By-Laws of South Alabama Skywarn

I. Mission Statement

To support The National Weather Service (NWS), it’s Mobile, AL Weather Forecast Office, and The NWS Skywarn program, through licensed amateur radio operators and non-licensed group members by performing severe weather spotting operations. In addition we aid in disaster response and recovery through Emergency Management and it’s partners. Our goal above all else is protection of life and property.

II. Financial Obligations

  1. This organization is 100% volunteer and no dues will be required. Money or equipment donated to South Alabama Skywarn will become the property of same.
  2. All equipment supplied shall be returned to its respective owner upon request.

III. Responsibilities

a) President

  1. The President will oversee and direct administration and operations as a whole for South Alabama Skywarn.
  2. The President will be responsible for coordinating with partners regularly to meet operational needs.
  3. The President will be responsible for maintaining a written record of Members and their participation in events.
  4. The President will be responsible for coordinating efforts and operations with partner organizations, filing requests with partner organizations, and delegating representatives to meet with organizations as needed.
  5. The President shall nominate personnel to fill vacancies to the Executive Board at their discretion, with final approval from the Board Members.

b) Executive Officer

  1. The Executive Officer shall act on behalf of the President as a proxy as directed (or in place of in the event the President is unavailable).
  2. The Executive Officer will be responsible for conducting investigations into complaints, misconduct, or any grievance filed against any Member.

c) Director of Equipment

  1. Will be responsible for siting, maintenance, commissioning, and decommissioning of any and all equipment.

d) Trustee

  1. The Trustee will be responsible for establishing and maintaining the group callsign, as well as filing all pertinent FCC paperwork.
  2. The Trustee will be responsible for frequency coordination for group assets.

e) Secretary

  1. The Secretary will be responsible for keeping a record of meetings to be distributed to the board within 7 days of conclusion of such meetings.
  2. The secretary will be responsible for observing and enforcing floor time in accordance with meeting procedures.

f) Treasurer

  1. The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping written record of all money, equipment, and supplies, that are donated, purchased, or otherwise supplied, to the group.
  2. The Treasurer will be responsible for any necessary fundraising to meet the specific needs of the group.

g) Public Information Officer

  1. The Public Information Officer shall be responsible for the dissemination of information cleared for release by the Board.
  2. The Public Information officer shall distribute such information through approved channels upon scheduled release times.

h) Members

  1. All members must meet all criteria set out in the Requirements section of the By-Laws.

IV. Meetings and Procedure

a) Meetings

  1. Board Meetings will be open only to Board Members and invited guests.
  2. Meetings will be called on an ad hoc basis as necessary to meet the needs of the National Weather Service, or to address issues brought to the attention of the board.
  3. Any Board Member, at their discretion, may call a meeting of the board with 14-day notice or immediately in the case of an Emergency.

b) Procedure

  1. All meetings shall follow a round table format to address any topic or issue relevant to each Board Member’s position, and shall be directed by the President.
  2. Each Board Member will need to present one topic to address at the start of each meeting.
  3. Every topic from each Board Member must be addressed before the meeting is adjourned unless the topic is yielded by the submitting member.
  4. The President shall call each Board Member to present their topic allowing 3 minutes for presentation by the submitting member, then allowing 2 minutes per member of discussion until all members have had a chance for input.
  5. The President may exercise discretion in extending a particular topic if constructive discussion is ongoing.
  6. Once completed the President my ask the presenting Board Member for a course of action, at which point the Board shall vote for or against such action.
  7. The President may veto only in extreme cases that may pose a threat to relations with another organization.
  8. If the President exercises this authority, they must explain their justification for exercising it and may not exceed 1 minute.
  9. If a two thirds majority vote in favor of the recommended action and it isn’t vetoed on the prior condition stated it is to be carried out by the responsible Board Member.
  10. Each Board Member may yield their topic for another or for further discussion of a prior if they so choose.
  11. Upon completion of this process for each Board Member the meeting shall be adjourned.

