American Legion Riders

Chapter 230

By-Laws

Martinsville, Indiana    46151

Purpose

 

 

To participate in parades and other ceremonies which are in keeping with the aims and purposes of the American Legion.

 

To promote motorcycle safety programs and to provide a social atmosphere for American Legion members who share the same interest.

 

To use our association to promote and support the programs of the American Legion.

 

Article I--Name

 

Section 1.  The Riders Organization existing under these By-Laws is to be known as The American Legion Riders, Chapter 230, (Hereafter referred to as the ALR).  The ALR, Chapter 230 is a program of The Martinsville American Legion, Post 230, The American Legion, Department of Indiana.

 

Section 2.  The nature of this Chapter is as set forth in the Constitution.

 

Article II—Management

 

Section 1.  The officers of the ALR Chapter shall be Director, Assistant Director, Secretary, Finance Officer, Membership Chairman, Sergeant-at-Arms, Road Captain, Chaplain and Communications Officer.

 

Section 2.  The government and management of the ALR are entrusted to a Board of Directors to be known as the “Executive Committee”.  The administrative power of the Chapter shall be vested in the Chapter Executive Committee, which shall consist of all elected officers for the current year.

 

Section 3.  Officers of this ALR Chapter shall be elected annually.  A nominee must be an ALR member in good standing and nominations shall be accepted from any ALR member in good standing from this chapter.  Nominations for office shall take place at the regular meeting in November.  The election shall take place at the regular meeting in December.  Elected Officers shall be installed and take office at the January meeting next following the election.  All elections of officers shall be by ballot unless changed by a two thirds vote of the members present and the candidate or candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected to the respective office or offices for which they are candidates.

 

Section 4.  All vacancies existing in any office of the chapter from any cause other than the expiration of the term shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Committee, and a person so appointed shall hold office for the unexpired term of the member of the committee or officer whose position was vacated. 

 

Section 5.  A vacancy shall exist when a member or officer is absent from the Chapter due to resignation, loss of qualifications, incapacity from injury or illness, or for a continuous period of unexcused absences considered detrimental to the interest of the Chapter by the remaining members of the Executive Committee.

 

Article III—Meetings

 

Section 1.  The regular meeting of this Chapter shall be held at The American Legion Post 230 on the second Tuesday of each month.  The starting time for these meetings shall be determined by a majority vote of the members at any regular meeting.   During these meetings such chapter business that needs to be transacted may be properly brought up and acted upon.  Chapter regular meetings may be converted into entertainment or social events as may be deemed advisable by the Executive Committee.

 

Section 2.  The Chapter Director or a majority of the Executive Committee shall have power to call a special meeting of the Chapter at any time.

 

Section 3.  Upon the written request of seven chapter members, the Executive Committee shall call a special meeting of the Chapter.

 

Section 4.  Ten regular members of the chapter in good standing shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meeting.

 

Article IV—Chapter Executive Committee

 

Section 1.  The Chapter Executive Committee may meet for organizational or such other business as may come before it at the call of the Chapter Director after the installation of the new officers.  Thereafter the Chapter Executive Committee shall meet as often as the Chapter Director may deem necessary.  The Chapter Director shall call a meeting of the Chapter Executive Committee upon the joint written request of three or more members of said Chapter Executive Committee, and five members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum thereof.

 

Section 2.  The Chapter Executive Committee, based on a majority vote, shall authorize and approve all expenditures; shall hear the reports of chapter committee chairs; and generally, shall have charge of and be responsible for the management of the affairs of this chapter.

 

Article V—Duties of Officers

 

Section 1.    Duties of Director.  It shall be the duty of the Chapter Director to preside at all meetings of the Chapter and to have general supervision over the business and affairs of the Chapter, and as such shall be the chief executive officer of the Chapter.  The Director shall perform such other duties as directed by the chapter membership.  The current Director must be on the bank account signature card along with the Finance Officer and a third member designated by the Executive Committee.

 

Section 2.    Duties of Assistant Director.  The Assistant Director shall assume and discharge the duties of the office of Director in the absence or disability of, or when called upon by the Chapter Director.  In addition, the Assistant Director shall maintain records and important documents of the Chapter and shall perform such other duties as may be determined by the Chapter or Executive Committee.  Copies of financial reports and membership reports will be provided to the Assistant Director at each regular meeting.  Secure storage space will be provided to assure security and safe keeping of these materials.

