Constitution

CONSTITUTION of the GREEN MOUNTAIN WIRELESS SOCIETY
November, 2001

PREAMBLE

We, the undersigned, wishing to secure for ourselves the pleasure and benefits of the association of persons commonly interested in Amateur Radio, constitute ourselves the Green Mountain Wireless Society, a non-profit organization, hereinafter called the Society, 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, and individual operating proficiency, and to so conduct Society programs and activities as to advance the general interest and welfare of Amateur Radio in the community.

ARTICLE ONE – MEMBERSHIP

Section One: All persons interested in amateur radio communications shall be eligible for membership. Membership shall be by applications and election upon such terms as the Society shall by its By-Laws provide.

ARTICLE TWO – OFFICERS

Section One: The officers of this Society shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Executive Committee will consist of current officers and immediate past president (Art. 6, Sec. 2, B-L).

Section Two: The officers of this Society shall be elected by a simple majority vote for a term of one year by voice vote or paper ballot if requested by the members present, provided there is a quorum, at the regular May meeting, which shall be considered the Annual Meeting.

Section Three: Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by special election at the first regular meeting following the withdrawal, removal or written resignation of an officer, provided a quorum is present. See Art. 4, Sec. 4 below in By-Laws.

Section Four: Officers may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the membership. Such vote shall be initiated by written petition showing names and call signs of ten or more members.

ARTICLE THREE – DUTIES of OFFICERS

Section One: The President shall preside at all meetings of this Society, and conduct the same according to the rules adopted. The President shall enforce due observance of this Constitution and By-laws, decide all questions of order, sign all official documents that are adopted by the Society, and perform all other customary duties pertaining to the office of President.

Section Two: The Vice President shall assume all the duties of the President in the absence of the latter.

Section Three: The Secretary shall keep a written record of the proceedings of all meetings, keep a roll of members, submit applications for membership, carry on all correspondence, read communications at each meeting, and mail written meeting notices to each member when necessary. The Secretary shall, at the expiration of the term, turn over to the successor all items belonging to the Society.

Section Four: The Treasurer shall receive and receipt all monies paid to the Society, and shall keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended. The Treasurer shall pay no bills without proper authorization by the Society or its officers. At the end of each calendar quarter, the Treasurer shall submit an itemized statement of disbursements and receipts. The Treasurer shall, at the expiration of the term, turn over to the successor everything belonging to the Society.

ARTICLE FOUR – MEETINGS

Section One: The By-Laws shall provide for regular and special meetings.

ARTICLE FIVE – DUES

Section One. The Society, by a majority vote of the membership at a regular meeting with proper warning and with a quorum, may levy upon the general membership such dues or assessments as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the Society within its objectives as set forth in the Preamble. Non payment of such dues or assessments shall be cause for expulsion from the Society within the discretion of the membership.

ARTICLE SIX – AMENDMENTS

Section One: This Constitution or the By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership. Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing at a regular meeting, and shall be voted on at the next regular meeting, provided all members have been notified by mail of the intent to amend the Constitution and/or By-Laws at said meeting.

BY-LAWS of the GREEN MOUNTAIN WIRELESS SOCIETY
November, 2001

ARTICLE ONE – ROBERT’S RULES

Section One. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern proceedings.

Section Two. Robert’s Rules of Order may be temporarily suspended by a simple majority vote.

ARTICLE TWO – SECRETARY

Section One. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the Constitution and By-Laws of the Society and have a copy of the same at every meeting. The Secretary shall cause all amendments, changes, and additions to be noted thereon, and shall permit the same to be consulted by members upon request.

Section Two. The Secretary shall keep minutes of meetings and maintain a written permanent record of same.

ARTICLE THREE – MEMBERSHIP

Section One. Individual membership is open to licensed amateur radio operators and those having a legitimate interest in Amateur Radio. Membership includes all Society privileges, as well as the right to hold a Society office and to vote for Society officers, except as provided in the Constitution.

Section Two. Applications for membership shall be submitted, in writing, at regular meetings.

Section Three. Each applicant shall be sponsored by two members.

Section Four. Each application shall be approved at a regular meeting by a majority vote of the members present, the vote being taken by voice vote or paper ballot if requested.

ARTICLE FOUR - MEETINGS

Section One. Regular meetings shall be held on the second Tuesday of each calendar month at such a place and time as the President shall order. Special meetings may be called by the President upon the request of any five Society members.

Section Two. Notices shall be sent to members by the Secretary, concerning special meetings and the business to be transacted. Only such business as designated shall be transacted.

Section Three. A quorum must be present to conduct any and all Society business.

Section Four. A quorum shall consist of ten members present at a regular or special meeting as provided in Article Four, Section Three in the Constitution.

ARTICLE FIVE – DUES

Section One. Yearly dues shall be levied in accordance with the provisions of Article Five of the Constitution for the purpose of providing funds for current expenses. Dues are payable on July 1 of each year.

ARTICLE SIX – COMMITTEES

Section One. Committees as required by the President or desired by the membership shall be appointed by the President.

Section Two. The Executive Committee (Article Two, Section One in the Constitution) shall plan and run regular and special meetings, maintain membership list, transact Society business, arrange programs, respond to Society members as needed, and create and maintain liaison with related organizations.

Original Constitution and By-laws were Signed December 9, 1980 by R. C. Allen WA1ONT, B. Morton N1ARI, T.E. Earle WA1ZOJ, F.J. D’Auria N1AGY, L. Parker WB1HHG, B. J. Justin, Jr. WA1ZMS, A. Guerra WA1GKS, and witnessed by eight others. The revised Constitution and By-Laws of November, 2001 were approved by a seventy one percent favorable vote to conform to the two thirds required. Approved Jan. 11, 2002.

*** For a printable version of the GMWS Constitution and By-laws, please click here. ***

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