January 1, 2006
CONSTITUTION
OF THE AREA AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS
PREAMBLE:
We, the undersigned, wishing to secure for
ourselves the pleasures and benefits of the association of persons commonly
interested in Amateur Radio, constitute ourselves THE AREA AMATEUR RADIO
OPERATORS and enact this constitution as our governing law.
It
should be our purpose to further 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 and the community.
ARTICLE
I
MEMBERSHIP
Individuals applying for membership shall be
licensed Amateur Radio Operators properly licensed by the FCC, or show a
sincere desire to promote Amateur Radio and abide by all rules as set forth in
Part 97 of the rules and regulations written by the FCC Persons not licensed
Amateur radio operators, shall not be eligible to vote on any maters that
pertain to operation on the Ham Bands or any other maters that are exclusive to
Amateur Radio operators. (Membership shall be by application and accepted
according to such terms as the club by-laws provide.)
ARTICLE
II
OFFICERS:
Sec.1
Officers
The officers
of this shall be: President, Vice - President, Secretary, Treasurer, Three
Directors, and a Business Agent.
Term
of Officers
The officers of this club be elected for a
term of one year by a quorum of the members present, at the meeting in January,
with the exception of Business Agent who is appointed and has a term of 3
years.
Vacancy
of Office
Vacancies occurring between elections must by
special elections at the first meeting following the withdrawal or resignation.
Officers may be removed from office by a three-fourths vote of the membership.
ARTICLE IIIDUTIES
OF OFFICERS
Sec.1
President
The President shall preside at all meetings of
this club, and conduct the same according to the rules adopted. He shall
enforce due observance of this constitution and by-laws, decide all questions
of order, sign all official documents that are adopted by the club, and none
other, and perform all other customary duties pertaining to the office of the
President. He is also authorized to accept donations to the club from outside
sources and make arraignments for retrieval of said item, and or items but must
make use of appropriate documentation.
Sec.2
Vice-president
The vice-president shall assume the duties of
the President in the absence of the latter. He shall keep an inventory of all
club equipment and location of said equipment. He is also authorized to accept
donations to the club from outside sources and make arrangements for retrieval
of said item, and or items but must make use of appropriate documentation.
Secretary
The Secretary shall keep a record of the
proceedings of all meetings, keep a roll of members, submit applications for
membership, and carry on all correspondence, read communications at each
meeting, and mail written notices to each member. He or she, shall at the
expiration of his or her term turn over everything in his possession belonging
to the club or his or her successor. He or she is also authorized to accept
donations to the club from outside sources and make arraignments for retrieval
of said item, and or items but must use of appropriate documentation.
SECTION
4
Treasurer
The Treasurer shall receive and receipt all
monies paid to the club; he shall keep an accurate account of all monies
received and expended, and give an accurate account balance upon request at
regular meetings. He or she shall pay no
bills without proper authorization (by the club President or Vice President in the Presidents absence.). At the end of
each quarter he shall submit an itemized statement of disbursements and
receipts to every board member. He or she shall at the expiration of his or her
term turn over everything in his possession belonging to the club to his or her successor. He or she is
also authorized to accept donations to the club from outside sources and make arraignments for
retrieval of said item, and or items but
must use of appropriate documentation.
Directors
The Directors shall provide guidance to the
club and help coordinate activities that the club is involved in. Such
activities shall be for the purpose of advancing Amateur Radio in general,
providing guidance in club membership,
and help make the club reputation and radio activities in the community as
outstanding as possible. They are is also authorized to accept
donations
to the club from outside sources and make arrangements for retrieval of said
item, and or items but must make use of
appropriate documentation.
Radio
communication between amateur stations solely with a personal aim and without
pecuniary interest.
SECTION
6
Business
Agent
The Business Agents responsibility is to act
as an intermediary between State, Federal, and Local agencies, as well as, private
industries and, the Area Amateur Radio Operators concerning business dealings
such as permits, Licenses, etc.
The
Business Agent will be empowered to make decisions and perform all necessary
tasks to ensure smooth operation of the club.
A repeater committee shall be appointed to
control the use and operation of the club repeater(s). This repeater committee
shall consist of at least 4 members, one of which must be the repeater
licensee, and one of which must be a charter member of the club. All members
serving on this committee must hold proper class of License to qualify for
control operator.
Interference
committee.
The Interference (QRM) committee shall consist
of the Board of Directors and individuals appointed as needed by the Board of
Directors.
ARTICLE
IV
MEETINGS:
The by-laws shall provide for the regular and
special meetings. At meetings, a quorum sill be considered 20% of the club
members and at least 3 officers at the regular meeting for transaction of
business.
