SUWANNEE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB BYLAWS

Article I General

1.01 Name. The name of the organization is the SUWANNEE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB (the "SARC")

1.02 Purposes. The SARC is organized for the charitable, educational and scientific purposes which without limitation include:

A To provide disaster relief and public service in the public interest

B To maintain the ability to furnish emergency communications services for Suwannee County and municipal agencies or such charitable organizations during times of emergencies or distress as designated by our County emergency manager

3. To provide instruction and training of individuals to develop or improve skills as amateur radio operators,
4. To provide open meetings for the discussion of amateur radio related and allied topics,
5. To promote basic and applied research and instruction and dissemination of technical information and,

1.03 Limitations.

1. The foregoing purposes are limited to the extent that they must constitute charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. No part of the net earnings of the SARC shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, officers, directors, or other private persons, except that the SARC shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and make payments and distributions in furtherance of its purposes as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation and paragraph 1.02 above.
2. Notwithstanding of any other provisions of these Bylaws, no substantial part of the activities of the SARC shall be the carrying of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the SARC shall not participate in, or intervene in the (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. The SARC shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on:
1. by any organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or by corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or
2. by organizations to which contributions are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Article II Membership

2.01 Eligibility. SARC Membership is open to anyone having an interest in Amateur Radio.

2.02 Membership Process. Membership in the SARC shall be granted upon submission of a completed membership application, together with appropriate dues by the start of the March meeting.

2.03 Membership Types. Membership privileges and dues are as follows:

1. Full Member. A full member shall be any FCC licensed amateur radio operator who does not fall under the special provision of an associate or student membership.
2. Student Member. A student member shall be any FCC licensed amateur radio operator who is currently enrolled as a full time student and is 18 years of age or younger.
3. Associate Member. an associate member shall be any person maintaining SARC membership to support the SARC but who does not have voting rights.

2.04 Maintaining Membership. To maintain membership in the SARC, a member must have paid dues for the current year and must abide by the Bylaws as determined by the Board of Directors.

2.05 Removal of Members. Any member may be expelled from the SARC by a two-thirds majority vote at a regular membership meeting. The member in question must have been notified, by the Board of Directors, of the intent of an expulsion vote and of the date that the vote is to be taken. The member shall be allowed to defend his or her position to the SARC membership prior to the vote.

2.06 Voting Rights. Full members and student members shall have the right to vote on all matters brought before the membership. Associate members do not have voting rights.

2.07 Family Privileges. FCC Licensed spouses of full, and student members shall receive the same privileges as the primary member upon request

2.08 Amateur Radio Class Attendees. Non-Members enrolled in classes given by the SARC, receive associate membership privileges until such time as they pass the FCC Technician or higher class test, at which time they receive full membership for the remainder of the year in which the class was held.

2.09 Dues Annual dues shall be payable by members no later than March 1. Failure to pay dues by this date shall cause the delinquent member to be considered inactive for a period not exceed 12 months, after which time he/she shall be dropped from the SARC roster. Full dues paid at time during the inactive year shall reinstate the delinquent member to full active membership.

1. Full Member Dues. Dues for full members shall be $20.00 per year, or prorated at $1.65 a month for new members (those joining after March 1 of the current year). Dues for full members who are over 65 years of age, retired or disabled may be waved by the membership.
2. Family Member Dues. Dues for a family membership shall be $30.00 per year, or prorated at $2.50 a month for new members (those joining after March 1 of the current year.
3. Student Member Dues. Dues for student members shall be $10.00 per year.
4. Associate Member Dues. Dues for associate members shall be $10.00 per year.

2.10 Personal Radio Operations. The SARC shall not attempt to govern the actions of its members in the operation of their personal radio stations.

2.11 Members agree, all Emergency deployments of amateurs shall be under the direction of the Emergency Manager or their designee.

Article III Officers

3.01 Positions. Officers of the SARC shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Education Director, Newsletter Editor and Communications Director. These officers shall constitute the Board of Directors and shall carry out all the duties of officers and directors as defined by laws and by the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws.

1. President. The President shall serve as chairperson of all meetings. He/She shall also represent or appoint a person to represent the SARC at non-SARC functions. He/She is empowered to establish committees to perform special functions.
2. Vice President. The Vice President shall chair SARC meetings in the absence of the president. He/She shall serve as program coordinator for all membership meetings. It is the vice presidents duty to arrange all details of both regular and called meetings and to advise the membership of such meetings through the SARC secretary. He/She shall endeavor to promote amateur radio and the SARC through coverage of special activities by local and area media.
3. Secretary. The secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings and any called meetings. He/She shall at the discretion of the president, carry out any correspondence that may be required on behalf of the SARC. He/She shall also maintain a membership roll and attendance records.
4. Treasurer. The treasurer shall receive and disburse all SARC moneys. He/She shall maintain accurate records of all SARC finances and shall submit a detailed report to the membership not less than once each quarter. A budget for the SARC Fiscal year will be formulated by the treasurer and approved by the SARC membership. Disbursements for normal SARC operation expenses not exceeding $200.00, or those items authorized in the approved budget, may be made the treasurer on approval of the Board of Directors. All other disbursements shall be approved by the membership.
5. Education Director. The education director shall be responsible for all classes given by the SARC. This includes license classes and technical classes for the membership.
6. Newsletter Editor. The newsletter editor shall be responsible for the publishing of the SARC newsletter, He/She is required to abide by these bylaws governing publication of the newsletter (see Article IV, below).
7. Communications Director. The communications director shall be responsible for the operation of the SARC radio station and other SARC equipment. He/She shall see that the SARC equipment is maintained always in a state of readiness and repair (if required for emergency communications).

