Revision Date: 3-28-22

 

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE MARSHALL COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

 

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 cooperation among its members, develop individual efficiency, furthering the interest of radio in the general community, do hereby constitute ourselves the  

 

MARSHALL COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

 

 And do enact this constitution as our governing law.

 

Article I  Membership

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 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. 

 

Article II   Officers

Section. 1. Offices The officers of this club shall be:

1. President
2. Vice-President
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer
5. Trustee of the club amateur radio station license
6. Directors (three (3) with staggered terms).  

Section 2. Any member of the club in good standing holding a valid amateur radio license is eligible for office.

Section 3 Election: The officers of this club shall be elected by secret ballot of the members present at the regular meeting in January. Elected members shall take office at the regular meeting in February.  

Section. 4. Vacancies: Vacancies occurring between regular elections may be filled by special ballot at a regular meeting after the withdrawal or resignation is announced. If an officer is absent for three (3) consecutive meeting without notification, the third absence will serve as the resignation notice.

1. If necessary, the directors shall either assume the duties of the vacated office or appoint a member in good standing to temporarily fill of the office until it can be filled by special election.

Section 5. Removal of Officers: Officers may be removed on motion by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership present.

  

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:

1. Enforce the Constitution and By-Laws and decide all questions of order
2. Be responsible for the general welfare and progress of the club.
3. Have the authority to appoint any member in good standing to serve on any committee deemed necessary to fulfill the duties of this office.
4. Perform all customary duties pertaining to the office.
5. In the case of a tie vote on any matter, the president shall cast one vote to break the tie.  

 

Section. 2. Vice President: The Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President in his/her absence. In addition, he/she shall

1. Keep an up to date list of all members.
2. Screen all applications for new membership and make their recommendation to the members.
3. Be in charge of obtaining programs of interest to the members for the monthly members.

 

Section. 3. Secretary: The Secretary shall

1. Keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings,
2. Mail or email notices to all interested parties and include dues notices for members prior to the next meeting.
3. Read the communication received at each meeting.
4. Keep a copy of the constitution and bylaws of this club and keep accurate records.
5. At the expiration of his/her term he/she shall turn over to their successor all property and records in his procession belonging to the club.  

 

Section. 4. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall

1. Disbursement of Funds:
   1. There shall be no disbursement of funds without authorization of the membership at the membership except for:
      1.  monthly operating expenses
      2. Emergency repairs of the club equipment when approved by a majority of the club directors.
   2. All disbursements of funds for any reason shall be reported to the membership at the next monthly meeting.
2. 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 itemized statement of disbursements and receipts. 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.

  

Section. 5. The Trustee of the of the club amateur radio license shall assume the responsibility of assuring that the club radio stations are operated at all times in accordance with the FCC rule.

 

Section 6: A majority vote of the directors is necessary to make emergency repairs to the club equipment. Non-emergency needs shall be reported to the members at, the regular or called meeting.

1. Special meetings may be called by a majority of the directors.
2. The directors shall audit the club records in June of each year.

 

Article IV  Meetings

The regular meeting shall be held on the fourth Monday of each calendar month, at such place as the president designates. Due to the Christmas holiday, the December meeting will be held on the third Monday of the twelfth month. Special meetings may be called, upon the written request on any five members. Notice of special meetings shall be sent to all members informing them of the business to be transactions there at. Such notice shall so be sent that it would ordinarily be received at least twenty-four (24) hours before the time the rein set for the meeting. Only such business as is designated I the said notice shall be transacted at such special meeting. All meetings those present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. 

 

Article V  Dues

Dues shall be $15.00 and shall maintain a member in good standing for one (1) year. Dues shall become due at the January meeting each year and prorated for new members joining before or after that date.

 

Dues notice will be announced at least one (1) month in advance of the due date to the members.

 

Article VI  Amendments

This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership present. Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing at a regular meeting and may not be voted upon until the next regular meeting.

Article VII Rules

Roberts Rules of Order shall govern all proceedings at this club.

 

Article VIII Expulsion from Membership

Any member may be expelled from the club for deliberate acts of violation of the orders, rules, and regulations promulgated by the Federal Communications Commission as relating to amateur radio, or for deliberate acts in violation of the articles of incorporation and this constitution. The expulsion shall be effected by secret ballot with two-thirds (2/3) of the total membership required.

 

Article IX Enactment

The constitution along with the articles of incorporation and the laws of the state of Indiana concerning corporations, not for profit, shall serve as the only body of governing laws and supersedes to the exclusion thereof and former governing laws other than the articles of incorporation. No part of the net earnings of the Marshall County Amateur Radio Club may inure to the benefit of any of its members, any private shareholder, or any individual.

 

Article X Elections

Section 1: At the regular membership meeting in October, the president shall appoint a nominating committee of up to three (3) members, which will present at the regular membership meeting in Nov.; the membership may make nominations from the floor.

Section 2: Prior to the December meeting at which the election will take place, the secretary shall mail or email notices to the membership listing the candidates.

 

Article XI By-Laws 

Section 1: Club equipment may be bought or sold only after a majority vote of the membership present at a regular or called meeting.

Section 2: Application for membership shall be submitted to the president at a regular meeting and each application must express a wiliness for the applicant to abide by the constitution and such rules as shall be promulgated by the club. Two-Thirds (2/3) of those present shall approve the applicant before he/she will be considered elected to membership.

Section 3: A membership list shall be provided to the membership annually.

Section 4: Directors shall be initially elected for staggered terms, one for one year, one for two years, and one for three years. Each following year, one new director will be voted on to replace the existing director having been in office the longest. Directors may succeed themselves.

 

Signatures: We the undersigned members, witness the adoption of these by-laws and constitution:

 

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President

 

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Vice-President

 

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Treasurer