BY-LAWS
of the
Americus Amateur Radio Association, Inc.
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of the organization shall be The Americus Amateur Radio Association,
Inc.
ARTICLE II
Purpose
The purpose of this corporation is as follows:
A) To promote the public safety and welfare by participation in public service
activities, including assisting civil defense organizations, homeland security,
disaster assistance, assisting law enforcement, emergency and non-emergency
message relay and similar activities by organized amateur radio communication
for the benefit of the citizens of Sumter County, Georgia and surrounding
areas.
B) To encourage and promote compliance with all federal and state laws and
regulations governing radio communications and the use and observance of courtesy,
proper customs and standard procedures in radio operating practices.
C) Provide voluntary emergency communication as a public service, without
any remuneration.
D) Promote amateur radio by facilitating the exchange of information between
members, improve individual operating efficiency and strengthen the welfare
of amateur radio in the community, the state of Georgia and the United States
of America.
E) Facilitate scientific education and knowledge of radio engineering and
communication skills by providing communication equipment for use by the members
at no charge.
ARTICLE III
Section 1
Offices
The principal office of the organization for the transaction of business is
located at the offices of the American Red Cross, 1309 Oglethorpe Avenue,
Americus, Georgia 31709.
The Board may at any time establish branch or subordinate offices to conduct
its public service 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 if so
deemed necessary. Any such change shall be noted in these by-laws, and the
Secretary of State of the State of Georgia will be properly notified of any
such change of address by the Corporate Secretary.
ARTICLE IV
Section 1
Membership
Types of membership shall consist of licensed and non-licensed persons interested
in Amateur Radio communications. The club shall consist of Full, Family, Discounted,
and Associate memberships.
A) Full Membership requires:
1) Valid FCC Amateur Radio License.
2) Club dues paid in full.
B) Family Membership requires:
1) Valid FCC Amateur Radio License held by at least one family member.
2) One member of the household has a full membership status.
(There is no minimum age limit)
3) Club dues paid in full.
C) Discounted Memberships include Student and Senior and requires:
1) Valid FCC Amateur Radio License.
2) Club dues paid in full.
3) Proof of being a full-time student, or proof of being 60 years of age or
older.
D) Associate Membership requires:
1) An interest in Amateur Radio.
2) Club dues paid in full.
Section 2
Membership Privileges
Members privileges are based upon the membership status held.
A) Full Membership privileges include:
1) Hold a club office and/or be appointed to the Board of Directors.
2) Full voting privileges.
3) Participate in any and all club's functions.
4) Operating club's equipment.
B) Family Membership privileges include:
1) Participate in any and all club's functions.
2) One additional vote by family member who is 18 years or older.
3) Operating club's equipment.
C) Discounted Memberships are considered Full Membership if all other
requirements are met for Full Membership.
D) Associate Membership privileges entitle you to:
1) Participate in any and all club's functions.
Section 3
Dues
Annual Dues shall be used to provide funds for the club's expenses.
A ) Dues are payable by April 1st of each and every year.
B) Dues are payable to the club's treasurer.
C) 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.
ARTICLE V
Section 1
Elected Officers and Board of Directors
The Officers of the corporation shall be the President, Vice-President, and
Secretary/Treasurer, all of which shall automatically serve on the Board of
Directors. The President shall serve as Chair of the Board of Directors. Two
other members, elected at-large from the membership, shall serve to make up
the five (5) members of the Board of Directors.
A) All elected officers/board of directors shall serve for a period of one
year and are elected by a simple majority of the voting members.
B) The Board shall handle the regular business of the organization.
C) The Board shall consist of five members who are voted in by a simple majority
of the voting members as corporate officer or members at-large as set forth
herein.
D) The seal of the corporation shall be in such form as the Board of Directors
may from time to time determine. In the event it is inconvenient to use such
a seal at any time, the signature of the company followed by the word "Seal"
enclosed in parenthesis or brackets, shall be deemed the seal of the corporation.
The seal shall be in the custody of the Secretary and affixed by the Secretary
on any papers as may be directed by law, by these by-laws or by the Board
of Directors.
Section 2
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 3
Vacancies
The General Voting Membership will elect a member from the voting members
to fill any vacancy on the Board at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
ARTICLE VI
Section 1
Meetings
There shall be monthly regular meetings of the general membership and the
Board of Directors shall set their meetings as needed, but no event, less
than once per calendar quarter.
Section 2
A quorum for conducting business at a regular or special meeting of the Board
of Directors shall be three (3) members present or, if necessary, a Board
member may participate by conference call.
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
Election of officers and directors shall require a simple majority of the
votes cast at election time (held at the January meeting). Members shall be
given notice of a pending election a minimum of four (4) weeks before an election.
Only members physically present at the meeting may vote for an officer or
director.
ARTICLE VIII
Amendments to By-Laws
These By-Laws may be amended or revised by an affirmative vote of 3/5 of the
Board of Directors or by a 2/3 majority of the voting membership.
ARTICLE VIIII
Dissolution
In the event of dissolution, the residual assets of the corporation will be
turned over to one or more organizations which themselves are exempt as organizations
described in Sections 501(c)(3) and 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1954 or corresponding sections of any prior or future Internal Revenue
Code, or to the Federal, State or Local government for an exclusive public
purpose. The corporation shall not have any purposes or objectives nor have
or exercise any power nor engage in any activity which in any way contravenes
or is in conflict with the provisions of these Articles and the corporation
shall not have the power nor the purpose to engage in any of the prohibited
transactions described in Section 503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
So Adopted and Ratified this __25th___ day of ______July______________, 2009.
____________________________________
, President/Chair
Attest: _____________________________
, Secretary
[SEAL]