Article I — Name and Purpose

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Iron Horse Model Railroad Club, hereinafter referred to as "the Club."

Section 2. The purpose of the Club is to promote the hobby of model railroading; to advance the knowledge and skills of its members in scale modeling, prototype research, and layout construction; to foster fellowship among persons interested in railroading in all its aspects; and to present public exhibitions of model railroad layouts.

Article II — Membership

Section 1. Classes of Membership. The Club shall have the following classes of membership:

1. Adult Member: Any person 18 years of age or older.
2. Junior Member: Any person under 18 years of age. Junior members must be sponsored by a parent or guardian who is an Adult Member.
3. Family Member: An Adult Member plus immediate family members residing in the same household.
4. Life Member: Any person who has paid the Life Membership fee. Life Members enjoy all privileges of Adult Membership in perpetuity.
5. Honorary Member: Persons recognized for distinguished contributions to the hobby or the Club, elected by a two-thirds vote of the Board.

Section 2. Application. Applications for membership shall be submitted in writing (or via approved electronic form) to the Membership Chair. New members shall be voted upon at a regular meeting.

Section 3. Dues. Annual membership dues shall be set by the Board of Directors and published in the Club newsletter no later than October of the preceding year. Dues are payable by January 31st. Members in arrears after March 31st shall be dropped from the rolls.

Section 4. Termination. Membership may be terminated for cause by a two-thirds vote of the Board following written notice and an opportunity to be heard.

Article III — Officers

Section 1. The elected officers of the Club shall be: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2. Terms. Officers shall serve one-year terms beginning January 1st and may serve no more than three consecutive terms in the same office.

Section 3. Elections. Elections shall be held at the November regular meeting. Nominations shall be solicited at the October meeting. A simple majority of votes cast by members present shall elect.

Section 4. Vacancies. Vacancies in any office shall be filled by appointment of the Board for the remainder of the term.

Section 5. Duties.

1. President: Presides at all meetings; is the chief executive officer of the Club; appoints committee chairs with Board approval.
2. Vice President: Assumes the duties of the President in the President's absence; coordinates programs and clinics.
3. Secretary: Records minutes of all meetings; handles official correspondence; maintains the membership roster.
4. Treasurer: Receives and disburses all funds; maintains financial records; presents a financial report at each regular meeting.

Article IV — Board of Directors

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the four elected officers plus three Directors-at-Large elected by the membership.

Section 2. The Board shall manage the affairs of the Club between general meetings, approve expenditures over $100, and act on membership applications.

Section 3. A quorum of the Board shall consist of five members. Board meetings may be held in person or by electronic means.

Article V — Meetings

Section 1. Regular meetings shall be held on the second and fourth Friday of each month except as otherwise scheduled by the Board.

Section 2. A quorum for conducting business at a general meeting shall be fifteen (15) percent of the active membership or ten (10) members, whichever is greater.

Section 3. Special meetings may be called by the President or by a petition of twenty-five percent of the active membership, with at least seven days' notice.

Section 4. Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, except where these Bylaws provide otherwise.

Article VI — Finances

Section 1. The fiscal year shall be the calendar year, January 1 through December 31.

Section 2. The Treasurer is authorized to disburse funds up to $100 without prior Board approval for routine expenses. All other expenditures require Board approval.

Section 3. An annual financial review shall be conducted by a committee of two members who are not officers, appointed by the President at the November meeting.

Section 4. The Club shall maintain a reserve fund equal to at least six months of average operating expenses.

Article VII — Layout and Facilities

Section 1. The Layout Superintendent shall be appointed by the President with Board approval and shall be responsible for the construction, maintenance, and operation of all Club layouts.

Section 2. All members shall treat Club layouts, tools, and facilities with care. Damage caused by negligence may be assessed to the responsible member at the Board's discretion.

Section 3. Operations on the permanent layout during open sessions are governed by the Club's Operating Rules, which are maintained separately and approved by the Board.

Article VIII — Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of members present, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing at the preceding regular meeting and all members have been notified of the proposed change at least fourteen days in advance.