Algonquin Amateur Radio Club rev 11/05
Marlborough, Massachusetts
Preamble: We, the undersigned wishing to secure for ourselves the pleasures and benefits of the association of persons commonly interested in Amateur Radio, constitute in the Algonquin Amateur Radio Club, Middlesex County, Marlborough, Massachusetts 01752, and enact this constitution as our governing law. It shall be our purposes to further exchange of information and cooperation between members, to promote radio knowledge, fraternalism and individual operating efficiency, to provide voluntary support to the community, and to so conduct club programs and activities as to advance the general interest and welfare of amateur radio in the community. This organization shall not be conducted or operated for profit.
MEMBERSHIP: ARTICLE 1
All persons interested in amateur radio communications shall be eligible for membership.
(Membership shall be by application and election upon such terms as the club shall by its By-Laws provide).
OFFICERS: ARTICLE 2
Section 1: The officers of this club shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Activities Manager.
Section 2: The officers of this club shall be elected for a term of one year by ballot of the membership as provided in the By-Laws.
Section 3: Officers shall be full members with dues paid for the current year. The President and Treasurer must be 18 years of age or older.
Section 4: Vacancies occurring between elections may be filled by special elections at the first regular meeting following the withdrawal or resignation.
Section 5: Officers may be removed by a three-fourths vote of the voting membership.
DUTIES OF OFFICERS: ARTICLE 3
Section 1 – The President shall preside at all meetings of this club and conduct the same according to the rules adopted. He or she shall enforce due observance of this constitution and By-Laws; decide upon all questions of order; sign all official documents that are adopted by the club, and none other; and perform all other customary duties pertaining to the office of President.
Section 2: The Vice-President shall assume all of the duties of the President in the absence of the latter.
Section 3: The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, keep the roll of members, submit applications for membership, carry on all correspondence, read communications at each meeting, and communicate to each member. He or she shall, at the expiration of his or her term, turn over all items belonging to the club to his or her successor.
Section 4: The Treasurer shall receive, receipt, and safeguard all moneys paid to the club. He or she shall keep an accurate record of all moneys received and expended. He or she shall pay no bills without proper authorization by the club or its officers. At the end of each quarter he or she shall submit an itemized statement of disbursements and receipts. He or she at the end of his or her term will turn over everything in his or her possession belonging to the club to his or her successor.
Section 5: The Activities Manager shall organize club member activities, plan and recommend contests for operating benefit, and advance club interest and activity as approved by the club. He or she shall maintain close liaison with the ARRL Emergency Coordinator.
MEETINGS: Article 4
The By-Laws shall provide for regular and special meetings.
DUES: Article 5
The Club may levy upon the general membership such dues or assessments as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the organization within its objectives as set forth in the Preamble.
AMENDMENTS: ARTICLE 6
This constitution or the By-Laws may be amended by two-thirds of the voting membership as defined in the By-Laws. 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 notified by mail of the intent to amend the constitution and/or By-Laws at said meetings.
RULES: ARTICLE 7
ROBERTS RULES shall govern proceedings.
1. Secretary: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the Constitution and By-Laws of the Club. He or she shall cause all amendments, changes, and additions to be noted thereon and shall permit same to be consulted by members upon request.
2. Membership: Club application forms for membership shall be submitted to the club secretary. Each applicant must express a willingness to abide by the Constitution and By-Laws and other rules promulgated by the club. The class of membership shall be based on the following:
(a) Full Member: Full members are those in possession of a valid amateur radio operator’s license of any grade, who shall be entitled to all privileges of the club and may be elected to any office. Those persons not possessing a valid amateur radio license may be granted full member privileges by expressing a bona fide interest in amateur radio and by approval of all officers of the club.
(b) Associate Member: Associate members are those who do not possess an amateur radio operator’s license. They shall be entitled to all privileges of the club but do not have the privilege of voting.
(c) Honorary Members: Membership may be bestowed upon outstanding men or women who show special interest in the club and others as may be so voted from time to time. Honorary members shall be exempt from paying dues. They do not have the privilege of voting.
3. Meetings: Regular meeting shall be held once a month except for July and August at such place as the President shall order. No regular meeting shall be scheduled without at least 7 days notice to the membership. Special meetings may be called by the President upon the written request of any 5 club members. Notice shall be sent to members concerning special meetings and the business to be transacted. Only such business as designated shall be transacted. Such notices shall be sent so that in the ordinary postal delivery they arrive not less than 24 hours before the meeting time.
4. Dues: A regular twelve month assessment per member is hereby assessed in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 of the Constitution for the purpose of providing funds for current expenses. The amount of the assessment may be discounted for members of a family and those persons over the age of 65. The amount of the discount shall be set by the general meeting. The dues year will be July 1st through June 30th.
5. Quorum: The quorum for regular and special meetings shall be a minimum of one fifth of the voting membership.
6. Election of Club Officers: The officers of this club shall be elected for a term of one year by ballot of the voting members present, provided there is a quorum, at the regularly scheduled meeting in May of each year, such term to begin on the first day of July following the May election.
Nominations: Nominations for the yearly elections shall be submitted at the regularly scheduled meeting in April of each year. Nominations can be offered by any club member in good standing either at that meeting,. or by mail to the Secretary and President, said mail to be received at least twenty-four hours prior to the meeting. No new nominations will be accepted after the close of business of the regularly scheduled April meeting of each year.
May Meeting Ballots: Balloting procedures for club members present at the regularly scheduled May meeting for the election of officers shall be decided by a vote of the membership present at that meeting and those represented by absentee ballots.
Absentee Ballots: Absentee ballots shall be mailed to all voting members in good standing within ten working days after the regularly scheduled April meeting. Those members who will not be present at the regularly scheduled May meeting may elect to mail in their ballots, said ballots to be received by the club Secretary no later than two days prior to election day. Said ballots must be sealed and remain sealed until the election process begins at the regularly scheduled May meeting.