American Legion Riders
POST
239 Cascade Md.
Motorcycle Association
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
Bylaws
The following paragraphs
comprise the bylaws of the American Legion Riders Motorcycle Association, a
Program of the American Legion, as approved by the attending Chapters at the
National Chapter Officers Meeting during the 2005 Great Lakes Romp, Fowlerville,
Michigan, and promulgated by the American Legion Riders Board of Advisors and
the Nation American Legion Riders Information Center.
This document is intended to
serve as a standard for the bylaws of all Chapters of the American Legion
Riders Motorcycle Association, aka, Legion Riders, aka, Riders, aka ALR, henceforth
referred to as the ALR. Individual Chapters may, at their option, elect to
carry their own set of standing rules or, alternatively, to adopt those herein,
augmented through amendment to reflect their local requirements. In either
case, the governing rules for any Chapter of the ALR must be no less stringent
than the bylaws contained herein [ref: Paragraph 10].
1.
Membership: There are
two recognized "classes" of involvement with the ALR as defined
below.
1.1. Full Members Prospective full members in the ALR must
meet requirements in Paragraphs (1.1.1), (1.1.2) and either Paragraph (1.1.3) or Paragraph (1.1.4) below, without exception:
1.1.2.
Must not at any
time hold membership in more than one Post-level Chapter of the ALR.
1.1.2.1.
This provision does
not preclude a member from holding office in any Governing or Guiding Chapter
organized from amongst groupings of Post-level Chapters, including County,
District, Department, Regional, or National Chapters, as seen fit by any commensurate
organizational level within the American Legion. This is in keeping with the
constitution and structure of the American Legion and its family of
organizations (see Paragraph10.3).
1.1.2.2.
Phase in: Members
holding multiple memberships at the time of adoption of Paragraph 1.1.2 may maintain their multiple memberships until
such time as renewal is required at any Chapter in which the member
maintains membership. At this time, the member must select the single Chapter
at which they will remain a member, letting all other memberships lapse.
1.1.2.2.1.
Paragraph
1.1.2.2. as written becomes obviated and shall be stricken one year following
the adoption of Paragraph 1.1.2. The
clause of the first sentence of Paragraph 1.1.2.3 referring to this paragraph
shall be stricken, and all remaining paragraphs under Paragraph 1.1.2. shall be
sequentially renumbered at that time.
1.1.2.4.
Any member
refusing to relinquish membership pursuant to Paragraph 1.1.2.3 shall be expelled from the discovering Chapter. Such
expulsion does not preclude the member from remaining at any other Chapter at
which they hold membership
- AND EITHER -
1.1.3.
Must be the
legally registered owner of a motorcycle of at least 350cc (21.4 CI) engine
displacement and must possess a valid
driver's license in their state of residence (military equivalents acceptable
as well).
- OR -
1.1.4.
Must be the legal
spouse of an ALR member in good standing within the Chapter of application.
1.2. Chapter Supporters Chapters, at their own discretion, may allow Chapter Supporters
(aka "Supporting Members").
1.2.2.
Prospective Chapter
Supporters must, without exception, meet the requirements of Paragraph 1.1.1 above.
1.2.3.
All articles of
clothing worn by Chapter Supporters displaying the ALR emblem must also contain
the words “I support” or “Supporter”.
1.2.4.
Pursuant to
Paragraph 1.2.1, the conferring of "Chapter Supporter"
status must not be made in connection with the promise of any material,
financial, or political benefit to the Chapter, its members or its officers;
nor to any other member at any other organizational level within the ALR; nor
must there be any similar gains for the honoree through the conferring of
"Chapter Supporter" status.
1.2.5.
Chapter
Supporters may be issued a membership card which clearly denotes their status
as a Chapter Supporter.
1.3.
Continuous
Years of Membership Chapters, at their option, may provide benefits
based on age and ALR membership longevity. In support of this, formal means of
tracking a member's affiliation with the ALR are contained in these bylaws.
1.3.1.
Chapters are
encouraged, but not required, to consider non-concurrent (pursuant to Paragraph
1.1.2) membership in other ALR Chapters when determining length of membership.
1.3.2.
Each Chapter
shall maintain membership records sufficient to establish the continuous length
of time any member has been affiliated with that Chapter of the ALR. These
records are to minimally include:
1.3.2.1.
