BY-LAWS OF THE
COMBAT VETERANS’ MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION
WYOMING CHAPTER
(A Wyoming Non-Profit Corporation)
PREAMBLE
The Wyoming Chapter, Combat Veterans’ Motorcycle Association, publishes anddeclares the following as the By-Laws governing said Wyoming Chapter, Combat Veterans’ Motorcycle Association. THIS ORGANIZATION IS NOT, NOR DOES IT CLAIM TO BE, A MOTORCYCLE CLUB (MC). IT DOES NOT HAVE “COLORS” AND DOES NOT “PROSPECT”. IT DOES NOT LAY CLAIM TO EXCLUSIVE TERRITORY.
NAME and JURISDICTION:
ARTICLE I -
Section 1. Name: This corporation shall be known as the Combat
Veterans’ Motorcycle Association Wyoming Chapter, hereinafter referred to as “Chapter”
Section 2. Jurisdiction: The Jurisdiction of the Chapter shall be the State of Wyoming as bounded by the state lines.
Section 3. Principle Office: The principle office of the Chapter shall be located within the boundaries of the Jurisdiction specified in Article 1, Section 2, hereof.
OBJECTS:
ARTICLE II - The objects of the Chapter include support of veterans and their
organizations and to improve communication and camaraderie between other motorcycle groups; promoting interest in various forms of motorcycle activity associated with veterans; raising awareness of the plight of POWs and MIAs and the health problems of veterans (and their families) returning from combat theaters; conducting functions and activities in a manner consistent with high moral, legal and ethical values.
EMBLEM and LOGO:
ARTICLE III - The emblem/logo used by the Chapter shall be that specified in the National Combat Veterans’ Motorcycle Association, hereinafter referred to “CVMA” By-Laws, Article 1, Section 2, incorporated herein and made part hereof by reference.
ARTICLE IV - Section 1. Qualifications: A person satisfying the below listed
qualifications is eligible for membership in the Chapter:
(a) Is of good character.
(b) Is a combat veteran of a foreign war and is able to prove such status by Form DD-214, Form ERB or other military document.
(c) Owns and operates a motorcycle in road-worthy and safe condition with an engine displacement of 500 cubic centimeters or more.
(d) Rides a minimum of 1,000 miles per year, verifiable by odometer check.
Section 2. Dues. National CVMA dues are as prescribed by the CVMA and Chapter dues are $10.00 per annum, due and payable in June of each year. National CVMA shall determine deadlines, from time to time, for payment of renewable membership dues. National CVMA dues shall be paid to CVMA State Representative and Chapter dues shall be paid to the Chapter Quartermaster. Dues for Chapter members that are deployed in a war zone shall be waived. Dues for new members will cover the balance of current year, with the exception of dues for new members joining after March first will be considered as paid for the balance of the current year and for the following year.
Section 3
(a). Life Membership. Life membership qualifications include (I) three years active membership in the Chapter, all in good standing; (II) participation in one CVMA sanctioned event each year; (III) attendance at one CVMA National Meeting (which counts as a sanctioned event for the of the attended CVMA National Meeting).
(b) Life Membership Fee. The fee for Life Membership is $150.00, which in no
case shall be refunded in part or in whole.
(c) Unable to ride. Life members, if for health reasons, at the member’s
discretion, are unable to ride a motorcycle, shall remain members in good standing with all the privileges pertaining thereto.
Section 4. Resignation. Resignations shall be made verbally or in writing to the Chapter Commander or Executive Officer. Upon acceptance of such resignation, the resigned member shall turn in to the Chapter his/her back-patch and shall cease wearing or use of items bearing the CVMA emblem/logo. A resigned member shall be given a five day “grace period”, to rescind his/her resignation without repercussions or prejudice. After such “grace period”, a resigned member shall be deemed a new member and shall be subject to the new member requirements.
