Chapter By-Laws

Chapter By-Laws

Purpose

The American Legion Riders was formed to promote the aims and purposes of The American Legion as a family oriented motorcycling activity for members of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary, and The Sons of The American Legion.  Our purpose is to promote and support the programs of the American Legion family by participating in activities which are in keeping with the aims and purposes of the American Legion.

Disclaimer

References within this document using the term “He” are generic and non-gender specific.

Article I - Name

Section 1 The Chapter existing under these By-Laws is to be known as the American Legion Riders of Disney-Bell, Post 66, The American Legion, Department of Maryland.

Article II – Membership

Section 1.  To join the Chapter one must be a member in good standing of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary or the Sons of the American Legion.

Section 2.  Members must also be the legally registered, licensed, and insured owner of a motorcycle that is at least 600cc in size or be the spouse or domestic partner of the owner who is also a member of The American Legion Riders, in good standing. Once verified, the applicant will be presented to the membership at the next scheduled meeting for a confirmation of membership by a majority vote.

Section 3.  Honorary “Support” members:  These memberships are of a nature as to provide recognition to those who show strong support to the individual American Legion Riders Chapter, but do not constitute actual membership in the American Legion Riders.  The recipients must be current members of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary or the Sons of the American Legion.  The Honorary member is entitled to wear the American Legion Riders patch with the words “I support” or “Supporter” embroidered upon it.

Section 4.  Annual membership dues are required to be paid by the regularly scheduled meeting in January for that year.  (See Article VIII, Section 3)

Section 5.  Members will not at any time hold membership in more than one Chapter of The American Legion Riders.

Article III - Management 

Section 1.  The Mandatory officers of the Chapter shall be Director, Assistant Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant-at-Arms/Road Captain.  Discretionary officers will be: Historian, Membership Chairman, and Chaplain.  No person will hold more than one office at a time.

Section 2.  Between Chapter meetings, the administrative power of the Chapter shall be vested in the Executive Committee, which shall consist of all elected officers of the Chapter for the current year.

Section 3.  Officers of this Chapter shall be annually nominated for office at the regularly scheduled meeting in May and elected in June.  The newly elected officers will take office at the next meeting following that of the election.  All elections of officers shall be by ballot and the candidate or candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected to the respective office for which they were candidates.

Section 4.  The Executive Committee, immediately upon taking office each year, may appoint standing committees or commissions for the furtherance of Chapter programs.  These duties do not constitute membership on the Executive Committee, but will be held accountable to it.

Section 5.  A vacancy shall exist when an officer, or committee member, is absent from the Chapter due to resignation, loss of qualifications, or incapacity from injury or illness.  In addition, Chapter officers may be removed from office for two consecutive unexcused meeting absences, should these absences be deemed detrimental to the interest of the Chapter by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Committee.

Section 6.  All vacancies (other than Director) existing from any cause other than the expiration of the term shall be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.  A person so appointed shall hold office for the unexpired term of the committee, or officer, whose position was vacated.

Should the Director position become vacant, the membership of the Chapter will decide to fill the office by normal vote, or if the time element is such as to make it moot, the Assistant Director will fulfill the remaining term.

Article IV - Meetings 

Section 1.  The regularly scheduled membership meeting of the Chapter shall be held at 7:30 P. M. on the fourth Thursday of the month.  Ten members shall constitute a quorum.

Section 2.  The 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 50% of the paid up members, the Executive Committee shall call a special meeting of the Chapter.

Article V—Duties of Officers 

Section 1.  Director: Will serve as Chief Administrative Officer of the Association and will preside over all meetings. He shall have general supervision over the affairs of the Association. He shall perform such other duties as directed by the general membership. The Director will work in conjunction with the Post Executive Committee to ensure that the ALR Chapter complies with the Post’s Constitution and By-laws, as well as support the Posts goals, missions and activities. The Director will attend the Post Executive Committee as deemed appropriate by the Post Commander and Executive Committee. The Director shall not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms without a one (1) year break.

Section 2.  Assistant Director: Will assume the duties of the Director in his absence, and will assist the Director in the performance of his duties when called upon to do so.

Section 3.  Secretary: To keep a full and correct record of all meeting proceedings.  Keep membership records as may be required by the general membership.  The Secretary should also give detailed minutes at each regular meeting.

Section 4.  Treasurer:  The Treasurer shall have charge of all Chapter finances and see that they are safely deposited in some local bank or banks.  The Treasurer will prepare a monthly financial report to be provided to the membership at the monthly meeting and to the Post Finance Officer.

Section 5.    Sergeant-at-arms/Road Captain:  The Sergeant-at-arms/Road Captain shall preserve order at meetings and gatherings and will enforce all rules of safe motorcycle operation and group riding.  He will take the lead in planning all tours, runs, activities, and events.  Additionally, the Road Captain my select assistants to aid in special tasks and may chair appropriate activities committee(s) as directed by the Chapter Director or Executive Committee.

Section 6.  Historian: The Chapter Historian shall be charged with the individual records and incidents of the Chapter and Chapter members, and shall perform such other duties as may properly pertain to the office as may be determined by the Chapter or the Executive Committee.

