Constitution & ByLaws

ALGER AMATEUR RADIO CLUB CONSTITUTION

Adopted May 9th 2017

PREAMBLE:

It shall be our Exclusive Purpose/Mission to maintain one or more open access amateur radio repeaters for community events and governmental assistance purposes, providing optimum coverage to the whole of Alger County. It shall also be our intent to further the exchange of information and cooperation between members individually, law enforcement and emergency preparedness personnel, lessening the burdens of government in providing much needed communications in times of emergency/disaster, as well as to be of service to the community at large, advancing the general interest and welfare of Amateur Radio. In furtherance of this purpose, AARC shall establish procedures in conjunction with the Alger County Emergency Coordinator and provide training in radio communications to prepare to assist government and the public in times of emergency or disaster. We support all efforts to foster good will in the community and expressly affirm our commitment under FCC mandate to be prepared in the event of emergency to make ourselves, our equipment, and our expertise available to those in need.

In the event the AARC is terminated for any reason, the assets property of the AARC shall be donated to the American Radio Relay League in Newington, Connecticut, and/or charitable organizations in Alger County, to be used for the benefit of the citizens of Alger County.

No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, upon dissolution of the corporation or organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.

ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP

Sec. 1 - All persons interested in Amateur Radio communication are eligible for membership.

Sec. 2 - Membership will be accepted upon such terms as the AARC provides in the By-Laws.

ARTICLE II: OFFICERS

Sec. 1 - The officers of the AARC shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Sec. 2 - The President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected for a term of two years by majority vote of the members present at the last regular meeting of the election year.

Sec. 3 - The term for all elected officers shall begin on January 1.

Sec. 4 - The Treasurer and at least one other officer upon election shall sign the signature cards of any checking and/or other banking accounts intended for the AARC.

Sec. 5 - No officer shall hold more than one office at any given time.

Sec. 6 - Officers may be removed for cause by a three-fourths vote of the voting membership.

Sec. 7 - An officer vacancy occurring between elections must be filled by appointment of the president and be confirmed by the membership at the next regular meeting following the withdrawal or resignation or removal.

Sec. 8 - Upon completion of office, the officers shall immediately turn over everything in his/her possession belonging to the AARC to his/her successor or club officers if a successor has not yet been established.

ARTICLE III: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Sec. 1 - The duties of the President shall include the following: A. Preside at all meetings. B. Enforce these Constitution and By-Laws. C. Sign all official documents adopted by the AARC. D. Perform all other duties not specified for other officers.

Sec. 2 - The duties of the Vice-President shall include the following: A. Preside at all meetings in absence of the President. B. Assist in enforcing these Constitution and By-Laws. C. Be a signer on official documents of AARC in absence of the President. D. Perform all other duties assigned by the President.

Sec. 3 - The duties of the Secretary shall include the following: A. Assume all the duties of the Treasurer in his/her absence. B. Keep a record of the minutes of all meetings. C. At each meeting read the minutes of the previous meeting and any communications. D. Mail meeting notices to each member excluding regularly scheduled monthly meetings.

Sec. 4 - The duties of the Treasurer shall include the following: A. Be accountable for all monies disbursed and received. B. Pay all AARC bills. C. Disburse no other monies without proper authorization. Authorization is to be by majority vote of the club officers. D. Present an itemized statement of disbursements and receipts at each meeting. E. Receive membership applications and dues. F. Maintain an updated roll of members.

ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS

Sec. 1 - The By-Laws shall provide for regular and special meetings.

Sec. 2 - A minimum of 10 % of the voting membership shall constitute a quorum but in no event shall a quorum constitute less than 4 voting members for the transaction of business at any meeting.

Sec. 3 - Proxy votes are allowed, but only on the condition that the proxy be given in advance of the meeting at which the proxy vote is to be cast, and further that the proxy be in writing, which is produced and given to the then acting secretary of the meeting. E-mail and facsimile are deemed acceptable writings for proxy purposes. The individual submitting the proxy must be a voting member in good standing at the time when the proxy is to be utilized.

ARTICLE V: DUES & ASSEMENTS

Sec. 1 - The AARC, by amending the By-Laws, may levy upon the general membership such dues or assessments necessary for the business of the AARC.

Sec. 2 - The fiscal year for the AARC shall be January 1 through December 31 of each year.

ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS

Sec. 1 - This Constitution may be amended by a simple majority vote of the total voting membership. The By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of those present at any regular meeting.

Sec. 2 - Motions to amend shall be submitted in writing at a regular meeting and shall be voted on at the next regular meeting, provided all members have been notified by mail of the intent to amend the Constitution and/or By-Laws at said meeting.

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Alger Amateur Radio Club by-laws

Adopted May 9th 2017

  1. The President may appoint a member to maintain liaison with each of the following affiliations:
    1. Upper Peninsula Amateur Radio Repeater Association (UPARRA).
    2. Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
    3. Any other groups or organizations with which ongoing communication is necessary or desirable.
  2. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to:
    1. Keep an official copy of the Constitution and by-laws, and note all changes, additions and deletions thereto.
    2. Provide copies of the Constitution and by-laws to voting members upon joining or upon request.
  3. Membership:
    1. Full Membership is open to licensed/residents of Alger County, Michigan. Full Membership includes the following privileges:
      1. Rights to hold office.
      2. Voting privileges.
    2. Family Membership for households with two or more licensed radio amateurs of the same family.
    3. Associate Membership is open to all interested individuals, groups, and organizations.
  4. Dues:
    1. A regular yearly assessment of $25.00 for Full Membership.
    2. A regular yearly assessment of $5.00 for each additional family member per household.
    3. A regular yearly assessment of $10.00 for Associate Membership.
  5. Meetings:
    1. Regular meetings shall be held as needed or requested. Except when otherwise notified, meeting location is Munising Fire Hall 411 Mill Street Munising, MI 49862.
    2. Special meetings may be called by the president as needed, or upon the written request of any five association members. Special meetings shall be limited to specified agenda items.
  6. Technical Committee (s) :
    1. Each repeater operated by this club shall have a technical committee, consisting of a Trustee and at least one other member.
    2. The Trustee of a technical committee shall be the repeater licensee.
    3. The club members shall approve by majority vote the Trustee and any additional members to serve on a technical committee.
    4. Each technical committee shall be responsible for the proper maintenance and operation of its repeater.
    5. Each technical committee shall evaluate any technical failure to its repeater within 14 days of occurrence.
    6. Each technical committee may make regular reports to the club at each meeting.
    7. Members serving on a technical committee shall be issued any keys or combinations to permit access to the repeater they are maintaining.
    8. Each technical committee shall make an annual report of the inventory and location of its equipment, manuals, and keys.
    9. A Trustee is authorized to seek and appoint additional persons to assist his/her technical committee on a temporary basis.
    10. A Trustee or member of a technical committee may be removed by a three-fourths vote of those present at any meeting of the club called for that purpose, and with adequate notice given to all the voting membership.
    11. Upon resignation or withdrawal, members of a technical committee shall immediately turn over everything in his/her possession belonging to the club to his/her successor.

The ALGER AMATEUR RADIO CLUB (AARC) is a 501(C)(3) tax exempt non-profit service organization. Serving the needs of Alger County Michigan and furthering the interests of Amateur Radio

The Alger Amateur Radio Club does not discriminate as to age, race, religion, sex, or national origin.