IRO Charter and Bylaws
Iowa Radio Operators Club
Charter and Bylaws
Table of Contents
Community Relations & Marketing
Club Assets (Equipment, Property, and Documentation)
Club Financial Assets (Treasury, Revenue, and Expenses)
Updates or Modifications to Bylaws
Amendments and Revision History
Introduction:
Iowa Radio Operators is built on the foundation of community. That community, bringing “any radio operator” together, continues in the form of an official club to give radio operators around the state of Iowa who do not have access to a local club a place to grow within the craft. The official Iowa Radio Operators Radio club will not replace a local club. Instead, we would love the opportunity to partner with that local club and if applicable, be a resource to bring operators together from across the state! Additionally, the Iowa Radio Operators Discord group will continue to operate independently of the official club, remaining a vibrant space for conversation, knowledge sharing, and camaraderie.
Mission Statement:
Iowa Radio Operators Radio Club fosters a statewide community of radio enthusiasts by providing education, collaboration, and resources for operators who may not have access to a local club. We strive to connect, support, and grow the amateur radio community in Iowa while partnering with existing clubs to enhance the shared experience of learning and communication.
Vision Statement:
To be a unifying hub for radio operators across Iowa, promoting knowledge-sharing, technical innovation, and a strong sense of community. We envision a network of operators working together to advance the craft, support local clubs, and create opportunities for growth and engagement in amateur radio.
Leadership:
The mantle of leadership is not always an easy task. Leaders will be expected to carry out the mission and vision of the club and make sure that the needs of the members and the club assets are met. This is easiest when everyone is on the same page and can work in unison for the common goal. In the initial phases of the club, there will be 4 major areas of leadership.
President
Vice President
Secretary & Treasurer
Community Relations & Marketing
These positions will hold a 3-year term and will be voted on by current members of the club. A term will be considered as [May 1st through April 30th]{.mark} with the respective term of service (IE: May 1st 2025 to April 30th 2026). Should a member of the leadership team leave before their term comes up, a special election will be held to fill out their current term. At which point the term for that is up and will be open again for election. The individual who held the remaining part of that term is allowed to be elected for that role again without any penalties for the next term. Succession Planning Here
[If a leader is unable to fulfill their assigned duties for an extended period (60 days or more), the remaining leaders may vote to replace the absent individual. If an immediate need arises or no volunteers come forward, club leadership may appoint an interim replacement as necessary. A Special Election by the club members will be conducted electronically, and the elected individual will serve the remainder of the current term. Once the term concludes, they may seek reelection without penalty.]{.mark}
[When a role is up for reelection, nominations can be entered starting January 1st and will remain open until March 31st. Nominations should be those who are active members of the club and hold an active amateur or active GMRS radio license (This means the individual should not be in their grace period either). Failure to comply with this will disqualify you from the nominations. Once nominations are closed, the individuals who were nominated have the chance to put out documentation as to why they think they are the best candidate for the role. Voting will be conducted electronically on April 2nd and will remain open for 48 hours for individuals to vote. The majority vote will be declared the winner, and the new occupant of the role will start on May 1st. At the start of the term for the role, the individual will assume responsibility and begin enacting the function of the role.]{.mark}
The role of each leader is defined, but not exclusively, herein:
President
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Establish the club's objectives and work with the team to develop a clear mission and long-term goals.
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Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members, encouraging active participation.
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Act as the primary representative of the club at events, meetings, and with external organizations.
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Build partnerships with local clubs, regional groups, and national amateur radio organizations.
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Lead and moderate club meetings to ensure productive discussions and decision-making.
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Prepare agendas, collaborate with the executive committee, and keep meetings on schedule.
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Resolve conflicts within the club, ensuring fair and impartial decision-making.
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Address challenges or hurdles faced by the club, whether logistical, technical, or administrative.
Vice President
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Act as a dependable second-in-command, assisting the president incarrying out the club’s mission and goals.
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Step into lead meetings and represent the club when the president is unavailable.
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Collaborate with the team to organize and oversee club events, such as contests, workshops, and community outreach initiatives.
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Take the lead on specific projects or events, ensuring their success.
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Foster strong connections with current members and help onboard new members.
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Coordinate various committees or sub-groups within the club, ensuring their efforts align with the club’s objectives.
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Act as a liaison between committees and the executive board.
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Help mediate disputes among members, providing impartial support to maintain harmony within the club.
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Work closely with the president and other officers to ensure clear and open communication within the executive board and with club members.
Secretary & Treasurer
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Record and maintain accurate minutes for all club meetings, ensuring decisions and actions are documented.
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Prepare and distribute meeting agendas in coordination with the president.
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Maintain up-to-date membership records, including contact information and license statuses.
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Keep track of club bylaws, policies, and important documents.
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Serve as the primary point of contact for official club correspondence, including emails and announcements.
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Distribute information to members regarding upcoming meetings, events, or changes in club activities.
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Handle any required filings or communications with regulatory bodies or organizations (e.g., ARRL affiliation or FCC updates).
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Prepare regular financial reports to present at club meetings, providing transparency to members.
