Bylaws

I. Association Bylaws

  1. Name

    The name of the Association will be the Vulcan Riders Association hereafter referred to as the Association. The Association will also be known as the VRA

  2. Purpose

    The purpose of the Association is to promote responsible motorcycling activities for its members by conducting chapter activities and encouraging the participation of its members in these activities while maintaining a family-oriented atmosphere.

  3. Definitions
    • Elected Officer – A full member elected to lead a chapter:
      • President - The President is the nominal head of the chapter and chairs all meetings.
      • Vice President - The Vice President, in general, assists the President and assumes the duties of President in the President's absence. The Vice President will assume the role of Membership Officer until one is appointed.
      • Secretary - The Secretary is responsible for recording the minutes of the meeting and distributing a summary to the membership. The Secretary is accountable for the safe keeping of all records and other documents relating to the Association.
      • Treasurer - The Treasurer maintains an accurate record of the chapter's finances. At each meeting, the Treasurer provides a treasury report with the chapter's balance and all transactions since the last meeting.
    • Appointed Officer – A member appointed by the Executive Committee to perform a duty of the chapter.
      • Sgt at Arms - Maintains order at Chapter meetings and activities. Assists Road Captain. Rides at the rear or designates someone.
      • Road Captain - Ensures all riders and rides are legal. Responsible for route planning. Leads rides or designates someone to lead rides.
      • Membership Officer - Responsible for membership growth and retention. Leads initiatives to find new members. Presents a membership report at each meeting.
      • Merchandise Officer - Coordinates the sales and purchases of logo merchandise.
      • Events Coordinator - Manages the chapter's calendar of events, monitors Kawasaki dealer events and notifies the chapter, receives information from members about community bike events and shares them with all members.
      • Webmaster - Manages the chapter's website.
    • Executive Committee - The body of elected officers who govern a chapter.
    • General Committee - The body of elected and appointed officers.
    • Association Executive Committee (AEC) - The body of elected officers who govern the Association. This body is composed of elected representatives from each National Chapter.
    • National Executive Committee (NEC) – The body of elected officers who lead or govern the national chapter. This body is composed of the nationally elected officers. Where Local or Regional chapters exist, the NEC may include elected representatives from each chapter.
    • National Chapter - A chapter defined by national borders.
    • Regional Chapter – A chapter defined by regional boundaries. Regional chapters are at the discretion of the National Chapter.
    • Local Chapter – A chapter defined by a central town, city or location. Local chapters are at the discretion of the National Chapter.
  4. Membership
    1. Requirement for Association full membership is a legal, running Kawasaki Vulcan of any size. All riders must be insured and licensed as required by their locale.
    2. Spouses, Significant Others, and children of full members are allowed full membership without prejudices.
    3. Associate Membership is at the discretion of the chapter.
    4. An Executive Committee can suspend or revoke the membership or privileges of any member whose conduct threatens the safety or wellbeing of the chapter or its members.
  5. Voting
    1. Chapters will be conducted democratically by popular vote.
    2. Each member will only have one vote.
    3. Any full member can request a vote by hidden ballot.
    4. Members who cannot be present at a vote can submit their vote in writing to an elected officer.
  6. Chapters
    1. All chapters will operate on a not-for-profit basis.
    2. All chapter names will reflect their respective city, region or location.
    3. All chapters will be numbered as follows:
      11-22
      Whereas:
      11 - The International dialing number for the National Chapter
      22 – The number assigned to the Local or Regional Chapter by the NEC
    4. If, at any time, a chapter is not adhering to this charter or the spirit of this charter, that chapter's affiliation may be rescinded.
    5. National Chapters
      1. National Chapters will abide by the Association bylaws and the decisions of the AEC.
      2. A National Chapter's name and patch must be approval by the AEC.
    6. Regional Chapters
      1. Regional chapters will be defined at the discretion of the National Chapter.
      2. Regional chapters will abide by the Association bylaws, the National bylaws and the decisions of the National Chapter.
    7. Local Chapters
      1. Local Chapters may form at the discretion of the National Chapter.
      2. A local chapter's name, patch and location must be approved by the NEC.
      3. Local chapters will abide by the Regional, National and Association bylaws and the decisions of the National Chapter.
  7. Officers
    1. National Chapters will elect a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
    2. Regional and local chapters will elect a President and other officers as needed.
    3. Only a full member may be elected to office or participate in a vote to elect officers.
    4. Officer elections will be held yearly.
    5. Any officer can be removed by a majority vote of the General Committee.
    6. In the President's absence, the Vice President will assume the role of President.
    7. Members can only hold one elected office but may also hold an appointed office.
  8. Association Executive Committee (AEC)
    1. The Association Executive Committee is the governing body of the Association.
    2. The voting members of the AEC will consist of the National President from each country (or their appointed representative).
    3. From the incumbent National Officers, the AEC will elect a World President, a World Vice President, a Non Chapter Member President, and other officers as needed.
    4. The AEC reserves the right to charge each National Chapter an Association fee.
  9. Meetings

    The purpose of chapter meetings is to promote friendship, plan events and conduct the business of the chapter.

