SOUTHERN MARYLAND AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
                                P.O. BOX 273
                         Cheltenham, Maryland  20623

BY-LAWS

March 13, 1998

 

	The following contains the By-Laws for the Southern Maryland Amateur Radio Club (hereinafter referred to as the "Club"). These By-Laws shall be maintained by the secretary of the Club who shall have a copy of these By-Laws
at every meeting.

The Southern Maryland Amateur Radio Club is organized exclusively for charitable,
religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including for such purposes, the
making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations
under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of
any future federal tax code.

	The purpose of the Club includes the promotion of interest in Amateur 
Radio Communication and experimentation, the relaying of messages by radio, the
advancement of the radio art, and the public welfare. In fulfilling its purpose,
the Club does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic
origin, sex, marital status, religion or handicap.


ARTICLE I 

Membership:

1. Active membership is divided into:
       
      (A) Annual Members - Those who hold a valid Amateur Radio License and have
paid their annual club dues.
      (B) LifeTime Members - Those who hold valid Amateur Radio License and have
been voted by the membership to receive this honor.
      (C) Family Members-Those who hold a valid Amateur Radio License and live in
the same household with another Annual or Lifetime member. 

2. Associate Membership:

      (A) Those who are interested in obtaining an Amateur Radio License, affirm
that interest Annually, and who have paid their Club dues.
      (B) Membership by Invitation of the club. Persons given membership to the club by invitation and voted on by the club.

3. Becoming a member: 

      (A) Membership is by application, which must be approved by the Board of
Directors.
      (B) Application for membership automatically expresses a commitment to
abide by these By-Laws.
      (C) All persons interested in the purpose and objectives of the Club shall
be eligible for membership.



ARTICLE II

	1. The officers shall be: President, Vice President, Secretary,
Treasurer, Activities Manager, Public Service Coordinator, Repeater Trustee,
Newsletter Editor, and three (3) Directors. The term of office shall be for one-year beginning with the first business meeting in December. The exceptions
are, the Repeater Trustee shall remain in office until his or her resignation,
withdrawal or until the repeater identification is changed and the Newsletter
Editor shall remain in office until his or her resignation. The three Directors
shall serve three (3) year terms, with one Director being elected each year. All
persons named in ARTICLE II shall constitute the Board of Directors.

Election of Officers:

        2. Nominations for the office to be filled shall be made by a nominating committee and published in the October newsletter, and/or from the floor at the regular meeting in October of each year. No nominations shall be accepted after the regular business meeting in October. Prior to the November meeting the current officers shall notify all active members of the persons nominated for each office.
	
        3. All nominees shall be contacted by the Nominating Committee to confirm they agree to run for the position prior to the nominee’s name or call sign being published. Anyone nominated from the floor shall be given the opportunity to decline the nomination.

        4. The elections shall be held at the regular business meeting in November of each year. A person must receive a majority of all votes cast, either in person or by absentee ballot, to be elected to an office. Vacancies occurring between elections shall be filled by a special election at the first regular meeting following notification of the active members in writing of the special election; provided that the notice is mailed at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. Any officer may be removed by a three-fourths vote of the active membership; including votes by absentee ballot. Ballots shall be counted by the secretary and validated by the treasurer. Ballots shall be kept secret. If there is a question on the vote, the membership may select two persons to also count and validate the vote.


ARTICLE III 

	1. President - The President shall preside at all meetings of the club and the Board of Directors meetings and conduct the same according to the rules adopted. The President shall: conduct all meetings in accordance with these By-Laws and Roberts Rules of Order as amended; decide all questions of order; sign all official documents and perform all other customary duties pertaining to the Office of the President.

	2. Vice President - The Vice-President shall assist the President and assume all duties of the President in the absence of the latter. The Vice President shall serve as chairman of Membership. The Vice President shall keep a roll of members, receive and process membership applications.

	3. Public Service Coordinator - The Public Service Coordinator (PSC) shall be responsible for all emergency preparedness procedures, training, and coordination of Club activities relating to the use of Amateur Radio in response to emergencies, disasters, or public service in general. The PSC will coordinate and provide the volunteer resources of the Club as available, upon request of the appointed ARRL Emergency Coordinator (EC) or responsible public official, in support of local requirements. The PSC will have wide latitude of authority in making response decisions to emergency or disaster situations, but will advise and consult the Board of Directors and General Membership before committing the Club to routine public events or long-range programs. The PSC shall serve as the official net control operator for all nets and shall train other members to serve as alternate net control operators. 

