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Club Constitution and By-Laws

Constitution

Of The

Explorers Radio Club

Amended January 19, 2014

 

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

 

Explorers Radio Club

 

 

Lothian, Maryland

 

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 around the world.  The Explorers Radio Club shall encourage exploring the world of amateur radio, QRP operations, participation in an annual Field Day event, experimenting with both vintage and modern technology and modes, supporting and promoting DX expeditions, supporting and promoting contesting, and encourage involvement of youth and adults alike.  The Club will not be represented in or involved in political activities.

 

 

Article I Membership

All persons interested in Amateur Radio communications shall be eligible for membership. Membership shall be by application and approval of the Officers, 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 considered biased or prejudicial.  Members do not need an Amateur Radio license.

 

Membership shall be by application of the interested individual in writing or by email.  Individuals requesting membership shall provide legal name, amateur radio call sign information, email or phone contact information, if the member is an American Radio Relay League (ARRL) member, notice if the individual is interested in participating in the club field day event, and will identify needs, assistance or interest of the individual.  Members are responsible for notifying a club officer of any change of contact information in order to receive club communications.

 

Applications for memberships must be approved by two officers and two full members.

 

Membership is in perpetuity, or until such time the member resigns his or her membership, or removal is approved per Section 7.

 

 

Officers

 

Section. 1. Offices

 

The officers of this club shall include a Trustee/President.  The Trustee/President will be the principle leader and highest ranking officer. The second highest ranking officer will be the Vice President.  The final and third highest ranking officer will be the Director.

 

Section. 2. 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, in a meeting during the month of December, as defined by the By-Laws.

 

Section 3. Term limits

 

Term limits do not apply.  However, an individual may not hold more than one office during the same term.

 

Section. 4. Vacancies

 

Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by special elections at the next meeting following the withdrawal, resignation or death of an officer.  If the Trustee/President can no longer perform his duties, the Vice President will be the Acting Trustee/President and the Director will be the Acting Vice President until the special election at the next regular meeting is held.  If either the Vice President or Director can no longer perform their duties, the position will remain vacant until filled by the special election.

 

Section 5. Eligibility

 

The club founders will hold their positions for at least one year.  Thereafter, 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.  A member shall not have had his/her Radio Amateur license revoked or sanctioned at any time. This is required in order to be a potential trustee of the Club Call Sign.

 

Section 6. Resignation

 

Any officer may resign his/her position in writing at which time all records of the club will be turned over to the highest ranking officer of the Club.

 

Section 7. Removal of Officers and Members

 

Officers and members may be removed from office for cause, upon written petition signed by a majority of the members.  The petition must be presented to the highest ranking officer for whom the removal is not petitioned.

 

After investigating the petition, the petition will be presented to the membership at the next regular meeting of the club and voted on by the membership.  Removal of an officer requires a three-fourths vote of the full membership in writing.

 

 

Article III

 

Duties of Officers

 

Section. 1. Trustee/President

 

The Trustee/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 Trustee/President.  He/she shall maintain close liaison with the local ARRL representatives to further club participation in Amateur Radio.  The Trustee/President shall provide a vote on issues for which the officers are responsible to ensure a majority, as defined by the bylaws of the Club.

 

The Trustee/President 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 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.  As with all officers, the Trustee/President shall promote participation during the Club’s annual Field Day event.

 

Section. 2. Vice President

 

The Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the Trustee/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. The Vice President shall provide a vote on issues for which the officers are responsible to ensure a majority, as defined by the bylaws of the Club.  As with all officers, the Vice President shall promote participation during the Club’s annual Field Day event.

 

Section. 3. Director

 

The Director shall keep a copy of all records for the Club.  If possible, the Director shall provide support to the President and Vice President at their request.  The director shall provide a vote on issues for which the officers are responsible to ensure a majority, as defined by the bylaws of the Club.  As with all officers, the Director shall promote participation during the Club’s annual Field Day event.

 

 

Article IV Meetings

 

Democratic Rules Of Order (http://democraticrules.com/ ) shall govern proceedings.

 

The By-Laws shall provide for regular, over the air, and special meetings. At meetings, a minimum of two officers and three members with full membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of club business.  Business items can be approved with a majority approval of the quorum.  Any financial decisions required all officers and half of the voting membership to be present and a majority approval is required to approve any financial decisions.