DUES:
The club, by majority vote of those present at
any regular meeting, may levy the general membership such dues as shall be
deemed necessary for the business of the organization within its objects as set
forth in the preamble. Non-payment of such dues shall be cause for expulsion
from the club within the discretion of the membership. Dues shall be due on
January 1 each year.
ARTICLE
VI
AMENDMENTS:
This constitution or the by-laws may be amended
by a two-thirds vote of the total membership. Proposals for amendments shall be
submitted in writing at a regular meeting and shall be voted on at the next
following regular meeting, or by mail provided all members have been notified
of the intent to amend the Constitution and / or by-laws at said meeting, or by
mail.
ARTICLE
VII
RULES:
Robert's
Rules shall govern proceedings.
BY –
LAWS
1.
Meetings. Regular meetings shall be
held on the third Monday of each month at such a place, as the President shall
order. Special meetings may be called by
the President upon written request of any five club members. Notices shall be
sent to members concerning special meetings and the business transacted. Such
notices shall be sent so that in the ordinary postal delivery they arrive
not
less than 24 hours before the meeting
time.
Dues.
A regular yearly assessment of $20, $30 Family Membership, $15 Associate
Membership and a $5 initiation fee per membership until April 1 of current
year, then a $2.00 per month plus a $5 Initiation fee will be assessed. These
dues are hear-by assessed in accordance with the provisions of article V of the
constitution for the purpose of providing funds for current expenses.
Fiscal
Year
The fiscal year for the club shall begin
January 1 and end on December 31 and every year.
Officers
The office of president shall not be held by
the same person for more than 2 consecutive turns, (2years).
This
person could be re - elected to the office of president after a 1 year absence from the office.
Holding
office
A person may hold more than one club office,
other than the President during his or her term.
Membership
application
Application for membership shall be submitted
at a regular meeting in writing. Each applicant must express a willingness to
abide by the constitution and by-laws and other rules promulgated by the club.
The board of directors shall review the application for membership and advise
the club of their recommendation. The applicant must then be voted on by the
general membership by a majority vote of members present at the meeting and
upon paying a Five dollar initiation fee and dues paid up to the end of the
fiscal year, before being considered a member with voting privileges.
7.
Member Conduct
Members should not
engage in activity that would cast disrespect on the club.
Activities include, but are not limited to: theft, deceptive practice, forgery,
libel, and slander, defamation of character, unauthorized use or destruction of
club
property, willful miss-use or destruction of club property.
Any member that believes that another member has committed an offense against
the club, and wishes to bring a charge (or charges) against that member,
he should contact the club President (or in his absence, vice president)
to discuss the matter and any evidence to substantiate the charge(s) to be
brought forth. The president shall act has
an impartial party to any proceedings and recuse himself from any judgment in
the matters at hand.
If the member wishes
to proceed with bringing a charge (or charges), then the president shall notify
the accused of the charges against him and that he will bring the matter
to the Board of Directors. The BOD will review the charge(s) and
any evidence presented. The board will determine whether to uphold the
charge(s) or to dismiss
them. If the BOD dismisses the charges, the accused will be
warned of his conduct and they will be requested to correct any actions which
brought forth the initial
charge(s).
If the BOD upholds the charges, they will determine whether to call a
special general membership meeting for the sole propose of reviewing the
charge(s), or to defer the matter to the next regularly scheduled club meeting.
The parties
involved, will be notified by the president as to when the meeting will beheld
and request each party to attend that meeting.
By - Law 7.
Continued
At the meeting, the
president shall preside over the proceedings and read the charge(s) of the
accused. The member, who brought forth the original charge(s), will be
asked to present the evidence for the support of the charge(s). The
accused will then be given an opportunity to give rebuttal to the
charge(s). After each party has
had a chance to present their position of the matter to the membership, the
membership will be given an opportunity to ask questions for further
information from each party.
After the membership is satisfied that they have all the information they
need, then the president shall call for a vote from the membership on whether
dismiss the charge(s)
or to uphold the charge(s ) and to expel the accused member from the
club. Both, the member that filed the charge(s) and the accused, will be
excluded from voting.
If the charge(s) are dismissed by the membership vote, the accused will be
cleared of the charge(s), but will also be subject to a warning from the BOD
to refrain from any
suspect activity in the future.
If the charge(s) are upheld by the membership vote, the accused will be
expelled from club membership.
* Additional by - laws may provide
for technical, program, publicity and other committees or other rules not
provided in the constitution itself.
We the
following members approve and ratify this constitution and set of by-laws this
Amendments: