director, who might perform the duties of a president, treasurer and secretary until the club has reached a larger membership. In this way the members are enabled to concentrate upon the construction and flying of models and to engage in such other activities as to carry out the purpose for which the club was organized. However, the foregoing is merely a suggestion on the part of the writer, who by the way is a member of the Aëro Science Club of America and formerly acted in the capacity of secretary to that club.
Clubs whose membership totals more than twelve, however, should proceed to elect a President, Treasurer and Secretary, all of whom must receive a vote of at least two-thirds of the membership. With clubs of this size a director is not needed as the affairs of the club are usually entrusted with the governing officers, the President, Treasurer and Secretary. In as much as the constitution and by-laws are an important factor in the affairs of any model club, the governing officers, before mentioned, should hold a private meeting at the earliest moment whereat to frame a constitution and set of by-laws embodying the purposes and policy of the club. When the proposed constitution and by-laws are completed they should be presented to the members for approval after which a copy should be given to every member.
The following is a specimen of constitution and by-laws that might be used by any person or persons desiring to form a Model Aëro Club:
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF A MODEL AËROPLANE CLUB
Article 1. Name. The name of this club will be known as The .......... Model Aëro Club.
Purpose. The object of this club shall be to study and increase the interest in the science of aëronautics in every way possible and to realize this object, shall construct and fly model aëroplanes, gliders and man carrying machines.
Further, Contests shall be held for model aëroplanes and prizes awarded to the winners thereof. And as a further step in the advancement of this art, meetings, lectures, discussions, debates and exhibitions will be held.
Article 2. Membership. Any person may become a member of this club provided his application receives the unanimous approval of the majority of members, or is passed upon by the membership committee. A member may resign his membership by written communication to the secretary who shall present it to the membership committee to be passed upon.