Any person by applying for membership thereby accepts the principals of The Model Engine Collectors Association, Inc. as expressed in its purpose and submits himself to and agrees to comply with and be bound by the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association, and on these conditions alone is entitled to the privileges of the Association. No member shall be absolved from the observance of the Constitution and By-Laws.

This Association shall adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with the Constitution embodying additional provisions for the government of this Association. Such By-Laws may be amended as therein provided.

The Board of Directors shall serve as a standing committee to formulate and propose By-Laws governing Association activities. Proposals shall be enacted by the affirmative vote of the majority of the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, or by Mail, E-Mail or Telephone.

This Constitution and any supplements or attachments, may be altered, amended, deleted or replaced by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the Board of Directors, and subsequently by simple majority of votes cast by the members.

Proposed amendments submitted to the members must allow a minimum of 30 days from the date of mailing for response and such deadline for legal consideration must be stated on the ballot.

Proposed amendments may be submitted to the members no more than one time in a calendar quarter and no more than two times in any calendar year.

An affirmative vote of the Board constitutes appointment of a special committee to submit necessary Constitution and By-Laws revisions and appropriation of funds. Selection of the special committee members shall be made by the Coordinator/President.

The words and phrases in the Constitution and these By-Laws shall be interpreted according to their accepted dictionary definitions as hereinafter specified.

The location of the principal office of business may be changed from one location to another by a majority vote of the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting or by mail, E-Mail or Telephone. However the Association will at all times maintain a registered agent within the State of Wisconsin for purposes of incorporation.

The annual dues for each General Member are due on the anniversary date of becoming a member. If not paid by this date the member shall forfeit all privileges as of that date.

The annual dues for General and Special Members will be set forth by the Board of Directors at the annual membership meeting each year.

The Coordinator/President and the Board of Directors have full power to set Dues and Fees.

Officers and Regional Directors of the Association shall be exempt from paying dues while in office.

The Coordinator/President, at the conclusion of a complete term in office, shall receive a Lifetime membership. A Coordinator/President resigning his post prior to the two-year term, waives the right to a Lifetime Membership grant. Past Coordinators/Presidents shall retain their Lifetime Memberships.

The Treasurer of the Association shall be authorized to receive and apply to the Association's general funds all contributions or specially obtained funds from any individual or institution.

Any member in good standing is eligible for nomination or may nominate another member for any of the Association offices subject to Article V, Section 5.1 of the Constitution and the subsequent sections of this By-law article.

The Secretary shall be the Election Chairman, or he may appoint a member of the Association as the election chairman. He shall be responsible for the election in its entirety. He shall receive the nominations, distribute, receive and tally the ballots and announce the elected officers to the membership.

Regional Director - A candidate may be placed on the election Ballot by receipt of written nomination within the specific dates as set down by the Election Chairman. A written consent of the nominee shall accompany the nomination.

A nomination for Regional Director shall be made only by members residing within the same Region as the nominee. Members may vote for a Regional Director only within the Region they reside. A Regional Director, if he is present may be selected at any Regional meeting by a floor nomination and an affirmative vote in excess of fifty (50) per cent of the members from that region who are present.

Coordinator/President, Swap Sheet Editor/Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer may with a written consent be nominated by any member in good standing. Any member in good standing may nominate himself or any other member by writing to any one of the Board members. Verbal nomination shall not be accepted except from the floor at a general or special meeting.

General Elections - The Election Chairman shall announce each election by placing a notice in the last Swap Sheet/Bulletin issued in the year prior to the subject election. Candidates will have 30 days from the date of this publication to submit notice of their candidacy to the election chairman. Incumbents must submit notice of their intent to run for re-election. The Election Chairman will prepare dated ballots or publication in the second Swap Sheet/Bulletin issued in the election year. No election will be held if the incumbent is unopposed.

Special Elections - The Coordinator/President may call for special elections as required for installation of an Officer or Regional Director due to a vacancy caused by resignation, expulsion or death of the incumbent.

Coordinator/President - This officer shall be the chief executive of this Association, and shall preside at all regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors. It will be the responsibility of this officer to formulate the Association's operating plan for the upcoming year for presentation to the Board of Directors at the annual meeting. He shall maintain direct contact with each Regional Director to advise and assist in the fulfillment of the Association policies and projects. He shall have the power to create special programs and projects.

