Results of SSRCC meeting of September 14, 2009

[Father Don]

It is my opinion, based on re-reading the AMA letter regarding this matter, that the AMA conditions for continuation or reinstatement of the AMA charter include the resignation of all current officers and that they are not to hold office in the club again. Here is the quote I refer to. “The conditions for reinstatement may require the resignation of all officers of the club who were in attendance at the July 27 club meeting, the election of new officers…….”

Yes it’s true that we the members agreed to let the election of new officers take place in the upcoming Oct meeting and allowed the current board to remain, but that was really based on the President of the club’s direct statements to Baj prior to the meeting that he was in direct contact with the AMA and they backed down on the requirement, including the recommendation that the board resign.

So, here is a factual wrap up. The treasurer had previously voluntarily resigned; the VP voluntarily resigned, or stated that he would not run for re-election and did not put in to do so; the President remains in place and has put in a letter of intent to run for VP; the Secretary remains in place and has put in a letter of intent to run for Treasurer. I don’t think that will meet the considerations the AMA had put forth and I feel as though those individuals should voluntarily step aside, allowing the club and its members to come first. The president has stated clearly verbally and in writing that he intends to file legal action against the AMA.

Yes, we need to remain positive and let the club make its own decisions, but those decisions should be based on the better good of the club. Based on the membership’s overwhelming vote, the better good of the club is to remain an AMA Chartered club. I think the AMA, after much thought and consideration were very clear of their opinion of the events that took place at the July 27 meeting and what needed to be done about it.

[Baj]

Rudestar, can you show me a place, a group, a country where you will not find people you are referring to?
We are all different in so many ways yet we are the same people of this wonderful blue Safire planet. This problem is not just in SSRCC it is everywhere. No one flower is the same. I am sitting outside in my little haven of flowers my other passion, with a nice hot cup of coffee on the table a few garden tools a pot with a plant in it that needs care. Looking at this plant I see some flowers are worn and dull, while others shine and glow their colors as the sunlight hits them. Sure I will need to trim this plant so it smiles again with its true potential to grow and produce many more healthy followers.
.

[catman3070]

Since everyone keeps asking for the documents. I am converting them to .pdf for your keeping but figure I will post them here also.

South Shore Radio Control Club August XX, 2009
C/O Sean Clancey

RE: AMA Club #347 Status

Dear Club Members,

Letters have been received by the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) from AMA members who were in attendance at a South Shore Radio Control Club (SSRCC) meeting on July 27, 2009.

Please refer to the attached letters and Document A. The facts presented in each of the letters and Document A have been corroborated by other witnesses who were in attendance at this meeting.

These AMA members indicated in their letter and factual presentation that they had witnessed unethical behavior and conduct of SSRCC members, who vocalized prejudicial remarks to other members referencing their national origin, race and color. The actions were perceived as being done to exclude, discredit and intimidate members from expressing their views.

Pursuant to the authority of the District Vice President as granted by the AMA Executive Council, the District Vice President has the responsibility to cancel a club’s AMA charter for any violation of the terms of the AMA Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Rules of the AMA, or which is considered detrimental to the AMA or model aviation. The District Vice President may also, at his discretion, promulgate procedures or conditions that if undertaken by an AMA club, would allow the club to retain its AMA charter or have it reinstated.



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It was decided by the AMA President and District Vice President that because of the seriousness of the complaints and in order to render a fair and objective decision, an AMA Advisory Panel, as authorized by the AMA President, would review the charges and determine if there was a violation warranting cancelation of the club’s AMA charter.

After a thorough review of the facts presented to date, it was concluded that the actions or lack thereof from the SSRCC president, officers and certain members, during the July 27 meeting, represent a violation of the nondiscrimination requirements for an AMA club charter. The fact that the equal rights of all members of the club to be heard were limited by discriminatory actions constitutes the violation.

Those individuals in attendance at the meeting who heckled and made racial and national origin discriminatory statements directly to others are not alone in being irresponsible. It is the responsibility of the club president and officers to create an atmosphere allowing for free discussion and take action to object and prevent inappropriate language or behavior especially when bordering on individual’s civil rights.

