Article I. Name and Purpose
Section 1. The name of the association shall be Hawai‘i Paragliding Association, hereafter referred to as the "association".
Section 2. The purpose of the association shall be to promote paragliding fun, safety, and education. The association shall work with landowners and public agencies to obtain and preserve flying sites. The association shall organize flying activities and educational opportunities for its members. The association shall promote a positive public image for the sport of paragliding.
Article II. Affiliation
The association shall maintain chapter affiliation with the United States Hang Gliding Association (USHGA).
Article III. Membership
Section 1. Membership in this association shall be open to those persons who express an interest in the sport of paragliding, and who agree to support the purpose of the association. All members are required to maintain USHGA membership.
Section 2. There shall be two classes of membership. General Members pay an annual membership fee and may vote at all meetings. The fee schedule, terms and conditions shall be determined by the Board of Directors as necessary to cover recurring association expenses. Visiting Members submit an application and signed waiver but pay no fee. Visiting members may not vote at meetings. The duration of visiting membership is limited to 30 days.
Section 3. Any member who is found to have violated any of these by-laws or any of the association’s policies or regulations may be censured, suspended or expelled from the association by a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors. Any member accused of a violation shall be notified in writing of the alleged violation, and shall have an opportunity to present a defense before the Board of Directors. Any such member may appeal the censure, suspension or expulsion at any meeting of the membership and may be reinstated by a majority vote at that meeting. Only those members actually present and hearing the evidence and defense shall vote. A member who has been suspended shall not vote on any matter during the suspension.
Article IV. Meetings
Section 1. Regular meetings of the membership shall be held quarterly at a place and time set by the Board of Directors, with at least two weeks notice.
Section 2. The Annual Meeting of the membership shall be held at the last quarterly meeting of the year.
Section 3. Special meetings may be called at any time by means of a request made by the President, the Board of Directors, or 20% of the general members, with at least two weeks notice.
Section 4. Quorum for any membership meeting will be one third of current general membership. General members of this association may enter their vote on any issue at the meeting, or by written proxy, as specified by the President.
Section 5. Roberts Rules of Order will govern all proceedings where not otherwise inconsistent with these bylaws.
Article V. Board of Directors
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall be elected by majority vote of the members voting at the Annual Meeting by secret ballot, or by proxy as determined by the Board of Directors. Votes will be counted by two or more Board-appointed general members who are not candidates for any office. The term of office shall be the calendar year. The Board of Directors shall receive no compensation. The Board of Directors shall elect officers among themselves to fulfill the roles of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2. The President shall preside at all meetings, appoint and supervise all Committee Chairpersons with the approval of the Board of Directors; sign and execute all contracts in the name of the association when authorized to do so by unanimous approval of the Board of Directors or 2/3 majority of the members voting at a membership meeting; and shall have general supervision over the management of all affairs of the association.
Section 3. The Vice-President shall be vested with all powers and shall perform the duties of the President in case of the absence or disability of the President, and shall perform such other duties as may be delegated by the President by mutual consent.
Section 4. The Secretary shall record and distribute or post the minutes of Board of Directors and general membership meetings. In addition, the Secretary handles all association correspondence.
Section 5. The Treasurer shall keep the membership records; receive and deposit all funds; execute all authorized expenditures; account for all receipts and disbursements; maintain a balance on hand each month; submit a biannual treasurer’s report for distribution or posting to the membership; submit association funds to pay insurance on association-sponsored sites; and shall perform such other duties as may be incident to the office or delegated by the general membership.
Section 6. Any Director who accumulates three unexcused absences from Board of Directors meetings may be dismissed and replaced by majority vote of the other Directors. Any director may be removed by a 2/3 vote of the general membership at any membership meeting, with a replacement to be selected by the Board of Directors.
Article VI. Appointments
Persons or committees may be appointed by the President as he/she deems necessary for maintaining the association website, landowner liaison, special events, site maintenance or other association business. These persons/committee members shall be responsible for executing policy as set by the Board of Directors. Appointed committee members serve under the guidance of the Board of Directors.
Article VII. Miscellaneous
Section 1. The fiscal year of this association shall be from January 1 through December 31 of each year.
Section 2. Use of association letterhead or name shall be restricted to the President, Board of Directors and Committee Chairpersons. Other members may use the association letterhead and association name when acting on delegated special projects with permission of the President or Board of Directors.
Section 3. Amendments to these by-laws may be made by a 2/3 vote of the members voting at any meeting of the membership, or by proxy as determined by the Board of Directors. All proposed amendments must be sent to the general membership at least two weeks prior to a vote. If the meeting is a Special Meeting all proposed amendments must be stated in the notice of the meeting. When possible, the Board of Directors will prepare and distribute or post a concise statement outlining the possible advantages and disadvantages of any proposed amendment at least one week prior to the meeting at which the amendment will be considered.
Section 4. It is the responsibility of each member to adhere to current USHGA regulations and Federal Aviation Agency regulations (FAR 103 and other paragliding-related FARs).
Section 5. The general membership may, at any meeting and with 2/3 majority of those voting, overturn any Board of Director action including appointments.
(last revision by Bylaws Committee on 03/17/03, adopted by membership on 5/10/03)
