
| CHARTER and BY-LAWS OF THE Tru Ikonz Motorcycle Club (TI) CHARTER ARTICLE I Name and Authority The name of this organization shall be the Tru Ikonz Motorcycle Club and hereafter referred to as TI. They shall have the authority to operate in the CSRA with the consent of the active members. Operation depends on compliance with the requirements and conditions of this charter. ARTICLE II Purpose, Goals, and Objectives PURPOSE: To establish and maintain a spirit of camaraderie that will enhance the prestige and riding experience of all motorcycle riders, encourage on-going rider education and skills development, increase public awareness and reduce motorcycle mishaps. To operate and conduct itself in a manner that provides equal opportunity and treatment for all motorcyclists, regardless of motorcycle make, model or engine size. GOALS: 1. The Club will seek to improve rider morale and skills, promote general road safety, rider awareness and skills improvement education. 2. The Club will seek to enhance the local community relationship with riders through involvement in community- sponsored efforts and events as well as educational awareness for non-riders. 3. Each member is expected to actively participate, to support the objectives of the Club, and to promote the safety and welfare of all members. OBJECTIVES: 1. Improve each individual’s motorcycle riding experience through the collective knowledge, experience and influence of the Club membership on and off the installation. 2. Open effective communication with all members to exchange ideas and keep attuned to changes in attitudes and behaviors of club riders. 3. Positively promote safe motorcycling within the community. 4. Promote social gatherings, area rides and shared motorcycle ownership knowledge with Club members, non-Club members from the local community, and other motorcycle groups & Clubs. 5. Provide a recognized forum wherein any policy, program, or problem of interest to the members in general, may be discussed freely, without bias. ARTICLE III Qualification of Members, Good Standing Status, Dues and Club Emblems SECTION A: Membership in the Club shall be strictly voluntary. Active members with a motorcycle should have a motorcycle endorsement on their license and maintain insurance as required by state law. All members must be aware that they are jointly and severely liable for the obligations of the Club. Membership shall consist of the categories defined below. 1. Active Member: Any individual who has fulfilled the criteria above and has been voted in by a unanimous vote of the Club membership. An active member in Good Standing is authorized to vote upon and discuss all matters in which the member has interests. 2. Prospective Member: Any person meeting all requirements who is applying for Active Membership. Prospective members must be sponsored by an Active Member in Good Standing and cannot be voted into active membership until at least six months has passed since their introduction to the Club. Additionally, they must have attended at least six official Club events and/or one Club-recognized ride prior to the vote on their status. The sponsor is responsible for ensuring the prospective member understands all Club rules and rides in a safe manner. 3. Honorary Member: May be extended to any person with a simple majority vote of the active members present at any membership meeting, except as mentioned below. Such membership/recognition shall be restricted to individuals who have taken positive actions that support the Club’s principles, purposes, and objectives as explained by the Active Member nominating the individual. Said members are not authorized to vote. 4. Inactive Member: Any individual mentioned above who leaves the Club or fails to maintain Good Standing status. An inactive member is not authorized to vote nor make any motions. 5. Death of a Member: The Club will ensure that any members in Good Standing who die will have Club representation at memorial services if requested by the family and/or may be honored on a separate Club ride. SECTION B: Good Standing. 1. All references to “Active Members” shall be understood to refer to those in Good Standing unless otherwise declared. 2. Good Standing shall include the following: a. Payment of any dues/fees is current b. No actions contrary to the standards declared in this Charter and By-Laws have been noted by the membership (as described in the next paragraph) 3. A member may be declared “Not in Good Standing” for violations by order of the Club’s Executive Committee or by majority vote of the general membership. Any member so declared may not be elected to office, vote on Club issues, or sponsor a prospective member. Any officer declared so will be removed from office and temporarily replaced until their “Good Standing” status is returned. SECTION C: Dues. Dues will be kept minimal, re-voted on annually and are as follows: 1. Active Members $50.00 per month or $600.00 annually if paid at one time 1. Honorary Member: No dues required *NOTE: Prospective members are required to pay a $100.00 Introduction fee and their dues will be $100.00 per month while they are on the six month probationary period. Also all dues and fees are non-refundable in the case the prospective member decides not to continue membership with the club. Section C: Dues Amendment 2/26/07 It is the responsibility of each member to be diligent in paying of his dues. 1. In the event that an active member becomes one month behind in his dues there will be a $10.00 penalty applied to the principal. 