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Last modified:
6/10/2023 10:45:20

National Association of Rocketry Headquarters Astro-Modeling Section

Constitution

Ratified January 1, 1968

Article 1, Name

The name of this organization is the National Association of Rocketry Headquarters Astro-Modeling Section (NARHAMS).

Article 2, Purpose

The purpose of this section is: (a) to bring forth the NAR program in the Washington Metropolitan Area, (b) to uphold the Safety Code of the NAR, (c) to hold meetings for the purpose of aiding and encouraging all persons interested in model rocketry, (d) to operate and maintain a model rocket range in accordance with the NAR standards and regulations, (e) to engage in other scientific, educational, or related activities as the membership decides.

Article 3, Membership

Section 1, Classes of Membership
    A voting member is an NAR member in good standing whose NARHAMS dues are currently paid up and has not been absent from all of the last three (3) consecutive meetings.
    A non-voting member is (a) an NAR member in good standing who is currently delinquent in his NARHAMS dues and/or has been absent from all of the last three (3) consecutive meetings, (b) a prospective NAR member whose NARHAMS dues are currently paid up and has not been absent from the last three (3) consecutive meetings.
    An honorary member may be elected by a two-thirds majority of all voting members present and may or may not be an NAR member in good standing.

Section 2, Rights and Privileges of Membership
    The rights and privileges of membership in NARHAMS are: (a) to vote on all section business, (b) to originate and discuss section business, (c) to hold office, (d) to launch as a member of NARHAMS, (e) to compete in NAR sanctioned competition as a member of NARHAMS, (f) all others as decided by the membership.
    A voting member has all the rights and privileges of the section.
    A non-voting member who is an NAR member in good standing has all rights and privileges except the right to vote on section business and the right to compete as a member of NARHAMS.
    A non-voting member who is a prospective NAR member may only originate and discuss business.
    An honorary member may only originate and discuss business.

Article 4, Dues

Dues are ten cents (10¢) per week, payable in advance. Dues are considered currently paid up at any meeting if a member has paid up to and including the previous meeting. New members must pay five weeks in advance at the time they register. All dues monies are kept in a general fund by the treasurer. In case of emergency, special assessments may be levied by a majority vote of those voting members present at any meeting; provided notice of impending vote is sent to all voting members at least seven days in advance of the meeting.

Article 5, Meetings

Meetings of NARHAMS are held every two weeks, unless otherwise decided by the membership, at places where the membership decides. Operation of a rocket range is not considered a meeting. A quorum consists of one half (½) of the voting membership of the section. Meetings are conducted and governed by Roberts Rules of Order, Revised as amended by the NARHAMS constitution and by-laws.

Article 6, Officers

The officers of NARHAMS consist of a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, senior advisor, and other officers as the membership decides.

Section 1, Duties of the President
    The President presides at section meetings, casts the deciding vote in the event of a tie vote on section business, appoints committee chairmen subject to the approval of the membership, is responsible for the duties of all officers and committee chairmen, coordinates the activities of all the committees, is the final authority on the delegation of responsibilities, and represents NARHAMS at all NAR functions and related affairs.

Section 2, Duties of the Vice-President
    The Vice-President assumes all duties of the President in the event of the President's absence, arranges for meeting places and refreshments, presides over committee reports at section meetings, and has any special duties that the President or membership may assign him.

Section 3, Duties of the Treasurer
    The treasurer collects dues and contest fees, keeps legible and complete financial records, informs the President at each meeting of those members who are voting members for that meeting, and may not make personal decisions regarding the disbursement of section funds.

Section 4, Duties of the Secretary
    The secretary legibly records the minutes of every section meeting; handles all correspondence not directly concerned with the organization of particular contests; informs the treasurer before each meeting of those members who have lost of regained the voting rights on the basis of attendance; keeps legible and complete records of the section membership and meeting attendance; compiles and distributes a section roster at the beginning of each calendar year and supplements this roster as needed or every three months; personally or by mail notified all members of elections, impeachment motions, amendment proposals, and special assessments.

