CONSTITUTION AND STANDING RULES
of the
RIVERLAND AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
La Crosse, Wisconsin
Approved by the Executive Board
In Regular Meeting
October 4, 2022
Attested October 4, 2022
President: Shawn A. Hicks
Vice President: David Peters
Treasurer: Drew Neve
Secretary: Carl Thurston
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RIVERLAND AMATEUR RADIO CLUB CONSTITUTION AND STANDING RULES
October 4, 2022
RARC IS A 501 (C)(3) ORGANIZATION
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I – NAME The name of the CLUB shall be Riverland Amateur Radio Club (RARC). The RARC is a
501c3 organization.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE The purpose of the CLUB shall be:
A. To encourage fellowship, social participation and cooperation among amateur radio enthusiasts and
their families, and
1. To increase the number of trained radio operators, technicians and experts
2. Support the club property and enable members’ access to it
3. Enhance international good will
B. Encompass the purpose of amateur radio as set forth by the Federal Communications Commission
Rules and Regulations, Part 97, to wit:
1. Provide public service, particularly in emergencies
2. Continue and extend the advancement of radio art
3. Encourage the improvement of the communication and technical phases of radio art
ARTICLE III – MEMBERS
Section 1. Eligibility: Regular Members: The regular membership of the CLUB shall consist of those
persons holding valid Amateur Radio Station and Operator’s licenses whose application for Regular
Membership has been approved. Other member types may be defined in the Standing Rules.
Section 2. Annual Dues – Annual dues shall be payable in accordance with the Standing Rules of the
CLUB.
Section 3. Arrears – The Secretary shall notify any member who is two months in arrears with dues, and
if the dues are not paid within three months thereafter, said member shall be dropped from the CLUB
membership unless satisfactory arrangements can be made with the CLUB administration to clear up the
arrears.
ARTICLE IV- EXECUTIVE BOARD / OFFICERS
Section 1. Officers – The Executive Board shall be elected by the RARC membership at the Annual
Meeting (December) of the RARC. The Officers of the RARC shall be selected by the Executive Board
from those members elected to the Executive Board. The officers of this club shall be a President, Vice
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President, Secretary, Treasurer and Station Trustee. Elected Executive Board members not holding an
office are Members-at-Large.
Section 2. Duties of Officers – These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by the Standing Rules of
the CLUB and by the Parliamentary Authority adopted by the CLUB.
Section 3. Nominations – Members interested in serving on the Executive Board shall be nominated from
the floor, but only with the consent of the person being nominated.
Section 4. Election of the Executive Board- The election of the Executive Board shall take place at the
Annual Meeting and they shall serve for one year or until their successors have been elected, their term
of office beginning at the close of the meeting at which they are elected. Every attempt shall be made
to have this election at the Annual Meeting in person with members being required to be present to
vote. The Executive Board has the authority to adjust, by majority vote, the medium in which the
Annual Meeting election process is conducted if an in-person election is not practical.
Section 5. Balloting – Election the Executive Board – The ballot shall consist of all nominated persons in
accordance with Section 3. Nominees are on the ballot only as an unspecified position on the Executive
Board. Members at the Annual Meeting are to vote for no more nominees than the current number of
Executive Board Member positions in existence, with the Station Trustee not considered an elected
Executive Board Member position. Those nominees receiving the majority votes required for at least
one unspecified Executive Board Member position shall be considered elected to the Executive Board.
Section 6. Election by Majority – A majority vote by the members present and voting shall be required
for election, a quorum being present.
Section 7. Limitations – No member shall hold more than one office at a time.
Section 8. Vacancies – Any vacancy in an office shall be filled in accordance with the Standing Rules of
the CLUB.
ARTICLE V – MEETINGS The regular meetings of the CLUB shall be held in accordance with the Standing
Rules of the CLUB.
ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES The President shall appoint Standing and other Special Committees as the
Club deems necessary to carry on the work and responsibilities of the CLUB and the President shall be a
member ex officio of all committees except that he shall not be a member of a Nominating Committee if
the Standing Rules should provide for one.
ARTICLE VII – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER, NEWLY REVISED (2000) shall
govern all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with this
Constitution and the Standing Rules of the CLUB, or with any Special Rules the CLUB may adopt.
ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS This Constitution and Standing Rules may be amended at the Annual
meeting of the CLUB by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting, a quorum being
present, provided that the proposed amendment has been submitted to the membership at a previous
regular meeting.
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ARTICLE IX – DURATION AND DISSOLUTION The duration of the RARC is perpetual. If and when the
RARC wishes to dissolve, the assets of the CLUB shall be distributed to a local non-profit organization
that falls under the 501(c)(3) code of the IRS.
STANDING RULES — RARC
ARTICLE I – ADJUNCT MEMBERSHIPS
Section 1. Additional forms of membership.
Voting Family Membership shall consist of membership(s) for licensed legal dependents who would
otherwise be eligible as a regular member.
Non-voting Associate Membership shall consist of those persons who may not be so licensed but who
are interested in amateur radio, whose application for Associate Membership has been approved.
Non-voting Student Membership shall consist of those persons who may not be so licensed but who are
interested in amateur radio, whose application for Student Membership has been approved.
Non-voting Honorary Membership with no voting privilege or fee may be conferred upon a motion
made and carried by the membership.
ARTICLE II – DUES
Section 1. The annual dues for regular, associate, and student membership shall be determined at the
Annual Meeting each year and shall be payable on or before the third meeting of the year.
Section 2. The CLUB may levy upon the entire membership any special assessment deemed necessary to
carry out the business of the CLUB, such assessment to be approved only by a majority vote of the
members present and voting at a regular meeting of the CLUB, a quorum being present.
ARTICLE III – EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of seven members – six elected by the membership and the
seventh being the Station Trustee, who is an ex officio voting member of the board. Executive Board
members shall be elected by secret ballot at the December Annual Meeting. If there is no quorum, the
Executive Board may appoint members to fill expired board positions to serve only until a quorum can
be established for the election. The Executive Board shall select officers from amongst Executive Board
members immediately following the adjournment of Annual Meeting to no later than two weeks after
the Annual Meeting. The Station Trustee shall be appointed or renewed by the Executive Board annually
in January. The Station Trustee may continue in that position until he/she resigns or is removed by the
Executive Board. The Station Trustee may not hold any other officer positions on the board.
Section 2. The Term of Office for the CLUB officials is one year and they can only hold office for two
consecutive years in a given office, unless they are unopposed then they can hold office for three years
or more.
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Section 3. The business of the CLUB shall be managed by its Executive Board. Each board member shall
discharge board duties in good faith and with the diligence and care which an ordinarily prudent person
in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances. The board shall have the power and
authority to implement the purposes and goals of the CLUB. These duties shall include, but are not
limited to:
A. Performing all functions defined by other provisions of the Constitution or by the Standing Rules or by
the membership of this CLUB.
B. Performing all functions required by law and not herein specifically assigned to the members or
officers.
Section 4. Fulfilling other duties as appropriate; establish projects and budgets; evaluate the need for
fund raising; authorize expenditures up to $500; expenditures exceeding $500 will be brought to the
membership for advisory consideration through majority vote; plan with the Vice President club
programs and locations; and discuss and prepare for presentation to the membership information
relating to significant projects and undertakings of the CLUB.
Section 5. The Executive Board shall meet a minimum of six times per year with four of those meetings
occurring in January, May, July, and November. The dates, times and locations of the Executive Board
meetings shall be publicized to all club members at least three days in advance of the meetings. The
frequency of board meetings shall be consistent with the operational management nature of the
Executive Board. The quorum for board meetings shall be a majority of board members.
Section 6. A board vacancy occurring prior to the December Annual Meeting must be filled by
appointment by the Executive Board within three weeks after the vacancy is announced. The term of an
appointed board member is that of the vacant position. Unless the term expires, an appointed board
member must be confirmed by a vote of the membership at the next December Annual Meeting.
Section 7. Members of the Executive Board may be removed by majority vote of a quorum of the
membership.
Section 8. The remaining two elected board members will be designated as Board Members at Large.
They are to have the same voting power as any other board member when it comes to decisions that
the board makes on the club’s behalf. While having no specified duties, other than providing a voice in
board decisions; the President may call upon them to serve in a leadership role as a committee chair
from time to time as situations arise or assign them other duties.
