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BY-LAWS OF TOCCOA AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY INC.
SECTION I – PURPOSE POLICY 1.10 The purpose of the Toccoa Amateur Radio Society Incorporated, shall be to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principals: 1. Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. 2. Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art. 3. Encouragement and improvement of the amateur radio service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art. 4. Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians and electronics experts. 5. Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international good will. 6. To further exchange information and cooperation between members, to promote radio knowledge, fraternalism and individual operating efficiency and to so conduct club programs and activities so as to advance the general interest and welfare of Amateur Radio in the community. 1.20 It shall be the policy of the Club to support and join with other local, national and international Amateur Radio groups, as appropriate, to provide unity of action in supporting all aspects of Amateur Radio. SECTION II - MEMBERSHIP 2.10 Any person interested in Amateur Radio shall be eligible for membership, and once accepted, a member shall have equal rights and privileges with all other members except as specifically prohibited by these By-Laws or Federal law. 2.15 Only those members who are Licensed Amateur Radio Operators shall have voting privileges. Those members who are not yet licensed will be granted Associate Memberships with no voting privileges. 2.20 Applications for membership shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary on a special form provided for that purpose. Each such application shall be accompanied by one year's dues as specified in Section VI of these By-laws. The application for membership may be approved by the majority of club member present at the meeting. 2.30 Family members are those persons in the same household as a full member who also wish to participate in the club. All rights and privileges of club membership as specified in Section 2.10 and 2.15 apply. SECTION III - OFFICERS 3.10 The officers of the club shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, these four officers form the TARS Executive Committee. 3.20 All officers of the club shall be members in good standing and shall be licensed amateurs at the time of their election and for their entire term of office. 3.30 The regular election of officers shall be handled as follows: 1. The election of officers shall be held during the December meeting for the following year. Club members shall nominate members to fill these offices. 2. Secret ballots, which have been prepared, shall be distributed to everyone present who is eligible to vote. 3. Those members present and in good standing shall mark their ballots to vote for not more than one (1) nominee for each office. 4. The Secretary shall the collect and tabulate all ballots. 5. Any nominee receiving the highest number of votes cast shall be declared elected to his or her respective office. BOARD OD DIRECTORS AND DUTIES The membership shall elect a Board of Directors consisting of (5) but not less than three (3) members. This board will elect its chairman. Their team of office shall be for three years. Their election shall be held as outlined in section 3.30 of these By-Laws. DUTIES 1. To listen to recommendations made by the club in business and in policy matter. All recommendations are subject to approval of the Board. 2. In unusual circumstances, the Board is empowered to call elections to fill vacancies in Club offices and otherwise insure continuity in the operation of the Club. 3. To insure
continuity in the operation of the Club and in unusual circumstances the
Board of Directors is empowered to appoint an individual or individuals to
fill an office that has apparently been vacated or abandoned. This shall
include all offices of the club except that of President which is covered
under Section 3.45 of these By-Laws. Individuals appointed to fill
unexpired terms shall fill those in accordance with 3.55 of these
By-Laws. 4. The Board of Directors is empowered to request the President to call a special meeting on any matter that they think, for the good of the club, should not wait until the next meeting. The Board is empowered to remove any officer, member of the club they think that is good for the club. 5. They shall audit the records of the Treasurer and Secretary as outlined in Section 6.30 of these By-Laws. 3.40 Special election may be held at any meeting to fill vacancies which occur between regular elections. A special procedure applies to the vacancy in the office of President (see Section 3.45) the balance of this section applies to all elected offices other than the President. If a special election is to be held, a notice to this effect shall be published in the issue of the club newsletter immediately preceding such election. Those members of the club present at such meeting shall comprise a committee competent to nominate and elect a club member to the vacant office. 3.45 Should the Office of President become vacant for any reason, the Vice-President shall immediately and automatically assume the office of President and the office of Vice-President shall be declared vacant and refilled under the terms of Section 3.40. 3.50 Term of office for all officers shall be one (1) year commencing at the adjournment of the December meeting and continuing until adjournment of December meeting the following year or until their successor has been elected and qualified. Officers elected at a special election shall assume office immediately and their term shall end at the adjournment of the December meeting. 3.55 Term for all appointments shall be for one (1) year commencing at the adjournment of the December meeting and continuing until adjournment of the December meeting the following year until their successor has been appointed. Those appointed to fill an unexpired term shall assume responsibility immediately and their term shall end at adjournment of the December meeting. SECTION IV – DUTIES OF OFFICERS 4.10 The President shall preside at all meeting of the club and conduct the same according to rules adopted; he shall enforce due observance of charter and By-Law; decide all questions of order, sign all official documents that are adopted by the club; be an ex-officio member of all committees and perform all customary duties pertaining to the office of President. 4.20 The Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President in the absence of the President, and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. 