The purported impact of this new provision is being blown way out of proportion. And Mr. Perens has invented an obviously fictional backstory for the rationale behind the amendment. Under the current bylaws, the Secretary is obligated to grant membership to anyone who pays the dues established by the Board. This portion of the bylaws amendment has been adopted to protect the corporation and, by extension, our members who invest their time and money in our success, from being required to grant membership to undesirable individuals, such as those convicted of a violent offense or those with an extensive, documented history of harassment or discrimination in the community. In today’s day and age it is imperative that a corporation be able to decline to grant a membership or renewal application from someone that may bring disrepute upon the organization. This provision is adapted nearly word for word from ARRL Bylaw 2, with the exception that the body that would make the decision upon the Secretary’s referral is the Board of Directors rather than the Executive Committee (since our bylaws do not call for such a committee). This is a narrow provision that I hope the Secretary would have to invoke on very rare occasions. And if it is invoked, the Board would carefully consider the Secretary’s referral and make a decision that’s best for the organization and our membership.
73,
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Executive Vice President Member of the Board of Directors AMSAT
On Tue, Apr 20, 2021 at 9:12 PM Paul Stoetzer n8hm@arrl.net wrote:
This provision is adapted nearly word for word from ARRL Bylaw 2, with the exception that the body that would make the decision upon the Secretary’s referral is the Board of Directors rather than the Executive Committee (since our bylaws do not call for such a committee).
While you may believe this, it's actually untrue, because the ARRL bylaws are modified by this provision of their articles of association:
Article 11:
The membership of the League shall consist of (a) Full members who shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the League except as otherwise provided in these Articles, in the Bylaws, or in the Rules and Regulations of the ARRL Field Organization, and (b) International members and Associate members who shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the League except the right to vote for Directors, Vice Directors and Section Managers and the right to hold office. The Board of Directors shall by appropriate By-Laws specify the requirements of each membership class, provided, however, that the *Board of Directors shall not terminate or reduce the rights of any member except for the lapse or termination of a condition now required as precedent to the exercise of such rights. * Nothing herein contained shall preclude the Board of Directors from expelling a member upon good cause shown and * after notice and an opportunity to be heard.*
It appears to me that Paul references a section in the ARRL bylaws that addresses *becoming* a member; that is what is being addressed in the proposed bylaws changes, which are consistent with the ARRL. Article 11 appears to address* expelling* a member. I don't think you can expel a non-member.
Mark L. Hammond [N8MH] AMSAT Director and Command Station
On Wed, Apr 21, 2021 at 12:24 AM Bruce Perens via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
On Tue, Apr 20, 2021 at 9:12 PM Paul Stoetzer n8hm@arrl.net wrote:
This provision is adapted nearly word for word from ARRL Bylaw 2, with the exception that the body that would make the decision upon the Secretary’s referral is the Board of Directors rather than the Executive Committee (since our bylaws do not call for such a committee).
While you may believe this, it's actually untrue, because the ARRL bylaws are modified by this provision of their articles of association:
Article 11:
The membership of the League shall consist of (a) Full members who shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the League except as otherwise provided in these Articles, in the Bylaws, or in the Rules and Regulations of the ARRL Field Organization, and (b) International members and Associate members who shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the League except the right to vote for Directors, Vice Directors and Section Managers and the right to hold office. The Board of Directors shall by appropriate By-Laws specify the requirements of each membership class, provided, however, that the *Board of Directors shall not terminate or reduce the rights of any member except for the lapse or termination of a condition now required as precedent to the exercise of such rights. * *Nothing herein contained s**hall preclude the Board of Dir* *ectors from expelling a member* upon good cause shown and
- after notice and an opportunity to be heard.*
On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 12:12:41 AM EDT, Paul Stoetzer n8hm@arrl.net wrote:
The purported impact of this new provision is being blown way out of proportion. And Mr. Perens has invented an obviously fictional backstory for the rationale behind the amendment. Under the current bylaws, the Secretary is obligated to grant membership to anyone who pays the dues established by the Board. This portion of the bylaws amendment has been adopted to protect the corporation and, by extension, our members who invest their time and money in our success, from being required to grant membership to undesirable individuals, such as those convicted of a violent offense or those with an extensive, documented history of harassment or discrimination in the community. In today’s day and age it is imperative that a corporation be able to decline to grant a membership or renewal application from someone that may bring disrepute upon the organization. This provision is adapted nearly word for word from ARRL Bylaw 2, with the exception that the body that would make the decision upon the Secretary’s referral is the Board of Directors rather than the Executive Committee (since our bylaws do not call for such a committee). This is a narrow provision that I hope the Secretary would have to invoke on very rare occasions. And if it is invoked, the Board would carefully consider the Secretary’s referral and make a decision that’s best for the organization and our membership.
73,
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Executive Vice President Member of the Board of Directors AMSAT
Paul, Thanks for the explanation. I was just trying to get clarificationon what the ground rules might be. 73, Bob K8BL
On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 12:12:41 AM EDT, Paul Stoetzer n8hm@arrl.net wrote:
The purported impact of this new provision is being blown way out of proportion. And Mr. Perens has invented an obviously fictional backstory for the rationale behind the amendment. Under the current bylaws, the Secretary is obligated to grant membership to anyone who pays the dues established by the Board. This portion of the bylaws amendment has been adopted to protect the corporation and, by extension, our members who invest their time and money in our success, from being required to grant membership to undesirable individuals, such as those convicted of a violent offense or those with an extensive, documented history of harassment or discrimination in the community. In today’s day and age it is imperative that a corporation be able to decline to grant a membership or renewal application from someone that may bring disrepute upon the organization. This provision is adapted nearly word for word from ARRL Bylaw 2, with the exception that the body that would make the decision upon the Secretary’s referral is the Board of Directors rather than the Executive Committee (since our bylaws do not call for such a committee). This is a narrow provision that I hope the Secretary would have to invoke on very rare occasions. And if it is invoked, the Board would carefully consider the Secretary’s referral and make a decision that’s best for the organization and our membership. 73, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Executive Vice PresidentMember of the Board of Directors AMSAT -----------------------------------------------------------
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participants (4)
-
Bob Liddy (K8BL) -
Bruce Perens -
Mark L. Hammond -
Paul Stoetzer