CCARA By-Laws
Constitution and By-laws of the
Calhoun County Amateur Radio Association, Inc.
ARTICLE I – NAME AND POWERS
A. Name: This organization shall be known as the Calhoun County Amateur Radio Association (herein as “CCARA”.) It is a private, non-profit corporation. It was incorporated in accordance with the Code of Alabama 1940, Title 10, Section 124, et seq.
B. Powers: The Corporation shall have all the powers of such corporation as set out in the Code of Alabama, 1940, Title 10, Section 124, et seq.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
Purpose: It is the purpose of the organization to encourage the exchange of information and cooperation among members; to promote radio knowledge and fraternalism, and to support the community in an appropriate fashion through assistance to FEMA District G, the state of Alabama Emergency Management Agency, and/or our local emergency management agency when requested. The CCARA shall relay weather conditions, and other emergency communications in emergency or disaster situations. This organization shall assist non-governmental organizations, local law enforcement and fire departments or any other non-profit organizations by request and when deemed in need of our communication assistance.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
III. A. Membership: Membership shall be through a completed and properly submitted application with acceptance by a majority of voting members present during a business session and upon payment of membership dues as specified in the rules of the Association. It shall be open to all persons who are interested in furthering the intended purpose of the Association, whether they are licensed radio amateurs or not, and upon payment of membership dues as specified in the rules of the Association. Members will adhere to the code of conduct promulgated by the American Radio Relay League and Part 97 of the FCC Rules.
Membership in the CCARA shall have three classes:
- Voting members: A voting member will hold a valid amateur radio operator’s license issued by the FCC, or any country which holds a reciprocal license with the USA and shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the CCARA.
- Associate Members: An Associate member is any person who does not hold a valid Amateur Radio License issued by the FCC or any country which holds a reciprocal license with the USA. An Associate Member shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the CCARA except the right to vote in CCARA affairs or the right to hold an elective office in CCARA. A spouse and minor children of a voting member (and not holding valid Amateur Radio Licenses) will be made Associate Members upon request by the voting member during any business session. An Associate membership is not subject to yearly dues.
- Club Supporters: Club Supporter status may be recommended by the Association officers and must be confirmed by a majority of the voting members present at any business session in recognition of a person or group for outstanding contributions to CCARA, Amateur Radio, or the community. This status allows the same privileges that are extended to a voting member, to include the right to vote, of the CCARA and is not subject to yearly dues.
Procedures for acceptance of new members:
All new applicants for membership in CCARA shall be required to complete the prescribed membership application. This includes all FCC licensed applicants within an immediate family. New members will normally be sponsored by a current CCARA member, whenever possible.
Applicants wishing to join CCARA who do not have a CCARA sponsor will provide character references on their application, when requested. Refusal to provide said references can result in a delayed vote or no vote called to the membership for approval.
Applications shall be made at a business session. Applicants with club sponsorship can be voted on in the same session following the formal reading of their application, after an appropriate discussion period.
Applicants with no club sponsor will have their application formal reading of their application along with sponsored applicants but may be subject to a postponed vote to be held at the next business session.
Applicants, and accompanying guests, regardless of sponsorship status or type of membership requested, will not be present when the vote is taken.
An applicant will be approved for membership if a majority of voting members present at the session vote in the affirmative by written ballot, show of hands or voice affirmation. Upon payment of dues, the applicant will be granted membership.
The sole exception to the above procedure is for a non-licensed spouse and or minor children of a voting member who will be made Associate Members, upon request by the voting member. Adult Associate Members will complete an informational application and be subject to a voice affirmation by the voting members present.
III. B. Dues: The Association, by a majority vote of voting members present at a regular meeting, may levy on the membership such dues or assessments as shall be deemed necessary for the operation of the organization. These may be levied provided that the entire membership shall have been notified in writing, in advance, that such a vote will be taken. Electronic mail is an acceptable form of written notification if available to the member.
Dues are paid according to Individual, Family, or Student plans.
For dues paying purposes, the individual is defined as one, FCC licensed, adult. They will pay regular yearly dues.
For dues paying purposes, The Family plan is defined as a FCC licensed husband, wife, child or children, up to 18 years of age, and living in the same household with the primary CCARA membership holder. Each membership under this type of account must be an FCC license holder to qualify for this discount structure. Primary will pay regular dues plus ¼ of the regular dues for each membership added as part of the licensed “family.”
For dues paying purposes, the Student plan is defined as a FCC licensed individual, under age 26 who is enrolled in higher education and not residing with a family member as listed in the family plan description. They will pay ½ regular dues.
