====== Cincinnati Northern Model Railroad Club, Inc. ======
===== By-Laws =====
====ARTICLE I - MEMBERSHIP====
===SECTION 1.===
Regular Active Membership shall be as defined in [[constitution#consII1A|Article II, Section 1A ]] of the Constitution,
and such other provisions of these By-Laws as may apply. (Revised March 1977)
===SECTION 2.===
Junior Active Membership shall be as defined in ,[[constitution#consII1B| Article II Section 1B]] of the Constitution and such
other provisions of these By-Laws as may apply. In addition, Junior Members must obtain and
maintain the sponsorship of a Regular Active Member and must submit, prior to election to
membership, a statement of responsibility signed by their parent or guardian accepting responsibility
for all actions of the Junior Member while on Club property or while engaged anywhere on a Club
sponsored project. In addition, Junior Members can obtain a key to the club with the approval of the
Board of Directors. (Revised January 1995)
===SECTION 3.===
As a requisite for maintenance of Regular Active or Junior Active membership in good standing, all
such members will be required to participate in not less than three-fourths, (3/4), of all sanctioned
club activities during a calendar year. This three-fourths, (3/4), rule does not apply when a written
letter of intent stating the member will be absent for a specific period of time is given to the Member-
At-Large for action by the Board of Directors. All other conditions of the By-laws must also be met.
(Revised January 1995)
===SECTION 4.===
Inactive Members shall attain inactive status as follows:
A. The member shall apply to the Board of Directors for Inactive Status in writing, fully
explaining the reasons for the request. (Revised January 1995)
B. The Board of Directors shall consider the request based upon compelling reasons such
as extended absence, illness, interference with job responsibilities, but not limited to
the foregoing. (Revised March 1977)
C. If, in the opinion of the Board of Directors the request is warranted, and by surrendering
all club property and by paying all outstanding debt to the club, the Board of Directors
may grant Inactive Status for a period not exceeding two, (2), years. Any request for
extension beyond that period shall be approved by a majority of voting members. A
person on Inactive Status who does not return to Active Status on or before expiration
of his granted inactivity, shall be considered to have voluntarily resigned. Failure of an
Inactive member to maintain their financial obligations to the Club, as defined
elsewhere herein, shall constitute cause for involuntary termination of membership.
(Revised January 2002)
D. Members in Inactive Status may not hold office. (Revised March 1977)
===SECTION 5.===
Honorary members, as defined in [[constitution#consII1D|Article 11, Section 1D]], of the Constitution may not hold any office
in the Club. (Revised March 1977)
===SECTION 6.===
Associate Members, as defined in [[constitution#consII1E|Article II, Section 1E]] of the Constitution, may not hold any office
in the Club. They will be required to participate in some organized activity or project of the Club to
the extent of a minimum often, (10), times a year. This may include any activity such as meetings,
work sessions, field trips, etc., but not limited to the foregoing. They may not participate in more than
one half, (1/2), of all Club activities without qualifying for and applying for Active Membership.
(Revised March 1977)
===SECTION 7.===
Total Active (Regular, Junior, Probationary Regular, and Probationary Junior) membership in the
Club shall be limited to thirty, (30), persons. This provision shall not act to prevent the reinstatement
of Associate or Inactive Members, but no new Active memberships shall be created while the total
remains at thirty or more persons. (Revised June 1989)
====ARTICLE II- PROCESSING OF NEW MEMBERS====
===SECTION 1.===
Persons interested in joining the Club shall contact the Board of Directors and complete a written
application for membership. Upon approval of the application by the Board of Directors, each
candidate for Regular Active, Associate or Junior Active membership will be required to undergo a
probationary period of six, (6), months. This period shall extend from date of approval by the Board
of Directors to the first regular or special meeting following the end of the probationary period. This
candidate will pay regular dues during their probationary period as stated in [[by_laws#section_12|Article Ill, Section 1]].
(Revised January 2002)
===SECTION 2.===
Following application and review by the Board of Directors, each approved candidate for Junior
Active Membership shall be required to undergo a probationary period of six (6) months. The period
shall extend from the time of acceptance by the Board of Directors to the first regular or special
meeting after the end of the probationary period. The Candidate will pay dues during their
probationary period as stated in Article Ill, Section I. (Revised January 1995)
===SECTION 3.===
Upon completion of the probationary period for candidates, the Board of Directors shall recommend
acceptance or rejection of the Candidate. An election shall be held as described elsewhere herein.