Date member
joined Chapter
1.3.2.2.
Record of
membership renewals
1.3.2.3.
Date of
separation from Chapter
1.3.3.
A copy of these
records shall be provided to any member surrendering their membership in the
Chapter, whether voluntary or not, within thirty (30) days of their written
request for same.
1.3.4.
A copy of this
record shall be provided to other Chapters upon written request of the subject
Chapter.
1.3.4.1.
Written request
must include a signed statement of consent from the subject member.
1.3.4.2.
No statement
regarding the character of the member's membership shall be provided to the
requesting Chapter unless explicitly indicated in their request.
1.3.5.
This section
constitutes a courtesy to the membership. No Chapter of the ALR shall be held legally
accountable for any deficiencies in record keeping which impede a member's
ability to establish continuous years of affiliation when leaving one Chapter
for another.
2.
Organization: The ALR is a Post- or Department-Level Program of the
American Legion.
2.1. Each Chapter exists at the discretion of the
sponsoring Post.
2.2. In certain Departments, the ALR is also recognized and
Chapters may be further grouped and/or organized by the Department. In these
Departments, additional regional and/or Department-level by-laws may be adopted
to which the individual Chapters are subject, unless said by-laws violate the
following principles:
3.
Officers:
3.1. Officers of the Chapter: Each
Chapter of the Association must have elected officers. Officers must first be
members of the Chapter, having fulfilled the requirements as laid out in
Section I above, and fulfilling any additional requirements for membership as
determined by the Chapter and Post, District, or Department.
Other titles may be substituted for those cited in this document, per the
discretion of the Chapter, and pursuant to any requirements of National,
Departmental, or Regional Legion rules governing the subject ALR Chapter.
There are required offices as well as those which can be filled at the
discretion of the Chapter, defined as follows:
3.1.1.
Required
Offices
3.1.1.1.
Director:
3.1.1.1.1.
Serves as Chief
Administrative Officer of the Chapter and presides over all meetings.
3.1.1.1.2.
Supervises all affairs
of the Chapter.
3.1.1.1.3.
Performs such
other duties as directed by the general membership.
3.1.1.2.
Assistant
Director
3.1.1.2.1.
Assumes the
duties of the Director in his/her absence.
3.1.1.2.2.
Assists the
Director in the performance of his/her duties when called on to do so by the
Director.
3.1.1.3.
Secretary
3.1.1.3.1.
Keeps a full and accurate
record of all proceedings at the meetings.
3.1.1.3.2.
Keeps membership
records as may be required by the general membership.
3.1.1.3.3.
Provides detailed
minutes of prior meeting at each regular meeting.
3.1.1.4.
Treasurer
3.1.1.4.1.
Responsible for
all finances of the Chapter.
3.1.1.4.2.
Disburses and
collects funds as directed by the general membership, pursuant to Paragraph 6 below.
3.1.1.4.3.
Provides detailed
financial reports at each regular meeting.
3.1.1.4.4.
Provides
financial audit data to the sponsoring Post if requested.
3.1.1.5.
Sgt. At Arms/Run Coordinator
3.1.1.5.1.
Responsible for
all logistics of organized runs of the Association, including determination of
dates, times, routes, and meeting places for those taking part in a run
activity.
3.1.1.5.2.
Appoints, directs,
and dismisses assistant road captains and/or security personnel as may be
required by activities and/or circumstances of the Chapter.
3.1.1.5.3.
Responsible to
plan for the safety of Chapter members during participation in any run or
activity; and to plan for the safety of other participants in any
Chapter-sponsored run or activity.
3.1.1.5.4.
Maintains order
during chapter meetings.
3.1.1.5.5.
Ensures
eligibility of those participating in Chapter elections, and ensures ineligible
persons are not allowed to participate in the vote.
3.1.2.
Discretionary
Offices
3.1.2.1.
Historian
3.1.2.1.1.
Compiles and
maintains records to document activities of Chapter, including written and
photographic documentation.
3.1.2.1.2.
If the Chapter is
so equipped, the Historian may also serve as webmaster.
3.1.2.2.
Membership
Chairman
3.1.2.2.1.
Relieves
Secretary of responsibility for maintenance of membership records as may be
required by the general membership.
3.1.2.2.2.
Collects
membership dues as determined by the Chapter by-laws, and provides same to
Treasurer on a regular basis.
