Name
The name of the organization shall be the Western Association of Broadcast Engineers, abbreviated W.A.B.E.
Objectives
The W.A.B.E. shall be a non-profit organization with the following objectives:
(1) To promote and advance the dissemination of engineering knowledge among its members. The primary means of achieving this shall be the organization of an annual convention at which appropriate engineering papers shall be presented and current broadcast equipment exhibited.
(2) To represent the interests of the majority of its members to duly appointed technical, educational, and legislative institutions.
Membership
Annual membership in the W.A.B.E. is granted upon payment of the W.A.B.E. convention registration fee. The membership remains in effect until the first day of the subsequent convention. Persons employed by broadcast equipment suppliers or dealers shall not qualify for membership in the W.A.B.E. Membership categories are as follows:
(1) Voting Member
A voting member shall be a technical employee of a radio or television station or network licensed to operate in Canada west of the Ontario/ Manitoba border. Payment of a full convention registration fee shall give this member the right to vote at the Annual Business Meeting held at that convention.
(2) Affiliate Member
An affiliate member shall be anyone employed in a field related to broadcasting who pays a full convention registration, but does not meet the qualifications of a voting member. Affiliate members shall not have the right to vote at the Annual Business Meeting.
(3) Honorary Member
Honorary members shall be appointed at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Former voting members who have retired shall be eligible for honorary membership. Honorary membership may also be bestowed upon individuals who, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, have made a major contribution to the furtherance of the objectives of the W.A.B.E. Honorary members shall receive complimentary full registration at W.A.B.E. conventions, but shall not have the right to vote at the Annual Business Meeting. A retired member who resumes employment in the broadcasting or broadcast related field shall not be entitled to complimentary registration for the period of that employment.
(4) Student Member
Students enrolled in broadcast engineering courses at technical institutions approved by the Executive Committee shall be entitled to reduced rate registration at W.A.B.E. conventions. Rates and conditions of student registration shall be set by the Executive Committee. Student members shall not have the right to vote at Annual Business Meetings.
(5) Others
From time to time other classes of membership may be established by the Executive Committee, however only those persons meeting the qualifications of voting members shall be allowed to vote at Annual Business Meetings.
Membership in the W.A.B.E. is renewed annually by attending the annual convention and paying the full registration fee. At the discretion of the Executive Committee reduced fees may be established for short term attendance. Payment of a reduced fee does not entitle the payee to membership rights and privileges.
Officers of the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall consist of the following seven officers:
President
The President shall act as overall supervisor and co-ordinator of the affairs of the W.A.B.E. The President shall be responsible for organizing all Executive Committee meetings, and shall present the President's report and act as chairman of the Annual Business Meeting held at each convention.
Secretary-Treasurer
The Secretary-Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining the financial accounts and records of the W.A.B.E. The Secretary-Treasurer shall record the minutes of all meetings and shall assume the responsibilities of the President in the President's absence. The Secretary-Treasurer shall present a report at the Annual Business Meeting summarizing the current financial position of the W.A.B.E.
Exhibitors Chairman
The Exhibitors Chairman shall be responsible for the organization of all equipment exhibits at the annual convention. The Exhibitors Chairman may be assisted by an Exhibitors Liaison who shall represent the interests of the exhibitors participating in the convention.
Accommodations Chairman
The Accommodations Chairman shall be responsible for the organization of hotel accommodation and registration of all delegates attending the annual convention. The Accommodations Chairman shall also be responsible for setting up the business office and registration desk at the convention.
Host Chairman
The Host Chairman shall be responsible for the organization of all meal and social functions of the annual convention, and for the printing of the program and event tickets. The Host Chairman shall also be responsible for the organization of "Spouses Day" activities.
Papers Chairman
The Papers Chairman shall be responsible for the organization and implementation of the technical papers program at the annual convention.
Sessions Chairman
The Sessions Chairman shall be responsible for the acquisition and operation of all audio-visual equipment required for the technical papers program. The Sessions Chairman shall also arrange for the introduction of the paper presenters.
Past President
The retiring President shall become an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee, and shall act in an advisory capacity to the President Should a member of the Executive Committee be obliged to resign, the Past President may be called on to fulfill the obligations of the resigning member.
At the discretion of the President, the duties of the Executive Committee may be modified or expanded to meet the needs of a particular convention.
Election of Officers
The election of the Executive Committee shall take place at the Annual Business Meeting. The President shall arrange for the selection of a slate of officers to be presented for nomination at the Annual Business Meeting. Nominations shall also be accepted from the floor. The Exhibitors Chairman, Accommodations Chairman, Host Chairman, Papers Chairman, and Sessions Chairman shall be elected annually. If possible, these officers should be resident in or near the city hosting the convention. The Secretary-Treasurer shall normally be elected every other year and shall serve a two year term. Following that term the Secretary-Treasurer shall become the President.
The President shall normally serve a two year term. Should the President be unable to complete this term, the Secretary-Treasurer shall be promoted to President Should any other officer be unable to complete the term of office, the President shall select a replacement. This selection must be ratified by a majority of the remaining members of the Executive Committee. The President and Secretary-Treasurer must meet the qualifications of a voting member of the WARE. in order to hold office. Other members of the Executive Committee should preferably meet these criteria, however if no suitable voting member is available, an affiliate member may be selected.
From time to time the President may appoint other officers or committees to perform additional duties of the organization such as the presentation of awards, the selection of future convention sites, or the amendment of this constitution. These officers or Committees shall report to the President but shall not be considered members of the Executive Committee.
Finances
The revenues of the WARE. shall be derived primarily from registration fees of the annual conventions. Members of the Executive Committee shall not be paid for their services. They shall, however, be reimbursed for all travel, lodging, and other reasonable expenses incurred on behalf of the W.A.B.E.
Each member of the Executive Committee shall be required to pay a full registration fee at the annual convention.
Annual Business Meeting
An Annual Business Meeting shall be held at each convention. The primary functions performed at this meeting are the presentation of the President's report, presentation of the Secretary-Treasurer's report, and election of the new officers of the Executive Committee. All convention delegates including exhibitors are invited to express their opinion on WARE. business, but only voting members may cast a ballot Voting shall normally consist of a show of hands, but at the discretion of the President may be done by secret ballot. A simple majority of one shall carry a presented and seconded motion.
Constitutional Amendments
Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by the Executive Committee or by a petition of ten or more voting members. Amendments must be presented at the Annual Business Meeting, and if approved by the majority of voting members in attendance, shall take effect within thirty days thereafter.