Garland Amateur Radio Club
a Texas non profit corporation.

Bylaws of the GARC as revised on 24 June 1996

Table of contents

Article I General

Article II Membership

Article III Officers

Article IV Newsletter

Article V GARC Radio Station

Article VI Meeting Procedures

Article VII Amendments to Bylaws

Article VIII Dissolution

Bylaws of the Garland Amateur Radio Club

24 June 1996

Article I General Return to top of page

1.01 Name. The name of the organization is the GARLAND AMATEUR RADIO CLUB (the "GARC")

1.02 Purposes. The GARC is organized for the charitable, educational and scientific purposes which without limitation include:

  1. To provide instruction and training of individuals to develop or improve skills as amateur radio operators,
  2. To provide open meetings for the discussion of amateur radio related and allied topics,
  3. To promote basic and applied research and instruction and dissemination of technical information and,
  4. To maintain the ability to furnish communications services for Civil Defense, Red Cross, federal, state, county and municipal agencies or such charitable organizations during times of emergencies or distress,
  5. To provide disaster relief and public service in the public interest.

1.03 Limitations.

  1. The foregoing purposes are limited to the extent that they must constitute charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. No part of the net earnings of the GARC shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, officers, directors, or other private persons, except that the GARC shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and make payments and distributions in furtherance of its purposes as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation and paragraph 1.02 above.
  2. Notwithstanding of any other provisions of these Bylaws, no substantial part of the activities of the GARC shall be the carrying of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the GARC shall not participate in, or intervene in the (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. The GARC shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on:
    1. by any organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or by corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or
    2. by organizations to which contributions are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Article II Membership Return to top of page

2.01 Eligibility. GARC Membership is open to anyone having an interest in Amateur Radio.

2.02 Membership Process. Membership in the GARC shall be granted upon submission of a completed membership application, together with appropriate dues by the start of the March meeting.

2.03 Membership Types. Membership privileges and dues are as follows:

  1. Full Member. A full member shall be any FCC licensed amateur radio operator who does not fall under the special provision of an associate or student membership.
  2. Student Member. A student member shall be any FCC licensed amateur radio operator who is currently enrolled as a full time student and is 18 years of age or younger.
  3. Associate Member. an associate member shall be any person maintaining GARC membership to support the GARC but who does not have voting rights.

2.04 Maintaining Membership. To maintain membership in the GARC, a member must have paid dues for the current year and must abide by the Bylaws as determined by the Board of Directors.

2.05 Removal of Members. Any member may be expelled from the GARC by a two-thirds majority vote at a regular membership meeting. The member in question must have been notified, by the Board of Directors, of the intent of an expulsion vote and of the date that the vote is to be taken. The member shall be allowed to defend his or her position to the GARC membership prior to the vote. A member that is expelled shall be refunded a prorated portion of that members dues,

2.06 Voting Rights. Full members and student members shall have the right to vote on all matters brought before the membership. Associate members do not have voting rights.

2.07 Family Privileges. FCC Licensed spouses of full, and student members shall receive the same privileges as the primary member upon request

2.08 Amateur Radio Class Attendees. Non-Members enrolled in classes given by the GARC, receive associate membership privileges until such time as they pass the FCC Novice or higher class test, at which time they receive full membership for the remainder of the year in which the class was held.

2.09 Dues Annual dues shall be payable by members no later than March 1. Failure to pay dues by this date shall cause the delinquent member to be considered inactive for a period not exceed 12 months, after which time he/she shall be dropped from the GARC roster. Full dues paid at time during the inactive year shall reinstate the delinquent member to full active membership.

  1. Full Member Dues. Dues for full members shall be $12.00 per year, prorated on a monthly basis, and for new members (those joining after March 1 of the current year). Dues for full members who are over 65 years of age, retired or disabled shall be $8.00 prorated.
  2. Student Member Dues. Dues for student members shall be $10.00 per year, and not prorated
  3. Associate Member Dues. Dues for associate members shall be $10.00 per year, and not prorated/li

2.10 Personal Radio Operations. The GARC shall not attempt to govern the actions of its members in the operation of their personal radio stations.

Article III Officers Return to top of page

3.01 Positions. Officers of the GARC shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Education Director, Newsletter Editor and Communications Director. These officers shall constitute the Board of Directors and shall carry out all the duties of officers and directors as defined by laws and by the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws.