Swap Sheet Editor/Vice President - This officer shall assist the Coordinator/President in his duties and shall preside at regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors when the Coordinator/President is unable to attend. The Coordinator/President may assign to him specific tasks to better the Associations' policies and programs. He shall publish the Association's Swap Sheet a minimum of six times yearly. Specific reference is made to article XIII of these By-Laws as to concerns and duties associated with the Swap Sheet. The Swap Sheet editor shall also correlate his duties with those of the Bulletin and Race car editors. These officers must work together to produce the best publication possible for the members of this Association.

Secretary - The Secretary shall attend each meeting of the Board of Directors and shall be responsible for accurately recording the minutes of this and any special or Regional meetings when applicable to the Associations function. He shall be responsible for keeping a current recording of the Association's membership rolls and will make it available to the Coordinator/President and board of Directors upon request. In the event the Secretary is unable to attend a meeting, it shall be his responsibility to appoint a competent alternate to record the minutes of the meeting. Minutes of the General membership meeting shall be published in the Association Bulletin. The Secretary shall also act as the Election Chairman of this Association.

Treasurer - The Treasurer shall be custodian of all funds and shall maintain such funds and make payments as are authorized by the Association. He shall keep accurate records of receipts and expenditures, and shall submit an annual financial report to the Board of Directors. He shall provide a current record of funds to the Coordinator/President on a monthly basis. He shall provide records or funds for Internal Revenue Service purposes, and shall be responsible for the preparation of all necessary tax returns and/or reports. He shall attend each meeting of the Board of Directors and in the event he is unable to attend appoint a competent alternate to deliver financial reports.

In the event the of demise or incapacitation of the Treasurer, the Coordinator/President shall have the power to receive or make payments as are authorized by the Association until such time as a new Treasurer assumes these duties.

Bulletin Editor/Vice President - This Editor shall be responsible for publishing the Bulletin section of the Association's bi-monthly publication. This should include Regional reports, Board of Directors actions, notices, general information and news items related to the Association. This publication is the exclusive "sounding board" for members' opinions and comments. Each issue should contain the names, addresses and information pertaining to new members. This officer is also responsible for correlating space and content of the Race Car Section, and may add additional sections as deemed beneficial to the membership. He shall work closely with the Swap Sheet editor in producing the best publication possible.

Race Car Editor/Vice President - This Editor shall be responsible for obtaining and submitting Race Car related material to the Bulletin Editor/Vice President for publication in the Bulletin in a timely manner.

Historian/Vice President - The Historian shall maintain in good condition a record of all members of Association past and present. Copies of all Association publications from the first issues to the present, a list of all books, articles and other publications pertinent to model engines that have been made available to the Association or are contained in it's archives. Upon request from a member in good standing make available historic information in support of research or other work furthering Association objectives.

Regional Directors - Must permanently reside within the Region they represent. They shall promote the interest of model engine collecting and oversee all Association activities within their respective Regions. They shall coordinate "collectos" and if possible attend all that take place within their Region. Upon receipt of a complaint against any member in their Region, the Director shall promptly investigate the problem. If unable to bring the complaint to a satisfactory conclusion, a full report should be forwarded to the Coordinator/President. A Regional Director is expected to attend the annual Board of Directors meeting and if unable to attend find an alternate member to attend in his place. Regional Directors will work diligently to increase membership within their region including frequent contact with members and to respond to any correspondence from any Association member or Officer. Regional Directors shall prepare and submit to the Coordinator/President a quarterly activity report.

Period - Membership shall continue during the existence of the Association unless terminated as herewith provided.

Termination or Suspension - Any General or Special Member failing to pay his dues in the prescribed time as stated in the By-Laws shall become delinquent and his membership suspended. Suspended or delinquent members shall forfeit all benefits of the Association during suspension, including all Association publications. This includes the use of any services or attendance at any member only functions. Suspended members may be reinstated by payment of dues.

Termination or Suspension for Other Causes - The membership of any Member may be terminated by a special committee established by the Coordinator/President for a reason that is detrimental to other members and/or the ideals of the Association. Any said action shall be kept confidential until it can be determined if the member has violated any part of the Constitution or By-Laws. No action or suspension for violation shall be concluded until the accused has had the opportunity to offer his defense against such action.