3.02 Qualifications of Officers. A Member of the SARC may serve as an officer provided He/She holds a valid amateur radio license. Both the vice president and communications director must hold a valid technician or higher class license. To hold the office of president a member must have been a member for at least one ( 1) year prior to the time of election, and hold a General or higher class license.

3.03 Elections. Officers shall be elected at the March membership meeting.

1. Office Term. The term of office for all officers shall be one (1) year. The president and vice president may not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.
2. Surrender of Office. On outgoing officer shall surrender all SARC Property to the newly elected officer.
3. Incomplete Term. If an officer becomes unable or ineligible to complete the term of office, a special election shall be held at the next regular meeting to fill the remaining term of office.

3.04 Station Trustee. A trustee of the SARC radio station will be appointed by the board of directors and approved by a majority vote at a regular membership meeting.

Article IV Newsletter

4.01 General. A SARC newsletter shall be published monthly for distribution to the active membership and reciprocation clubs.

4.02 Purpose. The newsletter shall provide notice of meetings, notice of club activities, and carry only articles of general interest to the hobby of amateur radio.

4.03 Advertisements. Advertisements in the SARC newsletter shall be at the discretion of the board of directors. All advertising copy must be approved by the board of directors before publication.

Article V SARC Radio Station

5.01 General The SARC radio station shall be under direction of the Communications Officer, and shall be maintained for use of all licensed SARC members.

5.02 Operation Policy. The station shall operate in compliance with the FCC rules and regulations and existing SARC rules at the time.

5.03 Station Operating Policy. The latest issue of the ARRL OPERATORS Guide shall be used as the basis for operating procedure.

Article VI Meeting Procedures

6.01 Quorum. The voting members present at any regular meeting shall be considered a quorum for conducting ordinary business and changing the bylaws.

6.02 Meeting Chair. All meetings shall be carried out by the president, in his absence, the vice president. If both are absent the meeting may be chaired by any other member of the board of directors.

6.03 Minutes. Minutes of all meetings shall be recorded by the secretary. If the secretary is not in attendance, the chairman will appoint a temporary secretary before proceeding with SARC business.

6.04 Rules of Order. All proceedings of the SARC shall be generally governed by ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER, newly revised.

6.05 Committees. Committees may be appointed from time to time as the need arises. Committee appointments shall be made by the president and must be approved by the board of directors.

6.06 Voting by Mail. Voting on specific issues by mail, when allowed by the board of directors, shall be conducted according to ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER. Mail ballots shall not be opened until balloting takes place.

6.07 Proxy Voting. Proxy voting is not allowed.

Article VII ARES® Code of Conduct

The Suwannee District, Suwannee County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Code of Conduct

ARES members are the personification of Amateur Radio to the public and to our governmental and quasi-governmental agencies whom we serve. As such, we have elected to publish guidelines under which we expect ARES registered volunteers will operate. Although these are not conditions for participation, we strongly encourage each ARES member to abide by these standards.

7.01. ARES members will conduct themselves with respect and courtesy to those whom we serve. We will be listeners and communicators.

7.002. ARES members will not act as or be perceived as agents or employees of the agencies whom we serve. We are a serving agency and have no authority to act on behalf of the agency.

7.033. ARES members will not use profanity, vulgar language or language or expressions which may be considered derogatory when in public.

7.04. ARES members will not park in restricted areas, unless specifically authorized or invited to do so by the agencies we serve.

7.05. ARES members will not use flashing lights while vehicles are underway, since it is illegal in the State of Florida. Use of flashing yellow lights is permitted only when vehicles are stationary for the purposes of collision avoidance. If in doubt, please inquire with Net Control and they will request clarification from the EOC.

7.066. ARES members will not solicit contributions or gifts, merchandise or services from any individuals or businesses while using the name of local EOC's or the phrase Emergency Services. All solicitations using the name of Emergency Management (or associated, related names) must be approved in writing by those associated agencies, in advance. No ARES member (including ARES leadership) is authorized to use the name of the agencies without their prior written permission.

7.07. ARES members will not use the logos or identifying marks of the agencies that we serve without prior approval in writing by those agencies.

7.08. Prospective ARES members who are convicted felons will not be accepted into the organization.

7.099. All prospective ARES members must be able to pass their respective County EOC credentialing requirements. These requirements are not negotiable.

Article VIII Amendments to Bylaws.

Notice of proposed changes to these Bylaws must be published immediately prior to a meeting where voting on the proposed change(s) will occur, a two-thirds majority of the voting members present at the meeting shall be required to pass a proposed amendment.

Article IX Most Importantly:

HAVE FUN. !!!