Section 5. Disability. A non-life member who becomes infirm, disabled or otherwise unable to ride a motorcycle and is in good standing for five consecutive years shall be entitled to keep the CVMA back-patch and be retired as a Life Member in good standing with the Chapter, upon such member’s request.
Section 6. Support Members. The qualifications, requirements and rules for Support Members shall be as specified in the National CVMA By-Laws, Article 3, Section 2(b), which are incorporated herein and made a part hereof by reference.
Section 7. Verification of Eligibility. The Chapter and the CVMA shall verify the
eligibility qualifications of any proposed new member whose military service records appear questionable, e.g., altered and/or illegible.
Section 8. Attendance At Events. Each member should attend at least one even hosted by Wyoming Chapter each year. With prior approval of the CVMA State Representative a qualifying event may be in another state.
Section 9. Conduct and Discipline. All members must conduct themselves in a manner that is not an embarrassment to them, the Chapter, the CVMA or the United States of America. Bringing dishonor upon the Chapter and/or the CVMA in action, word(s), or deeds constitutes a breach of acceptable conduct. Failure to abide by these By-Laws or the CVMA By-Laws is a breach of acceptable conduct. Violation of these standards may range from a verbal or written warning to revocation of membership.
Section 10. License and Insurance. Every member shall possess a valid State driver’s license with motorcycle endorsement and liability insurance as required by the State of registration of the vehicle.
OFFICERS and DUTIES:
ARTICLE V -Section 1. Elected Officers.
(a)Commander. The Commander will preside over all meetings of the Chapter, serve as Chairman of the Chapter Board of Directors, be a member of all committees, schedule meetings of the Chapter and the Chapter Board of Directors, schedule elections consistent with these By-Laws, and carry the directives of the Chapter Board of Directors
(b)Executive Officer. The Executive Officer shall be second in command and shall carry out the duties of the Commander in his absence and shall be a member of the Chapter Board of Directors.
(c)Adjutant. The Adjutant shall record minutes, include attendance of every meeting of the Chapter and Chapter Board of Directors, and be a member of the Chapter Board of Directors. The Adjutant shall handle routine correspondence as directed by the Chapter Commander.
(d) Quartermaster. The Quartermaster shall be the chief financial officer of the Chapter and maintain accurate records of receipts and expenditures of the Chapter. The Quartermaster shall maintain the Chapter accounts, including but not limited to the checkbook and shall insure that all checks are signed by two persons, either the Quartermaster and/or the Commander and/or the Executive Officer. The Quartermaster shall be a member of the Chapter Board of Directors. The Quartermaster shall ensure that the Financial
Operating Policy, promulgated from time to time by the Chapter Board of
Directors, is strictly enforced.
(e) Sergeant At Arms. The Sergeant At Arms shall maintain order at meetings
and at Chapter functions and rides/runs. He shall verify each persons
membership in good standing at meetings before business requiring votes of
the membership takes place. The Sergeant At Arms shall be a member of the
Chapter Board of Directors.
Section 2. Appointed Officers and Chairmen. From time to time, the Commander may appoint Officers and Chairmen, specifying the duties thereof, including but not necessarily limited to Chief of Staff, Program Chairmen, Assistants to Elected Officers, Road Captains, Chaplain and Liaison Officers to other organizations.
Section 3. Attendance of Officers. All elected and appointed officers and chairmen shall make every reasonable effort to attend every meeting, event and function of the Chapter. Such officers and chairmen should notify the Commander or Executive Officer when they are unable to attend a meeting, event or function. Officers that accumulate three consecutive meetings un-excused absences shall be deemed to have abandoned the held office and election shall be conducted as soon as possible to fill such office.
CHAPTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
ARTICLE VI -Section 1. Composition. The Chapter Board of Directors shall consist of the Elected Officers specified in Article V, Section 1, plus two Chapter members at large, elected by the Chapter.
Section 2. Duties. The Chapter Board of Directors shall set operating policies for the Chapter. It shall hear discipline matters, sentence and enforce punishments for offences by members. It shall fill vacancies in Elected Offices.