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Keep detailed records of all transactions, receipts, and financial documents.
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Handle any required tax filings or financial disclosures, ensuring the club adheres to legal and regulatory standards.
Community Relations & Marketing
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Build relationships with local organizations, schools, and other radio clubs to foster partnerships and collaboration.
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Represent the club at community events, ensuring a positive and professional presence.
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Organize activities that strengthen the sense of community, such as meet-ups, workshops, or team-building events.
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Promote amateur radio to the general public through demonstrations, presentations, or hands-on activities.
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Coordinate and publicize the club’s involvement in community service projects, such as providing communication support during emergencies or events.
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Develop and maintain the club’s branding, including logos, slogans, and overall public image.
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Create engaging promotional materials, including flyers, brochures, and social media posts.
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Maintain and update the club's website, ensuring it serves as a resource for members and newcomers alike.
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Manage the club’s social media accounts to share updates, events, and news.
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Use platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or Instagram to attract new members and engage with the broader amateur radio community.
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Promote club events, such as Field Day, contests, or community gatherings, to ensure strong turnout and visibility.
Our intention with the leadership is that these 4 main areas could form and lead a subcommittee if required for a need or event. The 4 areas of leadership could also form multiple short-term committees or potential long-term committees to serve a need, but they need to maintain leadership over that committee. If a subcommittee is formed, it should be documented in official format stating the nature of its needs and members, and be reviewed quarterly to ensure its needs are still appropriate, its members are still appropriate, or if it should be formally closed.
Leadership: Vote of No Confidence
[While club politics are inevitable, the bylaws and charter exist to provide a clear, enforceable process should internal conflicts escalate to the point where a vote of no confidence is required. The circumstances surrounding this effort should be reasonable and not of simple pettiness (IE, we don’t like the individual, or hair color). This measure is considered an absolute last resort and should only be invoked in extreme circumstances. Given that there are four major leadership positions, a quorum of three members is sufficient to initiate the process; however, this quorum must be unanimous in its decision to proceed. A neutral party must also be agreed upon during this unanimous vote to moderate the hearing. Both conditions must be met before a formal hearing will be conducted. If a vote of no confidence is initiated, a special membership hearing will be convened. During this hearing, the grievances against the individual will be formally presented, with supporting evidence provided to substantiate the claims. The individual in question will have a single opportunity to respond to these accusations in a structured and respectful manner. This step is not intended to serve as a debate but as a definitive airing of the issues at hand. After all grievances have been fully documented and responses provided, a formal vote will be held among the active members. Club leaders will not participate in the vote. Members must be present at the meeting and in good standing with the club to vote on the outcome of the grievances. The action will be carried forward with a 2/3rds majority vote of those present. Once the result is decided, it will be deemed binding and final, leaving no room for appeal or reconsideration.]{.mark}
This section of the bylaw surrounding the vote of no confidence is non-negotiable—it cannot be altered under any circumstances. Any attempt to modify or challenge this section will result in immediate removal from the individual’s current position and a permanent ban from holding any future leadership or subcommittee role within the club.
Member Responsibilities & Code of Conduct
[As members of this club, we uphold the values of respect, integrity, and professionalism in all interactions. Each individual is expected to conduct themselves with honor, fairness, and courtesy, fostering an environment of collaboration and mutual support.]{.mark}
[Disrespectful, dishonest, or disruptive behavior undermines the spirit of our community and will not be tolerated. If a member fails to adhere to these standards, club leadership reserves the right to take appropriate action, including warnings, removal, or permanent banning from the club. The leadership will take a united front and unanimously agree to the future involvement of the individual in question. If an incident escalates to the level of legal action of any kind, the individual will be immediately expelled, without exception.]{.mark}
[Together, we commit to maintaining a space where every member feels valued, supported, and empowered to contribute positively.]{.mark}
Club Assets (Equipment, Property, and Documentation)
All equipment, property, and other designated assets used by the organization fall into one of two categories: club-owned assets and loaned assets.
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Club-Owned Assets: Any equipment or property purchased using funds from the organization's treasury is the sole property of the club. No individual member, including trustees or their successors, shall claim ownership rights over such assets. This includes any property and/or equipment gifted in kind to Iowa Radio Operators.
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Loaned Assets: Any equipment or property loaned to the club by an individual member or trustee remains the property of the lender. The club and its members acquire no ownership rights through its use, and the ownership of the trustee remains fully intact.
To ensure proper record-keeping, the Treasurer is responsible for maintaining detailed documentation of all club-owned and loaned assets. This includes tracking purchases, recording loan agreements, and ensuring the proper return of loaned equipment when requested by the owner.
In the event the club is disbanded, the member (or the member's family) who donated the equipment will have the opportunity to reclaim the donated assets. These members will have 14 days to claim these items or request that they be donated to other club members. If the owner of the asset does not respond within 14 days or chooses to donate the item to another member, the asset will be offered to existing club members on a first-come, first-served basis.
Club Financial Assets (Treasury, Revenue, and Expenses)
All financial assets the organization holds fall into one of two categories: club-generated funds and donated funds.