  1. President. The President shall serve as chairperson of all meetings. He/She shall also represent or appoint a person to represent the GARC at non-GARC functions. He/She is empowered to establish committees to perform special functions.
  2. Vice President. The Vice President shall chair GARC meetings in the absence of the president. He/She shall serve as program coordinator for all membership meetings. It is the vice presidents duty to arrange all details of both regular and called meetings and to advise the membership of such meetings through the GARC secretary. He/She shall endeavor to promote amateur radio and the GARC through coverage of special activities by local and area media.
  3. Secretary. The secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings and any called meetings. He/She shall at the discretion of the president, carry out any correspondence that may be required on behalf of the GARC. He/She shall also maintain a membership roll and attendance records.
  4. Treasurer. The treasurer shall receive and disburse all GARC moneys. He/She shall maintain accurate records of all GARC finances and shall submit a detailed report to the membership not less than once each quarter. A budget for the GARC Fiscal year will be formulated by the treasurer and approved by the GARC membership. Disbursements for normal GARC operation expenses not exceeding $200.00, or those items authorized in the approved budget, may be made the treasurer on approval of the Board of Directors. All other disbursements shall be approved by the membership.
  5. Education Director. The education director shall be responsible for all classes given by the GARC. This includes license classes and technical classes for the membership.
  6. Newsletter Editor. The newsletter editor shall be responsible for the publishing of the GARC newsletter, . He/She is required to abide by these bylaws governing publication of the newsletter (see Article IV, below).
  7. Communications Director. The communications director shall be responsible for the operation of the GARC radio station and other GARC equipment. He/She shall see that the GARC equipment is maintained always in a state of readiness and repair (if required for emergency communications).

3.02 Qualifications of Officers. A Member of the GARC may serve as an officer provided He/She holds a valid amateur radio license. Both the vice president and communications director must hold a valid technician or higher class license. to hold the office of president a member must have been a member for at least one ( 1) year prior to the time of election , and hold a General or higher class license.

3.03 Elections. Officers shall be elected at the March membership meeting.

  1. Office Term. The term of office for all officers shall be one (1) year. The president and vice president may not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.
  2. Surrender of Office. On outgoing officer shall surrender all GARC Property to the newly elected officer.
  3. Incomplete Term. If an officer becomes unable or ineligible to complete the term of office, a special election shall be held at the next regular meeting to fill the remaining term of office.

3.04 Station Trustee. A trustee of the GARC radio station will be appointed by the board of directors and approved by a majority vote at a regular membership meeting.

Article IV Newsletter Return to top of page

4.01 General. A GARC newsletter shall be published monthly for distribution to the active membership and reciprocation clubs.

4.02 Purpose. The newsletter shall provide notice of meetings, notice of club activities, and carry only articles of general interest to the hobby of amateur radio.

4.03 Advertisements. Advertisements in the GARC newsletter shall be at the discretion of the board of directors. All advertising copy must be approved by the board of directors before publication.

Article V GARC Radio Station Return to top of page

5.01 General The GARC radio station shall be under direction of the Communications Officer, and shall be maintained for use of all licensed GARC members.

5.02 Operation Policy. The station shall operate in compliance with the FCC rules and regulations and existing GARC rules at the time.

5.03 Station Operating Policy. The latest issue of the ARRL OPERATORS Guide shall be used as the basis for operating procedure.

Article VI Meeting Procedures Return to top of page

6.01 Quorum. The voting members present at any regular meeting shall be considered a quorum for conducting ordinary business and changing the bylaws.

6.02 Meeting Chair. All meetings shall be carried out by the president, in his absence, the vice president. If both are absent the meeting may be chaired by any other member of the board of directors.

6.03 Minutes. Minutes of all meetings shall be recorded by the secretary. If the secretary is not in attendance, the chairman will appoint a temporary sectary before preceding with GARC business.

6.04 Rules of Order. All proceedings of the GARC shall be generally governed by ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER, newly revised.

6.05 Committees. Committees may be appointed from time to time as the need arises. Committee appointments shall be made by the president and must be approved by the board of directors.

6.06 Voting by Mail. Voting on specific issues by mail, when allowed by the board of directors, shall be conducted according to ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER. Mail ballots shall not be opened until balloting takes place.

6.07 Proxy Voting. Proxy voting is not allowed.

Article VII Amendments to Bylaws. Return to top of page

Notice of proposed changes to these Bylaws must be published in the Arclite immediately prior to a meeting where voting on the proposed change(s) will occur, A two-thirds majority of the voting members present at the meeting shall be required to pass a proposed amendment.

Article VIII Dissolution. Return to top of page

Upon dissolution of the GARC, The Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for payment of liabilities of the GARC, dispose of the assets of the corporation in accordance with the provisions of Article Eight (Disposition of Assets) of the articles of incorporation of the Garland Amateur Radio club and in strict compliance with the requirements of Section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code of 1986 or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Revision Notes. The 24 June 1996 version of the Bylaws of the Garland Amateur Radio club was a compilation of the provisions from the former "Constitution and Bylaws". These changes were made in order to qualify the GARC as a charity as defined in section 501(c)(3) of the internal Revenue Code. and no substantive changes were intended, The Fundamental organization document of the GARC is its "Articles of Incorporation" (amended and restated as of 27 May 1996). Some of the provisions formerly in the Constitution and Bylaws were moved to the Restated Articles of Incorporation.