This club constitution was ratified at the first meeting of DARC in the Mill Park Hotel on the 6th Oct 2008, proposed by Jason EI6GRB and seconded by Martin Howley.

 It can only be changed at an EGM called for the purposes of ammending it.

Donegal Amateur Radio Club – DARC
Club Consitution & Rulebook - Version 1.0 – October 2008

Constitution
1. Name
The name of the club shall be ‘Donegal Amateur Radio Club’ or ‘DARC’
2. Objects
This amateur radio club, based in Donegal Town, in the North West of Ireland
was founded in October 2008 by Jason McGarrigle, EI6GRB, and Paul Sinclair, EI5GTB, to promote amateur radio in our area and also to educate and help new entrants find their way into the hobby. It is a nonprofit entity but will engage in minimal fundraising activities (e.g. membership fees) to assist in building up the club’s profile and resources. It will promote the study of radio communications and its practice and facilitate the exchange of information and ideas on the subject between its members.
3. Membership
Any person who is interested in the objects of the society is eligible to apply for membership.
4. Executive
The affairs of the club shall be managed by a committee. The committee may delegate any of its powers to sub committees.
Rules
Membership
1.1 Members of the club are licensed amateurs, or wish to become one, and will have an address in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.
1.2 New members can join at any time and there are no age, sex, religion or race restrictions.
1.3 Club members are either ‘Ordinary’, ‘Honourary’ or ‘Committee’.
1.4 Membership may be refused, suspended, or cancelled, for any reason and without explanation after a vote of the club’s committee.
1.5 If a membership is terminated then any subscriptions paid for that year will be returned upon request.
1.6 Invited Guests may attend no more than 3 meetings annually.
Election of Committee Members
2.1 The club has an elected committee responsible for the club’s running and advancement. This will consist of a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.
2.2 One person can hold up to two positions if necessary
2.3 If a committee member is unavailable then if the present committee deem it necessary an existing club member may stand in for the duration the meeting where an official is unavailable.
2.4 Candidates for the committee must be nominated by current club members at the AGM election or at a meeting where a position is vacant for the foreseeable future.
2.5 In the event that more than one person is nominated for a position then a majority vote of the attending members will be taken.
2.6 The entire committee must stand down at the AGM but are eligible for re-election.
2.7 A committee member may not hold the same position for more than two consecutive years.
2.8 Members which have provided significant service can be made honorary
members of the club for life. This can include such titles as Honourary President etc and these members will be exempt from subscriptions.
2.9 Honourary members have vote equivalent to an ordinary member.
2.10 Decisions of the committee are by a majority vote of the 3 commitee members.
2.11 The committee shall conduct the affairs of the club and shall present a report to the AGM.
Subscriptions
3.1 Annual Subscriptions shall be determined by the Committee but subject
to any maximum determined by the members in a General Meeting.
3.2 Subscriptions are payable annually in advance.
3.3 If a member’s subscription falls into arrears then their name will be removed from the register of members and will have no voting rights.
3.4 If the arrears are paid in full then their name will be reinstated on the members register before the next meeting and voting rights will be reinstated.
3.5 The committee may waive, on a year to year basis, the subscription fee of any member.
Expulsion
4.1 If the committee deems that any member is guilty of any conduct detrimental
to the club or amateur radio in general then they shall have the power, after due enquiry, to suspend the member.
Meetings
5.1 Regular meetings will be held in any suitable venue available to the club and must hold at least 6 meetings per year including the AGM.
5.2 The club secretary will retain the contact details of the club members and inform all current members of the next meeting 2 weeks in advance.
5.3 An AGM will be held once per year (during the month of September) and the secretary will give advance notice of such to all current members.
5.4 An EGM may be called by the committee only be for the purposes of meeting about the topic detailed on the notice.
5.5 This constitution may only be ammended at an EGM of the committee members where over 50% of the committee agree on the changes.
Chairman
6.1 The chairman will chair all the meetings of the club.
6.2 In his absence the other committee members may vote for someone to chair the meeting.
6.3 The chairman will also maintain the register of members.
6.4 The chairman will assist the secretary in managing the club.
Secretary
7.1 The secretary will manage the general business of the club.
7.2 He shall have charge of all the property of the club except the funds, and excluding items which may from time to time be given to the charge of other members at the discretion of the committee.
7.3 He is also responsible for the proper recording of the club’s decisions.
7.4 He shall issue notice of all upcoming meetings to members.
Treasurer
8.1 The treasurer is responsible for managing the funds of the club.
8.2 He will keep correct accounts and books showing the financial affairs.
8.3 He shall present details to the committee of the finances on request.
8.4 The treasurer will also provide a brief report at the AGM of finances.
Bank Accounts
9.1 Funds must be deposited in a committee approved bank account.
9.2 All payments out of this account must have consent of committee.
9.3 Cheques must be co signed by two committee members.
Voting
10.1 Each (non disqualified or non suspended) fully paid up member (honorary,
committee or ordinary) present at a meeting has one vote on any issue coming before the members.
10.2 The chairman has a casting vote in the event of a tie.
Classes
11.1 The club will organise classes to help new entrants to the hobby.
11.2 These will be run on a voluntary basis.
11.3 Lessons will be done on a practical hands-on fashion with interested people being shown radio equipment operated by a licenced club member.
11.4 We will introduce new entrants to the hobby to the correct operating procedures and rules and regulations along with a basis of the fundementals
of operating a station.
11.5 Once rules and regulations are covered in a practical manner then the IRTS CD will be used as a structured guideline to teach the theory.
11.6 Students will be encouraged to listen to the amateur bands as much as possible in order to gain valuable experience.
11.7 It is expected that classes will held for the run-up to each IRTS exam.
11.8 All classes will be coordinated by the committee.
Club activities
12.1 Maintaining a good public profile & introducing people to the hobby.
12.2 Having several high profile public events throughout the year.
12.3 Participate in events such as the IRTS field day.
12.4 Hosting a Donegal Radio Rally.
12.4 Visit other clubs and attend the IRTS AGM.
12.5 Increase other experimenters’ awareness of the Donegal Club.
12.6 Encourage member participation in the IRTS 2m and 80m contest.
12.7 A club callsign will be acquired and maintained.
12.8 All correspondence must be from or authorised by the Secretary.
Winding up of the club
13.1 The decision to wind up the club may only be taken at an E.G.M. by a majority vote of over 50% of the voting members.
13.2 The funds of the Club shall, after the sale of all assets and payment of all outstanding debits, be disposed of by being donated to a charity of similar interest.