Club Constitution
CONSTITUTION
OF THE
SIOUX EMPIRE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, INC.
As Amended June 6, 2006
PREAMBLE
As of this date, March 17, 1986, this organization’s name shall be changed
from “Sioux Falls Amateur Radio Club, Inc.” to “SIOUX EMPIRE AMATEUR
RADIO CLUB, INC,” referred to as the “CLUB.” This revised version of the
Constitution shall supercede all others prior to this date, pertaining to the
former “Sioux Falls Amateur Radio Club, Inc.”
It shall be our purpose to foster and promote interest in amateur radio,
fraternalism and operating efficiency, and to assist radio amateurs in the
Sioux Empire area in maintaining reliable communications.
The membership shall be open to all who seek to further their interest in
the arts of radio communication. There shall be no discrimination as to
race, creed, sex, age, or marital status.
ARTICLE I – MEMBERSHIP
Individuals possessing a valid and current amateur radio license are
eligible to become Full Members of the Club upon payment of dues. Full
Membership entitles an individual to all rights, benefits, and privileges of
the Club, including, but not limited to, voting on all matters and serving as
an officer, director, or committee member.
Any licensed amateur in the immediate family of the Primary Full Member
of the Club is also eligible to become a Full Member of the Club upon
payment of family member dues.
Individuals who do not possess a valid and current amateur radio license
are eligible to become Associate Members of the Club upon payment of
associate member dues.
Associate Membership entitles an individual to all the rights, benefits, and
privileges of the Club, except the right to vote on all matters, hold an
office, or serve as a committee head in the Club.
ARTICLE II – OFFICERS
The officers of the Club shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary,
and Treasurer. They shall be elected by majority vote of the Membership
of the Club at the first meeting in January of each year.
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and the Board of
Directors. He shall report periodically to the Club Membership regarding
the progress and standing of the Club regarding his official acts. He shall
appoint and may be a member of all committees of the Club.
The Vice President will assist the President in the work of his office. In the
absence of the President or his inability to serve, the Vice President shall
preside at all meetings and perform all duties otherwise performed by the
President.
The Secretary shall keep a record of all membership meetings and of all
Board of Director meetings. He shall carry on the official correspondence
of the Club, except as the Board of Directors may direct otherwise. He
shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may require.
The Treasure shall receive monies of the Club. He shall deposit all money
in the name of the Club in a bank or banks selected by the Board of
Directors, and money so deposited shall be withdrawn only by check
signed by the Treasurer. He shall prepare and sign checks for such
purposes as are required by the Constitution or are authorized by the
Membership or the Board of Directors. At the option of the President or
the Board of Directors, the Treasurer may be called upon for a financial
report at any time. He shall prepare a certified list of all paid-up members
in full, as of the first regular Club meeting in January, eligible to be
candidates for election, and to vote in the election process.
ARTICLE III – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of the Club, except
when meetings of the Club are in session. All matters affecting the
policies, aims, and means of accomplishing the purpose of the Club not
specifically provided for in this Constitution or by action of the
Membership at a regular or special meeting shall be decided by the
board of directors. The Board shall meet at the call of the President or a
majority of the members of the Board. A report on all actions taken by
the Board shall be made to the Membership at the next meeting. A
majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall be required for a
quorum.
The Board of Directors shall consist of the President and four Full Members.
Each Director shall serve a term of two years. Two members shall be
elected at the first meeting in January to succeed those whose terms are
expiring at that time. Installation shall be immediate.
Reports by the Board of Directors may include a majority and a minority
statement. A tally vote shall be given to the Club on all matters decided
by the Board.
Any decision of the Board may be overridden by a two-thirds majority of
the Membership present at the first meeting following the decision. No
Board member may participate in this action.
At the end of the Club’s fiscal year, the Board of Directors shall prepare a
report showing the achievements of the Club for that year and shall make
recommendations for the following year.
ARTICLE IV – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
To be eligible to be a candidate for an Officer or Director, or to vote in the
election process, the individual must be a paid-up Member in Full of the
Club.
Nominations for candidates will be taken as the first order of new business.
Nominations will be received from the floor.
At the close of nominations, the Secretary will distribute a paper ballot for
those offices where two or more nominations were made. A secret vote
will take place and the Secretary will collect all ballots.
In the event only one candidate is nominated for an office, the
candidate will be confirmed viva voce by the membership.
Any eligible Club Member may request a ballot for voting by absentee
ballot or proxy by submitting a written statement to the Treasurer.
The Secretary shall keep a written tally, available to the Membership,
during the ballot counting. Any candidate shall have the right to have an
observer of his choosing, observe the ballots and the counting process.
The election of Officers and Directors for the Club’s new fiscal year shall
be at the first Club meeting in January, which is the beginning of the
Club’s fiscal year.
ARTICLE V – VACANCIES
Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by special
elections. At the first meeting following the vacancy, withdrawal, or
resignation, nominations shall be taken, with the election by majority vote
of attending members. Installation shall be immediate.
ARTICLE VI – REMOVAL
Officers or Directors may be removed from office by three-quarters
majority vote of the total voting membership.
ARTICLE VII – ABSENTEE OR PROXY VOTES
Properly filed absentee ballots shall be accepted for any election of
Directors or Officers. A signed statement of the Member’s assignment of
power to vote by proxy to a specific Member, shall be submitted to the
Club Treasurer. Written proxy votes shall be accepted only on business
requiring a vote from the total Membership. They shall not be accepted
for regular business matters.
ARTICLE VIII – QUORUM
At Club meetings, a minimum of ten voting Members and one Officer shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS
This Constitution or amendments may be amended at a Club Meeting by
a two-thirds majority vote of the total voting membership present of at
least a Quorum.
ARTICLE X – RULES
Robert’s Rules of Order in its most current edition shall govern all Club
proceedings. The President may appoint a Parliamentarian to interpret
such rules as they apply to the proceedings.
ARTICLE XI – MEMBERSHIP FEES
The fees or dues shall be fixed at the beginning of the Club fiscal year. If
the need for additional funds becomes necessary, a special levy may be
made, with the approval of the Membership. Other methods may be
used to raise funds.
ARTICLE XII – MEETINGS
The time and place of the Club meetings shall be determined by the Club
Officers and Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XIII – SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Special committees may be appointed by the President for any and all
situations and may be a member of those committees ex-officio.
ARTICLE XIV – CLUB FUNDS ACCOUNTING
Members shall have the right to a full and clear accounting of all Club
funds at all levels. Such accounting shall include, but not be limited to,
periodic reports to the Membership by the appropriate fiscal Officers and
periodic audit by Officers (Auditing Committee) elected for that purpose,
or by independent auditors not otherwise connected with the Club.
An audit will be performed with the approval of the membership. Upon a
majority vote of the present voting members at any Club meeting, an
Auditing Committee shall be convened. The Auditing Committee,
consisting of two Full Members at large, shall audit the books of the
Treasurer and shall present a written statement of their findings to the
Club. The members of the committee shall be appointed by the
President.