Articles of Organization
ARTICLE 1 NAME
The name of the organization is Police Amateur Radio Team of Westford.
ARTICLE 2 PERIOD OF DURATION
The period of duration of the organization is perpetual.
ARTICLE 3 PURPOSES AND POWERS
SECTION 3.01 Purposes. The purposes for which the organization is formed are as follows:
To train and sponsor all members of this organization to expand all forms of public service by said members through the appropriate use of amateur radio. Also, to promote and encourage the interest of the public in amateur radio communications as an effective tool of public service, and in so doing, to provide a base for any and all communication. Also, to offer any course to the members of the public which will so aid in furthering the purpose of this organization. To carry on all such forms of public service at the sole expense of said members and to do all such acts without any form of profit. Also to acquire and receive by purchase, donation, or otherwise any property, both real, personal and mixed, and to hold, use and dispose of the same to effectuate all such activities.
ARTICLE 4 OFFICES
The principal office of the organization in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be located in the Town of Westford.
ARTICLE 5 MEMBERSHIP [1] [4]
SECTION 5.01 Membership. Any person licensed as a radio amateur by the FCC or foreign government may become a voting member of this organization. Those not possessing an amateur radio license may become Associate Members.
SECTION 5.02 Full Member. A Full Member shall be an Amateur Radio licensee who has applied for membership in the organization and has paid the appropriate dues. The term of membership will last until the end of the calendar year. This member shall have voting privileges in any matters of the organization and shall have the right to run for any office within the organization.
SECTION 5.03 Family Membership. A Family Membership shall be available to all Amateur Radio operators living in the same household. Each licensee in thie household shall have all of the privileges of a Full Member.
SECTION 5.04 Student Member. Any High School or College student under the age of 25 with an Amateur Radio license shall qualify for this category. This member shall have all of the privileges of a Full Member.
SECTION 5.05. Senior Member. Any licensed Amateur Radio operator age 64 or older. This member shall have all of the privileges of a Full Member.
SECTION 5.06 Associate Member. This member category is a person who wishes to be associated with the organization, and an amateur radio license is not required. This member shall have no voting privileges and cannot hold an office in the organization, but is encouraged to attend meetings.
SECTION 5.07 Dues. Dues are payable annually on January 1. Members may not vote at meetings or hold office until dues are paid. Dues are established as follows:
A. Full Member: $25.
B. Family Membership: $30.
C. Senior Member (64 and over): $15.
D. Student Member: Free.
E. Associate Member: $10.
SECTION 5.08. Newly Licensed Amateurs. Any person licensed for the first time shall have dues waived for the remainder of the calendar year in which the license is received.
ARTICLE 6 MEETINGS
SECTION 6.01 Monthly Meeting. The monthly meeting of the membership shall be held at the principal office of the organization on the second Thursday of each month, at the hour of 8:00 o'clock P.M., if it is not a legal holiday; and if it is a legal holiday, then the same hour and day on the next succeeding week not a legal holiday, for the purpose of transacting any business as may come before the meeting.
SECTION 6.02 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the membership, for any purpose or purposes, may be called by the president or by the Board of Directors and shall be called by the president at the request of not less than one-tenth of the membership.
SECTION 6.03 Place of Meeting. The Board of Directors may designate any place, within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 6.04 Notice of Meeting. Written notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than seven (7) days and not more than fifty (50) days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the president, or the clerk, or the persons calling the meeting, to each member of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States Postal Service, addressed to the member at his address as it appears on the record of the organization, with postage thereon prepaid.
SECTION 6.05 Quorum. Five (5) or more members of the organization entitled to vote, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of the membership. If less than five members are present, a majority of the members present may adjourn the meeting.
ARTICLE 7 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 7.01 General Powers. The affairs of the organization shall be managed by its Board of Directors.
SECTION 7.02 Number, Tenure and Qualifications. The Board of Directors of the organization shall consist of the officers of the organization as inumerated in Article 6 plus additional Directors-at-Large. The term of office for the Board of Directors shall be concurrent with that of the officers of the organization. Directors need not be residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or members of the organization. The number of directors may be increased or decreased to not fewer than five from time to time by amendment of this section; but no decrease shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director. The Directors-at-Large shall be appointed by the current Board of Directors for the succeeding term of office.
