Statute
Malta Model Aircraft Flying Association
(2011 update)
1. Name
1.1 The name of the Association shall be the Malta Model Aircraft Flying Association herein after called the MMAFA or the Association.
2. Definition
2.1 The Malta Model Aircraft Flying Association is a non-profitable Association of people who as a hobby enjoy building and/or flying model aircraft for pleasure and for participation in competitive events.
3. Aims
3.1 The aims of the Association are to foster friendship and understanding between model aircraft enthusiasts, young and old alike and also to promote a general interest in aviation especially the acquisition of a more intimate knowledge of the physics of flight, model aircraft engines, electronics and the operation of radio control equipment.
4. Legal Representation
4.1 The legal representation for the Association shall be vested upon the incumbent President.
5. Membership
5.1 Persons over 18 years of age may join the Association as Full members.
5.2 Persons under 18 years may join as Junior members.
5.3 New applicants shall be seconded by two Committee members.
5.4 The Committee has the right to refuse applications without giving reasons.
5.5 The Committee or members may from time to time propose that Full Members be given Honorary Membership.
5.6 The categories of membership are as follows:
- Honorary members
- Full members
-Junior members
6. Administration
6.1 The Association shall be governed by a Committee (also called the Council) elected by its members every year as set out in article 8.0
6.2 The Committee shall consist of the following:
- A President
- A Vice-President
- A Secretary
- A Treasurer
- A Public Relations Officer
- Two members
7. Sub-Committees
7.1 The Committee may delegate work to sub-committees consisting of two or more full members, not necessarily Committee members.
8. Independent Competitions Commission
8.1 The Committee is to nominate an independent Commission for each competition and the members of the Commission cannot take part in that competition.
9. Elections
9.1 Unless there is a vote of no confidence in the Committee, there shall be one election every year during a General Meeting.
9.2 If during an election a tie between nominated members exists, a vote shall be taken to establish who is to sit on the Committee.
9.3 The President shall be elected by a majority vote during elections.
10. Nominations
10.1 No member can be nominated for election to the Committee if the said member forms part of the committee of any other modelling club. Likewise, no Committee member can seek election on the committee of any other modelling club.
10.2 A member can only be nominated to sit on the Committee if he has been a Full Member for at least two consecutive years.
10.3 Those members of the committee whose term of office has expired may be nominated again to serve a further term.
11. Complaints
11.1 A member who has any complaint shall inform the Committee in writing, and the matter will be brought up during the following Committee meeting.
11.2 When a member makes a protest to the Committee, the member has the right to be present when the protest is discussed at the Committee meeting.
11.3 For disputes arising during or after competitive events, an independent Commission of three members acceptable to both or all parties is to be nominated by the Committee to seek a just solution. The Commission's decision shall be final and binding.
12. Absenteeism
12.1 Every Committee member shall do his utmost to attend all meetings.
12.2 A Committee member who for valid reasons cannot attend a Committee meeting must inform the Secretary in advance. His apologies for absence will be recorded in the minutes book.
12.3 A Committee member who for invalid reasons is absent from three consecutive Committee meetings may be replaced by a newly elected member.
13. Resignations
13.1 If any Committee member wishes to resign, then he must submit his resignation in writing to the President or the Secretary.
13.2In the event of resignations, a new Committee member will be appointed in the order of the number of votes obtained in the previous election. Should not such members be available, the committee shall exercise the right of co-opting a member of the association who is fully paid up and has been a member for at least 2 consecutive years or is an honorary member.
14. Committee meetings
14.1 These shall be held as and when required but not less than four times annually.
14.2 The Secretary shall keep a record of the minutes of every meeting and this record shall be read by the Secretary for approval by the Committee at the next meeting. If the secretary is absent, another Committee member nominated by the members present may take his place.
15. Other meetings
15.1 An Annual General Meeting must be held every year either in January or February. At this meeting the Treasurer shall present his report audited by two members appointed during the previous AGM. An up-to-date inventory of the Association's material assets shall also be presented.
15.2 An Extraordinary General meeting may be held at any time following a call by any member having the backing of at least one third of the members.
15.3 An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called at any time by the Committee provided that the Secretary or his substitute mails the notice to all members at least seven days before the meeting.
16. Quorum
16.1 A quorum for Committee meetings shall consist of at least four members. The President or Vice-President must be present.
16.2 A quorum for General Meetings shall consist of 20 members including the members of the Committee.
17. Membership Fees
17.1 Honorary members shall not pay any membership fees.
Full members shall pay an annual fee of Euro 45
Senior members shall pay an annual fee of Euro 30
Junior members shall pay an annual fee of Euro 30
Family (more than one member from the same family, like father and son) shall pay an annual fee of Euro 65
Non flying members shall pay an annual fee of Euro 20.
17.2 New members, irrespective of category, shall pay an enrolment fee of Euro20.
17.3 Fees must be paid by the end of February.
17.4 Fees include insurance cover for third party risks at Ta' Qali. Members not paying their fee by the end of February will have their membership terminated.
17.5The Committee reserves the right to alter these fees if the need arises after approval by a General Meeting.
17.6 Only new members may be enrolled on a quarterly pro-rata basis during a current calendar year
18. Finance
18.1 The Treasurer shall keep an up-to-date record of all income and expenditure incurred by the Association.
18.2 All the expenses incurred by the Association must have the approval of the Committee.
19. Rules
19.1 The Committee has the power to issue rules from time to time and every member must abide by these rules. Any rules so made must be communicated by circular to all members and every new member shall be given a copy by the secretary.
19.2 Every Committee member shall have the power to stop any member from flying at Ta' Qali if the latter's actions or equipment create a hazard to other members and the public.
19.3 The Committee is also empowered to suspend the membership of any member should circumstances so dictate.
19.4 Unless so suspended, a member is entitled to insurance coverage in the event of a claim and the Committee shall afford all assistance to support the claim.
20. Operation of R/C Equipment
20.1 No member shall be allowed to operate R/C equipment at Ta' Qali on the radio frequencies specified unless he is licensed to do so by the Chief Inspector of Wireless Telegraphy.
21. Limitation of use of site
21.1 The association has the lease from the Government of Malta of the flying site at Ta' Qali. The association binds itself not to make use of the site for any activity other than aeromodelling. Third parties will not be permitted to make use of the site for any activity whatsoever.
22. Dissolution
22.1 In the event of dissolution of the Association, all the property of the Association without any exception shall be liquidated and the proceeds distributed equally among all paid members.
23. Statute
23.1 A copy of the statute shall be given to every member of the Association.
23.2 For further details regarding procedures, the book "ABC of Chairmanship" by Lord Citrine shall apply.
24. Statute Amendments
24.1 The Statute may be amended only at Annual or Extraordinary General Meetings provided that two-thirds majority of the members present is obtained.
24.2 Proposed amendments are to be submitted in writing to the Secretary at least 14 days before the AGM.
24.3 In the event that an Extraordinary Meeting is called in order to change the Statute the proposed change is to be submitted along with the signed request by the proposer/s and one third of thepaid up members.