Constitution of the Central Wyoming Amateur Radio Club

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 Central Wyoming Amatuer Radio Club (CWARC) and enact this constitution as our governing law. It shall be our purpose to educate the general public about the benefits and use of radio communication, to maintain reliable radio repeaters for the purpose of practice and emergency communications, 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 Radio Communication in the community. 

Definitions

“Full Membership” is every member of the club regardless of physical presence or attendance during the conducting of club business.

“Committee” is a sub organization of the club intended to focus a portion of the membership on accomplishing a clearly defined objective.

Article I 

Membership

Section 1: Membership types

  1. Members shall be designated into the following membership types:“Regular Member”, “Reserve Member”, and “Associate Member”.
  2. All membership types and rights shall be defined in the By-Laws of the club.

Section 2: Membership eligibility

All persons who are interested in radio communications shall be eligible for membership.  Specific eligibility for membership types shall be defined in the By-Laws of the club. Membership shall be by application upon such terms as the club shall provide in its By-Laws.

Section 3: Denial

Membership may not be denied because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status or any other reason that would be biased or prejudicial.

Section 4. Disciplinary Action

Members may have their membership status (downgraded) or (revoked and be prohibited from club participation), upon completion of the following procedure:

  1. A written petition of three (3) or more members shall be presented to the President or Vice President.
  2. After investigation the petition will be presented to the membership at the next regular meeting of the club and voted on by the membership in accordance with the election procedures as defined in the club By-Laws.
  3. Downgrading a member requires a majority vote of the Full Membership.
  4. Removal of a member requires a 75% vote of the Full Membership.
  5. Upon Revocation of membership dues paid for the current year will be fully refunded.  

Section 5. Reinstatement

One year after downgrade or revocation, a membership may be reinstated, upon

  1. A written petition of the three (3) or more members in good standing presented to the President or Vice President.
  2. The petition will explain why the conditions that led to the revoked membership will not be repeated.
  3. The petition will be presented to the membership at the next regular meeting of the club and voted on by the membership in accordance with the election procedures as defined in the club By-Laws.
  4. Reinstating a membership requires a 75% vote of the Full Membership.  

Article II 

Offices

Section. 1. Offices 

The officers shall comprise the Board of Directors.  The offices are President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. 

Section 2. Elections

  1. The officers of this club shall be elected for a term of one year in accordance with the procedures defined in the club By-Laws.
  2. Voting shall be accomplished in person or absentee by paper ballot.  Remote voting shall be by secure electronic means.
  3. The identity of the voter shall not be associated with  ballots to protect member anonymity.   

Section 3. Term limits 

  1. An individual may not be elected to the same office for more than two consecutive terms unless elected by a 75% majority in an election as defined in Article II, Section 2.   No term limits apply in the event of Presidential Appointment to fill vacancies between elections as defined in Article II, Section 4.
  2. An individual may not serve more than three consecutive terms as an officer unless elected by a 75% in an election as defined in Article II, Section 2.
  3. An individual may not hold more than one office during the same term except to fill vacancies when no other candidate can be found.. 

Section 4. Vacancies 

Club officer vacancies occurring between elections shall be filled by special election or by emergency appointment by the President if no replacement can be found. 

Section 5. Eligibility 

  1. Except for the initial year of the club, in order to hold an office an individual must be a member in good standing for at least one year and hold a valid Amateur Radio or GMRS license.
  2. The office of President and Vice President can only be held by a member holding a valid Amateur Radio License.

Section 6. Resignation 

Any officer may resign his/her position in writing at which time all records and assets of the club will be turned over to the President or Vice President. 

Section 7. Removal of Officers 

Officers and Committee Leaders may be removed from office for cause, upon

  1. A written petition of six (6) or more members  presented to the President or Vice President.
  2. After investigation the petition will be presented to the membership at the next regular meeting of the club and voted on by the membership in accordance with the election procedures as defined in the club By-Laws.
  3. Removal of an officer requires a 75%  vote of the Full Membership.

Article III 

Duties of Officers

Section 1. President 

  1. The president is ultimately responsible for the success of  club activities and the fulfillment of club obligations.
  2. The president shall enforce due observance of this Constitution and club By-Laws;
  3. preside at all meetings of the club, and conduct them according to the rules adopted and decide all questions of order;
  4. sign all official documents adopted by the club.

Section 2. Vice President 

  1. The Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President in his/her absence.
  2. The Vice President shall support club Committees by coordinating efforts and resources between committees as needed and by communicating the needs of the committees to the appropriate club officers.

Section 3. Club Secretary 

  1. The Club  Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings,
  2. Manage membership and membership records.
  3. Make club documents publicly available.
  4. conduct elections.

Section 4. Club Treasurer 

  1. The Club Treasurer shall receive and provide a receipt for all monies paid to the club,
  2. keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended,
  3. track club assets,
  4. pay bills authorized by the President.
  5. At the end of each quarter he/she shall submit an itemized statement of disbursements and receipts to the President.
  6. Shall not incur or allow to be incurred club debt.

Section 5. End of Term

At the end of any term of office, the officer or committee leader shall turn over everything in his/her possession belonging to the club to his/her successor. 

Article IV 

Meetings

The Presidency shall meet at least once a year to audit the club presidency.  The audit shall verify that the club activities conform to the Constitution and By-Laws and that the club is in compliance with state and federal requirements.

The By-Laws shall provide for regular and special meetings. At meetings, a minimum of one-third of the membership shall constitute a Quorum for the transaction of business. Robert's Rules of Order shall govern proceedings. 

Article V 

Dues

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 President.

Article VI 

Membership Assistance

The club, through designated Committees, will provide technical advice to members concerning equipment design and operation to assist in operation in accordance with 47 CFR Part 97 Amateur Radio Service. The club shall also maintain a program to foster and guide public relations. 

Article VII 

Club Call sign

The President shall assign trusteeship of the club call sign. 

The trustee shall: 

  • Be a member of the club in good standing.

  • Meet FCC requirements.

  • Not had his/her Radio Amateur license revoked or sanctioned at any time. 

Article VIII

Dissolution of The Club

Section 1. Termination of Operations 

In the event that the Board of Director votes that the Club should be dissolved the motion for dissolution must receive more than two thirds vote of the Full Membership to pass. 

Section 2. Disposition of Assets 

The Board of Directors shall handle the disbursement of all assets of the club. 

No member or group of members shall receive benefit from the assets.  All equipment will be sold and net proceeds donated to a non-profit organization. All remaining cash will be donated to a non-profit organization.

Article IX 

Amendments

This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Full Membership.  Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing at a regular meeting and shall be voted on at the next following regular meeting, provided all members have been notified by mail or electronic means of the intent to amend the constitution at said meeting.

The Bylaws may be modified or amended by a simple majority vote of the Full Membership.  Proposals for modifications or amendments shall be submitted in writing at a regular meeting and shall be voted on at the next following regular meeting, provided all members have been notified by mail or electronic means of the intent to modify or amend the Bylaws at said meeting.