Might want to post this somewhere for the newbies.
TEXAS X RIDERS ASSOCIATION BY LAWSARTICLE I
INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE
The primary purpose of the Texas X Riders Association (TXRA) shall always be the promotion of opportunities to ride and for its members to build fellowship.
The function of this organization is to promote the VTX motorcycle in a positive light, to serve as a forum to share information between members, to work to obtain benefits for members, organize and promote rides, rallies, technical help sessions, bike nights, and to assist members in all aspects of the VTX motorcycle.
The Texas X Riders is a not for profit organization.
ARTICLE II
GOVERNMENT
The principle offices of the organization shall be located in the current city of residence of the duly elected President of the Association. The association shall have the right to designate other offices as it sees fit or move the office of the association, as the business of the association shall require from time to time.
This organization shall be run by a president and a board of directors. The number of directors may be adjusted as the board shall see fit but shall not number less than 5 or more than 19. The number of board members shall always be an odd number, to prevent ties.
The President is responsible for the management of the association and shall insure compliance with the mission statement, objectives and policies of the association. He shall preside at meetings of the association. The President shall make all binding contracts for the organization, acquire equipment, supplies, etc. needed to operate the association and be responsible for analyzing, developing and implementing the procedures required for the day to day operation of the association. The President shall promote interest in the association and help all other officers of the association when needed. The President shall be elected bi-annually through ballot mailed to the membership via email. The person receiving the most returned ballots becomes the president-elect for the association. The Term of office shall be October 1 through September 31 of the second year. In the event a President cannot continue to fulfill his duties, then a new ballot shall be sent to the membership after polling on the website for interested candidates. All persons expressing a desire to serve in the office shall be added to the ballot.
The new president's powers shall be limited for forty-five (45) days. He/she may not authorize new spending, appoint new directors, or enact bylaw changes during this period, unless ratified by unanimous vote of the existing board. If the President-Elect has been re-elected to a successive term, then the 45 day limitation is specifically waived.
At any time, in the event that 75% of the existing officers and directors of the association place a vote of “no confidence” in a sitting President, then the Vice President shall temporarily assume the duties of the president, and a new email election called and ballots sent to the membership. In that event, the Vice Presidents duties shall be limited, and he/she may not authorize new spending, appoint new directors, or enact bylaw changes during this period.
The Vice President/Secretary shall assist and report to the president and other directors as needed. He/she shall assist the President and the Board and promote the TXRA in any way possible. He/she is appointed by the president subject to ratifying vote, as with other directors. He/she may bring new motions before the directors to be voted upon, but does not have the authority to act unilaterally. In the event the president is in some way unable to continue his/her duties, the Vice President shall serve as President except without the power to appoint new directors until a permanent President is selected as described above.
The Vice President shall keep and maintain minutes and records of the meetings, and post these on the TXRA website.
The Treasurer shall safeguard the assets of the association, authorize all disbursements of funds, and document the expenditure of any and all funds received by, or expended by, the association.
The TXRA shall be geographically broken down into 4 areas (Panhandle & West Texas, North Texas, Central Texas, and South Texas) and Regional Directors appointed as seen fit by the president. They are responsible to help to promote and grow the club membership in their geographically assigned regions. They shall assist the general membership in any reasonable manner possible and be available to members for questions. They can and should do whatever is necessary to build, solidify, and operate their region. They shall promote or help to promote local bike nights, tech sessions, rallies, or other meetings intended to benefit local riders.
Regional Directors shall be the principal voting board members.
Other volunteers and service providers may be appointed and hired as the association sees fit in order to properly handle association business. These providers do not gain any authority, directorship or vote by virtue of that position. If the services are paid, the position is open for competing bids or free volunteers at all times. A lower bid must be accepted if the current provider is unwilling to match it and the directors approve the new provider by majority vote. If any service is unsatisfactory the directors may replace that provider at any time even if the resulting cost is higher.
Vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the president and ratified by the directors at either an electronic or physical meeting. Any appointment by the president that is not ratified by unanimous vote of the directors shall not be allowed to proceed and a new candidate will be selected.
Any officer may be removed from office by a vote of more than 66% of the directors.
Voting on Issues. The president shall have the power to make any and all decisions unilaterally concerning the daily governing of the TXRA and the appointment of new directors. He should seek and utilize the advice of the directors as needed and demonstrate through his actions that he is acting in the best interests of the organization.
Any director may call for a vote by the directors on any decision made by the president. He must offer an alternative and open the floor for debate on the issue. After debate the directors may vote and override the decision by a majority vote of 66% of the directors present.
A quorum shall be considered as having more than 75% of the directors present and shall allow for the transaction of business at any meeting either electronic or physical.
Any director holding multiple offices will still be allowed only one vote.
All Official meetings of the association, whether electronically, or in person, shall be announced in advance, and open to the membership. A meeting becomes official at any time in which a quorum of board members is present for the purpose of doing the business of the Association.
ARTICLE III
TXRA FUNDS
TXRA funds will be safeguarded by the Treasurer.
All officers and directors having custody of TXRA funds are accountable for those funds and shall make periodic reports concerning those funds.
Funds shall be deposited in a TXRA account located in a bank or trust in a timely manner when received.
A Financial Statement shall be presented to the general membership on the Website on at least an annual basis.
Directors and members shall be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses incurred in providing services for the benefit of the TXRA provided such expenses have been previously authorized and the director presents a receipt.
No Director or officer of the association shall take advantage of his or her position to gain personally or financially by virtue of that position or to acquire assets that should belong to the association. Assets include proprietary information, membership lists, accounting information and items that are eligible for copyright, patent or service mark protection.
No director or officer shall receive remuneration of any kind for services to the TXRA
No loans will be made to any officer or director from TXRA funds.
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP
There shall be one class of membership to be defined as Full Membership.
Membership is open to any Texas resident with an interest in the VTX motorcycle.
Membership in the TXRA shall be free of charge.
Membership in the TXRA shall be non-exclusive. Members of other clubs and organizations are welcome.
Any person may be refused membership in the TXRA by a unanimous vote of the directors for good and just cause.
No meeting of the TXRA shall ever be mandatory for members holding no title. Attendance at all meetings, events, bike nights, and rallies shall be strictly at the pleasure of the member.
No member or officer of the TXRA shall ever be required to wear, as a condition of membership or participation in the TXRA or its events, any insignia, patch, uniform, apparel, safety gear, or other symbol of membership, under any circumstances whatsoever. The wearing of any patches or insignia that the TXRA shall make available from time to time shall be strictly voluntary in nature.
A membership may be terminated by a unanimous vote of the directors if continuation of such a membership would be contrary or detrimental to the organization. Such termination may only occur after the member is notified of the proposed termination of membership and is provided an opportunity to rebut the proposed termination.
ARTICLE V
MEMBER BENEFITS
The association shall provide an Internet website.
The association shall promote and organize events and rallies on a regular basis.
The association shall provide members with the option of purchasing a TXRA patch.
The association shall endeavor to arrange for merchandise discounts for its membership.
The president and board may increase or decrease member benefits as necessary.
ARTICLE VI
These bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed and new bylaws adapted by the president and board at any time. Any amendments to the bylaws will require a majority affirmative vote by ballot of the membership at large.
