Palmetto Amateur Linking
System Network Association
(PALSNET)
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
Palmetto Amateur Linking System Network (PALSNET)
Association and enact this constitution as our governing law. Said Association
is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the
meaning of section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It
shall be our purpose to establish the technical standards for the proper linking
of Amateur Radio repeaters, establish and maintain a
system of linked repeaters in
Membership:
Article I
All licensed Radio Amateurs and persons interested in
Amateur Radio communications* shall be eligible for membership. Membership shall
be by application and election upon such terms as the association shall provide
in its By-Laws.
* ie
– radio communications between amateur stations solely with a personal or
emergency aim and without pecuniary
interest.
Officers:
Article II
Sec. 1. The officers of this association shall be President,
Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Sec. 2. The officers of this association shall be elected for a
term of one year by
ballot of the members present provided there be a quorum, at
the annual meeting.
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 association, 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 association
activities, plan and recommend contests for operating benefits, and advance
association interest and activity as approved by the
association.
He/she shall maintain close
liaison with the ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator to further association of
the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, RACES and Skywarn.
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 mail written meeting notices to each member.
E-mail is an acceptable means of notification. At the expiration of his/her term he/she
shall turn over all items belonging to the association to his/her
successor.
Sec. 4. The Treasurer shall receive and receipt for all monies
paid to the association; keep an accurate account of all monies received and
expended; pay no bills without proper authorization (by the association 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 association to his/her
successor.
Meetings: Article
IV
The By-Laws shall provide for regular and special
meetings. At meetings, the membership present shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business. Members
who cannot be present may make their wishes known by notifying the Secretary
prior to the meeting. E-mail is an
acceptable means of notification.
Dues: Article
V
The association shall have no specific dues, but may ask
that each of the users of the linked repeater system contribute to the
maintenance and upkeep of the system.
The actual amount of each individual’s contribution shall be left to the
individual.
Membership Assistance: Article
VI
The association, through designated Linking, Public
Relations, and Operating Committees will provide technical advice to repeater
owners wishing to join the PALSNET with information concerning equipment design
and operation to assist in frequency observance, clean signals, uniform
practice, and absence of spurious radiation's from the member-stations. The
association shall also maintain a program to foster and guide public
relations.
Amendments:
Article VII
This constitution or By-Laws may be amended by a
two-thirds 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 mail of the
intent to amend the constitution and/or By-Laws at said
meeting.
Robert's Rules shall govern
proceedings.
Association Activities: Article VIII
No substantial part of the
activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda or
otherwise attempting to influence legislation and the organization shall not
participate or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of
statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public
office.
Not withstanding any other
provisions of this document. the organization shall not
carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried
on
(a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under
section 501 (c ) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code or the corresponding section
of any future federal code or
(b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible
under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code or the corresponding
section of any future federal tax code.
Dissolution : Article IX
Upon the dissolution of the
organization assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within
the meaning of section 501 (c ) (3) of the Internal
Revenue Code. or corresponding section of any future
federal tax code. or shall be distributed to the
federal government or to a state or local government for a public purpose. Any
such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of
the county in which the principle office of the organization is then located
exclusively for such purposes or to such organizations as said court shall
determine which are organized and operated exclusively for such
purposes.
By-Laws:
1. Secretary. It
shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the constitution and By-Laws of the
association and have the same with him/her at every meeting. He/she shall note
all amendments, changes and additions on the constitution and shall permit it to
be consulted by members upon request.
2. Membership.
Full membership is open to all licensed amateurs. Associate membership is open
to those actively engaged in a class leading to an Amateur Radio license and all
other interested persons. Full membership includes all association privileges as
well as rights to hold a association office and to vote
for association officers. Associate membership includes all association
privileges except for the right to hold office and vote for association
officers. Applications for membership shall be submitted at regular meetings or
through the association Secretary between regular
meetings.
3. Meetings. The
annual Regular meeting shall be held concurrent with the annual PALSNET
picnic. Special meetings may be
called by the President upon the request of any five association 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 so that they arrive not less than 24 hours before the
meeting. E-mail is an acceptable
means of notification.
4. Dues. Each user
of the PALSNET is asked to contribute in accordance with the provisions of
Article V of the constitution for the purpose of providing funds for expenses of
operation, maintenance and expansion of the linked repeater system. No part of
the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be
distributable to its members, trustees, officers or other private persons except
the association shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation
for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in the furtherance
of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause.
5. Linking committee. This committee shall consist of
five members (appointed by the association President). The committee shall
establish standards for the proper linking of the repeaters that will be used by
the system. This committee will aid
all new repeater owners in properly linking to the system.
6. Ownership of the repeaters that are part of the
system. The ownership of the
repeaters used in the PALSNET will remain with the individual repeater
owners. The PALSNET Association
agrees to help repair and maintain these repeaters in exchange for their
use. At any time an individual
repeater owner may withdraw from the system, but will be required to return any
and all equipments that the association provided for the specific purpose of
linking to the system.