Cherokee Capital Amateur Radio Society

Calhoun, Georgia

Constitution

 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 Cherokee Capital Amateur Radio Society 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.

 

MEMBERSHIP

ARTICLE I

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.

 

OFFICERS

ARTICLE II

Section 1.  The officers of this club shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2.  The officers of this club shall be elected for a term of one (1) year by ballot of the members present, provided there be a quorum, at the annual meeting.

Section 3.  Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by special elections at the first regular meeting following the withdrawal or resignation.

Section 4.  Officers may be removed by a three-fourths vote of the membership.

 

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

ARTICLE III

Section 1.  The President shall preside at all meetings of the club, and conduct them according to the rules adopted.  He shall enforce due observance of this  Constitution and By-Laws, decide all questions of order, sign all official documents adopted by the club, be an ex-officio member of all committees, and perform all other duties pertaining to the office of President.

Section 2.  The Vice-President shall, assume all the duties of the President in his absence, and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.  In addition he shall organize club activities, plan and recommend contests for operating benefits, and advance club interest and activity as approved by the club.  He shall maintain close liaison with the ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator to further club participation in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service.

Section 3.  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 mail written meeting notices to each member.  Shall thank in writing all guest speakers and other such persons, firms, or organizations obligating the club by their favors.  At the expiration of his term he shall turn over all items belonging to the club to his successor.

Section 4.  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).  He shall give a report at each regular meeting of income and expenditures of the club.  He shall prepare financial reports when so directed by the club or its officers.  At the end of his term he shall turn over everything in his possession belonging to the club to his successor.

 

MEETINGS

ARTICLE IV

The By-Laws shall provide for regular and special meetings.  At meetings, a minimum of fifteen per cent (15%) of the active membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

 

DUES

ARTICLE V

The club, by 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.  Non-payment of such dues or assessments shall be cause for expulsion from the club within the discretion of the membership.

 

MEMBERSHIP ASSISTANCE

ARTICLE VI

The club, through designated Interference, Public Relations, and Operating Committees 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’s stations.  The club shall also maintain a program to foster and guide public relations.

 

AMENDMENTS

ARTICLE VII

This Constitution or the By-laws may be amended by a fifteen per cent (15%) vote of the active membership.  Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing at a regular meeting and shall be voted on at the next meeting, provided all members have been notified by mail of the intent to amend the Constitution and/or By-Laws at said meeting.

 

Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all proceedings.

 

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 at every meeting.  He shall note all amendments, changes and additions on the Constitution and shall permit it to be consulted by members upon request.

Section 2.  Membership: 

Active members are those members whose dues have been received by the Treasurer on or prior to their due date.

Inactive members are members whose dues have not been received by the Treasurer on or prior to their due date.  Such members shall automatically be suspended.  When a member remains inactive for a period of sixty (60) days after his due date, he shall be dropped from the membership.

If an inactive member pays in full his annual dues within the sixty- (60) day grace period he shall be reinstated as an active member.

Once a member has been dropped from the membership they may reapply for membership as stated within these By-laws.   Such member shall submit the full amount for annual dues along with their application and the dues shall not be prorated.

Full Membership: Full membership is open to all licensed amateurs.  Full membership includes all club privileges as well as rights to hold a club office and to vote for club officers.

Family Membership: Family membership shall be available to anyone living in the same household of a full member.  If the family member is a licensed amateur they have full benefits and privileges.  If not licensed they may not vote for club officers or hold club office.

Associate Membership: Associate membership is available to non-licensed persons and includes all club privileges except for the right to hold club office and vote for club officers.

Section 3.  Membership Applications: 

Applications for membership shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary on a special form provided for that purpose.  Such applications shall be accompanied by one (1) year's dues as specified in Section 4 of these By-Laws.

The club Secretary shall read submitted applications at a regular club meeting for consideration by the club.

Applications shall then be read for the second time at the next regular meeting.  At this reading applicants shall be placed before the club for acceptance.

Should an applicant not be accepted by a majority vote of the club the application and dues submitted along with the application shall be returned to the applicant.

Section 4.  Dues:

Annual dues shall be due and payable at the time of the annual club meeting in December.

Full membership: A regular yearly assessment of 12 dollars per member is hereby assessed.  New members shall be prorated at 1 dollar per remaining months.

Family Membership: A regular yearly assessment of 5 dollars per member is hereby assessed.  New members shall be prorated at .50 cents per remaining months.

Associate Membership: A regular yearly assessment of 8 dollars per member shall be assessed.  New members shall be prorated at .70 cents per remaining months.

Section 5.  Meetings:

Regular meetings shall be held on the third Thursday of each calendar month.  The President upon the written request of any five-club members may call special meetings.  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.

Section 6.  Duties of committees and other elected positions:

Club Host/Host Committee:

The President shall appoint the chairman of this committee along with as many other members as deemed necessary to make up this committee.  The chairman along with this committee shall be responsible for refreshments at all club meetings, hamfest, and other club functions as requested by the club or its officers.

Interference Committee:

This committee shall consist of five (5) members (appointed by the club President).  The committee shall direct investigation, invite proper inquires, establish technical facts and testimony and report its results to the club.

Net Manager:

The Net Manager shall be responsible for conducting, promoting, and reporting as required the weekly club nets.  The Manager shall also conduct any other special nets as requested by the club or its officers.  The net manager shall be recommended by the nominating committee and elected by the club for a term of one (1) year.

Newsletter Editor:

The Editor of the club newsletter shall be responsible for editing, publishing and distributing the club newsletter on a monthly basis.  The editor shall keep an updated list of club members who shall receive the newsletter.  The editor shall also keep a list of other parties to whom the club or its officers request the newsletter be distributed to.  The editor shall be recommended by the nominating committee and elected by the club for a term of one (1) year.

Section 7.  Election of officers and other elected positions:

The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee composed of three (3) active members of the club.

The Nominating Committee shall meet and select one qualified member as nominees for each office to be filled.  Only members who are willing to serve shall be nominated.

The Nominating Committee shall make its report to the membership at the November meeting, at which time nominations from the floor will be accepted for all offices, nominations shall then be closed.

The election of officers and other elected offices shall be held at the annual December meeting.  

Secret ballots, which have been previously prepared by the Nominating Committee, shall be distributed to everyone present who is eligible to vote.

Those members present and in good standing shall mark their ballots to vote for not more than one (1) nominee for each office.

The Nominating Committee shall then collect and tabulate all ballots. 

Any nominee receiving the highest number of the votes cast shall be declared elected to his respective office.

Section 8.  Club Appointments:

All club appointments shall be for a period of one (1) calendar year.

 

Additional By-Laws may provide for technical, programs, publicity and other committees, or other rules provisions not provided for in this document.

 

Revised February 2001

Second Revision December 2001