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Tripoli Gerlach





Tripoli Rocketry Association

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Tripoli Gerlach is a Hobby, Sport and Education Organization


While the main purpose of Tripoli Gerlach is Research Rocketry under the sanction of the Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc. its second purpose at heart is the Black Rock Desert and the surrounding area. Members of Tripoli Gerlach should show, but not be required, an interest in this area and the promotion, exploration and preservation of the Black Rock Desert environment.

Definitions:

RESEARCH ROCKETRY; Any rocket activity involving High Power Rockets for the purpose of experimentation, education and the pursuit of knowledge. Not limited to the science of Motor Making; Research Rocketry can encompass fabrication, cameras, computers, ground support, and just about anything that advances the area of non-professional and non-commercial rocketry.

TREKKING; Expedition in search of environmental wonder surrounding our common experience relating particularly to our Black Rock Desert area.


I. Purpose

  1. The purpose of Tripoli Gerlach shall be to promote Research Rocketry as a hobby and sport through the uniting of like-minded individuals.

  2. To organize and operate rocket launches whereby members of the organization and others qualified may legally pursue the hobby and sport of Research Rocketry.

  3. To train all members in safety, legal activities and technologies relating to Research Rocketry.

  4. To support and assist The Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc. with their programs, goals and purposes that attend to safety, technology and regulation of Research Rocketry.

  5. To promote and conduct Research Rocket launches specifically in the Black Rock Desert area of Nevada.

  6. To promote, explore and preserve the Black Rock Desert area of Nevada.

II. Membership

  1. Membership in Tripoli Gerlach shall be open to any and all serious-minded rocket enthusiasts, no matter where his or her place of residence, holding a current National Tripoli Membership within the Tripoli Rocketry Association in good standing.

    All members of Tripoli Gerlach 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.

  2. A Tripoli Gerlach membership may be terminated under any of the following conditions:

    1. If a Tripoli Gerlach member's membership with Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc. has become expired or revoked by the Association.

    2. If a Tripoli Gerlach member conducts a gross violation of any Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc. safety codes.

    3. If a Tripoli Gerlach member conducts a gross violation of any Tripoli Gerlach safety codes.

    4. If a Tripoli Gerlach member has delinquent Prefecture dues exceeding the four (4) week grace period from the date due.

    5. If a Tripoli Gerlach member elects non-participation during Tripoli Gerlach Prefecture activities in any of the following areas:

      1. All Tripoli Gerlach members in attendance shall participate in the set-up, tear down, and range duties at all Tripoli Gerlach Invitational Launches. The only exception is the Prefect, whose duties shall be limited to control and administration of the Invitational Launch.

      2. A Tripoli Gerlach member may be excused from participation in any activities by pre-arrangement and approval of the Prefect.

  3. Tripoli Gerlach membership Termination Process:

    1. A Tripoli Gerlach Prefecture Officer must give the member a verbal reminder of Prefecture obligations, or a verbal warning of a specific safety code violation.

    2. The Tripoli Gerlach Prefect must provide a written notice to the member stating all specific details of the violation of the Tripoli Gerlach Prefecture By-Laws or applicable Safety Codes.

    3. A Tripoli Gerlach Prefecture Officer may present a proposal of membership termination at the annual Prefecture meeting. This proposal will be open to discussion by all members in attendance.

    4. A membership termination vote may be conducted at a regular Prefecture meeting. A two-thirds (2/3) negative vote of members present shall constitute revocation of the member's Tripoli Gerlach membership and loss of privileges.

  4. Tripoli Gerlach 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 member's reinstatement request.

    2. The terminated member's reinstatement request may be made to any Tripoli Gerlach Prefecture Officers.

    3. Tripoli Gerlach Prefecture Officers will review the reinstatement request.

    4. A Tripoli Gerlach Prefecture Officer may present a proposal of reinstatement to the membership at the annual Prefecture meeting. This proposal will be open to discussion by all members in attendance.

    5. A membership reinstatement vote may be conducted at the annual Prefecture meeting. A two-thirds (2/3) positive vote of the members present shall constitute reinstatement of Tripoli Gerlach membership with full privileges.

III.Dues and Fees

  1. Tripoli Gerlach Dues are set at $20.00 a year and due at the door of the Annual Member's Meeting every September or admittance will not be permitted.

  2. All Persons joining Tripoli Gerlach shall pay the organization’s annual dues. A member's delinquent dues must be paid by December 1st or said person will be removed from our Roster.

  3. All Dues and Fees of Tripoli Gerlach are not related to those of the National Organization.

  4. All Tripoli Gerlach members on the BALLS Committee and in good standing are entitled to one waiver of launch fees during the Tripoli Gerlach Launch Season.

