MCHENRY COUNTY WIRELESS ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION
As Approved April 5, 2016
PREAMBLE
We the undersigned, wishing to secure for ourselves the pleasures and benefits of the association of persons commonly interested in Amateur Radio, constitute ourselves The McHenry County Wireless Association and enact this constitution as our governing law. It shall be our purpose to further the exchange of information and co-operation between members, to promote radio knowledge, fraternalism and individual operating efficiency, to so conduct club programs and activities and to advance the general interest and welfare of amateur radio in the community.
ARTICLE I – Name and Purpose
Section 1
This organization shall be known as the McHenry County Wireless Association (MCWA).
Section 2
The purpose of this Association is to bring together those radio amateurs interested in all aspects of Amateur Radio, to enhance the experience of the members, and to promote good operating practices.
ARTICLE II – Membership
Section 1
All persons interested in amateur radio communication shall be eligible for membership.
Section 2
Full membership is open to all licensed amateurs. Only full members may hold club office and vote for club officers.
Section 3
Only the first member in a household pays dues.
Section 4
Associate membership is open to anyone actively engaged in study leading to an amateur radio license.
Section 5
An amateur may be made an Honorary (non-voting) member by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Honorary members pay no dues.
Section 6
The Board of Directors, at its discretion, may waive the annual dues for any member based on hardship or special circumstances.
Section 7
All voting members shall have an equal vote.
ARTICLE III – Officers
Section 1
The Officers of this Association shall consist of a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, who shall be elected, as provided below, for one year terms. In order to hold an office an individual must be a member in good standing for at least one year prior and hold a valid Amateur Radio license.
Section 2
Any vacancies occurring between elections shall be filled by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, for the balance of the term of the subject vacancy.
Section 3
Nominations and elections for Officers and Directors shall be made at the first membership meeting on or after September 1st. The Nominating Committee shall present its nominees, and additional nominations may be made from the floor. In the event that there are no nominations from the floor for one or more positions, the nominees of the Nominating Committee shall be declared elected by voice acclamation at the September meeting. In the event that there are additional nominations from the floor at the September meeting for one or more positions, the membership shall vote for the contested positions at the September meeting.
Section 4
Installation of the new Officers and Directors shall be at the October membership meeting.
ARTICLE IV – Duties of the Officers
Section 1
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and shall enforce due observance of this Constitution and Bylaws, decide all questions of order, and perform all other duties customarily pertaining to the office of the President.
Section 2
The Vice President shall assist the President in all matters of the Association and shall act in the President’s behalf in his/her absence.
Section 3
The Secretary shall carry on all correspondence on behalf of the Association. The Secretary shall also take, publish and maintain minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors and of the Association Membership.
Section 4
The Treasurer shall maintain and publish a roster of members, be custodian for all Association funds, maintain a bank account, or accounts, in the name of the Association, perform a monthly bank reconciliation and shall prepare a monthly Treasurer’s report for the membership meeting.
ARTICLE V – Board of Directors
Section 1
The Board of Directors shall consist of the current Officers of the Association, two Directors-at-Large, and the immediate Past President, all elected by a majority of the membership. The two Directors-at-Large shall be elected in alternating years for two-year terms.
Section 2
Any Officer or Director may be removed from office by motion by any member, carried at a Regular membership meeting, and a two-thirds vote of the members present at the following regular membership meeting.
ARTICLE VI – Committees and Appointed Positions
Section 1
The Nominating Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and both Directors-at-Large of the Board. The Chairperson shall be appointed by the President.
Section 2
Any additional committees may be appointed by the Board of Directors to serve at its discretion.
ARTICLE VII – Meetings
Section 1
The Bylaws shall provide for regular and special membership meetings. A minimum for a quorum to conduct club business is one-fifth of the full members in good standing.
ARTICLE VIII – Amendments
Section 1
The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a regular meeting. Proposals for amendments offered by the Board of Directors or any member, shall be submitted at a regular membership meeting, and shall be voted on at the following regular membership meeting.
ARTICLE IX – Indemnification of Members and Officers
Section 1
The members and officers of the Club shall be indemnified by the Club to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law in connection with any actual or threatened civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding (whether brought by or in the name of the Club or otherwise) arising out of their position in or service to the Club or to any other organization at the Club’s request. Persons who are not members or officers of the Club may be similarly indemnified in respect of such service to the extent authorized at the time by the Club Officers. The Club may maintain insurance to protect itself and any such members, officers or other person against any liability, cost or expense incurred in connection with any such action, suit or proceeding. The provisions of the Article shall be applicable to actions, suits, or proceedings commenced after the adoption hereof, whether arising from acts or omissions occurring before or after the adoption thereof. The indemnification herein provided for shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any by-laws agreement, or otherwise.
ARTICLE X – Club Call Sign
Section 1
The President shall assign trusteeship of the club call sign. The trustee shall be a member of the Association in good standing, meet the FCC requirements, and not have had his/her Radio Amateur license revoked or sanctioned at any time.
ARTICLE XI – Dissolution of the Association
Section 1
In the event that the Board of Directors votes that the Association should be dissolved, the motion for dissolution must receive more than two-thirds vote of the full membership to pass.
Section 2
The Board of Directors shall handle the disbursement of all assets of the Association. No member or group of members shall receive benefit from the assets. All physical equipment of the Association and remaining cash shall be donated to non-profit organizations or foundations to support amateur radio.
As adopted by the Charter Members,
September 12, 1978
Submitted by Denny Granger WB9SlE
As amended by the Members,
March 2, 1999
Submitted by Doug Cluts, N9PLN
As amended by the membership,
December 2, 2003
Attested to by Eric Rademacher, KC9AVP President of MCWA.
As amended by the membership,
December 4, 2007
Attested to by Kent Dulaney, K9KMD Secretary of MCWA.
As amended by the membership,
April 5, 2016
Attested to by Roger Scott, KF9D Secretary of MCWA.
As amended by the membership, January 4, 2022
Attested to by Ralph Iden, WB9ICF President of MCWA
Quorum requirement changed from “one-third” to “one-fifth” of full members in good standing.
MCHENRY COUNTY WIRELESS ASSOCIATION BYLAWS
As Approved April 5, 2016
ARTICLE I – Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall be responsible for conducting the business activities of MCWA, subject to the provisions of the MCWA Constitution and Bylaws. The Board of Directors meetings shall be open to the membership, who shall be notified in advance of such meetings.
ARTICLE II – Dues
Dues for all Regular members shall be $10.00 per calendar year and are due at the January meeting and must be paid by then in order for a member to remain in good standing. Any member not remitting dues by the March meeting will be dropped from the membership roster.
ARTICLE III – Regular Meetings
Regular membership meetings shall normally be held on the first Tuesday of each calendar month.
In the event of inclement weather or the first Tuesday falling on a holiday, the Board of Directors will determine an alternate date and give adequate notice to the membership regarding the meeting change.
The meeting place for regular monthly membership meetings shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV – Expenditures
Expenditures of Association funds of $100 or less shall be authorized by the President or Treasurer.
Expenditures of over $100, but not more than $300, must be authorized by a majority of Association Officers.
Expenditures of over $300 must be authorized by a majority of the members in attendance at any regular membership meeting.