GREAT FALLS AREA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION AND BY  LAWS
REVISED Version (February, 1995)

ARTICLE I.
NAME

The name of this Association shall be the GREAT FALLS AREA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB. 

ARTICLE II.
GENERAL PURPOSES

The purposes for which this Association is formed are:

 (1)	The primary purposes are to operate a nonprofit Association for educational, scientific 	and radio communication purposes as follows:

(a)	To educate and increase the proficiency of its members in  the science of radio 		communication.

(b)	To educate the general public regarding the application of scientific principles to 		radio communication.

(c)	To provide for dissemination of information among its members concerning 		scientific advancement and progress in the field of radio communication.

(d)	To organize and train units of licensed radio amateurs capable of maintaining 		radio communication as a public service during periods of emergency and 		disaster.

(e)	To encourage and sponsor scientific experimental activities in radio 		communication and electronics, to the end that skills and experience gained in 		amateur radio will further the application of electronics and communication to the 		benefit of the public at large.

(f)	To promote the high standards of practice and ethics in the conduct of amateur 		radio communication.

(g)	To assist public service organizations by providing communications services.

To assist in carrying out these primary purposes, this Association maintains, and intends to continue to maintain, an active affiliation with The American Radio Relay League, Inc., of Newington, Connecticut, the national nonprofit organization of radio amateurs.

ARTICLE II.
GENERAL PURPOSES (continued)

(2)	The general purposes and powers of this Association are to have and exercise all rights and powers conferred on nonprofit Associations under the laws of Montana, including the power to contract, rent, buy or sell personal or real property, provided, however, that this Association shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of the primary purposes of this Association.

ARTICLE III.
SECTION 501 (C) (3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE:
 PURPOSE

The Association is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

ARTICLE IV.
NONPROFIT PURPOSES

This Association is organized pursuant to the General Nonprofit Laws of the State of Montana. This Association does not contemplate pecuniary gain or profit to the members thereof, and it is organized for nonprofit purposes.

ARTICLE V.
HEADQUARTERS

The county in the State of Montana where the principal office for the transaction of business of this organization is to be located is Cascade County.

ARTICLE VI.
MANAGEMENT

The general management of the affairs of this Association shall be under the control, supervision and direction of the officers.  The names and addresses of the persons. who are to act in the capacity of officers until the succession of their successors are as follows:

Cameron Smith, President
3420 6th Ave. North, Great Falls, MT 59401

Darrell Thomas, Vice President
743 33rd Ave. N.E., Great Falls, MT 59404

Bob Morrow, Secretary
PSC Box 1472, Malmstrom Air Force Base, MT 59402

Chris Courtnage, Treasurer
2905 7th Ave. South, Great Falls, MT 59405

ARTICLE VII.
MEMBERSHIP

There will be two classes of membership, to include regular members and associate members. The regular membership shall consist of currently licensed amateurs, and associate members will be any others with an interest in amateur radio. Only regular members have voting status. Membership shall be by application.

ARTICLE VIII.
DEDICATION OF ASSETS

The property of this Association is irrevocably dedicated to educational and scientific purposes, and no part of its net income or assets shall ever inure to the benefit of any director, officer or member thereof, or to the benefit of any private individual. Upon the dissolution or winding up of this Association, its assets remaining after the payment of, or provision for the payment of, all debts and liabilities shall be distributed to The American Radio Relay League, Inc., if it is then in existence and exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the internal Revenue Code; but if it is not then in existence or exempt, to another organization which is organized and operated exclusively for educational and scientific purposes, and which has established its tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code.

ARTICLE IX.
OFFICERS

Sec. 1. The officers of this Association shall be: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Offices of President and Vice President shall be filled by currently licensed amateurs.
 
 Sec. 2. The officers of this Association shall be elected for a term of one year by ballot of the members present, provided there be a quorum, at the first meeting in December. They will be installed and take office in January.
 
 Sec. 3. Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by special elections at the first regular meeting following the withdrawal or resignation.
 
 Sec. 4. Officers may be removed by a three‑fourths (3/4) vote of the membership, if reasonable cause is shown for their removal.

ARTICLE X.
DUTIES OF OFFICERS

 Sec. 1. The President shall preside at all meetings of this Association, and conduct the same according to rules adopted. He shall enforce due observance of these Articles and Bylaws; decide all questions of order; sign all official documents that are adopted by this Association, and no other, and perform all other customary duties pertaining to the office of President.

Sec. 2. The Vice President shall assume all the duties of the President in the absence of the latter.

Sec. 3. The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, keep a roll of members, submit applications for membership, carry on all correspondence and read communications at each meeting. He shall keep the Association records in chronological order in a loose‑leaf binder to best facilitate easy reference.