SECTION 7.03 Regular Meetings. [Deleted]
SECTION 7.04 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the president or any two directors. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place, within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them.
SECTION 7.05 Notice. Notice of any special meeting shall be given at least two days previously thereto by written notice delivered personally or mailed to each director, or by telegram. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States Postal Service so addressed, with the proper postage thereon prepaid. If notice be given by telegram, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegraph company. Any director may waive notice of any meeting. The attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting if not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, or the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.
SECTION 7.06 Quorum. A majority of the number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, but if less than such majority is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting.
SECTION 7.07 Manner of Meeting. The act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 7.08 Acting Without A Meeting. Any action that may be taken by the Board of Directors at a meeting may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so to be taken, shall be signed before such action by all of the directors.
SECTION 7.09 Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of the majority of the remaining directors though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office. Any directorship to be filled by reason of an fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his Board of Directors for a term of office continuing only until the next election of directors by the membership.
SECTION 7.10 Removal. Any director may be removed from his office, with or without cause, by a vote of the majority of the directors.
ARTICLE 8 OFFICERS
SECTION 8.01 Number. The officers of the organization shall be a president, a vice president, a treasurer, and a secretary. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of president and vice-president. Each officer shall, subject to these Articles of Organization, and in addition to the duties and powers herein set forth, have such duties and powers as are commonly incident to his office and such duties and powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
SECTION 8.02 Election and Term of Office. The officers of the organization to be elected by the membership, shall be elected annually by the membership at which a quorum is present, at the first meeting of the membership held the beginning of each calendar year. If the election shall not be at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon thereafter as conveniently may be. Each officer shall hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified or until his death or until he shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided.
SECTION 8.02.1 Calendar Year [3] The calendar year for The Police Amateur Radio Team shall be based on a 12 month period commencing September 1st and ending on August 31st of the following year.
SECTION 8.03 Removal. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 8.04 Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the Board of Directors, for the unexpired portion of the term.
SECTION 8.05 President. The president shall be the principal executive officer of the organization and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall in general, supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the organization. He shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the membership and of the Board of Directors. He shall also perform all the duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
SECTION 8.06 Vice-President. In absence of the president or in the event of his death, inability or refusal to act, the vice-president shall perform the duties of the president, and when so acting, shall have the all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president.
SECTION 8.07 The Secretary. The secretary shall attend all meetings of the membership and of the Board of Directors, and shall keep true and complete record of the proceedings of these meetings. He shall be the custodian of the records.
SECTION 8.08 The Treasurer. The treasurer shall keep correct and complete records of account, showing accurately at all times the financial conditions of the organization. He shall be the legal custodian of all moneys and other valuables that from time to time come into possession of the organization. He shall immediately deposit all funds of the organization coming into his hands in some reliable bank or other depository to be designated by the Board of Directors, and shall keep this bank account in the name of the organization. He shall furnish at meetings of the membership, or whenever requested, a statement of the financial condition of the organization, and shall perform such other duties as this Code of By-Laws may provide or by the Board of Directors may prescribe. He shall keep receipts identifying who is in possession of personal property of the organization.
ARTICLE 9 TRUSTEE
There shall be a member of the organization who shall, from time to time, hold the position of trustee. Said position to effectuate the aims and purposes of this organization.
ARTICLE 10 AMMENDMENTS
The directors may propose amendments to these Articles of Organization, in whole or in part. These proposed amendments require approval by the membership. No later than the time of giving notice of the meeting of the membership next following the proposed amendments to the Articles of Organization by the directors, notice thereof, stating the substance of such change shall be given to all members entitled to vote on amending the Articles of Organization. Any proposed amendment of these Articles of Organization adopted by the directors requires approval by a vote of two-third of the membership, voting at any monthly meeting or special meeting of said membership.
[1] Article 5 changed with the passage of a dues structure on April 9, 1992.
[2] Section 5.01 changed October 12, 1989 to allow Novices to become members of the organization. Also now reflects the changes
established on April 9, 1992.
[3] Section 7.02.1 changed June 8,1989 to specify Calendar Year.
[4] Section 5 changed April 19, 2022 to clarify membership categories, document dues, and give free membership to new hams and students.
