CHARTER

 

TEAM EIFEL AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY

 

 

ARTICLE I - NAME AND AMATEUR RADIO CALLSIGN: The name of this organization shall be Team Eifel Amateur Radio Society (TEARS). The internationally recognized amateur radio callsign DA1SP has been issued and licensed to TEARS by the Bundesamt fur Post und Telekommunikation (amateur radio licensing authority in Germany).

 

ARTICLE II - AUTHORITY AND OBJECT:

 

Section 1 - Authority.

 

  1. TEARS is headquartered in the city of Spangdahlem, operating under the laws of Germany and any Host Nation Agreements between Germany and the United States effecting the pursuits of TEARS; additionally, consultation from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the Deutsches Amateur Radio Club (DARC) are also used as management and operating guidance for TEARS.

 

  1. TEARS primarily does not function or operate on military installations, if TEARS does operate on Spangdahlem, Eifel West, or another U.S. military installation, it does so as a Type 3 private organization, IAW AFI 34-123 and other applicable Air Force directives with the consent of proper authority of the installation. It is not a non-appropriated fund (NAF) instrumentality and is not entitled to the privileges and immunities of the U.S. Government.

 

Section 2 - Purpose. The purpose of Team Eifel Amateur Radio Society shall be to:

 

  1. Promote education, experimentation, technical advancement and create interest in radio communications and electronics.

 

  1. Provide a potential reserve of trained radio communications personnel for emergency and disaster communications. Assist local military and civil authorities in effecting normal communications under emergency conditions.

 

  1. Provide continuing license preparation classes for those individuals interested in becoming licensed Amateur Radio Operators, when instructors are available.

 

  1. Provide Amateur Radio Volunteer Examination (VE) testing sessions when

needed.

 

  1. Promote friendship, cooperation and comradery with host nation Amateur Radio
  2. Operators and organizations (termed - Deutsche-Amerikanische Freundschaft).
  3. As volunteer amateur radio operators are available, support communication reconstitution plans.

 

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP:

 

Section 1 - Qualification.

 

  1. Full Membership. Limited to Amateur Radio Operators, licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or by the equivalent host nation telecommunications licensing authority. They have one vote on issues before the club upon payment of such dues and fees to maintain their membership as set forth in article 7.

 

  1. Associate Membership. A person having an intrest in Amateur Radio but not yet holding: a valid license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or by the equivalant host nation telecommunications licensing authority, Shall be eligible to become an associate member upon payment of such dues and fees to maintain their membership as set forth in article 7. Associate members will not have voting rights.

 

  1. Family Membership. Any person in a family holding a valid license, from the FCC or equivalant host nation telecommunications licensing authority, other than a full member. Said member will have all rights as a full member EXCEPT that voting rights will be limited to one (1) vote per family.
  1. Honarary Membership. Before any Honorary membership be granted, the

Executive Committee shall investigate the merits of each recommendation and

report on the recommendations at a business meeting. A majority vote by the

members present will be necessary for passage.

  1. Membership Termination. The member may voluntarily resign from TEARS verbally or in writing to any member of the Executive Committee. Additionally, membership of any individual may be revoked for (ie: loss of amateur radio license, or dues not paid for an excess period of 60 days, IAW article 7) with 2/3 majority vote of TEARS membership.

 

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS:

 

Section 1 - Description.

 

  1. President: The President shall preside at all meetings of TEARS and conduct same according to the rules adopted; enforce due observance of the BY-LAWS and Charter, decide all questions of order and sign all official documents that are adopted or approved by the membership, perform all duties customarily pertaining to the Office of President and appoint such committees as are deemed by the President as necessary to carry out the business, activities and social funtions of TEARS. The President is a member of the Executive Committee. This is an elected position.

 

  1. Vice President: In the absence or incapacitation of the President, shall perform the duties and responsibilities of the President. The Vice President is a member of the Executive Committee. This is an elected position.

