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QRP AMATEUR RADIO CLUB INTERNATIONAL, INC.
BY-LAWS
PREAMBLE:
The QRP Amateur Radio Club International (QRP-ARCI) is a non-profit organization of radio amateurs dedicated to increasing worldwide enjoyment of Amateur Radio by promotion and support of Low Power (QRP) equipment by designing, building and on-air operation as well as educational support for the growth of Regional QRP Clubs. These By-Laws delineate the principles and policies necessary to achieve these goals. Membership is not legally or financially binding other than for the Club Magazine (QRP Quarterly) dues. A member may resign at any time, but as a courtesy, resignation should be made in writing to the Secretary/Treasurer. Finally, The QRP operation referred to above is defined in Article I(b), below.
ARTICLE I: Power Definition.
(a.) When engaged in special or routine NON-QRP-ARCI sponsored activities such as traffic, other club nets and other similar QSO's and/or contests, members agree to observe the recommendation that Amateur stations use the MINIMUM amount of transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communication. When engaged in QRP-ARCI QSO's for awards, contests and nets sponsored by QRP-ARCI, as well as general QRP QSO's, members agree to adhere to the power levels delineated in (b) below.
(b.) QRP operation for QRP-ARCI purposes is defined as operation with a transmitter power output of 5 watts or less for CW (Continuous Wave - A1) and 10 watts PEP or less for SSB (Single Side Band - A3J). QRP-ARCI awards are based on these output levels.
(c) For data modes where there is no carrier, ie PSK, the power limit is as (b) above.
(d) If necessary, to define comparable input power levels for (b.) above,
the Club realizing that equipment efficiencies wary widely, uses a standard
of 50% efficiency, such that 10 watts input equals 5 watts output. However, the output levels of (b.) above, are the criteria for QRP-ARCI awards and activities.
ARTICLE II: Membership Status.
(a.) Membership is for life, unless canceled by reason of voluntary resignation or official Club action.
(b.) The Club recognizes two levels of membership status
- Active Member – participates, whenever possible, in Club functions, meetings, contests and other activities; subscribes to the QRP Quarterly magazine. Note – active members maintain voting rights by subscribing to the QRP Quarterly
- Inactive member – any member that does not subscribe to the QRP Quarterly. Inactive members may participate in contests and other activities and use their QRP ARCI membership number. They may not vote.
(c.) A "Full Member" may be active or inactive (as defined in b. above)
(d.) Nothing herein contained shall preclude the Board of Directors from expelling a member or not accepting an application for membership upon good cause shown and after notice and an opportunity to be heard. For such a motion to pass regarding membership status, it must pass with 2/3 of the BOD members voting for the membership issue to pass.
ARTICLE III: Club Officials.
(a.) Club Officers are designated as: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of six (6) members,
(b.) Members of the Board of Directors shall be elected for service for
four (4) years. All other officers shall serve for three (3) years. All terms of office shall begin on the first day of April of the applicable calendar year.
(c.) The Board of Directors may combine Club Officer duties, if it is in the best interest of the Club. If the office of President and Director are combined, the President has the same voting power as a Director. When the Board does initiate such a combining, it must be approved by a 2/3 majority of those Board members voting for the question.
(d.) Other Club Officials are the Publicity Officer, Editor, Awards Manager, Contest Manager, Corporate Resident, Membership Manager, Net Manager and Web Master. These officials are appointed by the President with a majority approval from the Board of Directors.
(e.) To honor our founder, Harry E. Blomquist, K6JSS (Silent Key), for his meritorious service to QRP-ARCI, his call sign and the year he founded the club shall remain on the Club logo.
ARTICLE IV: Meetings, Elections and Appointments.
(a.) An annual meeting of the membership shall be held, in the spring of each year. The purpose of this meeting is to review progress/problems during the preceding year, present annual awards, if any, and to preview upcoming activities of the Club. On reasonable notice, the President may call additional meetings, as required.
