Bylaws
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Here are the SFFMA Bylaws:

(1) BYLAWS OF THE SOUTH FLORIDA FM ASSOCIATION, INC

adopted august 8 1988, amended February 13, November 6, December 11, 1989 printed 1-7-90

ARTICLE 1. NAME

The name of this association shall be the South Florida FM Association, Incorporated.

ARTICLE 2- PURPOSE

It shall be the purpose of this association to secure the non-commercial benefits of association of persons commonly interested in amateur radio operations to promote general cooperation in the furthering of efficiency of operation among radio amateurs; to conduct programs, instruction, experimentation and activities as to advance the interest and welfare of amateur radio in the community, to establish networks to provide communications for public service events and especially on the event of disasters or other emergencies; to advance the radio art, and the public welfare; and maintain fraternalism and a high standard of conduct.

ARTICLE 3- MEMBERS

section 1.

Any person shall be eligible to membership. Membership grades shall be: REGULAR, NOVICE, FAMILY LIFE, HONORARY

a) REGULAR membership shall consist of amateur radio operators holding a valid Federal Communications commission license in grade of TECHNICIAN or higher.

b) NOVICE membership shall consist of amateur radio operators holding a valid Federal Communications commission license in the grade of NOVICE. Dues for such members shall be the same as for regular members, and such members shall be entitled to all privileges accorded to regular members except the right to hold the office as repeater trustee.

c) Alien licenses must hold a valid Federal Communications Commission license or a current reciprocal operating permit. In case of automatic reciprocity, the license from the country of origin must be current.

d) FAMILY membership. The spouse and dependent family members residing in the same household of a REGULAR or NOVICE member may become a member, with due respect to a Federal Communication Commission license status, upon application and affirmative vote of the membership. Dues for such membership is waived.

e) LIFE membership may be conferred upon an adult who shall have rendered notable service to the association. Nomination shall be upon the signed recommendation of one member, seconded by another member. Election shall be by a three-fourths vote by ballot at the annual meeting. A life member shall have none of the obligations of membership in the association, but shall be entitled to all of the privileges.

f) HONORARY membership may be conferred upon an adult who shall have rendered notable service to the association. Nomination shall be upon the signed recommendation of one member, seconded by another member. Election shall be by a three fourths vote by ballot at the annual meeting. A HONORARY member shall have none of the obligations of membership in the association, but shall be entitled to all of the privileges except those of making motions, of voting, and of holding office.

Section 2. APPLICATION AND APPROVAL

a) Each applicant for membership in the association shall fill out a New Member application form in full. Omissions shall be deemed non-responsive and shall cause the application to be returned without further action) b) a)

b) Application must be accompanied by the first year prorated dues plus any assessments.

c) Applicants shall be listed in the association newsletter prior to presentation for vote at a regular meeting.

d) Approval of two thirds of the members present shall be required for election to membership. The applicant shall be asked to leave the room during the voting process. Applicant shall be notified by mail of the outcome regardless of any immediate oral information

Section 3. DUES AND ASSESSMENTS

A.) the Association, by majority of those present at any regular meeting, may levy upon the regular membership such dues or assessments as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the organization.

b.) The annual dues shall be payable in advance or on or before September 30 of each year. Assessments shall be payable in advance on or before three months from the date of approval.

c.) The fiscal year shall be October 1 through September 30.

d.) Those members whose dues are not paid within one month of the date due, shall be automatically dropped from membership in the association. Such member shall be reinstated upon re-application payment of delinquent dues and assessments, approvals of the executive board and a two thirds affirmative vote of the membership. Delinquent dues and assessments may be waived by the executive board.

ARTICLE 4.-OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of the association shall be a President, a Vice President, A secretary, A Treasurer, the immediate Past President, if there shall be one, and three Directors. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the association.

Section 2. A nominating committee shall be appointed by the President at the regular meeting in November. It shall be the duty this committee to nominate candidates for the offices to be filled at the annual meeting in January. The nominating committee shall report at the regular meeting in December where additional nominations from the floor shall be permitted. Nominations shall be closed at the close of the meeting. The nominating committee shall simply present proposed nominees; and it shall neither recommend for or against the election of any nominee.

Section 3. The officers shall be elected by written ballot distributed at the election meeting. (Also including absentee ballots as provided in section 4.) Except for directors, officers serve for one year or until their successors are elected. The term of office for the directors shall be three years, or until their successors are elected. Write-in candidates shall be permitted on the ballot. The winning candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast, and failing in this, a run-off shall be helf immediately between the the two candidates receiving the largest number of votes. Their term of office shall begin at the close of the meeting which they are elected.