(Revised March 1977)
===SECTION 4.===
In the event of rejection of the Candidate, all fees paid by the candidate during the probationary
period shall be refunded. (Revised January 1995)
===SECTION 5.===
An Initiation Fee of Ten Dollars, ($10.00), plus Five Dollars, ($5.00), Badge charge shall be due and
payable within Thirty, (30), days upon election to membership in Active categories; An initiation fee
of Five Dollars, ($5.00), in Associate Categories. An Active Spouse Member pays an initiation fee of
$6.75 (about 2/3), plus the Badge Charge. (Revised June 1989)
===SECTION 6.===
Conferring of active membership shall be subject to all other applicable provisions of these By-Laws.
(Revised March 1977)
===SECTION 7.===
At the discretion and recommendation of the Board of Directors, a motion may be entertained, subject
to approval of the voting members, for the extension of the probationary period of any person, for a
term not to exceed the length of one original term. (Revised November 1997)
===SECTION 8. ===
A member who resigns in good standing may be readmitted without the probationary period upon
application to and recommendation by the Board of Directors and subsequent approval by a
two-thirds, (2/3), vote of voting members present at the first regular or special meeting following the
application. The member will be required to pay the Ten Dollar, ($10.00), initiation fee. All previous
months of regular active membership in good standings shall count toward eligibility for elected office.
The number of months of previous regular active membership will be declared at the time of
reinstatement. (Revised November 1997)
===SECTION 9.===
A member who has been dismissed for cause may be readmitted upon application to and approval
by the Board of Directors, settlement of all outstanding obligations to the Club, if any, and by
compliance with the provisions applicable to new members described above. They may not be
readmitted under provisions of Section 8 above. (Revised November 1997)
===SECTION 10.===
A Junior Active Member shall automatically become a Regular Active Member on attaining their
eighteenth birthday. (Revised January 1995)
====ARTICLE III - FEES ====
===SECTION 1.===
All Members shall pay a dues fee per month. Regular Active dues is Twenty Dollars, ($20.00), and
Junior Active dues is one-half, (1/2), of the Regular Active Member's dues. Fees may be paid in
advance. (Revised March 1, 2022)
===Section 2. ===
Inactive Members shall pay a fee of one-half, (1/2), of one, (1), month of the Regular Active Member's
dues annually payable in advance of granting of such status, and on the anniversary of same. See
[[by_laws#section_4|Article 1, Section 4C]]. (Revised March 1, 2022)
===SECTION 3.===
Associate Members shall pay a dues fee of one-half, (1/2), of the regular dues per month. Fees may
be paid in advance. See Article I, Section 4C. (Revised January 2002)
====ARTICLE IV - TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP====
=== SECTION 1. ===
Any member may voluntarily terminate their membership in good standing by stating their intentions
in writing to the Board of Directors, surrendering all assigned keys and club property, and by paying
all outstanding debt to the Club. (Revised November 1997)
=== SECTION 2. ===
If, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, and a majority of the voting members, a member, of any
class, carelessly, or willfully, neglects to perform their duties and/or maintain their responsibilities
toward the Club and other members, then, upon passage of a resolution to this effect, said member
shall be formally notified, in writing, of dereliction. A second determination of status shall be made at
the end of one month following the notification. If, at that time, a two-thirds (2/3) majority of voting
members determines that the offending member has not improved their ways, their membership is
terminated. (Revised November 1997)
==== ARTICLE V - VOTING ====
=== SECTION 1. ===
A regular active member in good standing is eligible to vote when dues are in arrears no more than
one, (1), month. See [[by_laws#section_3|Article I, Section 3]]. (Revised January 2002)
==== ARTICLE VI- DUTIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS and MEMBER-AT-LARGE ====
=== SECTION 1. ===
Elected Officer Eligibility is as follows:
A. After being in the club as a regular active member for a period of three, (3), years one
will be eligible to run for any office. (January 1995)
B. Candidates for President, Vice President, Treasurer and Member-at-Large must have
served in an appointed capacity (i.e. Superintendent or as Secretary) for a period of
one calendar year before election. (January 1995)
=== SECTION 2. ===
The President will be the principle Executive Officer of the Club, and its spokesman. The President
will enforce the Constitution, By-Laws, and other rules of this Club, either directly, or through elected
or appointed subordinates, shall announce decisions of the Board of Directors, both administrative,
and with respect to Club operations, create special committees as the need arises, insure that all
officers perform their duties, and assist them with advice as applicable, and to conduct all business
meetings. (Revised November 1997)
=== SECTION 3. ===
The Vice-President will assume the duties and responsibilities of the President in the absence of the
latter, and shall perform such other duties as the President from time to time may direct. The
Vice-President shall serve as the Program Chairman for the Club, shall maintain a permanent record
of all gifts and donations to the Club. (Revised January 2002)
=== SECTION 4. ==
The Secretary will keep permanent minutes of all regular and special business meetings, in triplicate;