The AMA takes a strong position against improper and potentially actionable discriminatory conduct and statements and will not condone and will not tolerate any such form of discrimination of AMA members by other AMA members or AMA clubs.
This is inconsistent with the very spirit and mission of the Academy.

The club will be afforded the opportunity to respond to the charges of discrimination with a written letter addressed to the AMA President within 14 days from receipt of this letter. The clubs rebuttal letter will be reviewed before action is taken.

If the club doesn’t respond, or if the response after review and consideration doesn’t warrant dismissal of the charges, it will be with deep regret that the AMA finds it necessary to cancel the club’s charter.

The conditions for reinstatement may require the resignation of all officers of the club who were in attendance at the July 27 club meeting, the election of new officers, the dismissal of those club members who specifically made the discriminatory statements from club membership for a period of time to be decided by the club and the writing of a letter of apology to the club’s membership and especially Dr Winford W. Williams and Zahoor Bajwa admonishing the acts of discrimination that were allowed to take place during the club meeting.



Page 2 of 3










If a decision is made by the AMA Advisory Panel to cancel the club’s AMA charter, it will be up to you, the SSRCC members, to decide whether to undertake the conditions for reinstatement or not. I would hope that your recognition of the benefits and privileges of being an AMA chartered club would direct club actions to allow for consideration of reinstatement.

Respectfully yours,
Andy Argenio
Andy Argenio
AMA District I Vice President

*Any club members or officers who direct any retaliation action against other club members for letters written to the AMA representing either side, will be subject to the provisions of Article V of the AMA Bylaws which sets forth the AMA Membership expulsion process. This is to include threats, intimidation, physical harm, intentional equipment or flying site damage, or any other action deemed to be retaliatory by the AMA.





DOCUMENT (A)INCEDENTS INVOLVING DISCRIMINATION AT THE SSRC CLUB






This document outlines the incidents that involved discrimination as observed by District Associate Vice Presidents, Carl Vogel and Jim Gilliatt and statements made to District Vice President, Andy Argenio by some of the individuals who were discriminated against while at the July 27, 2009 SSRCC club meeting.


A-1 Discrimination – Entry to the meeting required an ID for some and not others.

The President informed us that someone would be checking ID cards at the door in order to ensure that only club members, who were present, would be called for votes on motions. The only people that we saw checked at the door were those that were suspected of being giant scale flyers or unknowns who might be potential giant scale supporters. This was done much the same way that the flight line was run at the field. Chane Spendlove was not going to be allowed to stay at the meeting because he didn’t have his membership card with him. Like so many of us, he keeps his card in his field box. As district VP, I said I would verify him as being Chane and a club member by his license. AMA AVPs in attendance questioned several other members and club officers from other clubs in the meeting room who told then they were never asked to show their ID or membership cards.

A-2 Discrimination – Racial Stereotyping

Winfred Williams, M.D. was one of those selected unknown attendees who were interrogated at the door as a possible supporter of giant scale planes. Doctor Williams called me the morning after the meeting to inform me of what happened to him at the meeting. He told me that when he got to the meeting hall, the first comment from the club member at the door was, “who are you? I’ve never seen you before are you a member. Let me see your membership card?” Upon which Doctor Williams said, “Nice to meet you, too! Here’s my membership card.” The Doctor said he was quite taken aback by the hostile attitude of this man. This hostility was further confirmed when he was trying to leave at the end of the meeting and was again stopped by this rude person and asked “why where you taking notes?” He told him he was a Harvard physician at Mass General and commonly would take notes when he wanted to learn issues and in this case when some of the discussions at the meeting involved the physics of sound, engine sizes and decibel level requirements. The man seemed unwilling to believe him and so the doctor offered to show him his notes. The man then asked for a Doctors I.D. card. It was obvious that the man thought the Doctor was some sort of reporter or plant. The Doctor told me he didn’t have his physicians I.D. card and so he showed his Harvard University Faculty I.D. The response from this club guy was “Oh, you’re over there with that Skip Gates guy!” obviously referring to the situation between Harvard’s African American Prof. Louis Gates and the Cambridge police officer. The Doctor then asked me “Would this man have said this to another Harvard faculty member who did not happen to be black?” We agreed, very unlikely. The Doctor concluded by saying to me that he had lived in New England since a teenager and in all this time he couldn’t recall being the object of such hostility, disrespect and prejudiced behavior and it was extremely unpleasant and unfortunate that this happened at the very first AMA club meeting he ever attended and that he believed this club member and the current leadership of the club acted irresponsibly throughout the meeting and should be held accountable. He also asked for the name of the club president and wanted to know why the club president allowed the array of racial slurs and heckling to continue without objection throughout the meeting. I apologized to him for the action of this AMA club and some of the member and let him know that the matter was being investigated and some action would be taken. I also said I would call him with the names of other AMA clubs who would more than welcome and honored to have him as a member.


