AMATEUR RADIO CLUB OF
UT CONSTITUTION
We the students of the University of Tennessee do hereby establish this constitution.
The official name of the organization is Amateur Radio Club of the University of Tennessee.
Article II- Purpose
The purpose of this organization is to encourage student involvement in amateur radio, communicate with other “hams” and/or radio amateur clubs, improve student skills concerning radio theory and operation, to provide emergency radio service for the local community, and to provide communications for public service.
Article III- Membership Requirements
A. Any University of Tennessee student, faculty member, or local community member interested in amateur radio, or interested in obtaining an FCC amateur radio license is eligible to join. Membership is open to all students and faculty/staff members where appropriate, regardless of race, gender, disability, religion, or national origin.
B. Types of Membership
1. General- Any member who currently resides in the Knoxville area. A member in this category must renew his/her membership each academic year.
2. Alumni- Any former or graduated student from the University of Tennessee.
3. Honorary- Any person who demonstrates outstanding service to the club and considered by a 2/3 majority vote of the club. A member in this category is a lifetime member of the club.
Article IV- Voting Rights
Only currently registered University of Tennessee students possessing a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 shall have voting rights. A student may be judged ineligible of voting rights if found guilty by a Student Disciplinary Board of a violation of Student Standards of Conduct or deemed an inactive member of the club.
Article V- Dues
Dues for a general member shall be $10/academic year or $5/semester. The dues for an entire family of a general member is twice that of the single general member. Dues for alumni members shall be $25/year or a $300 one time contribution. There are no dues for an honorary member. An increase in the amount of dues for the following academic year shall be proposed at the 2nd to last meeting of the previous academic year. This proposal shall be voted upon at the last meeting of the previous academic year. A ¾ majority vote of the club is necessary to increase dues. All increases in dues shall be written as an amendment to this constitution.
Article VI- Officers
A. All officers must fulfill the voting rights criteria at the time of election and during the entire term of office. All officers must possess a valid US amateur radio license. The election of officers for the following academic year must be completed 30 days before the end the classes during the spring semester. A simple majority of the active membership is necessary to elect each officer.
B. Description of Duties
1. President- The president presides over
meetings and is the principal representative of the club when dealing with the
student body and the public. He/she also appoints necessary committees.
2. The vice-president will take over for
the president during his/her absence. The vice president is also responsible
for all club finances and financial records
3. Secretary-The secretary is responsible
for recording and publishing minutes of
all general and special club meetings, all club correspondence, the club
constitution, and maintain the membership list. The secretary shall be
responsible for all meeting announcements to the membership and general public.
C. The officers shall compromise the executive committee. The executive committee shall meet at times other than regular club meetings and conduct routine business that does not require action by the entire membership. Two members of the executive committee are required to endorse each check from the club’s bank account. The executive committee has the right to approve any club expenditure of less than or equal to $20 when all officers approve.
D. Order of Precedence- The order of precedence shall be the following:
President, vice president, and secretary. In the absence of all officers a manager shall preside.
Article VII- Managers
A. All managers must fulfill the voting rights criteria at the time of election and during the entire term of office. The election of managers for the academic year must be completed by the 2nd meeting of the fall semester. A simple majority of the active membership is necessary to elect each manager.
B. Activities Manager- The activities manager shall organize club station
activities including, but not limited to: organization of contests and community service events, publishing the club newsletter, and updating the club webpage.
C. Chief Op- The Chief Op keeps all equipment in operating condition, maintains
the operating room, educates the membership in operating procedures, and shall determine whether a member meets the requirements for the Operator endorsement. The chief op shall also enforce operating procedures adopted by the club. This position requires a valid General Class US amateur radio license.
D. QSL Manager- The QSL manager shall be responsible for all incoming and
outgoing QSL correspondences. The QSL manager shall also inform the club of upcoming contests and other events of interest.
F. In the event that club membership falls to a low number, the club may, upon voting member approval, combine any or all of the officer positions.
Article VIII- Impeachment of Officers or Managers
Impeachment of
Officers - Officers may be impeached for failing to carry out their prescribed
duties. A 3/4 vote of the active membership is necessary to initiate impeachment
proceedings, and a 2/3 vote of the active membership (secret ballot) is
necessary for impeachment. A regular election to fill the vacant office must be
held within two weeks after an impeachment.
Article IX- Meetings
General meetings open to the club membership and the public shall occur at least 4 times per each academic fall and spring semester. Executive committee meetings may take place at any time when 2 members of the committee request such a meeting be held.
Article X- Bylaws
A. “Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised” shall govern all proceedings at all general meetings. The secretary shall serve as parliamentarian.
B. A member shall be considered inactive if he/she misses more than 3 meetings in an academic semester without just cause. Their status shall be considered inactive and voting rights shall be suspended until a simple majority has voted to reinstate their active membership status.
C. A quorum shall be defined as one half the active membership. A majority of a quorum will pass any motion other than those specifically explained in this constitution. Major action motions shall be announced one meeting prior to voting on that motion.
D. A major action motion is hereby defined as: ratification of this constitution, amendments to this constitution, expenditures over $500, and sale of equipment worth more than $500. A 3/4 majority vote is necessary to approve a major action.
Article XI- Advisor and Trustee
A. Advisor- At least one advisor shall be appointed for the club by the time of
elections of managers. The advisor must be a full time UT faculty member or administrative officer. It is the advisor’s responsibility to verify through the Office of Student Conduct that the officers are not on disciplinary probation and are in good academic standing.
B. Trustee- The club shall retain a permanent community member who is a club
member to be the trustee of the station callsign.
Article XII- Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of this organization, any funds arising from membership dues or equipment purchased shall be held in a trust until the club is reactivated. The entity of trust shall be named in the club’s file located in the Student Organizations Office. Equipment donated by club members shall be returned to the owner.
Adopted February 22, 2001
President
Michael Swiatkowski
Vice President/Treasuer
Daniel Bowen
Secretary
Arun Srikantaiah