beepee,
very good points you make about being proactive, esp. concerning noise control. That's why our club enforces strict sound testing of any engine over 1.2 c.i., no ifs, ands, or buts. Our field owner, who is a club member and fairly active flyer, has said that if we have even one complaint about noise, we're done.
We also, every fall, have our Farmers and Flyers picnic. All the neighbors are invited to come eat, fly and get to know us. They are encouraged to voice any concerns they have about our club activities; we would rather hear any complaints straight from the "horses mouth", than from a lawyer or commissioner later on when it is probably too late.