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A-3 Discrimination – Racial slurs, intimidation / preventing expression of views

Everyone present heard the statements made to the former club president, Zahoor Bajwa, when he first spoke criticizing the club and the executive board for disrespecting the district vice president and other members by not allowing them to speak. Someone yelled at him “Shut up and sit down”. Having had recent heart problems he sat down. Later on he attempted to speak again explaining that he came from a country of discrimination where people were not allowed to speak their mind and he couldn’t believe what was being allowed to happen at the meeting and this time another person yelled “Send Baj and Obama back to Africa?” This man is of Pakistani descent. The heckling sounds continued and there was no objection from the club president or club officers.

A-4 Discrimination – Attempts to prevent / exclude membership

AMA member Elie Houayes applied for membership in the SSRC club and every attempt was made by the club officers to deny him membership. His applications were repeatedly not processed and each time he inquired there was a considerable delay before the club officers gave another reason for denying his membership. The club requires that applicants have sponsorship from two existing members. Eli’s first sponsors were not accepted because the club officers said they were not members for one full year. He applied again with two other long time club members as sponsors. This time he was told his application dues check was lost. He offered another check and was now told that the officers were not sure that the signatures of the sponsors on the application were authentic and had to be verified. I was told they were denying his application because he was another giant scale flyer and at this time there existed no club rules to prevent the flying of giant scale airplanes. Even after the 65cc engine limit was passed his application wasn’t processed until he made it known that he had airplanes that were 65cc and less that he could fly and only with the threat of legal action did the club final accept his membership.

A-5 Discrimination – Limiting and excluding discussion at club meeting

The meeting agenda information sent to the members indicated that the district vice president would be a guest speaker to discuss the noise issues facing the club. After remaining in my seat for over 45 minutes, never being introduced, it was obvious that a decision was made before the meeting among the club officers and selected members to prevent me from addressing the membership. I finally stood up and sought recognition to speak. Each time I attempted to speak, I was interrupted by raised hands from selected members who the president then differed the floor too. And so, only bits and pieces of what I had intended to introduce for consideration ever got heard by the members. It was the opinion of the several district officers and other club members and I, who were in attendance at the July 27 club meeting, that this was the worst club meeting we ever attended in terms of the hostility and discrimination that was allowed to take place without objection from those officers running the meeting.

A-6 Spreading false information

The meeting agenda card that went out to the members said that one of the reasons the July meeting date was being postponed until the end of the month was to accommodate the district vice president. This wasn’t true. I never requested a change in the regular meeting date. This was just one of the many delays so certain club members would have more time to influence the flock with false fears of the magnitude of the threat of losing the field and if they didn’t vote as suggested by these members, they might never fly at the club again.
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[wylieruneyjr]

Any club member that feels that another member is a "cancer" showing that this "cancer" is showing behavior unbecoming the hobby and club, can request that the "cancer" be dismissed from the club. If you are in belief that this " cancer " will continue to be unproductive, get rid of them. Check the bylaws for how to do it. And by all means possible contact the membership with well planned points to support the dismissal. If you feel strongly about it. But don't at the same time try to save anyone under the buss, as you will cloud the issue. Get rid of the prescient trouble makers. Then if you wish save a friend if you can. Any member can make the request, if moved to do so. But I urge you to be patience, and do so much later, than sooner, as you may find them removed by other means, such as having their personal AMA coverage revoked by AMA. I suggest the sectary go online to check that each member is actual current with the AMA, as the new year begins.

