CONSTITUTION
of the
NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA
RED CROSS AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
OF GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA
Preamble
We, the undersigned, wishing to secure for ourselves the pleasures and benefits of an association of persons commonly interested in Amateur Radio, do on September 11, 2016, constitute ourselves the
NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA RED CROSS AMATEUR RADIO CLUB OF GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA
and enact this constitution as our governing law. It shall be our purpose to further the exchange of information and cooperation between members, to promote radio knowledge, fraternalism and individual operating efficiency, and to so conduct club programs and activities as to advance the general interest and welfare of Amateur Radio in the community, and to assist the Red Cross and other appropriate authorities in disaster or emergency efforts, and in disaster & emergency training.
Article I Membership
All persons interested in Amateur Radio communications shall be eligible for membership. Membership shall be by application, initially utilizing the appended Membership Application Form, and election, initially by a majority vote of the Officers, and subsequently upon such terms as the club shall provide in its By-Laws. Membership may not be denied because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status or any other reason that would be biased or prejudicial. Membership shall last from one Annual Meeting until the next, at which point it may be renewed by written application and affirmative vote by a majority of the assembled membership. Applications for membership subsequent to the Annual Meeting may be approved by simple assent of all of the extant Officers of the club, as polled by the Secretary and duly recorded.
Article II Officers
Section 1. Offices
The officers of this club shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer and their terms shall extend from one annual meeting until the conclusion of the next annual meeting. The committee of the Officers shall constitute the Board of Directors wherever such term is used.
Section 2. Election
The initial officers of the Club shall be as follows:
President: Jeff Capehart
Vice President: Rosemary Jones
Treasurer Susan Halbert
Secretary Gordon Gibby
After the initial Officers, the officers of this club shall be elected by ballot of the members present, provided there be a quorum, at the annual meeting. The quorum is defined in the Article on Meetings.
Section 3. Term limits
Until decided otherwise by the Membership, there are no term limits for the Officers
Section. 4. Vacancies
Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by special elections at the first regular or annual meeting following the withdrawal or resignation.
Section 5. Eligibility
After the first year of the existence of this club, in order to hold an office an individual must be a member in good standing for at least one year and hold a valid Amateur Radio license.
Section 6. Resignation
Any officer may resign his/her position in writing at which time all records and assets of the club will be turned over to the President or Vice President.
Section 7. Removal of Officers
Officers may be removed from office for cause, upon written petition of four or more members presented to the President or Vice President. After investigation the petition will be presented to the membership at the next meeting of the club and a voted on by the membership. Removal of an officer requires a three-fourths vote of the full membership.
Article III Duties of Officers
Section. 1. President
The President shall preside at all meetings, and conduct them according to the rules adopted. He/she shall enforce due observance of this Constitution and By-Laws; decide all questions of order; sign all official documents adopted by the club, and perform all other duties pertaining to the office of President.
Section 2. Vice President
The Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President in his/her absence. In addition, he/she shall organize club activities, plan and recommend contests for operating benefits, and advance club interest and activity as approved by the club. He/she shall maintain close liaison with the local ARRL's local ARES ® Emergency Coordinator to further club participation in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service. ® (Note that ARES ® and Amateur Radio Emergency Service ® are registered trademarks of ARRL.)
Section 3. Secretary
The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, keep a roll of members, submit membership applications, carry on all correspondence, read communications at each meeting, and mail (or email) written meeting notices to each member. At the expiration of his/her term he/she shall turn over all items belonging to the club to his/her successor.
The Secretary shall endeavor to maintain a copy of this Constitution (as amended) and other appropriate documents in order, and with public availability, such as in a notebook at the location of the Club amateur radio station (if any) or on the World Wide Web.
Section 4. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall receive and receipt for all monies paid to the club; keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended; pay no bills without proper authorization (by the club or its officers constituting a business committee). At the end of each quarter he/she shall submit an itemoized statement of disbursements and receipts to either a meeting of the club or to the other officers. At the end of his/her term he/she shall turn over everything in his/her possession belonging to the club to his/her successor.
Article IV Meetings
The By-Laws, if and after having been written, shall provide for regular and special meetings, beyond the Annual Meeting, which shall take place during the Simulated Emergency Test every fall. At meetings, a minimum of one-quarter of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Robert's Rules of Order shall govern proceedings if requested by any member in attendance. All members shall receive specific oral, mailed (to last known address), or emailed (to last known email address) notice of any meeting at least 14 days in advance of such meeting.
Article V Dues
The club, by majority vote of those present at any regular meeting and constituting a quorum, may levy upon the general membership such dues or assessments as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the organization. Non-payment of such dues or assessments shall be cause for expulsion from the club within the discretion of the membership.
Article VI Membership Assistance
The club, through designated Interference, Public Relations, and Operating Committees will provide technical advice to members concerning equipment design and operation to assist in frequency observance, clean signals, uniform practice, and absence of spurious radiation's from club member-stations. The club shall also maintain a program to foster and guide public relations.
Article VII Club Call Sign & Equipment
Section 1. Trustee
The initial trustee (required by the FCC) shall be
Gordon L. Gibby MD KX4Z
15216 NW 41st Avenue
Newberry, FL 32669-2004
At any time, the President may assign/reassign trusteeship of the club call sign. The trustee shall meet all of the following requirements:
Be a member of the club in good standing
Meet FCC requirements.
Not have had his/her Radio Amateur licensed revoked or sanctioned at any time.
Section 2. Equipment
All equipment involved with or utilized by this Club shall be labeled with its ownership, whether owned by this Club or by the North Florida Red Cross
Article VIII Dissolution
Section 1. Termination of Operations
In the event that a majority of the extant Officers of the Club votes that the Club should be dissolved the motion for dissolution must receive more than two thirds vote of the full membership to pass.
Section 2. Disposition of Assets
The committee of the extant Officers shall handle the disbursement of all assets of the club. No member or group of members shall receive benefit from the assets. All equipment will be either
a) donated to an amateur radio club with similar goals and objectives, or
b) sold and net proceeds donated to a non-profit organization.
All remaining cash will be donated to a non-profit organization.
Article IX Amendments
This Constitution or By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the total membership. Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing at a regular meeting and shall be voted on at the next following regular meeting, provided all members have been noticed by mail of the intent to amend the constitution and/or By-Laws at said meeting.
Signatories:
President: __________________________________________________
Printed name: ______________________________________
Date signed: _______________________________________
Vice President:__________________________________________________
Printed name: ______________________________________
Date signed: _______________________________________
Secretary: __________________________________________________
Printed name: ______________________________________
Date signed: _______________________________________
Treasurer: __________________________________________________
Printed name: ______________________________________
Date signed: _______________________________________
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
I the undersigned, apply for membership in the
NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA RED CROSS AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
OF GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA
and all of the following information is true and correct:
Name: ___________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: __________________________________________________________
Amateur Radio Call Sign (if any) ____________________________________________
I will support the club and endeavor to utilize all amateur radio stations in accordance with the rules and regulations of the FCC.
Signed: ___________________________________________________________
Date; ___________________________________________________________
Page