Dues shall be payable each year on January 1st and are delinquent after the March business session.
Members with dues that remain unpaid after April 1st will be automatically removed from the membership roster, with the exception of newly accepted members. They will be granted a one month extension from the month they are approved for membership.
Members dropped for unpaid dues may be reinstated during the current year, without vote, by paying dues equal to a full year. Members dropped for unpaid dues of one year or more will be required thereafter to apply for membership to be reinstated, and will pay dues equal to a full year.
Dues for new members joining after the March meeting will be the total amount required for full yearly dues of the current year through December 31st. These dues will be dependent upon on the their respective membership plan (Individual, Family or Student.)
Dues paid by a previously active member, late in the current year, will not carry over after December 31st. Dues paid by a new member, voted in during the November business session, will pay ½ of the yearly dues for their membership plan; this dues payment will not carry over after December 31st.
ARTICLE IV – GRIEVANCE AND EXPULSION
Grievance and Expulsion: Charges against any member must be presented in writing to the President, or Vice President in the absence of the President. Charges being entered against the President shall be presented to the Vice President.
The President (or Vice President if the situation warrants) will appoint a Grievance Committee, composed of five voting members, who will investigate and attempt to resolve the charges. The Committee may meet with and orally advise the member of the charges brought against him or her.
Before any actions are taken to censure or expel any person, the accused person(s) will be granted an opportunity to address the charge(s) to the committee and officers, or voting membership. The accused will determine if they prefer to have the voting members present. The club reserves the right to record and all meetings as evidence should these recordings become necessary for further action.
If the committee, after investigation and meeting with the accused, does not resolve the matter, it will be brought before the membership during the next business session. If the member is found to be guilty of the charges, the voting membership may then decide to dismiss the charges or if further action is deemed necessary, may vote to censure or expel the member.
- Censure or expulsion will be by a two-thirds vote of the voting members present at the next business session after notification in writing to all members that such a vote will be taken.
The accused member will be advised in writing of the results of any action taken against him or her. Electronic mail with proof of delivery is an accepted form of delivery of said results.
All voting under this article will be strictly by secret ballot with no exceptions.
ARTICLE V-MEETINGS
A. Meetings: Scheduled business meetings shall be held on the second Saturday of the odd numbered months (January, March, May, July, September, and November) unless changed by a vote of the membership. Business will be transacted at these sessions by a majority vote of the paid voting members present. Social meetings shall be held on the second Saturday of the even numbered months (February, April, June, August, October and December) for the purpose of promoting radio knowledge and fraternalism.
A business session may be called during a non-business meeting for any new business, emergent business, applicant submissions, or voting on new memberships.
The new session will be announced, business conducted then closed with a voice vote of the members present once the business has concluded.
B. Special Meetings: Special Meetings may be called by any officer or appointed position as needed. Examples of special meetings are Field Day preparation meetings and the Christmas party, or the transaction of business that cannot be held delayed until the next business session. Electronic mail is an acceptable form of written notification if available to the member.
ARTICLE VI-OFFICERS
- Officers: Officers of the Association shall consist of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. Any voting member, in good standing, may hold these offices.
Nomination of officers, shall be made from the floor by voting members, during the regular March business meeting. The floor will be open for further nominations from the voting members prior to the election which shall be held at the business session in May. Voting shall be by secret ballot, show of hands, or voice affirmation. Officers shall assume the duties of office as of June 1st. The term of office shall be one year.
Resignation from an office may be submitted at any business meeting or session.
Vacancies occurring between elections shall be filled by direct appointment by the President and confirmed by the voting members present during the next business session.
A vacancy in the President’s office shall be filled by the Vice-President until a new President is nominated and voted on by the members present during the next business meeting.
Article IV procedures shall be used to determine if any officer shall be removed from office.
ARTICLE VII-DUTIES OF OFFICERS
VII. Duties of Officers: The duties of the club officers will be listed by position but are not limited to such as they may be tasked with additional responsibilities on an “as needed” temporary or semi-permanent basis.
The President shall preside at meetings, if he or she is present; enforce observance of by-laws; decide on questions of order; form committees and appoint their chairpersons (in accordance with Article XI); sign all adopted official documents; and perform other customary duties pertaining to the office.
The Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President in the absence of a duly elected President, and shall perform such other duties as the President may direct and not already assigned to some other officer.
The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings; keep a roll of the membership; provide a roster for club members, and carry on all correspondence. At the expiration of his term, he or she shall turn over all appropriate documents to his successor.
