Preamble

We, the membership of the Narwhal Amateur Radio Society, wishing to secure for ourselves the pleasures of an association of persons interested in education about and through the electromagnetic spectrum, and in particular, amateur radio, do create this Narwhal Amateur Radio Society so that all may come to learn, know, and love this most nerdy of pastimes.

Article 0: Purpose

The Narwhal Amateur Radio Society (“NARS”) is an amateur radio club not tied to a particular geographic region, with membership open to anyone with an interest in amateur radio, with or without a current amateur radio license. NARS exists for three main purposes:

  • To diversify the field and practice of amateur radio and radiofrequency experimentation through education, evangelism, and activism;
  • To foster joy, goodwill, understanding, and experiential enlightenment of all people in radio, computer, electronic, and related disciplines; and
  • To serve as a stalwart opponent of the use of amateur radio as an accessory to state violence and oppression.

Article I: Membership

Membership shall be by electronic application in such manner as the officers shall, from time to time, establish and determine. Members shall be expected to follow the Narwhal Code of Conduct both at in-person and electronic fora. Membership will, in general, be granted without regard to race, gender, sexuality, or other demographic category, with the stated exception that advocates for state anti-group violence, or implementers thereof, will not be tolerated. Or to put it another way: Nazis need not apply.

Membership can be revoked by unanimous agreement of the board, or by a motion supported by two-thirds of the members present at a meeting called for that purpose, as for an election (see Article II).

Article II: Officers

The officers of NARS will be:

  • President/Trustee: Responsible for leadership and regulatory paperwork, and to manage the liaison between NARS, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and any other groups that need liaising. The President, as the designated Trustee for the club’s callsign, must always be a licensed radio amateur of sufficient level to perform this duty.
  • Vice President / Public Information Officer: Responsible for ensuring the organization fulfills its mission, and for providing information to the media and to non-members that fulfills the goals of NARS.
  • Treasurer / Safety Officer: Responsible for managing any funds and other assets that NARS acquires, whether through membership dues or other means, and for taking steps to ensure the safety of participants at in-person NARS events. The Treasurer must report on club finances at all club meetings.
  • Secretary / Chief Educator: Responsible for maintaining internal organizational documents, for keeping meetings on track, and for organizing educational experiences for youths and others.

Officers must be members of NARS. Election of officers shall be conducted by a majority vote of the membership in attendance at a meeting announced at least one week ahead of time by the leadership for that purpose. The term of office shall be one year; should a vacancy occur during a term due to resignation, incapacity, or death, a new membership vote may be conducted to fill the remainder of a term. The officers may also remove one another from office through a unanimous vote (other than of the officer in question), conducted twice, at least one week apart, and announced to the membership at both votes to allow for membership feedback to the officers.

Organizational decisions shall be made by a majority vote of the officers; however, the officers can instead refer a decision to the membership, in the same manner as a meeting for an election.

The term of officers is March 1 through the last day of February of the following year; except that officers elected at any point in 2023 shall have their terms extend through February 29, 2024.

Article III: Meetings

Meetings of the membership shall be held electronically, announced on the club mailing list at least one week prior, and open to current members, prospective members, and any interested parties.

Article IV: Dues

NARS shall have dues of one hearty handshake or the electronic equivalent thereof, payable no later than the annual leadership election meeting.

Article V: Callsign

Should NARS’ leadership choose to acquire a club callsign, it shall be a narwhal-related joke of some sort. All relevant FCC requirements shall be followed. (The previous sentence shall be referred to as the “follow the law clause.”)

Article VI: Dissolution

Should NARS need to be dissolved, its assets shall be transferred to another nonprofit organization with compatible purpose, such as another amateur radio organization, another educational organization, or another advocacy organization.

Article VII: Amendments

Proposals for amendments or additions to these bylaws shall be submitted in writing at a regular meeting and shall be voted on at the next following regular meeting, provided all members have been provided notice at least one week in advance through the ordinary channels of the intent to amend the bylaws at said meeting.