The Wiregrass Amateur Radio Club Constitution
Approved November 11, 2013
Preamble:
We, the undersigned, wishing to secure for ourselves the pleasures and benefits of an association of persons commonly interested in Amateur Radio, constitute ourselves the Wiregrass Amateur Radio Club, and enact this constitution as our governing law. It shall be our purpose to facilitate the further 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.
Article I – Membership
All persons interested in Amateur Radio communications, without pecuniary interest, shall be eligible for membership. Membership shall be by application and election upon such terms as the Club shall provide in its Bylaws.
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 – Dues
The Club, by majority vote of those present at any general meeting, 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 III – Meetings
The Bylaws shall provide for general, annual, and special meetings. At meetings, a minimum of one-third of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern proceedings.
Article IV – Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall be composed of the elected officers of the Club, the past-President, and the Trustee. The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of the Club and shall perform all duties prescribed by this constitution. Decisions of the Board of Directors shall be by majority vote of a quorum of the board present at any meeting where such votes may be taken, unless a greater majority is specifically required by this document.
No member of the board shall receive compensation for any service he or she may render to the Club; however, board members may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of official Club duties.
Article V – Officers
Section 1. Offices
The officers of this Club shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2. Eligibility
In order to hold an office, an individual must be a member in good standing and hold a valid Amateur Radio license.
Section 3. Election
The officers of this Club shall be elected for a term of one year by ballot of the members present, provided there be a quorum, at the last general meeting of the year.
Section 4. Term limits
An individual may not hold more than one office during the same term, with the exception of the offices of Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 5. 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 6. Removal of Officers
Officers may be removed from office for cause, upon written petition of one-third or more of the voting membership presented to the President or Vice President.
After investigation, the petition will be presented to the membership at the next general meeting of the Club and voted on by the membership.
Removal of an officer requires a three-fourths vote of the full membership.
Section 7. Vacancies
Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by special elections at the first general meeting following the withdrawal or resignation.
Article VI – Duties of Officers
Section 1. President
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and conduct the same according to the rules adopted, and shall enforce due observance of this Constitution and Bylaws, decide all questions of order, sign all official documents that are adopted by the Club, and none other, and perform all customary duties pertaining to the office of President.
Section 2. Vice President
The Vice-president shall assist the President and shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of the latter.
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 provide notice of all meetings to each member. The Secretary shall keep the Constitution and Bylaws of the Club and have the same with him/her at every meeting. He/she shall note all amendments, changes and additions on the Constitution and shall permit it to be consulted by members upon request. At the expiration of his/her term he/she shall turn over all items belonging to the Club to his/her successor.
Section 4. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall receive and receipt all monies paid to and expended by the Club; and make no disbursements of Club funds without proper authorization by the Club. The Treasurer shall present a financial report at every meeting, either oral or written, and shall cause the financial books to be audited and a written report completed and presented at the first meeting in January of each year. The Treasurer shall maintain a list of members with paid up dues and communicate changes in it to the Secretary as needed. At the expiration of his/her term, the Treasurer shall turn over all financial records belonging to the Club in his/her possession to his/her successor.
Article VII – Club Call Sign and Trustee
The Club may elect to apply for a Club call sign as provided by FCC rules Part 97.
The President shall assign trusteeship of the Club call sign. The trustee shall have control of Club amateur radio station and license in accordance with regulations of the Federal Communications Commission and shall perform all duties incident to the office of Trustee, subject to the control of the Club. The Trustee shall serve an indefinite term and be replaced by the President of the Club following the recommendation of a majority of the Board of Directors
The trustee shall be a member of the Club in good standing, meet FCC requirements, and not had his/her Radio Amateur licensed revoked or sanctioned at any time.
Article VIII – Committees
Section 1. Standing Committees
There shall be three standing committees: Technical, Training, and Events. The president is responsible for appointing the chair of each standing committee. The committee chair shall appoint other members. The appointees to these chairs shall be members in good standing of the Club and shall serve such term, and perform such duties as prescribed in this constitution and as the President may, from time to time, determine. Each committee chair shall provide a report on committee activities at each general business meeting.
a. Technical Committee – The Technical Committee shall oversee all planning, installation, and operation of all Club repeater and radio equipment assets. This committee shall be responsible for the correct operation of the Club owned radios at all times. The committee should make recommendations to the Board of Directors whenever additional equipment is needed. The committee shall maintain accurate records of all Club-owned, borrowed, and rented equipment and report whenever requested by the president. The committee shall assist members and interested parties with technical applications, troubleshooting and repairs, and to further the technical interests of amateur radio in the Club. The trustee shall chair the technical committee.
b. Training Committee – The Training Committee shall plan, coordinate and execute an ongoing educational program to advance the art of amateur radio among the Club members and interested parties.
c. Events Committee – The Events Committee shall provide liaison with promoters of public events and plan and execute Club events. The committee shall keep detailed records of participation in all events and make them available to organizations, such as the ARRL. The committee shall assist in maintaining a positive public image of the Club through coordination of efforts with the Public Information Office.
Section 2. Special Appointments
The following offices shall be established to serve the needs of the Club. The appointees to these offices shall be members in good standing of the Club and shall serve such term, and perform such duties as the President may, from time to time, determine.
a. Public Information Office – The PIO shall promote amateur radio and the activities of the Club to advance the general interest and welfare of amateur radio in the community as directed by the President and Board of Directors.
b. ARES Liaison – He or she shall maintain close liaison with the ARES Emergency Coordinators of Houston, Henry, Geneva, and Dale Counties to further Club participation in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service.
Section 3. Special Committees
The president may appoint other special committees for specific purposes. These special committees shall have no inherent powers other than those granted by the president.
Section 4. Removal of Committee Chair and Special Appointments from Office
Committee chairs, as well as special appointments, serve at the discretion of the President.
Section 5. Review of Decisions
All decisions of committees and appointments are subject to review by the Board of Directors and may be over-ruled by the same.
Article IX — Funds
No part of the net earnings of the Club shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officer, or other private persons, except that the Club shall be authorized and empowered to reimburse for actual expenses incurred in the performance of official Club duties and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth above. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Club shall not carry on any activities not permitted by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Article X – Membership Assistance
The Club, through designated Technical Committee, will provide technical advice to members concerning equipment design and operation to assist in frequency observance, clean signals, uniform practice, and absence of spurious radiations from Club member-stations. The Club shall also maintain a program to foster and guide public relations.
Article XI – Dissolution of the Club
Section 1. Termination of Operations
In the event that the Board of Directors 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 Board of Directors 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 sold and net proceeds donated to a non-profit organization.
All remaining cash will be donated to a non-profit organization.
Article XII – Amendments
This Constitution or Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the full membership. Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing at a general meeting and shall be voted on at the next following general meeting, provided all members have been noticed of the intent to amend the Constitution and/or Bylaws at said meeting.
Approval
We, the undersigned officers of The Wiregrass Amateur Radio Club, Inc., certify that this Constitution, dated November 11, 2013 was approved by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of members present at a WARC Board meeting on October 28, 2013 and approved by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of all members at a general meeting on November 11, 2013. With this approval, the former Constitution of the Wiregrass Amateur Radio Club, Inc., is replaced in its entirety with this document, effective the 11 day of November, 2013.
Signed: James M. Nelson/KE4GWW, President; Densie N. Williams/KJ4VDE, Vice-President; John M. Duty/KK4LST, Secretary; Edward H. Winkler/KJ4LTA, Treasurer; and George H. Stokes, Jr./WA4MZL, Trustee.