Proposed Changes to BARC By-Laws 

Below is a written proposal to amend the By-Laws of Brightleaf Amateur Radio Club that was presented to the club at the regular club meeting on November 13, 2007.   

These proposed changes were drafted and reviewed by a committee of the following members:  Dave Langley, W4YDY; John McCoy K4KBB; Bernie Nobles WA4MOK; Dave Pulver, KG4CZV. 

In order for this proposal to be accepted, a two-thirds vote of the membership at the club meeting on December 11, 2007 will be required. 

If anyone has any questions regarding the proposal, please contact Dave Pulver, KG4CZV at kg4czv @ gmail.com (remove spaces) or 353-7161. 

BY-LAWS (CURRENT)

 1.  Membership

Regular membership is open to all licensed amateurs.  Regular membership includes all club privileges as well as rights to hold a Club office and to vote for Club officers.  When two or more Regular Members of the same family reside at the same address, all but one may be designated a Family Member, but retains all the rights of a Regular Member.  Associate membership is open to those actively pursuing an Amateur Radio license and all other interested persons.  Associate membership includes all Club privileges except for the right to vote for Club officers and to hold office.  Applications for membership shall be submitted at regular meetings.  Persons meeting the membership requirement of the Club will be accepted for membership upon payment of dues for the current year.  No initiation fee is required.  Additionally, the Club membership may, from time to time, designate Honorary Life Members.  Upon the signed recommendation of one member, seconded by another, and by a three-fourth vote by ballot at the annual meeting, Honorary Life Membership may be conferred upon an adult member who shall have rendered notable service to the organization.  These persons have all rights of Regular Members except they are not expected to pay dues.

 2.  Meetings

Regular meetings shall be held monthly as determined by the members.  The October meeting shall also be referred to as the annual meeting.   Special meetings may be called by the President upon the written request of any five Regular Members.  Notices shall be sent to members concerning special meetings and the business to be transacted.  Such notices shall be sent so that they arrive not less than five days before the meeting.

 3.  Donations

Unless otherwise approved by a two-thirds vote of the membership present at a regular of special meeting, the club may not make a donation in excess of $100.00.

4.  Absentee Ballots

The Elections Committee or the Nominating Committee shall be responsible for providing absentee ballots for each general election.  The committee shall take all reasonable precautions to ensure that absentee balloting provides to both voters and candidates all rights, privileges, and safeguards normally present for in-person voting, including secrecy of ballot and reasonable security against election fraud.

BY-LAWS (Proposed changes in Red, Italics and Bolded)

 1.  Membership Classifications and Dues

Applications for membership shall be submitted at regular meetings.  Persons meeting the membership requirement of the Club will be accepted for membership upon payment of dues for the current year and approval of the Board.  No initiation fee is required.  If the Board votes to deny membership to any individual, the procedure for removal from club membership will be followed.

Membership dues are due at the beginning of each fiscal year.  A grace period of 60 days to renew membership will be given.   If dues are not paid by the end of the grace period, membership shall cease until dues for the current year have been paid.  Reinstatement of membership for non-payment of dues shall not be subject to approval by the Board.

Regular Membership: 

Regular membership is open to all licensed amateurs.  Regular membership includes all club privileges as well as rights to hold a Club office and to vote for Club officers. 

Family Membership: 

When two or more Regular Members of the same family reside at the same address, all but one may be designated a Family Member, but retain all the rights of a Regular Member. 

Associate Membership: 

Associate membership is open to those actively pursuing an Amateur Radio license and all other interested persons.  Associate membership includes all Club privileges except for the right to hold a Club office and to vote for Club officers. 

Life Membership:  

The Club membership may, from time to time, designate Honorary Life Members.  Upon the signed recommendation of one member, seconded by another, and by a three-fourth vote by ballot at the annual meeting, Honorary Life Membership may be conferred upon an adult member who shall have rendered notable service to the organization.  These persons have all rights of Regular Members except they are not expected to pay dues.

2.  Removal from Club Membership

Any member may be removed or denied membership from the Club by a three-fourths majority vote at a regular meeting (provided a quorum is present).  Grounds for removal or denial of membership are limited to conduct deemed unacceptable to the Club and/or Amateur Radio practices.  The member in question must be notified by the Executive Board, in writing, via registered mail.  The written notice must contain the intent of a vote to remove or deny membership, the grounds for removal/denial and the date that the vote of the membership is to be taken.  The member shall be allowed to defend his/her position to the Club membership prior to the vote.  The vote shall be by secret ballot.  A member that is expelled shall be refunded a prorated portion of their dues, based on the number of months remaining in the year.

3.  Meetings

Regular meetings shall be held monthly as determined by the members.  The November meeting shall also be referred to as the annual meeting.   Special meetings may be called by the President or Vice Presidents upon the written request of any five Regular Members.  Notices shall be sent to members concerning special meetings and the business to be transacted.  Such notices shall be sent so that they arrive not less than five days before the meeting.

4.  Fiscal Year

The fiscal year for the Club shall run from January 1 to December 31.

5.  Check Signing

No authorized check signer may write and sign a check to themselves.

6.  Donations

Unless otherwise approved by a two-thirds vote of the membership present at a regular or special meeting, the club may not make a donation in excess of $100.00.

7.  Absentee Ballots

The Elections Committee or the Nominating Committee shall be responsible for providing absentee ballots for each general election.  The committee shall take all reasonable precautions to ensure that absentee balloting provides to both voters and candidates all rights, privileges, and safeguards normally present for in-person voting, including secrecy of ballot and reasonable security against election fraud.

Posted November 14, 2007