CONSTITUTION OF THE AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION

February 26, 1991
 
 

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be "The Amateur Radio Association."
 
 

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization shall be:

  1. To promote interest in amateur radio.
  2. To provide a voluntary auxiliary communications service for the public in general and especially for the University of Delaware.
  3. To promote radio knowledge and individual operating efficiency.
  4. To maintain and operate an amateur radio station (HAM as opposed to Broadcast station) on the campus of the University of Delaware.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section I - Eligibility:

  1. Any full-time undergraduate of the University of Delaware who possesses a valid amateur radio license issued by the Federal Communications Commission or by any country which has a reciprocal licensing agreement with the United States Government shall be eligible to become a full member, except as provided in Section III.D of Article III.
  2. Any full-time undergraduate of the University of Delaware who does not possess a valid license as specified in Section LA of Article III shall be eligible to become an associate member, except as provided in Section III.D of Article III.
  3. Anyone who does not meet the requirements of Section I.A and I.B of Article III, whether the possessor of a valid license as specified in Section I.A of Article III or not, shall be eligible to become an auxiliary member, except as provided in Section III.D of Article III.
Section II - Anybody who is interested in joining the club shall become a member after it is shown that they meet the eligibility requirements of Section I of Article III and the appropriate dues, as stated in Section I of Article VII, have been paid. For the first two weeks of membership, full and associative members will be ineligible to vote for election or removal of an officer or cancellation of membership.

Section III - Cancellation of Membership:

  1. A person's membership may be cancelled provided at least three-fourths of the full and associate members of the club, excluding the person whose membership is under consideration, vote in favor of the cancellation.
  2. Such a vote to decide whether or not a person's membership is to be cancelled shall be taken only after the person whose membership is in question has been served formal written notice of the impending vote at least two weeks prior to the date the vote is to be taken. Such written notice shall be served by the President, and only upon the recommendation of at least a two-thirds vote of all full and associate members of the club present at the meeting. The person whose membership is under consideration shall be afforded an opportunity at the meeting during which his membership is to be voted on to show cause why their membership should not be cancelled. Absentee voting for cancellation of membership shall not be allowed.
  3. A person whose membership in the club has been cancelled shall not have a claim on the club for return of any dues and/or fees.
  4. Any person whose membership in the club has been cancelled in the manner provided for in Sections III.A and III.B of Article III may reapply for membership, provided he then meets the eligibility requirements of Section I of Article III, no sooner than one full semester's time after the date of cancellation of membership, except for auxiliary members who must wait one full year. In reapplying for membership they must set forth reasons supporting the reapplication. They shall then be granted membership by the club only if three-fourths of the full and associate members of the club vote to grant him membership.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS

Section I - The elected officers of this club shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Technical Committee Chairperson.

Section II - Duties of Officers:

  1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the club, decide all questions of order, sign all official documents that are adopted by the club, enforce the constitution, and perform all customary duties pertaining to the Office of the President.
  2. The Vice President shall assume all duties of the President in the absence of the latter, and shall in addition be responsible for the duties outlined in Section II.A of Article VI.
  3. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of each meeting, call and record the roll, verify and record members amateur radio license's, notify all members of special meetings, and take care of all correspondence.
  4. The Treasurer shall receive and receipt all monies paid to the club, keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended, submit a budget for the next academic year, and perform all other duties required of him by the University of Delaware. The Treasurer shall, at the expiration of his term of office, turn over to his successor all records, monies and property in his possession belonging to the club.
  5. The Technical Committee Chairperson shall preside over the technical committee; and shall ensure that the committee performs the duties outlined in Section III.B of Article VI.
Section III - Qualifications for Office:
  1. The President and Technical Committee Chairperson must be a full member of the club.
  2. The Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer may be either full or associate members of the club.
Section IV - Method of Election:
  1. An election of officers for the following year shall be held at a regular or special meeting during the month of March of each year, provided all full and associate members have been notified in writing of the purpose and date of the meeting at least one week prior to the meeting.
  2. All voting for officers shall be by secret ballot.
  3. A simple majority of those full and associate members present at the election meeting shall be required for the election of a candidate to office provided a quorum has been established. A member must be present during all of the election speeches to be eligible to vote for a position.
  4. Absentee voting for the election of officers shall not be allowed.
Section V - Removal from Office:
  1. Officers may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of all full and associate members of the club present at the meeting.
  2. Such a vote shall be held at a regular meeting of the club and only after the officer in question has been served written notice of the impending vote at least two weeks prior to the date on which the vote is to be held. The person whose removal from off ice is under consideration shall be afforded an opportunity at the meeting during which his office is to be voted on to show cause why they should not be removed from office.
  3. Any officer shall be automatically removed from office in the event that he is for any reason no longer able to meet the qualifications for office as specified in Section III of Article IV. Written notice shall be given to such removed officers.
  4. Absentee voting for the removal of officers shall not be allowed.
Section VI - Officers shall be elected for a period of one year beginning on the first Monday of April of the year in which they are elected, and shall be eligible for reelection for four terms.

