constitution


	CONSTITUTION, BY-LAWS AND RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE RED KNIGHTS FIREFIGHTERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB VERMONT CHAPTER #1 RED KNIGHTS MOTORCYCLE CLUB VERMONT CHAPTER #1 BURLINGTON, VT CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS Article 1: Name, Purpose and Seal. Section 1: The name of this Chapter shall be known as Red Knights Motorcycle Club, VT-1. Section 2: The purpose of this Chapter is to provide a social motorcycle club for active and former members of the fire service, and to promote safe and proper methods of motorcycle operation. Section 3: In the event of dissolution of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club, VT-1, any remaining funds the club may have, shall be turned over to any non-profit charitable organization that can utilize the funds. Such charitable organization shall be voted on by the membership. Article 2: Organization Identities as Depicted by International By-Laws Section 1: The chapter EMBLEM shall be the standard Red Knight Patch. Section 2: The vest / jacket color of this chapter will be Black, with Red as the dress uniform for parades and formal functions. Section 2-1: The 10" (ten inch) Emblem/Crest three (3) piece patch will be the only items affixed to the back of the vest. Section 3: The chapter shall use the STAR SPANGLED BANNER as its ANTHEM. Section 4: The MOTTO of the chapter shall be "LOYAL TO OUR DUTY". Article 3: Membership and Dues. Section 1: All members shall conduct themselves in a prescribed manner of our proud history of Firefighting and public servants. All members shall be accountable to the International and Chapter Constitution, By-Laws and Rules and Regulations. All members shall ride in a safe and lawful manner when moving in public and assist the public if possible without harm to yourself, your passenger and the Chapter. No one shall be denied membership because of race, sex, religion, nationality, political affiliation or disability. Membership shall not be restricted to a class or manufacture of motorcycle as long as they are licensed, in safe and working condition and street legal. Section 1-1: All applications for membership shall be made upon the prescribed form and presented at a regular meeting, signed by the applicant giving their name, address, phone number etc., and shall be accompanied with the necessary fees and dues. Upon presentation by the Nominating Committee, a vote shall be taken upon every applicant for membership and must receive a simple majority (51%) approval by the voting members present. If an applicant is rejected, they may re-apply in six (6) months. If rejected, the fees and dues will be returned. Section 1-2: Any member who has been found guilty of a felony, dismissed from the Fire service for conduct unbecoming a Firefighter, who is in arrears in payment of dues as set forth by these By-Laws shall be dropped from the membership roster. Any member who cheats, defrauds or steals from the Chapter can be suspended by a majority vote of the membership present at the Annual Meeting. The International President shall be notified of the dismissal within thirty (30) days and reasons for such actions. The International President shall use all resources available prior to accepting or rejecting the decision of the Chapter Executive Board. Section 1-3: All members shall keep the Chapter Secretary informed of current Addresses, Phone numbers, E-Mail Address, and any other pertinent information. At regular meetings, a member may be entitled to only one vote despite the multiple membership classifications they qualify for. All members may be appointed to Committees as needed. The Chapter Treasurer shall immediately notify the International of any changes to the chapter roster and send the appropriate dues to International. Section 2: There shall be six (6) classifications of membership: Active, Associate, Social, Honorary, Life, and Charter. Section 3: No person under the age of eighteen (18) may be granted membership of any class. Section 4: Active Membership shall be available to active or former fire fighting personnel presently owning or having access to a registered motorcycle with proof of holding a valid motorcycle license. EMT's qualify for membership as long as they are employees of an established Fire Department. Section 5: Associate Membership shall be offered to a person who has been proposed in writing for such membership and contributed to the promotion of the Chapter and wishes to participate in chapter activities. Final approval shall be a unanimous vote of the chapter at a regular meeting. Associate membership shall not exceed (10) percent of the existing Active Members. Associate Members will have one vote on Chapter matters but may not hold the office of President or vice-President. They may hold other offices if no active member is available for those positions on the Chapter Executive Board. Section 6: Social Membership shall be the spouses, partners, boyfriends, girlfriends, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters of Active members. Active members who sponsor Social Members shall be responsible for their actions. Social Members will have one vote