TEARA TRIANGLE EAST AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION 500 Perry-Curtis Road Zebulon, NC 27597 Constitution and Bylaws Preamble: The name of this organization shall be Triangle East Amateur Radio Association. The headquarters are at 500 Perry-Curtis Road; Zebulon, NC 27597. It shall be a nonprofit corporation. Purposes: The purposes of this association are: (1) To unite area individuals interested in amateur radio as a hobby, (2) To offer assistance to public officials in time of community emergencies, and (3) To make distribution to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501 (C) (3) of. the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Article I Membership Requirements and Fees: Section 1. Any person is eligible for full membership provided that: A. He or she is a licensed radio amateur or is interested in the Amateur Radio Service. B. Pays the initial $20 membership fee or pro-rated portion of the membership fee at the time of application. C. Furnishes his or her name, address, and telephone number. D. Is sponsored by a TEARA member in good standing. Section 2. A dues structure will be maintained. Payment of dues will entitle a member to one full-year membership and to all club privileges. The yearly dues rate will be established by a majority vote of members present for a meeting. A. Schedule of dues for new members: Jan. - Mar. $20.00 Apr. - Jun. $15.00 Jul. - Sep. $10.00 Oct. - Dec. $5.00 Section 3. Family Membership Available. A. Additional members in the same family may join for $5.00 if one member has paid full membership. Section 4. Honorary Membership. A. Honorary membership may be bestowed on any eligible person by a majority vote of paid-up members present at any regular or special meeting. Honorary members have nonvoting status. Article II. Obligations and Privileges: Section 1. It shall be the duty of each member to support this organization with his or her participation to the extent that he or she feels obligated to make the association a successful operation. Section 2. Code of Ethics: Each member shall endeavor to abide by The Amateur's Code, which follows: THE AMATEUR'S CODE The Radio Amateur is: CONSIDERATE...never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others. LOYAL...offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, and the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally. PROGRESSIVE...with knowledge abreast of science, a well-built and efficient station and operation above reproach. FRIENDLY... slow and patient operating when requested; friendly advice and counsel to the beginner; kindly assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the Amateur Spirit. BALANCED...radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school, or community. PATRIOTIC...station and skill always ready for service to country and community. -The original Amateur's Code was written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA, in 1928- Section 3. Privileges: All members are urged to enjoy all the privileges of this organization as outlined herein. Section 4. A member can be suspended or expelled for improper conduct. With seriousness of such charge, one regular meeting shall air charge with full membership vote at the next regular meeting. Article III. Meetings: Section 1. An official meeting cannot be held unless there are at least 20 percent of the paid-up membership present, including at least one officer. This shall constitute a quorum. Section 2. There shall be one regular meeting held each month, the time and place to be decided by the membership. Section 3. Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the president or by written notice of five paid-up members to the secretary, who shall notify the membership. Article IV. Officers: Section 1. The executive committee shall consist of four officers as follow: (All elected for a one-year term) . A. President B. Vice-president C. Secretary D. Treasurer Note: If membership falls below 20, the offices of vice-president and secretary may be combined. Section 2. Election of Officers: A. Election of officers shall be by nomination at two consecutive regular meetings with the election being held prior to the close of the second regular meeting. This shall occur at the November and December meetings annually. Officers shall take office at the January meeting. B. To be eligible to hold office in the association one must be a member in good standing, hold an Amateur Radio operator's license, and be a member of the American Radio Relay League. (ARRL) C. In the event one of the executive committee must vacate his position as an officer, successor will be determined as follows: 1. Nominations will be taken at the next two consecutive regular meetings with the election being held prior to the close of the second regular meeting. Section 3. Duties of the Officers: A. The President shall: 1. Conduct and preside at all regular and special meetings. 2. Appoint all committees. 3. Cast a Vote to break a tie at any general election. 4. Be ex officio of all committees and shall be notified of committees' progress and decisions. B. The Vice-president shall: 1. Attend all regular and special meetings. 2. And, in the event of the absence of the President, open and preside over the meeting. (If Vice-president and Secretary are one, he shall appoint a member to record the minutes of such meetings). C. The Secretary shall: 1. Record the minutes of all regular meetings. 2. Keep a record of all members in attendance at regular meetings. 3. Handle all correspondence for the association. 4. And, in the event of the absence of the President and Vice- president, open and preside over the meeting and shall appoint a member to record the minutes of such Meetings. D. The Treasurer shall: 1. Keep roster of all members of the association. 2. Credit any individual donation and issue a receipt of said donation upon request. 3. Record all moneys donated from any other source and deposit donations in an account at a bank designated by the association. 4. Disburse funds at the direction of the association and report in detail at the meetings on the financial condition of the organization. Checks shall be and signed by the treasurer, except the president may write checks for up to $100. Also, neither officer may write checks exceeding $100 except by prior approval by the voting membership. 5. Be bonded at the expense of the association when total assets are in excess of $5,000. 6. And, in the event of the absence of the President, Vice- President, and Secretary, open and preside over the meeting and shall appoint a member to record the minutes of the meetings. Article V. General Business: Section 1. All meetings shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order. Section 2. Change or modification of the bylaws: A. Any request for change or modification of the bylaws must be presented in writing. B. Proposed changes must be read at two consecutive regular meetings and approved by a majority vote at the second meeting. Section 3. Responsibility for Properties and Assets: A. A properties or equipment committee may be formed for safekeeping of the association's properties and assets. B. No part of the net earnings of the association shall inure to the benefit of its members, directors, officers, or other persons except that the association shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the exempt purposes of the association. C. In the event of dissolution., the residual assets of the association will be turned over to one or more organizations which are exempt as organizations described in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.