Proposed Constitutional Amendments

For the past two years, several members of our club have traveled to the mainland to do battle on a national level. While not always successful in winning the contests, they have been very successful in bringing some national and arguably, international attention to our island as well as our club. Such people seek no reward or compensation other than the satisfaction of meeting people involved with our sport and promoting the Aloha that has always been a part of M.I.S.O. and indeed a part of our island way of life. In addition, our club members have always welcomed visitors to Maui’s shores with open hearts and many have spent such happy times here that they return to their homes singing the praises of our Maui hospitality. In many cases, these visitors have become so close to our members that we think of them almost as members of our club. With these thoughts in mind, the following are two proposals for amending the M.I.S.O. Constitution and By-Laws with the purpose of recognizing those M.I.S.O. members who have carried the M.I.S.O. banner to distant shores and to recognize those special people from other lands who have contributed to the M.I.S.O. effort away from Maui.

The first proposed amendment is intended to allow flyers from other venues to be named as honorary members of M.I.S.O. In several cases, M.I.S.O. members have gone to mainland contests and have received some much needed assistance and very helpful hints from people there. In some cases, the members have asked that these people fly on the M.I.S.O. team roster since these people were flying as independents. It would be unreasonable to expect that these people pay the membership dues and join M.I.S.O. just to fly in one contest as a member at our request. They could, therefore, be granted an Honorary status as a member of M.I.S.O. The M.I.S.O. rolls should also carry the names of those people who have come to Maui and have helped our club and club members. For example, it was Joe Wurts who first demonstrated the dynamic soaring technique to M.I.S.O. members who have benefited greatly from it. Joe comes to Hawai’i from time-to-time and often makes an effort to get to Maui to fly here. He could be nominated as an Honorary Member. Al "The Bag Lady" Wedworth shared his mobile home with M.I.S.O. members and, since he was not flying as a part of a club, flew with Team M.I.S.O. at Visalia in 2002. He could have been granted an Honorary Membership for his hospitality. The proposed amendment is highlighted in red in the excerpt from the current M.I.S.O. Constitution and bylaws.

1. MEMBERSHIP

1. Classes of Membership

1. Honorary Member: A member who is granted membership to the club by the Board and confirmed by the membership at a general membership meeting.

1. A person granted an honorary membership is not subject to annual club dues.
2. A person who holds a current A.M.A. Membership and wishes to fly as a M.I.S.O. Team Member at an off-island competition may be granted Honorary Member status by the other team members present but such Honorary Member status must be confirmed at the next Membership Meeting.
3. An Honorary Member who does not fly radio controlled models need not maintain current A.M.A. Membership.

The second proposed amendment is intended to recognize those M.I.S.O. members who have competed in major contests in other venues. The expense of travel and incidentals at these events is very high and members who make the effort to venture outside the comfort of Maui’s competition level should be rewarded. One such member, Ted Willett, has brought honor to M.I.S.O. by competing very successfully at several mainland contests and has garnered a First Place and a Third Place finish against national and international flyers of renown in the r/c glider community. Such efforts should be encouraged by M.I.S.O. The proposed amendment is highlighted in red in the excerpt from the current M.I.S.O. Constitution and bylaws.

2. MEMBERSHIP

1. Classes of Membership

1. Honorary Member: A member who is granted membership to the club by the Board and confirmed by the membership at a general membership meeting.

1. A person granted an honorary membership is not subject to annual club dues.
2. A person who holds a current A.M.A. Membership and wishes to fly as a M.I.S.O. Team Member at an off-island competition may be granted Honorary Member status by the other team members present but such Honorary Member status must be confirmed at the next Membership Meeting.
3. An Honorary Member who does not fly radio controlled models need not maintain current A.M.A. Membership.

2. Junior Member: A member who is less than 19 years of age as of January 01^st of the membership year.
3. Life Member: A member who is granted lifetime membership to the club by the Board and confirmed by the membership at a general membership meeting for exceptional effort and dedication to the promotion of the M.I.S.O. and the sport of aeromodeling.

1. When a person is granted a life membership, the letter "L" shall be placed before the person’s M.I.S.O. membership number.
2. A person granted a life membership is not subject to annual club dues.
3. A person granted a life membership is not subject to registration fees at any M.I.S.O. contest or fun-fly activity.

4. Senior Member: A member who is 19 years of age or older as of January 01^st of the membership year.

2. Competitor Status

1. Members may earn special recognition and status by competing at a soaring event or competition if the following criteria is met:

1. The event must be a nationally or internationally advertised competitive radio-control soaring event and;
2. The Member must compete in a category or class against a minimum of 10 other competitors and;
3. The event must be held in accordance with A.M.A. competition rules and regulations and;
4. The event is not be held on Maui nor is it sponsored by M.I.S.O. unless the event is advertised as a national or international event and a minimum or 50 non-Maui residents compete.

2. Competitor Status shall be awarded in two categories.

1. Koa Makani "Wind Warrior" is awarded to any M.I.S.O. member who competes in an event which meets all the criteria of Section 8.02(a).
2. Ke’Ali’i o Na Lani "Chief of the Heavens" shall be awarded to any member who competes in an event which meets all the criteria of Section 8.02(a) and finishes in First, Second or Third Place in his or her class.

Please be prepared to discuss and vote on these amendments at the next General Membership Meeting.

Duane A.K. Asami

SoarMaui R/C