Preamble:
We, the undersigned, wishing to secure for ourselves the benefits of an association of persons commonly interested in Amateur Radio and Public Service, constitute ourselves the MOORE COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (MOCARS) of MOORE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA and enact this Constitution as our governing law. It shall be our purpose to further the exchange of information and cooperation between Club members and the total amateur radio community, to promote radio knowledge, and individual operating efficiency to support the needs of County Government, the Health Department, and the Community by providing communication education, licensing, training exercises, and to conduct club programs and activities as to advance the general interest and welfare of Amateur Radio and our Community. MOCARS is an American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) affiliated organization.
Article I – Membership
- All Licensed Amateur Radio Operators shall be eligible for full membership in MOCARS.
- Non-licensed individuals who are interested in Amateur Radio communications shall be eligible for associate membership in MOCARS and may not vote on election of officers or on expenditures of money.
- Membership shall be by upon such terms as provided in the Club’s By-Laws.
- Membership may not be denied because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status or any other reason that would be biased or prejudicial.
Article II – Officers
Section 1 – Officers
The officers of this Club shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2 – Election of Officers
- Officers shall be elected for a term of one (1) year with terms defined in the By-Laws.
- The election of Officers shall be held during the November monthly meeting or else at the first meeting after November in which a quorum shall be present.
- Votes shall be cast by full members according to the rules in the By-Laws.
Section 3 – Term Limits
- There is no limit on the number of consecutive terms that an individual may serve.
- An officer shall not hold more than one elective office during the same term.
Section 4 – Vacancies
Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by special elections at the first regular meeting following the withdrawal or resignation of an officer.
Section 5 – Eligibility
In order to be an Officer of MOCARS an individual must be an Amateur Radio licensee, a member of MOCARS in good standing for at least one (1) year, and a resident of Moore County, NC.
Section 6 – Resignation
Any officer may resign his/her position by giving a written notice of resignation, along with all Club records and assets in their possession, to another officer.
Section 7 – Removal of Officers
Officers may be removed from office if the voting members have just cause. A written petition of twenty percent (20%) or more of the voting members must be presented to the President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer. The petition shall be verified for accuracy and integrity. After verification the petition shall be presented at the next regular meeting and the voting procedure shall begin.
Removal of an officer requires a three fourths vote of the full voting membership. Votes will be by written ballot with the date and signature of the voting member.
Article III – Duties of Officers
Section 1 – President
- The President shall preside at all meetings, and conduct them according to the rules adopted. He/she shall enforce due observance of this Constitution and By-Laws, decide all questions of order, sign all official documents adopted by the Club, and perform all other duties pertaining to the office of President as defined in the By-Laws.
- The President may appoint committees and coordinators as necessary to care for Club business. The president will serve as an ex-officio member of all committees.
Section 2 – Vice-President
The Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President in his/her absence. In addition, he/she shall organize Club activities, plan and recommend contests for operating benefits, advance Club interest and activity as approved by the Club, and other duties as defined in the By-Laws. He/she shall maintain close liaison with the local ARRL’s ARES® Emergency Coordinator to further Club participation in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service®.
Section 3 – Secretary
The Secretary shall keep a record of the pertinent proceedings of all meetings, keep a roll of members, keep membership applications, carry on all correspondence, and read communications at each meeting as necessary. He/She is to maintain and have available copies of the Constitution, By-Laws, and other necessary documents. At the expiration of his/her term he/she shall turn over all items belonging to the Club to his/her successor.
Section 4 – Treasurer
The Treasurer shall receive and receipt for all monies paid to the Club; keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended; and pay no bills and make no purchases without proper authorization in the By-Laws or by the Club or its Officers constituting the Board. At each meeting, he/she shall give a verbal activity report of the Club’s financial transactions. At the end of his/her term, he/she shall turn over everything in his/her possession belonging to the Club to his/her successor.
Article IV – Board
Section 1 – Membership of Board
The Board shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, all former presidents of the Club who are in good standing and are willing to serve, and such representatives of groups of members who are not residents of Moore County (if any).
Section 2 – Representation of Non-County Residents
If there are six or more members of MOCARS who are not residents of Moore County, those individuals may elect a voting representative who shall serve on the Board to represent their interests. This representative shall serve a one (1) year term subject to the same rule as other Officers.
Section 3 – Quorum of the Board
The majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for Board activities.
Section 4 – Board Activities
The Board may approve of activities and the expenditure of money not to exceed $250 when necessary, but all actions of the Board must be reported to the Club at its next regular meeting.
Article V – Meetings
The By-Laws shall provide for regular and special meetings. At meetings, a minimum of one-third of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all proceedings.
Article VI – Dues
The Club, by majority vote of those present at any regular meeting, may levy upon the general membership dues or assessments as deemed necessary for the business of the organization. Individuals who have not paid dues lose the right to vote or hold office until dues are paid.
Article VII – Membership Assistance
It shall be the goal of the Club to provide education and training to members to acquire their Amateur Radio license. The Club shall also provide assistance in the selection, proper installation, and correct operating procedures of Amateur Radio equipment.
Article VIII – Club Call Sign
- MOCARS has been assigned the call sign NC4ML by the FCC according to FCC rules Part 97.
- The President shall assign trusteeship of the Club Call Sign.
- The trustee shall:
- Be a member of the Club in good standing,
- Meet FCC requirements,
- Not have had his/her Radio Amateur license revoked or sanctioned at any time.
Article IX – American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
Section 1.
The Club is and will remain an affiliated Club of the ARRL. In order to retain this affiliation, the Club must maintain the ARRL’s minimum Club membership requirement.
Section 2.
The Club will abide by the Rules and Regulations of the current ARRL’s Field Organization and by ARRL policies, rules, and guidelines contained in ARRL publications.
Section 3.
Individual membership in ARRL is encouraged but not required for Club membership.
Article X – Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) & Skywarn
The Club will encourage involvement in ARES, Skywarn, and their local functions; however, involvement is not required for Club membership.
Article XI – Dissolution of the Club
Section 1. Termination of Operations
In the event that the Officers vote that the Club should be dissolved, the motion for dissolution must receive more than two thirds vote of the full membership to pass. Voting will be by written ballot, signed and dated, and presented to an Officer for tabulation.
Section 2. Disposition of Assets
In the event that the Club is dissolved, the Board shall handle the disbursement of all assets of the Club. An attempt should be made to return any donated equipment or property to the original donator. No Club member shall receive benefits from dissolution. Other assets shall be dispersed as defined in the By-Laws.
Article XII – Amendments
Section 1. Constitution
- This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the total membership.
- Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing and posted in the Club Newsletter with an explanation of the change and the date of the vote.
- The votes will take place at a regular business meeting and will be considered priority business.
- If a member cannot be present at the meeting, a signed and dated absentee ballot may be presented to any member of the Board before the meeting.
Section 2. By-Laws
- The president shall appoint a By-Laws committee each year to maintain a body of By-Laws to govern the day-to-day operations of the Club.
- Initial By-Laws will require approval by a majority of members present. Subsequent changes to By-Laws will require the same voting procedures as those to amend the constitution. The votes will take place at a regular business meeting and will be considered priority business.
- Proposals shall be submitted in writing and posted in the Club Newsletter with an explanation and the date of the vote.
- If a member cannot be present at the meeting, a signed and dated absentee ballot may be presented to any member of the Board before the meeting.