PREAMBLE:

We, the undersigned, wishing to secure for ourselves the pleasures and benefits of the association of persons commonly interested in Amateur Radio, do hereby constitute ourselves the HIAWATHA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB and do enact this Constitution as our governing law.

ARTICLE I: PURPOSE

It shall be our purpose, here after referred to as HARC, to facilitate the exchange of information and general cooperation between members, to promote radio knowledge, fraternalism and individual operating efficiency, and to so conduct club programs and activities as to advance the general interest and welfare of amateur radio in the general community in accordance with the needs of the community and the regulations established by the Federal Communications Commission.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

Sec. 1 - All persons interested in amateur radio shall be eligible for membership. Membership shall be made by application and subject to the terms of the club as provided in the Bylaws. Membership classifications shall be: one adult person, family membership, or minor licensed Amateur (under age 18 with adult permission) if such minor wishes not to fall under family membership. For voting purposes all adult members, licensed amateurs or not, and minor licensed Amateurs (under age 18) may vote, subject to Bylaw conditions.

Sec. 2 - While every effort will be made to consider and accept the ideas and suggestions of all members, whether licensed amateurs or not, neither this document nor any act of this group shall violate any stated rule of the Federal Communications Commission’s Rules Part 97, or that of any other federal, state or local authority.

Sec. 3 - The HARC by majority vote of those members in good standing present at any regular meeting may levy upon the general membership such dues or assessments as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the organization within its object as set forth in the preamble thereof. Dues or assessments (if levied) shall allow for different Membership Classifications amounts and pro-rating of said levy consisting of full levy for application during the first six months of the annual year and one-half of said levy for application during the last six months of the annual year. Dues may be suspended by a majority vote of the members in good standing. The yearly dues, if so enacted, shall be due by the Annual Meeting in September. 

ARTICLE III: ELECTION/REMOVAL of OFFICERS 

Sec. 1 - The officers of this club shall be: A President, a Vice-President, and a Secretary/Treasurer. All officers must have reached the age of majority as determined by Law. 

Sec. 2 - The office of President and Vice-President shall be held by licensed Amateur Radio operators having a minimum of a Technician Class license in good standing with the Federal Communications Commission. 

Sec. 3 - The officers of this club shall be elected for a term of one year by ballot of the members in good standing, whether in person or represented by absentee ballot, provided there be a quorum, at the Annual Meeting in September. Ballots shall be counted by two of the officers present; those two officers shall appoint one additional non-nominated member to assist with the counting of the ballots. Nominations for officers shall start in July and can be submitted in person, in writing, either by hard copy or electronic means, to any officer. Nominations may be made up to the day prior to the election at the September meeting. The list of nominated person(s) shall be made available at the August meeting and on such established Net meetings from that point on till the September election. 

Sec. 4 - No officer shall hold their office for more than two consecutive terms. (The two term limit may be waved on a case by case basis by an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the participants in the election.) 

Sec. 5 - Vacancies occurring between elections may be appointed by a simple majority vote of the officers. In the event of vacancies of all officers, their positions shall be filled by special ballot, at the first regular meeting following the withdrawal or resignations of such officers. Any vacancies filled shall have a term lasting to the next Annual election in September. 

Sec. 6 - Officers may be removed on motion by a two-thirds vote of the members in good standing, whether in person or represented by written absentee ballot.  

ARTICLE IV: OFFICER DUTIES

 Sec. 1 - The President shall preside at and conduct all meetings of this club per Robert’s Rules of Order. The President shall enforce due observance of this Constitution and Bylaws; decide all questions of order; interpret this Constitution; sign all official documents that are adopted by the club, and none other, and perform the duties customary to the office of President.

Sec. 2 - The Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President in the absence of the latter. The Vice-President shall assist the President and other officers. The Vice-President shall oversee any appointed committees on behalf of the club. 

Sec. 3 - The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, keep a roll of members, submit applications for membership, carry on all correspondence, read communications at each meeting, and publish every meeting of the club with at least two weeks’ notice, except when excused by action under the Bylaws. The Secretary/Treasurer shall also receive and make receipt for all monies paid to the club in the amount of 1 (one) dollar or more, and shall keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended. The Secretary/Treasurer shall pay no bills without proper authorization (by the club or its officers constituting a business committee) or as allowed in ARTICLE V, Sec. 2-3. At each business meeting and at the end of each term of office the Secretary/Treasurer shall submit an account balance and itemized statement of disbursements and receipts. At the expiration of the term of office, the outgoing Secretary/Treasurer shall turn over all items belonging to the club to the incoming Secretary/Treasurer or to the President if the vacancy is realized at any time other than at a normal election. It shall be the duty of the Secretary/Treasurer to keep the Constitution and Bylaws of HARC and have the same available at every regular and special meeting. The Secretary/Treasurer shall cause all amendments, changes and additions to be noted thereon and shall permit the same to be consulted by members upon request. 