 

Section 3.    Duties of Secretary.  The Secretary shall have charge of and keep a full and accurate record of all proceedings of all meetings, keep such records as the Post and Department organizations may require, and under direction of the Director handle all correspondence of the ALR Chapter.

 

Section 4.    Duties of Finance Officer.  The Finance Officer shall have charge of all finances and see that they are safely deposited in a local bank or banks and shall report once a month to the Chapter Executive Committee the condition of the finances of the Chapter, with such recommendations as he or she may deem expedient or necessary to carry on the financial activities of the Chapter.  The Finance Officer shall be one of three on the bank account signature card with the authority to sign checks disbursing the monies of the Chapter.  The two other chapter members will be the current Director and a third member selected by majority vote of the Executive Committee.  The chapter checking account(s) will be set up in a way that will require the signatures of two of the three authorized signers on each check expending chapter funds. The Finance Officer will prepare and maintain the Chapter’s monthly financial report.  This information will be provided to chapter members at the chapter’s regular meetings.

 

Section 5.   Duties of Membership Chairman. The Membership Chairman is responsible for maintenance of membership records. The Membership Chairman shall collect membership dues as determined by the Chapter and provide same to Finance Officer on a regular basis. The Membership Chairman is charged with the review and/or collection of eligibility documentation as required to demonstrate compliance with National membership requirements, and to demonstrate any additional requirements as may be defined by the sponsoring Post Executive Board, applicable Department rules; or State and Local laws. The Membership Chairman shall render detailed membership reports annually or when called upon to do so at regular meetings of the Chapter. Additionally, the Membership Chairman shall send renewal notification to members of record.

 

Section 6.    Duties of Sergeant-at-Arms.  The Sergeant-at-Arms shall preserve order at meetings and gatherings, assist the Road Captain in enforcing all rules of safe riding during rides and runs; and perform such other duties or chair such committees as may be from time to time assigned by the Director or Chapter Executive Committee.

 

Section 7.    Duties of Road Captain.  The Road Captain shall plan all riding activities, and events; arouse interest in activities; enforce all rules of safe motorcycle operation and group riding.  Additionally, the Road Captain may select assistant Ride Captains to aid in special tasks and may chair such committees as may be from time to time established by the Chapter Director or Executive Committee. 

 

Section 8.    Duties of Chaplain.  The Chaplain shall provide divine but nonsectarian invocation at regular chapter meetings, chapter rides and other activities deemed appropriate.

 

Section 9.    Duties of Communications Officer.  The Communications Officer shall prepare and maintain the official website of the ALR Chapter and other duties pertaining to communications as determined by the Executive Committee.

 

Article VI—Regalia

 

Members of the ALR shall conform to all rules governing the wearing and display of ALR regalia and American Legion name and emblem. Violations of any rule shall subject the violator to suspension and/or expulsion as provided for in the ALR Constitution and By-laws.

 

Section 1. The sleeveless vest is the approved minimum article of clothing on which ALR regalia may be displayed, provided that rules applying to displays on the vest apply equally to sleeved garments including but not limited to jackets, T-shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, etc. 

 

Section 2. The American Flag Patch shall only be displayed on the left front of the vest with the stars on the patch closest to the center of the chest and in the highest feasible position. No other patch or item shall be displayed above the American Flag.

 

Section 3. The emblem of The American Legion organization (TAL, SAL, and Auxiliary) that the ALR member is entitled to wear by virtue of membership therein shall be displayed on the left front breast of the vest.

 

Section 4. When displayed on the ALR vest, the ALR emblem back patch will be displayed in the center of the back.

 

Section 5. POW/MIA or POW/MIA/KIA patch will be worn on the right side of the vest in the highest possible position providing it does not go above the American Flag Patch.

 

Section 6. Vulgarity, scatology, profanity, and provocative verbiage and imagery (being verbiage and imagery intended to threaten, harass, insult or frighten non-members) shall not be displayed on any item simultaneously bearing the ALR emblem or an emblem of The American Legion; provided that questions concerning same shall be presented to and decided by The American Legion Department of Indiana’s American Legion Riders Committee.