Section VII - Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by special ballot at the first regular meeting after the withdrawal or resignation is announced, provided all full and associate members have been notified in writing of the special election. Such election shall be held in the manner specified in Sections IV.B and IV.C of Article IV.
 
 

ARTICLE V - MEETINGS

Section I - Regular meetings shall be held at least once monthly during the fall and spring semesters at a time convenient to the greatest number of full and associate members.

Section II - Special meetings may be called by the President whenever necessary, or whenever three or more members desire a special meeting.

Section III - A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of a simple majority of all full and associate club members.

Section IV - Voting Procedure:

  1. All voting shall be by show of hands except as provided in Section IV.B of Article IV and Sections IV.B and IV.C of Article V.
  2. Voting on any issue shall be by secret ballot if requested by any full or associate member.
  3. Absentee voting shall be submitted in writing to any officer of the club before the meeting except as provided in Section III.B of Article III, and Sections IV.D and V.D of Article V. Proxy voting shall not be allowed.
  4. All full and associate members shall be eligible to vote on all club matters with the following exceptions:
  1. Any member whose membership is under consideration may not vote on the question of their membership as provided in Section III.A of Article III.
  2. If an odd number of members, excluding the President, are voting in a matter the President shall abstain from voting.
  3. An associate member may not vote on matters of direct concern solely to licensed radio amateurs.
ARTICLE VI - COMMITTEES

Section I - The standing committees of the club shall be the Activities Committee, Technical Committee, and Publicity Chairperson.

Section II - Chairperson and membership of Committees:

  1. The chairperson of the technical committee is the Technical Committee Chairperson as provided for in Section II.E of Article IV, and elected as provided for in Section IV of Article IV. The chairperson of the Activities Committee shall be the Vice President of the club; the publicity person shall be appointed by the President.
  2. The members of the committees shall be selected by their Chairperson.
  3. The President of the club shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees.
Section III - Duties of Committees:
  1. The Activities Committee shall organize and direct all activities and programs for the club and for regular club meetings.
  2. The technical Committee shall:
  1. Be responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of all amateur radio equipment owned by the club and shall insure that it is installed and used legally, safely, and in the best interest of the club.
  2. Determine which equipment, if any, the club will borrow from members willing to loan their equipment to the club. Upon receipt of loaned equipment the club shall document the condition of the equipment and determine a mutual agreement for the security of the equipment.
  3. Insure that privately owned amateur radio equipment loaned to the club for the use of its members is installed and used legally, safely, and in the best interests of the club and the owners of said equipment, and that no maintenance or modifications shall be performed on said equipment without the expressed written approval of the owners of said equipment.
  4. Insure that before operating any piece of club equipment, each member is instructed in its operation and has proven their ability to operate said piece of equipment properly.
  5. Determine an operating schedule when full and associate members of the club will be present in the shack.
C. The duties of the Publicity Committee are to inform club members and the public of the activities of the club and amateur radio in general. Section IV - Special committees may be established by the President any time and for any purpose pertaining to the interests of the upon the recommendation of at least a two-thirds majority of associate members present at any regular or special meeting a quorum is present.
 
