MARC Constitution and Bylaws Information

Constitution Of The McMinnville Amateur Radio Club Preamble: We, the licensed amateur radio operators of McMinnville, Oregon and environs, wishing to secure for ourselves the pleasures and benefits of the association of persons commonly interested in amateur radio, constitute ourselves the McMinnville Amateur Radio Club, Inc. and shall enact this constitution as our governing law. It shall be our purpose to further exchange information and promote cooperation between the members, to advance our knowledge of radio technology and communications, to enhance fraternalism and operating efficiency, and to conduct club activities to advance the general interest and welfare of amateur radio in the community.

Article I Membership: All persons interested in amateur radio communication and who desire to take active part in the operation of the corporation and its functions and who will abide by the spirit of the Constitution and By-Laws shall be eligible for membership. Terms of membership shall be as provided in the By-Laws. Section I: Four categories of membership are available. They are Regular, Family, Associate, and Honorary memberships. Descriptions are in the By-Laws.

Article II Officers: The elective officers of the corporation shall be: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two Directors. These officers shall constitute the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The immediate past president shall serve as an advisory officer. The duties and terms of office of each officer shall be defined in the By-Laws.

Article III Meetings: Regular meetings of the corporation shall be held as specified in the By-Laws. Robert's Rules Of Order Newly Revised Tenth Edition shall govern all Proceedings.

Article IV Amendments: This constitution may be amended by a majority vote as provided in the By-Laws. The By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote as provided in the By-Laws.

Article V Dues & Assessments: Dues and/or assessments may be levied upon the membership as deemed necessary for the business of the Corporation within its objectives as set by the Constitution and By-Laws.

By-Laws

Article I Membership: Section I: Regular Membership in the McMinnville Amateur Radio Club, Inc. is open to all licensed amateur radio operators and includes all privileges. Regular membership is also open to licensed amateurs who are full time students in accredited institutions who pay dues indicated in the appendix. Membership for one calendar year runs from March 1 to March 1 of the following year.

Section II: Family Membership is open to licensed amateur radio operators with the same mailing address as a full members. Only one copy of corporate communications will be sent to said address, with the exception of ballots or any item requiring and individual response. However, family members will be entitled to vote, hold office, and have other club privileges.

Section III: Associate Membership (non voting) is open to anyone interested in amateur radio who is not a licensed amateur and pays the required dues and assessments.

Section IV: Honorary Membership (non voting) may be awarded any time the membership feels that an individual has been outstanding in their contribution to the hobby. An Honorary member is not required to attend Corporate functions or pay dues or assessments. Honorary membership is an entirely elective grade or membership. The board of Directors will present their recommendations for vote by membership present at any regular meeting. This honor will be decreed by a majority vote of the members present.

Article II Officers: The officers of the Corporation shall be elected or appointed as specified below. They shall hold office for one year, unless specified otherwise, and until their successor is dully elected/appointed and installed. Vacancies are to be filled by regular election. There shall be no limit to the number of terms that an officer may be elected or appointed to.

Section I: The President shall preside at all club meetings of the corporation and conduct the same according to the provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws. He shall enforce due observance of the Constitution and By-Laws; decide all questions of order; sign official documents adopted by the club; and perform all other duties customary to the office of president.

Section II: The Vice-president shall assume all duties and authority of the President in the absence or in capacitate of the latter. If the President resigns or is unable to complete his/her term, the Vice-president shall assume the duties of the President for the remainder of the term. The Vice-president shall be specifically responsible for the handling the ballots during corporate elections.

Section III: The Secretary/Treasure, or his designate, shall keep a record of all meetings, shall keep a roll of members, shall keep a record of monies expended by or on behalf of the club, and shall pay all bills of the club upon proper authorization. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be custodian of the written Constitution and By-Laws. He shall keep them up to date with all amendments, changes, and additions noted thereon. These documents shall be brought by him to every meeting and be made available to the members as requested.

Section IV: Two at Large Directors of the Board of Directors shall serve as requested by the membership. These directors may be appointed by the President and ratified by a majority vote of those members present at any regular meeting.

Board of Directors: The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be the governing authority. The may conduct regular or special meeting to formulate plans or conduct the business of the Corporation in lieu of a regular Corporation meeting when deemed advisable or necessary by either the Board of Directors or upon petition of five regular members. Any decision of the Board of Directors may be appealed by any regular member at the next regular meeting and will require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership present to rescind. Board of Director meetings may be held as needed and are open to the membership. A person shall not serve in two positions on the Board of Directors at the same time. The President and Vice president shall be the Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively, of the Board of Directors.

Article III Meetings: Regular meetings of the Corporation will be held the second Thursday of each month. At meetings, a simple majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except as specified in Article VI.

Article IV Dues: The Corporation may levy upon the general membership such dues or assessments as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the organization within the scope of the Preamble. Non -payment of such dues or assessments shall deem the member inactive until such dues or assessments are paid.

Section I: Dues are noted in Appendix A and will be reviewed annually at the first board meeting of the new year.

Article V Membership Assistance: The Corporation shall actively maintain programs to further amateur radio as an avocation of its members and to provide service to the community. The President, with concurrence of other officers, shall be allowed to appoint active club members to committees which will maintain responsibility for these programs.

Article VI Amendments: Any proposed changes to the Constitution shall be known to the membership for thirty days prior to the meeting which has been designated for voting on the changes at which a simple majority vote of the members present, including proxies, will carry. Changes to the By-Laws may be approved by a majority vote (including proxies) at any regular meeting provided that proposed changes have been submitted to the membership five (5) days prior to the meeting. Election of Officers: The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by majority vote (including proxies) at a regular meeting. The date of the election must be announced to the membership at least 30 days in advance.

Appendix A Dues and Assessments: Twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for regular and associate members except that licensed amateur radio operators who are full time students at an accredited institution dues shall be five dollars ($5.00). Newly licensed amateurs in Yamhill County are entitled to a one year free membership in the club. Assessments for repeater operation and maintenance will be set as needed by the Board of Directors and the Repeater License Trustee and will be an assessment in the addition to regular dues. Current dues are twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per year (regular membership) plus one dollar ($1.00) per call outside the Yamhill County area.

Amendments

Article I Membership: Deletion of Fifth category of membership Autopatch and definition of term of membership defined.
Article II Officers: The Office of Secretary/Treasurer divided into two postions making number of board members six.
Article IV Amendments: Change of two thirds vote to a majority vote.
By-Laws, Article I, Section V: Deleted, Autopatch now part of regular membership privileges.
Article III Meetings: Changed from a minium of one third of membership to read simply majority.
Article VI: Amendments: Voting on changes to Constitution requiring two thirds vote of members present including proxies. Changed to simply majority vote of members present, including proxies.
Appendix A Dues and Assessment: Dues for regular and associate membership reflects dues increase to twenty-five dollars and deletion of reference to Autopatch fees.

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