4.30 The Treasurer shall receive and receipt for all monies paid to the club; shall keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended; shall pay no bills without proper authorization by the club or the Executive Committee; shall cause a report to be published each month in the club newsletter of the income and expenses of club funds for the past month and give a report of the same at the regular meeting of the club; shall, at the expiration of his term, turn over everything in his possession belonging to the club to his successor. 4.40 The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, including Executive Committee meetings; shall receive all applications for membership; shall keep a roll of members in conjunction with the Treasurer; shall carry on all correspondence; shall thank in writing all guest speakers and other such persons, firms or organizations obligating the club by their favors; shall read communications at the meetings. The Secretary shall also keep the By-Laws of the club and have the same with him at every meeting. He shall cause all amendments, changes and additions to be noted thereon and shall permit the same to be consulted by members upon request. He shall, at the expiration of his term, turn over everything in his possession belonging to the club to his or her to their successor. SECTION V - MEETINGS 5.10 Regular meetings shall be held on the 1st Saturday of each month unless it falls on a holiday then it will be the following Saturday. The regular meeting may be cancelled by the President provided a special meeting is called under Section 5.20 of these By-Laws within ten (10) days of the cancelled regular meeting. 5.20 Special meetings may be called by the President upon the written request of any five (5) members of the club, and for this purpose, the President himself may sign such a request. Notices shall be sent to all members by the Secretary informing them of the special meeting and of the business to be transacted. Such notices shall be mailed in ample time to allow normal mail delivery at least 24 hours prior to this meeting. Only such business as is designated in the notice shall be transacted at the special meeting except where the special meeting is called to take the place of a regular meeting as provided in Section 5.10 of these By-Laws, in which case any business may be transacted. SECTION VI - FINANCES 6.10 Annual Membership dues are due and payable on January 1 of each year. The fiscal year for accounting shall be January 1 through December 31 of the same year. Annual dues for full membership and associate membership shall be fifteen dollars ($15.00). Annual dues for family membership shall be ($20.00) and this shall include all licensed members living in the same household. A membership for a new member joining the club after July 1 shall pay half dues ($7.50) to carry their membership through the end of that fiscal year. 6.15 A Repeater Fund will be established by the Treasurer expressly to receive voluntary contributions from club members and others who wish to contribute to the operation of the Club repeater/s. Expenditures from this fund will be made by the Treasurer with the approval of the Executive Committee or as directed by the club. 6.20 The Treasurer shall render a statement annually to each member at least thirty (30) days before his dues become payable. Any member whose dues are in arrears more than thirty (30) days shall be dropped from membership. Any person dropped from membership for non-payment of dues shall be reinstated upon payment of one (1) year’s dues. 6.30 At the close of each fiscal year, it shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to audit the accounts and the records of the Treasurer and Secretary, and to render a report of its findings to the club at the January meeting. 6.40 The club, by a majority vote of those present at any regular meeting, may levy upon the general membership such dues or assessments as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the organization within its objects as set forth in these By-Laws. Non-payment of such dues or assessments shall cause the member to be put in an in-active status with no voting privileges. SECTION VII - AMENDMENTS 7.10 These By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of the total club membership, or by a two-thirds vote of members present at any meeting if advance notice of the proposed amendments has been published in the club newsletter for two successive months. Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing and shall be read word for word by the Secretary just prior to voting. 7.20 Ten members in good standing present at a regular or special meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business except for By-Laws as provided in Section 7.10. SECTION VIII - APPOINTMENTS, COMMITTEES, BOARD OF DIRECTORS 8.10 The President shall have the authority to appoint such committees as he deems advisable for the welfare of the club, and he shall have the authority to dissolve such committees at anytime except those appointed by the Board of Directors. 8.20 The Board of Directors shall consist of the five (5) but not less than three (3) members. The board shall meet at the call of the President or any two (2) other members of the board. Three (3) members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any club business as specified in these By-Laws. It shall be the duty of the board to approve all club activities and is responsible for all club operation. 8.30 The Repeater Committee shall be responsible for all activities relating to any repeater system’s that the club shall own and/or operate, subject to club approval. 8.40 The editor of the club newsletter shall be responsible for editing, publishing and distributing the club newsletter on a monthly basis. 8.50 The Net Manager shall be responsible for calling the net on the time that the club has set up. If he or she can not call the net then it shall be their duty to get someone to call the net. The Net Manager needs to try to get someone at least a day before the net time. 8.60 The Repeater Control Operator shall be responsible for the control of the repeater such as putting information on the repeater for business and to cut off the repeater if it causes interference or any other problem. Added Amendments 8.61 The Chaplin shall be appointed by the President. The duties of the Chaplin shall be to open the meeting with prayer and to perform such other duties as are appropriate to this office. 8.62 That the net manager shall be appointed by the President. Club MeetingsThe clubs meeting is held on the first Saturday of each month unless a Holiday falls on that weekend then the meeting will be held the next weekend. Order of Business for Business MeetingsA. Call to Order B. Reading of the Minutes of the previous Business Meeting by the Secretary C. Treasurer’s Report D. Introduction of Guests E. Reports from Committees F. Old Business G. New Business H. Motion to Close I. Adjournment |