Go Back To Chapter Data A Southern California Chapter of the Good Sam Club
Reviewed By Committee: April 2001
Committee: W6SQQ , N6TM, KG6ON
ARTICLE 1 - NAME:
This Chapter shall be known as Sam's Radio Hams, a Southern
California Chapter of the Good Sam Club, a non profit
organization, composed of members in good standing with the
International Good Sam Club. This Chapter is also affiliated
with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).
ARTICLE 2 - Chapter CHARACTER:
The Chapter shall maintain an attitude strictly non-sectarian,
non-partisan, non-sectional and non-racial. All members, at
all times shall observe the Good Sam Pledge and conduct
themselves in a respectable manner and in accordance with the
ideals of Good Samaritans. All Chapter members shall, when
needed, provide emergency communications to any Good Sam Member
or Chapter.
ARTICLE 3 - PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Chapter shall be:
1. To operate a social club for the exclusive use and enjoyment
of the members.
2. To provide communications for all Good Sam Members, such as
sending and receiving messages.
3. To assist the State Director in communications at Samborees,
if so directed.
4. To provide emergency communications to the public in time of
disaster.
ARTICLE 4 - MEMBERSHIP
Members are required to:
1. Be an owner or operator of a recreational vehicle and be
interested in camping and good fellowship.
2. Maintain membership in the National Good Sam Club.
3. Hold a valid amateur radio license, or be the spouse of the
holder of a valid amateur radio license, or express a strong
interest in amateur radio.
Membership size limitation:
Membership size shall be unlimited. Members who reside outside
of California shall not be required to attend Chapter campouts,
however if any member does not attend a campout or meeting in any
previous 12 month period, they shall become a non-voting member
as described in Article 14.
ARTICLE 4 - MEMBERSHIP CONTINUED
New members to the Chapter:
A person applying for membership to the Chapter shall be provided
with a membership application, a copy of the Chapter bylaws, and
a campout schedule for the next regular campout by the President
or the Membership Chairman.
New members to the Chapter shall meet the following requirements:
1. Be a member in good standing of Good Sams.
2. Be recommended and sponsored by a member in good standing of
the Sam's Radio Hams.
3. Attend a regular campout and Chapter meeting as a guest.
4. Complete and present a membership application to the president
with a check for the required dues payable to Sam's Radio
Hams.
The application shall be reviewed by the Chapter officers for
approval. If accepted, the applicant shall become a member at the
date of the next Chapter meeting. If not accepted, the dues
payment shall be returned. The applicant will be notified of the
action of the Chapter officers by mail.
ARTICLE 5 - LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP:
A member may lose his or her membership in this Chapter by:
1. Non payment of dues to either the International Good Sam Club,
or the Sam's Radio Hams Chapter.
2. Failure to abide by the Rules of the Good Sam Club or Amateur
Radio.
3. Actions or behavior which reflect dishonor on the Good Sam
Club, the Sam's Radio Hams Chapter, or the Amateur Radio
Fraternity.
4. Being inactive in campout attendance for a 12 month period
without a reasonable excuse.
ARTICLE 6 - REINSTATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP:
A person may be reinstated only if the loss of membership was
caused by non payment of dues. The person may be reinstated
when:
1. The person meets the requirements of Article 4.
2. Evidence of dues payment for the Good Sam Club, and the Sam's
Radio Hams Chapter is presented.
3. Reinstatement is approved by the officers of the Chapter.
ARTICLE 7 - MEMBERSHIP DUES
The Chapter officers shall establish an annual dues amount to
cover Chapter expenses. Expenses paid from dues shall include:
Good Sam State dues of $1.00 per year, printing, mailing,
supplies, and other costs approved by the Chapter officers.
ARTICLE 8 - MEETINGS:
Executive Board meetings may be called at any time at the
discretion of the President or by two members of the Executive
Board.
A business meeting shall be held at all campouts at a time and
place scheduled by the campout host or Wagonmaster and approved by
the President.
ARTICLE 9 - CAMPOUTS:
Campouts shall be scheduled by the Wagonmaster. Preference shall
be the first weekend of each month however other days of the month
shall be acceptable if required for campground reservations.
Campout fees shall be determined by the Campout Host. Fees shall
include:
1. Campground site fees.
2. Pet fees.
3. Campout registration fees. Registration fees will provide
morning coffee supplies, door prizes, and special campout
events.
The membership shall be notified of the date, place, and talk in
frequency prior to the campout date. Members shall be provided
with a registration form stating campout fees and necessary
information. The form shall be returned to a designated person for
processing on or before the stated deadline date with a check for
payment for campout fees.
Guests of members are welcome. The member shall return the guest
name, RV description, and campout fees with his registration form.
