By-Laws General Motors Amateur Radio Club

Article I - Membership

Section 1.  Eligibility

All persons interested in amateur radio communications, that is the Amateur Radio Service as defined by the Federal Communication, shall be eligible for membership.  Eligibility is defined as employees, retirees, contract employees of General Motors and its wholly owned subsidiaries and immediate family members of the aforementioned.  Immediate family members consisting of spouse, parents, children and siblings.  In addition, student employees are eligible for membership while employed by General Motors or its wholly owned subsidiaries.  If a member becomes ineligible as defined above, they will maintain their membership only through the current year.
(GM affiliation requirement removed 1/21/03)

Section 2.  Voting

Each dues paying member shall be eligible to vote on each matter brought before the membership for a vote.

Voting on major topics such as election of officers/changes in constitution, by-laws shall be determined by a favorable majority of a ballot vote.  This shall be determined by quorum present at the meeting and absentee ballots submitted prior to the next meeting.

Voting on minor topics shall be brought before the general membership at a regular meeting and shall be determined by a majority of a yea/nay vote or show of hands – whichever method the officers decide to use.

Section 3.  Expulsion of members

Any member may be expelled from the organization for misconduct by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at a meeting.  This meeting will take place after the membership has been sent notice stating that there is a motion on the floor to expel a member.  Any such motion must be reviewed by the Board of Directors before being posted.

Misconduct is defined as any willing and repeated infraction of the rules and regulations of the FCC, any other laws pertaining to amateur service, or public misconduct so as to reflect unfavorably upon G.M.A.R.C. or its members.

Section 4.  Honorary Members

The club may, from time-to-time, nominate persons to be Honorary Members.  Persons nominated shall be approved by a two-thirds vote of members present at any General Membership meeting.  Honorary members do not have to be licensed Amateur Radio Operators, but in general, they should represent significant standing in the community, state, or nation by their accomplishments or position to be considered for Honorary Membership.  Honorary members will not be required to pay dues and may not vote as defined in Article I – Section 2.

Article II -  Dues

Section 1.  Dues

The organization, by recommendation by the Board of Directors, and a majority vote of those present at any regular meeting, may levy upon the membership such dues or assessments as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the club organization, within its objectives as set forth in the preamble.

Dues shall be levied on each of the following categories (as defined in Article I Membership, Section 1, Eligibility): all members (other than Honorary Members), and family members or students who wish to have a membership card and vote individually on the business of the club.

The membership period shall extend from January 1 of any given year, through and including December 31 of said year with dues prorated at mid-year.

A member who is in arrears (dues and/or assessments) for a period exceeding six (6) weeks may have his/her membership terminated and will be dropped from the roster.  A member dropped from the roster has no voting privileges and cannot serve as an officer or committee head.

Article III - Officers

Section 1.  Officers

The officers of the organization shall be elected for a term of one year, which shall run January 1 through December 31.  The election meeting shall take place at the December meeting, after nominations at the November meeting.

Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by a special election at the first regular meeting, upon board approval of said vacancy.

Section 2.  Term of Office

The officers of the organization shall be elected for a term of one year, which shall run from January 1 through December 31.  The election meeting shall take place at the December meeting, after nominations at the November meeting.

Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by a special election at the first regular meeting, upon board approval of said vacancy.

Section 3.  Removal of Officers

Officers may be removed from office by a three-fourths vote of the members present at the next scheduled meeting.  This shall be upon written notice to said officer and recommendation of the Board of Directors.

Article IV - Duties of Officers

All officers may enlist volunteer assistants as necessary to fulfill the duties of the office.  All officers are charged with keeping accurate records as may be necessary for their position and turning over to their successor, upon expiration of their term, any and all items belonging to the club.

Section 1.  President

The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization conducting them according to the rules adopted by the club, make appointments to committees, and be responsible for the operation of the organization.  He/she shall oversee all club activities.

Section 2.  Vice President

The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President when he/she is absent and assist the President in the affairs of the club.  The Vice President shall also lend assistance to the Secretary and Treasurer as necessary.

Section 3.  Secretary

The Secretary shall keep all minutes of meetings as deemed necessary, maintain all correspondence for the club, maintain the official membership roster, notify the membership of all communications to the club, and oversee the club Constitution and By-Laws and have the same, with any inquiries by the membership.  He/she shall also be responsible for all membership cards, new member information, and for seeing that each new member receives all information necessary.

Section 4.  Treasurer

The Treasurer shall accept and deposit in the club account, all moneys collected by the club, make disbursements as authorized by the club, and shall be responsible for and keep an accurate record of the financial status of club.  Any disbursement over $100 shall be brought before the next general membership meeting for approval.

