Mercury Amateur Radio Association

1. General Statement of Organization
1. Name: The name of the organization shall be "The Mercury Amateur Radio Association, Los Padres California Chapter (Los Padres 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. ("Los Padres" refers to the Los Padres National Forest which surrounds or is adjacent to a large portion of the populated areas of our Chapter in Southern California.)
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;
3. publishing a webpage newsletter.
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. Board of Directors: This Chapter will be led by a Board Of Directors consisting of five officers elected at the Chapter's annual election meeting, together with such other officers as may hereafter be added.
1. Each director will serve for a period of one year commencing on the first of the month following his/her election, and continuing for one year or until his/her successor is elected, whichever is later.
2. In the event of prolonged absence, resignation, or incapacity of a Board member, the remaining Board members may appoint a replacement who will serve until the next annual election meeting, at which time that Board position will be placed on the ballot.
3. An officer may be removed from office, and/or from Board membership, by a two thirds majority vote of a quorum attending a regularly scheduled general Chapter meeting.
2. Qualifications of Board Members: Board members must hold at least Technician Class Amateur Radio Licenses, and be active members in good standing of the organization. It is expected that Board members will make every reasonable effort to attend Board Meetings and regular Chapter Meetings as scheduled by the Board.
3. Officers: The officers of the Chapter shall include a President, a Vice President/Activities Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Net Manager, a Newsletter Editor and a Webmaster. These officers constitute the Board of Directors of the Chapter. Other leadership positions may be created by the Board of Directors. Individuals serving in such positions may also serve as members of the Board of Directors when invited to do so by a two-thirds majority vote of a quorum attending a regularly scheduled meeting. Such appointed positions may also be deleted from membership on the Board by a two-thirds majority vote of a quorum attending a regularly scheduled meeting. In the same manner, an appointed position may also be voted into an elected position. All elected officers are automatically members of the Board of Directors.
1. The President's duties shall include the following:
1. Serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors and conduct all General Board Meetings.
2. Conduct all general meetings of the Chapter.
3. Represent the chapter at all interorganizational meetings in which the chapter is involved.
4. Sign all papers and take care of the other duties normally associated with President. The President may delegate his duties to others as needed, but remains responsible for them, except when an appointed or elected officers duties are specifically defined, in which case responsibility for those duties rests with the officers. The President has overall responsibility for Chapter operation, including the functioning of its officers.
2. The Vice President/Activities Chairman's duties shall include the following:
1. Conduct all general Board and general Chapter meetings in the absence of the President, or when so delegated by him.
2. 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.
3. Assist the President in all of his duties when called upon to do so. The Vice President may delegate his duties to others as needed, but remains responsible for them, except when an appointed or elected officers duties are specifically defined, in which case responsibility for those duties rests with the officers.
3. The Secretary's duties shall include the following:
1. Take minutes of Board Meetings and general Chapter meetings.
2. Publish notices, documents, newsletters, web information, etc., as required by the Board.
3. Perform all other duties as directed by the Board.
4. Maintain the Membership roster of the Chapter.
4. The Treasurer's duties shall include the following:
1. Receive moneys from members and other sources, account for them, pay club debts, make other disbursements as authorized by the Board of Directors, and maintain the Chapter financial accounts.
2. Prepare a quarterly financial report for the Board of Directors.
3. Perform other duties and tasks as assigned by the President.
5. The President, with the approval of the Board, will appoint:
1. A Net Manager (who will appoint Net Control Operators), who will oversee net operation, appoint weekly net control operators, insure nets operate as scheduled, and provide training in net operation to Chapter membership.
2. Any other officers as needed.
6. The duties of appointed officers will be assigned by the President or by a simple majority of the Board of Directors.
4. Meetings of the Board of Directors

The Board will meet at least annually. Other Board meetings may be held as requested by the President or by a simple majority of the Board of Directors. These other Board meetings may be on-the-air meetings, or may be conducted by any other means, including mail, E-mail, telephone, radio, etc.

5. Chapter Meetings/Elections

The Chapter shall have a general meeting annually. The Board of Directors may schedule additional meetings during the year as required. The election of officers shall take place at the general meeting.

6. Quorum

A minimum of ten members attending a Chapter Meeting shall constitute a Quorum of the Chapter for that meeting. The Bylaws of the Chapter can only be changed by a two-thirds vote of those returning ballots, after the proposed changes have been mailed/e-mailed to the membership. All other business may be transacted by a simple majority of a quorum unless otherwise specified in this Charter or its by-laws.

7. Membership

Membership in the Chapter will 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 organization, and will follow and uphold the Charter and Bylaws of the Chapter.

8. Dues

The Board will establish dues for membership, and additional fees as necessary. Dues are to cover the cost of the webpage/newsletter and general operating expenses (postage, printing, etc.).

9. Rules