Armor Modeling and Preservation Society (AMPS) Bylaws
DRAFT - For Comment Only

Article 1. Membership

a.    All people professing a desire to achieve the purposes and objectives of this Society are invited into membership.

b.    There will only be one class of membership -- general member. Officers will be elected from the general membership. There will be no special categories offered, e.g., trade members, Society leaders, associate members, contributing members, honorary members, or life members.

Article 2. Dues and Revenues

a.    Dues will be assessed based on the costs of preparing and distributing the international level formal publication, averaged informal mailings, and, as events progress, those items required for the support of international and regional level activities (e.g., awards, broadsides, fliers, judging materials and packages, website, etc.) To receive formal Society recognition, a member’s dues must be paid in full.

b.    All members contributing articles to the international level formal publication or website - reviews with photographs, 'how-tos', historical articles, etc. do so of their own free will. There will be no monies paid for articles; however, articles which are donated to the Society are not their exclusive property and not copyrighted by the Society.

c.    The international level publication may, upon the judgment of the editor and executive council, accept paid advertisements. Monies collected from these advertisements will be added to the general treasury of the Society.

d.    Depending upon the status of the international level publication, it may be offered for retail by selected commercial enterprises. Profits from the commercial sale of the publication will be added to the general treasury of the Society.

e.    On special occasions -- support for international level conventions, regional shows, or special projects such as the restoration of a specific armored vehicle -- the Society may permit the promotion of related souvenir items for sale to the general membership. These will be of a non-commercial nature, e.g. convention T-shirts with Society logos, coffee mugs, lapel pins, or of specific interest to the general membership such as a unique decal sheet. All revenues beyond those costs to produce the items will go to the general treasury of the Society for disbursement to the stated purpose of their collection. 

Article 3. Officers and Controlling Organs

a.    AMPS will be governed by an Executive Board, hereafter referred to as the e-Board, consisting of the: president, first vice president, regional second vice presidents, secretary, and treasurer. The president, first vice president, regional second vice presidents, and secretary will be elected by the members. They will form the main governing body of the e-Board, each with one vote.

b.    Other officers – including but not limited to the Publication Editor, Webmaster and Chief Judge – will be appointed as necessary by the governing body of the e-Board but will not have voting rights.  However, they are encouraged to provide advice and input to the e-Board.

c.    The Elected Officers will be elected to two-year terms on a staggered basis.  Their terms of office will begin at the end of the International Convention. The President, 2VP East, 2VP Central, 2VP Midwest, 2VP West, 2VP International are elected in odd-numbered years, while the 1VP, 2VP Canada, 2VP Northwest, 2VP South and Secretary are elected in even-numbered years. If any of these officers should be unable to serve, the President, on behalf of the e-Board, will appoint a replacement until the next election for that position is held.

d.    The only restriction placed on becoming an officer of the Society is that the general member may not have any of the following conflicts of interest:

                      i.        An income derived, primarily or indirectly, from the hobby industry, e.g., models, retail sales, hobby related books or publications, or import/export trade.

                    ii.        Close or continuing ties to any specific companies, partnerships, or corporations which derive any income or profit from the hobby industry, to include 'master builders' or reviewers who receive models, books, or other materials on a regular basis, for no or little charge, from a specific company(ies), or any major investment which provides an income from the hobby industry.

                   iii.        These restrictions may be waived upon proof of good faith on the part of the candidate for office that he has terminated either his source of income or relationship.

e.    All officers and appointees regardless of position must be paid up members in good standing with the Society and must remain so during their tenure in the office. If any officer or appointee fails to maintain his or her membership in good standing, the President, on behalf of the e-Board, will appoint a replacement until the next election for that position is held.

f.     The e-Board shall be regularly informed of all executive policy decisions, either by letter, telephone or other electronic media, or in the Society's international publication. In the case of a disagreement, the e-Board may act at a regular or special meeting to ratify or overturn any executive decision made by the president. Majority vote will be the deciding factor.

g.    In keeping with Article 3, (a., i). of the AMPS Constitution, the e-Board may from time to time make donations to further preservation efforts.  Wherever possible, the amount of these donations should be included in the annual budget prepared by the Treasurer.