The name of the organization is Police Amateur Radio Team of Westford.
ARTICLE 2 PERIOD OF DURATION
The period of duration of the organization is perpetual.
ARTICLE 3 PURPOSES AND POWERS
SECTION 3.01 Purposes. The purposes for which the organization is formed are as follows:
To train and sponsor all members of this organization to expand all forms of public service by said members through the appropriate use of amateur radio. Also, to promote and encourage the interest of the public in amateur radio communications as an effective tool of public service, and in so doing, to provide a base for any and all communication. Also, to offer any course to the members of the public which will so aid in furthering the purpose of this organization. To carry on all such forms of public service at the sole expense of said members and to do all such acts without any form of profit. Also to acquire and receive by purchase, donation, or otherwise any property, both real, personal and mixed, and to hold, use and dispose of the same to effectuate all such activities.
ARTICLE 4 OFFICES
The principal office of the organization in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be located in the Town of Westford.
ARTICLE 5 MEMBERSHIP [1] [4]
SECTION 5.01 Membership. Any person licensed as a radio amateur by the FCC or foreign government may become a voting member of this organization. Those not possessing an amateur radio license may become Associate Members.
SECTION 5.02 Full Member. A Full Member shall be an Amateur Radio licensee who has applied for membership in the organization and has paid the appropriate dues. The term of membership will last until the end of the calendar year. This member shall have voting privileges in any matters of the organization and shall have the right to run for any office within the organization.
SECTION 5.03 Family Membership. A Family Membership shall be available to all Amateur Radio operators living in the same household. Each licensee in thie household shall have all of the privileges of a Full Member.
SECTION 5.04 Student Member. Any High School or College student under the age of 25 with an Amateur Radio license shall qualify for this category. This member shall have all of the privileges of a Full Member.
SECTION 5.05. Senior Member. Any licensed Amateur Radio operator age 64 or older. This member shall have all of the privileges of a Full Member.
SECTION 5.06 Associate Member. This member category is a person who wishes to be associated with the organization, and an amateur radio license is not required. This member shall have no voting privileges and cannot hold an office in the organization, but is encouraged to attend meetings.
SECTION 5.07 Dues. Dues are payable annually on January 1. Members may not vote at meetings or hold office until dues are paid. Dues are established as follows:
A. Full Member: $25.
B. Family Membership: $30.
C. Senior Member (64 and over): $15.
D. Student Member: Free.
E. Associate Member: $10.
SECTION 5.08. Newly Licensed Amateurs. Any person licensed for the first time shall have dues waived for the remainder of the calendar year in which the license is received.
ARTICLE 6 MEETINGS
SECTION 6.01 Monthly Meeting. The monthly meeting of the membership shall be held at the principal office of the organization on the second Thursday of each month, at the hour of 8:00 o'clock P.M., if it is not a legal holiday; and if it is a legal holiday, then the same hour and day on the next succeeding week not a legal holiday, for the purpose of transacting any business as may come before the meeting.
SECTION 6.02 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the membership, for any purpose or purposes, may be called by the president or by the Board of Directors and shall be called by the president at the request of not less than one-tenth of the membership.
SECTION 6.03 Place of Meeting. The Board of Directors may designate any place, within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 6.04 Notice of Meeting. Written notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than seven (7) days and not more than fifty (50) days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the president, or the clerk, or the persons calling the meeting, to each member of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States Postal Service, addressed to the member at his address as it appears on the record of the organization, with postage thereon prepaid.
SECTION 6.05 Quorum. Five (5) or more members of the organization entitled to vote, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of the membership. If less than five members are present, a majority of the members present may adjourn the meeting.
ARTICLE 7 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 7.01 General Powers. The affairs of the organization shall be managed by its Board of Directors.
SECTION 7.02 Number, Tenure and Qualifications. The Board of Directors of the organization shall consist of the officers of the organization as inumerated in Article 6 plus additional Directors-at-Large. The term of office for the Board of Directors shall be concurrent with that of the officers of the organization. Directors need not be residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or members of the organization. The number of directors may be increased or decreased to not fewer than five from time to time by amendment of this section; but no decrease shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director. The Directors-at-Large shall be appointed by the current Board of Directors for the succeeding term of office.
