ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION: EXPLANATION

The Lowell Amateur Radio Club, Inc has, in the past, submitted the proper paperwork: 501 (c)(3), Articles of Incorporation) to the state of Michigan to be recognized as a nonprofit corporation. It is a fundamental document used to obtain federal tax-exempt status from the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). The Lowell Amateur Radio Club, Inc is recognized as a nonprofit. The Club has been issued an EIN (Employee Identification Number) of 38-31190160 commonly referred to as a tax ID number. As a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation under state and federal laws, it allows us to receive tax-deductible donations. It can also limit the personal liability of our members and officers.

BYLAWS: EXPLANATION

Bylaws are rules and regulations that spell out the day-to-day management of the Club. Bylaws are not normally filed with the State of Michigan, but must comply with state laws and the Articles of Incorporation approved by the state. Bylaws would include meeting procedure, club officers and their duties, dues, membership, voting rights, meeting location and times, etc.

LOWELL AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, YOUTH & ADULT: BYLAWS REVISED 8/10/25

The elected officers of the Lowell Amateur Radio Club will be: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. They will be elected by a majority vote of the members present at the business meeting held on the second Sunday in June. Their term of office will be one year with that term beginning one month after election. Two other officers, a Public Information Officer (PIO) and Technical Advisor will be appointed by the four elected officers.

An officer can be removed by a two-thirds vote of the membership present at a ‘recall’ election. Such recall election must be called by at least ten full members. That recall election shall be held at the next regularly scheduled business meeting.

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

The President shall decide all questions of order, sign all official documents pertaining to the club, and complete all other duties pertaining to the office of President.

The Vice-President will assume all the duties of the President in his/her absence. In addition, he/she will be available to help create meeting agenda’s, help to organize club activities, and advance club interest in activities approved by the club.

The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of all business meetings, keep a roster of full and associate members, carry on all correspondence, read any club communications at each business meeting, and keep a record of those present at business meetings. At the expiration of his/her term, he/she shall turn over all items belonging to the club to his/her successor.

The Treasurer shall receive and give receipts for all monies paid to the club, keep an accurate account of all income and expenses, and pay no bills without proper authorization by the club or its officers. At each business meeting he/she shall give the Treasurer’s Report that would include what the Lowell Amateur Radio Club bank balance account was at the previous business meeting, what monies were received and deposited since the previous business meeting, what bills were paid and the amount of those bills since the previous business meeting, and what the present club’s bank account balance is. He/she will also be responsible for the filing of governmental forms. At the end of his/her term, he/she shall turn over all items belonging to the club to his/her successor.

The Public Information Officer (PIO) shall, on a continuous basis, keep all Lowell Amateur Radio Club members informed of activities/events that the club has the opportunity to participate in.

The Technical Advisor shall make recommendations to the club about all technical matters, equipment maintenance, and assist members that have technical issues.

SUCCESSION OFFICERS

In the event that the office of President shall become vacant, the order of replacement would be: Vice President, Secretary, then Treasurer. If the office of Vice President, or Secretary, or Treasurer should become vacant, that office would be filled by a full member appointed by the remaining officers until the next election cycle.

MEMBERSHIP

Anyone interested in amateur radio shall be eligible for membership. There will be three membership types: 1. Full membership consisting of anyone holding any current, valid FCC-issued amateur radio license, 2. Associate membership consisting of anyone not holding a current, valid FCC-issued amateur radio license, and 3. Family membership. ‘Full’ members have all voting rights. Associate members do not have voting rights.

DUES

Dues will be payable on a yearly basis, beginning January 1st. Those dues can be paid to the Treasurer at the first business meeting in January, or can be paid on-line.

Dues will be $30 for the calendar year for NEW members that join the club between January 1st and June 30th. If a new member joins between July 1st and December 31st, their dues will be $15. Previous members will pay $30 no matter what month during the calendar year they decide to pay their dues.

There will be no dues for students in elementary, middle school, or high school.

A Family membership is defined as including two or more licensed, immediate family members living in the same household. A Family membership is $40.00 per year: $40.00 if joining between January 1st and June 30th; $20 if joining between July 1st and December 31st.Dues for ‘Associate’ members is $18.00 per year: $18 if joining between January 1st and June 30th; $9 if joining between July 1st and December 31st

CHARITABLE DONATIONS

We try to keep our membership dues to a minimum, but it takes more than membership dues to pay for radio room rent, liability insurance, equipment maintenance and enhancement, Field Day supplies, etc. Please consider making a charitable contribution to the Club, in addition to your yearly dues. Contributions are tax deductible because of our IRS 501 (c)(3) status. There are three levels available: 1. ‘Platinum’: $100, 2. ‘Gold’: $75, and 3. ‘Silver’: $50.00 A special page on our website will be created to recognize those that have made a charitable donation that will help allow our Club to ‘grow’. Charitable donations, like dues, can also be paid for online, from our website.

MEETINGS

The Lowell Amateur Radio Club will have its monthly business meetings on the second Sunday of every month starting at 7:00 pm. On all other Sundays, the shack (radio room) will be open from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. The business meeting and ‘open shack’ will take place at F.R.O.M. (Flat River Outreach Ministries) located at 11535 Fulton St E, Lowell, MI 49331.

AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS

Proposals for amendments shall be written and submitted at a regular business meeting and may not be voted on until the next regular meeting. All members shall receive written notice (email or text), at least ten days prior to the business meeting when the proposed amendment change(s) will be voted on. All ‘full’ members are allowed the privilege of voting. Associate members are allowed to participate in discussions, but have no voting privileges.