CLEAR LAKE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
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 Clear Lake Amateur Radio Club (CLARC) and enact this constitution as our governing law. It shall be our purpose to further the exchange of information and cooperation between members, to promote radio knowledge and individual operation efficiency, and to so conduct club programs and activities as to advance the general interest and welfare of Amateur Radio in the community. CLARC is a nonprofit organization.
Article I: MEMBERSHIP
All person interested in Amateur Radio communication shall be eligible for membership. Membership shall be by application upon such terms, as the club shall provide in its by-laws. By definition, Members are those whose dues are paid up.
Article II: OFFICERS
SECTION 1
The officers of this club shall be President, Vice-President, and Secretary/Treasurer. Officers must hold a TECHNICIAN class or higher license.
SECTION 2
The officers of this club shall be elected by a majority of the ballots cast at the annual election meeting in March. Proxy ballots, or votes ‘in absentia’ shall not be allowed. Officers shall be elected for a term of one year.
SECTION 3
Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by special elections at the first regular meeting following the vacancy.
SECTION 4
Officers may be removed by a three-fourths vote of the membership present.
ARTICLE III: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
SECTION 1
The President shall preside at all meetings of this club and conduct them according to the rules adopted. The President shall enforce due observance of this Constitution and by-laws, decide all questions of order, sign all official documents adopted by the club, and perform all other duties pertaining to the office of the President.
SECTION 2
The Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President in the president’s absence. In addition, the Vice-President shall organize club activities, plan and recommend contests for operation benefits, and advance club interest and activity as approved by the club. The Vice-President shall maintain close liaison with the section Emergency Coordinator to further club participation in community public service activities.
SECTION 3
The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, keep a roll of members, submit membership applications, carry on all correspondence, read communications at each meeting, and notify members as needed. The Secretary/ Treasurer shall receive and receipt all monies paid to the club, keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended, and pay bills authorized by the Club.
ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS
SECTION 1
A quorum is required to conduct any Club Business for which a vote is required. The definition of a quorum shall be “10% of the membership which is eligible to vote”.
SECTION 2
The by-laws shall provide for regular and special meetings. For the transaction of business, approval by a majority of the membership shall be required.
ARTICLE V: DUES
The club, by majority vote of the eligible voting members present, may levy such dues as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the organization.
ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS
This constitution or the by-laws may be amended at any regular meeting by a three-fourths vote of the eligible voting membership present. Proposals for amendments shall be voted on at a regular meeting, provided that: a) the proposals have been made available to the membership for a period of two weeks prior to the said meeting, and b) the meeting at which the proposals shall be voted upon is posted along with the proposals. Proposals shall be considered to have been “made available” if they are posted on the club web page and notice of their posting provided through the club email reflector.
BY-LAWS:
1. SECRETARY/TREASURER – It shall be the duty of the Secretary/Treasurer to keep the Constitution and by-laws of the Club and have the same at every meeting. The Secretary/Treasurer shall note all amendments, changes and additions to the Constitution and shall permit it to be consulted by members upon request.
2. MEMBERSHIP – Full Membership is open to all licensed amateurs. Associate Membership is open to those actively pursuing an Amateur Radio License and to all other persons interested in Amateur Radio as a hobby. Full Membership includes all club privileges as well as rights to hold a club office and to vote. Associate Membership includes all club privileges except for the right to hold office and the right to vote. Applications for membership and the appropriate annual dues shall be submitted to the Secretary/Treasurer.
3. MEETINGS – Regular meetings shall be held on the third Wednesday of each calendar month. Special meetings may be called by the President upon the request of any five club members. Members shall be informed of special meeting and the business to be transacted. Such notices shall be made so they arrive not less than 24 hours before the meeting. Election of officers shall be held at the annual March meeting.
4. DUES – Changes to the annual dues for each membership type may be recommended by the Club Officers and voted upon in accordance with the provisions of Article V of the Constitution. With the Club’s fiscal year beginning in March of each year, new members joining after September 1 will be assessed ½ the annual dues for their respective membership type. A new member is defined as one who has not been on the CLARC roster in the previous three years, or has moved away and returned to the area.
5. INTERFERENCE COMMITTEE – This committee shall consists of three (3) or more members. The committee shall direct investigation, invite proper inquiries, establish technical facts regarding the interference, and report the results to the Club and the inquiring party.
6. PARTICIPATION – Upon joining the club, members are encouraged to declare at least two areas of intended participation from the list of club activities. The club organization and activity list shall be actively maintained on the club web page.
THIS CONSTITUTION AND ITS BY-LAWS ARE HERE BY APPROVED AND
ACCEPTED BY THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF CLARC ON AUGUST 31, 1987.
BOB BIEKERT, KA5GLX
KEVIN BIEKERT, KB5AQV
BARRY DUNLAP, KA5KTH
JAMES D. HEIL, KB5AWM
EUGENE McMAHON, WB5FOF
GREG TREECE, KA9WKK
MARIE VAN DER WEELE, KA5HFH
AMENDMENTS:
Amendment 1 – Family Membership
Addition of family membership wherein all family members will have the same privileges as a full member. The fee will be established as needed by the executive committee. PASSED BY MAJORITY VOTE 12/21/88
Amendment 2 – Length of Terms
Restriction on number of consecutive terms held by officers shall be limited to two. Further, no officer shall hold any office after serving any elected position for two consecutive terms without taking a mandatory one year break. This amendment is to prevent the club from stagnating under the leadership any group of officers. This will also give the officers the needed one-year break.
PASSED BY MAJORITY VOTE 2/15/89
Amendment 2a – Length of Terms Clarification
A partial term served to fill an office vacancy shall not be considered as a full term and thereby will not affect the above two term limit.
