Rio ARC Constitution

Last updated June 11, 2024

Preamble: The Rio Amateur Radio Club (Rio ARC) is a non-profit organization, promoting all aspects of the art of amateur radio communications for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs who are duly authorized persons interested in radio technique, solely without personal gain and without pecuniary interest. The Rio ARC serves the public interest of the community of Harlingen, Texas and surrounding communities, and the United States.

The Rio ARC is organized to provide educational opportunities for licensed amateur radio operators and others intending to become licensed amateurs and to provide opportunities to conduct and learn from technical investigations and experimentation in electronics and radio communication, so that effective operation of amateur radio stations will occur both in and out of emergency communications situations.

Article I Membership:
 All persons interested in Amateur Radio communications shall be eligible for membership. Membership shall be by written or verbal application and election upon such terms as the Rio ARC shall provide in its 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 :
The Officers section should be given careful consideration as these are the people who will be empowered to make decisions and effective policies for Rio ARC. 
Section 1. Officers: 
The officers of Rio ARC shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. 
Section 2. Election: 
The officers of Rio ARC shall be elected for a term of one year by ballot of the members present, provided there be a quorum, at the annual meeting 
Section 3. Term Limits:
An individual may not hold the same office for more than two terms and may not serve more than three consecutive terms as an officer. An individual may not hold more than one 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. 
Section 5.Eligibility:
 In order to hold an office an individual must be a member in good standing for at least one year and hold a valid Amateur Radio license.
 Section 6.Resignation:
 Any officer may resign his/her position in writing at which time all records and assets of Rio ARC will be turned over to the President or Vice-President. 
Section 7. Removal of Officers: 
Officers may be removed from office for cause, upon written petition of four (4) or more members presented to the President or Vice President. After investigation, the petition will be presented to the membership at the next regular meeting of Rio ARC and voted on by the membership. Removal of an officer requires a three-fourths vote of the full membership.  

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 Rio ARC, and perform all other duties pertaining to the office of President. 
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 Rio ARC activities, plan and recommend contests for operating benefits, and advance Rio ARC's interest and activity as approved by Rio ARC. He/she shall maintain close liaison with the local ARRLs. The Vice President will also maintain open communication with the local Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) to ensure the readiness status of the RIO Amateur Radio Club. 
Section3. Secretary: 
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 written meeting notices to each member. At the expiration of his/her term, he/she shall turn over all items belonging to Rio ARC to his/her successor. 
Section 4. Treasurer: 
The Treasurer shall receive and receipt all monies paid to Rio ARC; keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended; pay no bills without proper authorization (by Rio ARC or its officers constituting a business committee). At the end of each quarter, he/she shall submit an itemized statement of disbursements and receipts. At the end of his/her term, he/she shall turn over everything in his/her possession belonging to Rio ARC to his/her successor.  

Article IV 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 proceedings.  

Article V Dues :
The Rio ARC, by a majority vote of those 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. Non-payment of such dues or assessments shall be cause for expulsion from Rio ARC within the discretion of the membership.  

Article VI Membership Assistance :
The Rio ARC, through designated interference, Public Relations, and Operating 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 Rio ARC member stations. The Rio ARC shall also maintain a program to foster and guide public relations.  

Article VII Rio ARC Call Sign :
Rio ARC has elected to apply for a club call sign as provided by FCC rules Part 97. The President shall assign trusteeship of the club call sign. The trustee shall: Be a member of Rio ARC in good standing Meet FCC requirements. Not had his/her Radio Amateur license revoked or sanctioned at any time.  

Article VIII Dissolution of Rio ARC :
Section 1. Termination of Operations:

In the event that the Board of Directors votes that Rio ARC should be dissolved, the motion for dissolution must receive more than a two-thirds vote of the full membership to pass.

Section 2. Disposition of Assets:

Upon the dissolution of the Rio ARC, the Board of Directors shall handle the disbursement of all assets of Rio ARC. No member or group of members shall receive benefits from the assets. Any equipment will be sold and all proceeds and other assets shall be transferred to a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Article IX Amendments :
This constitution or By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the total membership. 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.  

By-Laws 
1. Secretary: 
It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the constitution and By-Laws of Rio ARC and have the same with him/her at every meeting. He/she shall note all amendments, changes, and additions to the constitution and shall permit it to be consulted by members upon request. 

2. Membership: 
Full membership is open to licensed Radio Amateurs. Members may be removed from Rio ARC for cause, upon written petition of four (4) or more members presented to the President or Vice President. After investigation, the petition will be presented to the membership at the next regular meeting of the Rio ARC and voted on by the membership. Removal of a member requires a three-fourths vote of the full membership. Associate membership is open to those actively engaged in a class leading to an Amateur Radio license and all other interested persons. Full membership includes all Rio ARC privileges as well as rights to hold a Rio ARC office and to vote for Rio ARC officers. Associate membership includes all Rio ARC privileges except for the right to hold office and vote for Rio ARC officers.  Membership applications shall be submitted at regular meetings. 
A. All individuals who have earned their amateur radio license within the past year and currently reside in the Rio Grande Valley can request a complimentary one-year membership, subject to the following conditions:
a. The newly licensed amateur radio operator who wishes to become a member must participate in three consecutive monthly meetings before being accepted as a member of Rio ARC.
b. It is acceptable if the newly licensed amateur begins attending meetings before their first license anniversary, even if their membership period extends beyond their first anniversary of being granted an amateur radio license.
c. During this initial membership period, newly licensed amateurs will not have voting rights until they have attended three consecutive meetings and been officially granted membership.. d. Upon completion of the one-year complimentary membership, a membership fee will be required to continue their membership with the Rio ARC.

3. Meetings: 
Regular meetings shall be held on the second Tuesday of each calendar month. A call to meeting shall be sent to members concerning special meetings and transacting business. Only such business as designated shall be transacted. Such notices shall be sent so that they arrive not less than 24 hours before the meeting. 

4. Dues Fees and Assessments: 
Annual dues of $20.00 per member are hereby assessed in accordance with the provisions of Article V of the constitution for the purpose of providing funds for expenses. Membership dues are payable in March of each year. Any member whose dues are not paid by May 1st will be considered inactive and removed from the membership roster. Inactive members have no voting privileges. Termination of membership either by resignation or expulsion will not constitute a refund of dues paid. 

5. Elections: 
Officer elections will be held annually at the regular November meeting. Officers will assume their elected office on January 1 of the following year. Nomination Committee The President will appoint a nomination committee six months prior to elections. The committee will be charged with finding qualified candidates to run for office. The committee will present a ballot to the president at the regular meeting one month prior to elections at which time the President will entertain a motion for nominations and to accept the ballot. The final ballot will be published and made available to all Rio ARC members by mail. The president will dissolve the nomination committee after the annual elections. 

6. Voting: 
Voting will be done using paper ballots. Immediately after voting the ballots will be counted openly in front of the membership. Any candidate may request a recount of the ballots. In the case of an unopposed slate, the President may entertain a motion for the Secretary to cast a single ballot.