(b.) Directors shall be elected by the active members for a term of four years, one half (1/2) of the Directors shall be elected every two calendar years. Prior to the election, the President shall appoint a nominating committee. This committee will nominate candidates for the Board of Directors. The names and resumes of each nominee shall be printed in the Fall edition of The QRP Quarterly. This issue will contain a ballot for each active member to record his or her vote by proxy. If the number of willing candidates is equal to the number of open positions, the candidates shall be considered elected and no vote will be necessary. The results of the election will be published in the winter issue of The QRP Quarterly.
(c.) The President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, shall be elected by a 2/3 majority of the votes cast by the Board of Directors and serve a term of three years. The Board of Directors shall ratify a President's appointments by a simple majority vote.
(d.) If a vacancy occurs on the Board of Directors, or other elected Club office, during a term, for whatever cause, it shall be filled by a 2/3 majority of the votes cast by the remaining Directors, to fill the unexpired term of the vacated office. In emergency situations only, the President, with the consent of a majority of the remaining Board of Directors, shall appoint active members to fill the unexpired term of vacated offices, including Directors.
(e.) Only active members, as defined in Article II (b.), shall be eligible
to vote. To determine this eligibility, the membership records shall be closed ten (10) days prior to any vote. To hold an elected office, candidates must have maintained an active member status, as defined in Article II (b.), for at least two (2) years prior to any vote. This eligibility will be determined by the records maintained in the membership data base.
ARTICLE V: Duties of Officers.
(a.) PRESIDENT: He or she shall serve as Chairman of the Board of
Directors without Board voting privileges; except in the event of a tied vote, the President may cast the deciding ballot; or, if the office of President and Director have been combined as provided in Article III (c.), the President has the same vote as if he were a Director. In the event of a tied vote for the combined case, the Vice President may cast the deciding ballot. The President shall appoint designated officials as outlined in this Article, and shall appoint all special committees, or delegate a committee member to act in that capacity. The President shall conduct the office in a manner calculated to retain and increase the present Club membership. The President's services shall be available to all Club Officials in an advisory capacity. He should also be available for direct contact by our members via electronic or surface mail or in person if possible or warranted. The President is responsible for the maintenance of Club policies and principles. The President coordinates all activities of the Board of Directors.
(b.) VICE PRESIDENT: The Vice President shall assume the office and duties of President in the event the President is unable to discharge the duties of the office for any valid cause. The Vice President shall act as Chairman of Committees when the President is unable to function in that capacity and has not designated an alternate. The Vice President may cast the deciding ballot for a Board of Directors tied vote if the President has a combined office as defined in Article III (c).
(c.) SECRETARY; The Secretary shall be the keeper of the Official Club Seal. The Secretary will reply to all correspondence of a general nature and shall maintain Club records. He or she will receive and tabulate all ballots of votes authorized by the Club except as directed otherwise by the President. The Secretary shall submit a summary of the annual Board of Directors meeting proceedings to the President for inclusion in The QRP Quarterly.
(d.) TREASURER: The Treasurer will maintain the Club accounts. He or she will pay all club debts as authorized by the President or the Vice President. The Treasurer will publish quarterly and year-end financial reports to the President. He or she will develop (with the President) and maintain the club budget. The Treasurer will receive on a quarterly basis all monies associated with QQ advertising from the appropriate entity.
(e.) PUBLICITY OFFICER: The Publicity Officer shall handle general correspondence to and from the members with respect to publicity. He or she will assist the Secretary and Editor in promotional activities beneficial to the Club. The Publicity Officer shall coordinate contest activity publicity with the Contest Manager and Editor
(f.) EDITOR: The Editor shall be responsible for the management,
production and distribution of the QRP Quarterly. The Editor shall appoint The QRP Quarterly Staff and inform the Board of Directors of such. . The Editor shall assist with the coordination of Publicity Officer, Net Manager and Contest Manager programs as required.
(g.) AWARDS MANAGER: The Awards Manager shall evaluate and process applications for Club Awards and issue them to those qualified. He or she shall furnish the Treasurer with reports of cash disbursed in connection with the Awards Program, and will be re-imbursed accordingly.