on Chapter matters but may not hold an office on the Chapter Executive Board. Section 7: Life Membership is a Charter Active Member who has been a concurrent member for twenty five (25) years or to an Active Member that due to health or age, no longer has the ability to ride a motorcycle. The organizational entity that proposes Life membership will pay the International dues. Life Members will have one vote on Chapter matters and can hold an office on the Chapter Executive Board. Section 8: Charter Membership will be for founding Members or members who have joined within one year from the date that the International Corporation accepted the Chapter as a Chartered Chapter. Section 9: The Chapter may grant Honorary Membership status to a member of a recognized religion for the position of Chapter Chaplain. Honorary Membership may also be granted to a civic or business leader who does volunteer work for the Chapter. Honorary Membership may also be granted to the widow or widowers of an Active or Associate member. An honorary member shall not hold office or vote in the affairs of the Chapter. Section 10: Active, Associate, Social and Charter members in good standing shall have the right to vote at any club function at the VT-1 level. Section 11: Only Active members may hold the Office of President or Vice-President. Adult Social or Associate members may hold the Offices of Secretary, Treasurer, Quartermaster and Road Captain, if no Active members accept nominations for those positions. Section 12: The tenure for membership shall be from the day after the annual meeting until the end and close of business on the day of the next annual meeting of the Chapter. Section 13: Each new member shall pay dues in the amount set by the Chapter membership and shall be payable to the Chapter Treasurer prior to the close of the next regular meeting of the chapter. Section 14: The Executive Board, after their investigation of any alleged charges, shall recommend to the membership for their approval the expulsion or suspension of any member of the Chapter. Section 15: Any member who terminates his/her membership in the Red Knights Motorcycle Club, VT-1, for any reason shall return his/her membership card to the Executive Board. Section 16: All Chapter and International dues shall be paid by the end of the fiscal year which shall span from November 1 to October 31. This will allow the Executive board adequate time to process the rooster for the following year and forward it to International prior to the December 31 deadline. Article 4: Executive Board Section 1: The administration of the chapter shall be vested in the Board of Directors. Composed of the Executive Board which shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Road Captain(s) and Quartermaster, These officers are voted on by the body at the annual Chapter meeting and shall be reelected BI-Annually. Section 2: Any vacancy on the Board that may occur during an elected term of office may be filled by any Active member receiving the majority vote of the members present at any meeting. Section 3: The Executive Board shall have supervision of and be responsible for all affairs and property of the Chapter, and shall inspect annually all records, books and accounts of the Chapter. Section 4: The Executive Board shall have the right to accept for and on behalf of the Chapter any contributions, appropriations or grants in aid from whatever source that may be tended in moneys, goods, real or personnel property or services for the good of the Chapter. The Executive Board may pledge the faith of the Chapter with or without security if the occasion would arise in the pursuance of its work Article 5: Officers Section 1: The officers of the Chapter shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Road Captain(s), Quartermaster and any other Officer that may be elected for the good of the Chapter. They shall be elected BI-Annually by the membership present at the annual meeting of the Chapter. They shall serve in office until the close of the next annual meeting that their respective office comes up for reelection. At which time their successors will assume the duties of the office. The President, Secretary, Road Captain(s) shall be elected on the even year at the Annual Meeting. The Vice President, Treasurer and Quartermaster shall be elected on the odd years at the Annual Meeting, all serving a two year term at the will of the membership. Section 2: The President shall be the executive officer of the chapter. He/She shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter and the Executive Board except the nominating committee. He/She shall serve as an ex-officio on all other committees. He/She shall be a co-signer along with the Treasurer on all notes, mortgages, and other legal instrumentality's with the exception of checks, given on behalf of the chapter and shall if required by the board give such surety bond as may be required at the expense of the chapter. He/She shall have the power to call meetings of the Executive Board and shall make full and complete reports of the chapter and the actions of the Executive Board at each meeting of the chapter. The President shall be one (1) of three (3) Executive Officers