2. In the event that an active member becomes one to three months behind in his dues, he will not be allowed to vote on issues or represent the Tru Ikonz Motorcycle Club in public by the wearing of colors and or insignias. In affect he will be considered inactive. If said member reduces his delinquencies to the two-month mark, privileges will be restored, but the $10.00 penalty will be applied to both delinquent months. 3. In the event that an active member becomes one to six months behind in his dues, he will not be allowed to vote on issues or represent the Tru Ikonz Motorcycle Club in public by the wearing of colors and or insignias. In affect he will be considered inactive and subject to removal from the club. Said member will be given the opportunity to appear before all active members in good standing and petition to remain a member of the club. Consideration will be given for life changing events such as deaths, births, etc. A majority vote will decide the individual’s fate. If it is decided that the individual shall remain a member, he shall be put on probation and a strict plan of repayment shall be administered and adhered to without exception or excuse. Colors will not be restored until a second vote is administered. However if it is decided that the individual shall not remain in the club, he will be asked to surrender all club insignias, patches and representations at once. At this point he is no longer a member of the Tru Ikonz Motorcycle Club. He will be given the opportunity to petition for membership after 3 months as a prospect. SECTION D: Club Emblems/Patches. 1. Each member will be issued one emblem, to be attached to the back of a vest at their own expense. 2. Each member may acquire additional emblems/patches at their own expense. 3. All patches, business cards, identification cards, emblems, pins, articles of clothing or any other object containing the Club name or any abbreviation thereof, or any reproduction, copy or recognizable part of the official Club emblem design shall remain the property of the Club at all times. 4. Emblems/Patches will not be presented to anyone who is not a Club member except when the design might be incorporated into a Club-approved honorarium or fund-raising event. BY-LAWS The following By-Laws are set forth for the normal operation and administration of the Club and will be directed by, and a guide for, the Club officers and members. ARTICLE I Officers, Their Duties, and Elections SECTION A: (Elected Officers) The following Club officers will be elected in accordance with the charter, to serve permanently. Each officer must be an active rider and a member in Good Standing 1. President 2. Vice President 3. Secretary 4. Treasurer 5. Sargeant-At-Arms 6. Road Captains 7. Public Affairs All elected officers named above constitute the Executive Committee. In addition to the specific duties described in the following Section B, the Executive Committee may: 1. Authorize disbursement of funds to pay for expenses as approved by Club procedures 2. Appoint committee members and any temporary officers required 3. Take disciplinary action against any Member found to be in violation of the Club rules 4. Act as a Budget Committee, unless a specific Budget Committee is formed 5. Any actions of the Executive Committee must be reported at the next meeting and are subject to approval of the general membership The Club officers’ election, removal, powers, and responsibilities shall be governed according to the rules contained in the Charter and By-Laws. SECTION B: (Duties of Officers) President The duties are as follow: 1. Manage the Club according to its Charter and By-laws 2. Preside at all meetings or appoint an active member to represent him/her 3. Set dates for membership, special, and executive committee meetings 4. Appoint committee members on a voluntary basis 5. Appoint members to fill elected officer positions. 6. Act as Club spokesperson 7. Chair Executive Committee 8. Authorize expenditures as agreed to by the Club between scheduled meetings of the membership, with concurrence of the Executive Committee Vice President The duties are as follows: 1. Assume duties of the President in his absence Secretary The duties are as follows: 1. Record the minutes of membership meetings and take attendance 2. Distribute of minutes within 3 calendar days (via e-mail if capability exists) 3. Receive approval of previous month minutes at next regularly scheduled meeting 4. Maintain a completed file of Club correspondence 5. Provide other administrative support required by the Club 6. Assist the treasurer with Private Organization duties 7. Take attendance at each meeting, and ensure organizational records are compiled, maintained, and transferred to his successor. Treasurer The duties are as follows: 1. Collect and record receipt of membership dues 2. Issue and accept membership applications/resignations 3. Maintain Club membership roster and make available to the Club (via e-mail if capability exists) 4. Maintain records on status of various Club accounts to render reports at meetings 5. Handle Private Org setup / Coordination and inspections 6. Accomplish a financial statement each month. A consolidated financial statement prepared for the entire calendar year and submitted with the constitution and bylaws for review. Sergeant-At-Arms The duties are as follows: 1. Ensure that the By-Laws and Standing Rules of the Club are not violated 2. Ensure Executive Committee orders are carried out in an expeditious manner 3. Maintain order at all Club events, except as noted under Duties of the President 4. Ensure proper decorum and courtesy are observed during all Club meetings 5. Act as custodian of temporary and Club-owned property Road Captains The duties are as follows: 1. Research, plan and organize all Club rides. Notify the Club of impending rides in a timely manner 2. Lead the Club in formation riding or parades. The Road Captains will give riding instructions to all riders prior to the start of a ride. 3. All Officers, primarily Road Captains, shall have the unchallenged right to terminate a member’s participation in a given ride or event for the Club safety or image. Upon request of a Road Captain, the Director may suspend the member pending the lodging of an official complaint. All members have the right to appeal before the members and will abide by the decision of the members--majority rules. 