Bylaws for the
BMW Riders of Western Colorado Inc.
EIN 27-5089837
ARTICLE 1. NAME AND ORGANIZATION. This organization shall be known as the BMW Riders of Western Colorado Inc.
ARTICLE 2. PURPOSE. It shall be the purpose of this organization to celebrate the joy of riding, to promote enjoyment and interest in ownership, riding skills and safety for persons, who appreciate BMW Motorcycles, and to exchange technical information and assistance among members and from appropriate outside sources. At all times it shall be a club objective to promote and present a better image of motorcyclists to the general public, engaging in such activities and disseminating such information as will achieve this purpose.
ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP.
Section 3.1 Members in this organization shall be BMW motorcycle enthusiasts, willing to support the purpose stated above. Each member shall have voting rights and full privileges. A member’s significant other shall be specified on their membership application or upon membership renewal.
Section 3.2 Membership requirements: Payment of Annual Dues.
ARTICLE 4. DUES.
Section 4.1 The Board of Directors of the club shall establish the rate of dues required to support club activities. The rate shall be published in the monthly newsletter.
Section 4.2 Annual membership dues shall be payable on or before the last day of January each year.
Section 4.3 Dues for new members will be prorated by the month from January of each year.
Section 4.4 In the event of dissolution of the club, all funds in the treasury shall be donated as selected by a majority vote of the membership.
ARTICLE 5. CLUB OFFICERS
Section 5.1 The club shall be administered by the following officers who shall collectively function as the Board of Directors: President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer and Editor.
Section 5.2 All officers must be members as described in Article 3 of these Bylaws.
Section 5.3 Officers shall be eligible for reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred during the administration of club business. These expenses are to be listed separately on a quarterly report by the Treasurer.
ARTICLE 6. MEETINGS
Section 6.1 At least one business meeting will be held each month. Additional business meetings may be called by the President or by a majority request of the Board of Directors to accommodate specific club circumstances.
Section 6.2 Social meetings will be held periodically for the purpose of fraternization and to promote club interest.
Section 6.3 The exact dates, times and meeting places will be announced in the club newsletter.
Section 6.4 Meetings of the Board of Directors (club officers) shall be called at the discretion of the President. All club officers shall be given timely notice of such meetings.
Section 6.5 Any three members of the Board can require the President to specify a quorum for decisions.
ARTICLE 7. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 7.1 Duties of the President: Preside over club meetings, functions and activities, and be included as a signer on the Club bank account. See to the enforcement of the objectives and purpose of this organization. Coordinate, direct, and manage the business functions and activities of the club as required to ensure continuity and success of club and the club objectives. The President shall inform the Vice President when the President is unable to preside over any club meeting, function or activity.
Section 7.2 Duties of the Vice President: To perform the duties of the President in case of absence or inability of the latter. Serve as the Activities Coordinator in scheduling, planning, and ensuring proper arrangements are made for all club-sponsored activities and events. As necessary performs other duties which may be assigned by the President.
Section 7.3 Duties of the Secretary: Keep a record of the minutes of the member and board of director business meetings and other events of the organization. Maintain an up to date official membership list and notify new members of their acceptance and provided with a copy of the bylaws. The duties shall be coordinated with the assistance of the Treasurer and the Editor. Coordinate and prepare communications required of the organization and maintain an official history of club documents and official actions. Maintain a tickler file for all activities and business events requiring action and ensure that appropriate persons are advised and action initiated. Coordinate and perform such other duties as assigned by the President.
Section 7.4 Duties of the Treasurer: Assist the Secretary in maintaining an up-to-date membership list and provide membership materials to the Secretary as required. Ensure an adequate supply of membership items and materials are available. Coordinate reimbursement expenditures through the Board of Directors. Receive, record, and report all monies or property donated to, paid to, or owned by the club. The Treasurer or the President shall be authorized to maintain bank account(s) in the name of the club. Keep an account of all receipts and disbursements so that a statement of the financial condition of the club is available upon request by the officers or general membership. Prepare a quarterly report for the Board of Directors and an Annual Financial Report in December for all members.