(h.) CONTEST MANAGER: The Contest Manager shall be responsible for the administration and maintenance of the Club sponsored contests and for the timely compilation and reporting of contest scores. The Contest Manager shall coordinate contest publicity and notices of pending contests with the Publicity Officer and the Editor, as required. He or she shall furnish the Treasurer with reports of cash disbursed for printing and mailings, etc. in connection with the Contest Program, and be re-imbursed accordingly.
(i.) CORPORATE RESIDENT: The Corporate Resident shall act as Club representative in fulfilling the requirement of the Club's corporate status.
(j.) MEMBERSHIP MANAGER: The Membership Manager will receive and process applications for new and renewed membership. He or she will issue the
Certificate of Membership and assign the applicant an official membership number. He or she will furnish the Secretary a quarterly report of active and new memberships and cash received from such
(k.) NET MANAGER: The Net Manager will maintain a roster of all
QRP-ARCI nets, and frequency of operation.
(l.) WEB MASTER: The web master will maintain the QRP ARCI web site. He or she will keep the site current with listings of the Officers and Officials; contests and awards; as well as other items of interest to the membership and the general amateur radio community. This will require that Club Officers and Officials maintain a running stream of information to the Web master to keep the Web Site current on all club activities and events.
(m.) BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The Board of Directors shall elect Club President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Others will be appointed by the President with a majority approval from the board. The President will conduct an annual meeting (in person or via the internet) and such other meetings as provided in Article IV. During the period between meetings, the Directors shall establish policies and programs for the Club as requested by the President. In all matters of concern or dispute, the Board of Directors shall be the final authority.
ARTICLE VI: Removal of Club Officers.
(a.) Any Officer of the Club may be removed from office for just cause, by
a 2/3 majority of the ballots received from the Board of Directors for this vote.
ARTICLE VII: Subscription Fees.
(a.) An Entrance Fee for new members, payable by the applicant on his or her submission of application for membership, is required. The amount of this charge is established by a simple majority vote by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may change this amount as economic conditions warrant. The entry fee shall cover life membership, subject to the conditions given in Article II (a.) and no other fees or assessments against a member shall be made. Each new member shall receive, upon payment of his entrance fee, a life membership certificate and the next four (4) issues of The QRP Quarterly. Beginning with the second year of membership and in any subsequent years, members shall be charged a reasonable sum to cover publication costs of the QRP Quarterly and Club operation costs. This charge is to be determined by a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors, taken for that purpose.
ARTICLE VIII: The QRP Quarterly.
(a.) A Club Magazine, presently known as The QRP Quarterly, is the official journal of QRP ARCI. It shall be produced and distributed in the months of January, April, July and October of each year, to all paid up active members. Responsibility for this action
is given in Article V (f.). Material contained therein shall consist of construction projects, schematics, experiments, hints and kinks, new QRP ideas, national and international member news, Regional QRP Club news and similar items of interest to the general membership. Outstanding accomplishments of individual members shall also be recognized in the appropriate columns. A short paragraph, not to exceed one page, shall be carried in each issue, titled "From the President." The President shall furnish this copy from his comments on the conduct and progress of the Club.
ARTICLE IX: Geographical Distinctions.
(a.) Two distinct geographical groupings of the membership shall be
recognized and known as the "Domestic Region" and the "International Region." The Domestic Region includes the United States of America and the International Region includes the rest of the world. The Board of Directors, at its discretion, may subdivide regions into areas. Where are as have been established, the President may direct the Secretary to appoint "Area Representatives" with duties to be determined. Regions will be administered by the Board of Directors in cooperation with the President and Secretary, who represents QRP ARCI in connection with International Regional affairs.
ARTICLE X: Revision of the By-Laws.
(a.) The By-Laws may be amended, revised, added to, or diminished by a simple majority of the votes received from the Board of Directors voting on such revisions.
FINIS FINIS FINIS FINIS
Revised 5/30/2005 by:
Dick Pascoe, G0BPS, President
Ken Evans, W4DU, Vice President.
Revised 9/12/2006
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