CONSTITUTION OF THE STORY COUNTY, IOWA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
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 STORY COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB and do enact this constitution as our governing law. It shall be our purpose 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.
ARTICLE I
Sec. 1 - All persons interested in amateur radio shall be eligible for membership in accordance with the By-Laws.
ARTICLE II
Sec. 1 - The officers of this club shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Communications Manager, and a Repeater Manager.
Sec. 2 - The officers of this club shall be elected for a term of one year by majority vote of the members present, provided there is a quorum, at the regular meeting in May.
Sec. 3 - Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by majority vote of the members present, provided there is a quorum, at the first regular meeting following the meeting at which the withdrawal or resignation is announced.
Sec. 4 - Officers can be removed by a three-fourths vote of the members present at a regular meeting, provided there is a quorum, and provided all members received prior notice of the removal vote. The removal proposal must be introduced at a regular meeting before the vote at the next regular meeting.
ARTICLE III
Sec. 1 - The President shall preside at all meetings of this club, and conduct the same according to the rules adopted. The President shall enforce due observance of this Constitution and By-Laws; 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, and act as social and program chairman.
Sec. 3 - The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, determine quorum status, keep a roll of members, carry on all correspondence, distributes communications to the members, and ensures that members are notified of club meetings, except when excused by action under By-Laws. At the expiration of the term of office, the outgoing Secretary shall turn over all items belonging to the club to the incoming Secretary. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to maintain the Constitution and By-Laws,
keeping them available at all meetings and online.
Sec. 4 - The Treasurer shall receive and receipt for all monies paid to the club, and shall keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended. The Treasurer shall pay no bills without proper authorization (by the club or its officers). At the end of each term of office the Treasurer shall submit an annual financial report. The Treasurer shall make a monthly report to the club with an itemized statement of disbursements and receipts. At the expiration of the term of office, the outgoing Treasurer
shall turn over all items belonging to the club to the incoming Treasurer.
Sec. 5 - The Communications Manager shall organize radio activities and promote club interest and activity as approved by the members. The Communications Manager should collaborate with organizations such as Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and other emergency communications groups to encourage member participation.
Sec. 6 - The Repeater Manager shall organize club repeater activities including construction, maintenance, and repair of repeaters. The Repeater Manager shall maintain close coordination with the Communications Manager and the EC or SEC to enable the fullest possible repeater use in emergency communications needs.
ARTICLE IV
Sec. 1 - The By-Laws shall provide for regular and special meetings. At regular and special meetings, ten percent of the current membership, including two officers, shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business.
ARTICLE V
Sec. 1 - The STORY COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB can collect dues from members to support its operations, as described in its preamble. However, any change to the dues amount requires an amendment to the club's bylaws in accordance with Article VII. The amount of dues charged should be reviewed annually after receiving the financial report from the Treasurer.
ARTICLE VI
Sec. 1 - The President may create special purpose committees and appoint members to serve on them. These committees shall have no inherent purchasing power or authority to act on behalf of the club unless such powers are specifically granted by a majority vote of the members present at any regular or special meeting, provided there is a quorum. Meetings of the club officers are considered special purpose committees.
ARTICLE VII
Sec. 1 - This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular meeting, provided there is a quorum, and providing all members have been given notice of the intent to amend the constitution. Amendments shall be submitted in writing at a regular meeting and may not be voted on earlier than the next regular meeting.
Sec. 2 - The By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of the members present at any regular meeting, provided there is a quorum, and providing all members have been given notice of the intent to amend the By-Laws at a specified meeting. Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing at a regular meeting and may not be voted on earlier than the next regular meeting. An exception to the one month By-Laws amendment notification requirement is granted solely for the May regular meeting and solely for the purpose of adjusting dues after receiving the annual financial report from the Treasurer.
ARTICLE VIII
Sec. 1 - All meetings of the Club shall be conducted in an orderly and democratic manner. The club shall generally follow the principles outlined in *Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised In Brief* (or a similar abridged version). The President (or designated meeting chair) shall be responsible for ensuring meetings proceed according to these guidelines. While formal adherence to every rule may not always be necessary, the fundamental principles of fairness, allowing all members to speak, and making decisions by appropriate vote shall be upheld. In cases of procedural dispute, the President's interpretation of these guidelines shall be considered final unless overturned by a two-thirds vote of the members present.
THE BY-LAWS OF THE STORY COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
Sec. 1 - Membership. Membership in the club is open to any interested person upon payment of dues. Payment of dues signifies the member's acceptance of and willingness to abide by the club's constitution, bylaws, and any rules established by the club. The club dues year runs annually from September 1st to August 31st.
Only members whose dues are currently paid shall be considered members in good standing and are eligible to vote on club business, hold office, or be a party to calling a special meeting. Membership dues are not prorated.
Members whose dues are more than three months in arrears shall lose their membership rights. Members in arrears may pay their outstanding dues at the next meeting they attend, regaining their membership rights in full for that meeting.
Individuals who have obtained their initial amateur radio license within the previous six months are eligible for a complimentary club membership. This membership is valid from the date the new licensee notifies the Secretary until the end of the current dues year. Standard membership dues will apply for continued membership in subsequent dues years commencing September 1st.
Individuals can have their membership revoked or reinstated by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a regular meeting, provided there is a quorum, and provided all members received prior notice of the removal or reinstatement vote. The removal or reinstatement proposal must be introduced at a regular meeting before the vote at the next regular meeting. Upon revocation, the individual may no longer attend or participate in any club meetings or other activities. The individual can request reinstatement no more than once annually by making a written request to the Club President, who will introduce the request for a vote in accordance with the above procedure.
Sec. 2 - Meetings. Regular meetings shall be held each calendar month when practical at such place as the President shall order.
Special meetings shall be called by the President upon the written request of any five members of the club. Notice shall be sent to all members by the Secretary informing them of the special meeting and the business to be transacted. Such notice shall be sent such that it arrives at least twenty-four hours before the meeting. Only business specified in the notice may be transacted at such special meetings. Meetings of the club officers are not considered special meetings.
Sec. 3 - Dues. The current dues of $20 per year per member for regular memberships and $5 per year per youth member (eligible for those 21 and under) is hereby assessed in accordance with the provisions of Article V of the Constitution for the purpose of providing funds for current expense.
Sec. 4 - Repeater fund. A fund shall be established separate from the general treasury for repeater operation, construction, and maintenance. The Treasurer shall maintain separate accounting for this fund and shall disburse such funds only for uses authorized in this constitution. A majority vote of the members present at any regular or special meeting, provided there is a quorum, may authorize transfer of funds from the general treasury to the Repeater fund or from the Repeater fund to the general treasury.
(As amended September 7, 1995)
(As amended May 5, 2005)
(As amended April 7, 2016)
(As amended September 4, 2025)