Article V - Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer), the immediate past president and two elected members.  They shall be the governing body of the organization and shall meet regularly to determine such policies necessary for the continued growth and welfare of the organization.  If for any reason the past president is unable to serve on the Board of the Directors, an elected member shall take his/her place.

Article VI - Meetings

Section 1.  Regular meetings

Regularly scheduled general membership meetings shall be held at least once each month (except in the months of July and August).  A quorum for the meetings for the transaction of business shall be 20% of the total membership.  Meetings are open to all organization members and escorted guests when accompanied by a current General Motors employee and following all General Motors security regulations.  Only dues paying members in good standing shall have a vote in the proceedings.

Section 2.  Special / Emergency Meetings

The Board of Directors, as deemed necessary, may schedule special or emergency meetings.  Written notice shall be sent to all members at least one (1) week prior to the meeting except in an emergency when the announcement shall be verbal.

Section 3.  Board of Directors Meetings

Board of Directors meetings shall be held at least once each month.  A quorum for the Board of Directors meetings for the transaction of business shall be four (4) board members.  Meetings are open to all organization members.  Only the Board of Directors shall have a vote in proceedings.

Section 4.  Minutes

Minutes of all meetings will be taken by the club Secretary and posted to the club’s Web Site for review by the membership before being approved at a subsequent meeting.

Article VII - Repeater Trustee

The Repeater Trustee shall be appointed, or changed, by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.  He/she shall be responsible for, and maintain proper operation of, the repeater according to the rules of the FCC.  He/she shall appoint and direct technicians and control operators as needed for the proper operation of the repeater.

Article VIII - Committees of the Club

The need for committees shall be determined by the membership through the daily activities of the club.  The President shall appoint or request a volunteer to chair each committee as needed.  Each committee chairperson shall be responsible for appointing assistants or requesting volunteers as needed to complete the work of the committee.

Article IX - Changes to the By-Laws

All changes to the By-Laws shall be accomplished by written proposal presented at a regularly scheduled meeting, and transmitted by electronic means and/or by USPS mailing for the entire membership to review, and return ballot votes the following meeting per Article I, Section 2, Voting.  Absentee ballots will be accepted if mailed to the Secretary of the club and received prior to the meeting at which the ballot is decided.  If a member desires communication only by USPS mail, he must notify the Secretary at the time he pays his membership dues.

Article X - Club Funds

It is the wish of the membership that if the General Motors Radio Club (G.M.A.R.C.) disbands as a club, that all equipment owned by the club be sold.  That all funds from the sale, along with any other funds of the organization, be donated to the organization known as "Handy-Hams".  Said organization is properly named "Courage Handy-Ham System" and is located at 3915 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, MN  55422.

Amendments Adopted by the club October 1993

Amendment I

Membership, Section 1, Eligibility, Second Paragraph

If a member becomes ineligible as defined above, the member can retain membership so long as their dues are current.  If dues are allowed to lapse for one year, the membership is in default and the member shall be dropped from the roster.

Amendment II

Officers, Section 1, Officers

The officers of the organization shall be: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.  The office of President shall be held by a full time General Motors employee only.  All other elected officer positions shall be filled by dues paying members as defined in Article I – Section 1 who are members in good standing and licensed Amateur Radio Operators at the time of election.

LISTING OF COMMITTEES / DIRECTORS

Editor:

The Editor of the club newspaper shall be responsible for the proper write-up and distribution of the club newspaper listing information which may be of concern to the membership.  The club newspaper may be transmitted by electronic means and/or by USPS mailing.

Activities Chairperson:

The Activities Chairperson shall oversee, with the assistance of a chairperson for each activity, all special club activities such as the swap, field day, club picnic, holiday dinner, fox hunt, etc.  Starting new activities or special actives for the club as appropriate.

Program Directors:

The Program Directors shall be responsible to provide a program for the general membership meetings.

Field Day Chairperson:

The Field Day Chairperson shall be responsible for field day, seeing that an appropriate area is found, all permits are obtained, that all stations and special areas have someone to head them, and coordinating equipment.  In the event of a joint club activity, he/she will act as coordinator.

Club Historian:

The Club Historian shall be responsible for keeping a history of the club through any and all means possible; newsletters, pictures, scrapbook, videos.  This should include all club actives and community work.

ARRL Liaison:

The club ARRL Liaison shall be responsible for maintaining a good relationship with ARRL, keeping the club abreast of information coming from ARRL, any books or videos that are available, and reminding the members of the club affiliation and reimbursement.

GMARC By-Laws - Revised:  June 22, 2004