[rudestar]

We need to stop ignoring the 800 pound gorilla in the room.
The use of the Presidents name in a chant to deprive Baj of his right to be heard is inexcusable.
My opinion is that it was cowards using Obama's name in place of the "N" word and was just as hateful as the few who used the bedlam to hurl the actual "N" word and variations of same. This hateful behavior was encouraged by the leadership and and met by grins of approval by the executive board.
The AMA was very clear and requested we cut the head off this monster!
My opinion of the response so far is that we tossed the AMA a foreskin and the bird!

[wylieruneyjr]

When the Club voted to mantain AMA coverage, the Club has in fact, by proxy , voted to dismiss or resign all officers that were at the July meeting. Was Mr. Verge there? The officers that did not resign, is a slap in the face to the majority voting membership. These gentleman say the AMA has backed DOWN. I Ain't believing that.

[JimC-MD]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Father Don
	It is my opinion, based on re-reading the AMA letter regarding this matter, that the AMA conditions for continuation or reinstatement of the AMA charter include the resignation of all current officers and that they are not to hold office in the club again. Here is the quote I refer to. “The conditions for reinstatement may require the resignation of all officers of the club who were in attendance at the July 27 club meeting, the election of new officers…….”

	Quote: Originally Posted by catman3070
	South Shore Radio Control Club August XX, 2009 C/O Sean Clancey RE: AMA Club #347 Status Dear Club Members, <snip> Pursuant to the authority of the District Vice President as granted by the AMA Executive Council, the District Vice President has the responsibility to cancel a club’s AMA charter for any violation of the terms of the AMA Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Rules of the AMA, or which is considered detrimental to the AMA or model aviation. The District Vice President may also, at his discretion, promulgate procedures or conditions that if undertaken by an AMA club, would allow the club to retain its AMA charter or have it reinstated. Page 1 of 3 The AMA takes a strong position against improper and potentially actionable discriminatory conduct and statements and will not condone and will not tolerate any such form of discrimination of AMA members by other AMA members or AMA clubs. This is inconsistent with the very spirit and mission of the Academy. The club will be afforded the opportunity to respond to the charges of discrimination with a written letter addressed to the AMA President within 14 days from receipt of this letter. The clubs rebuttal letter will be reviewed before action is taken. If the club doesn’t respond, or if the response after review and consideration doesn’t warrant dismissal of the charges, it will be with deep regret that the AMA finds it necessary to cancel the club’s charter. The conditions for reinstatement may require the resignation of all officers of the club who were in attendance at the July 27 club meeting, the election of new officers, the dismissal of those club members who specifically made the discriminatory statements from club membership for a period of time to be decided by the club and the writing of a letter of apology to the club’s membership and especially Dr Winford W. Williams and Zahoor Bajwa admonishing the acts of discrimination that were allowed to take place during the club meeting. Page 2 of 3 If a decision is made by the AMA Advisory Panel to cancel the club’s AMA charter, it will be up to you, the SSRCC members, to decide whether to undertake the conditions for reinstatement or not. I would hope that your recognition of the benefits and privileges of being an AMA chartered club would direct club actions to allow for consideration of reinstatement. Respectfully yours, Andy Argenio Andy Argenio AMA District I Vice President

Father Don,

I disagree that the immediate removal of the current board is required. The section you quoted is what MAY be required for reinstatement if the club charter is revoked. That revocation would have been triggered with an unfavorable response to the letters that Shane reposted.