Resignation - The resignation of any member from this Association shall be made in writing and shall be presented to the Coordinator/President or to the Secretary and accepted by the Board of Directors.

Membership ID Numbers - Membership numbers will not be re-issued because of the demise of a member. Instead, the number will remain on the membership listing as a memorial to the deceased member. In event the member to whom a number has been assigned has been expelled and permanently barred from membership in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws this number will not be re-issued, but remain on the membership list so indicated. An "H" (Honorary), "L" (Lifetime) or "S" (Special) suffix shall be added to the Membership Number of persons who possess these categories of membership.

The Coordinator/President shall have the power to appoint from among the Board of Directors or from Association members, a group of a minimum of three persons to constitute a Disciplinary Committee, whose purpose shall be to control membership infractions by taking disciplinary or punitive action against such members. The Disciplinary Committee shall have the power to advise penalties or to expel members from this Association in part or whole.

All members are subject to the authority of the Disciplinary Committee. Association officers are subject to review and action by this committee, but may only be removed from the Board of Directors by a two-thirds affirmative vote by the Board at any regular or special meeting.

Initiating Action - Complaints against members of the Association shall be placed in writing and shall be signed and dated by the complainant, who must be a member in good standing. Complaints may include but not be limited to fraudulent conduct, gross misconduct or misdealing. The complaint shall be mailed to the Coordinator/President who shall investigate or delegate a Regional Director the responsibility to investigate said complaint, for the purpose of determining if the allegations therein are true and if the matter should require Disciplinary Committee action. It shall be the Investigator's responsibility to attempt to settle any complaint or dispute. If further action is necessary the Coordinator/President shall appoint a Disciplinary Committee and refer the matter as a "Case", withholding names and asking for a judgment. The member being charged with an infraction shall have the right to be heard and shall present his defense in writing, signed and dated to the Coordinator/President. Within 60 days all actions shall have been completed and the charged notified of any actions. In event the member charged with the infraction is expelled from the Association, his Association Membership Number shall be published in the Associations publication. Once the complaint has reached the state of a Disciplinary Committee, action shall be completed and the results are final. Failure of a member being charged with an infraction to respond to the charges or offer defense shall be considered acceptance of the action of the Disciplinary Committee.

Any member expelled from the Association shall be forever barred from membership.

The Model Engine Collectors Association, Inc. shall be subdivided geographically into regions having boundaries which are determined by the needs of the Association as indicated on Appendix "C".

The Association's fiscal year shall be the calendar year.

The Coordinator/President, Regional Directors and Members (subject to Constitution, Article VII Section 7.5 shall have the power to levy special fees for those attending Association functions requiring financial support. Fees may be used to cover any expense directly associated with the function. The Coordinator/President and Regional Directors shall also have the power to conduct special fund raising projects to compensate any Association function expense.

Records - All fees and funds collected to finance Association functions and expenses incurred shall be recorded. Any funds remaining over the expense of the function may be retained by Regional Directors in escrow to be used for succeeding functions. Funds in escrow at the close of a Regional Directors term of office shall be reported to the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall deposit all funds and fees collected over the expense of an Association function directly to the Association's general funds.

The official newsletter of the Association shall be named the "Bulletin". The Bulletin shall be combined with the Swap Sheet and published on a bi-monthly schedule.

The Association's publication for listing wanted and available items related to our hobby for sale and/or trade within the Association shall be named the "Swap Sheet". Items relating to members opinions and comments regarding general Association matters shall be restricted to the Bulletin. The Swap Sheet's use shall be restricted to members in good standing within the Association and listings of a non-commercial nature. However, commercial listings that are considered beneficial to Association members by the Swap Sheet Editor may be noted in the publication. Those members using the Swap Sheet to offer and/or to conduct transactions between other Association members shall be governed by the rules previously set forth in the Constitution and these By-Laws.

The Swap Sheet editor shall have the power to set forth special rules to facilitate publication. He shall be restricted from personal interests in submitted ads prior to their release in the Swap Sheet, and shall be expected to conduct publication with the high ideals of the Association in mind. He shall publish the Swap Sheet a minimum of six times a year unless extreme conditions otherwise prohibit it.