	4. Secretary - The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, carry on customary correspondence, and mail official notices to each member. The Secretary will insure these By-laws are maintained with current signatures. The Secretary shall, at the expiration of the term, turn over all items belonging to the Club to the next Secretary.

	5. Treasurer - The Treasurer shall receive and receipt all monies received and disbursed. He shall make no disbursements without prior authorization by the Club or the Board of Directors. Each month the Treasurer shall submit an itemized statement, at the regular club meeting, of disbursements and receipts. At the meeting in February the treasurer shall submit a budget outline to be voted on for approval. He shall, at the expiration of the term, turn over everything in his possession belonging to the Club to the new Treasurer, and make all books available for audit.

	6. Activities Manager - The Activities Manager shall organize Club activities and advance Club interest. He shall maintain liaison with other organizations to fulfill the Club's projects and business.

	7. Directors - The Directors shall serve on committees designated by the President, and represent the Club as requested by the President.

8. Repeater Trustee - The Repeater Trustee shall maintain all repeater records and coordination information. The Trustee shall have final approval of all control operators of the repeater.

	9. Newsletter Editor - The Newsletter Editor shall publish the club newsletter. These duties include solicit input, edit content, reproduce and mail the newsletter. A budget shall be given to the Newsletter Editor to cover postage and reproduction costs.  


ARTICLE IV

Meetings:

	1. Regular business meetings shall be held at 7:30 p.m. on the second Friday of each Calendar month at a location to be selected by the Board of Directors. Notice of the meeting date and location will be provided to the general membership by the most practical means.

	2. The President upon the written request of any five (5) active members shall call special meetings. Notices shall be sent in writing to all members concerning special meetings specifying the time, location, reason for the meeting and proposed agenda for the meeting Only items on the agenda will be considered at such special meetings. The required notices shall be mailed at least five (5) days prior to the meeting.  In the event of an emergency situation, the special meeting will be conducted whether the five- (5) day notice was mailed or not. In such emergencies, a reasonable effort will be made by the Board of Directors to notify as many active members as possible. 

	3. Board of Directors shall hold at least one meeting between each regular business meeting and make the time and place of the meeting known. The regular Board of Directors meeting shall be open to all members, however, the Board of Directors may hold closed meetings when special considerations so require. Six members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at the meetings of the Board of Directors.
    

ARTICLE V 

Voting:

1. No vote shall be valid unless it is taken at a regular business meeting, board of directors                  meeting, or at a special meeting as set forth above.

	2. A simple plurality shall carry any motion on routine business.

3. Any active member may introduce a resolution at a regular business meeting. The resolution must be voted on by the active membership unless delayed for further consideration by vote of the active membership, except for amendments and dues as provided below.

	4. Only active members of this Club are entitled to vote on any matters pertaining to this Club.

5. Only board members may vote at board meetings.


ARTICLE VI

DUES:

	The membership, by majority vote, at the Annual Business Meeting in May, may change the annual dues and the initiation fee for new members. Dues are due and payable at the Business Meeting in May, but no later than the meeting in July. Non-payment by July 31 shall be cause for termination of membership. Dues for new members joining by November 30 of each year shall be one-half of the annual dues.  Pro-rated dues are available only to NEW MEMBERS. Individual members may prepay their     annual membership dues for a period of up to three (3) years at the current dues levels. Licensed family members, residing in the same household, may join as annual members after paying 25% of regular dues. An initiation fee of 10% shall be applied to new members; memberships that are renewed after having lapsed are not subject to this fee. 


ARTICLE VII 

Dissolution:

	Upon the dissolution of the Southern Maryland Amateur Radio Club, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purpose.


ARTICLE VIII

Amendments:

	These By-Laws may be amended by two-thirds vote of the active members voting on a proposed amendment either in person or by absentee ballot. Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing at a regular business meeting and shall be voted on at the next regular business meeting. The President shall notify all active members in writing of the pending amendment prior to the Vote. Said notice shall include an absentee ballot.

	 The Secretary of the Southern Maryland Amateur Radio Club does hereby certify that the foregoing By-Laws were approved and adopted on this 13 day of March 1998. 

							______________________
							Kenneth La Capria KA3POX
							Secretary

______________________				______________________
Greg Dominguez N3MPR				Victor Curtis IV WA3YUV
President March 13, 1998				Vice President March 13, 1998