one copy for the President, one copy for the permanent record and one to post on the club bulletin
board. After five, (5), calendar years or at the end of the secretary's term, whichever comes first, all
meeting minutes are to be given to the Club Historian for permanent safe keeping. The Secretary
will publish and distribute Club rosters, the Constitution and By-Laws, and ensure that each member
has a copy and will prepare all official correspondence of the Club. (Revised January 2002)
=== SECTION 5. ===
The Treasurer will be responsible for the collection and safekeeping of all monies. The Treasurer will
promptly notify all members who fall behind more than one month in payment of dues. This officer
will prepare and present a quarterly financial report to the Club and issue payment for all purchases
made under authority of these By-Laws. (Revised January 2002)
=== SECTION 6. ===
The Member-at-Large represents the general membership at Board of Directors Meetings. This
officer keeps attendance and status records of the general membership, accepts and processes new
membership applications, as well as notifications of intent to go inactive etc. (January 1995)
=== SECTION 7. ===
The Board of Directors will make all decisions pertaining to the operation of the Club, discipline,
relationships to other persons and organizations, and all other actions normally applicable to a
governing Board of Directors when the Club is not in business session as a Committee of the Whole.
The greater part of the responsibility for the welfare of the organization is reposed in this group of
officers. The Board of Directors will have the duty to appoint all superintendents except the General
Superintendent. (Revised November 1997)
=== SECTION 8. ===
Whenever the Board of Directors meet, notes shall be taken of the meeting and posted on the bulletin
board for thirty, (30), days, after which they will become notes of the next Regularly Scheduled
Quarterly Business Meeting. (Revised January 1995)
==== ARTICLE VII- DUTIES OF APPOINTED OFFICERS ====
=== SECTION 1. ===
The General Superintendent will be responsible for the overall performance of the organization as a
Model Railroad, both in construction and operating phases. The General Superintendent will directly
supervise the Division, Branch, and Staff Superintendents in the performance of their duties and will
be in over-all control during operating sessions. (Revised January 1995)
=== SECTION 2. ===
The Division and Branch Superintendents will be responsible for the entire area under their control
and will prepare, plan, construct and maintain trackage, scenery and other salient features of the
layout. They will maintain current work assignments for all members under their control and will take
steps to insure satisfactory performance of work. They are responsible that their areas will be in
ready condition for all operating sessions. (Revised March 1977)
=== SECTION 3. ===
The Rolling Stock Superintendent will insure that the Club's rolling stock is maintained in good
operating order. The Rolling Stock Superintendent will be responsible for acceptance of all stock
donated to the Club, and that it meets all standards. Will assemble, or cause to be assembled, the
establishment and maintenance of Club rolling stock paint schemes and lettering. (Revised January
1995)
=== SECTION 4. ===
The Motive Power Superintendent will inspect and test each locomotive to be operated on the club
layout certifying that said locomotive meets the minimum requirements of the club. The Motive Power
Superintendent will have the power to approve or reject an engine for operation and that decision is
final. The motive power superintendent will maintain a roster of approved engines, will ensure that
each member has at least one approved locomotive, and will issue Cincinnati Northern Locomotive
roster numbers to member owned Cincinnati Northern Locomotives. No locomotive may be placed
on the layout for an operating session without approval from the motive power superintendent.
(Revised January 1995)
=== SECTION 5. ===
The Structure Superintendent will be responsible for the planning, construction, and maintenance of
structures. No structure may be constructed without approval from the structure superintendent.
Structures may not be placed on the layout without inspection by and approval from the Structure
Superintendent. (Revised March 1977)
=== SECTION 6. ===
The Board of Directors shall have the right to appoint, as needed, such other Staff Superintendents
as may be needed to carry out the functions of building and operating the Club layout. (Revised
November 1997)
==== ARTICLE VIII - IMPEACHMENT ====
=== SECTION 1. ===
Any elected officer may, for cause, be impeached and removed from office. If, in the opinion of a
majority of voting members an officer is negligent, or willfully fails to perform appointed duty, the
officer may be withdrawn in the following manner. The majority shall adopt a resolution to the effect
that the officer fails to perform duties satisfactorily and shall promptly notify the officer in writing, of
their action. If, after a period of one month, the majority of voting members decides that the officer
has not improved performance a second majority vote shall remove that office from office. Action
under this Article shall not prevent a member from being expelled under provisions of Article IV of
these By-Laws, if such action is merited in addition to impeachment. (Revised January 1995)
==== ARTICLE IX - PURCHASES ====
=== SECTION 1. ===
The Board of Directors, acting on its own responsibility, shall have the authority to authorize
purchases in value up to One Hundred Twenty-Five Dollars ($125.00) without prior approval.
