The American Legion Riders
Albert E.Baesel Post 91 Berea Ohio
Chapter By-Laws
Index
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 activates which are in keeping with the aims and purposes of the American Legion.
Disclaimer
References within this document using the terms "He, She, Him, Her" 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 Albert E. Baesel Post 91 Berea, Ohio.
Article II - Membership
Section 1. To join the chapter one must be a member in good standing of the American Legion of Post 91 Berea, Ohio.
Section 2. Members must be the legally registered, licensed, and insured owner of a motorcycle that is at least 350cc 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 by a majority vote. You must be a member of Post 91 American Legion.
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 on The American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary, or 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 on the bottom rocker to be worn below the patch but cannot touch the patch. They also may not hold an elected office within the Chapter.
Section 4. Annual membership dues are required to be paid on or before the regularly scheduled meeting held in January.
Section 5. Members will not at any time hold membership in more than one Chapter of the American Legion Riders. However, they may hold office at any District, State, or National level. All members will be issued a membership card each year stating longevity.
Article III - Management
Section 1. The mandatory officers of the chapter shall be Director, Assistant Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant-at-Arms, Road Captain, Historian, Membership Chairman, and Judge Advocate. No person shall 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, the immediate past Director and 1 representative for each 100 members or majority thereof.
Section 3. Officers of this Chapter shall be annually nominated for office at the regularly scheduled meetings held in December and January and elected in to office in January. 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 candidates receiving the highest votes shall be elected to the respective office for which they were candidates. More than three candidates for office shall require a run off until there are only two left.
Section 4. The Executive Committee, immediately upon taking office each year, may appoint standing committees or commissions for the furtherance of the 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 regular or Committee 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 majority vote of the Executive Committee. A person so appointed shall hold office for the remaining term of the committee, or officer, whose position was vacated.
Shall 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 on the third Sunday of each month at noon. The Director may change the date and time if there is a conflict due to rides, events, or with our Post. All elected officers and at least one member shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2. The Director or the majority of the Executive Committee shall have the power to call a meeting of the Chapter at any time.
Section 3. Upon the written request of three paid up members, the Executive Committee may call a special meeting of the Chapter.
Section 4. Executive Committee Meetings shall be called on by the Director at his discretion.
Article V - Duties of Officers
Section 1. Director: Will serve as Chief Administrative Officer of the Chapter and will preside over all meetings. He shall have general supervision over the affairs of the Chapter. He shall perform such 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 Post goals, missions and activities. The Director will attend the Post Executive Committee meetings deemed appropriate by the Post Commander and the Executive Committee.
The Director shall not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms without a one 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. He shall further aid the Membership Chairman with his duties.
Section 3. Secretary: To keep a full and correct record of all meetings. The Secretary will also give detailed Minutes at each meeting. The Secretary will also keep records of all rides and events. The Secretary will also keep all members informed of all rides and events via e-mail or US Postal Service. The Secretary will perform other duties throughout his term in office as requested by the Director of the Chapter. A copy of the Minutes will be given to the Director on a monthly basis. A copy of the Minutes will be made available to any member upon request.
Section 4. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have charge of all Chapter finances and see that they are deposited in a local bank. The Treasurer will prepare a monthly financial report to be provided to the membership at the monthly meeting and to the Post Finance Officer. The Treasurer will also take care of all purchases from Emblem Sales. The Treasurer will also be in charge of the Sunshine Fund and will distribute the fund as required. The Director may also request the Treasurer to perform other duties throughout his term.
Section 5. Sergeant-at-Arms: The Sergeant-at-Arms shall preserve order at meetings and gatherings. He will enforce all rules of the American Legion Riders. He will give assistance at all meetings and events as requested by the Director.
Section 6. Road Captain: The Road Captain shall take charge and enforce all rules of motorcycle operation and group riding. He will take the lead in planning all runs and events. The Road Captain may select assistants to aide him as directed by the Chapter Director or Executive Committee.
Section 7. Historian: The Chapter Historian compiles and maintains record to document activities of the Chapter, including written and photographic documentation.
Section 8. Membership Chairman: Relieves the Secretary of the responsibility for the maintenance of membership records as being required by the Chapter. He collects membership dues as determined by the Chapter By-Laws, and provides same to the Treasurer on a regular basis. Reviews and 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 9. Chaplain: The 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 10. Judge Advocate: Will supply professional advice in the conduct of Chapter business or procure proper legal counsel. He will be the guardian of the American Legion Riders By-Laws and the Post Constitution and By-Laws. he refers to the Post Judge Advocate for questions and advice.
Section 11. The Chapter may at their discretion, appoint or elect individuals to fulfill various other roles required for the operation of the Chapter. These appointments or elections may be intended to relieve Chapter officers of certain roles, or to fulfill Chapter specific requirements. These roles and the manner of filling them must be defined in the Chapter By-Laws at inception or through amendment. Examples of such roles include; Communications or Liaison Officer, Webmaster, Activities Chairman, Decorating Chairman. These individual roles may be considered Committee Chairmen at the discretion of the Chapter Executive Committee as defined within the By-Laws.
Article VI - Executive Committee
Section 1. The Executive Committee may call for a meeting with the Director. The Director shall call a meeting of the Executive Committee upon the written or oral request of said Executive Committee and four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
Article VII - Finances
Section 1. Revenue of this Chapter shall be derived from membership dues and from 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 meetings up to $125.00.
Section 4. Disbursement of authorized funds will be by check only.
Section 5. A yearly budget will be established by the membership for the Historian, Treasurer, and 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 $100.00 must be approved by 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 complaint 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 at the meeting during the vote.
Section 2. In all cases 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 Commander of the S.A.L. or President of 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 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 his dues by the June meeting they will be removed from the membership roles.
Section 5. Any Chapter member suspended, or expelled, may ask for re-instatement through a written request 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 dues must be paid upon re-instatement.
Article IX - Notices
Section 1. Every member must furnish the Secretary with valid e-mail or postal address.
Section 2. The Secretary shall cause notice of the annual election to be given at least two weeks prior to the scheduled meeting.
Article X - Rules of Order
Section 1. All proceedings of this Chapter will be conducted under and pursuant to Roberts' Rules of Order (Newly Revised).
Article XI - Limitations of Liabilities
Section 1. This Chapter shall not incur, or cause to be incurred, any liability nor obligation whatever which shall be subjected to liability for any other Chapter, subdivision, members of the American Legion, Post, departments, or individuals, corporations or organizations.
Article XII - 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 meeting. Any changes will be reported to the Post Commander.
Section 2. Written notice to the addresses of record shall have be 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 XIII - 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 or your Treasurer). The patch shall be worn 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.
Section 3. The American Flag will be worn on the front of the vest. It will be placed at the highest position of the left side with the field of stars to the wearer's right. No other patch or device will be placed above the flag.
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 in poor taste. This is to include hats, helmets, 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 not to be worn on the Vest.
Article XIV - Sunshine Fund
Section 1. The Sunshine Fund is voted on by our members. The purpose for this fund is to send get well cards, flowers, fruit baskets etc, to our ailing members or to members that have lost a loved one. Money for this fund will come from our 50/50 drawings held at our regularly scheduled monthly meetings. The Treasurer will be in charge of the Sunshine Fund. The Treasurer will not exceed $50.00 unless voted on by our members. The Treasurer will keep all receipts and records of all expenses.
Article XV - Conflicts with other Constitutions
Section 1. If any point of these By-Laws are in variance with National, Department of Ohio, 13th District Constitution or Post Constitution and By-Laws of the American Legion, the higher authority shall prevail and supersede local rules.
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