ARTICLE IV – DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. President – The President shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and meetings of
the CLUB membership; conduct meetings according to the rules adopted; enforce due observance of
this Constitution and Standing Rules; decide all questions of order; sign all official documents that are
adopted by the CLUB and none other; appoint committees as appropriate to CLUB activities; and
perform all other customary duties pertaining to the office of president. Maintain the CLUB’s Special
Service Designation with the ARRL.
Section 2. Vice-president – The Vice-president shall assume all the duties and responsibilities of the
President in the absence of the President, or, if for any reason, the President steps down from the chair.
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The Vice-president is to be the chair of the CLUB program committee; and arrange for meeting places
for monthly CLUB activities and scheduled meetings of the membership.
Section 3. Secretary – The Secretary shall maintain an accurate record of all meeting procedures; in
cooperation with the Treasurer, shall keep a current roster of the membership; submit applications for
membership at a regular meeting of the CLUB and carry on all CLUB correspondence, read
communications at meetings; publish written notices in advance of board meetings and meetings of the
membership; maintain all official records of the CLUB; ensure continuing registration of the CLUB with
appropriate governmental entities including not-for-profit status, charitable organization status, tax
exempt status; maintain the CLUB’s ARRL affiliation. Upon succession, the outgoing Secretary shall turn
over all club records to the incoming Secretary.
Section 4. Treasurer – The Treasurer shall receive and receipt for all moneys paid to the CLUB; keep an
accurate account of all moneys received and expensed; maintain a bank checking account in the CLUB’s
name; and maintain a listing of significant equipment owned by the CLUB. The Treasurer shall pay no
bills without proper authorization by the Executive Board. In November and May, the Treasurer shall
submit a written itemized statement of disbursements and receipts to the Executive Board. Upon
succession, the outgoing Treasurer shall turn over all CLUB records and moneys to the incoming
Treasurer. Maintain the 501 (C) (3) status completing both the State and Federal forms for tax
purposes.
Section 5. Station Trustee – The Station Trustee is responsible for coordinating all activities and
documentation to maintain the club’s repeater affiliation with the Wisconsin and Minnesota Repeater
Associations.
ARTICLE V – CLUB FINANCES
Section 1. All CLUB funds shall be placed in a savings and/or checking account in a recognized
community banking institution.
Section 2. Deposit and withdrawal of these funds shall be the duty of the Treasurer.
Section 3. At the December meeting, the President will appoint two members at large to audit the
CLUB’s finances; check the original bank statements of checking and savings accounts and verify that
deposits and expenditures are correct as reflected by the bank statements.
ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS
Section 1. Regular meetings of the CLUB shall be held monthly on a day and time selected annually.
Section 2. The December meeting shall be designated as the Annual Meeting.
Section 3. The President may call special meetings, as he/she deems necessary for the good of the CLUB.
ARTICLE VII – QUORUM Twenty-five percent of the regular CLUB members shall constitute a quorum for
this CLUB.
ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS
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Section 1. With the exception of voting on changes to the Constitution and Standing Rules and in the
election of the Executive Board, the quorum requirement may be changed at any meeting of the CLUB
by a three-fourths majority vote of the regular members present and voting.
Section 2. On the death of a member or of a member’s 1st degree relative, or of a past member in good
standing for at least 10 years, a RARC memorial of $25.00 will be made to HandiHams or a charity of the
family’s choice.
Section 3. Expenses for out of town presenters would include dinner and mileage based on Federal
Government guidelines.
Section 4. New never licensed Hams will be granted free membership in the CLUB for the balance of the
current year plus the next year. A new CLUB member who is licensed will have their membership prorated after July 1.
Section 5. An archive will be created and maintained of the meeting minutes, financial records and any
changes in the Standing Rules or Constitution will be included and passed along to the appropriate
incoming officers. An electronic copy will be presented to all officers at the December meeting.
Section 6. A record of the awards presented to members of the CLUB will be established and
maintained in the archive. The awards include, but are not limited to: “Ham of the Year,” “New Ham of
the Year,” “Elmer of the Year,” “Ernie Gershon Lifetime Achievement Award” and any other “Special
Award” presented to a member of the CLUB