(Revised August 2015)
=== SECTION 2. ===
Superintendents shall have authority to authorize purchases of construction and maintenance
supplies to the value of Twenty-Five Dollars, ($25.00), without prior approval. (Revised July 1997)
=== SECTION 3. ===
All single purchases in excess of the values stated in Sections 1 and 2 above shall be made only
upon approval of a majority of voting members. (Revised March 1977)
==== SECTION 4. (Added December 7, 2021) ===
Unless so authorized by the Board of Directors, and approved by membership, no Officer, agent or
employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement
or to pledge its credit or render it liable for any purpose or to any amount.
A. Contracts - The Board may authorize any Officer or Officers, agent or agents, in addition to
those specified in these By-Laws, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any
instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, as contract or instrument has
been approved by the membership, and such authority may be general or confined to
specific instances as approved by membership.
B. Investments - The funds of the Corporation may be retained in whole or in part in cash or
be invested and reinvested from time to time in such property, real, personal or otherwise,
or stocks, bonds or other securities, by the Board of Directors, as approved by the
membership, as may deem desirable, and such authority may be general or confined to
specific instances as approved by membership.
==== ARTICLE X - CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE ====
=== SECTION 1. ===
No member shall operate or handle equipment and other property belonging to another member
without prior approval, excepting that the placing of locomotives and rolling stock on the layout in
preparation for operating sessions shall constitute implied permission to operate same in a
responsible manner. (Revised March 1977)
=== SECTION 2. ===
Members, by accepting such status, indicate willingness to observe all rules and regulations of the
Club, and to conduct themselves in a responsible and acceptable manner while on the Club
premises, or while engaged in a Club activity elsewhere. Gross infraction of the letter or spirit of this
provision shall constitute grounds for punitive action by the Board of Directors against the offending
member, including, but not confined to fines and/or suspension. Continued disregard for the safety
or sensibilities of members shall constitute ground for action under [[by_laws#section_23|Article IV, Section 2]], of these
By-Laws. (Revised November 1997)
=== SECTION 3. ===
No member shall make any major modifications of the layout without prior approval of the Board of
Directors. No member shall make any change that will remove a portion of the layout from operating
status without prior approval of the Superintendent. (Revised November 1997)
=== SECTION 4. ===
Members shall at all times practice care in their treatment of the physical facilities of the Club rooms,
which are not Club property. The last person off the premises during any session is responsible for
turning off lights, heat, layout 110V outlet power, and disconnecting any device that might cause a
fire if left unattended, and appropriately locking all required facilities. (Revised January 1995)
=== SECTION 5. ===
Members are responsible for the conduct of any guests they may bring to the premises. (Revised
March 1977)
=== SECTION 6. ===
Only Regular Active Members shall be entrusted with keys to the Club rooms, however, this privilege
may be extended to Associate Members, on an individual basis, at the discretion of the Board of
Directors. (Revised November 1997)
==== ARTICLE XI- MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS ====
=== SECTION 1. ===
Each Regular Active Member, within six, (6), month of their election, shall permanently donate to the
Club one of the following:
1) Twenty Dollars, ($20.00), in cash,
2) Five, (5), pieces of rolling stock,
3) An equivalent value in structure(s),
4) Any combination of the preceding with its approved equivalent.
The member shall consult the Rolling Stock or Structure Superintendent prior to making donations
and shall not make a donation without prior approval. Active spouse members are to be exempted
from having to donate the above. (Revised January 1995)
=== SECTION 2. ===
Each Associate member, within six, (6), months of their election, shall permanently donate to the
Club one of the item(s) as mentioned in [[by_laws#section_110|Article XI, Section 1.]] (Revised January 1995)
=== SECTION 3. ===
Each Associate member applying for their first Active Membership is required to pay the difference
in Initiation fee between an active membership and an associate membership. Additionally, they will
meet with the six, (6), month obligations of a regular active member with regards to [[by_laws#section_110|Article XI, Section 1.]] (Revised January 1995)
==== ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS ====
=== SECTION 1. ===
These By-Laws may be amended at any meeting of the Club by a two-thirds, (2/3), vote of the voting
members present. (Revised March 1977)
The Cincinnati Northern By-Laws
Model Railroad Club, Inc. Revised March 2022