Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club Constitution

This document will supercede any previous Constitution and/or By-Laws

Preamble:

We, the undersigned, wishing to secure for our-selves the pleasures and benefits of an association of persons commonly interested in Amateur Radio, constitute ourselves the Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club and enact this constitution as our governing law. It shall be our purpose to further   the exchange of information and cooperation between members, to promote radio knowledge, fraternalism and individual operating efficiency, and to so conduct club programs and activities as to advance the general interest and welfare of Amateur Radio in the community.

Membership: Article I

All persons interested in Amateur Radio communications shall be eligible for membership. Membership shall be by application and election upon such terms as the club shall provide in its By-Laws.

Officers: Article II

Sec. 1. The officers of this club shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Club Trustee.

Sec. 2. The officers of this club shall be elected for a term of one year by ballot of the members present, provided there be a quorum (one-third of the membership), at the annual meeting.

Sec. 3. Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by special elections at the first regular meeting following the withdrawal or resignation.

Sec. 4. Officers may be removed by a three-fourths vote of the membership.

Duties of Officers: Article III

Sec. 1. The President shall preside at all meetings, and conduct them according to the rules adopted. He/she shall enforce due observance of this Constitution and By- Laws; decide all questions of order; sign all official documents adopted by the club, and perform all other duties pertaining to the office of President.

Sec. 2. The Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President in his/her absence. In addition, he/she shall organize club activities, plan and recommend contests for operating benefits, and advance club interest and activity as approved by the club. He/she shall maintain close liaison with the ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator to further club participation in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service.

Sec. 3. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, keep a roll of members, submit membership applications, carry on all correspondence, and read communications at each meeting.   Additionally, he/she shall receive and receipt for all monies paid to the club; keep an accurate account of all monies received and spent.  No bills shall be paid without proper authorization.  Coordination shall be made with an applicable bank or finance facility to establish and update accounts of the club, order and keep checks for club use, ensure that two signatures are authorized on the club account for conducting financing business and for signing checks to pay expenses.  At the expiration of his/her term he/she shall turn over all items belonging to the club to his/her successor.

Sec. 4. The Trustee, appointed by the President, shall act as liaison for obtaining and maintaining the Club Call, and other FCC business.

Meetings: Article IV

The By-Laws shall provide for regular and special meetings. At meetings, a minimum of eleven members, including officers, shall be present in order to conduct regular club business other than amendments or changes to the Constitution or By-Laws.  Article VII provides for the voting necessary to change or amend the Constitution or By-Laws.

Dues: Article V

The club  may levy upon the general membership such dues or assessments as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the organization. Non-payment of such dues or assessments shall be cause for expulsion from the club.

Membership Assistance: Article VI

The club may provide technical advice to members concerning equipment design and operation to assist in frequency observance, clean signals, uniform practice, and absence of spurious radiation from club member-stations. The club may also maintain a program to foster and guide public relations.

Amendments: Article VII

This constitution or By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the total membership.  Voting shall be accomplished by mail-out ballots and/or  voting at meetings.  Roll call is to be used for verification and is to be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing at a regular meeting.  Two separate readings of proposed changes shall occur before a vote is taken in consideration of the proposed changes.  The first reading shall occur at the next meeting and the second reading at the next regular meeting.  After the second reading the changes may be voted on immediately.  A good-faith effort shall be made to notify all members, by mail, email, and/or by net announcements, of the intent to amend the constitution and/or By-Laws at said meeting.

Robert's Rules shall govern proceedings.

Voted on and approved this day, August 28, 2008 by membership of the Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club.

Glenn R. Snow, N4MJ
President & Trustee
Bob Miles, K9IL
Vice-President
Jamie Hall, WB4YDL
Secretary-Treasurer  

 

Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club By-Laws

1. Requirements for Transaction of Business – For business other than changes in the constitution and/or By-Laws a minimum of ELEVEN paying members, including officers, shall be present.  Roll call is to be used for verification and is to be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

2. Secretary-Treasurer - It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer to keep the He/she shall note all amendments, changes and additions on the constitution and by-laws and shall permit them to be consulted by members upon request.  He or she shall receive and receipt for all monies paid to or spent by the club; keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended.  No bills shall be paid without proper authorization.  The Secretary-Treasurer shall coordinate with an applicable bank or finance facility to establish and update accounts of the club, order and keep checks for club use, ensure that two signatures are authorized on the club account for conducting financing business and for signing checks to pay expenses.

3. Membership defined - Full membership is open to licensed amateurs. A “New Member” is defined as one who has never been a member of Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club.  Associate membership is open to those actively engaged in a class leading to an Amateur Radio license.  Individuals who take their VE exams during a RARC VE session and who are granted a one-year free club membership are considered “non-paying, non-voting members.  Associate membership is also available to those who wish to support amateur radio and/or Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club.

4. Membership privileges - Full membership includes all club privileges as well as rights to hold a club office and to vote for club officers and business.  Associate and “VE related grant” membership includes all club privileges except for the right to hold office or vote for club officers or to vote on club business. Applications for membership shall be submitted at regular meetings.

5. Regular Club  Business - Regular club business shall be accomplished by a show of hands, voice indication, or ballot at club meetings.  The majority carries.

6. Meetings - Regular meetings shall be held on the fourth Thursday of every month except as may be modified due to events or other business.

7. Special Meetings - The President upon the written request of any five-club members may call special meetings.   Notices, either by mail, email, and/or via the Sunday night net on the  WA4YGM 146.70/10 Mhz repeater, shall be provided to members concerning special meetings and the business to be transacted. Only such business as designated shall be transacted. Such notices shall be sent so that they arrive not less than 24 hours before the meeting.

8. Dues - Membership in the Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club is on an annual basis with a fiscal year defined as the beginning of February to the end of January.  Dues paid at the regular February meeting are for this fiscal year.  An annual assessment of $30.00 per member is hereby assessed in accordance with the provisions of Article V of the constitution for the purpose of providing funds for expenses.  New Members, as defined in By-law #2,  joining the club on a month other than February, the beginning of the fiscal year, will have their dues pro-rated for the remainder of that year.  A Family Membership will be assessed $5.00 more, not subject to pro-ration.  A Family Membership requires one member of the family paying regular annual dues.

Those who successfully pass the Technician Class license exam at a RARC sponsored volunteer examiner session shall be granted a one- year Associate Membership “free gratis” from the month of passage.  Prorated dues shall be assessed for the following year as with new members; thereafter, regular membership dues shall be assessed annually.

Lapse in dues payment at the beginning of the fiscal year shall confer ‘associate’ status until full dues are received for that fiscal year.  Failure to pay dues will be cause for removal from the club membership roster at the end of the fiscal year.  In such cases, membership may be obtained by application and payment of full fiscal annual dues.

Non-payment of such dues or assessments shall be cause for revocation of membership.

9. Disposition of Club Assets - The Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club, being an incorporated entity, does hereby set the following precedence for disposition of assets in the event of dissolution. Assets verified as being property of The Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club shall, upon dissolution of said club, be sold or auctioned to membership first and then to the general public. Bank accounts shall, upon final dissolution, be turned over to the American Radio Relay League, Newington, CT.

Voted on and approved this day, April 23, 2009 by membership of the Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club.

 

Glenn R. Snow, N4MJ
President & Trustee
Bob Miles, K9IL
Vice-President
Jamie Hall, WB4YDL
Secretary-Treasurer