Catman, thanks for putting up the other documents. There it is clearly written that Andy has the ball along with the club. The club was to respond in writing within 14 days of the receipt of the letter with a plan to address the conditions. My question is has this letter been sent and does anyone have a copy of what was sent? 14 days have passed. That means there should be a known platform for moving forward that was accepted by the AMA as the letters are written. That the club has a plan to deal with the specific charges outlined in the letters and that the plan was accepted by AMA should be set by this point. Has the AMA backed away from the time line?

Just because people were on the war path about how things can be changed in one meeting, I noticed a funny thing. The ban on 65cc and up was not done well the first time. It was thought that it should have been proposed and tabled until the next meeting to allow for all club members to read and comment. Then with full for-thought it could be voted on at the next meeting. Now it has been changed with the same "one night method" as in the past. No matter what happens, just be sure that everyone follows the bylaws to the letter.

Not knocking the progress, there have been giant strides in the right direction. Just be sure the new club follows the rules. Those rules should be outlined well (in by laws) and only changed with a slow and deliberate process. Otherwise they will shift with every new board and no one will know what is right.

[rudestar]

	Quote: Originally Posted by wylieruneyjr
	Any club member that feels that another member is a "cancer" showing that this "cancer" is showing behavior unbecoming the hobby and club, can request that the "cancer" be dismissed from the club. If you are in belief that this " cancer " will continue to be unproductive, get rid of them. Check the bylaws for how to do it. And by all means possible contact the membership with well planned points to support the dismissal. If you feel strongly about it. But don't at the same time try to save anyone under the buss, as you will cloud the issue. Get rid of the prescient trouble makers. Then if you wish save a friend if you can. Any member can make the request, if moved to do so. But I urge you to be patience, and do so much later, than sooner, as you may find them removed by other means, such as having their personal AMA coverage revoked by AMA. I suggest the sectary go online to check that each member is actual current with the AMA, as the new year begins.

We are all a cancer to some one out there.
This isn't about who is a racist and who is not. Were not going to cure the hateful ones. This is about a group of haters celebrating their hatefulness that got carried away and used racial slurs in a public place to deprive an individual of his constitutional right to be heard. THIS IS A CRIME AND TO BE PART OF THE COVER UP IS TO COMPOUND THE CRIME!
WHAT PART OF THIS IS SO FRIGGING HARD TO GRASP?
From my observations if your older than me your probably a racist and if your younger than your probably not. It was how we were raised and no one is going to change anyone at this late date.
Think what you want but keep your hatefulness to yourself and if you commit a crime don't ask me to condone your criminal activities.

[catman3070]

FG Members and Guest, as a request by the AMA District VP I am posting the AMA comments regarding the meeting of September 14!

Gentlemen,

I talked with Baj today and was told several things that are disturbing.

First impressions of what transpired at the meeting may have indicated successful results. The 65cc engine limit was rescinded. The club members indicated their desire to continue as an AMA chartered club and Baj and his ticket were placed on the ballot for club officers in 2010.

The AMA wasn’t responding in the letter sent to the club to the engine size limit but to the issue of discrimination.

Baj informed me that Chris told him that he had been in contact with the AMA and Dave Mathewson. He said he was told that the AMA was going to “Back Off” the condition that required the resignation of all officers of the club who were in attendance at the July 27 meeting.

Based on the statement from Chris, Baj didn’t ask for a motion to have the current officer’s stand down or resign as he intended to do and as a result, Chris had himself placed on the ballot for vice president in 2010. This is absolutely not acceptable.

I spoke with Dave and he has never received a letter or a telephone call from Chris. He did receive four letters from club members that he responded to. I have copies of all the letters and his responses and not hing was said or implied in those letters that the AMA was backing down. It seems that Chris is once again feeding members false information to further his agenda to remain in control and in office.

The AMA letter clearly states that if the clubs response to the charges doesn’t warrant dismissal of the charges of discrimination the clubs charter will be canceled. Since there was an admission of guilt to the charges of discrimination at the meeting, then all the conditions for reinstatement will need to be met. Serious charges were made and they must not be ignored. A simple admission of guilt without any punitive action sends a message of toleration and we should not tolerate discrimination of any AMA club members civil rights.


