VIRGINIA FONENET

 

CONSTITUTION

 

 

ARTICLE I: NAME

 

The name of this organization shall be the “Virginia Fone Net”, hereinafter referred to as the VFN. 

 

 

ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVE

 

The objective of the VFN shall be:

 

(a)   To provide a communications network of amateur radio operators in the State of Virginia who are members of the VFN.

 

          (b)   To encourage members to volunteer to act as net control stations for on the air sessions of the VFN.

 

          (c)   To provide an organized group who will voluntarily participate in handling message traffic into, out of and within the State of Virginia.

 

          (d)   To provide daily nets for handling message traffic.

 

          (e)   To help each member develop the necessary skills and techniques in the art of communications, message handling and to encourage fellowship among amateurs.

 

          (f)   To build a cadre of operators who will function in an orderly and responsible manner during times of emergency or crisis.

 

 

ARTICLE III: NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

 

The VFN shall not be operated for profit and no part of any remainder from dues or donations to the VFN shall go for the benefit of any member or individual except as approved by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may provide funds as deemed necessary to support the activities of the VFN Auxiliary.

 

 

ARTICLE IV: BY-LAWS

 

The members of the VFN shall adopt and may from time to time revise such by-laws as may be required to carry out these objectives.

 

 

VIRGINIA FONE NET

 

BY-LAWS

 

ARTICLE I

 

MEMBERSHIP

 

SECTION 1. Eligibility. Membership is open to all who meet the prescribed requirements, who are licensed Amateur Radio Operators holding a General, Advanced, or Extra Class license, and who subscribe to the purposes of the VFN. While membership is unrestricted as to residence, the VFN’s primary purpose is to be representative of Amateur Radio Operators in the State of Virginia.

 

SECTION 2. Membership. Membership shall be available to all persons who meet the eligibility requirements.

 

SECTION 3. Candidacy. Each candidate shall submit to the Corresponding Secretary an application which includes name, address, and other information as may be required. Each application for membership shall include verification of participation in on-the-air net activities for a minimum of thirty (30) times not to exceed a three (3) month period on the early and/or late net.

 

SECTION 4. Election to Membership. Application shall be sent to the Corresponding Secretary for review. The Corresponding Secretary will send the review results to the VFN Net Manager for final approval and to make the announcement. Since the VFN is limited to 150 members, the Net Manager will assign the approved application a number or place the application on the waiting list. In either event, the applicant will be notified, on the air, by the Corresponding Secretary as to the action.

 

SECTION 5. Privileges. All VFN members shall have the privilege of full participation in all VFN activities, except that the right to serve on the Board of Directors shall be restricted to members who are residents of the State of Virginia.

 

SECTION 6. Dues. Membership dues shall be payable on or before the first day of June each year. During the month of August, and no later than the first day of September, the Treasurer shall send to the manager, a list of delinquent members. The yearly amount for dues shall be established by the Board of Directors with the approval of the majority of membership present by roll call vote.

 

SECTION 7. Termination of Membership. Membership may be terminated:

 

(a) by resignation. Any member may resign from the VFN upon written notice to the Corresponding Secretary,

 

(b) by lapsing. A membership will be considered lapsed:

 

          (1) and may be terminated at the discretion of the Net Manager if the dues remain unpaid 35 days after the first day of the fiscal year.

 

          (2) and may be terminated at the discretion of the Net Manager if such member fails to engage in net activities “on-the-air” at least five times per month. (AMENDED)

 

(c) by automatic expulsion. Any member whose FCC License is suspended or revoked shall have his membership in the VFN automatically terminated.

 

(d) by Board directed termination. The Board of Directors, by a majority vote shall terminate membership of any member whose conduct is considered detrimental to the function of the VFN.

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

SECTION 1.  Board of Directors. The government and management of the VFN shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors. The Board shall be comprised of the Net Manager, Assistant Net Manager, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and three other VFN regular members. They shall be elected and serve as provided in Article V of the By-Laws. The Net Manager shall be chairman of the Board.

 

SECTION 2.  Meetings. The Board of Directors may meet quarterly on the air (Net time) and may meet more frequently at the discretion of the Net Manager, or upon written request by five Board members. Five members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. Any member of the VFN may examine any records or minutes of the Board. A member who is not a member of the Board may speak at appropriate times at such meetings.

 

SECTION 3.  Records. The Board of Directors shall cause to be prepared records of all actions taken. Where such action(s) require a vote by the membership, that action shall be read and voted on at the next meeting. Disapproval of any action by the majority of the members present at roll call vote shall result in disapproval of that action.

