Constitution of the Elgin Amateur Radio Society, Inc.

Preamble

We the undersigned, being desirous to secure for ourselves the pleasures and benefits of the association of persons commonly interested in amateur radio, by furthering better cooperation among its members, developing individual efficiency, and furthering the interest of radio in the general community, do hereby constitute ourselves the Elgin Amateur Radio Society, Incorporated and do enact this Constitution as our governing law.

ARTICLE I

Membership: All persons interested in amateur radio shall be eligible for membership. Membership shall be by application and election upon such terms as the Society shall by its bylaws provide.

ARTICLE II

Officers:

Section 1. The officers of this Society shall be the President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer. The Board of Directors shall consist of the three elected officers, two additional elected directors and the immediate past President. Officers and directors of this Society must be licensed amateurs at the time of their election and have been members for at least one year prior to election.

Section 2. The officers and directors of this society shall be elected for a term of one (1) year by a ballot of the members present, provided that there be a quorum, at the time of the Annual Meeting which shall be the first monthly meeting in January of each year.

Section 3. Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by special ballot at the first regular meeting at which the vacancy is announced.

Section 4. Officers may be removed on a motion by three-fourths vote of the licensed

Members.

ARTICLE III

Duties of the officers:

Section 1. The president shall preside at all meetings of this society and conduct the same according to the rules adopted. He shall enforce due observance of this Constitution and Bylaws; decide all questions of order; sign all official documents that are adopted by the Society; and perform all customary duties pertaining to the office of President. In the absence of an appointed Program Chairman, the President shall act as Program Chairman.

Section 2. The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of the latter. He will act as chairman of the Official Welcoming Committee seeing that all newcomers and visitors are properly introduced to the members of the Society. The Vice President shall also act as Chairman of the Field Day Committee, unless the President has appointed one.

Section 3. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep a record of the proceedings at all general and board meetings. He shall keep a roll of the members, submit applications for membership to the general membership, carry on all of the Society's correspondence and notify members of meetings and special events either by E-mail or Postal Service written notices, unless such notice is contained in the Newsletter. The Secretary/Treasurer shall receive and receipt for all monies received by the Society. He shall keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended. He shall pay no bills without proper authorization as determined by the vote of the membership. At the meeting following the end of each quarter he shall submit an itemized statement of all disbursements made during the quarter. The Secretary/Treasurer may be released these duties or have additional duties as prescribed in the Bylaws. He shall prepare the Annual Report to the Secretary of the State of Illinois as required by the articles of Incorporation.

Section 4. All of the Officers shall at the completion of their terms turn over all property of the Society to their successors (see Article IX)

Section 5. The Board of Directors shall meet as necessary to prepare meeting agenda and provide recommendations for Society business and policy.

ARTICLE IV

Meetings: The Bylaws shall provide for regular and special meetings. At all meetings one third of the entire membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Only members with a valid amateur radio license shall be eligible to vote on Society business.

ARTICLE V

DUES: The Elgin Amateur Radio Society, Incorporated, by a majority vote of those present at any regular meeting may levy upon the general membership such dues or assessments as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the organization within it's objects as set forth in the Preamble hereof. Nonpayment of dues or assessments shall be cause for expulsion from the Society within the discretion of the membership.

ARTICLE VI

PROPER RADIO PRACTICES: This Society shall enact such rules, as it deems necessary for the prevention of interference in operation between stations of its members. These rules shall be enforced through the medium of a Proper Radio Practices Committee to be appointed by the President, when and if required. Upon request of any member of the Society, it shall be the duty of the Proper Radio Practices Committee to report to the general membership of any member station, which violates either the Society or Federal Communications Commission rules. Such violations shall be cause for reprimand or expulsion at the discretion of the membership, upon such terms as the membership shall prescribe.

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENTS: This Constitution or the bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the total membership. Proposals for amendments shall by submitted in writing at a regular meeting and may not be voted upon until the next regular meeting.

ARTICLE VIII

RULES: Robert's Rules of Order shall govern all business proceedings of this Society. The Officers are urged to use good sense in the conduct of Society meetings and business.

ARTICLE IX

PROPERTY: The President may assign any property belonging to the Society to any member in good standing for safekeeping. Upon the election of a new President, members with such property shall submit a list of said property to the new President so that he can reassign as he deems necessary.

BYLAWS

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Secretary/Treasurer to keep the Constitution and Bylaws of the Elgin Amateur Radio Society and to have the same with him at every regular and special meeting. He shall cause all amendments, changes and additions to be noted thereon and shall permit the same to be consulted by members upon request.

Section 2. Applicants may submit applications for membership when attending the second meeting or any time thereafter. Applications must be submitted in writing and the applicant must express a willingness to abide by the Constitution and Bylaws, F.C.C. rules and regulations, and such rules as shall from time to time be promulgated by the Society. At least two thirds of the licensed members present shall approve the applicant by secret vote before the applicant shall be considered as elected to membership. A family membership shall be available to those persons residing at a common address. Each shall have full voting rights. Only one copy of any club mailing will be sent to the address. Consideration for termination of membership can occur after six or more consecutive meetings are missed, unless notice has been given to the President or Secretary/Treasurer of extenuating circumstances causing such absence (s). In any event those members in arrears of dues or assessments for a period of longer than 14 months shall be automatically terminated from membership. Reinstatement to membership will be considered upon subsequent application for membership.

Section 3. Meetings

a. Regular meetings shall be held each month at such place and, time, as the President shall order. Notices shall be sent to all members if the meeting day, place or time is to change from the previous month.

b. Special meetings may be called by the President upon written request of five (5) members of the Society, and for this purpose, the President may himself sign such a request. Notices shall be sent to all members informing them of the special meeting and the business to be transacted. Such notices shall sent via E-mail or regular Postal Service to arrive at least 24 hours before the time set for the meeting. Only such business as is designated in said notice shall be transacted at such special meetings.

Section 4. A regular assessment of $1.50 per month, or $15.00 per year if paid in one lump sum, is assessed in accord with the provision of Article V of the Constitution for the purpose of providing funds for expenses. Dues for family membership are available to those persons residing at a common address at the rate of one fully paid membership and one-half the annual rate for each additional membership. All members shall pay dues.

Section 5. Proper Radio Practices Committee-- This Committee shall consist of five (5) licensed members representative of amateurs, broadcast viewers and listeners, and the press. This Committee shall have the power to direct investigations, compel the attendance of any member at an inquiry, and compel the giving of testimony within its province and may report to the Society any member refusing or failing to obey its requests and recommend his expulsion under Article VI.

Section 6. Special Committees such as entertainment, publicity, field day or any other special tasks deemed necessary by the President shall be appointed by the President.

Section 7. All amendments to this Constitution and Bylaws pertaining to membership (other than the amount of dues) shall have no effect on current members against their will.

Typewritten to include the Amendment revising Bylaws Sections 2 and 4 as approved by the vote of the total membership at the regular meeting of June 12, 1992.

Typewritten to include the Amendment revising Article VI and Bylaws Sections 3, 6,7 as approved by the vote of the total membership at the regular meeting of June 8, 2001.

Rewritten February 3, 2002 to include the Amendment revising Article III Section 3 and Bylaw section 3b as approved by the vote of the total membership at the regular meeting of January 14, 2002.