Chapter Bylaws

 

  • 1) Purpose: The purpose of AHS International is to engage in educational and scientific activities, consistent with the non-profit requirements of section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, that advance the theory and practices of the science of vertical flight aircraft. The AHS South Florida Chapter seeks to support this by promoting vertical flight technology within its geographic area.

    2) Scope: The scope of AHS South Florida Chapter activities includes the following:

    • Sponsor events to provide local members with an opportunity to listen to speakers on a variety of topics in the field of vertical flight and to meet and interact with fellow AHS members.

    • Join together members of diverse backgrounds, including engineers, pilots, technicians, educators, students, and operators who all have a common interest in rotorcraft and V/STOL technology.

    • Provide the Lichten technical paper competition as a means for younger members to gain experience and visibility in the field.

    • Provide an Awards Program to recognize local members for their achievements in the field of vertical flight.

    • Conduct activities that promote education, such as supporting the Vertical Flight Foundation (VFF) and other college and pre-college efforts.

    • Other activities deemed appropriate by the South Florida Chapter members and Executive Board that further the purposes of the AHS in accordance with these bylaws and the bylaws of AHS International.

  • Any individual residing within its geographic boundaries is eligible for membership in the AHS South Florida Chapter. Members are generally assigned to the chapter in which they reside when they join AHS or update their mailing preferences. The Southern Regional Vice President may redefine the geographic area as new chapters may be established or disestablished within the region. The boundaries currently include South Florida, from Orlando to Key West.

    There are different types of membership with membership dues set by the AHS Headquarters.

    Both members and nonmembers are welcome at events sponsored by the AHS South Florida Chapter; however, cost of participation may depend on membership status.

    The South Florida Chapter is prohibited from charging local dues.

  • The South Florida Chapter will be governed by an Executive Board consisting of the following officers, who have voting power at all meetings:

    • President - (2 year term, July 1st to June 30th, even years) Term is a two-year position. The President, as the chief officer of the South Florida Chapter, shall preside over all Officer and Chapter Meetings, and determine the order of business for meetings of the Chapter. The President shall execute all written instruments or documents of an official character. Supervises the affairs of the chapter, appoints standing and special committees as required, chairs meetings of the Executive Board, submits reports as required.

    • Vice President - (2 year term, July 1st to June 30th, even years) Term is a two-year position. The VP shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence. The VP shall monitor business throughout the year to ensure it is in accordance with the AHS International guidelines. The VP shall maintain a record of other-than-cash assets that belong to the Chapter.

    • Technical / Program Director - (2 year term, July 1st to June 30th, even years) - selects dates for Chapter meetings and technical programs, arranges for speakers, meetings locations, and audio-visual requirements, informs Historian / Publicity Chair of meeting details, makes arrangements for refreshments as appropriate, sends letters of thanks to speakers.

    • Secretary - (2 year term, July 1st to June 30th, even years) - Records and issues minutes of all meetings of the Executive Board, retains a permanent record of meeting minutes for the current year and all previous years, submits reports of Chapter activities to the Regional Vice President and AHS International headquarters as required.

    • Treasurer - (2 year term, July 1st to June 30th, even years) - Keeps records of Chapter financial activities, submits reports to the Executive Board, the Regional Vice President, and AHS International headquarters as required, handles Chapter's financial obligations for trips, speaker expenses, etc. At dinner meetings, collects dinner fees, pays restaurant, and keeps record of attendance.

    • Directors (maximum 5) - (1 year term, July 1st to June 30th) - Provide advice, counsel, and support for Chapter activities. Carry out special assignments as requested by the Chapter President.

    • Past President - Provides continuity of leadership through advice, counsel, and support for Chapter activities.

    In addition, the following Committee Chairs (non-voting positions) serve on the Executive Board:

    • Historian / Publicity Chair - Prepares notices of Chapter activities, sends these to AHS International for distribution, arranges for special mailings as required, posts notices at appropriate locations, keeps a permanent record of publicity notices, contacts press and photographers when appropriate. Provides AHS International headquarters with information on Chapter activities for use in membership-wide publications. Maintains historical record of Chapter Activities.

    • Membership Chair - Promotes activities to enroll new members in AHS, encourages current members to maintain their active status and to participate in Chapter activities, checks lists of those registering for Chapter trips and meetings for current membership status when necessary. Coordinates with AHS International Director of Membership.

    • Lichten Award Chair - Handles all activities associated with the annual Lichten Award competition.

    • Webmaster - Responsible for maintaining and monitoring AHS Chapter Website and Social Media.

    Election Procedures and Terms of Office

    • The Chapter President will appoint a Chair and a Nominating Committee by April 1 of each year to nominate officers for the succeeding year. The Chapter President will serve on this committee, and the Chair of the Nominating Committee may appoint additional committee members.

