Society of Ether Explorers
San Francisco
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Society of Ether Explorers San Francisco |
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Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be the Society of Ether Explorers -- San Francisco (SEE-SF). Any reference to "the Society" hereafter in this document will be assumed to mean the Society of Ether Explorers -- San Francisco.
Article II: Purpose
Section 1: Primary
a) This Society exists primarily to promote experimentation, technical education, and general creativity in the radio art. All Society functions and activities will encourage the design, construction, and use of novel communications equipment and systems, and the exploration of underutilized and uncommon radio frequencies, transmission and reception methods, and propagation modes.
b) Maximum effort shall be expended to disseminate the results and ongoing details of Society projects, by publicizing such results and ongoing work using the Internet, digital packet networks, amateur radio and other technical journals, and other methods deemed appropriate by the membership. This publicity effort shall be an attempt to repay our debt to those who have also publicized their work and research in like manner, in large part making possible the work of the Society.
Section 2: Secondary
The following are the purposes for the existence of the Society as it exists as a part of the National Amateur Radio Service.
a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.
b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art.
c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service by advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the radio art.
d) Expand the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts.
e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill.
Article III: Membership
Section 1: Eligibility
a) Application for membership shall be open to any amateur radio operator holding a valid FCC amateur license of any class, and with an explicit interest in the Society's Primary and Secondary Purpose.
b) The Society prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, handicap, sexual orientation, or political and religious affiliation.
c) Use of Society communication systems shall be restricted to the operating privileges of the member's FCC license.
Section 2: Application Requirements
a) Applicants must be recommended for membership by a current Society member.
b) Applicants must provide a valid email address.
c) Applicants must be interviewed by a majority of the membership, individually or collectively, either in person, or via email, radio conversation, telephone, or other means of information exchange.
Section 3: Membership Election
Applicants for membership in the Society must be elected by a majority of the membership at any regular or special meeting at which there is a quorum, and at which the applicant is not present during discussion of his/her potential membership in the Society.
Article IV: Commanding Officers
Section 1: Titles and Responsibilities
The minimum number of Commanding Officers of the Society shall be a Captain, Science Officer, Yeoman, and Purser. Officers of this organization shall be Society members in good standing.
a) The Captain will be responsible for organizing and running all Society meetings. The Captain shall also be responsible for all actions of the organization and shall serve as the official representative of the Society.
b) The Science Officer shall serve in the absence of the Captain. The Science Officer shall assist the Captain and coordinate the efforts of the Society's committees, and shall also serve as Trustee of the Society's FCC Club License.
c) The Yeoman shall record all the actions of the Society, and maintain all correspondence of the Society. The Yeoman must also keep an accurate up-to-date list of all Society members. It shall be the responsibility of the Yeoman to supervise the officer and member nomination and election process.
d) The Purser shall handle all financial transactions and records of the Society. The Purser must also maintain an accurate inventory of all equipment owned by, loaned to, or otherwise in the possession of the Society.
Section 2: Method of Officer ElectionThe above mentioned officers shall be elected by a plurality of votes cast by secret ballot.
Section 3: Vacant Positions
Should a vacancy occur in any office except the Captainship, a special election shall be held at the next meeting to fill the office. Should a vacancy occur in the Captaincy, Number Two shall assume the duties of the Captain until the next regularly scheduled election. If Number Two cannot assume the duties, a special election shall be held to fill the vacancy.Section 4: Voter Eligibility
Voter eligibility shall be determined by the most current membership list as determined by the Yeoman, at the time of elections.Section 5: Impeachment
a) Impeachment proceedings may be brought against any officer of the Society by any three (3) members of the Society.
b) These members must file charges in writing with all Commanding Officers. These charges must also be submitted to the membership within one week of receipt by the officers.
c) The Society must then have a special meeting to discuss the charges within four weeks from the date the charges were filed with the officers.
d) All Society members must be notified in writing of the meeting date when the impeachment will be discussed.
e) Removal from office requires a 2/3 vote of voting members.
Article V: Monies and Inventory
Section 1: Dues
There shall be no dues for the Society.Section 2: Deposits
All funds of the Society shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Society in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the Commanding Officers may select.Section 3: Gifts
Monetary and equipment donations will be accepted on behalf of the Society for the construction and maintenance of Society projects and communication systems, including general operating expenses.
Section 4: Loans
Equipment but not monetary loans will be accepted on behalf of the Society for the construction and maintenance of Society projects and communication systems.
Article VI: Meetings
Section 1: Quorum
Quorum for the Society is 50% of the voting members plus one.Section 2: General Meetings
There shall be at least one meeting of the full membership every six months. The full membership and the public may attend the general meetings. Notification of the meetings will be via email to the members, and via methods deemed effective by the Yeoman to the general public, such as email news groups, newspaper announcements, amateur radio packet forums and QST announcements on amateur nets.Section 3: Special Meetings
Other meetings may be held at the request of any portion of the membership provided at least one Officer approves the meeting. This officer or an appointed representative must be present at the meeting and report the results to the remaining officers. These meetings need not be open to the general public.Section 4: Action By Written Consent Without Meeting
Any action required or permitted to be taken by the membership under any provision of law may be taken without a meeting, by casting a secret ballot via email. Such results shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Society. Such action by consent shall have the same force and effect as a majority vote of the membership at a General or Special Meeting.
Article VII: Amendments to this Constitution
Section 1: Proposal
Any member may propose an amendment to this constitution. A written copy of the proposed amendment shall be submitted to the officers which shall give written notification to the membership at the general meeting following the receipt of the proposed amendment.Section 2: Adoption
This constitution may be amended by a quorum of the voting membership, provided the amendment was submitted in writing at a previous meeting and notice was given to all voting members at least one week before the meeting on the constitutional amendment.
Article VIII: Environmental Awareness
The Society shall remain responsible for the ecological consequences of its actions and take steps to insure that any of the actions of this Society shall not further adversely affect the environment. Furthermore, the Society will encourage technologies and methods that reduce burdens on the environment, such as natural energy sources, non-toxic materials and substances, and recycled and recyclable materials.
Article IX: Laws
Section 1: Federal Communication Laws
The FCC rules pertaining to the Amateur Radio Service are to be considered the primary source of regulation for this Society. In a conflict with another authority the FCC Part 97 rules will be considered to take precedence at all times.Section 2: State and Federal Laws
This Society shall abide by all applicable laws of the State of California and the United States of America.
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last updated 11.5.97 by KK6XF