The Amateur Radio Club at Yale - W1YU
Constitution [as amended December 5, 2006]
Preamble: We, the undersigned, wishing to secure for ourselves the pleasures and benefits of an association of persons in the wider Yale University community interested in Amateur Radio, constitute ourselves The Amateur Radio Club at Yale - W1YU and enact this Constitution as our governing law. It shall be our purpose to further the exchange of information and cooperation between members, to promote radio knowledge, fellowship, 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 community. Further, it is our purpose to be registered as a Yale University Organization, and to provide educational and other services related to radio communications and technology to the University community.
Membership: Article I
All members of the Yale community interested in Amateur Radio communications shall be eligible for membership. Two classes of membership are available: Full Membership, and Associate Membership. Membership shall be by application and election upon such terms as the Club shall provide in its By-Laws.
Officers: Article II
Sec. 1. The officers of the Club shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Station Trustee. Each officer must be a a current Yale employee or Yale student.
Sec. 2. The officers of this Club shall be elected by the Full Members for a term of one year, according to the procedures specified in the By-Laws.
Sec. 3. Vacancies occurring between elections shall be filled according to the procedures specified in the By-Laws.
Sec. 4. Officers may be removed upon an appropriate vote of the Full Members, according to the procedures specified in the By-Laws.
Duties of Officers: Article III
Sec. 1. The President shall preside at all meetings, and conduct them according to the rules adopted. The President 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. The President shall also be the principal contact with Yale University and the academic departments, and, together with the Station Trustee, shall be responsible for observance of University regulations.
Sec. 2. The Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President in the President's absence. In addition, the Vice-President shall organize Club activities and manage relations with the ARRL and other amateur radio organizations and clubs.
Sec. 3. The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, keep a roll of members, submit membership applications, carry on all correspondence, read communications at each meeting, and mail or e-mail meeting notices to each member. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the Constitution and By-Laws of the Club and have a copy on hand at every meeting. The Secretary shall note all amendments, changes and additions on the Constitution and shall permit it to be consulted by members upon request. When leaving office, the Secretary shall turn over all items belonging to the Club to his or her successor.
Sec. 4. The Treasurer shall receive and receipt for all monies paid to the Club; keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended; pay no bills without proper authorization (by the Club or its officers constituting a business committee). Twice each year, the Treasurer shall submit an itemized statement of disbursements and receipts. When leaving office, the Treasurer shall turn over all items belonging to the Club to his or her successor.
Sec. 5. The
Station Trustee shall be a licensed radio amateur who holds the Club
station license (W1YU) as Trustee under the authority of the Federal
Communications Commission. The Station Trustee shall oversee the
station to ensure that it is constructed and operated according to
FCC regulations.
Meetings: Article IV
The By-Laws shall provide for regular and special meetings. At meetings, a minimum of twenty-five percent of the Resident Full Membership, or three Resident Full Members (whichever is greater) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Dues: Article V
The Club, by majority vote of Full Members present at any regular meeting, may levy upon the membership such dues or assessments as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the organization, and as provided for in the By-Laws.
Membership Assistance: Article VI
The Club, through designated individuals or committees, will provide technical advice to members concerning equipment design and operation to assist in frequency observance, clean signals, uniform practice, and absence of spurious radiation from Club member-stations. Similarly, the Club will support education and licensing of prospective radio amateurs, and will communicate Club activities and interests to the general public.
Amendments: Article VII
This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Full Membership. Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing at a regular meeting and shall be voted on at the next following regular meeting, provided all members have been notified by mail or e-mail of the intent to amend the Constitution and/or By-Laws at the designated meeting. Robert's Rules shall govern proceedings.
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1. Membership.
Membership is available in two classes:
a. Full Membership is available to licensed radio amateurs, who are members of the wider Yale Community. The Yale Community includes present Yale students, staff, and faculty, including post-doctoral fellows and visiting appointees. It also includes alumni of Yale University, retirees, and former staff members.
b. Associate Membership is available to non-licensed persons in the Yale community, including the spouse or dependent child of a member of the Yale community.
Full Membership includes all Club privileges including use of Club facilities (subject to license grade), as well as rights to hold a Club office and to vote for Club officers. Associate Membership includes all Club privileges except for the right to vote or hold office. Associate Members may make use of Club facilities, under the immediate supervision of a Full Member and as permitted by FCC regulations. Applications for membership shall be submitted at regular meetings.
2. Meetings. Regular meetings shall normally be held on first Tuesday in October, December, February, April, and June. Meeting dates may be adjusted by up to one week by the President to minimize conflicts with the academic calendar, but such adjustments must be announced by e-mail or other means to the membership with two weeks advance notice. Special meetings may be called by the President upon the written request of any five Full Members. Notices shall be sent by e-mail or other means to all members concerning special meetings and the business to be transacted. Only such business as designated shall be transacted. Such notices shall be sent so that they arrive not less than one week before the meeting.
Informal meetings are encouraged at any convenient time over the air, via Echolink or other means.
3. Dues. Regular annual dues of $20 per non-student member are hereby assessed in accordance with the provisions of Article V of the Constitution for the purpose of providing funds for expenses. Current students of Yale University are assessed $10 per year. All dues are payable at the October meeting of each year or at the time a new member enrolls in the Club. If a continuing member's dues are unpaid by the December meeting, that member shall be designated inactive and lose Club privileges. If dues are unpaid for one year or more, the member shall be removed from the rolls.
4. Station Committee. A Station Committee shall be designated by vote of the Full Members with the responsibility for all on-Campus operating activities, including obtaining space, constructing a station and antennas, and coordinating with the Yale Administration and appropriate Yale departments. The President and Station Trustee shall be ex-officio members of the Station Committee. The Chairperson of the Station Committee shall be a current Yale employee, student, or faculty member.
5. Election of Officers. A slate of officers shall be nominated at the regular April Club meeting. Officers shall be elected at the regular June Club meeting. Non-Resident Full Members may send their votes by mail or e-mail to the Club Secretary at any time in the week preceding the June meeting.
6. Officer Vacancies. If the office of President shall be vacated due to resignation or removal prior to the regular annual election of officers, the Vice President will become President. If any other officer resigns or is removed prior to the regular annual election of officers, the President may appoint a successor for the unexpired term.
7. Removal of Officers. An officer may be removed from his or her position for any reason by vote of the Club at a regular or special meeting, provided all members have been notified by mail or e-mail of the intent to remove the officer at the designated meeting.
8. Alumni / Retiree Committee. The President shall appoint a full Club member who is a Yale alumnus (preferably) or a Yale retiree or former employee as Chairperson of an Alumni Committee. The Chairperson will coordinate and encourage a strong relationship between Yale ham alumni and former employees and on-campus members of the Club.
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