HARDEE AMATEUR RADIO GROUP

CONSTITUTION

The name of this club shall be the Hardee Amateur Radio Group (hereafter referred to as HARG or the club) and its principal location of operation will be 404 W. Orange Street, Wauchula, FL 33873-2831.

ARTICLE II PURPOSE

The purpose for which this club is formed is to promote and support the Hardee County Amateur Radio Emergency Services and its served agencies primarily: Hardee County Emergency Management and Manatee County American Red Cross, which administers the American Red Cross program in Hardee County. Also the Hardee Amateur Radio Group shall also in accordance with the objectives stated in Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 97.1, which govern the Amateur Radio Service, shall also advance skills in both the communications and technical phases of the art, and to continue to enhance international good will.

SECTION II -    The PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY-TREASURER shall be elected for a term of one year by ballot of the members present
the November meeting. The STATION TRUSTEE is considered elected for an indefinite period of time and does not have to stand for election each year.

SECTION III -    The club may, at the discretion of the membership, split the SECRETARY-TREASURER position among two separate people, thus creating a separate SECRETARY and TREASURER positions. When two persons are used to carry out this office, each one will be an officer of the club. This provision is subject to renewal at the annual elections held at the November meeting.

SECTION IV -    Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by special elections at the first regular meeting following the withdrawal or                                  resignation.

SECTION V -     Officers may be removed by two-thirds vote of the membership.

ARTICLE V DUTIES OF OFFICERS

SECTION I -     The PRESIDENT shall preside at all meetings of this club, and conduct the same according to the rules adopted. He shall
enforce due observance of this Constitution and By-Laws, decide all questions of order, sign all official documents that are adopted by the club, and none other, and perform all other customary duties pertaining to the office of President.

SECTION II -     The VICE PRESIDENT shall assume all the duties of the President in the absence of the latter.

SECTION III -   SECTION III -     The SECRETARY-TREASURER shall keep the Constitution and By-Laws of the club and have the same with him at every meeting. Heshall cause all amendments, changes, and additions to the Constitution and/or the By-Laws to be noted thereon and shall permit the same to be consulted by members upon request. He shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, keep a roll of the membership, submit applications for membership, carry on all correspondence, read communications at each meeting, and mail written notices to each member when needed. He shall receive all money paid to the club and pay all bills the club has received as set forth in the by-laws. At each meeting, he shall submit an itemized statement of disbursements and receipts. He shall at the expiration of his term turn over everything in his possession belonging to the club to his successor.

SECTION IV     The STATION TRUSTEE shall hold the amateur radio club station license in trust. He shall at all times have complete control of the transmitting station for which the license is obtained and the specific premises upon which all the station apparatus is to be located.

ARTICLE VI THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION I -     The Board of Directors shall be composed of the PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY-TREASURER, STATION TRUSTEE, and one or more Directors. The number of Directors shall be set forth in the by-laws.

SECTION II -    The Hardee County ARES Emergency Coordinator and the Hardee County Emergency Manager will also be invited to serve as an honorary members of the Board of Directors to provide continuity between Hardee County ARES, Hardee County Emergency Management, and HARG. Their service to the board is desired, but entirely optional. These honorary members do not have voting privileges.

The By-Laws shall provide for regular and special meetings. All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.

ARTICLE VII DUES

The club, by majority vote of those present at any regular meeting, may levy upon the full membership of the club, dues or assessments. Such dues or assessments as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the organization within its objects as set forth in the purpose. Non-payment of such dues or assessments shall be cause for revocation of full membership status.

ARTICLE VIII AMENDMENTS

This Constitution or the By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting membership in attendance at a regular membership meeting. Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing at a regular meeting and shall be voted on at the next regular meeting, provided all members have been notified by mail of the intent to amend the Constitution and/or By-Laws at said meeting.

ARTICLE IX INITIAL ORGANIZATION

Upon ratification of this Constitution and By-Laws by the charter members of the club the membership shall nominate, vote, and install the officers of club, that are normally elected, to serve until the next annual election to be held at the November meeting.

This constitution for the Hardee Amateur Radio Group is hereby ratified approved on this

______________ Day of __________________ 2007.

VICE PRESIDENT _____________________________________

SECRETARY/TREASURER ______________________________

BY-LAWS

• ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP - All Hardee County ARES Members are hereby granted Associated membership in this organization, if they so choose, when they apply to be members of Hardee County ARES. Also anyone with a sincere interest in amateur radio may become an associate member. Associate members have no voting privileges.

• FULL MEMBERSHIP – Only those with a valid amateur radio license are eligible to be Full Members. Only Full members have voting privileges. Must be sponsored for full membership by another member of the club with full membership status. Two-thirds of the voting membership present shall approve the applicant before they shall be elected to full membership.

• HONORARY MEMBERSHIP – Must be nominated by a full member of the club and have provided special service to the club. Two-thirds of the voting membership present shall approve the applicant before they shall be elected to honorary membership. The terms of honorary membership shall be stated as part of the nomination to honorary membership.

2. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Board of Directors shall govern the daily operational affairs of the club in between regular club meetings. Any expenditure up to $200 must require the approval of the Board of Directors and any expenditures of over $200 must be approved by the Board of Directors and must be submitted to a regular membership meeting for approval. The Board may approve a petty cash fund, not to exceed $25 to allow the Secretary-Treasurer to pay miscellaneous expenses of the club. A report of the disbursements of the petty cash fund shall also be present in the monthly Treasurers report. A minimum of two board members shall be required to sign all checks of disbursement as issued by the Secretary-Treasurer.

3. MEETINGS. Regular meeting shall be held on the last Monday of every month at such time and place as the PRESIDENT shall order. Special meetings may be called by the PRESDIENT. Notices shall be sent to members concerning special meetings and the business to be transacted. Such notices shall be sent so that they shall arrive not less that 24 hours before meeting time. Such notices shall be written and sent by U.S. Mail, hand delivered or electronic mail (email).

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