 

  1. Secretary: The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings, keep a roll of all members, carry on all correspondence, read communications at each meeting and mail written special meeting notices to each member as required. The Secretary shall at the expiration of his/her term, turn over all items belonging to TEARS to his/her successor. The Secretary shall keep the Charter/By-Laws of TEARS and have them at every meeting, shall cause all amendments, changes and additions to be noted thereon and shall permit the same to be consulted by members on request. The Secretary is a member of the Executive Committee. This is an elected position.

 

  1. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive and receipt for all monies paid to TEARS; keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended; pay no bills without proper authorization by TEARS or its officers constituting a business meeting, submit an itemized statement of disbursements and receipts each business meeting, and at the expiration of the term, turn over everthing in possession belonging to TEARS to the successor. An audit shall be held at the end of every term by the officers acting as a business committee and a report presented at the first business meeting following elections. Shall provide TEARS membership, also to other organizations or authorities when required, an annual report of financial status. The Treasurer is a member of the Executive Committee. This is an elected position.

 

  1. Historian: Shall archive significant historical information about TEARS, its members and activities. Also serves as the QSL manager for TEARS. This is an appointed position.

 

  1. TEARS Trustee and Station Custodian: Is responsible for and has custodial duties for TEARS station callsigns, equipment, and other assets. Shall maintain an inventory of all TEARS equipment and assets. Because club callsigns are issued by the host nation, this individual must also hold a class B German amateur radio license. Since this official must often coordinate with local nations, it is recommended that this individual also speak German. This is an appointed position. Appointment should be made to an individual remaining in the area for a long period, since changes to custodial responsibilities with host nation authorities often are time consuming.

 

It shall be the duty of each officer to instuct and assist their sucessor in the basic procedures of the office.

 

Section 2 - Elections, Appointments and Terms of Office.

 

  1. Elected Officers. Shall be elected for a term of one year, by 2/3 majority vote of TEARS membership. The term of office shall be from 1 January thru 31 December.

 

  1. Appointed Officers. Shall be made by the President. The term of office shall be indefinite and remain effective until superseded with a new appointment by the President or revoked by 2/3 vote of the membership.

 

  1. Only licensed amateur radio operators are eligible to be elected or appointed as officers of TEARS.

 

d. TEARS will hold elections during December of each year.

 

    1. The President shall appoint a nominating committee composed of three FULL members by the September business meeting. The nominating committee shall report a slate of nominations, at least one name for each office to be filled. This report shall be made by the October business meeting so that these nominations maybe made public to all members. ie. TEARS newsletter.
    2.  
    3. Nominations of said offficers will be made in the business meeting of November and consist of those names offered by the nominating committee and nominations offered from the floor at said meeting. The nominations shall then be closed and elections of officers will be held in the business meeting of December. Installation of said officers will be no later than the business meeting in January.
    4.  
    5. Vacancies occurring between elections shall be filled by a special ballot at the first business meeting a withdrawal or resignation is announced. A vacancy in the nominated slate will exist if there is not at least one name nominated for that office. The vacancy shall be filled by nominations from the floor in the business meeting of the December proir to the election. The Executive Committee shall notify the membership by mail or telephonic communications at least eight (8) working days prior to such vote or nomination.
    6.  
    7. Officers may be removed from office for cause upon presentation of a petition signed by at least 15 members. The Executive Committee shall notify the membership by mail or telephonic communications at least eight (8) working days prior to the next business meeting. A 3/4 majority vote of the voting members present must be obtained at that meeting to remove said officer.
    8.  
    9. Associates and Honorary members may not hold office.

 

ARTICLE V - MEETINGS:

 

Section 1 - Regular Meetings. Shall be held monthly. Meeting schedules and

locations will be announced to the membership in advanced.

 

Section 2 - Special Meetings. Shall be held as required to prepare for, solve, and

discuss specific topics normally not covered or completely resolved at regular

membership meetings.