V. Requirements

a) NWS Station Operators

  1. Must read “Weather Radar Handbook” by Tim Vasquez.
  2. Must have a demonstrated competency with Gibson Ridge software.
  3. Must be a licensed amateur radio operator with a minimum of General.
  4. Must have completed NWS Advanced Spotter Training.
  5. Must be available to man NWS on short notice.
  6. Must undergo a background check annually.

b) Field Spotters

  1. Must have completed NWS Advanced Spotter Training
  2. Must have completed Field Training Program
  3. Must be a licensed amateur radio operator
  4. Must have a mobile 2-meter amateur radio (preferably with D-Star)
  5. Must be registered with Spotter Network (www.spotternetwork.org)
  6. Must have RadarScope mobile app with Spotter Network beacon active.

VI. Code of Conduct

Violation of any of these rules will be grounds for immediate disciplinary action up to and including removal.

a) General Practice

  1. South Alabama Skywarn Executive Board shall establish its group rules in accordance to the established mission and The Rules and Regulations of The National Weather Service, Skywarn program and the Federal Communication Commission.
  2. The Rules and Regulations as outlined by and required by the National Weather Service and the Skywarn program must be followed at all times by members of the Executive Board and Group Members without exception.
  3. Failure to do so will call for immediate removal from the South Alabama Skywarn.
  4. At no point may South Alabama Skywarn nor any Member be held liable for the actions of an individual in the course of participation.
  5. Each member is responsible for their own safety and behavior.
  6. A complaint made against a group member may be made to any member of the Board and shall be filed with the Secretary, Executive Officer, and President.
  7. Upon receipt the Executive Officer shall conduct an investigation and present their findings to the President and Executive Board at the next scheduled meeting.
  8. The Executive Board shall review the findings and take any necessary action to include dismissal of the complaint, disciplinary action, or removal of the member from the group.
  9. Field Spotters are responsible for activating when called upon by NWS or South Alabama Skywarn.
  10. They will deploy to the field to survey storms and possible damage without compromising personal safety. This may be done from a sheltered location or in mobile operation.
  11. South Alabama Skywarn Members are required to be Licensed Amateur Radio Operators and shall hold their respective positions until their resignation, reassignment, or they are removed by a vote of the Executive Board Members and only after a formal complaint is brought and an investigation has been conducted by the Executive Officer (or the President, if the complaint is made against the Executive Officer).
  12. If the President or the Executive Officer makes the recommendation for a vote of removal, that Member shall be notified of the Executive Board’s intended actions and they will not be allowed to be in attendance during the vote.
  13. The President and Executive Officer will be required to accept the Executive Board’s vote.
  14. The Member shall be notified immediately following the meeting in person by the President (or the Executive Officer).

b) Members shall not:

  1. Issue forecasts or forecast discussions that haven’t been approved by NWS.
  2. Dispatch spotters (except to warn of immediate danger and proper course to escape said danger).
  3. Issue a warning that isn’t issued by NWS.
  4. Activate a net without an official call to action.
  5. Enter any agency without instruction to do so by the President or Executive Officer.
  6. Tamper with, alter, or otherwise remove, equipment without approval from the Director of Equipment, and the President or Executive Officer.
  7. Put themselves in danger to obtain storm reports.
  8. File false or unconfirmed reports.
  9. File 3rd party reports.
  10. Act in an unprofessional manner toward any other member, the public, or NWS staff.
  11. Contact NWS unnecessarily, or otherwise harass staff.
  12. Disclose any information that could compromise security or safety of a facility or individual.
  13. Speak to media without prior approval from the President or Executive Officer.
  14. Engage in any illegal activity.
  15. Engage in behavior that could endanger the public.
  16. Take any action that could incite panic.
  17. Dress themselves or vehicles in a manner that could be construed as “imitating law enforcement”

VII. Financial

a) Monetary

  1. This organization is 100% volunteer and no dues will be required.
  2. Money donated to South Alabama Skywarn will become the property of same.

b) Equipment

  1. Equipment donated to South Alabama Skywarn will become the property of same.

  2. Equipment loaned to South Alabama Skywarn shall be returned to its respective owner upon request.