ARTICLE 1: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF MEMBERSHIP
Westchester Beemers Motorcycle Club is organized to provide a conductive environment for safe motorcycle riders.
The purpose of The Westchester Beemers Motorcycle Club is to meet in an informal setting, promote and protect the interests of motorcyclists, to share common interests, and above all to enjoy Riding on the best motorcycle on earth.
Heavy emphasis on Riding!!
Based in Westchester County, New York, we live to ride BMW motorcycles but welcome riders of all brands.
Active members must support the club’s statement of purpose, hold a valid motorcycle license endorsement and have paid their dues in full.
ARTICLE 2: OFFICERS
The officers of the club shall be President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, which shall constitute the executive board. Officers shall be elected by the membership and shall serve a term of two years beginning January 1 and ending December 31. Any active member of the club shall be eligible to be nominated as an officer. The Executive Committee shall be composed of these officers as well as committee chairs appointed by the President.
Nominations for officer positions will be held during the regular club meeting in the month of November and elections will be held at a regular club meeting in December, or the next club meeting held after the nominations were made. If unable to attend the regular meeting, a Member may submit nominations, or vote, via email or through regular mail. The candidate having the most votes for a position on the executive board shall be elected to that position. In the event of a tie, the winner shall be determined by a coin-toss.
Vacancies on the executive board will be filled by way of a majority vote of the remaining executive board members who shall select a replacement from the current membership. The replacement shall hold the office for the remaining portion of the current term, unless elected for a term thereafter.
ARTICLE 3: THE PRESIDENT
The duty of the President shall be:
To preside at all club meetings.
To have general supervision of club affairs.
To personally represent the club on appropriate occasions and in business contacts.
To assist other club officers in their records, correspondence and other duties.
To promote interest on the part of each member in club activities.
To vote only when necessary to break a tie.
ARTICLE 4: THE VICE PRESIDENT
The duties of the Vice President shall be to perform the duties of the President in his/her absence.
ARTICLE 5: THE SECRETARY
The duties of the Secretary shall be:
To keep a record of the meeting of the club.
To send out notices of club events and regular or special meetings.
To handle all club correspondence.
To perform such other duties as generally fall to that office.
ARTICLE 6: THE TREASURER
The duties of the Treasurer shall be:
To collect dues from all members.
To collect all other money due to the club.
To approve all club expenditures.
To maintain club financial records and deliver financial reports on a timely basis.
ARTICLE 7: CLUB COMMITTEES
Club committees shall be created by the executive board or by a majority of the active membership attending an official meeting.
ARTICLE 8: THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee will meet regularly to conduct club affairs. The duties of the Executive Committee shall be:
To have general control over all club affairs.
To act for the club in all matters ordered by the club.
To properly investigate and present to the club all business or important activity situations.
To make appointments to officer positions that have been vacated.
To make final decisions on the status of individual membership.
ARTICLE 9: DUES
Dues will be determined by the executive board and will be paid by January 31st to remain in good standing as an active member. New members must pay dues within 30 days of membership acceptance.
ARTICLE 10: MEETING PROCEDURES
Roberts Rules of Order will be the general guide for conducting club meetings.
ARTICLE 11: CLUB EXPENDITURES
The Treasurer and any elected officer will be authorized to sign all checks.
ARTICLE 12: DONATIONS
All donations made to the club, or made in the name of the club, must be approved by the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE 13: MEMBER EMERITUS STATUS
Any member, who no longer actively rides a motorcycle and wishes to remain an active member of the club, may apply to the Executive Committee for emeritus status. Only the Executive Committee is empowered to grant this status after due deliberation. Emeritus members will continue to pay their dues and will have all the rights of an active member.
ARTICLE 14: AMENDING THE BYLAWS
The Bylaws may be amended, providing the proposed amendment is submitted in writing at an official meeting. Two-thirds (2/3) of active members attending that meeting must approve of the amendment. The amendment shall then be advertised by mail or email to the total membership. Mail or email ballots will be used to conduct the vote. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of all active members shall be required to pass an amendment.