authorized to sign checks for the Chapter. Section 3: The Vice-President in the absence of the President shall assume all duties and responsibilities of the President. He/She shall be one (1) of three (3) Executive Officers authorized to sign checks for the Chapter. He/She shall be the Chairperson of the Membership Committee. Section 4: The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Chapter and the Executive Board and shall, keep accurate records of all business and membership at such meetings. He/She shall give "adequate notice" to all members of the Chapter in advance of annual or any special meetings of the Chapter. He/She shall make a full report of the membership status of the Chapter at each annual meeting. At the request of the President or as otherwise provided herein, He/She shall give, "adequate notice", of all meetings of the Executive Board, for the purpose herein set forth. "Adequate notice" shall mean that all members are notified seven (7) days prior to the meeting. The Secretary shall also file all legal documents. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping in file the Chapter's By-Laws. He/She shall have the authority to make necessary changes in spelling and or punctuation that will not alter or change the intent of the By-Laws without voting approval of the Chapter members. Section 5: The Treasurer shall be responsible for all Chapter funds. He/She shall collect annual dues. He/She shall receive all Chapter funds, depositing the same in the name of the Chapter in such bank or trust company as designated by the Executive Board. He/She shall keep an accurate record of all receipts and disbursements. He/She shall make a full and accurate report of the financial situation of the Chapter at each meeting and upon request of the Executive Board. He/She shall be one (1) of three (3) Executive Officers authorized to sign checks for the Chapter. Section 6: The Road Captain(s) shall have the responsibility of approving routes for all poker runs and all sanctioned Chapter rides. He/She shall hold responsibility for safe riding as the Safety Officer of the Chapter. If the Road Captain is not on a ride, one shall be appointed for that ride. In the event that He/She is not familiar with the route, the Road Captain may ride in the #2 position with an Assistant Road Captain in the lead. The Road Captain may also take over the Assistant Road Captain's position at the rear of the group. An Assistant Road Captain is also appointed by the Road Captain to ride at the end of the group. His/her duties are to report safety problems to the Road Captain, and to assist any bikes leaving the group. Section 7: The Quartermaster shall be responsible for the records of all club properties and shall be responsible for the purchasing and sale of any Red Knight items for the good of the chapter. Section 8: In the absence of the Secretary, a person may be picked for taking minutes. No Board member may be replaced for the need of a quorum or any other voting situation. Section 9: Web Page Editor shall be appointed by the President: 1. He/She shall report to the President and carry out any duties as required by the Constitution and By-laws, and fulfill any request the president or Executive Board requires of a Web Page editor. 2. He/She shall produce and update a chapter web page. (this may be done with the assistance of members of the Executive Board.) 3. He/She shall promote and ensure that the information on the RKMC VT-1 is accurately recorded and reported. 4. Any expenses He/She may acquire shall be authorized by the Executive Board prior to the action requiring the expense, except the cost of reports, mailing and phone costs relating to Red Knights business. Such expenses shall have receipts sent to the chapter treasurer prior to being paid. Article 6: Committees COMMITTEES. Section 1 Standing and other Committees. The following Committees may be appointed by the President at the Annual Meeting.; ( Are required.) 1. By-Laws Committee. 2. Audit and Finance Committee. 3. Nomination Committee. 4. Safety Committee. 5. Grievance Committee. 6. Entertainment Committee. 7. Clothing Committee. 8. Membership Committee. All Committees may setup their own rules with the approval of the Chapter Executive Board. ( The Chapter should workout your own Committee duties.) Contact the International By-Laws Committee for suggested guidelines. Section 2: The Executive Board may from time to time, appoint committees as it may deem necessary or advisable, for carrying out the proposed work of the Chapter and delegate to such committees such authority and power as it may see fit to grant within the limits of its own authority. The membership of such committees may consist of Active, Associate and Social members, with the chairperson of the committee being an Active member. The tenure of each committee shall be fixed by the Executive Board. Section 3: At least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual meeting of the Chapter the Executive Board shall appoint a nominating committee composed of at least one (1) Active member of the Chapter who shall prepare a list of nominations to the Board to fill whatever vacancies may occur at the annual meeting for that fiscal year. The committee will report its findings to the Chapter members present at the meeting, but such report shall not preclude the nomination of other Active members from the floor of the meeting, for vacancies on the Executive Board. A notice of the place and time shall be mailed in advance thereof to every member of the Chapter, by the Secretary and the Secretary's statement that such notice was mailed shall be deemed to be due notice thereof. Article 7: Meetings Section 1: The order of business at all meetings shall be as follows: 1. Call to Order. 