Sec. 4. The Treasurer shall receive and receipt for all monies paid to the Association. He shall keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended. He shall pay no bills without proper authorization by the membership. Sundry expenditures of $25.00 or less may be approved by an Association officer. At each meeting, the Treasurer will submit an itemized statement of disbursements and receipts. He shall, at the expiration of his term, turn over everything in his possession belonging to the Association to his successor. There shall be an annual audit by a committee of three members to be appointed by the Association President.

ARTICLE XI.
MEETINGS

The Bylaws shall provide for regular and special meetings. At meetings, a minimum of one‑third (1/3) of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

ARTICLE XII.
DUES

The Association, by a vote of one third (1/3) of the membership, at any regular meeting, may levy upon the general membership such dues or assessments as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the Association within its objects, as set forth in the preamble. Nonpayment of such dues or assessments shall be cause for expulsion from the Association within the discretion of the membership.

XIII.
MEMBERSHIP ASSISTANCE

 This Association shall enact appropriate rules to minimize interference in operation between stations of its members; it shall formulate adequate plans for disposition of any cases of interference to other radio services where reported as caused by any amateur station in the area or Association jurisdiction. The Association, through designated Interference, Public Relations, and Operating Committees, will provide technical advice to members concerning equipment design and operation, to assist in frequency observance, clean signals, uniform practice, and absence of spurious radiations from Association member stations. The Association shall also maintain a program to foster and guide public relations.

ARTICLE XIV.
AMENDMENTS
 
 These Articles of Association and Bylaws may be amended by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the total membership. Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing at a regular meeting and shall be voted on at the next regular meeting, provided all members have been notified by mail of the intent to amend the Articles of Association and/or Bylaws at said meeting.

ARTICLE XV.
RULES

RULES:  Robert's Rules shall govern proceedings.

BYLAWS

1.  SECRETARY: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the Articles and Bylaws of the Association and have the same with him at every meeting.  He shall cause all amendments, changes and additions to be noted thereon and shall permit the same to be consulted by members upon request.
    
2.  MEMBERSHIP: Application for membership shall be submitted at a regular meeting in writing. Each applicant must express a willingness to abide by the Articles and Bylaws and other rules promulgated by the Association. A person may be asked to resign membership if, by his actions, he demonstrates an unwillingness to abide by the rules and provisions of the Articles and Bylaws. A two‑thirds (2/3) vote by the membership shall be necessary for expulsion from the Association.

 3.  MEETINGS: Regular meetings shall be held on the first Monday of each calendar month at such place as the President shall order. Special meetings may be called by the President by written request by any five Association members. Notices shall be sent to members con-cerning special meetings and business to be transacted. Only such business as designated shall be transacted. Such notices shall be so sent that in the ordinary  postal delivery they arrive not less than one week before the meeting time.

 4.  DUES: A regular assessment is hereby assessed in accordance with the provisions of Article XI of the Articles for the purpose of providing funds for current expenses. Dues may be readjusted at any time by following the requirements of section XII, Amendments. if there are several licensed amateurs in a family, living in the same household, one member shall pay dues at the regular membership rate and all others shall pay dues at the associate membership rate. New applicants shall pay at a prorated basis from the time his membership begins until January 1, then on a yearly basis. The Association treasury shall consist of two separate funds, designated as General fund and Repeater fund. Dues and assessments shall be divided equally between the two funds.

 5.  INTERFERENCE COMMITTEE: The RFI committee shall consist of five members (appointed by the Association President), representative of amateurs, broadcast listeners and the press. This committee shall direct  investigation, invite proper inquiries and establish technical facts and testimony within its provide and report its results to the Association.

6.  NOMINATIONS: Nominations for officers shall be presented at the first meeting in December. A nominations committee appointed by the President, shall make their presentation at this time.  Nominations from the floor will also be accepted.  The President or Vice President may serve no more than two consecutive terms.  Any person nominated for the office of President or Vice President of the Association will have' been a member of the Association for a period of not less than one (1) year prior to nomination.

Signed________________________	Original Signed_____________________________
Darrell L. Thomas, President		Matt Trott, Vice President
    
We, Darrell L. Thomas, President of the Great Falls Area Amateur Radio Club, and Matt Trott, Vice President of the Great Falls Area Amateur Radio Club, certify that this document, Articles of Association and bylaws, is a complete and accurate copy of the original as amended by the membership of the Association in 1994.
DATED this 6th day of February, 1995.

[Original Signed]
Darrell L. Thomas, President
Great Falls Area Amateur Radio Club

[Original Signed]
Matt Trott, Vice President
Great Falls Area Amateur Radio Club