Section 3. Elections. The two at-large members of the Board of Directors shall be elected by the Chapter, one every year in rotation, thereby making the term of office two years.
Section 4. The Chapter Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the Commander. A quorum for a Board of Directors meeting shall be five directors.
ELECTIONS:
ARTICLE VII -Section 1. Chapter Elections Timing. Chapter elections shall be held during the month of April every year. The Commander and Adjutant shall be nominated and elected in odd numbered years, e.g.,2009. The Executive Officer, Quartermaster and Sergeant At Arms shall be nominated and elected in even numbered years, e.g., 2010.
Section 2. Term of Office. Officers will assume office immediately after the April meeting. The term of office shall be 24 months. Consecutive terms are permitted and there is no limit on the number of terms an officer may serve.
Section 3. Qualifications. All members shall be eligible to hold any office in the Chapter, provided that such members are in good standing and have been in good standing for at least one year. Officers shall remain in good standing for the entire term for which they have been elected.
Section 4. Vacancies. Officers becoming not in good standing during their term of office shall have sixty days to become in good standing or they shall be deemed to have abandoned the office to which they were elected. Should an elected office become vacant for any reason, a Chapter election will be held as soon as possible to fill the remaining term of the vacant office.
Section 5. Multiple Offices. Chapter officers may not hold more than one elected office concurrently. Any member may hold one elected office and one or more appointed offices concurrently.
MEETINGS and QUORUM:
ARTICLE VIII -Section 1. Regular Meetings. The Chapter membership shall meet once every month at a time and place scheduled by the Commander. The Commander may cancel a regular meeting in the event of inclement weather or other unusual event or circumstance. In such case, reasonable effort will be made to notify all members of the cancellation.
Section 2. Quorum. A quorum for a Chapter membership meeting shall be seven or more members.
Section 3. Rules. Procedural matters shall be governed by Demeter’s Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure.
Section 4. Special Meetings. Special membership meetings may be called by the Commander or by three or more members. In such event, reasonable advance notice of such special meeting shall be provided to each member of the Chapter.
SUBORDINATION and AUTHORITY:
ARTICLE IX - Section 1. Authority. The supreme power of this Chapter shall be vested in the National CVMA.
Section 2. Chapter Government. Subject to the provisions of the National CVMA By-Laws, the government of this Chapter shall be vested in the membership, the chapter Board of Directors and the lawful orders of the Chapter Commander.
AMENDMENTS:
ARTICLE X -Section 1. Any proposed amendment to these By-Laws may be acted upon at any membership meeting, provided that a copy of any said proposed amendment shall be provided to each Chapter member sixty days prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendment may be acted upon. Any such proposed amendment shall be declared adopted upon a two-thirds vote of the meeting.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS:
ARTICLE XI -Section 1. Dissolution. Upon dissolution of the Chapter, after liabilities have been paid, the assets of the Chapter shall inure to the benefit of the National CVMA.
Section 2. Conflicting Provisions. If there is a conflict between the provisions of these By-Laws and the Articles of Incorporation of the Chapter, the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation shall govern. If there is a conflict between the provisions of these By-Laws and the By-Laws of the National CVMA, the provisions of the National CVMA By-Laws shall govern.
Section 3. Unenforceable Provisions. If any provision of these By-Laws is held unenforceable or invalid by a higher CVMA authority or a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall be unaffected by such holding.
Section 4. Conflict of Interest. The Chapter Board of Directors shall develop and maintain a Conflict of Interest Policy governing transactions or arrangements that might benefit the private interest of a Chapter member or officer. Such policy shall be reviewed by the membership annually.
Section 5. Financial Operating Policy. The Chapter Board of Directors shall develop and maintain a Financial Operating Policy governing the management and procedures for the handling of Chapter funds. Such policy shall be reviewed by the membership annually.