 

ARTICLE VII - DUES

Section I - Amount of Dues:

  1. All full and associate members shall not be assessed dues.
  2. All auxiliary members shall be assessed three dollars per semester in dues.
Section II - All dues and fees shall be paid in full to the Treasurer of the Club by the end of the second week of classes of each semester.
 
 

ARTICLE VIII - ADVISOR

Section I - A faculty advisor, from among the faculty or staff, shall be selected by a special committee established for this purpose. The selection of an advisor must be confirmed by a majority vote of all full and associate members of the club after establishing the fact that the person in question is willing and able to accept the advisorship of the club

Section II - A special committee for the selection of a faculty advisor shall be established at the first regular meeting at which or after the withdrawal or resignation of the present advisor is announced. The vote for confirmation of the committee shall be held at the first regular meeting after the meeting at which the selection is announced.

Section III - Term of Office:

  1. The faculty advisor shall be elected for an indefinite term.
  2. The advisorship may be terminated by either of the following:
  1. Mutual consent of the club and the advisor.
  2. By a three-fourths majority vote of all full and associate members of the club, such a vote to be held only at a regular meeting of the club and only after the advisor had been served written notice of the impending vote at least two weeks prior to the date on which the vote is to be held.
  3. By notice from the advisor.
Section IV - The advisor shall be considered a full member of the club if they meet the qualifications established in Section I.A of Article III, and shall be considered an associate member otherwise.

Section V - The advisor shall hold all rights and privileges and shall enjoy all responsibilities of the type of membership given in Section IV of Article VIII, except that they are under no obligation to pay dues or attend meetings.

Section VI - The advisor shall perform the duties required of them by the University of Delaware, and shall provide liaison between the University and the Amateur Radio Association on matters requiring such a link.
 
 

ARTICLE IX - TRUSTEE

The trustee shall be the holder of all amateur radio station licenses issued to the club, and shall be responsible for all duties required of him by the Federal Communications Commission.
 
 

ARTICLE X - OPERATION OF EQUIPMENT

Section I - Who May Operate:

  1. Club members, who are duly licensed shall be permitted to operate all radio equipment in possession of the club with the limitations imposed by law and subject to the restrictions outlined in Section III.B.3 of Article VI. Club members must show their valid amateur radio license to the Secretary before they may use amateur band transmitting equipment.
  2. Club members, who are not duly licensed, shall hold all rights and enjoy the same responsibilities as set forth in Section I.A of Article IX with the exception that they may not operate amateur band transmitting equipment.
  3. Non members may not operate any radio equipment in possession of the club, except under the direct guidance of a full or associate member.
Section II - All operation of the amateur band transmitting equipment shall be in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Federal Communications Commission.

Section III - In the event that the club becomes inactive, any club owned equipment shall become the property of the Department of Electrical Engineering of the University of Delaware until such time as the club is reactivated. Any privately owned equipment loaned to the club for the use of its members shall be returned to the owners.
 
 

ARTICLE XI - ACCESS TO EQUIPMENT

Section I - The club's room must remain locked whenever unoccupied, and any loaned equipment not being used must be kept secure. Keys shall be distributed to the officers and a key placed in the lock box located on the door to 404 DuPont.

Section II - Club members shall not enter any areas whose access is prohibited by the University, except for installing, repairing, or checking equipment.
 
 

ARTICLE XII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the most recent version of Robert's Rules of Order Revised shall govern the club in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the constitution of the club.
 
 

ARTICLE XIII - RATIFICATION

Section I - This constitution shall go into effect upon the approval of a majority of the members of the club, and recognition of this organization by the Delaware Undergraduate Student Congress and the Director of the Office of the Perkins Student Center.

Section II - The ratification of this constitution shall render null and void any prior constitution and/or by laws establishing any amateur radio club or similar clubs at the University of Delaware.
 
 

ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS

Section I - This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of all full and associate members.

Section II - Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing at a regular meeting and may not be invoked upon until the next regular meeting following the one during which the proposals are submitted.

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