CONSTITUTION

AND

BY-LAWS

OF THE

LUBBOCK AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, INC.

A Texas Non-Profit Corporation
LUBBOCK, TEXAS

CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE:

          We, the undersigned, being desirous to secure for ourselves the pleasures and benefits of the association of persons commonly interested in Amateur Radio, provide communication in the public interest, develop individual proficiency, and in general promote Amateur Radio, do hereby constitute ourselves the LUBBOCK AMATEUR RADIO CLUB and do enact this Constitution as our governing law.

ARTICLE I

MEMBERSHIP:

          Section 1

 — All persons interested in Amateur Radio shall be eligible for one of the two (2) classifications of membership. These classes of membership  being: Active Membership and Associate Membership.

          Section 2

— Active members must hold a valid Amateur Radio License issued by the Federal Communications Commission. Only Active members shall be eligible to vote for officers and Constitution or By-laws revisions, to participate in the Privileged Access Program or to hold office.

BOARD:

          Section 1

 — The Board shall consist of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and the President, who shall be members with voice and vote, each duly elected by the membership.

          Section 2

— No two members of the same household may serve on the board concurrently.

          Section 3

— All elections shall be by a majority of eligible votes present provided a quorum is present.

          Section 4

— Vacancies of Board members must be filled at the next regular meeting.

          Section 5

— A Board member or the President may be removed from office on a motion by three-fourths (75%) vote of the Active members.

          Section 6

— The Board shall meet at least quarterly or on call from the Chairman.

          Section 7

— The terms of all officers and directors shall be for a period of two (2) years and shall be elected on the following schedule:
President two (2) year term elected on even years;
Secretary two (2) year term elected on odd years;
Treasurer two (2) year term elected on even years;
Vice chairman two (2) year term elected on odd years;
Chairman two (2) year term elected on odd years;

          Section 8

— The terms of office shall run from October First to the last day of September ..

          Section 9

— Newly elected officers will be announced during the first club meeting in September. The period between announcement and installation shall serve as a transition period to allow the newly elected officers to become acquainted with the duties and responsibilities of the office.

          Section 10

— NOMINATIONS
A Nominating Committee consisting of at least three (3) members in good standing shall be appointed by the Board at the first meeting in June to select nominees for the offices of Chairman, President, Vice-chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Nominating Committee shall submit to the Board nominees from a list of members in good standing for each of the Officers and Directors to be elected for the ensuing
year.
 
The names of the nominees for each position shall be revealed at the August regular business meeting. Additional nominees may be made from the floor by any member in good standing for any positions to be elected during the meeting. Any member nominated from the floor must be contacted and such nominee must agree to serve before that name is placed on a ballot.

          Section 11

— Voting will be by a simple majority of eligible voting members present at the regular September LARC meeting provided a quorum is present.

ARTICLE II

DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS:

          Section 1

— Chairman of the Board – Shall preside over all Board meetings. The Chairman of the board will act as Trustee for LARC. The President will be the secondary trustee in the event the Chairman’s position is vacant.

          Section 2

— The Vice-chairman shall perform the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the President to serve. He shall perform such duties as may be assigned to him by the President.

          Section 3

— Secretary – Shall keep a written record of the proceedings of all meetings, keep a roll of members, submit applications for membership, carry on all correspondence, and read communications at each meeting. He or she, shall at the expiration of his/her term, turn over everything in his/her possession belonging to the club to his/her successor.

          Section 4

— Treasurer – Shall receive and give a receipt for all monies paid to the club. He/She shall keep an account of all monies received and expended. He/She shall pay no bills without proper authorization as set forth in the By-laws. At the end of each quarter At each Official Business Meeting or Board Meeting during the months of January, April, and October, he/she shall, at that time, submit an itemized
account of disbursements and receipts and provide a copy of the most current bank statement for review. He/She shall notify members and post a monthly list of dues payable. He/She shall at the expiration of his/her term, turn over everything in his/her possession belonging to the club to his/her successor.

          Section 5

— President – Shall preside at all meetings of this Club and conduct the same according to the rule adopted. He/She shall enforce due observance of this Constitution and By-laws, decide all questions of order, and perform all customary duties pertaining to the office of President. The President, with the consent of the Board, shall appoint committee chairpersons.

