CHAPTER I – The Association
Article 1 – Name, Headquarters and Duration
The association adopts the name AIRA - International Amateur Radio Association, and is constituted as a private legal entity, without profit-making purposes.
The main headquarters of A.I.R.A. is located at Rua do Norte, nº 73 3865-110 Fermelã – Estarreja – Aveiro – Portugal, without a determined purpose.
Article 2 – Purposes and Objectives
AIRA aims to promote and encourage the use of amateur radio internationally.
To create and implement amateur radio projects in collaboration with regulatory bodies, and for technical and scientific development.
To contribute to the well-being of the hobby and the people who belong to the hobby.
To participate in actions requiring amateur radio intervention in case of calamities/terrorism attacks/other critical situations that require support.
CHAPTER II - Members
Article 3 - Categories of Members
The Association has the following categories of members:
Board Members: President, Vice-President, Treasurer.
General Assembly Members: President, 1st Secretary, 2nd Secretary.
Fiscal Council Members: President, Member, Member.
General Assembly Members: All members of the association.
Full Members: Individuals who hold a valid amateur radio operator's license and are admitted under the terms of Article 4.
Beginner Members/Radio Listeners (SWL): Individuals who are dedicated to the study of amateur radio, but who do not yet hold an amateur operator's license, and who are admitted under the terms of Article 4. Contributing/Supporting Members: Individuals or legal entities who, although not licensed amateur radio operators, express sympathy for the aims of AIRA and propose to contribute to its achievement.
Honorary Members: Individuals or legal entities to whom the General Assembly, upon proposal of the Board of Directors, grants this status for having rendered relevant services to the Association or to Amateur Radio; these members are those of the Board of Directors, the Assembly Board, and the Fiscal Council, members who perform work in the association and are not subject to monthly dues.
Article 4 - Admission and Process
The admission of members is the responsibility of the Board of Directors, through a duly completed and signed application and evaluation form submitted by the candidate.
The application for admission as a Full Member must be accompanied by proof that the candidate holds a valid amateur radio operator's license.
Membership is non-transferable.
Article 5 - Members' Rights
The following constitute the rights of all members, without prejudice to the exceptions provided for in the Internal Regulations:
a) To participate in the activities and initiatives of the Association;
b) To use the future facilities of the Sub-Headquarters and services of the Association, in accordance with the Internal Regulations;
c) To submit proposals, suggestions or complaints to the Board of Directors or the General Assembly;
d) To participate and vote in the meetings of the General Assembly (only for Honorary and Effective Members with dues paid up, and with the minimum seniority defined in paragraph 2 of this article);
e) To be elected to the Governing Bodies (only for Effective Members with dues paid up, and with the minimum seniority defined in paragraph 2 of this article);
f) To request the convening of an Extraordinary General Assembly in accordance with the Law and these Statutes.
g) Honorary members may change positions among honorary members if it is determined that they will demonstrate better functionality in that other position, although this will have to be accepted among the honorary members and validated by the Board of Directors.
2. (Defining a waiting period for the exercise of full rights): Full Members may only enjoy the rights provided for in points d) and e) after at least six months of their admission and provided that their dues are paid up to date.
3. (Right to vote of Contributing Members): Contributing Members have the right to participate in the General Assembly meetings, but without the right to vote.
Article 6 - Duties of Members
The duties of members are:
a) To comply with and ensure compliance with the Statutes, the Internal Regulations and the resolutions of the Governing Bodies;
b) To contribute to the prestige and good name of AIRA and Amateur Radio;
c) Pay dues, membership fees, or other contributions set by the General Assembly on time (except for Honorary Members and Members with Validated Reasons)
d) For Members with "Validated Reasons," this option is decided by the Board of Directors and is granted only if the member has financial problems.
e) Accept and diligently and dedicatedly perform the positions for which they are elected, unless there is a justified reason;
f) Actively participate in the life of the Association and in the pursuit of its objectives.
Article 7 - Sanctions and Exclusion
Members who violate the duties established in the Statutes or Internal Regulations are subject, according to the seriousness of the offense, to the following disciplinary sanctions:
a) Written reprimand;
b) Suspension of membership rights (for a determined period);
c) Dismissal (Exclusion).
A member who, through a willful act, materially harms the Association or who repeatedly commits serious violations of membership duties will be excluded from the Association.
The Board of Directors has the authority to apply sanctions, except for the sanction of dismissal (exclusion), which is the responsibility of the General Assembly, upon a reasoned proposal from the Board of Directors or the Supervisory Board.
Article 8 - Loss of Membership
Membership is lost by:
a) Voluntary resignation;
b) Death (in the case of individuals) or dissolution (in the case of legal entities);
c) Exclusion, under the terms of the previous article;
d) Failure to pay dues for a period exceeding (e.g., 12 months) after notice from the Board.
CHAPTER III - Governing Bodies (Relevant Excerpts)
Article 9 - Bodies of the Association.
The governing bodies of AIRA are the General Assembly, the Board, and the Supervisory Board.
Article 10 - General Assembly (Composition)
The General Assembly is composed of all Full Members in full enjoyment of their rights, i.e., with their dues paid up and not suspended.