Mercury Amateur Radio Association

Santa Clarita Valley Chapter

Updated 2-Nov-01

(FCC Amateur Radio Club License KG6IKP)

1. General Statement of Organization
1. Name: The name of the organization shall be "Santa Clarita Valley Chapter of the Mercury Amateur Radio Association," (Santa Clarita MARA)" (hereinafter referred to as "this Chapter"). This Chapter is independent of the Mercury Amateur Radio Association, Inc., which is a Utah Corporation known as MARA Inc. MARA Inc., while retaining its rights to the MARA name, has granted permission to use the name "MARA" to local chapters, such as this Chapter, so long as it is used in conjunction with a geographic name. This Chapter is acting in accord with that permission. "Santa Clarita" refers to Santa Clarita, California and the Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which sponsors this chapter (hereinafter referred to as "Sponsor"). This Chapter is affiliated with and is a subset of the Los Padres, California Chapter of MARA.
2. Mission Statement: The mission of this Chapter is to unite those amateur radio operators who have a common interest in communications, specifically to provide training, support and encouragement to radio amateurs who wish to serve as emergency communicators. This Chapter exists to provide technical training and standards, and act as a source of information, to those radio amateurs:
1. who wish to provide a working emergency communications program for a non-profit organization (i.e. helping in planning, testing of plans, etc.), or
2. who wish to participate in emergency communications.
2. Purpose of Organization

This Chapter shall exist:

1. To provide support and training to radio amateurs who wish to serve in emergency communications positions. This may be accomplished by:
1. conducting on-the-air training and social nets;
2. holding meetings from time to time;
2. To provide an opportunity for radio amateurs to share ideas and experiences relating to emergency communications, particularly as it relates to the interface between emergency and health and welfare service providers and local ARES and RACES networks.
3. To provide opportunities for social events for the interaction of the membership.
3. Structure
1. Officers: This Chapter shall be led by a Stake Communications Specialist (SCS) appointed by the Sponsor, together with an Assistant Stake Communications Specialist (Assistant SCS) and such other officers as may hereafter be added.
1. Each SCS and Assistant SCS will serve for the period designated by the Sponsor.
2. In addition, each Ward of the Sponsor will be represented in the Chapter by one or more Ward Communications Specialists (WCS) appointed by the Ward (Sponsor sub-unit).
2. Qualifications of Chapter Officers: Chapter Officers must hold at least Technician Class Amateur Radio Licenses, and be active members in good standing of the sponsoring organization. It is expected that Chapter Officers will make every reasonable effort to attend Chapter Meetings, check-in to weekly Chapter radio nets and participate in semi-annual drills.
1. The SCS's duties shall include the following:
1. Serve as President of the Chapter and conduct all Chapter Meetings.
2. Conduct weekly Chapter radio nets.
3. Provide emergency amateur radio communications for the sponsor leadership if needed, to include coordinating information gathering from the WCSs and passing emergency traffic.
4. Provide emergency amateur radio communications for the Santa Clarita, California community as needed.
5. Represent the Chapter at all intra-organizational meetings in which the Chapter is involved.
6. Sign all papers and take care of the other duties normally associated with the President. The SCS / President may delegate his duties to others as needed, but remains responsible for them. The SCS / President has overall responsibility for Chapter operation, including the functioning of its officers.
7. Maintain Chapter radio equipment, antenna systems, solar panels and storage batteries as provided by Sponsor in Sponsor's several facilities.
2. The Assistant SCS's duties shall include the following:
1. Serve as Vice President of the Chapter.
2. Conduct all Chapter meetings in the absence of the President, or when so delegated by him.
3. Provide emergency amateur radio communications for the Santa Clarita, California community as needed.
4. Oversee the planning, preparation, and implementation of the program sessions of Chapter meetings. For this purpose he may appoint ad hoc or standing committees to carry out these tasks.
5. Assist the President in all of his duties when called upon to do so or act in his place in his absence. The Assistant SCS / Vice President may delegate his duties to others as needed, but remains responsible for them.
3. The duties of the WCSs shall include:
1. Serve as emergency amateur radio communicator for their Wards (Sponsor sub-units).
2. Provide emergency amateur radio communications for the Santa Clarita, California community as needed.
3. Assume emergency duties of the SCS in the absence of the SCS and Assistant SCS.
4. Help maintain radio equipment, antenna systems, solar panels and storage batteries at the several Chapter station locations.
3. Chapter Meetings

The Chapter shall meet at least annually. Other Chapter meetings may be held as requested by the President or as directed by the Sponsor. These other Chapter meetings may be on-the-air meetings, or may be conducted by any other means, including mail, E-mail, telephone, etc.

4. Chapter Station Locations

Currently the Chapter has three (3) operating (station) locations provided by the Sponsor:

a. 19513 Drycliff St., Canyon Country, CA 91351 ("Camp Plenty" location), license designator "/CP"

b. 27050 Sand Canyon Rd., Canyon Country, CA 91351 ("Sand Canyon" location), license designator "/SC"

c. 27405 Bouquet Canyon Rd., Saugus, CA 91350 ("Bouquet Canyon" location), license designator "/BC"

5. Membership

Membership in the Chapter shall be open to all persons who have an interest in amateur radio, and who will conduct themselves in a manner to enhance the purpose and existence of the Chapter, and will follow and uphold the Charter of the Chapter. Chapter members need not be members of the sponsoring organization.

6. No Dues Required

The Chapter shall not require dues for membership. Expenses of the Chapter will be paid by the Sponsor upon proper presentation to Sponsor representatives.

7. Rules