ARTICLE III

MEETINGS:

          Section 1

—A quorum shall consist of 1/3 of the voting members including at least one Board
member.

ARTICLE IV

DUES:

          Section 1

—Dues shall be paid annually, at the February meetings, and nonpayment of such dues shall be cause for expulsion from the club. Membership for a fraction of a year shall be assessed according to the policy to be established by the Board.

ARTICLE V

AMENDMENTS:

          Section 1

—The Constitution and By-laws of the club may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote at any meeting, provided there be a quorum. Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing at any meeting and may not be voted on until the next regular or special meeting.

ARTICLE VI

RULES:

          Section 1

— Roberts Rules of Order shall prevail in all proceedings of this club.

BY-LAWS

SECTION 1 — MEMBERSHIPS

        (A)

Any person interested in Amateur Radio shall be eligible for ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP. ACTIVE MEMBERS must hold a valid Amateur Radio License issued by the Federal Communications Commission.

        (B)

Membership for associate or active status shall be by application and acceptance at any meeting by a majority vote, provided there be a Quorum. The club may vote to authorize the Treasurer to accept membership after checking the applicant’s Amateur Radio License and accepting payment of the first year’s dues.

        (C)

Any person interested in Amateur Radio shall be eligible for an Associate Membership. An Associate Member is entitled to all privileges, except he may not vote or hold office.

        (D)

Termination of Membership:

1. Termination for all reasons other than described in 2.a. below, shall be by motion of two-thirds (2/3) vote of the voting Membership, at any meeting provided there be a Quorum.
 
          a. Nothing herein contained shall preclude the Board from expelling a member, upon good cause shown and after notice and an opportunity to be heard.
 
          b. Termination of Active Members, Board Members, or the President shall be proposed at an Official Meeting and voted upon at the next Official Meeting, for cause identified under Section 1, E, 2, b, or c.

2. Cause for Termination of Membership:

          a. Membership may be terminated for witnessed acts of violence or threats of violence, by a majority vote of the Board at any Board meeting.

          b. No member shall, without prior approval of the Board, represent or obligate the club, or any other member, in any fashion. Violation of this rule shall be cause for automatic review of membership rights.

          c. Membership may be terminated for the nonpayment of dues.

 

SECTION 2 — SECRETARY

It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the Constitution and By-laws of the Lubbock Amateur Radio Club and have the same with him at every regular meeting and special meeting. He/She shall cause all amendments, changes and additions to be voted thereon, and shall permit same to be consulted by members upon request.

 

SECTION 3 — TREASURER

Authorization for all expenditures will be by majority vote of the Board. All checks must be co-signed by any two Board members. Deposits of club funds must be made within two weeks of receipt of said funds.

 

SECTION 4 — MEETINGS

Regular meetings shall be held on a date determined by the Board and ratified by the membership in regular business session.

 

SECTION 5 — PRIVILEGED ACCESS PROGRAM

Active members in good standing may apply for the Privileged Access Program. Upon Board approval the member shall be entitled to full access the facilities and equipment of the Club. This shall include:
         
          Access to all gate and door codes.
          Access to the radio shack.
          Access to the club house and the test equipment.
 
In the event the member terminates his/her membership or has said membership revoked by action f the Board, the member will agree to return all RFID cards and fobs. Acceptance into the program will require the member to accept such terms and limitations as may be imposed by the Board.

 

SECTION 6 — ALCOHOL

The LARC clubhouse and the surrounding property shall be an alcohol-free zone. The open consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages shall be forbidden.

 

SECTION 7 — FIREARMS

Members attending meetings, or any other activity associated with the Lubbock Amateur Radio Club or any of its associated organizations or individuals shall observe all applicable state and federal laws concerning the carry, display or possessions of firearms to include concealed carry and open carry as defined by the State of Texas.

 

SECTION 8 — SMOKING

The interior of the club house shall be declared a non-smoking zone. Members may smoke on the exterior portions of the buildings provided they respect the rights of other members and the property by properly disposing of all spent smoking materials.
Adopted March, 1980
Amended December, 2005
Amended February, 2010
Amended January, 2011
Amended April 26, 2011
Amended December, 2018