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CHICAGO CRUISERS, an Illinois not-for-profit-corporation

BYLAWS

Adopted March 3, 2003; ammended June 3, 2005

ARTICLE 1 - NAME
This association shall be known as the Chicago Cruisers.

ARTICLE 2 - PURPOSE
The primary purpose of this association is to bring together individuals interested in promoting enjoyment and fellowship through riding their motorcycles. The association shall be a family-oriented club that welcomes owners of all makes and models of motorcycles, but one does not need to be a motorcycle owner or rider to join. The club shall not be so strictly regimented as to detract from its primary intent of promoting enjoyment and fellowship, and therefore, the business of the club shall be conducted in as informal a manner as possible to fulfill its purpose.

ARTICLE 3 - MEMBERSHIP
A member of the Chicago Cruisers shall be any person who is a member or associate member in good standing. No person shall be excluded from membership or discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion or gender.

ARTICLE 4 - EXECUTIVE BOARD
The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Director, and three (3) Members-at-Large. Executive Board positions are voluntary, non-paid positions.

ARTICLE 5 - DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
The Executive Board shall work singly and jointly and mutually agree to share all responsibilities necessary to conduct the business of the club without undue formality. The Executive Board will only conduct the desires of the general membership of the Chicago Cruisers.

ARTICLE 6 - DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT
The President shall oversee all activities of the club and delegate responsibilities when needed. The President only votes in the event of a tie. The President presides over all Executive Board and general club meetings.

ARTICLE 7 - DUTIES OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
The Vice President shall fulfill the duties of the President in his absence. The Vice president shall ensure the completion of the duties of any other Executive Board or appointed position when that member is unable to perform his or her duties.

ARTICLE 8 - DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY
The Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings, post the minutes in the newsletter, create and distribute voting materials, and perform other duties as determined by the Executive Board

ARTICLE 9 - DUTIES OF THE TREASURER
The Treasurer shall maintain an accounting of income and expenditures for the Chicago Cruisers and post financial information in the newsletter. The Treasurer shall produce the financial records upon the request of any member in good standing. Club expenditures will be limited to badges, attendance pins, advertising, and office supplies unless otherwise approved by a majority vote of the members present at a general meeting. Chicago Cruisers checks must have two signatures prior to dispersing.

ARTICLE 10 - DUTIES OF THE MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR
The Membership Director shall maintain membership records, send information to prospective members, send member packages to new members, solicit and collect dues, and post membership information in the newsletter.

ARTICLE 11 - DUTIES OF MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
Members-at-Large shall provide additional input and represent the interests of the general membership at all Executive Board meetings.

ARTICLE 12 - APPOINTED POSITIONS
Appointed positions shall include Road Captain(s), Web Master, Newsletter Publisher, Charity Coordinator, and Specialties Director. These positions shall be appointed annually by the Executive Board based on each candidate's experience and qualifications as they pertain to the respective positions. Appointed positions are voluntary, non-paid positions.

ARTICLE 13 - DUTIES OF ROAD CAPTAIN(S)
Road Captain(s) shall prepare and lead rides. There is no limit to the number of Road Captains, but when there are multiple Road Captains, one Road Captain shall be selected as the Chief Road Captain. The Chief Road Captain will coordinate the efforts of the other Road Captains, and communicate with the membership. The Road Captain may delegate the planning or leading portion of the ride, but during the ride, the Road Captain will have the final decision in all situations. The Road Captain will ensure that liability waivers have been signed prior to the ride.

ARTICLE 14 - DUTIES OF THE NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER
The Newsletter Publisher shall produce a newsletter on a regular monthly basis and distribute it to the membership.

ARTICLE 15 - DUTIES OF THE WEB MASTER
The Web Master shall design and maintain the club's internet website to provide information about the club's activities for members and potential members.

ARTICLE 16 - DUTIES OF THE CHARITY COORDINATOR
The Charity Coordinator shall research and organize events for the Chicago Cruisers charity programs.

ARTICLE 17 - DUTIES OF THE SPECIALTIES DIRECTOR
The Specialties Director shall: organize or assist with the organization of special events and activities that will promote the Chicago Cruisers or benefit the membership; provide information about activities outside of the club such as through A.B.A.T.E and the A.M.A.; deliver cards, flowers, etc., to recognize members' birthdays and other events; and assist with other projects as determined by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE 18 - ELECTIONS
The Executive Board shall be elected annually at the December general meeting by a majority vote of submitted ballots. The Secretary will distribute a ballot of nominees to the general membership prior to Election Day. Executive Board members shall continue to serve in their positions until their successors replace them.

ARTICLE 19 - IMPEACHMENT
In the unexpected event that an action by an Executive Board member is deemed wrongful or damaging to the club, that officer will be asked to step down following an impeachment proceeding. The alleged misconduct details must be presented in writing with the supporting signatures of at least ten percent (10%) of the general membership. Any officer so accused shall have the right to defend him or herself against the accusations before the impeachment vote. It shall require a majority of the votes received to impeach.

ARTICLE 20 - EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS
Regular Executive Board meetings shall be held at times and dates to be set according to need and convenience. The meetings will be announced to the general membership. A quorum of six (6) is required for voting at an Executive Board meeting.

ARTICLE 21 - GENERAL MEETINGS
Regular general membership meetings shall be held to inform members and potential members of upcoming events. The meetings shall be held once a month at a consistent location and time (i.e. the first Sunday of every month). The meetings shall be announced in the schedule of events as well as on the website and in the newsletter. The meetings will generally be followed by a planned ride, weather permitting.

ARTICLE 22 - DUES
Dues shall be reviewed and fixed from time to time by the Executive Board, but not more often than once a year.

ARTICLE 23 - AMENDMENTS
These Articles of Association may be amended, withdrawn, or revoked after a two month notice to the entire membership for such proposed action. A two-thirds majority of the votes received from ballots distributed to the entire membership shall approve or disapprove such action.

 

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