The following rules shall apply to those members using the Swap Sheet to obtain and/or dispose of items related to our hobby.

The purpose of the "15 Day Rule" is to provide control or establish a period of time to conclude an agreement and/or transaction between Association members and to guarantee the stated condition and classification of items offered in such transactions. For the purpose of this rule, any sale, swap, trade or exchange of any engine, part, or accessory of any nature shall be called a transaction and shall be subject to the "15 Day Rule". The "Seller" is the individual offering an item in a transaction and the "Buyer" is the individual to whom such an item is offered. The rules stated herein shall be accepted as basic for all transactions.

The Seller specifically warrants that any item is as orally stated or as represented in writing as to make, model, authenticity of all parts and as to the condition stated and shall, if applicable state that certain components have been replaced with authentic or reproduction parts. No buyer shall have more than 15 days to rescind any transaction unless specifically extended by the seller in writing.

The seller shall be bound by any oral or written representation made to the buyer in any transaction for a period of 15 days. The buyer shall have the right to rescind any transaction within 15 days after receipt of an item if he is dissatisfied or in his opinion the offered item has been misrepresented. The seller shall not be obligated to return postage or shipping costs on a rescinded transaction unless there is proof of deliberate misrepresentation.

Face to face transactions shall not be covered by this rule and sales made in this fashion are final unless previous other arrangements have been agreed upon by the buyer and seller.

Unused and in the original factory supplied carton, complete with all accessories as supplied by the factory which may include coil, condenser, lead wire, wrench, instructions and parts lists and matching serial number on box.

Unused and complete with all parts as originally sold by the manufacturer. No marks on mounting lugs.

Run a few times, slight marks on the mounting lugs, otherwise as new.
 

Run a few times, slight marks on the mounting lugs, slight discoloration of cylinder, cylinder head or other parts due to heat. Very slight scratches on the engine, good compression. Light wear on bearing surfaces.

As excellent, but used more with very good compression, slightly enlarged mounting lug holes, one or two deep scratches, or moderately discolored spots, small chipped or bent cylinder fins, bearing surfaces discernibly worn.

As very good, but compression and bearing surface wear sufficient to warrant this rating. This rating considered the minimum internal condition necessary for use as a runner type engine.

Compression sufficient to run, but with reduced power output. Bearing surfaces well worn one or more missing or badly chipped, bent, scratched or repaired parts. One or more open mounting lugs. Unacceptable as a display engine, but possibly capable of a G or VG rating if overhauled and or replacement parts added.

A parts engine. Worn out, poor compression, broken or missing parts, surfaces badly scarred. Will not run in present condition. Not suitable for use or display.

Engine should not be run due to weakened or deteriorated parts but cosmetically able to be classified at a higher rating.

Southern California (CA) (ZIP 90xxx to 92xxx), Arizona (AZ)

Northern California (CA) (ZIP 93xxx to 96xxx), Hawaii (HI), Nevada (NV)

Alaska (AK), Oregon (OR), Washington (WA), Idaho (ID), Montana (MT)

Colorado (CO), Utah (UT), Wyoming (WY), Nebraska (NE)

Illinois (IL), Wisconsin (WI), Iowa (IA), Minnesota (MN), North Dakota (ND),South Dakota (SD)

Kansas (KS), Oklahoma (OK), Missouri (MO), Arkansas (AR)

Texas (TX), New Mexico (NM), Louisiana (LA)

Georgia (GA), Alabama (AL), Mississippi (MS), Florida (FL), Tennessee (TN), Puerto Rico (PR), North Carolina (NC), South Carolina(SC)

Michigan (MI), Indiana (IN), Ohio (OH), Kentucky (KY), West Virginia (WV)

New York (NY), Massachusetts (MA), Vermont (VT), Rhode Island (RI), Connecticut (CT) New Hampshire (NH), Maine (ME)

Pennsylvania (PA), Maryland (MD), Virginia (VA), New Jersey, (NJ), Delaware (DE)District of Columbia (DC)

Canada

United Kingdom

All of Asia, All of Africa

Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea

Continental Europe

Mexico, Central America, South America