  5. All said monetary funds and dues shall be presented to the Prefecture Treasurer in a timely manner.

  6. Any member whose dues are not paid for the year and attends the next Annual Member’s Meeting MUST pay their past dues PLUS dues for the new year or they will not be permitted attend the Meeting, Banquet or Raffle.

IV. Meetings and Launches

  1. An annual Tripoli Gerlach Member's Business meeting will be held in conjunction with a designated Research Launch being conducted in the Black Rock Desert. The date, time and location shall be announced at the previous meeting and/or published on the Tripoli Gerlach WebSite.

  2. A quorum shall consist of Prefecture members in attendance at the annual 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 the members of this quorum.

  3. Special meetings may be called by the Prefect and accommodate as many members as possible. Notice of Special Meetings must be placed on the Tripoli Gerlach WebSite at least three days in advance of said meeting. This will constitute formal notice.

  4. Membership voting regarding Tripoli Gerlach By-Laws or operations, may not take place at a special meeting.

  5. Tripoli Gerlach rocket launches shall be conducted under the Tripoli Safety Code and the Tripoli Research Safety Code with complete compliance with all higher authorities having jurisdiction.

  6. All attending Members will be required to participate with any and all operations of said launches, as needed.

V. Officers

  1. Tripoli Gerlach offices shall consist of a Prefect, Secretary and Treasurer. Any member may hold more than one office, except the office of Prefect. If the Prefecture Prefect is not available to conduct the duties of the office, the Prefect's duties shall temporarily move to the Secretary.

  2. At all times the Prefect shall have complete control of all meetings. The Prefect shall be aware of the status of all business related to Tripoli Gerlach. The Prefect shall maintain order at all meetings and keep all discussions in line with the current topic on the meeting floor.

  3. The Secretary shall assume the Prefect's seat at all meetings the Prefect is unable to attend. Upon assuming the Prefect's seat, the Secretary shall have all powers and responsibilities of the Prefect.

  4. 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 Gerlach WebSite. The Secretary shall conduct all Prefecture mailings as needed.

  5. The Treasurer shall keep a record and control of all financial matters within Tripoli Gerlach and present said record to the members at each annual business meeting. The Treasurer shall maintain the Prefecture membership roster and collect the annual Prefecture 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 Prefecture Secretary. The Treasurer shall collect all monetary funds from Prefecture sales, donations and gifts. All said monetary funds and dues shall be presented to the Prefecture Treasurer in a timely manner.

  6. 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 Research Rocket activities.

  7. 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 Prefect, or the Secretary (in the case of the Prefect 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 Gerlach Prefecture officer’s election shall hold priority. The Prefecture Secretary shall inform the Prefecture membership who the replacement officer will be.

VI. Elections, Service Terms and Term Limits

  1. Election of Tripoli Gerlach Prefecture officers shall take place once each year during the month of August. All nominations will be called before and ballots sent out in sufficient time to seat the new Executive Committee by the annual Member's Business meeting.

  2. An electoral nomination motion may be made by any Tripoli Gerlach Prefecture member in good standing.

  3. The electoral nomination motion must nominate a specific Tripoli Gerlach Prefecture member in good standing for a specific Tripoli Gerlach Prefecture office.

  4. A Tripoli Gerlach Prefecture member in good standing will be elected to the specific office upon the member receiving the maximum number of votes for that office.

  5. An elected Tripoli Gerlach Prefecture officer's service term will be for a period of one (1) year, serving from January 1st through December 31st of the service year.

  6. There will be no service term limits for Tripoli Gerlach Prefecture elected officers, except for the elected office of Prefect. A person may not serve more than four (4) consecutive elected service terms as Prefect.

    1. If a Tripoli Gerlach Prefect has completed four (4) consecutive service terms, the member must wait a period of one (1) year before again becoming eligible for re-election to the office of Prefect.

    2. LEGAL ACTION EXEMPTION to this rule: If the Tripoli Gerlach Prefecture is embroiled in an extensive legal action at the end of a Prefect's four consecutive service term, it may be prudent, and in the best interest of the Tripoli Gerlach Prefecture, to grant the Prefect another consecutive service term in order to complete mitigation and/or other important legal business of Tripoli Gerlach. This LEGAL ACTION EXEMPTION may be authorized by a two-thirds (2/3) positive vote of the membership present at the annual Prefecture Meeting.

VII. Changes to By-Laws

  1. The Tripoli Gerlach 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 Gerlach By-Laws may be changed, except Chapter VIII, DISSOLUTION.

  2. To ensure 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.

VIII. Dissolution

  1. Tripoli Gerlach will continue to operate as long as there are at least three (3) members of the Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc., meeting Prefecture criteria, interested in its continuance.

  2. In the event of Dissolution, 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.

Tripoli Gerlach By-laws Ratification Date: January 2, 2019

A copy of these By-Laws may be downloaded in PDF format and printed out for a permanent record by clicking HERE