 

ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: The Executive Committee, consisting of duly elected officers of TEARS, shall meet at the call of the President in order to discuss and act on such matters of TEARS business as may be properly brought before it. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to provide guidance and recommendations to membership on matters of importance or urgency. In the event of an emergency, the Executive Committee is empowered to conduct routine business in the name of TEARS, provided at least three (3) members of the Exective Committee are present and voting, but in no case shall a disbursement of more than fifty dollars ($50.00) be authorized without a vote of the membership.

 

ARTICLE VII - FINANCES:

 

Section 1 - General.

 

  1. All expenditures of organizational funds must be approved by 2/3 majority vote of the membership present at a duly organized monthly membership meeting.

 

  1. All financial liability incurred by TEARS may ultimately result in the individual members personal financial responsibility if the organization fails to discharge obligations, even though the organization meanwhile may have been redesignated or dissolved.

 

Section 2 - Full Membership Dues. Dues are $10.00 per member annually. If

membership is granted after the 1st of June, the dues can be prorated. Full

Membership dues are due on the first club meeting in January of each year.

 

Section 3 - Associate Membership Dues. Dues are $10.00  annually.

 If membership is granted after the 1st of June, the dues can be prorated.

 Associate Membership dues are due on the first club meeting in

January of each year.

 

Section 4 - Family Membership Dues. Dues are $20.00 annually.

 If membership is granted after the 1st of June, the dues can be prorated.

 Family Membership dues are due on the first club meeting in January of each year.

 

ARTICLE VIII - TEARS STATION LOCATION AND EQUIPMENT:

 

Section 1 - Station Locations.

 

  1. Primary club station. The local German amateur radio club (DARC/DOK-K31) has provided operating space at their club station in Speicer, Germany for use by TEARS. TEARS Trustee/Custodian will maintain a set of keys for access to this location (with the approval of the German amateur radio club).

 

  1. Temporary Operating locations. Temporary operating locations will be approved by 2/3 majority vote of the membership. They normally support special event or "field day" operations. The Bundesamt fur Telekommunikation licensing authority must be notified in writing of the temporary operating location at least 15 days prior to operations.

 

 

Section 2 - Equipment. TEARS Equipment. This includes amateur radios,

computers, support equipment, antennas, towers, and other communications

equipment and supplies purchased by or donated to TEARS.

 

ARTICLE IX - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY: Any point of procedure or organization not explicitly covered by this charter is to be resolved with the latest available copy of Robert's Rules of Order. When the issue is still unresolved, the President shall rule. A Presidential ruling may be reversed on a motion and approval by 2/3 majority vote of TEARS membership present at any scheduled membership meeting.

 

ARTICLE X - INSURANCE: TEARS will obtain the necessary insurance coverage. TEARS will request a waiver of the insurance requirement from the installation commander for the organization’s normal activities. For special events, TEARS will obtain insurance commensurate with the risks involved.

 

ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS: This charter may be amended by 2/3 majority vote of the TEARS membership present at any scheduled meeting. Previous notice of the general effect(s) of the proposed amendment(s) shall be given at least one membership meeting prior, otherwise notification of proposed changes will be made in writing, prior to a vote. Changes to this charter, of executive members or appointees to the TEARS will be in writing and attached to this charter.

 

ARTICLE XII - DISSOLUTION: Upon dissolution of this organization all assets will first be applied towards satisfying the liabilities of the organization. Disposition of remaining assets may be donated or disposed at the discretion of TEARS membership, by 2/3 majority vote. Any residual assets will be disposed of in accordance with German law or other proper authority.

 

 

THIS CHARTER WAS ADOPTED BY MAJORITY VOTE OF THE MEMBERSHIP ON 8 MARCH 1996.

 

President
SCOTT FAULKNER
(DA2FJ/KC4MCO)

Vice President
WILLIAM PILES
(DL4VCP/KL7GL)

Treasurer
SUE REINS
(DA4CTB/KB2TTB)

Secretary
WILLIAM MASSEY
(DA1WF/KC5BSC)