Citrus County Amateur Radio Club

Citrus County Amateur Radio Club By-Laws

Adopted 09/19/2005

(revision #2; 01/15/2007)

{NOTE: Insert the following if club is incorporated.}

These by-laws should be read and interpreted in relation to the Articles of Incorporation, {Date of incorportation, if applicable} Nothing in these by-laws shall conflict in any way with the purpose, organization or operation on the Citrus County Amateur Radio Club (Inc.)(hereinafter known as CCARC) as set forth in the articles of incorporation as originally adopted and amended.

PREAMBLE:

We the membership, wishing to secure for ourselves the pleasures and benefits of an association of individuals commonly interested in Amateur Radio constitute ourselves the Citrus County Amateur Radio Club, and enact this constitution as our governing law. The objectives of the Club are: (1) Provide an association for individuals interested in amateur radio; (2) Promote the general interest and welfare of amateur radio in the community; (3) Foster and facilitate the exchange of information between members; (4) Assist the community emergency responders with back-up communications when needed and/or requested.

ARTICLE 1 - MEMBERSHIP

Membership in CCARC is open to anyone with an interest in amateur radio without regard to gender, race, crede, or national origin. Membership classes are as follows;

  Section 1 - Full Member -  A full member is one holding a valid, renewable amateur radio license and whose annual dues are current. Such members  shall have full voting privileges. Full members are eligible to hold any office within the club, porviding they have been a member for one year minimum and are full time residents of the State of Florida.

  Section 2 - Family Member - Amateurs who are members of a contiguous family unit may be entitled to join as a unit by paying one full membership dues plus one half of the dues required for ful member, for each additional licensed family member. Each amateur member of the family shall have the same privileges as a full member.

  Section 3 -  Associate Member - An associate member is one who has an interest  in amateur radio and is desirous of becoming associated with CCARC. Possession of  a valid renewable amateur radio license is not required for associate membership. Such members have no voting  or office holding privileges to include chairmanship of any committee. They can, however, serve as committee members.

  Seciton 4 - Honorary Member  An honorary member is anyone because of his/her interests and contribution to amateur radio or the CCARC is deemed worthy of affiliation. There shall be no restrictions to the number of honorary members. Honorary members shall have no voting or office holding privileges, nor can they serve on committees. Honorary membership may be given only after a 2/3 approving vote fo the Board of Directors.

  Section 5 - Application for full and associate  membership to CCARC shall be by written application in accordance with the membership dues schedule. Acceptance of applications will be contingent upong a Board of Director's review of FCC records for proof of licensing and indicdations of any activitews which, in the judgement of the board, bring discredit upon amanteur radio and/or the organization. Results of the records check will be completed within sixty (60) day of application. Denial of membership requires written proof of derogatory information and a 2/3 majority vote of the board of directors. The prospective member may appeal a denial of membership by appearing in person and presenting evidence on their behlaf to the board of directors. Prospective  members, who are denied membership, shall be notified in writing by the board of directors and all dues paid shall be refunded.

ARTICLE II - DUES

  Section 1 - The dues may be annually reviewed for adjustment by the Budjet Committee and recommendations submitted to the Board of Directors for submission to the voting membership. A record of that vote shall be maintained in the standing rules.

  Section 2 - Annual memberships are for the twelve month period from January 1 through December 31. Members joining between January 1 and June 31 will be assessed a full years dues. Members joining between July 1 and September 1 will be assessed one half of the annual dues. Members joining after September 1 will be assessed for the next full year.

   Section 3 - Dues shall be considered delinquent at the beginning of the second month after they are due. Members whose dues are delinquent for more than one yeare will be removed from the membership roster and the mailing list, and are considered to be lapsed members. Lapsed members wishing to rejoin may apply  following the new member procedures found in Article I.

ARTICLE III - OFFICERS

  Section 1 - The officers shall be President, Vice President, Secretary,  Treasurer, and Director at Large. These five officers shall form the Board of Directors. The immediate Past President will serve in a non-voting advisory position on the board of Directors  except in the case of a tied vote between the other members of the Board of Directors, at which time he/she will be responsible for casting the deciding vote.

  Section 2 - [If applicable] The Board of Directors shall perform all duties as provided for in the not-for-profit provisions, the approved Articles of Incorporation and these by-laws.

  Section 3 - Duties of the officers are as follows;

  (a) President - The President shall preside at all general, Board of Directors, and special meetings of CCARC, and carry out such instructions, duties and responsibilities as determined by the voting membership on a majority vote at any business or special meeting, except as defined elsewhere in these by-laws; be and "ex-officio" member of all committees; and act as the Parlamentarian for all club meetings. Committee chairpersons shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the members of the Board of Directors.

  (b) Vice President  shall in the absence of the President, perform al duties of the President. Additionally, the Vice President shall arrange programs for the monthly CCARC general meetings; plan and recommend contests for operating benefits and advance club interest and activity as approved by the club.

  (c) Secretary - The Secretary shall keep and maintain accurate, official records of CCARC, including, but not necessarily limited to; current official membership roster, official correspondence; CCARC contracts and agreements; association documents and records, records of transactions of all General Membership meetings, Board of directors meetings, special meetings and changes to the Standing Rules. The Secretary shall notify all voting members in writintg of all special meetings, elections and bylaw amendment proposals in accordance with the CCARC Articles of Incorporation [if applicable] and Article X of these by-laws. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the by-laws 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 shall permit it to be consulted by members upon request.