 

SECTION 4.  Policies. The Board may, from time to time, establish VFN policy in accordance with the powers herein given. Properly approved actions of the Board which are of a permanent policy or annual policy nature, shall be maintained by the Recording Secretary as a separate and up-to-date list of VFN policies. New members shall be provided a copy of the Constitution, By-Laws and policies upon request. Updated policy statements shall be provided as often as is necessary to assure that the latest Policy Statement reflects the general nature of VFN activities, but shall not be provided more frequently than annually. Voted policies which are not yet incorporated into the Policy Statement shall be available upon request to the Recording Secretary.

 

SECTION 5.  Annual Financial Statement. The Board shall cause to be prepared and distributed, as deemed necessary, a detailed statement of the financial condition of the VFN, a budget for the next year, and other matters of interest to the members. The VFN’s fiscal year shall begin on the first day of July and end on the 30th day of June. The annual statement shall be available to each member upon request.

 

SECTION 6.  Vacancies. Any vacancy on the Board or among the officers which occurs during the year shall be filled by a majority vote of all the remaining members of the Board, except that a vacancy in the office of Net Manager shall be filled automatically by the Assistant Net Manager and the resulting vacancy in the office of the Assistant Net Manager shall be filled by the Board. Any officer who is appointed by the board or any other Board of Director positions filled by the Board shall serve until the next annual election.

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

OFFICERS

 

SECTION 1.  Officers.  The VFN officers shall consist of the Net Manager, Assistant Net Manager, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer. They shall be elected and serve terms as provided in Article V of the By-Laws.

 

SECTION 2.  Net Manager. The Net Manager shall preside at all meetings of the VFN and of the Board, shall uphold and implement the Constitution and By-Laws, shall execute the lawful acts of the VFN and Board of Directors, and shall have the duties and powers normally expected of the office of Net Manager of the VFN in addition to those particularly specified in these By-Laws. The Net Manager shall appoint all committees unless otherwise ordered by an act of the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 3. Assistant Net Manager. The Assistant Net Manager shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the Net Manager in case of the Net Manager’s absence. In addition, the Assistant Net Manager shall be responsible for conducting an annual audit of the VFN Book of Accounts which shall be accomplished by three persons who are not current Board members. The Assistant Net Manager will carry out such other VFN duties as prescribed by these By-Laws, VFN policies and as directed by the Net Manager. The Assistant Net Manager shall be responsible for assignment of Net Control Stations (NCS) and compiling all net control records.

 

SECTION 4.  Corresponding Secretary. The Corresponding Secretary shall:     (a) Have charge of all official correspondence except that specifically assigned to another officer or committee member in the By-Laws, or as assigned to another individual by the Net Manager. (b) Notify new members of their membership and furnish each with a copy of the Constitution and By-Laws and the VFN’s annual Policy Statement. (c) Send cards, on special occasions, to individuals in the name of the VFN. (d) Be provided all correspondence less than four years old by the preceding Corresponding Secretary within two weeks of installation of officers of the VFN. (e) Carry out such other VFN duties as prescribed by these By-Laws, VFN policies and as directed by the Net Manager.

 

SECTION 5.  Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary shall: (a) Keep a complete record of all meetings of the VFN and Board of Directors. (b) Arrange for meetings of the Board of Directors. (c) Send notification of Board meetings to Board members and minutes of previous Board meetings. (d) Receive applications for VFN membership. (e) In the absence of the Net Manager and Assistant Net Manager, call a meeting to order and appoint a chairman pro tem. (f) Keep a roll of the members of the VFN with their addresses and other information and provide to members upon request. (g) Carry out such other VFN duties as prescribed by these By-Laws, VFN policies and as directed by the Net Manager.

 

SECTION 6. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall: (a) Bill for, collect, and receive all moneys due or belonging to the VFN. (b) Deposit promptly all moneys received in a bank approved by the Net Manager in the name of the VFN. (c) Disburse all moneys as the Net Manager may direct. Only the Net Manager and Treasurer will be authorized to withdraw funds from the VFN account. (d) Report the condition of the finances of the VFN as directed by the Board of Directors. (e) Make any special financial reports as required by the Board of Directors. (f) Open the books to inspection by the Board at any time. A member of the VFN may inspect the books at a time and place convenient to the member and the Treasurer. (g) Render an account of all moneys received and expended during the fiscal year to the Audit Committee at the Annual Meeting. (h) Provide the Net Manager with a list of delinquent members by September 1st of each calendar year. (i) Carry out such other VFN duties as prescribed by these By-Laws, VFN policies and as directed by the Net Manager.

