Constitution & By-Laws


NØID IARC Independence Amateur Radio Club

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS



Constitution and By-Laws

APPROVED March 2023

Authority: These bylaws have been adopted, pursuant to authority evidenced by a majority vote of the Independence Amateur Radio Club, also known as IARC. (Hereafter referred to as the Club)

Name: This Club shall be known as the Independence Amateur Radio Club, also known as IARC. (A nonprofit Club.)

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 Independence Amateur Radio Club and 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, fraternalism and individual operating efficiency, and to so conduct club programs and activities as to advance the general interest and welfare of Amateur Radio in the community. The Club will support Homeland Security, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and Montgomery County Emergency Management.

Article I Membership: All persons interested in Amateur Radio communications shall be eligible for membership. Membership shall be by application and election upon such terms as the club shall provide in its bylaws.

Article II Officers:

Sec. 1. The officers of this club shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. These four Officers shall make up the Executive Committee.

Sec. 2. The officers of this club shall be elected for a term of one year by vote of the members present, provided there be a quorum, at the first regular meeting of the New Year. The office of President shall have a two-term limit. A member may be reelected as President after one year out of office and may hold any other officer position during that one-year.

Sec. 3. Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by special elections at the first regular meeting following the withdrawal or resignation.

Sec. 4. Dismissal of Officers or Members: Any member is subject to dismissal from membership for conduct which would cause the suspension or revocation of their amateur radio license or which would cause unfavorable concern to be reflected upon the Club and Amateur Radio in general. The dismissal proceedings begin with the executive committee contacting the individual to ascertain his intentions and comments in the matter brought forth. If this action is the dismissal of an Officer of the club, another member may be selected to temporarily take the officers position on the executive committee. This shall be done by vote of the membership at large. The executive committee shall bring to the next regular scheduled meeting the reply of the individual, should he not elect to represent himself to the membership. After discussion, a secret ballot will be conducted to decide whether that individual's membership shall be revoked.

 Duties of


Article III Officers:

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 club, 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 club activities, plan and recommend contests for operating benefits, and advance club interest and activity as approved by the club.

Sec. 3. The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, keep a roll of members, submit membership applications, read communications at each meeting, and e-mail meeting notices to each member. At the expiration of his/her term he/she shall turn over all items belonging to the club to his/her successor.

Sec. 4. The Treasurer shall receive and receipt for all monies paid to the club; keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended; pay no bills without proper authorization (by the club 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 club to his/her successor.


Article IV Meetings: The by-laws shall provide for regular and special meetings. At meetings, a minimum of 2 officers of the Club and a total of one-third of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Robert’s Rules Of Order shall govern proceedings.

Article V Dues: The club, by majority vote of those present at any regular meeting, may levy upon the general membership such dues or assessments as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the organization. Non-payment of such dues or assessments shall be cause for expulsion from the club within the discretion of the membership.

Article VI Membership Assistance: As needed, ad hoc committees may be formed. Examples include interference resolution, public relations, technical and operating committees. 

Article VII Amendments: This constitution or by-laws may be amended, by a two-thirds vote of the membership (Membership shall be a quorum). Proposals for Amendments shall be submitted in writing at a meeting. (Providing the members has been notified at least 24 hours in advance of any l meeting.)

By-Laws:

2. Secretary: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the constitution and by-laws of the club 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.

3. Membership: 

a) Full membership is open to licensed amateurs who are in good standing with the club. Full membership includes all club privileges as well as rights to hold a club office and to vote for club officers.

b) Associate membership is open to those actively engaged in a class leading to an Amateur Radio license and all other interested persons. Associate membership includes all club privileges except for the right to hold office and vote.

c) Student membership is available to a licensed person under 18 or still in school. A student member is considered a voting member.

d) Family membership is available and consists of a full member and their immediate family members.

e) Applications for membership shall be submitted at regular meetings. Good standing would mean, your dues are paid up.

4. Meetings: Regular meetings shall be held on the first Tuesday of each calendar month. The President upon the written request of any four club members may call a special meeting. 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.

5. Dues: 

a) A yearly assessment of $20.00 per member is hereby assessed in accordance with the provisions of Article V of the constitution for the purpose of providing funds for expenses.

b) Membership for new licensed Technicians will be free for the first year. This shall be for the remaining months of the current year and the following full year.

c) Student member dues shall be $5.00.

d) Family memberships shall be a full member plus an additional amount $5.00.

e) Dues shall be due on the first meeting of the New Year.

6. Technical Committee: This committee shall consist of a minimum of two members (appointed by the club President). The committee shall be responsible for maintaining the proper operation the clubs radio equipment.

7. Voting: In order to be eligible to vote you must be a member in good standing (see 3 above). You must be a member for at least three (3) months in order to vote. All voting conducted at any meeting will be noted by the show of hands, with the exception of dismissal of officers or a member, which shall be by secret ballot. A student member is considering a voting member. A family membership shall have one vote only.

8. Elections: Elections of club officers shall be conducted at the first scheduled meeting of the new calendar year. Newly elected offices assume their post immediately after elections are completed.

9. Testing: The IARC is a field-stocked ARRL VE testing facility. The club shall maintain a group of volunteer examiners to conduct testing for Amateur Radio licenses as requested. All testing materials  shall be closely monitored and supervised by currently certified VE’s. When not in use said materials would be secured from unauthorized access.

Note: handling of test materials or conducting testing for General or Extra class licenses, must be performed by three (3) Extra class VE’s, per ARRL VEC requirements.

10. Expenditures: The President with the concurrence of one other member of the Executive Committee may authorize expenditures up to $100.00 as may be necessary, outside of a normal business meeting.