Constitution and By-Laws

Article I. NAME

1. The organization shall be known as the Mississippi State University Amateur Radio Club.



2. The club shall use the call letters W5YD as assigned by the Federal Communications Commission.

Article II. OBJECTS

1. To make the full resources of the club available to concerned organizations and individuals in case of national or local emergency.



2. To promote good fellowship among its members and the fraternity as a whole, and promote interest in the art of amateur radio.



3. To help any person interested in amateur radio obtain a license.



4. To give amateurs away from home and enrolled at Mississippi State University an amateur station at which to operate.



5. To represent Mississippi State University in amateur radio functions.



6. To insist upon strict compliance with the rules and regulations of amateur radio as set forth by the Federal Communications Commission.

Article III. STRUCTURE

The structure of the club shall consist of the following:

1. The Membership
   
   
2. The Officers
   
   
3. The Trustee and Faculty Advisors
   
   
4. The Committees

Article IV. MEMBERSHIP

1. Eligibility - Any person who is no, or is interested in becoming a licensed amateur radio operator.
   
   
2. Application - Membership in the club shall be obtained after payment of dues.
   
   
3. The trustee and faculty advisors shall be members without payment of dues.

Article V. DUES

1. The dues of the club shall be:
   
   
   1. Five dollars per year for licensed members.
   2. Three dollars per school semester for licensed members.
   3. One dollar for the summer for licensed or unlicenced members.
   4. One dollar per school semester for unlicenced members.
   5. Two dollars per year for unlicenced members.



2. A member paying dues shall pay one of the amounts above and no partial payment shall be accepted. Any unlicenced member becoming licensed shall not be liable for additional dues for the period of his current membership.

Article VI. KEYS

1. Keys to the station shall be issued only to licensed members, and faculty advisors.
   
   
2. Keys shall be turned in when a member leaves for more than four(4) months at a time.
   
   
3. Keys shall not be transferrable. Persons violating this rule shall forfeit club privileges.

Article VII. RESPONSIBILITY

1. The club is under the supervision of the Electrical Engineering Department and the trustee of the club. The conduct of the club shall be subject to all rules and regulations set forth by Mississippi State University and all Federal, State, and County laws not expressly stated herein.
   
   
2. Each member shall be responsible for his own actions. It is the hope and desire of all that each member shall conduct himself in such a manner that amateur radio may look upon him with pride and respect.
   
   
3. Each member shall be responsible for sending QSL cards to stations which he contacts.

Article VIII. LOSS OF PRIVILEGES

1. Any member who causes a willful violation of the FCC rules shall forfeit his membership. A review board comprised of the officers and trustee shall determine if the violation was willful or accidental. If the violation results in a FCC citation, the operator responsible for the citation shall, if still a member, respond to the citation through the club officers and trustee.



2. Except with the prior approval of the club officers, any member making any removal or conversion for his personal use of any equipment from the station shall forfeit his membership and may not again become a member.

Article IX. OFFICERS

The officers of the club shall be:

1. President



2. Vice-President



3. Secretary



4. Treasurer

Article X. DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

1. The President shall be responsible for conducting meetings, handling keys, renewal of station licenses, and Post Office Box.



2. The Vice-President shall assist the President and shall be responsible for programs, publicity, and posting of notices of meetings.



3. The Secretary shall be responsible for all records, and business correspondence.



4. Treasurer shall be responsible for all financial matters.



5. All three officers shall be responsible for the evaluation of the signature ballots.



6. In the absence of the previously elected officers, the trustee shall appoint a committee to preside at the first meeting of the year and hold the election of officers.

Article XI. SUMMER OPERATION

• The senior officer remaining on campus during the summer shall be in charge of the club. If there are none on campus, the trustee may appoint a licensed member.

Article XII. REQUIREMENTS OF OFFICERS

• All officers shall be licensed amateur radio operators and shall have been members of the club for one year prior to election.

Article XIII. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS

1. The term of office shall be one year.



2. Nomination of officers shall be made orally at the second meeting of the fall semester, and no member shall be nominated for more than one office.



3. Officers shall be elected by a majority of the members. If one nominee does not receive a clear majority of the votes, a run-off shall be held between the two nominees receiving the highest number of votes.



4. Elections shall be held the week after the second meeting of the fall semester by signature ballot. Run-off elections, if necessary, shall be held the following week by the same method.



5. A vacancy in the office of the President during a term of office shall be filled by the Vice-President. Vacancies in the other offices shall be filled by a special election at the next meeting.



6. Officers may succeed themselves if re-elected.

Article XIV. SIGNATURE BALLOT

• A signature ballot shall be a list of nominations or motions placed in the station for a period of one week after the meeting during which the motion was made. Members vote by signing their name in the appropriate place on the ballot.

Article XV. TRUSTEE

1. The trustee shall have the authority to regulate the operation of the station.



2. The trustee shall be notified of all meetings personally by the president or vice-president.



3. The trustee shall be a member of the staff or faculty of Mississippi State University.

Article XVI. COMMITTEES

• The president and the trustee shall have the authority to appoint any necessary committees. The committee shall make reports to the membership.

Article XVII. MEETINGS

• Meetings shall be held at the time and place specified by the president or trustee. Meetings may also be determined by the membership at the preceding meeting. Notices shall be posted at least 48 hours before a meeting.

Article XVIII. CONDUCT OF MEETINGS AND QUORUM

1. Meetings of this club shall be conducted under these by-laws and in conformity with the wishes of the majority of the membership.



2. The number constituting a quorum for meetings shall be 20 percent of the full membership.



3. All meetings shall be presided over by an officer of the club.

Article XIX.PROJECTS

1. All projects must be approved by the majority of the membership present at the meeting when the project is proposed, by the trustee, and the Electrical Engineering Department.



2. If available, parts for projects may be obtained from the Electrical Engineering Department after prior arrangement by club officers.

Article XX. CLUB EXPENDITURES

1. Any expenditures less than ten (10) dollars may be authorized by a majority of the members present at any meeting and may be voted on at the meeting.



2. Any expenditure over ten (10) dollars must be authorized by a majority of the club members, voted on by signature ballot.



3. All expenditures of club funds must be authorized as prescribed in this article.

Article XXI. THE STATION

1. The station shall occupy space provided by the Electrical Engineering Department.



2. Members shall conduct themselves in conformance with classroom rules of the Electrical Engineering Department.



3. Emphasis must be placed on neatness of the station and prevention of interference with classroom work by club activities.



4. The club will not assume responsibility for personal property left in the station.