SECTION 7.03 Regular Meetings. [Deleted]
SECTION 7.04 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the president or any two directors. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place, within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them.
SECTION 7.05 Notice. Notice of any special meeting shall be given at least two days previously thereto by written notice delivered personally or mailed to each director, or by telegram. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States Postal Service so addressed, with the proper postage thereon prepaid. If notice be given by telegram, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegraph company. Any director may waive notice of any meeting. The attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting if not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, or the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.
SECTION 7.06 Quorum. A majority of the number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, but if less than such majority is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting.
SECTION 7.07 Manner of Meeting. The act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 7.08 Acting Without A Meeting. Any action that may be taken by the Board of Directors at a meeting may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so to be taken, shall be signed before such action by all of the directors.
SECTION 7.09 Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of the majority of the remaining directors though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office. Any directorship to be filled by reason of an fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his Board of Directors for a term of office continuing only until the next election of directors by the membership.
SECTION 7.10 Removal. Any director may be removed from his office, with or without cause, by a vote of the majority of the directors.
ARTICLE 8 OFFICERS
SECTION 8.01 Number. The officers of the organization shall be a president, a vice president, a treasurer, and a secretary. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of president and vice-president. Each officer shall, subject to these Articles of Organization, and in addition to the duties and powers herein set forth, have such duties and powers as are commonly incident to his office and such duties and powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
SECTION 8.02 Election and Term of Office. The officers of the organization to be elected by the membership, shall be elected annually by the membership at which a quorum is present, at the first meeting of the membership held the beginning of each calendar year. If the election shall not be at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon thereafter as conveniently may be. Each officer shall hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified or until his death or until he shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided.
SECTION 8.02.1 Calendar Year [3] The calendar year for The Police Amateur Radio Team shall be based on a 12 month period commencing September 1st and ending on August 31st of the following year.
SECTION 8.03 Removal. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 8.04 Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the Board of Directors, for the unexpired portion of the term.
SECTION 8.05 President. The president shall be the principal executive officer of the organization and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall in general, supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the organization. He shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the membership and of the Board of Directors. He shall also perform all the duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
SECTION 8.06 Vice-President. In absence of the president or in the event of his death, inability or refusal to act, the vice-president shall perform the duties of the president, and when so acting, shall have the all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president.
SECTION 8.07 The Secretary. The secretary shall attend all meetings of the membership and of the Board of Directors, and shall keep true and complete record of the proceedings of these meetings. He shall be the custodian of the records.
SECTION 8.08 The Treasurer. The treasurer shall keep correct and complete records of account, showing accurately at all times the financial conditions of the organization. He shall be the legal custodian of all moneys and other valuables that from time to time come into possession of the organization. He shall immediately deposit all funds of the organization coming into his hands in some reliable bank or other depository to be designated by the Board of Directors, and shall keep this bank account in the name of the organization. He shall furnish at meetings of the membership, or whenever requested, a statement of the financial condition of the organization, and shall perform such other duties as this Code of By-Laws may provide or by the Board of Directors may prescribe. He shall keep receipts identifying who is in possession of personal property of the organization.
ARTICLE 9 TRUSTEE
There shall be a member of the organization who shall, from time to time, hold the position of trustee. Said position to effectuate the aims and purposes of this organization.
ARTICLE 10 AMMENDMENTS
The directors may propose amendments to these Articles of Organization, in whole or in part. These proposed amendments require approval by the membership. No later than the time of giving notice of the meeting of the membership next following the proposed amendments to the Articles of Organization by the directors, notice thereof, stating the substance of such change shall be given to all members entitled to vote on amending the Articles of Organization. Any proposed amendment of these Articles of Organization adopted by the directors requires approval by a vote of two-third of the membership, voting at any monthly meeting or special meeting of said membership.
[1] Article 5 changed with the passage of a dues structure on April 9, 1992.
[2] Section 5.01 changed October 12, 1989 to allow Novices to become members of the organization. Also now reflects the changes
established on April 9, 1992.
[3] Section 7.02.1 changed June 8,1989 to specify Calendar Year.
[4] Section 5 changed April 19, 2022 to clarify membership categories, document dues, and give free membership to new hams and students.