Chris informed the members at the September 14 meeting that one of the members who made the discriminatory statements was no longer in the club. I would like the name of that club member. I was also told that Paul W., who made other discriminatory remarks, was n’t at the meeting and no action is being considered to sanction him from club membership. Apology letters need to be drafted and sent to the membership by the current officers as well as to Dr. Williams and Zahoor Bajwa.

As far as I am concerned, Chris must remove his name from the ballot. He must not be allowed to hold office in this club. Why should others be punished and he is exonerated of the charges?

I am sorry to hear of the attack on Chris and would like to know the name of the assailant and if he in fact is a member of the AMA. I would also like to see a copy of the police report.


Baj also informed me that Chris told h im he intended to bring legal action against me for the action I took against him and the club.

The letters that were sent to Dave Mathewson from several of Chris’s cohorts made accusations that I acted improperly and with animosity towards SSRCC and its members. I will provide my response to their letters and Dave Mathewson’s responses to them in a future e-mail.

THE AMA HAS NOT BACKED DOWN!
ANDY

[JEFFRO503]

Just from an outsiders view here.......But i honestly think EVERY single previous officer that "was" in charge , needs to be dismissed immediately , with a few of them being banned permanently from the club itself!

couple words of wisdom here......You can NOT change a persons personal views towards others when it come down to hating on others for their race , skin tone and so forth. Even though they may never say it again out loud.....it will sit inside them and fester like some disease and they will find other ways to hurt you! They will not change ( the few bad apples am what i am talking about) And as Rudestar and Chane have both pointed out.....Finish cutting off the head of that monster! Finish the job before it can grow two legs again and come back stronger......get rid of them ASAP!

And this comment comes from me , and only me : To the douche' bag president that is walking around with a limp , and said ( possibly as a joke?) that a FG member attacked him.....You sir are a low life! that's not even a funny thing to say , as some people didn't take it as a joke. Thats a blatant attack on all FG memebers for even saying anything like. Go back to that rock you call a home and crawl under it!

[Baj]

NO LONGER VALID for now (Baj)

Respected ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

I am now going to do a series of five interviews live in this forum format over the next week.

The first Interview will start today live at 8:30 PM and go to 9:00 pm eastern standard time, This time can be extended to 9:30 Pm est.

My Guest tonight for this wonderful community of passionate modelers here and form around the world will be The Sitting President of SSRCC

Lt. Christopher L. D'Arpino

Ground Rules:
It is my hope that he will be welcomed here in the same manner that I was. You have the entire day to ask him any question by your posts. Any questions that may be seen as personal attacks will be considered rude as he will be your guest here tonight. After your questions are posted I will summarize them and ask 5 questions. During 8:30pm to 9.00 pm please do not post anything. If the gentleman would like to increase his stay here only then will five direct questions be allowed. Under any circumstance do not make this a personal matter, or use language that may be considered unwelcoming of your tradition here of welcoming all points of view.
I have just spoken to our guest; he is willing to answer your questions under these terms. If the site has no objection and the members here would like to hear Lt. Christopher L. D'Arpino please let me know. A story always has two sides. We in this hobby need to set examples and there is no place for us to behave like 7 year olds (as my good friend Horst would say). Do we agree?

Most sincerely,
Zahoor E Bajwa

[rudestar]

	Quote: Originally Posted by wylieruneyjr
	When the Club voted to mantain AMA coverage, the Club has in fact, by proxy , voted to dismiss or resign all officers that were at the July meeting. Was Mr. Verge there? The officers that did not resign, is a slap in the face to the majority voting membership. These gentleman say the AMA has backed DOWN. I Ain't believing that.

It's all about lawyers and money...Not whats right. Their going to twist this up so the shysters and the scumbags get rich and we get the bills and the blame.

billy boi is smarter than you think...he's been on the phone madly pulling strings and calling in favors for months now. Failure is not in his game plan. Like hitler in his bunker he is secure in the knowledge that this debacle will never be made his responsibility. he did not attend as he can't face those who know why his eyes are the same shade of brown as the noses of the executive board..