3.1.2.2.3.
Reviews and/or
collects eligibility documentation as required by the general members,
sponsoring Post Executive Board, Department, or State and Local laws.
3.1.2.2.4.
Provides detailed
membership reports at regular meetings of the Chapter.
3.1.2.3.
Chaplain
3.1.2.3.1.
Provides
invocation at regular meetings or other activities as may be required by the
general membership.
3.1.3.
Additional
Roles The Chapter may, at their discretion, appoint or
elect individuals to fulfill various other roles required for operation of the
Chapter. These appointments or elections may be intended to relieve Chapter
Officers of certain of their roles, or to fulfill Chapter-specific
requirements.
3.1.3.1.
These roles and
the manner of filling them must be defined in the Chapter Bylaws at inception
or through amendment.
3.1.3.2.
Examples of such
roles include separation of the Sgt. at Arms and Run Coordinator duties; addition
of Communications or Liaison Officer; Webmaster, Store Keeper, Road Captains,
etc.
3.1.3.3.
These individual roles
will be considered Chapter officers or committee chairmen at the discretion of
the Chapter, and as defined within the Chapter bylaws.
3.1.4.
Considerations
for Office Any
full member in good standing, having fulfilled the requirements of Paragraph 1.1, are eligible to serve in any office of their
Chapter, with the following exceptions:
3.1.4.1.
Pursuant to
Paragraph 1.1.2, no one shall hold office in more than one Post-level
Chapter of the ALR. This provision does not preclude a member from holding
office in any Governing or Guiding Chapter organized from amongst groupings of
Post-level Chapters, including County, District, Department, Regional, or
National Chapters, as seen fit by any commensurate organizational level within
the American Legion. This is in keeping with the constitution and structure of
the American Legion and its family of organizations (see Paragraph 10.3).
3.2. Officers of the District and/or Department Where so organized, Districts and/org Departments will
have officers as required and designated by the organizing District or
Department. These officers will have oversight of the affiliated Chapters as
defined by the Chapters within the District and Department, or as required by
the American Legion Department officers.
3.3. ALR National Advisory Board
3.3.1.
Charter The ALR National Advisory Board was created by
majority vote of Chapters represented at the 2003 National Chapter Officers
Meeting.
3.3.2.
Purpose The ALR National Advisory Board shall act as a non-governing
committee to help support the growth of New Chapters and to collect and
distribute other information to assist existing chapters. This is not to be
construed as the existence of a national governing or ruling organization over
any other Chapter, but is intended to collectively offer advice and assistance
in the formation and management of ALR Chapters.
3.3.3.
Membership The National Advisory Board currently staffed by the following officers:
3.3.3.1.
Original members
of the National Advisory Board elected at the 2003 National Chapter Officers
Meeting:
·
Director: Bill Kaledas
·
Asst.
Director: Keith Jones
·
Secretary: Bernie Dare
·
At-Large: Chuck
Dare
3.3.3.2.
Additional member of the National
Advisory Board appointed by the elected officers:
·
Communications: Pat
Babcock
3.3.4.
Tenure The ALR National Advisory Board serves until recalled
by majority vote of Chapters represented at any National Chapter Officers
Meeting.
3.4. National American Legion Riders Liaison
3.4.1.
The National
American Legion in Indianapolis, IN (National) may, at its discretion, appoint
one or more liaisons to the ALR to facilitate program publicity, communication
between The American Legion and the ALR, or other purposes as deemed necessary
by The American Legion.
3.4.2.
A National ALR Liaison
is not an ALR member, unless fulfilling Paragraph 1.1 and Paragraph 2.2.3 above. Further, a National ALR Liaison, as an officer
of The American Legion, is not required to be an ALR member in order to fulfill
the requirements of his/her office.
4.
Elections: Officers
serve at the discretion of the Association Membership; therefore, regular
elections must be held to select officers from amongst the members in good
standing.
4.1. Officers of the Chapter shall be elected though an
annual nominating and balloting process as determined by the general membership
and defined within the Chapter bylaws.
4.1.1.
Election of
officers will take place annually, at such time as determined by the general
membership and reflected within the Chapter bylaws.
4.1.2.
A nominating
method will be employed as determined by the general membership and reflected
in the Chapter bylaws.
4.1.2.1.
