Membership in the Yellowknife Amateur Radio Society consists of an annual membership fee. The fees are set out in the new draft Bylaws, which are generally the same as was decided at the 2018 AGM in accordance with the current Bylaws (Download YARS Constitution 1997).
Generally, there are four classes of membership granted payment of the applicable membership fee:
(a) full membership, granted to a licensed radio amateur with membership fee of $40;
(b) family membership, granted to a licensed radio amateur and their immediate family with a membership fee of $60 (all family members who hold an amateur radio licence are entitled to vote);
(c) associate membership, granted to an individual without a radio amateur licence with a membership fee of $20;
(d) corporate membership, granted to a corporation with a membership fee of $800.
The Society is not a registered charity but it is a not-for-profit organization. Revenue from membership fees and donations goes towards helping to fund the operation and maintenance of two repeaters (VE8YK in Yellowknife and VE8RAE in Rae), the station VE8PAT at École St. Patrick High School and various other things such as brochures, the banner, QSL cards and the cost of running operations (Field Day, Canada Day, Canada Winter Contest, fox hunts etc.). Currently, the VE8PAT station needs attention and a revitalized roof antenna for HF operations and an I-Gate for digital operations.
Membership fees and donations can be made by electronic transfer to the following:
Associate membership is cheaper but associate members have fewer privileges and can not vote at an AGM or be on the Executive. The aim is to encourage such members to get licensed and become full members.
Corporate membership is welcome and such members will be advertised on the Society's website.
Being a not-for profit corporation (i.e. a society), the liability of members is limited to their annual membership fee. Members can not personally profit from the Society as that would be contrary to the Societies objects and the laws of the Northwest Territories. What they can obtain is a sense of accomplishment through volunteerism, community involvement and the camaraderie of being with like-minded individuals with common interests. They may also pick up some interesting and useful technical knowledge.
If a member is eligible and decides to serve on the Executive, they will be a director and there are special rules governing directors above and beyond those of members - fiduciary duties. One has an opportunity to lead, learn about corporate governance and add some interesting experience on your resumé.