Article 4. Duties of Elected and Appointed Officers

a.    President

                      i.        Presides over all meetings of the e-Board.

                    ii.        Makes all international-level policy decisions after due liaison with the members of the e-Board.

                   iii.        Monitors all activities of the Society via the various officers and appointees.

b.    First Vice President

                      i.        Presides over all meetings of the e-Board in the absence of the president.

                    ii.        Assists the president in all major policy decisions.

                   iii.        Monitors the activities of the International Convention.

c.    Regional Second Vice Presidents

                      i.        Participate in all requisite meetings of the e-Board.

                    ii.        Ensure timely dissemination of rules and competition guideline packages to participant members in their respective regions for use in AMPS-related modeling competitions.

                   iii.        The Regional Second Vice Presidents represent different geographic areas of the world.

                   iv.        There shall be at least eight Regional Second Vice Presidents: at least six representing areas of the United States and at least two representing areas outside the United States.

                    v.        The President, with the approval of the e-Board, may appoint additional Regional Second Vice Presidents or eliminate Second Vice President positions, from time to time, as the President may find appropriate and useful to coordinate the activities of local and affiliate chapters, and such other matters as the President and the e-Board may delegate to the Regional Second Vice Presidents.

                   vi.        Any appointed Regional Second Vice Presidents shall serve their terms until the next election for their positions, as set forth in Article 3.c of the Bylaws.

                  vii.        If possible, at least one regional second vice president should attend each regional AMPS show to ensure compliance with international standards, or at least a reasonable attempt at meeting international standards by the judging committee at that show.

d.    Secretary

                      i.        Keeps minutes of all e-Board and Annual General Membership (AGM) meetings.

                    ii.        Maintains AMPS membership records, recruiting and retention activities.  Maintains a full and fair copy of all members of the Society to include physical and electronic addresses, and date of subscription.  In addition, provides the Publication Editor physical address information for those who receive the publication by mail.

                   iii.        Performs as official historian of the Society.

                   iv.        In conjunction with the AMPS webmaster, plans, coordinates and operates the registration desk during the AMPS International Convention.

                    v.        Oversees access to the AGM ensuring only active AMPS members attend and participate in the meeting. Serves as the Boresight distribution coordinator – responsible for maintaining (and sharing with the Boresight editor) the physical mailing addresses for all Active AMPS members who receive Boresight by mail.

                   vi.        Registration for the AMPS International Convention. In conjunction with the AMPS webmaster, the Secretary plans, coordinates and operates the registration desk during the AMPS convention.

                  vii.        Oversees the AMPS election process and certifies the AMPS elections results, except when the Secretary position is up to election. When the Secretary position is up for election, the AMPS Webmaster or 1st Vice President certifies the AMPS election results.

                 viii.        Oversees access to the AGM ensuring only active AMPS members attend and participate in the meeting.

                   ix.        Keeps minutes of all e-Board and Annual General Membership (AGM) meetings.

                    x.        Maintains AMPS membership records, recruiting and retention activities. Maintains a full and fair copy of all members of the Society to include physical and electronic addresses, and date of subscription.  In addition, provides the Publication Editor physical address information for those who receive the publication by mail.

                   xi.        Performs as official historian of the Society.

                  xii.        In conjunction with the AMPS webmaster, plans, coordinates and operates the registration desk during the AMPS International Convention.

                 xiii.        Oversees access to the AGM ensuring only active AMPS members attend and participate in the meeting.

e.    Appointed Officers

                      i.        Treasurer

1.    The Treasurer is appointed by the e-Board.  The Treasurer shall:

a.    Provides an annual report on the Society’s finances to the general membership at the Annual General Meeting and will present an accounting at the regular or special meetings of the e-Board.

b.    Collects all monies and disburses funds as required to pay for expenses incurred by the Society.

c.    Annually, prepares and presents to the e-Board the budget for operations of the Society.

d.    Provides a written summary report on financial affairs to the Society at least once per year via the national publication or Annual General Meeting.

                    ii.        Webmaster

1.    The Webmaster is appointed by the e-Board and will be funded by the General Treasury as appropriate. The Webmaster shall:

a.    Maintain a website which announces the Society, its purposes, its achievements, and provides publicly accessible versions of the AMPS Competition Rules and the AMPS Constitution and Bylaws.

b.    Coordinate closely with the Publication Editor and the Secretary to maintain both a favorable image of the Society and to promulgate Society activities via electronic media.

                   iii.        International Convention Chair

1.    The International Convention Chair is appointed by the hosting chapter for each year’s International Convention or in certain cases, appointed by the President. The International Convention Chair shall:

a.    Be responsible for the International Convention. The International Convention Chair will nominate key show personnel in concert with local area representatives and with the approval of the e-Board.

