BY-LAWS OF TRIPOLI PITTSBURGH
1st Prefecture Of
THE TRIPOLI ROCKETRY ASSOCIATION, INC.

Tripoli Pittsburgh is a Not-For-Profit Hobby and Sport Organization

I PURPOSE

A.
The purpose of Tripoli Pittsburgh shall be to promote Advanced High Power Rocketry as a hobby and sport through the uniting of like-minded individuals.
B.
To organize and operate rocket launches whereby all members of the organization may legally pursue the hobby and sport of Advanced High Power Rocketry.
C.
To train all members in safety, legal activates and technologies relating to Advanced High Power Rocketry.
D.
To support and assist The Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc. with their programs, goals and purposes that attend to safety, technology and regulation of Advanced high Power Rocketry.
E.
To promote and pursue research in all aspects of rocketry and related endevours.

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II MEMBERSHIP

A.
Membership in Tripoli Pittsburgh shall be open to any and all serious minded rocket enthusiasts. While membership in Tripoli Pittsburgh does not require membership in the National Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc. (TRA), such national membership is strongly encouraged.
B.
Membership in Tripoli Pittsburgh will fall into two classifications:
 

FULL MEMBER - is a person who is also a member of the National Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc. (TRA). Full Members are entitled to all rights and privileges of the Prefecture. This includes flying High Power Rockets, within your Certified Level, at our Local launches and other Tripoli Prefecture launches around the country, and at Regional and National launches of the Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc. Full Members are entitled to vote on any and all business of our Prefecture as well as hold office within our Prefecture.

ASSOCIATE MEMBER - is a member who is not a member of the Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc. Associate Members are encouraged to join the National Organization. Associate Members are limited to fly only Class C type rockets, and specifically those powered with motors designated A through G, at our Local Launches unless they hold membership in another National Organization other than Tripoli, and are certified in that organization. Associate Members have voting privileges, however they will not be permitted to vote on any Prefecture business directly related to and/or controlled by the Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc. Associate Members are not permitted to hold office within the Prefecture.

C.
All members of Tripoli Pittsburgh will conform to and conduct all Class B Rocket Activities in compliance with the Codes, Standards, Safety and Procedures set by The Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc. and any higher State and/or Federal agency having jurisdiction.
D.
A Tripoli Pittsburgh membership may be terminated under any of the following conditions:
1.
If a Tripoli Pittsburgh member's membership with Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc. has been revoked by the association.
2.
If a Tripoli Pittsburgh member conducts a gross violation of any Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc. safety codes.
3.
If a Tripoli Pittsburgh member conducts a gross violation of any Tripoli Pittsburgh safety codes.
4.
If a Tripoli Pittsburgh member has delinquent club dues exceeding the eight (8)week grace period from the date due.
5.
If a Tripoli Pittsburgh member elects non-participation during Tripoli Pittsburgh Club activities in any of the following areas;
a.
All Tripoli Pittsburgh members in attendance shall participate in the set-up, tear down, and range duties at all Tripoli Pittsburgh Invitational Launches. The only exception is the Club President, whose duties shall be limited to control and administration of the Invitational Launch.
b.
All Tripoli Pittsburgh members in attendance shall participate in set-up, teardown, and range duties at all Tripoli Pittsburgh monthly launches.
(A Tripoli Pittsburgh member may be excused from participation in any club activities by pre-arrangement and approval of the Club President.)
E.
Tripoli Pittsburgh membership Termination Process:
1.
A Tripoli Pittsburgh Club Officer must give the member a verbal reminder of club obligations, or a verbal warning of a specific safety code violation.
2.
The Tripoli Pittsburgh Club President must provide a written notice to the member stating all specific details of the violation of the Tripoli Pittsburgh Club By-Laws or safety codes
3.
A Tripoli Pittsburgh Club Officer may present a proposal of membership termination at a regular club meeting. This proposal will be open to discussion by all members in attendance.
4.
A membership termination vote may be conducted at a regular club meeting. A two-thirds (2/3) negative vote of members present shall constitute revocation of the members Tripoli Pittsburgh membership and loss of privileges.
F.
Tripoli Pittsburgh membership reinstatement may be requested by a terminated member and shall be considered in the following manner:
1.
A period of one (1) year from date of termination must precede the terminated members reinstatement request.
2.
The terminated members reinstatement request may be made to any Tripoli Pittsburgh Club Officer.
3.
Tripoli Pittsburgh Club Officers will review the reinstatement request.
4.
A Tripoli Pittsburgh Club Officer may present a proposal of reinstatement to the membership at a regular club meeting. This proposal will be open to discussion by all members in attendance.
5.
A membership reinstatement vote may be conducted at a regular club meeting. A two-thirds (2/3) positive vote of the members present shall constitute reinstatement of Tripoli Pittsburgh membership with full privileges.

