TENNESSEE CONTEST GROUP
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CLUB CONSTITUTION
 
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PREAMBLE
 
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We the undersigned, wishing to secure for us the pleasures and benefits
of an association of persons commonly interested in Amateur Radio
contesting, constitute ourselves the TENNESSEE CONTEST GROUP (TCG) and
enact this constitution as our governing law.  It shall be our purpose to
further the exchange of information and cooperation between members, to
promote knowledge, fraternalism and individual/team contesting abilities,
and to conduct programs and activities to advance the interest of amateur
radio contesting.
 
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MEMBERSHIP: Article I
 
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Eligibility: All persons holding a valid amateur radio license interested
in amateur radio contesting are eligible for membership.
 
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 Membership levels:
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A.     Active membership
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1.     Active membership is open to all licensed amateurs (including
out-of-state) after fulfilling the following requirements:
 
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a.     Contribution to at least one TCG club/team composite score in a
sponsored contest. Hosting a TCG guest operator, guest-operating at
another station or participating in a multi-operation constitutes score
contribution as long as the score is credited to the TCG.  For accounting
purposes, said contribution must be accurately reported in a timely
manner by each  member to the Facilitator or Executive Assistant.
 

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2.     Active members have all club privileges, may hold club office and
may vote on club business.
 
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B.     Inactive membership:
 
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1.     Active members who fail to meet the above requirements become
Inactive members for a period of one year after which they will be
dropped from club records.
 
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2.     Inactive members may be restored to Active membership by
satisfying the specified requirements.
 
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Membership Inception and Duration
 
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Membership privileges begin the calendar year subsequent to the calendar
year of meeting the qualification criteria.  Example:  When qualifying
for membership in 2003, membership privileges begin January 01, 2004 and
end December 31, 2004.  
 
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Dues and Non-Business Meetings:
 
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Dues are not assessed. Club members are encouraged to donate $15 a year
to pay for recurring club expenses (e.g. QSL cards, Tennessee QSO Party
expenses, web-site expenses, club-sponsored awards). While attendance to
Non-Business Meetings is unnecessary for membership, such meetings are
encouraged to satisfy our purpose as stated in the Preamble and Article V
of this Constitution.

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OFFICERS: Article II
 
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A.         The officers of this club shall be Facilitator and Executive
Assistant.
 
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B.         The officers shall be elected for a term of one year at the
January meeting.
 
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C.          Vacancies occurring between elections shall be filled by
special election at the first meeting following the withdrawal or
resignation.
 
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D.         Officers may be removed by a three-fourths majority of the
voting membership.
   
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DUTIES OF OFFICERS: Article III
 
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A.  The Facilitator shall preside at all meetings and conduct them
according to the rules adopted.  He/she shall enforce due observance of
this Constitution; decide all questions of order, sign all official
documents adopted by the club, and perform all other duties pertaining to
the office including oversight of all club business. It shall be the duty
of the Facilitator to maintain the constitution and have it available at
every meeting. The Facilitator shall note all amendments to the
constitution and shall permit it to be consulted by members upon request.
The Facilitator shall be responsible for maintaining and disbursing any
club funds and shall report to the membership when club funds are
expended. Due to the large area served by the TCG, the Facilitator may
designate assistants to aid in club administration. These assistants
serve at the pleasure of the Facilitator. 
 
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B.  The Executive Assistant (EA) shall assume the duties of Facilitator
in his/her absence.  The EA shall keep a record of the proceedings of all
meetings, maintain the membership roll, carry on all correspondence, read
communications at each meeting, and assist the Facilitator in providing
notices of meetings to the membership. The EA will do other such duties
as determined by the Facilitator. Other members may perform any or all of
these duties, however the EA is responsible for their completion.
 
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BUSINESS MEETINGS: Article IV
 
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A.       Business meetings for the purposes of conducting club business
shall be held as scheduled by the Facilitator. Common courtesy shall
govern proceedings; however if necessary, the Facilitator may invoke
Robert's Rules. A minimum of one-fourth of the voting membership shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The Facilitator may
allow telegraphic voting on such business. E-mail, fax, and postal mail
are acceptable voting means and shall be sent to the Facilitator and the
Executive Assistant separately for tabulation. The results of telegraphic
voting shall be presented at the next business meeting.
 
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B.       Upon the written request of any five Active members, the
Facilitator shall call a special meeting. Notices will be sent to members
concerning special meetings to arrive at least two weeks in advance of
the meeting and shall specify the business to be transacted.  Only such
business as designated shall be transacted.
 
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MEMBERSHIP ASSISTANCE: Article V
 
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The club will provide technical advice and assistance to members
concerning station construction, improvements, and operating practices.
  
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AMENDMENTS: Article VI
 
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This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the total
voting membership.  Proposals for the amendments shall be submitted in
writing at a business meeting and shall be voted on at the next business
meeting provided members have been notified of the intent to amend the
Constitution at said business meeting.

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Respectfully submitted,

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Ric - Wo4o - 2003 TCG Facilitator