Constitution & Bylaws

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 Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club 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, with an emphasis on emergency communications.

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 Bylaws.

Officers: Article II

Sec. 1. The officers of this club shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. The office of Vice-President is optional, and the Secretary and Treasurer posts may be combined into one position.

Sec. 2. The officers of this club shall be elected for a term of one year in accordance with the Elections section of the Bylaws.

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

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

Sec. 5. Applicants for office should be people of integrity and of good moral conduct.

Duties of Officers: Article III

Sec. 1. The President shall preside at all meetings, enforce due observance of this Constitution and Bylaws, decide all questions of order, sign all official documents adopted by the club, and perform all other duties pertaining to the office of President.

Sec. 2. The Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President in his/her absence. In addition, he/she shall organize club activities, and advance club interests and activities as approved by the club.

Sec. 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.

Sec. 4. The Treasurer shall receive and issue a receipt for all monies collected by the club, keep an accurate accounting of all monies received and expended, and pay bills only with the proper authorization by the club or its officers. At the end of each quarter, he/she shall submit an itemized statement of all disbursements and receipts.

Sec. 5. At the end of the term of each officer, he/she shall turn over everything in his/her possession belonging to the club to his/her successor.

Meetings and Quorum: Article IV

Sec. 1. The Bylaws shall provide for regular and special meetings and an annual meeting.

Sec. 2. A minimum of one-forth of the voting membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Voting by proxy is permitted. If a quorum cannot be obtained at a meeting , then the business has the option to go out for a mail and/or Email vote.

Sec. 3. All meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

Dues: Article V

Any proposed modification to the dues structure or assessments must be presented as an announced agenda item to a regular meeting, and acted upon at the next regular club meeting where a quorum is present.

Amendments: Article VI

This Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a quorum vote at a regular meeting (see Article IV, Section 2). Proposals for amendments shall be submitted at a regular meeting and shall be voted on at the next regular meeting, provided voting members not present have been noticed by mail or Email of the intent to amend the Constitution or Bylaws at said meeting.

Bylaws

Sec. 1. Secretary: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to 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 to the Constitution and Bylaws and shall permit these documents to be consulted by members upon request.

Sec. 2. Membership: Full membership is open to licensed amateurs. Full membership includes all club privileges as well as the right to hold a club office and to vote on club matters. Associate membership is open to all others, licensed or not, including the families of full members.Associate membership includes all club privileges except for the right to hold office and vote. Applications for membership shall be submitted to the Secretary.

Sec. 3. Meetings: Regular meetings shall be held once a month at the discretion of the club officers. The regular club meeting in January shall be deemed to be the annual meeting. Special meetings may be called by the President at any time.

Sec. 4. Dues: Club dues shall consist of an annual assessment of $20 per full member, and $0 per associate member, that will cover one year starting on the month the application for membership is approved. Dues assessments shall be waived for military personnel on active duty and their immediate family.

Sec. 5. Delinquency: Any member who becomes delinquent in dues shall lose his/her right to vote and to hold office. The Treasurer shall read the names and calls of all delinquent members at each regular meeting. At the next regular meeting, the names of the delinquent members shall again be read and they shall be dropped from the membership rolls. The Secretary shall note the action and the names and calls in the minutes. Membership may be re-established by following the steps in Bylaws Sec. 2.

Sec. 6. Elections: The election of officers shall be held at the club’s annual meeting by ballot of the voting membership present. If a quorum is not present, the election will be held at the next regularly scheduled meeting where a quorum is present. The panel of officers in office at the time of an election shall continue to serve until the newly elected officers take office at the beginning of the next regular meeting after election.

Amendment 1 July 2, 2005