Section 7.  Membership Chairman: Relieves Secretary of responsibility for maintenance of membership records as may be required by the general membership. Collects membership dues as determined by the Chapter by-laws, and provides same to Treasurer on a regular basis.  Reviews and/or collects eligibility documentation as required by the general members, sponsoring Post Executive Board, Department, or State and Local laws.  Provides detailed membership reports at regular meetings of the Chapter.

Section 8.  Chaplain:  The Chapter Chaplain shall be charged with the spiritual welfare of the Chapter comrades and will offer divine but nonsectarian service in the event of dedications, funerals, public functions, etc.

Section 9.  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.  These roles and the manner of filling them must be defined in the Chapter Bylaws at inception or through amendment.  Examples of such roles include separation of the Sgt. at Arms and Ride Coordinator duties; addition of Communications or Liaison Officer; Webmaster, Road Captains, etc.  These individual roles will be considered Chapter officers or committee chairmen at the discretion of the Chapter Executive Committee and as defined within the Chapter bylaws.

Article VI - Executive Committee 

Section 1.  The Executive Committee shall meet as often as the Director may deem necessary.  The Director shall call a meeting of the Executive Committee upon the joint written request of three or more members of said Executive Committee, and four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum thereof.

Article VII – Finances

Section 1.  Revenue of this Chapter shall be derived from membership dues and from such other sources as may be approved by the body.  The amount of the annual membership dues will be approved by the general membership.

Section 2.  Disbursement of funds will be authorized by the majority vote of the membership at a Chapter meeting.

Section 3.  The Executive Committee, by a majority vote, shall authorize and approve emergency expenditures that would be required between regularly scheduled membership meetings, up to $125.

Section 4.  Disbursement of authorized funds will be by check.  The check will have two signatures emplaced upon it.  One will be the Chapter Treasurer and the other signature will be of selected individuals approved by the Executive Committee and will have their signatures on record at the banking facility.

Section 5.  A yearly budget will be established by the membership for the Historian, Treasurer, and the Secretary, after their installation, and will be considered reportable funds.  All such funds not used, or accounted for by receipt, will be returned to the Treasury immediately upon resignation, or at the first general meeting following installation.  All expenditures in excess of $100 for a single purpose must have the approval of the Executive Committee.

Article VIII - Discipline 

Section 1.  Any member may be expelled or suspended from the Chapter only after a written complaint is given to the Director and a hearing by the Executive Committee is conducted to determine the complaints validity.  The Executive Committee will determine the level of punishment or dismissal.  If the complaint is deemed to be factual, it will be presented at the next scheduled meeting, and a secret vote will be conducted.  The member in question will not be present in the meeting chamber during the vote.

Section 2.  A written report will be provided to the Post Commander of the complaint and the resolution of said complaint.  In addition, a complete report will be provided to the President of the S.A.L. or the American Legion Auxiliary if said complaint is against a member of their respective organization.

Section 3.  Members must maintain their “good standing” status in their parent organization.  “Good Standing” status is the payment of yearly dues on time, and not be suspended by their parent organization or have their post privileges revoked.  Questions regarding membership will be reviewed by the Executive Committee and acted upon by the same.

Section 4.  If ALR membership dues are not received, by the first scheduled meeting in January, the member becomes suspended from all privileges.  If the member does not pay their dues by the June meeting, they will be removed from the membership roles.

Section 5.  Any Chapter member suspended, or expelled, may ask for reinstatement through a written request delivered to the Director and presented to the general membership at the next regularly scheduled meeting.  A majority vote of the membership is required and any unpaid membership dues must be paid upon reinstatement.

Article XI - Notices 

Section 1.  Every member shall furnish the Secretary with a valid email or postal mailing address.

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

Article XII - Rules of Order 

Section 1.  All proceedings of this Chapter shall be conducted under and pursuant to Roberts’ Rules of Order (Newly Revised).

Article XIII - 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 XIV - 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 preceding regular meeting.  Any changes will be reported to the Post Commander.

Section 2.  Written notice to the addresses of record 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.

Article XV - Riding Attire

Section 1.  A riding vest is the preferred ALR attire and if worn, it will display the approved American Legion Riders patch (available through emblem sales) on the back with the Chapter and Post approved rockers displayed above and below the patch, but not attached to it.  No other back patch or back patch design is authorized for use to represent the American Legion Riders.  The ALR back patch must be the dominant feature of the back of the garment upon which it is worn.

Section 2.  Additional “mandatory” patches worn on the vest will be the American Flag (front or back of vest), a POW/MIA patch (front), and the appropriate patch of the American Legion Family (i.e., The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary, or the Sons of the American Legion) on the front.

Section 3.  The American Flag, if worn on the front of the vest, will be placed at the highest position of the left or right panel with the field of stars closest to the center of the vest.  If worn on the back, it will be positioned above the ALR patch and rockers with the field of stars to the wearers left.  Note: No other patch or device will be placed above the flag in either case.

Section 4.  When riding with the ALR, riding attire will be maintained in good order, and no attire shall be worn or displayed that is deemed inappropriate or distasteful.  This is to include hats, helmet stickers, and t-shirts.  Examples would be items considered vulgar, obscene, and inflammatory.  The use of “Property of”, M/C, or 1% patches or pins, are also not to be worn on the ALR vest.

Revision 20080229: Approved 20080626