  (d) Treasurer - The Treasurer shall receive and record all receipts, funds and bills; deposit and pay out all monies of CCARC treasury, subject to approval of the Board of Directors for any items exceeding $100.00; keep monthly treasures reports and file copies with the Secretary; participate in the Budget Committee; prepare and submit tax statements as required by law; co-operate with the Audit Committee.

  The Treasurer shall also serve as the Membership Chairperson responsible for the collection of annual dues paid by new as well as established members, provide accurated documentation and issuance of membership identification cards. All membership documentation shal be turned over to the Secretary at the conclusion of each monthly meeting.

  Pursuant to the provisions of Section 617.1006, Florida Statues for Florida nonprofit Organizations, shoud the organization (Citrus County Amateur Radio Club) dissolve, all remaining assets, if any, will be distributed as designated by the current officers, and two-thirds (2/3) members at large, to one or more tax exempt organizations as covered uinder Section 501 (C)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

  (e) Director At Large shall perform duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

  Section 4 - Temporary Absence

  (a) In the event of the temporary absence of the President, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President as specified in the Article III, Section 3(a) of these by-laws.

  (b) In the event of the absence of both of these officers at a meeting, in order of Secretary,l Diorector At Large, Treasure, wil preside.

ARTICLE IV - BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

  Section 1 - Board of Directors shall be comprised of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Director at Large, and the immediate Past President and shall be responsible for the conduct of the routine buisness of CCARC in accordance with the guidelines and policies established by the majority vote of members present  in the CCARC general meetings; plan and develop proposals for submission to members; be empowered to authorized expenditures as identified in the CCARC standing rules in support of routine business without prior approval in a CCARC general meeting.

  Section 2 - Audit Committee

 The Chair shall be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Board of Directors and shall ascertain annually that CCARC records conform to generally accepted accounting practices. The chairperson of this committee shall appoint committee members as deemed necessary to accomplish the responcibilities of the committee. The Audit Committee will consist of a minimum of three members. Members of the Board of Directors, and their immediate family members are ineligible for membership in the Audit Committee.

  Section 3 - Budget Committee - The Chair and members shall be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Board of Directors and shall present the Board of Directors and annual guidelines of fiscal policy. These guidelines shall be revised as circumstance warrant, with a  2/3 majority vote of the general membership present. This committee shall consist of the Treasure and minimum of two other members.

  Section 4 - Election Committee - The Chair and members shall be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Board of Directors and shall handle the annual elections of officers;  prepare a list of nominees to be presented to the membership one month before the annual election. This committee shall consist of not less than three (3) members as appointed by the President. An election committee may be appoint at other timees as required to fill vacancies.

  Seciton 5 - Publication Committee - The Chair and members shall be nominated by the President, and confirmed by the Board of Director and shall maintain the CCARC computer website, and establish any other publications etc as directed by the Board of Directors. The Chairperson shall appoint committee members as deemed necessary to accomplish the duties of the committee.

  Section 6 - Material Committee - The Chair and members shall be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Board of Directors, and shall be responsible for the accountability and security of all material and facilities belonging to or under the jurisdiction of CCARC; maintain and inventory of all assets for which the committee is responsible.

  Section 7 - Special Committee

The Chair and members shall be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Board of Directors and may be appointed as required on and interim basis to perform a special task. A task statement will also be provided to provide general guidance for the special committee.

ARTICLE V - ELECTIONS

  Section 1 - The election committee as defined in ARTICLE IV, Section 4 shall handle the election of all club officers as defined in ARTICLE IV, Section 1.

  Section 2 - A list of nominations for the officers shall be submitted to all members and the Presidnet no less than thirty (30) days prior to the annual election meeting.

  Section 3 - The officers shall be elected by secret ballot on a majority vote of the voting members present at the annual election meeting. Prior to balloting, any member with voting privilges, as defined in ARTILE I, may nominate any other like membger with his/her consent, for any position up for election.

  Section 4- An election committee may also be formed whenever there is an officer vacancy.

  Section 5 - Proof of membership (i.e.posession of a valid, current, membership card or confirmation  review of the Secretary's and/or Membership Chairperson's official records) is required prior to receipt of an official ballot.

 ARTICLE VI - TERMS OF OFFICES

 All elected officers may only serve two successive terms in the same office. (This restriction may be waived, on a case by case basis, with a voted approval of the membership.) They may be reelected after a break of one term.

  Seciton 1 - All elected officers shall serve a one (1) year term.

  Section 2 - Committee Chairperson - shall serve for one (1) year or until they are relieved by the appointment of a new chairperson as directed in these by-laws.

  Section 3 -Vacancies to elected offices - shall be filled at the next schedule general membership meeting following the vacancy or as soon as feasible thereafter. Nominations shall be made from the floor, with a secret ballot determining the person elected to fill the remaining term of the vacated office.

  Section 4 - Resignation -An officer electing to resign shall submit their resignation in writing to the Baord of Directors. The effective date of the resignation shall be stated in writing; in the absence of stated resignation date, the effective date shall be the date of receipt of the resignation.

ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS - QUORUM

  Sectgion 1 - One (1) General Membership meeting per month, with day, time and place to be determined by the Board of Directors, shall be held for the purpose of transacting the buisness of CCARC.

  Section 2 - An annual meeting shall be held in January for the purpose of elections as prescribed in these bylaws. All members  with voting privliges shall be notified by separate mailing or e-mail at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.

  Section 3- Special meetings shall be held upon written request, signed and submitted  by at least five (5) voting memberfs, or by the request of the Board of Directors. All members shall be notified by mail or e-mail of all special meetings at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.

  Section 4 -The Board of Directors shall meet once per month at a place to be determined by the Board of Directors to transact routine business for CCARC and to prepare items for submission to the general membership.