    1. Meetings will be scheduled at regular intervals.
    2. Where possible, chapter business will be conducted in person.
  10. Finances
    1. Any funds acquired through dues, fundraisers, merchandise sales or other means will be banked in the name of the chapter.
    2. The Treasurer will keep accurate records of any monies received or spent.
    3. An audit committee will be appointed to review the chapter's financial records prior to officer elections.
  11. Logo
    1. The Association logo is copyrighted and the copyright rests with the Association Executive Committee.
    2. The right to use the copyrighted logo is extended to National Chapters.
    3. Use of the logo by any other third party requires permission from the Association Executive Committee.
  12. Dissolution
    1. If a chapter or the Association is dissolved for any reason, the assets and properties remaining after the settlement of all just debts will be given to an organization with similar aims to the Association and/or to a recognized charity.
    2. The recipient organization will be determined by a majority vote of the members prior to dissolution.
  13. Amendments
    1. Changes to the Association bylaws (Section I) must be approved by a majority vote of the Association Executive Committee.
    2. Changes to the National Bylaws (Section II) will not conflict with the Association bylaws and must be approved by the National Chapter.
    3. Changes to Local Chapter Bylaws (Section IV) will not conflict with the Association bylaws or the National bylaws and must be approved by the local chapter.

II. National Bylaws

  1. National Executive Committee (NEC)

    The National Executive Committee, also referred to as "National", governs the National Chapter. Its goal is to promote retention and growth, increase visibility of the Association, improve communication and provide benefits to members.

    1. National Chapter business will be conducted through a private forum as needed.
    2. The voting members of the NEC will consist of the elected National Officers, appointed National Officers and the elected officers from each Local Chapter.
    3. Former Chapter Presidents and former National Officers may present motions and participate in discussions but may not vote.
  2. National Officers
    1. In March of each year, National Officers will be elected by a majority vote of the NEC.
    2. Any member of the NEC may be nominated. Any full member with 3 written letters of recommendation from current NEC members may also be nominated.
    3. Any nominee who submits written consent and receives a second supporting nomination will be eligible for national office.
    4. Term of office will be from the conclusion of the election poll until the conclusion of the following annual election.
    5. Elected or Appointed officers can be removed by a majority vote of the General Committee.
  3. Local Chapters
    1. Local chapters will elect a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
    2. Local chapters must charge a minimum of $1 in yearly membership dues.
    3. On March 1st of each year, local chapters will pay an Association fee of $1/full member to the National Treasurer.
  4. Membership
    1. Chapter Members
      1. Any member paying dues to a local chapter will be considered a member of the Vulcan Riders Association.
    2. Non-Chapter Members
      1. Where local chapters are not available, Vulcan riders may pay $25.00 to the National Treasurer to join as a non-chapter member.
      2. Upon receipt of initial dues, non-chapter members will receive a 4" patch and be placed into non-chapter member status on the forum.
      3. Non-chapter member dues are renewable on March 1st of each year.
      4. Dues received after January 1st will be marked effective through March of the following year.
      5. Spouses or S/O's are included in the membership and will also be placed into non-chapter member status on the forum upon request. An additional patch can be purchased through National.
  5. National Finances
    1. The National Officers have authority to approve routine or recurring expenses, the purchase of VRA merchandise or any expense up to $75.00. All other expenditures must be approved by a majority vote of the National Executive Committee.
  6. Amendments
    1. Changes to the national bylaws will be approved by a majority vote of the National Executive Committee.

III. Local Chapter Bylaws

  1. Name

    The name of the chapter shall be {the name approved by the National Chapter}.

  2. Dues

    Membership dues will be {determined by the local chapter}.

  3. Associate Membership

    Membership eligibility, privileges and requirements to join as an Associate member will be {determined by the local chapter}.

  4. Meetings

    Meetings will be held regularly {at a date and time determined by the local chapter}