PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION

Be it known that, effective February 19, 1970, the Countywide Amateur Radio Club and the Tusco Radio Club, Inc., merged into one unit, now being known as the TUSCO AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, INC.

Be it also known that, effective April 5, 1979, the Tri-County VHF Radio Association, Inc. and the Tusco Radio Club, Inc., merged into one unit, now being known as the TUSCO AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, INC.

Whereas, a group of radio amateurs, in the Tuscarawas County area, have joined together as a club, with the purpose of furthering their knowledge and operating ability and promoting interest in amateur radio.

Be it hereby resolved, that the TUSCO AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, INC., is organized and the aims and objectives of the club are:

1. To make available our knowledge, skill and equipment, in supplying communications in time of need.
2. To promote the highest standards of amateur radio operating procedures.
3. To aid and encourage others, who have a genuine interest in amateur radio, to obtain an F.C.C. amateur radio operators license.
4. To act as a clearinghouse for problems arising to members in the pursuit of amateur radio activities.
5. To present informative programs of interest to the members.
6. As individuals, to take an active interest in the Club and support its projects.
7. To welcome to our ranks, all who hold an amateur radio operator’s license and all who have a genuine interest in amateur radio, subject only to the limits placed in our constitution and by-laws.
8. To endeavor to obtain funds to support the Club.
9. To obtain clubrooms and to equip and maintain as complete an amateur radio station as feasibly possible.
10. To provide the monetary and personal resources necessary for operating and maintaining one or more Club sponsored repeaters.

In view of the above, we do hereby constitute ourselves, the TUSCO AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, INC. and do enact this Preamble, Constitution and By-Laws, as our governing law. TUSCO AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, INC.

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I

SECTION 1 – All persons interested in amateur radio shall be eligible for membership. Membership shall be by application and election, upon such terms, as the Club shall, by its constitution, provide.

ARTICLE II

SECTION 1 – The officers of the club shall be:

1. President
2. Vice President
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer
5. Activities Manager

The Board of Directors shall consist of the five [5] elected officers as voting directors, with the immediate past president serving as an ex- officio member and Chairman of the Board, without a vote. To be elected, all must hold a valid amateur radio operator's license and be a full member, in good standing.

SECTION 2 – The nomination and election of officers shall be held at the first regularly scheduled meeting in March, each year. The election shall be by secret ballot, with the simple majority, of those voting, being considered sufficient to elect an officer. The elected officers shall take office at the first regularly scheduled meeting in April, each year. The membership shall be notified, by mail, of each upcoming election, at least thirty [30] days prior to such election. A notice in the newsletter will meet this requirement.

SECTION 3 – Officer vacancies occurring between elections must be filled at, or before, the 2nd regular meeting after the withdrawal, or resignation, becomes effective. The Board of Directors shall appoint a full member to fill such vacancy.

SECTION 4 – Officers may be removed by a three-fourths [3/4] vote of the total voting membership of the Club.

ARTICLE III

SECTION 1 – Regular meetings shall be held each calendar month. Special meetings shall be called by the President, upon the written request of any five [5] members or as he deems necessary. Special notices shall be sent to all members, informing them of the special meeting and the business to be transacted. Such notices shall be sent, that in the ordinary postal delivery, they shall be received at least twenty-four [24] hours prior to the time set therein for the meeting. A quorum, for all regular Club meetings, shall consist of at least ten [10] voting members.

ARTICLE IV

SECTION 1 – The membership of the Club shall be subdivided into two [2] divisions: full member and sustaining member. Full members must possess a valid Amateur Radio Operators License and will have voting privileges. Sustaining members will be all other members. Sustaining members shall NOT be required to possess a valid Amateur Radio Operators License. They do NOT have voting privileges and will pay reduced dues, as specified in Section 8 of the By-Laws.

SECTION 2 – Life membership is an honorary designation bestowed on a member by the Board of Directors. Life members retain all privileges of Full membership and all further dues are waived.

SECTION 3 – The Club may levy, upon the membership, such dues, as shall be deemed necessary, for the business of the organization within its objectives, as set forth in the Preamble.

ARTICLE V

SECTION 1 – There shall be a Club License Trustee, whose responsibility will be to act as the Club's agent in maintaining the Club's Amateur Radio Station license. He shall have the powers, to apply for, modify, or renew said license, that are deemed in the best interests of the Club. He shall also serve as Club Repeater Licensee. He shall assure any and all repeaters are operated in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors, in compliance with applicable law.

SECTION 2 – The Club License Trustee shall serve a continuing term of office, with appointment to be made on an annual basis, by a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors. Vacancies in the position of Club License Trustee will be filled at the next regular club meeting, following the occurrence of the vacancy.

ARTICLE VI

SECTION 1 - Robert's Rules of Order shall govern proceedings, except when specifically overridden by articles of this Constitution.