Section 4. Absentee ballots shall be mailed to any member in good standing who makes a written request to the Secretary. The ballot must be received at the regular mailing address of the association by the Friday preceding the election meeting. The ballot shall be sealed in a plain envelope with the word "BALLOT". That envelope shall be sealed in a outer envelope bearing the name and address of the member and signed by the member. When received, the voting status of the member shall be verified by the treasurer and the unopened ballot envelope shall be turned over to the tellers for examination at the appropriate time during the election.

Section 5.

No officer shall hold more than one officers position at a time.

Section 6. In the event that a vacancy

of any office occurs, an election shall be held at the next regular meeting. The membership shall be notified of the purpose of the meeting in advance and nominations shall be taken from the floor and voted upon forthwith. Officers so elected shall hold office for the remainder of the term.

ARTICLE 5-EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. 

The officers of the association, including the Directors, shall constitute the Executive Board.

Section 2.

The Executive Board shall have the General supervision of the affairs of the Association between its its business meetings, fix the hour and place of the meetings, make recommendations to the association, and shall perform such other duties as are specified in these bylaws. The board shall be subject to the orders of the association, and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the Association.

Section 3. Regular meeting of the executive board shall be held every three months, unless ordered otherwise ordered by the board, and at such additional times as called by the president. Special meetings shall be called upon the written request of three members of the board.

Section 4. The Executive Board may expend up to Two Hundred ($200) on a single item. Approval of the membership shall be obtained for expenditures in excess of this amount.

Section 5. Association funds shall be deposited in a bank designated by the executive board with the concurrence of the finance Committee. The signatures of two currently elected officers shall be required for validity of any check drawn, or instrument of transfer.

Section 1. The president shall preside at all meetings of the association and conduct the meetings according to the adopted rules. He\she shall enforce due observance of these bylaws, decide all questions of order; sign all official documents enacted or ordered by the association; appoint representatives of the association to amateur radio and community councils; and perform all duties customarily pertaining to the office of president.

Section 2. The vice President shall assist the president and , in the absence of the president, shall preside at official functions.

SECTION 3. the Secretary shall record minutes of the meetings, keep custody of the bylaws, and have the same available for reference at all regular and special meetings. He shall cause all amendments, additions and revisions to be shown in the respective documents.

ARTICLE 6--DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 4. The treasurer shall receive and receipt for all funds paid to the organization and to make the proper disbursements as set forth in the bylaws; and he shall keep accurate record of all fiscal transactions. He shall make no disbursement without authorization by the executive board or by direction of the membership at properly constituted meetings. he shall present an itemized report of receipts and disbursements at the end of each three month period or as required by the Executive Board. He shall at the expiration of his tenure of office, turn over to his successor all properties or assets of the association which may be in his possession or custody, and shall receive a receipt relieving him of further responsibility thereof.

Section 5. The directors shall advise the executive board and perform duties as set by the executive board.

Section 6. absence from the community.

Officers others than the president, and directors, shall advise the president when they will be away from the community. The president shall advise the vice-president and at least one other member of the executive board when he or she shall be away from the community. Such officer or director shall leave a phone number where he or she can be reached, if practicable. This section shall not apply if the proposed absence from the community is not expected to exceed forty eight hours.

ARTICLE 7- REPEATER TRUSTEE

Section 1. Repeater trustee Shall be an elected position with a term of two years. The repeater trustee is not an officer of the Association as defined in Article 4 and may hold an elected position as an officer of the association while serving as a Repeater trustee. Election shall take place in odd numbered years.

Section 2. the trustee shall hold a valid FCC amateur license in the class of Technician or higher. 

Section 3. Duties and responsibilities

a) The trustee shall be responsible to the membership of the association; the executive board of the association, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC); and the United States, State, County and Local governments for the legal operation of the repeater.

b) Technical personnel appointed by the board shall be appointed subject to the approval of the trustee prior to being granted access to the repeater.

c) action taken by technical personal shall be subject to approval of the trustee.

d) In accordance with FCC regulations, the trustee shall have no authority to assign or remove control points.

e) the final decision as to the propriety or legality of any question regarding repeater operation shall rest with the trustee.

f) The president and chairman of the technical committee shall have the right to enter upon a repeater site for the purpose of inspecting or inventorying equipment owned by the association. They shall also have the right to repair or modify the equipment subject to prior approval by the repeater trustee.

g) Trustees shall submit, to the executive board, a list of association members whom they have appointed as repeater control operators and monitors. The list shall include call, class of license and contact telephone number. The list shall be submitted on January 15th and July 15th of each year and when changes occur.

(h) Trustees shall advise the executive board when they will be away from the community. The trustee shall submit to the executive board, the name, the call class of license and contact number of the member who will be in control of the repeater during the absence of the Trustee.

ARTICLE 8 - MEETINGS

Section 1. The regular meeting of the association shall be held on the second Monday of each month, at 7:30 Pm, unless otherwise ordered by the association or by the executive board.