 

An annual meeting will be held during the month of December.

 

 

Article V Dues

 

The Explorers Radio Club shall have no assets nor collect any dues.  Equipment for events shall be provided by its members.  Approval of use of the Club Call Sign during amateur radio transmissions must be approved by a majority of the officers.

 

Article VI

 

Membership Assistance

 

The club members will be encouraged to provide technical advice to members concerning station and equipment design and operation to assist in frequency observance, signal purity, and uniform practice from club and member-stations. The club shall also maintain a program to foster and guide public relations using newspaper, web and email.

 

Article VII Club Call Sign

 

The club shall use NA3DX as the Explorers Radio Club Call Sign, with Douglas A. Ellmore, Sr., NA1DX as the Club Call Trustee in perpetuity, until such time he is no longer able to perform the duties of the Call Sign Trustee, at which time it will be the responsibility of the Trustee/President or his or her designee.  FCC rules shall apply.  In addition, the Club Call Trustee shall not have his/her Radio Amateur licensed revoked or sanctioned at any time and must be a member in good standing.

 

Article VIII Dissolution Of The Club

 

Section 1. Termination of Operations

 

In the event that the Board of Director votes that the Club should be dissolved the motion for dissolution must receive at least two thirds vote of the full membership to pass.

 

The Club Call Sign Trustee rights and responsibilities shall return to the oldest licensed individual of the founding members.

 

Section 2. Disposition of Assets

 

The Explorers Radio Club shall have not own assets that will require dissolution.

 

 

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.

 

 

By-Laws

Of The

Explorers Radio Club

 

1. Trustee/President

 

It shall be the duty of the Trustee/President to keep the constitution and By-Laws of the club and have the same available at every meeting. He/she shall note all amendments, changes and additions to the constitution and shall communicate them to the membership for comment prior to any vote.

 

2. Membership

 

Full membership is open to licensed Radio Amateurs.

 

Associate membership is open to those actively interested in Amateur Radio.

 

Full membership includes all club privileges as well as rights to hold a club office and to vote for club officers.

 

Associate membership includes all club privileges except for the right to hold office and vote for club officers.

 

Applications for membership and upgrades to membership from Associate to Full membership status shall be submitted at regular meetings.

 

3. Meetings

 

Regular meetings shall be held on 3rd Saturday of the months of January, April, June, and October. An annual meeting will be held during December on a date set by the officers of the club. Special meetings may be called by the Trustee/President upon the written request of any five full club members.  Email notices 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 they arrive not less than 24 hours before the meeting.  Meetings may be held in person or virtually over the air, over the internet, via telephone, or other means with which involvements is possible by members.

 

4. Dues Fees and Assessments

 

Dues for membership shall not be required or collected.

 

5. Elections

 

A special election for officers will be held for the first time in December of 2013 and facilitated by the Clubs founding Trustee.  Thereafter, elections of Officers shall be held at the regular December meeting. Officers will assume their elected office January 1 of the following year.

 

Nomination Committee

 

The President will appoint a nominating committee at least three months prior to elections. The committee will be charged with finding qualified candidates to run for office.

 

The committee will present a ballot to the president at the regular meeting one month prior to elections at which time the President will entertain a motion for nominations or to accept the ballot.

 

The final ballot will be published and made available to all club members by email or an online form. The president will dissolve the nominating committee after the annual elections.

 

Voting

 

Voting will be done using paper or online ballots, or both.  If online, the ballot must be open 7 calendar days prior to the December annual meeting.  Voting will be closed prior to the end of the annual meeting.

 

Immediately after voting the ballots will be counted shared to the membership. Any candidate may request a recount of the ballots.  In the case of an unopposed slate the Trustee/President may entertain a motion for the officers to cast a single ballot.

 

6. Interference Committee

 

An Interference Committee shall consist of officers or their designees. The committee shall direct investigation related to club and member stations, invite proper inquires, establish technical facts and testimony and report its results to the Club.

 

7. Annual Field Day Committee

 

An Annual Field Day Committee shall consist of officers or their designees.  The committee shall develop recommendations for the next Field Day operation and facilitate Club Field Day activities.  The officers shall vote to approve or reject the recommendation to be carried out by the Club.