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Club-Generated Funds: Any revenue derived from membership dues, fundraising activities, grants, or other sources directly managed by the club shall remain under the sole control of the organization. No individual member, including trustees or officers, may claim personal ownership over such funds.
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Donated Funds: Any financial contributions given to the club, whether by individuals or external organizations, are considered club assets upon receipt. Donors may specify the intended use of funds, and the club shall make reasonable efforts to honor such designations. If a donation does not have a specified purpose, it may be used at the discretion of the club’s leadership to further the organization's mission.
The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining transparent and accurate financial records, tracking income, expenses, and designated funds. An annual financial report shall be presented to the membership, outlining the club’s fiscal status. All expenditures must follow predefined approval procedures, with larger expenses requiring formal authorization to ensure proper oversight.
In the event the club is disbanded, remaining financial assets will first be used to settle outstanding debts. Any remaining funds will then be distributed in a manner consistent with the club’s mission. If applicable, donors of restricted funds will be contacted regarding alternative allocation or refund options.
Membership
Membership is available to all licensed amateur operators and GMRS operators in good standing with their respective licensing entities. If any questions arise, please let a leadership team member know, and exceptions can be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
The fiscal year will follow a calendar year, going from January 1st through December 31st. This means that all membership dues will be collected on the 1st of the year or shortly after. If a member joins after the 1st of the year, a prorated amount of dues may be collected. All dues will be given to the Treasurer. Please note this with the registration, and it will be addressed at that time.
Dues will be collected in the amount of $20.00.
Additional considerations will be given for immediate family members, living in the same household who wish to join the club. Discounts will be available for additional immediate family members to encourage broader participation within the same household.
Dues for additional family members will be collected in the amount of $5.00.
Charter members will be granted a lifetime membership to the club. This membership is exclusive to the individual and cannot be transferred to other members or family. It is a recognition of their foundational contributions and enduring commitment to the club's values.
Meetings and Regular Business
Active members have the right to vote on all club matters, with decisions determined by a simple majority. Club business will be presented during meetings and decided through a clear "Yay" or "Nay" vote. However, any attending member may propose postponing a vote to the next meeting to allow for further review, research, or discussion. This motion to defer must be approved by a majority of members present. In the event there is a tie in the voting, the president shall have the final vote and say in the matter. It should be noted in the minutes that the vote was tied and the president was required to exercise their final vote.
If a special meeting or vote is required, an official notice will be sent via email to all active members, clearly outlining the purpose of the meeting and providing a reasonable timeframe for participation. To accommodate members across the state, a digital attendance option will be made available, ensuring equal access and engagement.
Meetings will be conducted by the club President and in the fashion of Robert's Rules of Order. In the event the club President is unavailable during the regular scheduled meeting time, the Vice President will assume the responsibility to conduct the meeting. Unless otherwise specified, meetings will need to be conducted no less than quarterly. More frequent meetings would be desired, but the bylaws need to acknowledge that this is not everyone's day job and will need to offer flexibility to those who need it.
Meeting minutes will be recorded for each meeting, including all discussed topics, decisions made, and assigned action items. A record of attendees will also be maintained, along with any relevant voting details if votes were conducted during the meeting. Meeting minutes will be made publicly available and posted on the website at the earliest opportunity.
Members, whether attending in person or digitally, are expected to conduct themselves professionally. Disruptive or inappropriate behavior will result in removal from the meeting and a leadership review to determine future participation in public meetings and voting. While we respect every member’s right to vote on club matters, negativity and misconduct will not be tolerated.
To ensure accessibility, voting may be conducted outside of meetings through approved digital or remote voting methods as determined by club leadership. However, members who engage in repeated misconduct or violate club policies may have their voting rights temporarily suspended, pending a formal review and decision by the leadership team.
Updates or Modifications to Bylaws
Any member of the organization may submit recommendations for updates or modifications to the bylaws. These recommendations will be reviewed by the current leadership team, who will assess their impact and relevance. The leadership team will then hold a vote to approve or reject the proposed changes. In the event of a tie, the current President will determine next steps for the proposal, which may include approving, vetoing, or requesting a vote from the active members of the club in a special election.
The leadership's decision on any updates or modifications to the bylaws will be final. Members will be informed of the vote outcomes, but the final authority rests with the leadership team to ensure the bylaws remain in line with the organization's goals and operational needs.
Adoption and Certification
These bylaws were reviewed and formally adopted by the leadership of Iowa Radio Operators on May 26th, 2025. This document reflects the governing principles and operational guidelines agreed upon by the organization.
Certified by:
Calvin Jutting / KN0CTJ – President
Jason Knapton / KE0EJS – Vice President
Jason Loehr / KD0MUB – Secretary & Treasurer
Ben Jutting / K0BJJ – Marketing & Communications
Amendments and Revision History
A majority vote of the leadership may amend these bylaws in accordance with the club’s governance procedures (excluding any terms that can not be changed by any vote; IE Vote of No Confidence). Any changes shall be recorded below, indicating the date of the amendment and a summary of the modification.
Revision Log:
Certified by: