FRENCH BROAD e‘N’pireNTRAK CLUB, Inc.

I. Purpose

The purpose of the French Broad e‘N’pire NTRAK Club is to foster an appreciation of the history and operations of railroading in the southeastern region of the United States through the creation of a modular miniature rail transportation system set in the Southern Appalachian mountains. The miniature railroad is intended to be displayed to the general public at open houses and public shows and selected segments of the population such as scouts and other youth groups, senior citizens, adult education participants, civic groups and the like through organized presentations.
 

II. Eligibility

Membership in the French Broad e‘N’pire NTRAK Club is open to anyone with an interest in the history of railroading and the hobby of model railroading in general and N scale model railroading in particular. There are no age, race or gender restrictions, however children under the age of 16 may only join as family members and may participate in club meetings and activities only when accompanied by an adult member of the family unless specifically authorized by the club.

III. Classes of Membership

There are four classes of membership: Regular, Family, Honorary Life and Associate. Family membership shall be available to spouses and minor children of any regular member. Honorary life membership may be bestowed by a majority vote of the membership to anyone who has been a regular member for five years or more and who has been a significant contributor to the functioning of the club. Associate membership shall only be available to people who wish to participate from time to time in club activities, particularly train shows, and who live more than 50 miles from the club, provided that this distance provision may be waived by a majority vote of the membership. Associate members shall be required to participate in at least one club activity each fiscal year to retain such membership.

IV. Dues

Dues shall be $120 per year for regular members and $60 per year for each family member, payable semi-annually in January and June of each year. Honorary life and associate members are not required to pay dues.

V. New Members

1. New members shall pay three months dues upon joining. After three months, they will pay the  remainder of that years dues, prorated at $10 per month until the following January at which time the full yearly dues will be paid thereafter.

2. There will be a trial period of two months after a member joins during which the prospective member
can determine if membership is desirable and the club will determine the prospective member meets the approval of the club. At the third business meeting after joining, the club will vote to accept or reject the prospective member. If the prospective member is rejected or decides not to continue membership during the trial period, no further dues will be owed to the club.

 

3. New members will not vest in the assets of the club until the completion of the third year of membership, after which the member will receive an equal share of the clubs assets upon the dissolution of the club.
 

VI. Obligations of Members, Termination of Membership, Inactive Members

1. Regular members are obligated to participate in club meetings and activities to the best of their ability and personal schedules. If it is determined by vote of a majority of the club that a member is not doing so, the membership shall be terminated. All regular members are required to purchase an approved club shirt for wear at train shows and other public club activities. Associate members are not obligated to participate in club meetings and activities, but are required to purchase an approved club shirt.

2. If it is determined by vote of a majority of the club that a member is not suitable for continued membership for any lawful reason, the membership shall be terminated.
 

3. Failure to pay dues for a period of three months after the due date will be cause for termination of membership.

 

4. Any individual who’s membership is terminated or who resigns for any reason shall forfeit all rights of membership, including any share of the assets of the club.
 

5. Any regular member in good standing who, for reasons of financial difficulty, health or temporary relocation beyond 50 miles from Hendersonville, is not able to attend meetings or other club activities, may elect to be designated an “inactive” member for a period not to exceed one year. Said designation shall be made by the president upon request by the member. The requirement for dues shall be suspended during the period the member is inactive. At such time as the inactive member requests reinstatement, the president shall declare the member to be reinstated as an active regular member and the member shall resume the payment of dues effective on the date of reinstatement. If an inactive member fails to request reinstatement as a regular member prior to one year from the date he/she was declared inactive, that member shall be terminated.

VII. Amendments

These by laws may be amended from time to time as the membership deems necessary. Members shall be notified of any proposed amendments not less than seven calendar days before any regular meeting and a majority of the quorum at that meeting must vote in the affirmative before the amendment shall take effect.

VIII. Quorum

A quorum of members for the purpose of conducting the business of the club shall consist of not less than 50% of the active regular members of the club. The officers of the club shall determine whether a regular member is “active” or not to establish the existence of a quorum. Active members not in attendance may be polled by telephone or email to participate in any vote. Only regular members whose dues are current shall be eligible to present or second motions and vote on club matters.
 

IX. Fiscal Year and Budget
 

The fiscal year of the club shall be from January 1 through December 31. There shall be adopted by the regular members an annual budget at the first meeting in January. Said budget shall include an estimation of revenues and expenses projected for the coming fiscal year and shall list available funds and any capital reserve as of the beginning of said fiscal year.

X. Club Officers

There shall be a President, a Vice-President and a Treasurer elected by the membership to oversee the operation of the club in accordance with these by laws and any policies adopted from time to time by the membership. The membership shall have the option of electing a Secretary, if deemed desirable. In the absence of an elected Secretary, the President shall assume those duties or delegate said duties to another member. Officers shall be elected by secret ballot in December of each year.