Sec.4 - The Secretary/Treasurer shall file, in a timely manner, any paperwork required to maintain full operational status of the club in accordance with local, state and federal requirements. Such paperwork might include, but not be limited to, articles of incorporation, 501(C)3, or any paperwork required by any federal, state or local jurisdiction. All Officers shall execute these documents in accordance with all applicable regulations and not unreasonably delay returning them to the Secretary/Treasurer. No vote of the membership is required for payment of taxes or other non-discretionary regulatory fees. 

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS/FINANCES 

Sec. 1 - The Bylaws shall provide for regular monthly meetings and special meetings. Special meetings may be called by any officer, or upon the written request of any five members to any Officer(s). Notices shall be sent to all members in good standing informing them of the special meetings and the business to be transacted. Such notices shall be sent that they arrive at least twenty-four hours prior to the meeting. Only such business listed in the notice shall be acted upon at the special meetings. 

Sec. 2 - At regular meetings, two officers plus four additional members in good standing shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business until such time as the club reaches a total membership of 20 people, at which time the lesser of 12 members in good standing or two-thirds of the 3 month average trailing attendance of members in good standing constitutes a quorum. In either case, such quorum must include at least two officers. Unless otherwise specified, a simple majority vote of those present is required to transact Regular Club Business. Regular Club Business shall be defined as normal expenditures such as payment for insurance or reimbursement to club members for items such as supplies, etc, or other business that customarily would be considered as part of normal club operations. Special Club Business shall be defined as any changes to the Constitution or Bylaws, any major changes to club procedures, or acquisitions or divestitures of club property (whether real or personal), or any single expenditure more than $150. 

Sec. 3 - Except as provided in Article IV, Sec. 4, The Secretary/Treasurer may be instructed to disburse up to $150 for Regular Club Business upon approval of both the President and Vice-President. Disbursing amounts greater than $150 requires prior approval at a Regular or Special Meeting of the members. 

ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS 

Sec. 1 - This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members in good standing providing members in good standing have been given notice of the intent to amend the Constitution. The Bylaws may be amended by a simple majority vote at a regular meeting at which a quorum is present providing members in good standing have been given notice of the intent to amend the Bylaws. Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing at a regular meeting and may not be voted upon until the next regular meeting. Any proposed changes to the Constitution or Bylaws must be communicated to the members in good standing in writing, either by hard copy or electronic means, at least 2 weeks prior to the changes being voted upon by the members in good standing. A quorum may be met and votes cast by absentee ballot or in person. 

ARTICLE VII: INCORPORATION

Sec. 1 - When applicable the HARC shall be organized as a nonprofit, charitable organization subject to section 501(C)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code or any other law that applies to such organization.  Upon organization the Bylaws shall be amended with such code needed to conduct business as such organization. 

ARTICLE VIII: CLUB PROPERTY  

Sec. 1 - Upon the dissolution of HARC, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(C)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. A notice of a special meeting shall be sent to all members and at this special meeting distribution of assets shall be decided by majority vote. 

ARTICLE IX: COMMITTEES  

Sec. 1 - The President shall appoint committees from the membership to carry out HARC projects or functions. 

Sec. 2 - A Communications Committee, when applicable, shall be appointed by the President and be composed of the Trustee, an Officer of the club and 1 member or combinations thereof to include 1 non-officer member. The Communications Committee shall be responsible for the normal operations and maintenance of the club repeater(s). The Communications Committee will establish and enforce repeater rules and guidelines and will serve as control operators of the repeater. The Communications Committee will be responsible for the maintenance, procurement, and general upkeep of all club property. 

ARTICLE X: TRUSTEE  

Sec. 1 - A trustee of the club's callsign and repeater(s) shall be appointed by the Officers of the club. The trustee will be responsible for all the administration of the license under the direction of the Officers. The trustee will be responsible for responding to official and other inquires or actions concerning the license, in cooperation with the Officers of the club. 

   

Adopted: (      Sept 9, 2010       ) 

 Robert A. Dittert N0QIX 

(Robert A. Dittert) President

 Craig A. Rose KC0YHU 

(Craig Rose) Vice-President

 Mike D. Howell KD0ISU 

(Mike Howell) Secretary/Treasurer

Web Page Updated 10/12/2023.

Created September 1, 2010, Amended October 12, 2017

Serving Dallas County, Iowa and the surrounding area.

Hiawatha Amateur  Radio Club