b.    Work with the 1st Vice President to ensure that the show meets international standards.

c.    Prepare and present to the e-Board the budget for the International Convention to the e-Board, in coordination with the Treasurer.

d.    Assist the International Convention Chair for the following year to provide continuity and guidance as requested.

                   iv.        International Chief Judge

1.    The International Chief Judge is appointed by the AMPS e-Board. The International Chief Judge shall:

a.    Successfully complete the AMPS Judge’s Certification process and be trained in the administration of the AMPS judging system.

b.    Be responsible for the contest rules, act as the arbiter of these rules, decide the eligibility of any entry or entrant, and bear the ultimate responsibility for ensuring contest rules are successfully implemented.

c.    Be responsible for judges’ training which includes the certification of AMPS judges.

d.    Be responsible for the organization and supervision of the International Show model competition.

e.    Organize the judging teams and shifts. He/she will select Assistant Chief Judges to help run the competition. He/she will assist the Assistant Chief Judges in selecting Table Captains, and Field Judges.

f.     Establish a competition judging area, monitor judging and contest tabulations, assist in compiling the lists of winners, and oversee the presentation of awards.

g.    Make recommendations to the e-Board on any changes to the judging rules or guidelines. Such changes will be subject to e-Board approval.

                    v.        AMPS Publication Editor

1.    The Publication Editor is appointed by the e-Board. The Publication Editor shall:

a.    Solicit, receive and publish content to the AMPS membership magazine Boresight as directed in the AMPS Constitution, Article III (a.)

b.    Distribute Boresight at bi-monthly intervals to AMPS members in good standing.

c.    Publish advertising and other printed/electronic media to Boresight, in coordination with the Sponsorship Coordinator.

d.    Be responsible for editing (may delegate if so desired) the content of Boresight.

e.    Represent the Society in a manner consistent with the AMPS Constitution, Article II (a.)

f.     Closely coordinate with the Secretary to maintain both a favorable image of the Society and to promulgate Society activities via printed/electronic media.

                   vi.        Review Coordinator

1.    The Review Coordinator is appointed by the e-Board. The Review Coordinator shall:

a.    Solicit, receive and distribute review samples for the AMPS Review Program.

b.    Administer the Review Program in accordance with the approved Review Program Procedures and Guidelines document.

c.    Be responsible for maintaining the Procedures and Guidelines Document as approved by the e-Board.

d.    Be responsible for staffing the Review Crew.

e.    Be responsible for editing reviews (may delegate if so desired) and content.

                  vii.        Raffle Coordinator

1.    The Raffle Coordinator is appointed by the e-Board. The Raffle Coordinator shall:

a.    Solicit, receive and distribute donations from vendors for the raffle at the Annual International Convention.

b.    Be responsible for establishing and maintaining an inventory of promotional sales items such as shirts, cups, hats, pins, etc. The Raffle Coordinator shall recommend inventory quantities, T-shirt quantities, price structure, sales items and changes to the e-Board and the International Convention Chair.

c.    Maintain equipment necessary to run the raffle, which will be funded by the general treasury as appropriate.

d.    Prepare a final raffle report after the show for After-Action Review and e-Board approval.

e.    Be responsible to the e-Board or their designated representative, usually the International Convention Chair.

                 viii.        Sponsorship Coordinator

1.    The Sponsorship Coordinator is appointed by the e-Board. The Sponsorship Coordinator shall:

a.    Work with the President and 1^st Vice President to develop and promote the Corporate and membership sponsor program.

b.    Solicit corporate sponsors and coordinate donations from these sponsors with the Raffle Coordinator.

c.    Solicit membership sponsors for the various competition categories. 

d.    Provide the International Convention Chair with a list of sponsors for publication in event promotional material.

e.    Prepare a final report after the show for After-Action Review and e-Board approval.

f.     Be responsible to the e-Board or their designated representative, usually the International Convention Chair.

                   ix.         Vendor Coordinator

1.    The Vendor Coordinator is appointed by the e-Board. The Vendor Coordinator shall:

a.    Solicit businesses and individuals to be vendors for the International and designated regional shows as vendors.  Work closely with the Raffle and Sponsorship coordinators on product donations/sponsorships.

b.    Sign up business and individuals as vendors for the international and designated regional shows.

c.    Collect payments from vendors by electronic hosting services (PayPal) or by check/cash. Deposit check/cash in approved bank account working closely with society treasurer. 

d.    Plan vendor room table layout and assign vendors tables.

e.    Enforce International Convention vendor rules and policies. 

f.     Work directly under designated International Convention chair with all things regarding vendors and vendor room.

                    x.        Past Presidents

1.    All Past Presidents of the Society shall serve as an advisory group to the President and e-Board.

2.    At the request of the President, the Past Presidents may advise the President and e-Board on topics which support the operations of the Society.