The member shall be responsible for the actions of the guest.
ARTICLE 10 - OFFICERS:
Officers of the Chapter shall be elected by a majority vote of the
membership. Officers shall be:
1. PRESIDENT
2. VICE PRESIDENT
3. SECRETARY
4. TREASURER
5. WAGONMASTER
The elected officers shall comprise the Executive Board. The
President shall appoint Committee Chairmen to fill other required
positions in the Chapter.
Committees shall include.
1. NOMINATING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
2. COMMUNICATIONS CHAIRMAN
3. SERGEANT AT ARMS
4. NEWSLETTER CHAIRMAN
5. PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIRMAN
6. MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN
ARTICLE 11 - DUTIES OF OFFICERS:
PRESIDENT
The President shall:
1. Preside as Chief Chapter Executive.
2. Conduct all meetings.
3. Keep the Chapter informed of any action at the Good Sam Club.
4. Appoint all committees
5. Represent the Chapter at State Committee Meetings.
VICE PRESIDENT
The Vice President shall:
1. Conduct meetings in the absence of the President.
2. Coordinate committees appointed by the President.
SECRETARY
The Secretary shall:
1. Keep minutes of meetings.
2. Maintain Chapter records.
3. Conduct correspondence.
4. Notify members of campouts if not notified by the newsletter
chairman.
TREASURER
The Treasurer shall:
1. Maintain a checking account for the Chapter financial assets.
2. Receive all moneys paid to the Chapter for deposit in the
checking account.
3. Make campground deposits as necessary.
4. Pay campground fees required for campouts.
5. Pay all approved Chapter expenses.
6. Report the financial status of the Chapter at all meetings.
WAGONMASTER
The Wagonmaster shall:
Appoint hosts for the monthly campouts.
1. Assist the monthly campout host to arrange for campouts.
2. Notify the Newsletter Chairman of the campout itinerary.
3. Notify the Treasurer of the deposit amount required.
4. Insure that the membership is notified of any special local
laws and regulations and campground rules.
ARTICLE 12 - POWERS OF THE OFFICERS:
The officers shall have the power to:
1. Approve all Chapter expenses.
2. Approve or disapprove membership applications.
3. Set Chapter policies and membership fines.
4. Establish committee duties and procedures.
ARTICLE 13 - AMENDMENTS:
Amendments to the by-laws shall be presented to the President in
writing and shall be read to the membership at the next regular
meeting. A 30 day notice shall then be given to all members for
voting. A majority of the members attending the meeting shall be
required to approve an amendment.
Changes to the by-laws shall not be approved more than once in any
given calendar year. Two copies of the by laws shall be sent to the
State Director for approval and forwarding to the International
Good Sam Club.
ARTICLE 14 - VOTING:
Voting members are those who meet the following requirements:
1. Licensed Amateur Radio Operators
2. Good Sam member in good standing
3. Sam's Radio Hams member in good standing
4. Persons who attend at least one meeting during the past
12 months.
5. Persons who have attended a campout during the past 12
months.
Each voting member shall be entitled to one vote. Voting for
Chapter officers shall be by secret ballot. A quorum of fifteen
percent (15%) of the voting members shall be required to conduct
Chapter business by the membership.
ARTICLE 15 - Chapter EMBLEM:
The official emblem shall be the Good Sam Emblem.
ARTICLE 16 - ORDER OF MEETINGS:
Roberts Rules of Order shall govern all business meetings conducted
as follows:
1. Call to order.
2. Pledge to the flag.
3. Introduction of guests.
4. Reading of minutes.
5. Treasurer's report.
6. Unfinished business.
7. New business.
8. Report of Committees.
9. Reading of correspondence.
10. Announcements.
11. Adjournment.
ARTICLE 17 - GENERAL RULES
1. Members shall keep pets on a leash at all times when in camp
and pick up after them.
2. Members operating motor bikes will show consideration to all
campers with their riding habits.
3. No member shall make excessive use of alcoholic beverages or
abusive language.
4. Members shall maintain their equipment so as to present no
discredit to the Chapter.
5. Parking spaces and camping areas shall be kept neat and clean
and left in that condition.
6. Politics or religion shall not be a subject for discussion at
Chapter meetings.
7. Motor generators are to be operated only between the hours of
7:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M.
8. The practice of the Good Sam code of ethics shall prevail.
9. The Chapter shall use the Good Sam name and logo in good taste
and will promote the Good Sam Pledge and Chapter activities in
a manner consistent with the club constitution, bylaws and
general policies of the club.
ARTICLE 18 - FLAGS:
Flags are to be flown optionally. If any flags are flown, they will
be taken down at sunset.
These Bylaws of the Sam's Radio Hams have been approved by the
Chapter.
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