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III DUES and FEES

A.
All Persons joining Tripoli Pittsburgh shall pay the organizations annual dues, A members delinquent dues must be paid within eight (8) weeks of delinquency.
B.
All persons joining Tripoli Pittsburgh are strongly encouraged to join The Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc. and pay the appropriate membership fees.
C.
All Tripoli Pittsburgh members in good standing are entitled to one waiver of launch fees during the Tripoli Pittsburgh Launch Season.
D.
All said monetary funds and dues shall be presented to the Prefecture Treasurer in a timely manner.

IV MEETINGS and LAUNCHES

A.
Tripoli Pittsburgh business meetings shall be held in the months we hold no launches. The date, time and location shall be announced at the previous meeting and/or published on the Tripoli Pittsburgh WebSite.
B.
A quorum shall consist of Prefecture members in good standing attending any called Prefecture meeting. Business can be conducted, policies can be initiated, and general operation of the Prefecture can be voted on, and accepted into practice, based on a majority vote of members of this quorum.
C.
Special meetings may be called by the President and accommodate as many members as possible. Notice of Special Meetings must be placed on the Tripoli Pittsburgh WebSite at least three days in advance of said meeting. This will constitute formal notice.
D.
Membership voting regarding Tripoli Pittsburgh By-Laws or operations, may not take place at a special meeting.
E.
Tripoli Pittsburgh rocket launches shall be conducted under complete compliance with all higher authorities having jurisdiction.
F.
Members will be required to participate with any and all operations of said launches, as needed.

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V OFFICERS

A.
Tripoli Pittsburgh offices shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Prefect. Any member may hold more than one office, except the office of President. If the club President is not available to conduct the duties of the office, the Presidents duties shall temporarily move to the next available senior officer.
B.
At all times the President shall have complete control of all meetings. The President shall be aware of the status of all business related to Tripoli Pittsburgh. The President shall maintain order at all meetings and keep all discussions in line with the current topic on the meeting floor.
C.
The Vice President shall assume the President's seat at all meetings the President is unable to attend. Upon assuming the Presidents seat, the Vice President shall have all powers and responsibilities of the President.
D.
The Secretary shall keep a record of all business conducted at all meetings and shall provide the minutes of such meetings at the next meeting and have them published on the Tripoli Pittsburgh WebSite. The Secretary shall conduct all club mailings as needed.
E.
The Treasurer shall keep a record and control of all financial matters within Tripoli Pittsburgh and present said record to the members at each business meeting. The Treasurer shall maintain the club membership roster and collect the annual club dues. The Treasurer shall maintain a record of all membership expirations and inform members of their expiration. The Treasurer shall provide a list of all new members to the club Secretary. The Treasurer shall collect all monetary funds from club sales, donations and gifts. All said monetary funds and dues shall be presented to the club Treasurer in a timely manner.
F.
The Prefect shall interact with the Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc.. The Prefect shall update local members to new or pressing news and/or progress on the national level. The Prefect shall see to the compliance of all national codes and regulations related to Advanced High Power Rocket activities. The Prefect shall administer the proper testing related to certification of Level 1 and Level 2. The Prefect shall forward the results of testing and level certification to Tripoli Rocketry Association.
G.
Any person accepting nomination for any prefecture executive office, and being elected to that office, shall pledge that he/she will place a priority to Prefecture business and attend all Executive, Business and Member’s Meeting that are called. Any officer missing two consecutive meetings, whether, Executive, Business or Member’s meetings or any combination of listed meetings, or otherwise having poor attendance at Prefecture meetings may be placed under review. The President, or the Vice President (in the case of the President being the offending officer}, will call an Executive meeting and the delinquent officer may state his/her case to the Executive Committee. In the event of removal the ranking Prefecture officer shall appoint a replacement to the vacant position. The runner up in the yearly Tripoli Pittsburgh Prefecture officer’s election shall hold priority. The Prefecture Secretary shall inform the Prefecture membership who the replacement officer will be.

