[SMCARA] SMCARA By Laws proposed Changes 092415

[Walter Rupp]

 To: Members of St. Mary’s County Amateur radio Association(SMCARA). Note: That due to family commitments, I will not be presentto offer these comments in person. I have left my keys at the Museum, today 9/18/2015 for pick up by the personresponsible to host next weeks SMCARA meeting. Museum hours 1000 to 1500Tuesday 9/22, Wednesday 9//23 and Thursday 9/24 Walt W3GYT 240.298.1826 At our last SMCARA meeting, August 27, 2015; discussions included comments that the conductof business by SMCARA has been hampered by the lack of a quorum. I havevolunteered to collect comments from the members and to provide a straw-man for apossible amendment. Two members responded with comments via the Reflector. Thankyou for your response. First comment:The Constitution and By-Laws are posted on the web site soyou can use those as a reference with regard to the changes you will beproposing.  The revisions you make will need to be the words that will bereplaced in these documents. I personally support the Calvert County model, which is that votedon items require a majority of those present at the meeting to pass. Second comment (abridged):Walt….  I'd like to see some sort of voting via emailor such.  The proposal could be sent out prior to the meetings and emailvotes could be sent to the club president or secretary.  Of course, anyissues raised at a meeting could not be handled that way. Just my $0.02. Here is what we are working with from the By-Laws andConstitution: SMCARA Constitution excerpt: Article VIMeetings:The By-Laws shallprovide for regular and special meetings. At all meetings, a minimum of twentypercent (20%) of regular members and two (2) officers shall constitute aquorum. No official business can be transacted unless such a quorum is present. Article VIIIAmendments:The Constitution orthe By-laws may be amended by two thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at aregular meeting, provided there is a quorum. Proposals for amendments shall besubmitted in writing at a regular meeting and shall be voted on at the nextfollowing regular meeting, provided an announcement has been posted on theAssociation’s web page of the intent to amend the Constitution or By-laws atthe said following meeting.SMCARA By-laws excerpt:Section 1
Expenditure of Funds1. The Treasurer is responsible for all operating expenses. He / she mayexpend funds as approved by the membership which are part of the Associations’approved annual budget or separately authorized by the membership.
2. The Executive Committee may also expend funds up to five hundred dollars($500) for urgent and extraordinary expenses such as repeater maintenance. Allother Association expenditures must be approved by the membership.Section 3Membership Activities 2. Membership Termination d. Members of the Association may be expelled for violationof the Association’s Constitution, By-laws, or for other conduct which wouldtend to cause discredit to fall upon the Association or upon amateur radio as awhole. The proposed expulsion of a member shall be openly discussed at aregular or special meeting and the reasons for expulsion explained. All votingmembers of the Association will be notified of this meeting. In addition, theSecretary shall notify the affected member at least seven (7) days in advanceof the next regularly scheduled meeting, at which time a vote of the memberswill be taken. The final decision shall be made on motion by a two-thirds (2/3)vote of a quorum of members present. Recommendation for a change: The proposed amendment should be to the Constitution to definea “quorum”. Other voting options should apply the newly defined quorumthroughout the Constitution and By-Laws. Voting options such as using email canbe agreed to in any motion that is proposed to the membership at the time ofthe proposal to define a quorum. Recommended Constitution Change: (20% changed to 10%) Article VIMeetings:The By-Laws shallprovide for regular and special meetings. At all meetings, a minimum of tenpercent (10%) of regular members and two (2) officers shall constitute aquorum. No official business can be transacted unless such a quorum is present. 73  W3GYT