Only those
members of the Chapter in good standing (fulfilling Paragraph 1.1 and any local requirements) at the time of
nominations shall be allowed to make a nomination.
4.1.2.2.
Only those
members of the Chapter in good standing (fulfilling Paragraph 1.1 and any local requirements) at the time of
nominations and who will fulfill requirements for officers (Paragraph 3.1.4) by the time elections are held shall be allowed to
accept a nomination.
4.1.2.3.
Determination of
eligibility shall be made by the Sgt. At Arms using membership records of the
Chapter and whatever means of identification of the member as deemed necessary
by the general membership.
4.1.3.
A balloting
method (show of hands, secret ballot, etc) shall be consistently employed as determined
by the general membership and reflected within the Chapter bylaws.
4.1.3.1.
Only those members
of the Chapter in good standing (fulfilling Paragraph 1.1 and any local requirements) at the time of election shall
be allowed to vote.
4.1.3.2.
Determination of
eligibility shall be made by the Sgt. At Arms using membership records of the
Chapter and whatever means of identification of the member as deemed necessary
by the general membership.
4.2. Where two or more Chapters exist in a Department
(State), and those Chapters have elected to further organize into a
Department-Level program, the practices of that Department will prevail for the
naming of state officers, if any. If the
Department wishes to impose no practice, then State Officers will be named by a
manner that is in agreement between the Chapters involved.
5.
Meetings:
5.1. Meetings will be held at a date, time and location as determined
by a majority vote at the Chapter organizing meeting.
5.1.1.
Meeting date, time and location may be changed by
majority vote at any regular Chapter meeting
5.2. Seven members will constitute a quorum.
5.3. Meetings will be conducted under “Roberts Rules of
Order”. (ref: www.constitution.org/rror/rror--00.htm)
6.
Finances: Finances of each Association
Chapter will be from Association membership dues or such other sources, as
approved by the membership.
6.1. Chapter finances will be held in such manner as
allowed by the rules of the sponsoring Post.
6.2. As a Post-level activity of the American Legion, it is
recognized that all funds and property of the Chapter is ultimately property of
the Post, and must be reported and/or surrendered upon demand of the Post
Executive Board.
6.3. As a Post-level activity of the American Legion, the
Chapter enjoys the tax-exempt status of the Post and must manage its finances
in accordance with applicable Federal (IRS), State, and local laws applicable
to nonprofit organizations.
6.4. Disbursement of funds will be only those authorized at
any regular meeting of the Chapter. As
noted above, each Chapter is a nonprofit organization and may only disburse
funds in a manner in accordance with all Federal (IRS), State, and local laws
applicable to nonprofit organizations.
7.
Expulsion: Methods
for the expulsion or suspension of members are outlined below.
7.1. Any member may be expelled or suspended from the
Chapter by a majority vote of the general membership at a regular Chapter
meeting.
7.1.1.
Such expulsion
does not preclude the individual from joining at another Chapter
7.1.2.
Pursuant to
Paragraph 2.2.3, the individual is no longer a member of the ALR upon
expulsion from a Chapter; unless or until said individual is a member in good
standing within another Chapter.
7.2. Any member no longer fulfilling the requirements of
Paragraph 1.1 is immediately expelled from full membership in the
ALR until such time as the requirements as outlined Paragraph 1.1 are again fulfilled.
8.
Charter
Membership:
8.1. Each State Chapter may determine eligibility for
Charter Membership within its own State Chapter and/or within the individual
Chapters within its Department.
8.2. The designation of "Founding Member" is
reserved to honor those members who originally founded the ALR and will not be
substituted for the designation of "Charter Member".
9.
Chapter
Designation:
9.1. Each Chapter will be designated by the Department
(State) in which the majority of its members reside. Chapter designations may be further broken
down into District and Post (i.e.: Michigan Chapter 16th District Post 396).
9.2. At no time shall a Chapter refer to itself or present
itself as an M/C.
10. Governing Rules: Each State Chapter
may elect to adopt a set of standing rules to govern its Membership or, at the
Chapter's discretion, amend these by-laws to fit their local requirements.
10.1.
These standing
rules or amended bylaws shall be no less stringent than those contained herein.
10.2.
These standing
rules or amended bylaws shall contain the stated purpose for the ALR, as
defined in the introductory language of these bylaws.