For those interested, here are the proposed bylaws. Woody, our President has given it the thumbs up. I sent out an e-mail to most of you with these bylaws attached also. Thanks to XJEEPER and Tom R. for their time and effort on this.
It is broken up because of its size. It's a copy and paste thing which might make it a little harder to read. If anyone wants, I can e-mail the original.
Let us know what you think.
Part 1:
Intermountain Chapter Bylaws
Pending approval 11-04-03
NAME
This Chapter shall be known as the Intermountain Chapter, (IC) an official Chapter of the North American XJ Association, ( -
www.naxja.org ) incorporated in the State of Illinois on January 7, 1999.
PURPOSE
Our primary activities and interests shall be oriented towards the gathering of all XJ/MJ owners, on the Internet and at facilitated meetings and events at various locations.
The IC will provide the following benefits to the Intermountain region XJ/MJ community through the following goals and ideals:
· Coordination and hosting of off-road events in the area;
· Promoting responsible use of public lands through membership in land-use focused organizations; We will maintain membership in and endorse the ideals of the United Four Wheel Drive Association
www.ufwda.org Tread Lightly
www.treadlightly.org Blue Ribbon Coalition
www.brc.org, and other regional groups as approved by the membership of the chapter.
· Exploring, maintaining, preserving, and enjoying, OHV trails with our fellow club members and the XJ/MJ public.
· Providing social, educational and family recreational activities other than off-road trail-rides for the chapter membership and the XJ/MJ public.
· Promoting the continuing and renewed use of public lands for Highway/Off-Highway Vehicle (HOHV) recreation.
· Participating in, and supporting, activities to further the causes of OHV enthusiasts and users of the outdoors in the southeast.
· Developing the Chapter as the Intermountain region’s representative to
. Promoting growth by recruiting Members and encouraging development of smaller local Chapters within the region.
· The IC will make efforts to improve the status of our sport through the development of better public image and association with individuals, groups, and businesses who are interested and active in the sport.
MEMBERSHIP
WHAT IS THE IC LOOKING FOR IN A NEW MEMBER?
We are looking for responsible XJ/MJ owners and enthusiasts from the Intermountain Region or other areas who want to participate in XJ/MJ related events, and interested helping the chapter keep fun things to do going on year-round. All XJ/MJ owners are welcome to participate in events and functions with the open invitation of the Chapter BOD.
MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES:
Individual Membership
Each individual or family shall be a national member of
to be a member of the Intermountain Chapter. A Member of one chapter may concurrently be a Member in another chapter, provided they meet the chapter requirements, and have paid the appropriate dues.
The Chapter Board of Directors may limit the number of Memberships to an exact number at any time. At no time will Memberships be revoked in order to reduce the overall Membership limit. The Chapter Board of Directors shall reserve the right to reject any individual from Chapter Membership at its sole discretion. Memberships shall only be valid if submitted via established application processes.
Family members are included as members in the Chapter. Each member-family shall have one (1) vote, unless the individuals elect to maintain their own separate memberships.
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
Honorary membership may be elected by majority vote of the board of directors. The honorary member is not obligated to pay dues and this membership expires one year from the date of the BOD vote, unless renewed by the BOD with an additional vote. Honorary members shall not be entitled to vote, nor hold any office or committee chair position in or any Chapter. Honorary members who apply and are accepted for full membership shall immediately be eligible for all voting and office privileges.
CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP
To maintain official Chapter status, the Chapter shall maintain a minimum of seven (7) active members, and at least three (3) of which shall be BOD members. (President, Vice President, and Treasurer/Recorder.) Chapters that fail to meet these minimum requirements for two (2) consecutive months, or more than four (4) times in a calendar year shall be subject to immediate suspension and probable revocation of Chapter status. Dissolution of a Chapter, whether by majority Chapter member vote, by failing to meet minimum membership requirements, or by decision of the Board of Directors shall require the dispersal of any Chapter assets in accordance with these Bylaws.
Participation, Conduct, and Sale of Vehicle
Members are encouraged to participate in both the Internet and land based activities of the IC. There is no minimum amount of participation for Chapter Members, and it is highly recommended that Chapter Members maintain a computer with Internet access. Chapter BOD Officers or committee members who miss more than two (2) consecutive monthly online meetings without giving notice and/or making prior arrangements shall be subject to recall election.
All members must conduct themselves in a respectable manner both in and out of activities. Any member in public disgrace is subject to suspension by the board of directors…pending retention or expulsion hearings.
Membership is not transferable between individuals.
Upon sale of a vehicle, the Member must remove all club decals and emblems.
Any Member leaving this club under unfavorable conditions shall return all evidence of club membership.
Dues
Dues are reviewed and approved by the IC Board of Directors on an as needed basis, at a minimum of annually. There are no additional dues required beyond membership at this time.
It is each individual members responsibility to keep their dues current. The Members Roster on
www.naxja.org will list Members expiration date and membership status. Members who do not pay their dues within 60 days of the renewal date will have their Membership automatically rescinded. Members may reapply for Membership as a new Member, subject to approval of the Board of Directors;
No portion of annual dues will be refunded to any Member whose Membership is terminated either by choice or Board of Directors’ decision, except upon approval of the Board of Directors in consideration of extenuating circumstances;
Membership Privileges
· Intermountain Chapter Members shall be entitled to attend Chapter Events and hold Chapter Office if otherwise qualified.
· Members will receive a Membership card & decal, a UFWDA decal, and a Chapter decal when one becomes available.
· Members will be kept apprised of Chapter activities via electronic means and/or US Mail.
Elected Club Officers and adoption of Club Bylaws
OFFICERS
Each office shall be held for a term of 1 year. Appointments, delegates and committee positions may be held by any member, whether an officer or not.
Copies of incorporation papers and these Bylaws will be held by the Secretary of State (IL) and by each member of the BOD. In addition, each BOD member will have a copy of the current insurance policy
A minimum of 1 year membership MAY be required before election to an office can be made.
The President shall preside over all membership meetings, be present at all events when possible, be the executive officer and have the duty to carry out the policies and decisions of the chapter and co-sign checks as necessary.
The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all Club funds. The Treasurer may be directed by the remaining directors as to the method, and facility of depositing such funds. He shall collect and disburse all money on account of the Club. He shall keep records and accounting of the financial affairs and report their status as directed by the Board of
Directors. He shall sign such contracts, documents or instruments in writing as required, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board of Directors or as incident to his office. On or before the 7th day of each month, he/she shall present an itemized list of moneys both spent and received in the previous month.
There will be five Officers: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recorder, and Events Director. The decision making authority rank flows in order as listed above, with the President possessing the highest level. This authority rank is only applicable in decision-making circumstances where a Board of Directors vote is not feasible, such as during an event.
Chapter Board of Directors: The five elected Officers will automatically be on the Board of Directors. Each Director has one (1) vote. Representatives from Chapters within the four (4) regions of the continental North America NE SE SW NW will each have a single vote on the International Board of Directors. The Regional Representative from the IC shall be the President of the IC Chapter, and will serve on the International Board of Directors during their elected term of office.
Chairman of the Board: The elected President automatically becomes the Chairman of the Board, and will preside over all Chapter Board of Directors activities.
Grievance Committee: The Board of Directors will comprise the Grievance Committee. Their responsibility is to determine the validity of any grievance voiced by any Member. This committee will decide on the proper course of action for resolving any grievance. Two-thirds majority shall rule in Grievance Committee votes.