Article 5. Procedural Matters

a.    Elections

                      i.        Any currently subscribed member may run for office, providing he/she meets the restrictions listed in Article 3, (d) of these Bylaws.

                    ii.        A call for nominations will be made in the Society’s publication and on applicable web sites during January and February of each year, for offices open for election during that year.

                   iii.        Nominations (including self-nominations) will be accepted by submission to the Webmaster during January and February of each year, for offices open for election during that year.

                   iv.        The election will be overseen by a committee of at least three non-candidate members including the Webmaster. 

                    v.        On March 1, a list of eligible nominees will be posted on the AMPS website. Voting is through the website and members may cast votes from March 1 to March 15.

                   vi.        The winner for any position will be determined by a simple majority of votes cast.

                  vii.        On March 16, the Election Committee will verify the vote totals and the winners. The results will be tabulated and announced by the membership.

                 viii.        In the event of a tie, a tie-breaking meeting will be held no later than March 21. It will be conducted by the Election Committee. Other interested parties can be physically or virtually present. If the tie is between 2 candidates, a coin flip will determine the winner. If the tie is between more than 2 candidates, straws will be drawn to determine the winner.  The results of the tie-breaking meeting will be verified by the Election Committee and announced to the membership.

b.    Meetings

                      i.        The e-Board shall meet formally at least once per year at the Society’s International Convention. The e-Board may also meet at other times during the year, at the direction of the President, as necessary for the administration of the Society. These e-Board meetings may be held in-person, via teleconference, email or letter correspondence.

                    ii.        The Society shall conduct an in-person Annual General Meeting (AGM), for the purpose of reporting to the membership on the Society’s financial position, results of the latest elections, and any other topics relevant to the operations of the Society. The AGM will be open to all members in good standing and will be announced well in advance. The AGM shall coincide with the time and place of the Annual International Convention. The AGM will be available as an online meeting for those members in good standing who are unable to attend in person.

c.    Amendments to the Bylaws

                      i.        The Bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the total elected members of the e-Board at a meeting held more than 30 days following publication of the proposed amendment on the Society’s website and Facebook Page. When the e-Board is deliberating a proposed amendment, it may be modified during the deliberative process without republication.

                    ii.        The Bylaws may also be amended at any meeting of the general membership of the Society by the affirmative vote of a majority, provided that a quorum is present and that 30 days advance notice of the vote of proposed amendment has been given to the membership.

Article 6. AMPS Chapters

a.    Based on a common shared interest in the principles and goals of AMPS, as set forth in the Constitution and Bylaws, local chapters may be created by members, based on the AMPS philosophy.

b.    AMPS chapters may use the term AMPS in their name, e.g. 'AMPS Cucamonga', or 'Cucamonga Area AMPS'. Affiliate clubs do not have to use the name.

c.    AMPS chapters are expected to adhere to the Society’s Constitution and Bylaws.  AMPS chapters may conduct a contest set in the AMPS manner, are expected to adhere to the rules laid down by the AMPS International Leadership in the conduct and judging of that contest.

d.    AMPS chapters are expected to have at least one fully paid member of the Society in their membership. The Constitution and Bylaws, as well as the Contest Rules, may be copied and used as required by the local chapter. However, Chapters are reminded that the BORESIGHT magazine is the proprietary journal of AMPS, and is not to be copied or distributed without prior permission of the AMPS e-Board,

e.    AMPS chapters are encouraged to report on their activities so that they may be included in BORESIGHT or the Society website, de-conflict show dates and activities, and aid with AMPS related activities.

f.     Failure to adhere to the above rules or presenting the Society in a negative light due to undesirable activities will result in the subject chapter losing its affiliation with AMPS. 

Article 7. Hosting the International Convention

a.    The International convention may be organized and managed by the e-Board working through an appointed show committee, or by a group of members representing a local chapter, who have been a Chapter for at least one year and successfully hosted at least one local or regional show.  The e-Board may, at its digression, waive this requirement if they feel this group has the experience and can be trusted to execute the international convention.

Article 8. Fiscal Year

a.    The fiscal year for all AMPS financial matters shall be January 1 through December 31.