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

MEETINGS

 

SECTION 1.  Meetings. Meetings of the VFN shall be held as directed by the Board of Directors. These meetings shall be conducted on-the-air. Net members must be given advance notice of the meetings. Accordingly, the Chairman of the Board of Directors will assure that the date and time for the meeting is announced twice on two different Early Nets and twice on two different Late Nets within a five day period.

 

SECTION 2.  Daily On-the-Air Meetings. The VFN shall meet twice daily on-the-air. An early session starting at 1600 hrs local time and a regular session starting at 1930 hrs local time on or near the frequency of 3947 KHz. These on-the-air meetings will be for the purpose of handling traffic and conducting net business.

 

          If the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should take an action that preempts use of the times or frequency specified above, the Board of Directors will meet and decide on alternate times and frequency for the daily on-the-air meetings of the VFN. At the next meeting the Board will propose permanent changes as necessary and publish the changes as VFN policy.

 

          The daily on-the-air meetings shall be directed by a NCS or an alternate NCS. Appointment of NCS and alternate NCS shall be made by the Assistant Net Manager. (Elected officers are encouraged to assume the duties of the NCS in the absence of the appointed NCS or alternate NCS).

 

          To provide a participation balance between the 150 members, the net call up shall begin with net number 1 on even days and with net number 150 on uneven days. Net numbers do not have any special significance other than to provide for orderly net call up by the NCS.

 

SECTION 3.  Annual Meeting. This meeting shall be held on a weekend during the month of June or July. The Net Manager will appoint a committee to select a date and location for the annual meeting. A majority vote of the Board will be necessary to approve the plan for the annual meeting. The annual meeting will conduct VFN business as directed by the Net Manager that includes only business having prior membership approval.

 

SECTION 4.  Special/Formal Meetings. A special/formal meeting of the VFN may be called by the Net Manager or by written instruction of five Board members to the Recording Secretary. Notice of all special/formal meetings of the VFN shall be communicated to all members as required under Article IV, Section 1.

 

Section 5.  Order of Business. At meetings of the VFN, the order of business, so far as the character and nature of the meeting may permit, shall be as follows:

 

          Meeting Call to Order

          Minutes of previous meetings read by Recording Secretary

          Social Correspondence Reported by Corresponding Secretary

          Managers Report

          Standing Committee Reports

          Special Committee Reports

          Announcements

          Old Business (Membership comments)

          New Business (Membership comments)

          Adjournment

 

The Net Manager shall have the option to change the order of business to accommodate special conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

ELECTIONS

 

SECTION 1.  Nominations. All nominations for officer positions shall be made by a nominating committee chosen by the Board of Directors. The Board shall establish and maintain policies which: (1) define the duties and functions of the nominating committee: (2) define the nominating committee eligibility restrictions: (3) define the procedure for selection and reporting of the nominating committee: and (4) provide for VFN Members to participate in the selection of candidates for the officer positions. Current members of the Board shall not be eligible for the nominating committee.

 

SECTION 2.  Board Elections. An election on odd years of three members to serve for two years on the Board of Directors shall be by ballot. No member shall be elected in absentia without his written permission. No member shall serve more than two consecutive full terms in the same position.

 

SECTION 3.  Past Net Manager. The outgoing Net Manager shall serve as a ninth member of the Board of Directors for the ensuing term. Should the position be refused by the outgoing Net Manager, the Board of Directors shall appoint a replacement to fill the position.

 

SECTION 4.  Officer Elections. Five members shall be elected on even years by ballot of members to serve for two years in the positions of Net Manager, Assistant Net Manager, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer. Officers shall be invested into office at the Annual Meeting. No member shall be elected in absentia without his written permission.

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

AMENDMENTS

 

SECTION 1.  Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws may be proposed by the Board of Directors, or by written petition addressed to the Recording Secretary signed by twenty percent of the regular membership in good standing. Amendments proposed by such petition shall be promptly considered by the Board of Directors, and shall be submitted to the members by radio with recommendations of the Board pursuant to Article IV, Section 1. A vote within 45 days of the date when the petition was received shall be made by roll call vote.

 

SECTION 2. The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the regular members present on Roll Call vote as prescribed by Article IV, Section 1.

 

SECTION 7(B2) May voluntarily go on the inactive list and not check in 5 times a month also maintain all rights and benefits of the VFN. Will give up your number and be assigned a letter A-Z and check-in after the regular list.

 

By-Laws - Article 1

 

As amended by vote of membership, April 19th, 2008 – Modified number of check-ins

required for membership in the Virginia Fone Net.

 

SECTION 3. Candidacy. Each candidate shall submit to the Corresponding Secretary an application which includes name, address, and other information as may be required.

Each application for membership shall include verification of participation in on-the-air net activities for a minimum of fifty (50) times not to exceed a three (3) month period

on the early and/or late net.