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VI ELECTIONS, SERVICE TERMS and TERM LIMITS

A.
Election of Tripoli Pittsburgh Club officers shall take place once each year during the month of December. All nominations will be called before and and ballots sent out in sufficient time to seat the new Executive Committee by January of each year.
B.
An electoral nomination motion may be made by any Tripoli Pittsburgh Club member in good standing.
C.
The electoral nomination motion must nominate a specific Tripoli Pittsburgh Club member in good standing for a specific Tripoli Pittsburgh club office.
D.
A Tripoli Pittsburgh Club member in good standing will be elected to the specific office upon the member receiving the maximum number of votes for that office.
E.
An elected Tripoli Pittsburgh Club officer's service term will be for a period of one (1) year, Serving from January 1st through through December 31st of the service year.
F.
There will be no service term limits for Tripoli Pittsburgh Club elected officers, except for the elected office of Club President. An elected Club President may not serve more than three (3) consecutive elected service terms as Club President.
If a Tripoli Pittsburgh Club president has completed three (3) consecutive service terms, the member must wait a period of one (1) year before again becoming eligible for re-election to the office of Club President.
LEGAL ACTION EXCEMPTION to this rule: If the Tripoli Pittsburgh Club is embroiled in an extensive legal action at the end of a Club President's third consecutive service term, it may be prudent, and in the best interest of the Tripoli Pittsburgh Club, to grant the Club President another consecutive service term in order to complete mitigation and/or other important legal business of Tripoli Pittsburgh.
This LEGAL ACTION EXCEMPTION may be authorized by a two thirds (2/3) positive vote of the membership present at the regular December Club Meeting.

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VII CHANGES TO BY-LAWS

A.
The Tripoli Pittsburgh By-Laws may be changed or altered, only at a business meeting announcing such changes and having a quorum present. Any and all items within Tripoli Pittsburgh By-Laws may be changed, except Chapter VIII, DISOLUTION.
B.
To insure a stable platform any and all changes to the By-Laws approved by a majority of a Quorum shall not be able to be re-acted upon for a period of one year.

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VIII DISOLUTION

A.
Tripoli Pittsburgh will continue to operate as long as there are at least three (3) members of the Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc. interested in its continuance.
B.
In the event of Disolution, any and all funds shall be turned over to The Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc.'s Legal Fund and all properties shall become the property of the Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc.

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Tripoli Pittsburgh By-laws Ratification Date: December 1st, 2002
Updated February 19th, 2006: Section I PURPOSE, Part E; Section IV MEETINGS and LAUNCHES, Part A; and Section VIII DISOLUTION
Updated November 12th, 2006: Section II MEMBERSHIP, Part B
Updated December 14th, 2008: Section III DUES & FEES, Part C
Updated December 14th, 2008: Section Vl
ELECTIONS, SERVICE TERMS and TERM LIMITS, Part A, E and LEGAL ACTION EXEMPTION
Added December 14th, 2008: Section Vll CHANGES TO BYLAWS Part B
Added December 6 th, 2009: Section III DUES & FEES Part D • Section V OFFICERS Part G
Updated December 6 th, 2009L Section IV MEETINGS & LAUNCHES Part B

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