2. Roll call. 3. Introduction of Members and Guests. 4. Moment of Silence for departed Brother Firefighters. 5. Reading and approval of minutes from the previous meeting. 6. Reading of correspondence and action taken. 7. Treasurers report. Presentation of bills and payment. 8. Report of other Officers. 9. Committee reports. 10. Reading of applications for Membership. 11. Unfinished Business. 12. New Business. (Election and Installation of Officers.) 13. Good of the Chapter. Open discussion. 14. Announcements 15. Adjournment. Section 2: Seven (7) Active, Associate, Social, Life and Charter members shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business, but a lesser number may adjourn the meeting to another date. Section 3: The Annual Chapter meeting shall be held during the month of December. All reports of the officers and other transactions of committees may be brought forth at that meeting. Section 4: By vote of the Executive Board or upon the written petition of at least seven (7) Active, Associate, or Social members of the Chapter, it shall be the duty of the President or his/her representative to call a special meeting of the Chapter, at such time and place as may be designated by the Executive Board or the petitioners as the case may be. The Secretary shall give adequate notice thereof to all voting members of the Chapter. Only such business that has been set forth in the notice therefore shall be transacted at a special meeting of the Chapter. Section 5: There shall be no voting by proxy at any meeting of the Chapter and only Active, Associate and Social members in good standing, as verified by the Secretary shall be allowed to vote. Invited guests may be allowed to take part in the discussion on matters during the meeting so long as the decorum thereof is not unduly disturbed. Section 6: The Executive Board shall meet, subject to the call of the President or upon the written petition of at least three (3) of its members as often as may be deemed necessary by the President or the members of the Board. A majority of the Executive Board members shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business at a meeting of the board, but a lesser number may adjourn the meeting to a later date. Section 7: At all meetings of the Executive Board and at all meetings of the Chapter, after being established that a quorum is present, a majority of the votes cast on matters before the meeting shall rule. Section 8: Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of any meeting unless inconsistent with the Chapter By-Laws. Article 8: Alcohol, Drug Use and Safety Standards Section 1: The consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages or drugs will not be permitted during business portions of Chapter meetings. Article 9: Rules Governing the Chapter Section 1: All Chapters shall abide by a minimum standard of the Rule and Regulations set forth by the International Board of Directors. The International Board of Directors or its commissioned representative shall review and accept or reject all applying Chapter Rules and Regulations Article 10: Business Office Section 1: Unless otherwise specified by the Executive Board, the office of the President shall be deemed the Business Office of the Chapter. Section 2: Until otherwise established the business address of the Chapter shall be: RED KNIGHTS VT CHAPTER 1 P.O. Box 151 WILLISTON, VT 05495 Article 11: Use of Club Identities Section 1: The use of club identities which include patches, membership cards, vests and jackets is limited to members only. Section 2: The top rocker identified as "Charter Member" shall be worn only by an Active member who has joined this chapter during the Charter period. A Charter Member that transfers his membership from another Red Knights chapter may retain his Charter Member rocker. Section 3: Any violation of these articles shall be considered cause for termination or suspension of membership per the decision of the Executive Board. Article 12: Amendments Section 1: These By-Laws may be proposed for repeal or amendment at any regular meeting and voted on at the next scheduled regular meeting by the members of the Chapter present. A two thirds (2/3) majority vote of those present and eligible to vote shall be required for approval. On a motion made and seconded. It was voted to accept these By-Laws as the general rules of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club, VT 1. This date being 2 April 2008. Revision 1; Voted and Approved: 7 APRIL 2008 PRESIDENT: JOHN A. ST. AMOUR VICE-PRESIDENT: MILES SILK SECRETARY: CATHY SILK TREASURER: FRANK ST. AMOUR ROAD CAPTAIN(s): JAMES HOYT JAMES BENSON