Section 7.5 Duties of the Editor: Collect new material for a monthly newsletter, and publish the newsletter to inform the membership of club activities and events. Maintain an adequate file of current and past club newsletters. With coordination from the Secretary and Treasurer, maintain an up to date mailing list and/or E-mail list for distribution of the newsletter. Publish the official membership/E-mail list in the newsletter at least twice annually.
ARTICLE 8. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 8.1 A nominating committee of three (3) members shall be appointed by the President no later than the second Saturday in October. Nominations may also be made to the club Secretary by mail.
Section 8.2 Election ballots for club officers shall be published each November in the club newsletter and must be returned by the members to the club secretary during or before the business meeting held each December.
Section 8.3 All officers must be members in good standing.
Section 8.4 Candidates for the various offices receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected for one year.
Section 8.5 New officers will be installed at the Business Meeting in December.
Section 8.6 Vacancies in any office shall be filled by a club member in good standing appointed by a consensus of the Board of Directors, and shall serve until the next regular election of officers.
ARTICLE 9. APPOINTMENT AND COMMITTEES
Section 9.1 Appointments and Committees are positions in the club that are of a voluntary nature.
Section 9.2 These positions are appointed by the Board of Directors and may change at the discretion of the appointee or the Board.
Section 9.3 Duties of the Web Meister: Maintain the Web Page of the club. Ensure that club information is posted on the web page in a timely fashion. Deal with any third party entity in hosting the Web Page. Any other tasks delegated by the Board of Directors.
Section 9.4 Duties of the Club Historian: Maintain a file of all newsletters, photos, and other club history in either an electronic or paper copy. Research history of the sites where club activities are scheduled. Any other tasks delegated by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 10. AMENDMENTS
Section 10.1 Notification of proposed changes to the Bylaws of the club will be made through the monthly newsletter at least one month prior to a meeting at which changes in the Bylaws are to be considered.
Section 10.2 Bylaws may be changed by a simple majority vote of the members present at a regularly scheduled club business meeting and of members absent from the meeting who wish to vote by ballot published in the monthly newsletter. Secretary must receive all mail ballots within ten (10) days after the meeting in which the proposed Bylaw change was voted on by the membership. The Secretary shall summarize the results of the voting (meeting and mail ballots) and publish the results in the next available monthly newsletter.
Section 10.3 Bylaw changes will take affect upon determination of the final result of the vote.
ARTICLE 11. CONDUCT
Section 11.1 Any member of the club may be dismissed from a club meeting or club activity as a result of inappropriate behavior. The member shall be warned concerning such inappropriate conduct by the Board of Directors. The following shall be the basis for, but not limited to, inappropriate behavior and disciplinary measures.
Section 11.1.a. Wild, unsafe riding habits, especially any activity which jeopardizes the safety of other persons.
Section 11.1.b. Obnoxious behavior that is detrimental to the image of the club.
Section 11.2 Ratification of the Board of Directors recommendations for disciplinary action will be ratified by a two-thirds majority vote of the club members in attendance at a regularly scheduled business meeting.
ARTICLE 12. NON-MEMBER GUESTS
Section 12.1 Non member BMW motorcycle owners and owners of other makes of motorcycles are welcome at general meetings, rides, and social gatherings of the club so long as they are invited guests and accompanied by a “regular” member. Each regular member may invite one (1) non-member guest to a club event.
Section 12.2 Guests must agree to abide by club rules and standards of conduct.
Article 13. Stewardship of Club Funds
Section 13.1 Routine expenditures may be distributed by club treasurer without requiring a vote of the membership. Routine expenditures are defined as follows: reimbursement for newsletter printing and postage, post office box rental, MOA/RA Charter dues.
Section 13.2 Expenditures other than those mentioned in 13.1 will be made only after discussion and approval by membership present at a regularly scheduled club meeting. Any proposed expenditure above $100 will require prior notice to membership, in the newsletter prior to the business meeting at which the expenditure is to be proposed.