Additional Amendments for the purposes of Incorporation.
Amendment 3 – Adoption of bylaws
This amendment serves to adopt the existing Clear Lake Amateur Radio Club by-laws dated August 31,1987, including amendments dated December 21, 1988 and February 15, 1989, as recognized by-laws of the Clear Lake Amateur Radio Club (CLARC). Inc, a non-profit Texas membership corporation.
Amendment 4 – Board of Directors
1. The Board of Directors shall be composed of five members of the following categories:
A. The present CLARC President.
B. The most recent past CLARC President.
One club member chosen by random selection by lot from the CLARC membership roster.
D. One non-member from the community, nominated by the general membership.
E. Same as “D” above.
2. Election
A. Election of new club officers and Board of Directors will be held at the March general meeting with 1/10 of the membership constituting a quorum.
B. Elected directors will appoint a Chairman of the Board and acting secretary whose confirmation by majority vote shall take place at the next following CLARC monthly meeting.
C. Unscheduled board vacancies shall be special election at any CLARC monthly meeting with prior written notice.
D. In the event the present/most recent past CLARC President is unable to fill the post (due to absence or term limitation), the post will be filled by the present/most recent past CLARC Vice President.
Board of Directors – Terms of Office
Category A and B shall serve one-year terms unless elected to a second term of office as CLARC officers.
Category C, D and E shall serve two-year terms.
Maximum tenure of directors shall be two consecutive terms.
Category D shall serve one year of the year following the incorporation of CLARC and will serve two years thereafter.
4. Board Meetings
A. Written notice shall be made to all CLARC members in good standing via mail at least 10 days prior to but not more than 50 days in advance of any CLARC board meeting that conducts official business.
B. The annual general membership meeting will be held on the third Wednesday of September and the Chairman of the Board will preside at such meetings.
C. A special Board of Director meeting may be called by the chairman or by two or more directors with written notice as specified in item 4.A above.
5. Board Responsibility
A. The board members shall work closely with the elected CLARC officers and general membership in an advisory capacity but shall not be responsible for the business or the day to day operation of the Corporation.
B. The Board of Directors will study, analyze and consider Club functions, activities, responsibilities fiscal matters and such other issues as may be appropriate. Written reports and evaluations with recommendations may be made to the CLARC membership at the annual membership meeting and/or monthly CLARC business meeting.
The foregoing by-laws acceptance and amendments have been adopted by the general membership of the Clear Lake Amateur Radio Club (CLARC), Inc. this l6 day of October, 1991 by majority vote at the first annual membership meeting.
Amendment 5 – Expulsion of Members
SECTION 1
Notice shall be given to all CLARC members at least 10 days, but not more than 50 days in advance of any regularly scheduled CLARC meeting that addresses expulsion of a member. Notice shall be considered to have been “given” by posting through the club email reflector.
SECTION 2
A committee comprised of the elected officers, board of directors, and three impartial club members, shall formed to assemble evidence as to why any member should be expelled from the club. The evidence shall be presented to the membership at a regular meeting. A three-fourths majority vote of the membership present and eligible to vote shall be required for expulsion. The vote shall be by secret ballot. Expulsion from the club will result in the forfeiture of dues. Any possible future reinstatement shall be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Amendment 6 – Removal of Officers
SECTION 1
Notice shall be given to all CLARC members at least 10 days, but not more than 50 days in advance of any CLARC regular meeting that addresses removal of an officer. Notice shall be considered as “given” by posting through the club email reflector.
SECTION 2
A three-fourths majority of the membership present and eligible to vote shall be required for removal of an elected officer. The vote shall be by secret ballot.
Accepted by the General Membership on Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Members Present:
Nick Lance, KC5KBO, President
Ken Eckel, AB5A, Vice President
Bill Ewens, KK5RW, Secretary/Treasurer
John Taylor, KD5IHO
Reid Shipp, WA5ARI
David Fanelli, KB5PGY
Brad Thoreson, KC0GFR
Dick Reed, KD5JKA
Steve Hester, K5STV
Larry Dietrich, WD8KUJ
Jack Tschupp, WX5ET
Chris Kerstiens, KD5PTF
Arthur Johnson, KD5OMX
Bill Frink, K5WAF
Terry Byers, KD5PVP
Jim Delwood, W5PH
Joe Jardina, KD5OYZ
Chris Randle, KC5YOV
Mark Yover, WD9FYU
Amendment 7 – CLARC Officers Length of Terms
This Amendment replaces Amendment 2 and states: Each officer shall be limited to serving two consecutive one year terms in each of the three officer positions. This means, for example, that a person serving two terms as Secretary/Treasurer, could then be elected to serve two terms as Vice President or President. In no case, however, shall any one person serve more than a total of six consecutive terms as a CLARC officer without taking at least a one year break.
Accepted by the General Membership on Thursday, January 21, 2010.
Members present:
Curt Tallman, WB5UZZ, Secretary/Treasurer
Kent Castle, W5OJ
O’R Mcspadden, None
John Taylor, AF5TT
Steve Hester, K5STV, Vice President
George Fletcher, AD5CQ
Reid Shipp, WA5ARI
Joe Koenig, KE5JQA
Leah Hoyt, KE5DBH
David Fanelli, KB5PGY
Alfred Perez, N5VEV
John Paterson, KC5LAA
David Hoffman, N2OZK, President
Kyle Tupin, N5IMC
Michael Urich, KA5CVH
Tom Orton, N0AAF
Andrew Koenig, KE5GDB
Serving the Clear Lake, Texas area