Constitution and By-Laws

Preamble:

We, the undersigned, wishing to secure for ourselves the pleasures and benefits of an association of persons commonly interested in Amateur Radio, constitute ourselves the MicroHAMS and enact this constitution as our governing law.  It shall be our purpose to further the exchange of information and cooperation between members, to promote radio knowledge, fraternalism and individual operating efficiency, and to so conduct club programs and activities as to advance the general interest and welfare of Amateur Radio in the community.

Membership: Article I

Membership in MicroHAMS is limited to current and former Microsoft employees, contractors, interns, and joint venture partners worldwide.  You do not have to be a licensed amateur radio operator to be a member of MicroHAMS.  Membership shall be by application and election upon such terms as the club shall provide in its By-Laws.  From time to time, the Board of the MicroHAMS club may accept an application for someone who would otherwise not be eligible to join the club, but only if such application would be in the best interest of the entire club and its membership.  Such applications may only be accepted from licensed amateur radio operators.

Renewal of membership shall be open to previous members in good standing. With two-thirds approval of the board, the MicroHAMS Board of Directors has the authority to terminate or refuse to renew a membership of any individual whose conduct is not in the best interest of MicroHAMS or Microsoft.

Officers: Article II

Sec. 1.  The officers of this club shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.  Additionally, there may be up to three additional Trustees elected to the Board of Directors.
Sec. 2.  The officers of this club shall be elected for a term of one year by ballot of the members, provided there be a quorum, present at the March meeting each year.  If a quorum is not present, the President shall call a special meeting within seven days, with at least one day notice to the entire membership (via email), at which time the members present shall elect officers, regardless of whether there exists a quorum.  The terms for each officer shall begin on April 1st.
Sec. 3.  Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by special elections at the first regular meeting following the withdrawal or resignation.
Sec. 4.  Officers may be removed by a three-fourths vote of the membership.

Duties of Officers: Article III

Sec. 1.  The President shall preside at all meetings, and conduct them according to the rules adopted.  He/she shall enforce due observance of this Constitution and By-Laws; decide all questions of order; sign all official documents adopted by the club, and perform all other duties pertaining to the office of President.
Sec. 2.  The Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President in his/her absence.  In addition, he/she shall organize club activities, plan and recommend contests for operating benefits, and advance club interest and activity as approved by the club.  He/she shall maintain close liaison with the ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator to further club participation in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service.
Sec. 3.  The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, keep a roll of members, submit membership applications, carry on all correspondence, read communications at each meeting, and email meeting notices to each member.  It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the constitution and By-Laws of the club and ensure that it is available through the web site. He/she shall note all amendments, changes and additions on the constitution. At the expiration of his/her term he/she shall turn over all items belonging to the club to his/her successor.
Sec. 4.  The Treasurer shall receive and receipt for all monies paid to the club; keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended; pay no bills without proper authorization (by the club or its officers constituting a business committee).  At the end of each quarter he/she shall submit an itemized statement of disbursements and receipts.  At the end of his/her term he/she shall turn over everything in his/her possession belonging to the club to his/her successor.

Meetings: Article IV

The By-Laws shall provide for regular and special meetings.  At meetings, a minimum of one-third of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Dues: Article V

The club, by majority vote of those present at any regular meeting, may levy upon the general membership such dues or assessments as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the organization.  Non-payment of such dues or assessments shall be cause for expulsion from the club within the discretion of the membership.

Membership Assistance: Article VI

The club, through designated committees, will provide technical advice to members concerning equipment design and operation to assist in frequency observance, clean signals, uniform practice, and absence of spurious radiation from club member-stations.  The club shall also maintain a program to foster and guide public relations.

Amendments: Article VII

The constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the total membership. The By-Laws may be amended by a simple majority vote of the total membership.  Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing at a regular meeting and shall be voted on at the next following regular meeting, provided all members have been noticed by email of the intent to amend the constitution and/or By-Laws at said meeting.  Voting may take place in any manner set forth by the Board of Directors.

Robert’s Rules shall govern proceedings.

By-Laws:

1.  Membership.  Applications for membership shall be submitted through the web site, and once a determination has been made by any officer of the club that an application meets the requirements of membership then that membership immediately becomes active. Full and independent membership will be extended to the spouse or domestic partner of a current member, the primary requirement being that both parties share the same household and mailing address.

2.  Meetings.  Regular meetings shall be held on the third Tuesday of each calendar month. Special meetings may be called by the President upon the written request of any five club members.  Notices shall be sent to members concerning special meetings and the business to be transacted.  Only such business as designated shall be transacted.  Such notices shall be sent via email not less than 24 hours before the meeting.

3.  Dues.  A regular yearly assessment of $5.00 per member is hereby assessed in accordance with the provisions of Article V of the constitution for the purpose of providing funds for expenses.  A member may receive a discounted rate of $10.00 a three year membership. The dues for a spouse or domestic partner shall be one-half of the regular schedule.

4.  For any club election as defined in Article II, or Amendments to the Club Constitution or Bylaws as defined in Article VII, a system of accepting electronic ballots or proxy votes may be implemented at the discretion of the Board of Directors.