Section 2. the regular meeting in January shall be known as the annual meeting and shall be for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports of officers and committees, and for any other business that may arise. If the annual meeting cannot be held as required above due to acts outside of the control of the executive board, then the annual meeting shall be held at the earliest convenient time following.

Section 3. Special meetings may be called by the president or the executive board and shall be called upon the written request of ten members of mended f the association. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call. Only such business as is specifically outlined may be voted upon. Terms such as "general business" , "special items", or "special business" shall be insufficient. The special meeting shall not be used to replace the regular meeting nor to abrogate the bylaws. Except in emergency, at least three days notice shall be given.

Section 4. The meeting place of the association shall be located within the boundaries of Dade County, Florida.

ARTICLE 9- COMMITTEES

Section 1. FINANCE committee composed of the treasurer as chairperson and two other members shall be appointed by the president promptly after each annual meeting. It shall be the duty of this committee to prepare a budget for the fiscal year and to submit it to the Association at its regular November meeting. The finance Committee may from time to time submit supplements to the budget for the current fiscal year.

Section 2. PROGRAM Committee composed of the Vice president as chairperson shall be appointed by the president promptly after the ANNUAL meeting, whose duty it shall be to plan the annual program of the Association.

SECTION 3. AUDITING COMMITTEE composed of three members shall be appointed by the president at the associations September meeting, whose duty it shall be to audit the treasurer's accounts at the close of the fiscal year and to report at the annual meeting.

SECTION 4. such other committees, standing or special, shall be appointed by the president as the association or the executive board shall from time to time deem necessary to carry on the work of the association. The president shall be an ex officio a member of all committees except the nominating committee.

SECTION 5. GRIEVANCE AND DISCIPLINE committee:

a) Shall be composed of the entire executive board and they shall automatically comprise the membership of this committee upon election to office. The President shall be the chair person.

b) the committee shall be alert to disciplinary problems, investigate them, introduce all necessary resolutions, and in event of trial, to hear the trial for the association.

SECTION 6.

The following committees shall be designated STANDING COMMITTEES.

a) BYLAWS committee shall review and revise the ASSOCIATION Bylaws as require. The committee may initiate changes on its own volition or in response to requests, suggestions or formal motions from the members of the association.

b) COMMUNITY COMMUNICATIONS committee: Shall act as liaison to the Amateur Radio Public Service Corp and coordinate Association assistance to community public service events

c) GENERAL COUNSEL Committee shall advise the association in legal matters and act as liaison with legal counsel, should one be retained.

d) MEMBERSHIP Committee shall publicize the association in the endeavor to obtain new members and retain existing members. Shall keep information sent to new members up to date, and see that all new members receive all information authorized by the executive board

e) PUBLIC RELATIONS Committee:

shall publicize the activities of the association so that the community is aware of the public efforts made by association members.

f) TECHNICAL committee shall co-ordinate the maintenance, repair, enhancement and expansion of the association repeater system.

ARTICLE 10-QUORUM

Section 1. At association meetings:

Those present shall constitute a quorum

Section 2. At board meetings: Fifty percent of the officers in office at the time of the meeting shall constitute a quorum

ARTICLE 11-PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

the rules contained in Roberts Rules of order, newly revised, shall govern the association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.

ARTICLE 12- AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the association with a two thirds vote of the members voting, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting and the members have been sent written notice of the proposed amendment.

ARTICLE 13- DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES.

Section 1. members shall refrain from conduct injurious to the good name of the association, tending to disturb its well-being or hamper It in its work or its purpose.

Section 2. Conduct which may lead to disciplinary

action includes, but is not limited to the following: Violations of FCC rules and Procedures, violation of association repeater operating rules and procedures, use of objectionable or disorderly words, or slander.

Section 3 The Association may reprimand, suspend or expel members by the following due process as described in Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised as herein described.

a) A two member subcommittee shall be appointed by the president from the grievance and discipline committee to investigate charges against a member, and bring a report to the full committee. The The subcommittee shall present evidence and arguments during the proceedings of the full committee but shall not sit in judgment of the accused , nor vote during the proceedings of the full committee.

b. The remaining members of the grievance and discipline committee, if they agree, shall adopt a charge and specifications. The chairperson of the committee shall send the citation of the charge and specifications by certified mail to the accused and preside at the trial which shall be held before the committee.

c) If the accused is found guilty, the committee shall report its recommended disciplinary measures to the association for approval. Approval of two thirds of the association members present on a motion shall be required.

SECTION 4.

An officer can be deposed from office only by following the procedure for dealing with offenses by the member. In the event an an officer is charged or investigated by the Grievance and Discipline Committee that officer shall be excluded from participation as a committee member until such time as the proceedings regarding that officer is completed.

 

web site rev: 07/15/03