ST. JOHN VALLEY RADIO ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE

We, the undersigned, wishing to secure for ourselves the pleasures and  benefits of the association of persons commonly interested Amateur Radio constitute ourselves the ST. JOHN VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION, N1SJV, 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 1 

All persons interested in amateur radio communication shall be eligible for membership. (Membership shall be by application and  election upon such terms as the Club shall by its Bylaws provide.)

OFFICERS 

ARTICLE 2

Section 1:

The officers of this Club shall be:  President, Vice-President, Secretary,  Treasurer, Technical Manager, and Public Information Officer.

Section 2:

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.  Absentee ballots are included as members present for voting purposes.

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 3 

Section 1:

The  President  shall preside at all meetings of this Club, and conduct the same according to the rules adopted.  He shall  enforce  due observance of  this Constitution and Bylaws; decide all questions of order; sign all official documents that are adopted by the Club, and  none other, and perform all other customary duties pertaining to the office of President.

Section 2:

The Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President in the absence of the latter.

Section 3:

The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of meetings, keep a roll of members, submit applications for membership, carry on all correspondence, read communications at each meeting, and may mail written meeting notices to each member.  He shall, at the expiration of his term, 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; he shall pay no bills without proper authorization (by the Club or its officers constituting a business  committee).  At the Annual Meeting,  he shall submit an itemized statement of disbursements and  receipts.  He shall, at the expiration of his term, turn over everything in his possession belonging to the Club to his successor.

Section 5:

The  Technical Manager 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 stations.  He shall, with the aid of other club  members:  Direct maintenance and  repair  of club equipment and coordinate club training.

Section 6:

The Public  Information Officer shall promote Club activities using the various local and state media (TV,  radio, written press, etc.) to advance the general interest and welfare of amateur radio.

MEETINGS

ARTICLE 4  

The Bylaws shall provide for regular and special meetings.  At meetings, a minimum of one-quarter of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

DUES

ARTICLE 5

The Club, by  majority vote of those present at regular meetings, 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 the preamble.  Non payment of such dues or assessments shall be cause for expulsion  from the Club within the discretion of the membership.

AMENDMENTS

ARTICLE 6

This Constitution or the Bylaws may be amended by two-thirds vote of the total  membership.  Absentee ballots may be filed by mail to the Secretary.  Proposals for  amendments 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 bylaws at said meeting.

RULES

ARTICLE 7 

Robert’s Rules shall govern proceedings.

BYLAWS

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 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.

2.  MEMBERSHIP
Applicants must express a willingness to abide by the Constitution and  Bylaws and other rules promulgated by the  Club.  Two-thirds of those present shall approve the applicant before he shall be considered elected to membership. There shall be two types of membership: Regular and Affiliate.  The Regular Members must have a valid  Amateur Radio License. They will have full voting rights on all Club matters.  An affiliate Member does not have a license but expressed an interest in amateur radio.  He will  not be allowed to vote or hold an elected club office.

3.  MEETINGS
Regular  meetings shall be held each calendar month at such  place as the President shall order.  The Annual Meeting, for election of Club Officers, shall be held at the  March  meeting.  Special meetings may be called by the President upon the written request of any five club members.  Notices shall be sent to members concerning all meetings and the business to be transacted. Such notices shall be so sent that in the ordinary postal delivery they arrive not less than 24 hours before the meeting time, or by email provided it does arrive not less than 24 hours before the meeting time.

4.  DUES 
An annual assessment of $20.00 per Regular Member is hereby assessed in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 of the Constitution for the  purpose of providing funds for current expenses.  Any member of the immediate family who is a licensed  ham under age 18 living at the same address may also become a member at the special rate of an  additional $5.00 per year.  Affiliate members shall also be assessed six dollars per year.  Dues shall be payable in advance at the Annual Meeting and prorated to the next Annual Meeting at $1.70 per month.

5.  CLUB  PROPERTY
All property owned by the Club shall be recorded with the Secretary and reported on annually at the March meeting.  From time to time it may be necessary for the Club  to  mortgage property, generally from members.  Should a  member  terminate his  membership and still have an outstanding  mortgage with the Club, he will notify the Club  in  writing and the Club, at its very next regular meeting, will decide whether to buy the mortgage up or accept  the departing  members offer for Club equity.  Should  the  Club dissolve itself, all property will be sold  to the highest bidder and proceeds deposited into the treasury which will be split among active members (except  that  in  the  case of family membership, only the members paying full dues [$20.00] shall receive a share.)

Club property will be handled as follows:

a.  A complete list of all Club property shall be kept up-to-date at all times by the Club Secretary.

b.  This list shall be made readily available upon the request of any SJVARA Member.

c.  As each item is entered on the property list, the date and cost shall also be entered.

d.  If any item is sold, the date and selling price shall also be entered.

e.  Club property may be loaned at the discretion of the Secretary, with the exception of high cost items which are subject to the approval of the Club.

f.  A list shall be kept by the Secretary stating the loanee’s name, date of loan and date of return.

g.  The loanee shall be responsible for all damages incurred while the item is in his possession. It shall also be his responsibility to report to the secretary any evident damage when he first receives the item.

6.  ADHOC  COMMITTEES

From time to time, a standing committee may be formed for the purpose of investigating and deliberating various ideas and events for the Club.  It may serve to ensure that all necessary functions, yearly events, and regular meeting programs are properly planned for and carried out by making recommendations to the Club in advance of each occasion.  This committee shall also have the power to transact routine business of the Club in the interim between regular meetings, in emergencies, and when time does not allow otherwise.

This committee shall be chaired by the President and composed of the Club Officers in addition to three other members voted in at a regular meeting by a plurality vote of those present.  Their terms shall be for one year or until the Annual Meeting at which time new members may be elected.  This Committee shall meet as necessary. Meetings may be called, upon written request of three of its members.