The Treasurer shall receive and account for all monies paid to the CCARA, and issue checks in payment for authorized purchases. He or she shall advise the Secretary of members’ payment status and maintain property records. At the expiration of his term, he or she shall turn over all appropriate documents to his successor.
In keeping with the purpose of the organization to promote radio knowledge, it shall be the responsibility of an appointed officer(s), per term, to solicit, coordinate, and provide programs during the business sessions and in the social sessions, if desired.
ARTICLE VIII – NON-OFFICER POSITIONS
VIII. Non-Officer Positions – The President, in consultation with the other officers, will appoint, subject to membership approval, a Repeater Trustee, ARES Emergency Coordinator, Events Coordinator, and other positions necessary to further the Association’s goals. Membership approval to fill vacancies will require a majority vote of members present at any business session. No advance notice of the appointment or vote to approve is required; the appointment and vote may be held at the same business session. Appointed positions serve at the discretion of the President, but for a period not to exceed three years, at which time the appointment can be renewed under the terms of this Article.
- Repeater Trustee – This position shall be responsible for maintaining the function and operational capabilities of the club owned repeaters. They will coordinate any repairs or maintenance as necessary. The position will also maintain licensing status for said repeaters and work with the Alabama Repeater Council and other entities to ensure the club is compliant with all federal, state, regional and local laws or rules pertaining to the repeaters.
- ARES Emergency Coordinator – The ARES Emergency Coordinator (EC) shall be responsible for coordinating all communications responses where the club has been requested to assist as communications support in response to disasters or emergent situations. The position is directly responsible to the President, and in his absence, the Vice President, and works in cooperation with the state ARES Section EC and District DEC.
As this position is required to be an active member of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), dues for this position will be reimbursed yearly by the club at the current rate of membership for the ARRL. The position requires a full one year commitment and is subject to reimbursement to the club if the term is not fulfilled.
- Events Coordinator – The events coordinator is responsible for maintaining a calendar of events and scheduling of personnel for all events the club, as a whole, participates in whether they are club sponsored or to assist other organizations where club member involvement is requested. This does not include jurisdictions outside of the county nor emergent situations. They will be asked to relay information for those events, wherever possible, to the membership and provide a contact to participate in said events.
Emergency Appointments can be made by the President, or in his or her absence, the Vice-president on an emergent basis without immediate club approval. The applicants will be brought to a vote at the next possible business session unless the appointment terminates due to necessity before said session.
ARTICLE IX – COMMITTEES
Committees: Committees may be established by the President as may be deemed advisable. The President will appoint the Chairperson and determine the size of the committee. Committee members will be determined by the committee chairperson.
ARTICLE X – CAPITAL
Capital: The CCARA was formed for non-pecuniary and non-profit purposes exclusively and no shares of stock are to be issued and no dividends of any kind shall be paid.
ARTICLE XI – DURATION
Duration: The duration of the CCARA shall be perpetual.
ARTICLE XII – DISPOSITION OF ASSETS
XII. Disposition of Assets: In the event it becomes necessary or expedient to dispose of individual pieces of property or equipment which exceeds $25.00 in value as determined by the officers, such action shall be discussed and voted on at a regular meeting.
ARTICLE XIII – DISSOLUTION OF ORGANIZATION
XIII. Dissolution of Organization: In the event it becomes necessary, or is considered to be expedient, the CCARA may be dissolved and no longer exist as the Calhoun County Amateur Radio Association, Inc. Such dissolution may be accomplished by a two-thirds vote of those members present, provided all paid-up members have been given two weeks written notice that such a vote is contemplated. (Electronic mail is an acceptable form of written notification if available to the member) Upon dissolution, all assets of the CCARA, whether money or property, will be turned over to one or more non-profit organizations. The organization(s), to whom the assets will be given, will be determined at the time of the dissolution vote.
ARTICLE XIV – AMENDMENTS
XIV. Amendments: The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present and qualified to vote at any business session provided all members have been given notice, in writing, that such a vote is proposed and scheduled for discussion and or voting. Electronic mail is an acceptable form of written notification if available to the member. Such written notice shall include a draft of the proposed Constitution and By-Laws.
ARTICLE XV- PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Parliamentary Procedure: Parliamentary practice in all meetings of the CCARA shall be in accordance with the Roberts Rules of Order.
(AMENDED AND APPROVED: November 8, 2013)
(AMENDED AND APPROVED: July 8, 2017)
(AMENDED AND APPROVED: July 12, 2025)
