Scale Ship Modeler's Association

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I
NAME

The organization shall be known as the Scale Ship Modeler's Association of North America, hereinafter called the SSMA.

ARTICLE II
MANDATE

2.1 The SSMA is a non-profit association, incorporated in the State of Delaware.

2.2 The mandate of the SSMA is as follows:

2.2.1 To advocate and encourage scale ship model building.

2.2.2 To advocate and encourage scale ship model events, whether displays or competitions.

2.2.3 To promote communication and friendship among scale ship model builders, with the exclusion of any political, religious, or professional activity.

2.2.4 To develop rules and standards for scale ship model building, and for scale ship model events.

2.2.5 To encourage recognition of achievement and excellence in scale ship model building.

2.2.6 To act as Modeler's Advocate in providing commentary and presenting suggestions to regulatory and other bodies whose decisions affect the building, display and operation of ship models.

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP

3.1 Membership in SSMA shall be open to all individuals who reside on the North American Continent and the related possessions.

3.2 Clubs wishing to join SSMA may do so by paying the yearly fee, and provided that a minimum of five members of the Club take Individual Memberships in SSMA. Of these Memberships, at least two must be held by Club Officers.

3.3 Businesses wishing to join the SSMA may do so by paying the yearly fee.

3.4 There shall be no restrictions on membership based on gender, race, or creed.

3.5 The territories of the United States, Canada, and Mexico are divided into twenty-one (21) regions, as indicated on the official map.

3.6 Junior Memberships, for those who are not yet eighteen years of age, shall be made available, provided the applicant is sponsored by a currently active adult member of the Association.

3.7 Honorary Memberships may be granted at the discretion of the Executive.

ARTICLE IV
ORGANIZATION CHART

ARTICLE V
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

5.1 Any SSMA Member of legal age and in good standing may serve as a Director of the Association. To avoid conflict of interest, no Director may also hold an Executive position in another national or international model boating organization.

5.2 The Board of Directors of the Association shall consist of the following:

1. The National Director
2. The Clubs/Membership Director
3. The SSMA Journal Director
4. The Insurance Director
5. The Finance Director
6. The SSMA Handbook Director
7. The Industry Liaison/Advertising Director

5.3 The National Director may create ad hoc committees and appoint other officials when deemed necessary for the proper functioning of the Association.

5.4 Directors will serve two year terms. There shall be no limit placed on the number of terms, consecutive or not, which a Director may serve until resignation or replacement as provided in Section 3.4 of SSMA Bylaws, Policies and Procedures.

5.5 All active Directors shall have equal voting rights on all matters which pertain to the Association.

5.6 If a Director resigns, or becomes unable to serve, the National Director, in consultation with the other members of the Board of Directors, will select an interim replacement.

5.7 No Director shall be personally liable for debts, liabilities, or other obligations of the SSMA.

ARTICLE VI
DIRECTORS' MEETINGS

The Board of Directors shall meet at least once per calendar year, SSMA finances permitting, at a time and in a place agreed to. 

ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENTS

The SSMA Constitution, and SSMA Bylaws, Policies and Procedures may be amended at a time and in the manner described in the bylaws of the Association.

ARTICLE VIII
CODE OF CONDUCT

8.1 Directors may, with the approval of the National Director, receive reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Association by submitting a Statement of Expenses, accompanied by receipts, to the Finance Director

8.2 Any Member or Director not following the regulations of the Association, whether the SSMA Constitution, or SSMA Bylaws, Policies and Procedures, or engaging in any behaviour or activities directed against the Association, or the harassment of other Members of the Association, will have membership reviewed by an ad hoc committee established by the National Director.

8.3 This review committee shall conduct private inquiries and recommend appropriate action. The committee's recommendation is subject to approval by the Directors. If approved, the committee's recommendation will be implemented by the National Director.

ARTICLE IX
SSMA BYLAWS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

9.1 The National Director, together with other SSMA Directors, shall cause SSMA Bylaws, Policies and Procedures, containing the operating rules and procedures of the SSMA, to be created and maintained by the SSMA Handbook Director.

9.2 SSMA Bylaws, Policies and Procedures may be changed by a majority vote of the Directors. Any changes so adopted must be published in the next issue of The SSMA Journal, and the text made available by mail or electronic means at the request of any Member in good standing.

ARTICLE X
THE SSMA JOURNAL

10.1 The National Director, in consultation with the other Directors, will appoint a Director who shall be responsible for the preparation and distribution of the Associations's official publication, which shall be called The SSMA Journal.

10.2 The SSMA Journal Director shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XI
SSMA HANDBOOK

11.1 The National Director, in consultation with the other Directors, will appoint a Director who shall be responsible for the preparation and distribution of SSMA Handbook.

11.2 The SSMA Handbook Director shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION OF ORGANIZATION

12.1 If the Association diminishes to no more than fifty (50) dues-paying Members, exclusive of the Board of Directors, it may be dissolved after a sixty (60) day waiting period. Notice of Dissolution, and the effective date, shall be communicated in writing or by electronic means to all dues-paying Members.

12.2 If within the sixty-day waiting period the number of dues-paying Members increases to fifty-nine (59) or more, proceedings to dissolve the organization shall be terminated.

12.3 At the time of official dissolution, all assets of the Association shall disposed of in a manner deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.

12.4 At the time of dissolution, all associated Clubs, and the appropriate State and Federal agencies shall be notified.