4. One Road Captain will always ride point and set the pace. Another Road Captain will always ride drag to assure the safety of the Club from behind and assist members with mechanical problems. Public Affairs The duties are as follows: 1. Provide liaison between the Club and the local community with overall goal of increasing public’s awareness of the Club and the Club’s objectives. 2. Lead the Club to create plans for informing local community of upcoming Club events. 3. Coordinate with local media (newspaper, radio, television, etc.) to provide information about the Club. SECTION C: Elections, Voting, and Officer Removal ELECTIONS Nominations for Club officers will be proposed in advance of elections and listed in the Club minutes and/or news. Declination by nominees will be so indicated or announced prior to voting. Only by members in Good Standing may make nominations. Officers shall hold offices permanently or until their successors are elected and qualified All officers will be elected by a majority vote. A member may hold only two offices at one time. It is not required that a candidate for office be able to serve for a complete year. Should a candidate be elected that can only serve part of the term, an Interim Officer will be elected to serve out the remainder of the term. Special elections for any unpredicted Officer vacancies shall be held at the next meeting. VOTING Voting for the election of officers will be by secret ballot. Voting on all other Club business will be by a show of hands with the majority ruling, or as stated below. Members with outstanding dues may obtain a ballot prior to the election by paying outstanding dues. For those active members unable to attend the meeting, absentee ballots may be obtained from the Club Secretary. The candidate for each position with the most votes wins. OFFICER REMOVAL Club officers may be removed for cause with due process, by request of at least three Active Members in the form of a signed or e-mailed petition, including a list of the charges against the officer. All active members of the Club must then be informed of the impending vote, which requires approval of at least two thirds of the Active Membership returning ballots. Prior to the vote the officer charged will have the opportunity to prepare a statement concerning the charges against him. ARTICLE II Meetings of the Club SECTION A: (Regular Membership Meetings) shall be held monthly, for the purpose of conducting Club business, listening to guest speakers, etc. Motions/resolutions and revisions/amendments will carry by a simple majority of positive votes except when the issue involves a request for complete written financial reports. In this exceptional case, a two-thirds (2/3) majority of positive votes is required. SECTION B: (Special Meetings) may be called by any Executive Committee member. Special Meetings may be limited to certain/specific members depending on the topic. All those required to attend must be notified of a special meeting at least three days in advance. ARTICLE III Revisions, Adoptions, Amendments, and Review SECTION A: (Revisions/Adoptions) The adoption and or revision of this charter and associated by-laws require the approval of a majority of positive votes of the active members present at any meeting, provided a two-week oral or written notice is given the Club. This charter and associated by-laws will not take effect until reviewed by the first acting and or subsequent elected positions of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. SECTION B: (Amendments) The organization will ensure the bylaws are reviewed annually. This charter and associated by-laws may be amended or abolished in whole or in part by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of positive votes of the active members present at any meeting, provided a two-week oral or written notice is given to the Club. All amendments will not take effect until reviewed by the first acting and/or subsequent elected positions of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The proposed changes and revisions must be forwarded to the secretary for approval and are subject for final review by the officers. SECTION C: (Review) An appointed Committee shall review this charter and the associated by-laws annually to ensure completeness, applicability, and compliance with current club directives and policies. ARTICLE IV Dissolution The Club may be dissolved by request of two-thirds (2/3) or more of the active membership in the form of a signed petition. Upon dissolution, all Club funds and properties, in excess of liabilities and expenses of dissolution, shall be divided equally as decided on by a simple majority of positive votes of the active members present. COPYRIGHT / TRADEMARK STATEMENT The name “Tru Ikonz Motorcycle Club” and logos are the sole property of the Club and may not be changed, duplicated, reproduced or copied without the express written consent of the Executive Committee. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> |