ARTICLE 15: ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS
The Executive Committee will have the authority to grant charters for the establishment of additional chapters of the club. All new chapters will be required to adopt these bylaws. The executive board of the original chapter will also have the authority to suspend for due cause the charter of any subsequent chapter. Any chapter suspended by the executive board will be prohibited from using the name of the club.
ARTICLE 16: RATIFICATION OF BYLAWS
These bylaws will go into effect when they are ratified by all Executive Members.
ARTICLE 17: VIOLATIONS OF ORDER, DIGNITY AND CONDUCT
All members of the Club will be of good character and are expected to conduct themselves in a fashion as to not bring discredit to the Club or its members. All members are expected to promote safety and respect for others while operating motorcycles or on all club business and functions. If a member has a concern with any other member he/she should feel free to discuss the issue in a respectful manner. Resolution of concerns can occur simply through mutual understanding, respect and agreement. Any issue of a serious nature should be brought to the attention of one of the Executive Committee members.
Any member of the Club that brings discredit to the Club or its members or fails to comply with these bylaws may be dismissed per the following guidelines: The suggestion that someone be dismissed should be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee for review. If the Executive Committee finds that the member in question has in fact brought discredit to the Club or its membership, or failed to comply with these bylaws, the Executive Committee shall present its findings to the membership at the next monthly meeting. The membership shall then vote on the dismissal. A simple majority vote of the members present at the meeting shall suffice to make the dismissal effective.
ARTICLE 18: RIDE RULES
The Club invites members and non-members to ride with us, as long as proper protective gear is worn (at least a DOT-approved helmet; riding jacket, pants, boots and gloves are strongly encouraged), their bike is in good riding condition, they display a mature, non-competitive attitude and they abide by the rules listed below. Any rider who violates these rules may be asked to leave the group ride. If you are uncertain about the meaning of any rule, be sure to ask a member to explain it.
- Respect all traffic laws. If you violate any speed limits or other laws, you, and you alone, are totally and absolutely responsible for ANY consequences.
- Ride your own ride. This means that you should ride at a pace that’s comfortable for YOU. You must be aware of the limits of your skills, abilities and experience, and ride accordingly. Do not exceed your comfort level by trying to keep up with a faster rider.
- You are responsible for the rider BEHIND you. When you reach a turn, check your mirrors. DO NOT make the turn until you are certain the rider behind you sees you.
- Pass at your own risk. Pass other vehicles only when it’s safe to do so. DO NOT make an unsafe pass because of concern about being left behind — the rider in front of you will wait for you at the next turn. See rule no. 3.
- Do not tailgate. Maintain a safe braking distance by endeavoring to follow the “three-second rule”, with a two-second minimum at all times.
- Leave your ego at home. If you’re not comfortable maintaining the pace of the rider in front of you, wave the rider(s) behind you by. See rule no. 2.
- Ride staggered on divided highways. Ride single file on secondary roads.
- Use your turn signals when turning, changing lanes, or pulling over. Remember to cancel them.
- Don’t “peel off” secretly. Let at least one other rider know if you decide to leave the ride, so the group does not waste time coming back to find you, thinking that you crashed or had a mechanical problem.
- Don’t ride impaired. No one may ride with the Club while impaired by alcohol or other drugs, whether prescription or non-prescription, legal or illegal. We do not tolerate even one beer with lunch. Nor should anyone ride with the Club when any other impairment to their physical or mental condition could affect their ability to ride safely and within these rules.
- Make sure your bike is safe. You are responsible for ensuring that your motorcycle is in a safe operating condition and that it will not pose a hazard to other riders or you.
SUBMITTED BY THE BYLAWS COMMITTEE: January 9, 2010 (Jonathan Abraham & John Petito)
RATIFIED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: January 9, 2010
Westchester Beemers Motorcycle Club