Section 5, Duties of the Section Senior Advisor
    The senior advisor advises and instructs all members and officers of the section as needed and acts as parliamentarian and sergeant-at-arms at all section meetings. The senior advisor is the official NAR sponsor of NARHAMS.

Article 7, Elections

Section 1, Time
    Elections of all officers take place at the first meeting in September of every year. All members must be notified at least seven (7) days before the elections meeting.

Section 2, Nominations
    Two meetings prior to the annual elections, the President appoints a nominating committee which has not less than four (4) members. This committee canvases the membership and submits a list of all the candidates who have indicated a willingness to serve if elected.
    Nominations for all officers may be made from the floor at the election. If any nominee is not present at the election meeting, a written consent to serve if elected from the nominee must be presented by the nominator at the time of the election.

Section 3, Balloting
    The candidate having the votes of at least 50% of all the voting members is elected. All voting is by secret ballot. If an election majority (50% by one candidate) has not been achieved on a particular ballot, the candidate with the least votes is removed from the ballot and the vote is retaken. The senior advisor and person(s) appointed by him count all ballots.

Section 4, Terms of Office
    The elected officers take office at the meeting immediately following the election meeting. Terms run for a one year period.

Section 5, Vacancies in Office
    Vacancies in offices other than President are filled by the nomination and election of a section member to that office for the remainder of the term. In the case of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice-President fills the vacancy in the office and a new Vice-President is elected for the remainder of the term. Nominations and elections for a vacant office take place at the meeting at which the vacancy is announced.

Article 8, Committees

There are five standing committees and any special committees as the members of the section decide.

Section 1, The Range Operation and Maintenance Committee
    The range operation and maintenance committee is responsible for the construction and maintenance of all launch range equipment, operates all support equipment at range meets, and supervises technical and experimental activities of the section.

Section 2, The Contest and Records Committee
    The contest and records committee makes all arrangements for NARHAMS launches and contests, including the appointment of all range officials; maintains legible and complete records of contests performance; monitors all records attempts; and maintains a section library.

Section 3, The Activities Committee
    The activities committee conducts meeting programs, special events, and educational activities.

Section 4, The Communications Committee
    The communications committee is in charge of section communications, publications, and public relations.

Section 5, Transportation Committee
    The transportation committee coordinates and arranges for transportation to and from meets and meetings.

Section 6, Committee Membership
    The membership of any committee consists of interested section members selected by the committee chairman. The President and Vice-President are members of all committees.

Article 9, Impeachment

Any officers, committee chairman, or member of the section may be removed from office and/or membership by a two-thirds majority of all voting members. If the member concerned is not a voting member at the time an impeachment motion is presented against him, he may be removed by a simple majority (50%) of all the voting members.

Section 1, Impeachment Procedures
    The procedure for handling an impeachment motion is as follows:

    a) The motion must contain specific charges against the person concerned; must state what action is to be taken if the motion is passed; and must be presented in writing and signed by at least 10% of the voting members. The motion must be presented at a regular section meeting and is immediately tabled.
    b) The members presenting the motion must supply the President with a copy of the motion at the meeting at which the motion is presented. The President must provide the person concerned with a copy of the motion within five (5) days of the meeting at which the motion was presented.
    c) All members must be notified that an impeachment motion is pending within seven (7) days of its original presentation.
    d) The motion is voted on at the first section meeting after the meeting at which the motion was presented. Before any vote may be taken the member concerned must have an ample chance to defend himself, either personally or by proxy.

Section 2, Reinstatement
    A member removed from office may not be reinstated in that office until the next regular election meeting. A person who has been removed from membership may be reinstated to membership only by a two-thirds majority of all voting members.

Article 10, Amendments

Section 1, Constitutional Amendments
    The constitution of NARHAMS may be amended by a three-fourths majority of all voting members.

Section 2, By-Law Amendments
    The by-laws of NARHAMS may be amended by a two-thirds majority of all voting members.

Section 3, Amendment Procedure
    All amendment motions must be presented in writing at a regular section  meeting and are immediately tabled. All members must be sent a copy of the amendment motion at least seven (7) days before the next section meeting. The amendment motion is voted on at the section meeting immediately following the meeting at which it was presented. No amendment is in effect until approved by NAR Headquarters.