Amateur Radio Youth Association Constitution
Current Edition: January 2009
ARTICLE I: NAME
ARTICLE II: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
SECTION 1: Purpose
SECTION 2: Authority
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: Eligibility
SECTION 2: Classes of Membership
SECTION 3: Rights of Members
SECTION 4: Dues
ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS OF MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: Regular Meetings
SECTION 2: Annual Meeting
SECTION 3: Special Meetings
ARTICLE V: OFFICERS
SECTION 1: Officers and Qualifications
SECTION 2: Term of Office
SECTION 3: Powers and Duties
SECTION 4: Vacancies and Removal
SECTION 5: Consecutive Terms/Years
SECTION 6: Elected Officers List
ARTICLE VI: NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
SECTION 1: Nominations
SECTION 2: Elections
ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES
SECTION 1: Appointment of
SECTION 2: Standing Committees
SECTION 3: Interference committe
ARTICLE VIII: CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1: Constitution
SECTION 2: Amendments
SECTION 3: Authorities
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of the organization is the Amateur Radio Youth Association (Club).
ARTICLE II: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
SECTION 1: Purpose: The purpose of the Amateur Radio Youth Association is to
represent all members as defined in Article III, and to assist local, county, state and federal agencies and Local Emergency Managers in the furtherance of public welfare and safety through the establishment of a VHF amateur radio repeater station in order to provide emergency communications for State and Local Authorities.
The Amateur Radio Youth Association will strive to improve communications
between local members and visiting amateur radio operators, thereby providing travelers assistance. We will operate exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes. We will promote and encourage interest in amateur radio communications and to foster special skills and experimentation.
SECTION 2: Authority: The Amateur Radio Youth Association shall not replace or
supercede the FCC policies and procedures but shall make recommendations to adopt or amend such polices or procedures. The club shall recommendations regarding the
conditions of holding an FCC license and shall work towards the affiliation with such
organizations as ARES, RACES and any other organizations as deemed appropriate.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: Eligibility: All persons with a bona fide interest in amateur radio shall be
eligible for membership in the Amateur Radio Youth Association. Any person who
holds a valid amateur radio license from novice through extra class or has passed the test for a license and is holding a CSCE will be considered for voting membership.
SECTION 2: Classes of Membership: Members may be Regular Members, Family
Members (non-licensed) and Associate Members. Family members residing at the same address as the regular member, including nonresident student who maintain legal residence at that address, qualify for Family Membership. Each member who is to be considered a Family Member must be specified upon joining or renewal. Associate Member is a person who does not hold a valid amateur radio license and does not qualify as a Family Member.
SECTION 3: Rights of Members: All Regular Members in good standing are eligible to
run for office. Other members have equal access to the facilities of the Amateur Radio Youth Association and everyone is invited to attend the meetings and to freely participate in the functions. For the purpose of mailings all Family Members will be considered as served by one mailing.
SECTION 4: Dues: Regular Membership --- $8.00
Family Member non-ham ---- $4.00
Associate Membership - $ 6.00
After January 1 the dues for new members will be $4/ $2/ $3 for the rest of the dues year. Any member whose dues have not been received by the Treasure within 3 months after expiration date shall be dropped from the membership rolls. The membership dues period will be from July 1 through June 30.
ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS OF MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: Regular Meetings: The Amateur Radio Youth Association will hold a
regular scheduled meeting on the fourth Thursday of each month by means of use of radio equipment, except December. The date, time and location of the December meeting will be established in accordance with the wishes of those members attending the regular November meeting. The time and date of any regular scheduled meeting may be changed if announced at the preceding meeting and notice of such is included in the club newsletter. If a meeting must be re-scheduled such that this requirement cannot be met, a minimum of 80% of the club membership must be contacted via phone or email before the change may occur.
SECTION 2: Annual Meeting: The annual meeting for the election of officers shall be held at the time of the regular scheduled meeting on the fourth Tuesday of May Ballots will be cast in a online voting poll or by mail 1 week before this scheduled meeting.
SECTION 3: Special Meetings: Special meeting of the members, for any purpose, may be called by the President at the request of not fewer than 15% of the members of record.
ARTICLE V: OFFICERS
SECTION 1: Officers and Qualifications: The officers shall be a President, Vice
President, Secretary and a Treasure and shall be a member in good standing throughout their term and a holder, at the time of election, of a valid Amateur Radio operator’s license issued by the FCC.
SECTION 2: Elected members shall serve a one year term from July 1 thru June 30. All
officers will serve until a successor has been duly elected and qualified or until they
resign or removed from office.
SECTION 3: Powers and Duties: The respective officers shall have the powers and shall discharge the duties customarily and usually performed by like officers of other
organizations similar in organization and business purposes to this organization.
The President/Division Directors shall preside at all meeting of the club. He/She shall endeavor to carry out the mandates of the general membership. He/She shall appoint such committees as he/she shall consider expedient or necessary. He/She shall preserve order and enforce the observance of this constitution. He/She shall be a member ex-officio of all committees. Whenever elected officers are absent, the President/Division Directors shall have the power to appoint acting officers for a particular meeting.
