Constitution of the Bryan Amateur Radio Club

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 BRYAN AMATEUR RADIO CLUB of Bryan/College Station, Texas 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.

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: Officers

The officers of this club shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. An individual may not hold more than one office during the same term.

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, at the annual meeting.

Section 3: Vacancies

Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by special elections at the first regular meeting following the withdrawal or resignation of an officer.

Section 4: Eligibility

In order to hold an office an individual must be a member in good standing and hold a valid Amateur Radio license.

Section 5: Resignation

Any officer may resign his/her position in writing at which time all records and assets, they are responsible for, 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 10 percent or more of the current membership, presented to a duly elected officer of the club.

All uninvolved Officers will investigate the petition at which point the full membership of the club will be notified by correspondence the results of the investigation and pending presentation of the findings, from the highest ranking uninvolved officer, at the next regular meeting.

Removal of an officer requires a two-third vote of the present membership within 14 calendar days of the presentation of the investigation to the 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 The Vice President shall also perform the function of Program Chairman for the club, and shall arrange for programs at appropriate meetings.

Section 3: Secretary

The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, keep a roll of members, carry on all correspondence, read communications at each meeting, and send 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.

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 monthly club meeting a statement of disbursements shall be made available. 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 shall provide for regular meetings. At meetings, a minimum of one-fourth of the membership or fifteen members, whichever is smaller, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern proceedings.

Article V: Dues

The club, by majority vote of those present at any regular meeting, provided those present constitute a quorum, may levy upon the general membership such annual dues as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the organization within its objectives as set forth in the preamble to this Constitution. Non-payment of such annual dues shall be cause for expulsion from the club within the discretion of the membership.

Article VI: Club Call Sign and Trustees

The official BARC club call sign will be: W5BCS.

The President shall assign trusteeship of the club call sign and repeater to one or two persons.

The trustee/s shall:

Article VII: Dissolution of the Club

Section 1: Termination of Operations

In the event that the Business Committee 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 Business Committee 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 VIII: Amendments

This constitution or By-Laws may be amended by a three-fourths vote of the members present at a regular business meeting, provided there be a quorum. 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 duly notified of the intent to amend the constitution and/or By-Laws at said meeting by telephone, E-mail or letter, based on current or last known information, shall constitute due notification in all cases where proper notification is required.

By-Laws

Section 1: Secretary

It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the constitution and By-Laws 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.

Section 2: Membership

Applications for membership shall be submitted to the club officers.

Full Member

This grade of membership is open to licensed Radio Amateurs. Full membership includes all club privileges as well as rights to hold a club office and to vote for club officers.

Student Member

This grade of membership receives the same privileges as a full member, but is made available at a discount to students currently enrolled at an educational institution.

Associate Member

This grade of membership is open to those actively engaged in a class leading to an Amateur Radio license, Family Member and all other interested persons. Associate membership includes all club privileges except for the right to hold office and vote for club officers. N.b.: Associate members retain the privilege of voting to conduct club business.

Honorary Member

This grade of membership shall require the two-thirds vote of the membership. Such membership shall not pay dues or fees, and shall be entitled to hold office and vote.

Family Membership

Shall constitute one FULL MEMBER and family members shall be granted ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP.

Section 3: Meetings

Regular meetings shall be held on the third Saturday of each calendar month at such place as the members shall decide. If special circumstances dictate a different date, location, or an inability to meet in-person, alternative meeting plans must be conveyed to the membership as soon as reasonably possible prior to the new meeting date.

Section 4: Dues Fees and Assessments

Annual dues of $15.00 per Full/Associate Membership, $5.00 per Student Membership, $20.00 per Family Membership are hereby assessed in accordance with the provisions of Article V of the constitution for the purpose of providing funds for expenses.

Membership dues are payable annually in advance.

Any member whose dues are not paid after the expiration of the one-year membership period will be considered inactive and removed from the membership roster. Inactive members have no voting privileges—neither to conduct club business nor for the election of officers.

Termination of membership either by resignation or expulsion will not cause a refund of dues paid.

Section 5: Business Committee

The Business Committee shall consist of the officers of the club, plus one member appointed by the President, by the first regular meeting of the year, and be approved by all of the elected officers. This committee shall handle all business activities of the club.

Section 6: Rights of Members

Proprietary Rights

Members of the club shall not have any individual right to, or interest in, the property or assets of the club as long as the club exists. All property and assets of the club shall be subject to the direction, control of, and expenditure of the membership.

Section 7: Elections

Officer elections will be held annually at the regular December meeting. Officers will assume their elected office January 1 of the following year. The President will appoint a nomination committee 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 and to accept the ballot. The final ballot will be published and made available to all club members by mail, E-mail or official Website. The president will dissolve the nomination committee after the annual elections.

Section 8: Voting

For Elections

Voting for the election of officers will be done by ballot. If circumstances prevent members from voting in-person, an appropriate authenticated proxy voting method may be used to convey their ballot selection. Immediately after voting the ballots will be counted openly in front of the membership and the count will be disclosed. In the event of a tie for any of the offices each candidate will be given two minutes to speak to the membership and another vote will be taken. In the event of another tie the highest ranking, most recent former officer present shall cast a tie breaking vote. Any candidate/member may request a recount of the ballots.

For Club Business

In accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, voting for regular club business will be done by acclamation (“yay”/“nay”) of a majority of members present at a club meeting, provided there be a quorum.