 

Section 7. Nothing in this Article is to be construed as requiring an alteration, revision, replacement, re-design, or prohibition of methods or placement of regalia displayed by members in good standing prior to the adoption of this Constitution and By-laws, dated October 7, 2007.

 

Section 8. Regalia added to existing articles of clothing protected under Section 7 above shall conform to the provision of all other sections of Article VI.

 

Section 9. All regalia displayed in violation of Article VI, Sections 1-7, shall be deemed a violation of this Constitution and By-Laws and subject the offending member to all suspension or expulsion at the discretion of the ALR Executive Committee.

 

Article VII—Appointments

 

Section 1.  The Chapter Director may appoint standing committees or commissions for the furtherance of chapter programs.

 

Section 2.  Such standing committees shall consist of such persons, and the chair thereof, as designated by the Chapter Director.

 

 

Article VIII—Resolutions

 

Section 1.  All resolutions of state or national scope presented to this Chapter by a member or reported to this Chapter by a committee shall merely embody the opinion of this Chapter on the subject and copy of same shall be forwarded to the Post/Department headquarters for its approval before any publicity is given or action other than mere passage by the Chapter is taken.

 

Article IX—Notices

 

Section 1.  Every member shall furnish the Chapter Secretary with a valid postal mailing address and if applicable an email address.

 

Section 2.  The Chapter Secretary shall cause notice of the annual election to be given at least two weeks prior thereto.

 

Section 3. The personal information (phone numbers, postal or email address) of officers or members shall not be released in any form for any purpose other than to ALR Chapter 230 Officers, American Legion Post 230 Officers or Department of The American Legion Officers. Information provided to the above listed organizations may be used only for the purposes approved by the governing bodies of same.

 

Article X—Rules of Order

 

Section 1.  All proceedings of this Chapter shall be conducted under and pursuant to Roberts’ Rules of Order (Newly Revised), except as herein otherwise provided.

 

Article XI—Suspension or Expulsion

 

Section 1.   Any member may be suspended or expelled from the Chapter by a majority vote of the members.

 

Section 2.   Reasons for a suspension or expulsion are as listed but are not limited to; any act which would cause embarrassment to the Chapter or Post; riding in an unsafe manner that could cause injury to the rider or others in the area or failure to comply with the requirements as identified on the American Legion Rider Membership Application.

 

Section 3.   The length of a suspension will be determined by the membership after examining the severity of the offense and the past record of the member.  The penalty of suspension shall be for not less that thirty days nor more than 90 days.  The penalty of expulsion would be for the most severe infraction or continual infractions.  Once a member is suspended, the member will not be permitted to attend any meetings or functions of the Chapter for the duration of the suspension. Once a member is expelled, rejoining the Chapter or attending Chapter functions will not be permitted.

 

Section 4.   The suspension or expulsion of a member will not be taken lightly thus, the motion to suspend or expel a member may be voiced and discussed at any regular or special meeting but will not be brought to a vote until after discussion at the next regular meeting.

 

Section 5.   A member having been suspended or expelled by majority vote will be notified in writing at the address on record by the Executive Committee.  The notification will outline the violation or violations, and give the penalty prescribed.

 

Article XII—Limitations of Liabilities

 

Section 1.  This Chapter shall incur, or cause to be incurred, no liability nor obligation whatever which shall subject to liability any other Chapter, subdivision, members of The American Legion, post, departments, or other individuals, corporations or organizations.

 

Article XIII—Amendments

 

Section 1.  These By-Laws may be amended at any regular Chapter meeting by a vote of two-thirds of the members of said Chapter attending such regular meeting, provided that the proposed amendment shall have been submitted in writing and read at the next preceding regular meeting.

 

Section 2.   Written notice to the addresses of record indicated in Article IX, Section 1, shall have been given to all members at least 5 days in advance of the date when such amendment is to be voted upon, notifying said members that at such meeting there will be presented a proposal to amend the By-Laws.

 

 

 

 

Effective date of these By-Laws is - 8 December, 2009.

 

 

 

Signature of current Director ________________________________________.

 

 

Signature of current ALR Officer _____________________________________.

 

 

Signature of current ALR Officer _____________________________________.

 

 

Signature of current ALR Officer _____________________________________.

 

 

Signature of current ALR Officer _____________________________________.