ARTICLE VII

SECTION 1 – The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds [2/3] majority vote of full members voting, taken by written ballot. Proposed amendments must be submitted, in writing, to the Board of Directors. Within thirty [30] days of receipt of such a proposal, the Board will submit such proposal in Ballot form, along with the Board's recommendation, in writing, by mail, to all full members. To be valid, all ballots must be submitted to the Club Secretary, within thirty [30] days from date of mailing such ballots. The Board of Directors will count the ballots and at the next regular meeting, announce the results.

SECTION 2 – By-Laws may be added to or amended at any meeting, by a two-thirds [2/3] majority vote of the voting members present, providing the amendment or addition, has been read at two [2] prior consecutive meetings. Additions or amendments must be submitted IN WRITING to the Club Secretary for reading at the meeting. Oral motions for changes or additions will NOT be accepted.

BY -LAWS

SECTION 1 – Applications for membership shall be submitted at a regular meeting, in writing. Each applicant must express a willingness to abide by the Constitution, By-Laws and such

Other rules as shall be promulgated by the Club, Two-thirds [2/3] majority, of those present and. voting at a meeting, shall approve the applicant, before he or she shall be considered elected to membership.

SECTION 2 – The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and conduct the same according to the rules adopted. He shall enforce due observance of this Constitution and decide

All questions of order, sign all official documents that are adopted by the Club and no others. He shall perform all customary duties pertaining to the office of President.

SECTION 3 – The Vice President shall assist the President in conducting Club affairs and shall assume all the duties of the President, in the absence of the latter. He shall keep and maintain accurate records of the location and condition of all Club owned equipment and supplies.

SECTION 4 – The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, keep .a roll of members, carry on all correspondence and read communications at each meeting. It shall he the duty of the Secretary to keep the Constitution of the TUSCO AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, INC. and to have it with him at every regular and special meeting. He shall cause all amendments, changes and additions, to be noted thereon and shall permit the same to be consulted by members, upon request. He shall also keep a log of all guests present at each meeting. At expiration of his term of office, all records and Club property shall be turned over to his successor.

SECTION 5 – The Treasurer shall receive and receipt for all monies paid to the Club and keep an accurate~ account of all monies received and expended. Recurring bills [e.g. electric, insurance, printing of QRM, subscriptions, etcetera] are to be paid routinely. Bills for repeater expenses, up to $300.00 are authorized. Other non-recurring bills up to $100.00 may be paid with the approval of the President or Vice President. All other expenditures are to be authorized by a majority vote of those present at a regular meeting. The Treasurer shall submit an itemized statement of disbursements and receipts, at least once each month, being due at or before the second meeting of each month. At the expiration of his term of office, all Club records, Club property and Club monies, in his possession, shall be turned over to his successor.

SECTION 6 – The Activities Manager shall be responsible for organizing and directing all Club operating activities, as directed by a vote of the club membership. He shall serve as the focal point for all Public Relations activities. He shall take charge in the absence of both the President and Vice President.

SECTION 7 – Regular meetings shall be held on the first and third Thursdays of each calendar month. The first meeting will be primarily a business meeting. The second meeting will be primarily a program meeting, with only pressing business being conducted. Reading of the minutes and the treasurer's report may be waived, at any meeting. The Board of Directors may cancel or reschedule any meeting for valid reasons [e.g. weather, holidays. etc.].

SECTION 8 – Dues shall be due April 1 of each year and may be prorated for new members or for a change in membership status. After a sixty [60] day delinquency, non-payment of such dues will be cause for loss of membership privileges.

The amount of dues will be determined by the Board of Directors yearly and announced by January I, for the dues year beginning April 1. Dues will be assessed as follows:

FULL MEMBER INDIVIDUAL         100%

MEMBER FAMILY                              50%

SUSTAINING MEMBER FAMILY     25%

SUSTAINING INDIVIDUAL               50%

A full member must be a licensed amateur. Full members WILL have voting rights, MAY hold an elective office and WILL receive a copy of the monthly news bulletin.

A licensed member, living in the same household as an individual full member, may become a full member, at a reduced rate. These members WILL have voting rights, MAY hold an elected office, but WILL NOT receive a copy of the monthly news bulletin.

A licensed amateur, living in the same household, as an individual full member may become a sustaining member, at a reduced rate. These members WILL NOT have voting rights, MAY NOT hold an elected office and WILL NOT receive a copy of the news bulletin.

Anyone interested in amateur radio may become a sustaining member. A sustaining member DOES NOT have voting rights and CAN NOT hold an office. These members WILL receive a copy of the monthly news bulletin.

SECTION 9 – Upon successful completion of a club sponsored novice class; the Club will provide a complimentary sustaining membership, for the remainder of that year, to each novice. This may be converted to a full membership upon payment of the difference in dues. Recommended for adoption, effective April 1, 1988.

R. B. Hubble WB8TVA President

R. R. Lindimore K8ZJG Vice President

D A. Lomady WD8CKK Secretary and' Activities Manager

C. W. McEaneney KC8QK Treasurer

Adopted April 1, 1988, by vote of members. No negative votes.