ByLaws

ARTICLE 1 : STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF MEMBERSHIP

The Chai Riders Motorcycle Club is organized to provide a conductive environment for safe motorcycle by members of the Jewish faith, as well as those who identify with the Jewish people and the State of Israel.  The activities of the club will include the promotion, encouragement and growth of Jewish traditions and knowledge within the context of motorcycling and social activities.

Active members must support the club's statement of purpose, hold a valid motorcycle license endorsement and have paid their dues in full.  Active members must show evidence of successfully completing the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Experienced Rider Course within one year of their membership, and subsequently every three years, to remain in good standing.  New members must be recommended by two active members of the club.

 


ARTICLE 2: OFFICERS

The officers of the club shall be president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.  The executive board shall be composed of these officers as well as committee chairs.

 


ARTICLE 3: THE PRESIDENT

The duty of the president shall be:

To preside at all club meetings.
To have general supervison 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.

The president shall serve no more than two consecutive terms.

 


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 BOARD

The executive board will meet regularly to conduct club affairs. The duties of the executive board 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: MEETINGS

There shall be at least one general meeting held each year at which, on alternate years, the election of officers shall be held.  Other meetings shall be held at the discretion of the executive board.  Any gathering, social or ride, will be considered an official meeting to transact club business if a quorum is present.  Twenty five percent (25%) of the active membership will constitute of quorum.

 


ARTICLE 10: ELECTIONS

Every two years the executive board will appoint a nominating committee by June 15th.  The nominating committee shall nominate at least one candidate for each position.  The committee must add to the ballot any member who is nominated by a petition signed by at least four active members.  These petitions from the membership for elective positions shall be forwarded to the nominating committee by August 10th.   The committee shall submit its ballot to the executive board by august 15th.  The nominating committee's ballot will be distributed to the membership prior to the election of officers, which will be held at the first general meeting after Rosh Hashanah.  Nominations from the floor will be entertained in addition to the ballot submitted by the nominating committee.  Only active members shall be eligible to vote and hold office.  A majority vote by all active members present at the meeting will elect the officers.  All officers shall hold office for two years or until their successors are elected or qualified.  Officers will be installed at the annual Chanukah party.  The term of office shall begin January 1st.

 


ARTICLE 11: 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 12: MEETING PROCEDURES

Roberts Rules of Order will be the general guide for conducting club meetings.

 


ARTICLE 13: CLUB EXPENDITURES

The treasurer and any elected officer will be authorized to sign all checks.

 


ARTICLE 14: DONATIONS

All donations made to the club, or made in the name of the club, must be approved by the executive board.

 


ARTICLE 15: 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 board for emeritus status.  Only the executive board is empowered to grant this status after due deliberation.  Emeritus status will allow the former rider to maintain a role in the club without having to complete the three year Motorcycle Safety Foundation Experienced Rider Course.  Emeritus members will continue to pay their dues and will have all the rights of an active member.

 


ARTICLE 16: AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION

The constitution 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 to the total membership.  Mail 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 17: ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS

The executive board 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 18

These bylaws will go into effect when they are ratified by ten charter members.  The interim executive board, which has functioned as the bylaws committee, shall serve no later than Rosh Hashanah 5760 (1999).

ADOPTED BY THE BYLAWS COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 4, 1998

Dany Herbst
Gerry Hoffman
Sue Roth
Howard Rubin
Lauren Secular


MOTORCYCLE CLUB CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Danny Herbst
Gerard Hoffman
Susan Roth
Lauren Secular
Howard Rubin


Contact: info@ChaiRiders.org

Active Founding Member Jewish Motorcycle Alliance (JMA)
Active Member American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)

©2006 Chai Riders Motorcycle Club. All rights reserved.