Constitution & Bylaws

Radio Amateurs of Cass County

Constitution & Bylaws

Preamble

We, the Membership of the Radio Amateurs of Cass County (RACC) desiring to secure for ourselves the pleasures and benefits of the association of persons commonly interested in amateur radio, constitute ourselves the Radio Amateurs of Cass County and enact this constitution as the governing law.  It shall be our purpose to further the exchange of information and cooperation between members, to promote and encourage technical advancement, excellence and experimentation by its members, to assist members and prospective amateurs in achieving fraternalism and high standards of conduct to conduct club programs and activities in such a manner as to advance the general interest and welfare of amateur radio in the community and support the public safety when called upon to do so.

Article I

 

MEMBERSHIP:

Membership shall be open to all persons interested in amateur radio.  Class of membership shall be Full, Family, or Patron.

 

Article II

OFFICERS:

SECTION 1 - The officers of this club shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, Trustee, and Chaplin.  They shall perform such duties as are set forth in the constitution and bylaws.

SECTION 2 - The officers of this club shall be elected for a term of one year, except for the Trustee and Chaplain who shall be elected for a term of three years, by ballot of the members present provided there be a quorum, at the first meeting in November, with the new officers assuming their duties the first meeting of the following January.  All voting shall be by secret ballot or, upon vote of the membership, by acclamation.  Candidates for office may be nominated from the floor at any time during the meeting prior to the balloting.

SECTION 3 - Elected officers may succeed themselves indefinitely except the President who shall serve no more than three successive terms.

*** Amended in January 2016 changing one successive term to three successive terms.

SECTION 4 - Vacancies occuring between elections must be filled by special elections at the first regular meeting following the withdrawal or resignation of the officer.  The exception shall be the office of the President which will automatically be filled by the Vice-President,who shall be eligible for election to the Presidency at the next regular election meeting.  

SECTION 5 - Officers may be removed by a three fourths majority vote of those present and voting at any properly called meeting at which a voting quorum is present.  A motion for removal of a club officer must be made one month prior to the date at which the removal vote will occur.

SECTION 6 - The Executive Board shall consist of all elected officers of the club.  The Executive Board will also serve as the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

 

Article III

VOTING QUORUM:

One fifth (1/5) of the paid up membership shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business at any meeting.

 

Article IV

DUTIES OF THE OFFICER:

SECTION 1 - The President shall preside at all meetings of the club and conduct the same according to the rules adopted herein.  He/she shall appoint a person to act as Parliamentarian to decide all questions of order in the conduct of club meetings, appoint committees, 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 and in the event of a vacancy occurring in that office he/she shall fulfill the remaining term of the office of President as set forth in Article II Section 4 of this constitution.  He/she will serve as the Public Relations Officer for the club, maintain close liaison with the media, other area amateur radio clubs, the ARRL, and local government officials.  He/she shall perform such other duties as directed by the President and club bylaws.

SECTION 3 - The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, keep a roll of members, report to the club new members, carry on all correspondence, read communications at each meeting, and such other duties as directed by the president and club bylaws.  He/She shall receive and provide receipt for all moneys paid to the club and shall keep an accurate account of all moneys received and expended ad avail all records for audit.  He/she shall pay no bills without proper authorization by the club or its officers.  He/she will report at each regular meeting to the membership and current financial status of the club to include all moneys received or paid.  He/she will at the expiration of his/her term of office turn over all items and properties belonging to the club to his/her successor.

SECTION 4 - The Trustee shall be responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the club's "radio station(s)" and equipment.  He/she shall keep a record of all property and equipment belonging to the club which is not the responsibility of another officer or member, to include all equipment/property donations and the disposition thereof.  The trustee will serve a term of three years which will not coincide with that of the Public Service Liaison Officer.  He/she shall upon the expiration of his/her term of office turn over all items and property belonging to the club to his/her successor.

SECTION 5 - The Chaplain shall ensure a responsible individual provide an opening prayer at each official Club Meeting and function, provide interaction on behalf of the Club in the event of death or serious illness or injury of said club member or immediate family member and respresent and provide other spiritual guidance as needed.

 

Article V

PURPOSE(S):

SECTION 1 - To establish and effect an association of members interested in the furtherance of Amateur Radio in the United States and the State of Texas, to band with related or non-related civic or fraternal organizations with like or similar interests; to further educate members and others regarding the use of Amateur Radio for social betterment, and to establish uses for communication in times of emergency, declared or undeclared; to provide through its membership a dedicated number of Amateur Radio Operators for the dissemination and communication of both official and unofficial information in the public interest, when determined desirable by club officers or when called upon by any official agency of the City, County, State or Government of the United States of America.

SECTION 2 - To raise money, funds and valuable services for the furtherance of activities of the club; to provide qualified members of the Radio Amateurs of Cass County to conduct educational seminars or classes, individually or in association with other organizations with like intention and purpose, for the teaching and education of anyone interested in amateur radio and electronics for becoming licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Technician Radio Operators and upgrading such licenses to more advanced levels and skill and learning together with instruction in the interested of furthering the hobby of Amateur Radio, and providing potential members for the club or the general benefit and knowledge of both members and interested individuals; to provide a forum for research, education, exchange of ideas, experimentation, and scientific purpose, for all who have an interest  or seek such knowledge.

SECTION 3 - To do all and everything necessary, suitable, and proper for the accomplishment of any of the purposes or attainment of any of the objects heretofore set out or mentioned herein, either alone or in association with other individuals, businesses, corporations, partnerships, including but not limited to, the County, State, Federal, Municipal bodies and all agencies or subdivisions of each of the forgoing; and in general, to do and perform such things and acts and to transact such business in connection with the forgoing objects and purposes not inconsistent with the general laws of the land or the objects and aims of Radio Amateurs of Cass County.

SECTION 4 - Upon the dissolution of the corporation, the Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for payment of all the liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all of the assets of the corporation exclusively for the purpose of the corporation in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, literary, or scientific purpose as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under SECTION 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any future Internal Revenue Law, as the board of directors shall determine, or such sums may be disposed of as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Texas.

 

Article VI

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY:

The officers, directors, and members of the Corporation shall not be liable for its corporate debts.

 

Article VII

ACTIVITIES TO BE LAWFUL:

To engage in any lawful act or activity for which the corporation may be organized as a Not For Profit Organization under the laws of the State of Texas.

 

Article VIII

MEETINGS:

The bylaws shall provide for regular and special meetings.  At meetings a minimum of one fifth (1/5) of the paid up membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

 

Article IX

DUES:

The club, by the majority vote of those present at any regular meeting, may levy upon the general membership such dues and 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 and/or assessment may be cause for dismissal from the club at the discretion of the membership.

 

Article X

AMENDMENTS:

This constitution or the bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the total membership.  Proposals for amendments shall be voted on at the next following regular meeting, provided all members have been notified by mail or publication in the club newsletter of the intent to amend the constitution and/or bylaws at said meeting.

 

Article XI

RULES:

Robert's Rules of Order shall govern proceedings.

 

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