The Vice President/Division Directors shall assist the President/Division Directors in all matters of the club and shall act in the capacity of the President in circumstances where the President cannot be present. In the absence of both the President and Vice President such members as may be present shall select a member of the club to assume the duties of President. Also the Vice President shall have charge of the membership ledger and have the responsibility for the property inventory of the club. In addition the Vice President will keep a history of the club.
The Secretary shall keep correct minutes of all club meetings. He/She shall be
responsible for all correspondence of the club and shall maintain all appropriate files of
essential materials, including keeping the constitution up to date and to make available to those who request a copy of the constitution.
The Treasurer will develop and maintain accounting procedures and records for approval of the club membership. He/She shall collect all monies due the club and issue receipts therefore. He/She shall pay all legal bills or vouchers upon approval of the membership. He/She shall keep an accurate record of all monies received and the amounts and sources of disbursements. He/She shall deposit all monies of the club in a place of safekeeping as specified by the elected officers. He/She shall render to the President at the annual meeting or whenever requested by the President, an account of all of his/her transactions as Treasure and the financial condition of the club.
SECTION 4: Vacancies and Removal: Members of a committee or other office may
resign at any time. Such resignations shall be made in writing, and take effect at the time specified or at the time of its receipt by the President or Secretary. The acceptance of the resignation by the President or Secretary shall not be necessary to be effective. Any officer can be removed from his/her office by two-thirds vote of the members present at any annual or regular meeting, provided that written notice has been made to all members at least five days prior to the meeting where the vote is to be taken, that vote shall be taken by secret written ballot. A vacancy in any office by any cause shall be filled for the remainder of the term by a special election at the first regular meeting following the occurrence of the vacancy.
SECTION 5: Consecutive Terms: Elected officers shall not retain the same office for
more than two (2) consecutive terms.
SECTION 6: Elected Officers: Section President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, ARES Chair, and Membership Chair.
ARTICLE VI: NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
SECTION 1: Nominations: A nominating committee to select eligible candidates for the
offices of President, Vice President, Secretary and a Treasure shall be appointed by the President no later the regularly scheduled March meeting. Nominations made by the committee shall be announced no later than the April regular meeting. Additional
nominations may be made from the floor just prior to the election.
SECTION 2: Election: Officers shall be elected by a majority vote at the Annual
meeting held in May.
ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES
SECTION 1: Appointment of: The President will make appointments to the standing
committees at the first regular meeting after being elected. He/She may appoint other
committees as deemed necessary.
SECTION 2: Standing Committees:
a. Nominating Committee, duties as prescribed in Article VI, Section 1.
b. Program Committee will be responsible for the programs at all regular meetings.
The committee will keep the President informed of upcoming programs and the
time frame of such programs.
c. ARES Committee will be responsible for ARES and ARES operations. The
committee will report to the club on a monthly basis any events and progress of
ARES within the club.
SECTION 3: Interference Committee: This committee shall consist of five members (appointed by the club
President). The committee shall direct investigation, invite proper
inquires, establish technical facts and testimony and report its
results to the club.
ARTICLE VIII: CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1: Constitution: The constitution shall become effective on the date of
ratification. Ratification requires a majority approval of club members voting in the
ratification election at a regular club meeting.
SECTION 2: Amendments: Amendments to the constitution may be proposed by club
members at any regular meeting. Proposed amendments will be voted on at the next
regular meeting of the club and notice of such will be included in the monthly newsletter. Ratification of an amendment requires approval of two-thirds of the club members present at the ratification meeting. Amendments shall become effective on the date of ratification by the elected officers.
SECTION 3: Authorities: This constitution, including all amendments shall be subject to modification in whole or part by and approval of the club membership. Robert’s Rules of Order shall serve as the Parliamentary authority of the club for all rules and procedures not covered by this constitution.
This amended constitution will take the place of any and all constitutions and/or
standing rules in effect on the date of ratification.
DATE OF RATIFICATION ___________________
DATE APPROVED JANUARY 9, 2009
DIVISION DIRECTOR DUSTIN COX, N0DRC
DIVISION VICE DIRECTOR PHIL SHAW, KE5LZX
DIVISION DIRECTOR OF YOUTH OUTREACH DUNCAN MACLACHLAN, KU0DM
COLORADO SECTION PRESIDENT DUSTIN COX, N0DRC
COLORADO SECTION VICE PRESIDENT NONE ELECTED
COLORADO SECTION SECRETARY PHIL SHAW, KE5LZX - ACTING
COLORADO SECTION TREASURER DUSTIN COX, N0DRC - ACTING
NEW MEXICO SECTION PRESIDENT JARED ROBBINS, KE5LZV
NEW MEXICO SECTION VICE PRESIDENT PHIL SHAW, KE5LZX
NEW MEXICO SECTION SECRETARY PHIL SHAW, KE5LZX - ACTING
NEW MEXICO SECTION TREASURER DUSTIN COX, NODRC