An ARRL Affiliated club:
STARC, Inc is affiliated with the ARRL (American Radio Relay League, Inc) based in Newington, Connecticut. The ARRL is the national organization of U.S. Amateur Radio Operators and represents all U.S. Amateurs in Washington, DC.
To maintain that affiliation, more than 50% of the members of STARC, Inc must also be members of the ARRL.
A Vermont Corporation:
STARC was incorporated as a Vermont Non-for-Profit Corporation in November of 2000 by the action of six Franklin County Amateurs, Jeff Levesque (W1KGB), Earl Decell (K1YLB), Bob Bruno (K2KI), Paul Beaudry (N1PWO), Arnie Benjamin (N1ARN) and John Baraby (N1RUH).
From the Incorporation document, the purpose of STARC was “to secure for ourselves the pleasures and benefits of an association of persons commonly interested in Amateur Radio, constitute ourselves the ST. ALBANS AMATEUR RADIO CLUB (STARC) and enact this constitution as our governing law. It shall be our purpose to further the exchange of information and cooperation between members, to promote radio knowledge, fraternalism and individual operating efficiency, and to so conduct club programs and activities as to advance the general interest and welfare of Amateur Radio in the community, to include public service and assistance in emergency communication when called upon.”
The latest revision 0f the STARC, Inc Constitution was passed by the membership in January, 2004. Updates to Bylaws were passed at the same time. An IRS required Amendment to the STARC, Inc Constitution was also accepted.
EIN and IRS 501.c.3 Certification:
In May of 2001, STARC received the Employer Identification Number (EIN) 03-0370017 , and in November of that year STARC received the IRS letter granting a 501.c.3 (Not-for-Profit) status. Thus began STARC, Inc.
Amateur Radio Operations:
Part 97 of the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) regulations governs the operations of all Radio Amateur Operators residing in the U.S. or its possessions.
Public Service:
STARC, Inc members are active in the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). Some members belong to the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), a radio service established by Congress for the purpose of helping FEMA and Vermont Emergency Management in times of emergency, be it locally or statewide.
Recently STARC member Clair Dunn (W1CQD) was appointed to lead a team of STARC RACES members to work with officials from the Northwest Medical Center to establish a ham radio station at that facility for the purpose of providing a backup communications capability. Antennas and equipment will soon be ready at the NMC for operation by STARC members who hold RACES certification.
On the Friday of Labor Day weekend, in 2002, Franklin and Grand Isle Counties suffered a complete phone outage for over twelve hours. Twenty ham radio operators (16 were STARC members) established an Emergency Network, using the N1STA VHF repeater on French Hill in St. Albans Town. Most of these operators were ARES members; some were RACES members, and some simply held the required Amateur Radio License (“ticket”). Together they maintained communications between Central Dispatch, the Northwest Medical Center, the Sheriff, and Emergency Management Coordinators in the towns of Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. The “net” was disbanded when phone service was restored.
Encourage the Disabled to enjoy Amateur (Ham) Radio:
Becoming an Amateur Radio Operator can be a real challenge for disabled individuals. Help is available at Handi-Hams.
Support:
Our Public Service is entirely voluntary.
No licensed Amateur Radio Operator may accept payment in any form for his/her communications effort(s). That is prohibitied by law. Amateur Radio Clubs designated an IRS “Not-for-Profit” Corporation may accept personal and corporate funding. STARC, Inc. holds that IRS 501.c.3 certification.
STARC, Inc gratefully uses such funding to maintain and enhance the radio equipment and antenna systems with which we are able to perform our Public Service. Clark Communications Electronics of Milton, VT and Jay Peak Resort furnish support to STARC, Inc in the form of sites for our antennas and repeaters. We are grateful for their continuing gifts.
