By Laws

Desert Riders By Laws - Desert Riders

      Desert Riders By Laws

      By Laws
       By Laws 4/2009

           Desert Riders
            Motorcycle Enthusiasts
            
            Hines, Oregon
            

            Purpose

            

            To provide a social atmosphere for our membership who share a common

            love of motorcycling. To use our organization to promote and support

            veterans and their families through various programs and initiatives, as well as our local                                         community charitable functions and

            organizations, etc.

            

            By-Laws

            

            I. Membership:

                    A.  Desert Riders is a Veteran centric organization composed

            of both Veterans of the United States Armed Forces as well as

            Non-Veterans who have a common ideological belief in motorcycling

            and supporting patriotic endeavors such as providing support of

            other veterans, veterans programs, local charitable and educational

            programs and services within our county. While a common interest in

            motorcycling is preferred for membership, it by no means restricts

            membership to those persons who own motorcycles. Nor does Desert

            Riders exempt any brand of motorcycle that a person desiring

            membership may ride, provided it is road worthy, safe and legal to

            operate on the open road.

                    B.  Family members and invited guests of Desert Riders are

            welcome at all meetings and functions. The member is directly

            responsible for the actions of any family or invited guest. If the

            family member or invited guest’s actions become distracting during

            meetings, annoying to other members or violate these By-laws, they

            may be asked to leave and may not be asked to return.

                    C.  Applications can be declined, if the applicant has shown

            by word or deed, prior to applying for membership, that they are

            incompatible with Desert Riders purpose, aims and present members.

                    D.  New members my only acquire the Desert Riders Patch by

            active membership standing within Desert Riders. A member who

            becomes not in good standing will be requested to return the Desert

            Riders patch for a 50% refund of the original cost of the patch.

                    E.  An applicant for membership will be voted upon by the present

            body of members at the next monthly meeting following receipt of the

            applicant’s application for membership.

                    F.  Members will not be restricted by Desert Riders from belong to

            other organizations provided they adhere to our stated purpose and

            function.

            

            II. Officers of Desert Riders

                   A. The administrative affairs of Desert Riders shall be under the

            supervision of an Executive Committee which shall consist of the

            elected officers of Desert Riders. The President or Executive

            Committee may provide for such other standing committees as the

            business of Desert Riders may require. The Members of the Executive

            Committee shall be:

                         1. President

                         2. Vice-President

                         3. Secretary

                         4. Treasurer

                         5. Sergeant-At-Arms

                         6. Road Captain

             III. Elections

                   A. Every member of the organization in good standing shall be

            eligible to vote and hold office in Desert Riders.

                   B. All officers shall be nominated from the floor at the April

            meeting each year. Elections will be held the following month at the

            May meeting.

                   C. Election of organization officers will be held annually at the

            May meeting of the organization by a majority of the Desert Rider

            membership present and voting. The term of officers shall be for one

            (1) year, and shall continue until their successors are duly

            installed or as otherwise provided. An officer may seek re-election

            as they see fit. There are no term limits.

                  D. Any officer may be removed for inefficiency by a two-thirds vote

            of Desert Riders members present and voting at a regular meeting of

            Desert Riders.

                  E. In the event of a vacancy in an Office, the President shall have

            the ability to appoint a successor, who shall serve in that capacity

            until the next scheduled annual election.

            

            IV. Duties of Local Chapter Officers

                  A. President: Will serve as Chief Administrative Officer of Desert

            Riders and will preside over all meetings. He shall have general

            supervision over the affairs of Desert Riders. He shall perform such

            other duties as directed by the general membership.

                  B. Vice- President: Will assume the duties of the President in his

            absence. Will assist the President in the performance of his duties

            when called on to do so by the President.

                  C. Secretary: To keep a full and correct record of all proceeding at

            the meetings. Keep membership records as may be required by the

            general membership. The Secretary should also give detailed minutes

            at each regular meeting.

                  D. Treasurer: To have charge of all finances of Desert Riders. To

            have charge of disbursing funds as directed by the general

            membership. To give detailed financial reports at each regular

            meeting. (Copies will be furnished to the sponsoring Post if

            requested). The Executive Committee will have fiscal oversight of

            the Treasurer at all times as there will be at least three members

            of the Executive Committee as signatures to the Desert Riders

            Checking account with full access to all financial matters as they

            pertain to the organizations.