    • The Nominating Committee will submit for approval to the Executive Board by April 15, a slate of officers, directors, and Committee Chairs for the Chapter. The Nominating Committee will obtain the consent of each person nominated.

    • Upon approval of the nominees by the Executive Board, a ballot will be sent to all Chapter members. Space will be provided on the ballot for write-in candidates for each office. The ballots will be sent no later than May 1, with a deadline for return of no more than 30 days. The deadline will be established by the Executive Board.

    • The winner of the election for each position will be the candidate receiving the majority of the valid votes cast for that position.

    • All members of the Chapter will be notified of the results of the election within 30 days of the deadline for return of ballots.

    • The terms of office shall be two years, beginning on July 1.

    • Vacancies will be filled by the election of a replacement by the Executive Board.

    • Any elected position is restricted to two consecutive terms.

  • The South Florida Chapter will conduct all operations in keeping with the AHS International bylaws.

    • The Chapter may not engage in any activities that offer goods, facilities or services that do not further its tax-exempt purposes.

    • AHS International headquarters has the right to veto changes to the South Florida Chapter bylaws if it deems that the Chapter is operating outside the bounds of the AHS International bylaws.

    • If the Chapter is non-compliant with the requirements set forth in this Article, AHS International headquarters may revoke the charter for the Chapter.

    The South Florida Chapter will conduct all operations in keeping with requirements of section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.

    • No Chapter Directors, Trustees or Officers may receive compensation for discharging their Chapter duties. No part of the earnings of the South Florida Chapter shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, any of its Directors, Trustees or Officers. Payments to other entities of reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the tax-exempt purposes is allowable.

    • The South Florida Chapter shall not participate in, or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. No contributions to political activities are permissible.

    • Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the South Florida Chapter shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

  • Standing Committees

    • The South Florida Chapter Standing Committees are the following:

      • Chapter Meetings

      • Technical

      • Membership

      • Historian / Publicity

      • Lichten Award

    • The Director for Chapter Meetings and Technical activities will serve as Chair of the Committees corresponding to their offices. The Chair of each committee shall determine the number of people on that committee and appoint the personnel.

    Special Committees: Special Committees may be formed by the South Florida Chapter President or the Executive Board to act on specific projects or problems. The Chapter President will appoint the Chair of each Special Committee and may appoint personnel to each committee. Additional members of the committee may be appointed at the discretion of the Chair. The Nominating Committee is covered under Article III Section 4.

    Responsibilities and Duties

    • Committees shall report to the Executive Board. Actions taken by Committees shall be subject to ratification by the Executive Board.

    • Duties of the Standing Committees shall correspond to the duties of their respective Chairs as described in Article III. Duties and terms of Special Committees shall be determined by the Executive Board or Chapter President.

  • Chapter Meetings: At least four Chapter meetings of the Chapter membership will be held each year.

    Executive Board Meetings: The Executive Board shall meet at least four times a year at the call of the Chapter President.

    The Chapter Secretary will forward to the Southern Regional Vice President a report of each meeting held.

    The rules contained in Roberts Rules of Order Revised will govern at all South Florida Chapter meetings in all cases where they are applicable and not inconsistent with these Bylaws or with the Bylaws of AHS International.

  • A majority of the voting members of the Executive Board constitutes a quorum for meetings of the Board. Acts of a majority of the voting members of the Board present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be recognized as acts of the Board.

    A quorum (including electronic proxy) for general Chapter meetings will be 20 percent of the voting membership or 40 voting members, whichever is least.

    The Executive Board may order the submission of any question to the general membership by ballot. Members of the Chapter may also order the submission of any question to the general membership of the Chapter by letter ballot by obtaining a majority vote of those present at any general Chapter meeting at which a quorum is present, or by a petition signed by 20 percent of the Chapter membership or 40 members, whichever is least.

    In any matter to be decided by a ballot, including elections of officers, a quorum shall consist of the number of valid votes cast.

  • The Chapter's fiscal year shall be from January 1 to December 31. The end of the fiscal year report must be submitted to AHS headquarters no later than March 31 each year.

  • No membership fees or dues shall be assessed by the Chapter. Members are responsible for fees and dues as required by AHS International.

  • Amendments to these Bylaws may be initiated by any voting member by submitting the proposed amendment to the Executive Board. The Board will review the proposed amendment and decide if it should be submitted to the membership for a letter ballot.

    The Executive Board may itself initiate amendments to these Bylaws.

    The membership of the Chapter may propose an amendment for vote by ballot without approval of the Executive Board by submitting a written petition. This petition shall be signed by 20 percent of the members or 40 members, whichever is least, and will be in the form in which the amendment is to be presented for letter (hardcopy/electronic) ballot. The amendment will be sent along with a ballot to all voting members within 30 days of its receipt by the Executive Board with a deadline for return.

    Amendments shall be adopted when they have been approved by the voting membership by letter (hardcopy/electronic) ballot, and the Board shall immediately cause such amendments to be appropriately implemented.