California Centeral Coast CVMA
Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association National Bylaws
These bylaws shall be amended to conform to any change in the CVMA Charter and Bylaws.
PREAMBLE
The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 33-4(CVMA 33-4) is formed and dedicated to support Veterans, Veterans’ groups, and Military support charities and is dedicated to the motto, “Veterans helping Veterans.” As such, CVMA 33-4 is additionally dedicated to the betterment of communication and camaraderie between Motorcycle Associations, Veterans’ Organizations, and other Motorcycle Groups and/or Clubs.
ARTICLE 1 NAME
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be: Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, Chapter 33-4.
Section 2. In accordance with (IAW) the CVMA national bylaws, the principle office of the CVMA will be located at 1019 Highland, Liberty, MO 64068, USA.
Section 3. Within the state of California the principle office of CVMA Chapter 33-4 will be located in Stockton, CA, USA. The Chapter Board of Officers may change the principle office from one location to another; this change will require a change in the bylaws.
Section 4. The CVMA may also have other offices within the state of California as the Chapter Board of Officers may designate to support additional detachments, offices or events. These additional addresses need not be designated in the bylaws.
Section 5. IAW the CVMA national bylaws, the CVMA is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational and/or scientific purposes as specified in section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Section 6. The emblem / logo used by the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association is the sole property of the CVMA. The CVMA patch and logo cannot be reproduced without license from the BOD. The emblem of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association is in the shape of a skull encompassed by the following colors. The incorporated colors are: Red, representing the blood that has been shed on the battlefield. The Military Gold, representing the many ethnic backgrounds of all nations. Black, representing the heavy hearts possessed for those who gave their lives and for those that are considered missing in action or prisoners of war. The Skull and ace of spade represents the death that war leaves in its wake.
ARTICLE 2 OBJECTIVES
Section 1. The objectives and purposes of this Chapter shall be to promote the principles and policies as set forth in the foregoing Preamble and the CVMA national bylaws.
Section 2. This Charter is not organized, nor shall it be operated, for pecuniary gain or profit, and it does not contemplate the distribution of gains, profits, or dividends to the members thereof and is organized solely for non-profit purposes. The property, assets, profits, and net income of this corporation are irrevocably dedicated to charitable purposes and no part of the profits or net income of this charter shall ever inure to the benefit of any director, officer, or member thereof or to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.
Section 3. Upon dissolution or winding up of this Chapter, its assets remaining after payment of, or provision for payment of, all debts and liabilities of this corporation, shall be distributed to the CVMA, or to a non-profit fund, foundation or corporation, which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable veteran purposes, and which has established its tax exempt status under section 23701d of the Revenue and Taxation Code and/or Section 501 (9)(c)(3) or Section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE 3 MEMBERSHIP
Section1. All Chapter memberships shall be IAW CVMA national by-laws.
Section 2. Members who fail to keep dues current will be dropped from Chapter rolls twelve (12) months after expiration of dues.
Section 3. Full members must possess a valid motorcycle driver’s license as well as proof of insurance for their motorcycle.
Section 4. No person expelled from another Chapter shall be admitted to this Chapter without the explicit consent of the expelling Chapter and the CVMA national board.
Section 5. Each Chapter member should attend a minimum of at least one (1) event hosted by Chapter 33-4 per year unless they are on active duty and deployed out of state.
Section 6. Annual dues will be a total of thirty dollars ($30), twenty dollars for national dues and ten dollars for Chapter 33-4 dues. Member shall remit national dues to CVMA National. Chapter dues will be remitted to the Chapter Treasurer by July 01.
ARTICLE 4 OFFICERS
Section 1. The “Board of Officers” of this Chapter shall consist of Commander, Executive Officer (XO), Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, and Sergeant at Arms.
Section 2. The following officers shall also be elected but not serve on “The Board of Officers”: Road Captain.
Section 3. Any officer except the Commander and the XO may fill more than one office. The exception to this rule is that the Commander shall fulfill the duties of the Public Relations Officer if that office remains vacant.
Section 4. All members of “The Board of Officers” shall have only one vote at Chapter Board meetings.
Section 5. Nomination of officers will be held in April/May of each year with elections occurring in May. Nominees need not be present at the election meeting.
Section 6 All officers are elected for a term of one year.
Section 7. All officers of this Chapter must be a member of CVMA for 12 months and be in good standing. If there are no candidates eligible for an office, the Chapter can nominate and elect individuals in good standing with less than 12 months previous membership, any officer elected with less than 12 months membership shall be considered “pro-tem” officers until such time that they have accrued their 12 months of membership. In this case, any pro-tem officer will fulfill all duties of said office.
Section 8. Duties of the Board of Officers are as further provided in these Chapter bylaws.
Section 9. All officer resignations should provide a minimum of one month notice prior to vacancy.
Section 10. All vacancies of offices shall be filled at the next regular meeting,
Section 11. In the event that any officer is absent for more than three consecutive meetings without being excused by the Commander, such office shall be declared vacant by a simple vote of the membership. The vacancy so created will be filled by election at the same meeting.
Section 12. The Chapter may elect to leave the office of Public Relations Officer vacant by a simple majority vote. Otherwise, this position will be held by the chapter commander.
ARTICLE 5. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. Duties of the Commander: It shall be the duty of the Commander to preside at all meetings of the Chapter and to have the responsibility of/and over the business affairs of the Chapter, and as such, shall be the chief executive of the Chapter. The Commander will serve as Chairman of the Board of Officers, act as ex-officer member of all Chapter committees, issue the call for all regular and special meetings, schedule regular and special elections and ensure that they are held in accordance with these bylaws. Additionally, the Commander will be co-signatory on the Chapter bank accounts.
Section 2. Duties of the Executive Officer (XO): It shall be the duty of the XO to discharge the duties of the Commander in his absence or in the case of his disability, or when called upon by the Commander. Additionally, the XO will chair committees as directed by the Commander.Section 3. Duties of the Secretary: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the minutes of all meetings, and at the direction of the Commander, handle all correspondence for the Chapter, including the transmittal of membership applications and responses. Additionally, the Secretary shall keep the Chapter roster current, to include the dues currency of members and to report on those currencies at regular meetings. Section 4. Duties of the Treasurer: It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to collect dues and other forms of income due to the Chapter, he will maintain the accounting books, make payments from the Chapter when so ordered by the Chapter or so authorized by these bylaws, sign Chapter checks, and report thereon at regular meetings. The Treasurer will track the dues currency of members and report on those currencies at regular meetings. The Treasurer is authorized to file applications and submit information under his signature to establish and/or maintain the Chapter’s incorporation or tax exempt status as directed by the Chapter. Additionally, The Treasurer is jointly responsible for the annual submission of finance reports, see Article 9, Finance.
Section 5. Duties of the Public Relations Officer: It shall be the duty of Public Relations Officer to handle the publicity for the Chapter, including but not limited to newspaper articles, TV and radio information and appearances. Additionally he will be in charge of the Chapter website, should it exist, and he shall serve as historian by maintaining a file of Chapter photos and activities.
Section 6. Duties of the Sergeant at Arms: It shall be the duty of the Sergeant at Arms to maintain order during Chapter meetings, to verify membership via ID cards prior to meetings, to assemble and disassemble the meeting area as necessary. He will lead the Chapter in any pledges or oaths as requested by the Commander. Should the Chapter be required to present arms at any activity, the responsibility for the order will fall upon him. The Sergeant at Arms shall use the following terms when the Chapter renders the hand salute: “present arms” and “order arms.” Additionally, the Sergeant at Arms has the responsibility of selecting a fellow member to assist him in an annual review of the Chapter treasury once per year or as directed by the Commander. This review shall occur in April and be reported at the regular scheduled meeting in May.
ARTICLE 6 MEETINGS
Section 1. The regular Chapter meeting shall be held on the first Saturday of each month or as scheduled in a previous regular meeting. It shall be the Chapter Commander’s responsibility to notify the Chapter of all meetings.
Section 2. The meeting shall be held at a location determined and voted on by the Chapter membership present and may be moved from time to time to support necessary functions and rides.
Section 3. A quorum of conducting business shall be those present at any given meeting.
Section 4. No member shall take part in any meeting or election unless he is in good standing with the Chapter.
Section 5. A written proxy may represent a member, no general power of proxy is allowed, and any proxy presented must be specific in nature and clear in intent. If a proxy’s nature or intent is challenged, it will not be used unless it affects the vote outcome, if the “challenged” proxy could or would change the outcome, then the vote shall be “tabled” until the next meeting when a specific proxy could be presented. No member may represent more than three (3) proxies. Any vote involving proxies must be conducted via roll call.
ARTICLE 7 COMMITTEES AND DELEGATIONS
Section 1. All standing committees that support functions of this Chapter shall consist of members who have been approved of by a general vote in a Chapter meeting. Standing committees are considered committees that have a recurring task or responsibility and report their activity at a regular Chapter meeting. (Example: fund raising committees)
Section 2. The Commander may, from time to time, appoint a special committee for a particular task. This committee need not be approved by the membership and should serve only as a short term working entity. (Example: memorial preparation)
ARTICLE 8 PROCEDURE
This Chapter shall conduct all official meetings under the rules and directions of the CVMA Charter, Constitution or Bylaws, as well as the Chapter 33-4 Bylaws. The decorum and rule of order of any Chapter meeting shall be further guided and maintained by any Chapter standing rules, Robert’s Rules of Order, and lastly, custom and tradition.
ARTICLE 9 FINANCE
The membership shall approve the form in which financial records are kept. Any appropriations not budgeted shall be brought to the membership for approval except for an amount up to a fixed maximum, set by a vote of the membership that may be approved by the Chapter Commander or Treasurer. The amount set by the members shall be kept on record in Chapter minutes. Upon recognition as a 501(c)(19) organization, CVMA 33-2 shall submit IRS Form 990N not later than
February 15th of each year. Additionally, a copy of the Form 990N will be forwarded to CVMA national in compliance with national bylaws. Submission of the Form 990N shall be the joint responsibility of the Commander and Treasurer, see Section 5, Duties of Officers.
ARTICLE 10 LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITIES
The Chapter shall not incur, nor cause to be incurred, any liability or obligation whatsoever, which shall subject to liability any other individual, corporation or organization.
ARTICLE 11 INITIATIVE AND RECALL
Section 1. A petition, signed by ten (10) percent of the membership requesting the holding of an election for the purpose of recalling an elected officer may be filed at any time with the Secretary. The Secretary shall deliver said petition at the next membership meeting. The Chapter will schedule a recall election one month later at the general meeting. Notice of the recall election shall be included in the notification of membership meeting.
Section 2. All recall elections shall be conducted by written secret ballot.
Section 3. If the Officer is recalled, the Chapter shall elect a successor to fill the un-expired term. The person recalled shall not be eligible as a candidate for election to fill the vacancy.
ARTICLE 12 AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Proposed amendments to these bylaws must be submitted in writing at a Chapter meeting. The proposed amendment may be adopted by two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of those present and voting.
Print