                  E. Sgt-At-Arms: Will maintain the order at all events and meeting

            ensuring the professional conduct of business at meetings and in

            public.

                  F.  Road Captain: Will be the logistics person in charge of

            organized runs of Desert Riders. He will determine dates, times,

            routes and meeting places for those taking part in a run activity.

            He may, at his discretion, appoint assistant road captains or take

            any other measures he may feel necessary to help ensure the safety

            of the group during a function. Will also help to maintain order

            during meetings.

            

            V. Committees

                  A. The President may appoint such standing or special committees as

            he shall deem advisable for the benefit of Desert Riders as a whole.

                  B. By a majority vote of Desert Riders Officers present and voting,

            Desert Riders Officers may appoint such standing or special

            committees as he shall deem advisable for the benefit of the

            organization as a whole.

                  C. By a majority vote of Desert Riders members present and voting,

            Desert Riders members may appoint such standing or special

            committees as he shall deem advisable for the benefit of the

            organization as a whole.

             VI. Standing Committees

                  A.   Road Captain: Appointed by the President, the Road Captain will

            plan Desert Riders functions. He may, at his discretion, appoint

            assistant road captains or take any other measures he may feel

            necessary to help ensure the safety of the group during a function.

             VII. Meetings

                  A. Regular meetings will be held at a date, time and place as voted

            on by a majority of the organization’s members.

                         a. (Currently (April 2009), second Thursday of each month at 1900 at

            Hines City Hall, Hines, Oregon).

                  B. Special meetings of the Chapter will be held at a date, time and

            place as determined by the President or by any two officers,

            provided, however, that a minimum of ten (10) days’ notice of such

            special meetings must be provided to all members.

                  C. Ten (10) members present at any regular meeting will constitute a

            quorum.

             VII. Finances

                  A. Finances of Desert Riders will be from the membership

            dues or such other sources as approved by the                       

                 membership.

                  B. The annual $20.00 Desert Riders membership dues are due and payable at or prior to the May meeting of each year. Beginning on the day of the May meeting there will be a 30 day grace period in which the dues will remain at $20.00. After 30 days the dues will increase to $25.00. If dues are not paid within 60 days after the May meeting the member will be considered “Not In Good Standing” and will be asked to turn in their Desert Riders Patch. A vote of the membership will be required to reinstate said member and his or her dues will be $25.00 for that year. These penalties may be waived, subject to a quorum approval, if non-payment is due to extenuating circumstances.

                 C. Dues for new members are due and payable in full upon acceptance

            of an application for membership in Desert Riders. Pro-Rate for new

            members who join mid year are as follows: ----New members with more

            than 6 months until the next May renewal will pay the full $20 rate.

                            -New members with less than 6 months until the next

            May renewal will pay a 50% discounted                               

                                    rate of $10 and be required to renew on the

            normal schedule in May at the full rate.

                 D. In the event that Desert Riders disbands, all remaining funds

            available will donated to a local charity of the memberships

            choosing.

            VIII. Expulsion

                 A. A member who is subject to expulsion or suspension shall be

            entitled to be present at the meeting at which his/her expulsion or

            suspension is to be considered, and shall be entitled to verbally

            address the membership and/or to present written material, at the

            option of the member.

                 B. Expulsion or suspension may only be done for good cause. “Good

            cause” is hereby defined as actions or activities by a member in

            which discredit or dishonor is brought to the Desert Riders

            organization.

                 C. Expulsion or suspension of membership will be voted upon by the

            Desert Riders membership.

                 D. Upon a member being expelled or suspended, he/she will be

            required to return the Desert Riders     patch with no refund as the

            authorization to wear the patch is a privilege and not a right.

            IX. Patches: Desert Riders members are encouraged to wear the

            Desert Riders patch on the back of their jackets and vests.

            Placement of the Desert Riders blue and gold patch will be on the

            back of the garment and positioned centered on the lower 1/3 of the

            rear panel. If the member decides to wear another larger main patch

            of their choosing, the Desert Riders patch will be below and

            centered in the back of a larger more dominant patch. Desert Riders

            patches will be paid off by the member upon acceptance of membership

            at the current cost. Desert Riders patches remain the property of

            Desert Riders, even after a member purchased it and should be

            considered a privilege to wear with pride on our organization and

            what we as a group stand for.

            

            Therefore, let it be known that these are the By-laws of Desert

            Riders and shall remain so unless properly amended by the members of

            this organization.