Alabama Contest Group

 

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 Alabama Contest Group 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, fraternalism and individual operating efficiency, and to so conduct the Organization programs and activities as to advance the general interest and welfare of Amateur Radio in the community.

 

Article I - Membership

 

All persons interested in Amateur Radio shall be eligible for membership.  Membership shall be by application and election upon such terms as the Organization shall provide in its By-Laws.

 

Article II - Officers

 

     Sec. 1.  The officers of the Organization shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.

 

     Sec. 2.  The officers of the Organization shall be elected for a term of one year.  The election of officers shall be conducted in accordance with the By-Laws.  New officers will take office effective January 1st of each year. 

 

     Sec. 3.  The vacancy of any officer defined in this Article occurring between elections shall be filled by a special election. The special election shall be held in a timely manner following the withdrawal or resignation and conducted in accordance with the By-Laws. 

 

     Sec. 4.  Officers may be removed by a three-fourths vote of the membership.  Such vote shall be conducted in accordance with the By-Laws.

 

Article III - Duties of Officers

 

     Sec. 1.  The President shall preside at all meetings, and conduct them according to the guidelines of Article IV.  He/she 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 President.

 

     Sec. 2.  The Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President in his/her absence.  In addition, he/she shall organize club activities, plan and recommend contests for operating benefits, and advance club interest and activity as approved by the club. 

 

     Sec. 3.  The Secretary 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 provide written notices of meeting schedules to each member.  At the expiration of his/her term he/she shall turn over all items belonging to the club to his/her successor.

 

     Sec. 4.  The Treasurer shall maintain appropriate financial accounts, receive and receipt for all monies paid to the club; keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended; pay no bills without proper authorization (by the club or its officers constituting a business committee).  At the end of each quarter he/she shall submit an itemized statement of deposits and disbursements to include receipts.  At the end of his/her term he/she shall turn over everything in his/her possession belonging to the club to his/her successor; ensuring that his/her successor has been granted appropriate access to the club financial account(s); and take such steps as necessary to terminate his/her access to club financial account(s).

 

Article IV – Meetings, Proceedings & Quorum

 

     The By-Laws shall provide for regular and special meetings. Official proceedings of the club shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. A minimum of one-third of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

 

Article V – Dues & Special Assessments

 

     The Organization, in order to conduct the activities contemplated by the members, is hereby authorized to collect dues for membership.  In addition, the Organization is authorized to collect special assessments to cover activities not provided for within the normal operating budget of the organization.  Dues and special assessments shall be collected in accordance with the By-Laws of the organization.  Non-payment of such dues or special assessments by any member shall be cause for expulsion of that member from the Organization.  Reinstatement of membership for non-payment of dues and/or special assessments may occur provided that the member pays any and all dues and special assessments that are in arrears.  The President is hereby authorized to grant exceptions to dues and/or special assessments to individuals who request such exception.

 

Article VI - Membership Assistance

 

     The Organization through public relations, and/or operating committees will provide technical advice to members concerning equipment design and operation in order to assist in frequency observance, clean signals, uniform practice, and absence of spurious radiation’s from club member-stations.  The club shall also maintain a program to foster and guide public relations.

 

Article VII - Amendments

 

     This Constitution and/or By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the total membership.  Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing to the President and/or Secretary.  Such proposals shall be voted on at the next regular meeting, provided all members have been notified of the intent to amend the Constitution and/or By-Laws at said meeting.

 

 

Article VIII - By-Laws

 

1.  Secretary:  It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the constitution and By-Laws of the club and have the same with him/her at every meeting.  He/she shall note all amendments, changes and additions on the Constitution and shall permit it to be consulted by members upon request.

 

2.  Membership:  Full membership is open to licensed amateurs.  Associate membership is open to those actively engaged in study leading to an Amateur Radio license and all other interested persons.  Full membership includes all club privileges as well as rights to hold a club office and to vote for club officers.  Associate membership includes all club privileges except for the rights to hold office and vote for club officers.  Applications for membership shall be submitted in writing or through the web site or via any existing member.

 

3.  Meetings & Proceedings:  Regular meetings shall be held at the Birmingham Hamfest, the Huntsville Hamfest and the Montgomery Hamfest each year.  The President upon the written request of any five members may call a special meeting.  Notices shall be sent to all members concerning special meetings and the business to be transacted.  Only such business as designated shall be transacted.  Such notices shall be sent so that they arrive not less than 24 hours before the meeting.  To facilitate the timely transaction of organizational matters, it is permissible to conduct organizational meetings using electronic media.  To conduct an electronic meeting, the President shall: (1) ensure the existence of a public electronic forum for the event, (2) provide the widest possible dissemination of information to the general membership prior to opening discussion, (3) establish the duration for discussion and moderate that discussion to ensure compliance with the rules of the organization, (4) direct the discussion be recorded in the official organizational documentation, (5) provide for balloting (if required) in accordance with Section 6 of the By-Laws, and (6) distribute the discussion results, including the results of balloting, if any, to the general membership once the matter has been concluded.

 

4.  Dues:  A annual assessment of $6.00 per member is hereby assessed in accordance with the provision of Article V of the Constitution for the purpose of providing funds for expenses.  To maintain Membership in good standing, each member’s Dues must be paid not later than the last day of February of each year.  2007 will be the first year for Dues collection.  New member Dues will be assessed at the rate of $.50 per month for any partial year membership.  The Club, by majority vote of those present at any regular meeting, may increase or decrease dues for the general membership or create a special assessments as shall be deemed necessary for conducting the business of the organization.  

 

5.  Ballots:  Any election and/or other proceeding of the organization requiring a vote of the membership may be conducted by either electronic or written ballot.  The Secretary shall be responsible for collection of ballots and the President and Vice-President shall be responsible for certifying the results of the balloting.  The results of any ballot shall be promptly distributed to the general membership of the organization.

 

6.  Alabama QSO Party Sponsorship:  The Alabama Contest Group will be the sponsoring entity for the Alabama QSO Party.  The President will appoint an AQP Committee Chairman.  The Chairman may appoint or solicit volunteers for additional committee members as necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

President                         date:

 

 

 

 

Vice President                    date:

 

 

 

 

Secretary                         date:

 

 

 

 

Treasurer                         date: