Loma Prieta Amateur Radio Club Bylaws
BY-LAWS
Of the
LOMA PRIETA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
ARTICLE I
Name
Section 1. The name of the organization shall be
LOMA PRIETA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB.
ARTICLE II
Purpose
Section 1. The purposes of this Club are as follows:
A) To promote the public safety and welfare by participation in public service activities, disaster assistance, and communications support for served agencies, message relay and similar activities benefited by organized radio communication in the LOMA PRIETA area as defined herein on March 4, 1992.
B) To encourage and promote compliance and regulations governing radio communications and the observance of courtesy, customs and standard procedures in operating practices in the Amateur Radio Community
C) To provide communications supporting disaster response and public service activities.
D) To promote amateur radio by facilitating the exchange of information between members, improve individual operating proficiency and strengthen the welfare of amateur radio in the community.
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ARTICLE III
Offices
Section 1. The principal office of the organization for the transaction of business is located at 25050 Highland Way, Los Gatos, CA 95033. The Board may at any time establish branch or subordinate offices to conduct its activities.
Section 2. The Board of Directors is hereby granted full power and authority to change the principal office of the Organization from one location to another in California. Any such change shall be noted in these by-laws, the Secretary of State of the State of California will be notified by the Secretary by mail and this change shall not be considered an amendment to these by-laws.
ARTICLE IV
Membership
Section 1. Types of membership shall consist of licensed and non-licensed persons interested in Amateur Radio communications. The club shall consist of Full, Household, and Associate memberships. The club shall limit the sum of Associate members to no more than 25% of Full members.
A) Individual (Full) Membership requires:
1) Valid FCC Amateur Radio License.
2) Club dues paid.
B) Household Membership (2 adults at same address) requires:
1) Valid FCC Amateur Radio License.
2) One member of the household has a full membership status. (There is no minimum age limit)
3) Club dues paid.
C) Individual (Associate) Membership requires:
1) An interest in Amateur Radio.
2) Club dues paid.
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Section 2. Members’ privileges are based upon the membership status held.
A) Individual (Full) Membership benefits include:
1) Holding a club office and/or be appointed a board seat.
2) Serving on Committee
3) Voting privileges. (one vote)
4) Accessing the club's repeater(s) code(s).
5) Participation in any and all club's functions.
6) Borrowing of club's equipment.
7) Operating club's equipment which may include HF, UHF/VHF, Packet, ATV, Oscar, and any other equipment
not yet defined.
B) Household Membership benefits include:
1) Accessing to the club's repeater(s) code(s).
2) Participation in any and all club's functions.
3) Casting of one additional vote by household member who must be at least 18 years of age.
4) Operate club's equipment which may include HF,
UHF/VHF, Packet, ATV, Oscar, and any other equipment
not yet defined.
C) Individual (Associate) Membership benefits include:
1) Voting privileges.
2) Participation in any and all club's functions.
Section 3. Annual Dues to provide funds for the club's expenses.
A) Dues are payable by January 1 of each year.
B) Dues may be paid in advance anytime throughout the year.
C) New Membership dues are prorated quarterly.
D) Dues are payable to the club's treasurer.
E) Any member failing to pay dues by February 1 forfeits voting and club participation benefits; if annual dues are not paid in full by April 1, the member will be dropped from the roster.
F) Dues are non-refundable.
Section 4. Removal.
Any member of the club may be removed from membership by a simple majority vote of the club's Board of Directors or a 2/3 majority vote of the general membership if his/her actions adversely affect the operation or reputation of the Club.
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ARTICLE V
Elected Officers and Board of Directors
Section 1. The Elected Officers of this club shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer who shall automatically become members of the Board of Directors. The Board will appoint one Director. When membership exceeds 100, the club will elect two additional Directors for a total of (3).
A) All elected Officers and Directors shall be members in good standing (dues paid in full by the February 1).
B) All elected officers and Directors shall serve for a period of one year.
C) The Board shall handle the regular business of the organization.
Section 2. Nominations.
By August 1 of each year, the President will appoint a nominating committee. The committee will submit a list of names, at least one for each office, to the President by September 1. No name will be submitted without the consent of the person being nominated. The Secretary will verify the eligibility of the candidates by means of the membership records. In addition, the nominating committee will submit the name of any member who asks to run for any office.
Section 3. Removal.
Any officer of the club may be removed from office by a simple majority vote of the club's Board of Directors or a 2/3 majority of the general membership if his/her actions adversely affect the operation or reputation of the Club.
Section 4. Vacancies.
The Board of Directors will appoint someone to fill the vacancy after notifying the general membership of the vacancy.
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ARTICLE VI
Meetings
Section 1. There shall be monthly regular meetings of the general membership, and the Board of Directors shall set their meetings as needed.
Section 2. A quorum for conducting business at a regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be 3 out of 5, or 5 out of 7 members of the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Robert's Rules of Order shall govern meeting proceedings in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these by-laws and any special rules of order the club may adopt.
ARTICLE VII
Voting
Section 1. Election of Officers and Directors shall require a simple majority of the votes cast at election time (held at the November meeting). Members shall be given notice of a pending election a minimum of four (4) weeks in advance.The Board may authorize additional voting mechanisms as they see fit. Mail in ballots, along with other voting mechanisms agreed to by the board may be used for voting. No proxy votes will be accepted.
ARTICLE VIII
Amendments to By-Laws
Section 1. The By-Laws may be amended or revised by an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the general membership. Proposed amendments shall be provided to each member at least one week prior to the meeting.
ARTICLE IX
Dissolution
Section 1. In the event of dissolution of the Loma Prieta Amateur Radio Club, that equipment which has been loaned or donated to the Club will be returned to its rightful owner. All equipment that the Club owns will be donated or sold with the proceeds being donated to a local charity chosen by the Board of Directors at that time.
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ARTICLE X
Equipment
Section 1. The club shall be able to purchase or replace that equipment which the club does not own excluding the tower and shack upon approval of the membership with a simple majority vote.
ARTICLE XI
Section 1. Definition of household.
Two adults, and their children living in the same residence under the age of 18. In the case of a single parent, his/her children living in the same residence under the age of 18, with a limit of 2 votes. Voting members shall be at least 18 years of age.
Section 2. Definition of Loma Prieta Area
The Greater Summit Road area of the Santa Cruz Mountains, including unincorporated Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties (roughly the 95033 area code).
04/2011