American Bikers Aimed Toward Education
Eastern Panhandle Chapter
P.O. Box 2836
Martinsburg, WV 25402
Eastern Panhandle Chapter
CHAPTER CONSTITUTION
NAME
This authorized subsidiary of the corporation known as A.B.A.T.E. of West Virginia, Inc.
(American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) of West Virginia, Inc.
Shall be known as The Eastern Panhandle Chapter
REGION
This Chapter officially known as The Eastern Panhandle Chapter shall serve the Eastern Panhandle Counties of Berkeley, Morgan, and Jefferson Counties in West Virginia also known as Region #9.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the organization, being a non-profit corporation, is:
a. To promote motorcycle awareness and safety education to its membership and the general public.
b. To promote and better the image of motorcycling.
c. To monitor and influence legislative matters pertaining to motorcycles.
d. To educate all interested motorcyclists in how to become active in politics in the party of their choice.
DUTIES OF CHAPTER OFFICERS
SECTION 1 - DUTIES OF THE CHAPTER PRESIDENT
a. To appoint the Balloting and Bylaw Committee members.
b. To maintain law and order within their chapter.
c. To preside at all Chapter meetings.
d. To represent the Chapter on proper occasions in Chapter matters.
e. To compile a calendar of events for the Chapter, working with the State Activities Coordinator.
f. To appoint any person(s) necessary to conduct Chapter matters.
g. To serve on the Executive Board and attend all Executive Board meetings.
h. If a Chapter is not represented for (2) consecutive Executive Board Meetings, that chapter will lose voting privileges until the second consecutive Executive Board Meeting that they are in attendance.
SECTION 2 - DUTIES OF THE CHAPTER VICE PRESIDENT
a. To attend all Chapter meetings and conduct at least one Chapter meeting per term.
b. The Vice President, by order of rank, shall preside in the temporary absence and/or disability of the Chapter President at Chapter meetings and other such meetings as deemed necessary.
c. Shall assist the Chapter President in his duties, compiling records, reports, correspondence, and any other duties deemed necessary.
d. To assist Chapter Officers in compliance of their duties.
e. To investigate and report any injuries or deaths of any members or motorcyclists in their respective Chapter areas to the State Vice President.
f. Shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be required.
SECTION 3 - DUTIES OF THE CHAPTER SECRETARY
a. To record all Chapter meetings in the minute's books provided for that purpose. (NOTE: Tape recorders are recommended.)
b. To process notices of special meetings and process all mail when requested to do so by any officer concerning ABATE business.
c. To prepare agendas, reports, and research when asked to do so by the Chapter President.
d. To process, keep, and compile accurate records in the management of the Chapter business.
e. Shall attend all meetings when requested to do so by the Chapter President when needed for the taking of minutes or other records.
f. Shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be required.
SECTION 4 - DUTIES OF THE CHAPTER TREASURER
a. The Chapter Treasurer will be responsible for submitting the Chapter's quarterly reports to the State Office by the 5th of the month following each quarter's ending.
1) First quarter ending September 30th - due October 5th.
2) Second quarter ending December 31st - due January 5th.
3) Third quarter ending March 31st - due April 5th.
4) Fourth quarter ending June 30th - due July 5th.
5) All Chapters will be required to pay ABATE of WV, Inc 10% of their net income on a quarterly basis.
b. Failure to comply with these amendments will result in the Executive Board freezing the activity of the account until the quarterly report has been properly submitted. Thirty(30) days past the deadline will call for dissolution to that chapter.
c. To keep accurate, current records of all Chapter transactions in double entry form for the Chapter and State records and for audit.
d. To assist the Secretary in compiling and keeping a current list of Chapter membership and to submit such a list for the State files monthly.
e. To keep copies of all receipts, slips, and vouchers for the Chapter files.
f. To serve as a member of the Finance Committee.
g. Shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be required.
h. Each Chapter shall establish and maintain a checking account. Two-signature authorization shall be required on all bank accounts. All money sent or received by the State Treasurer shall be in the form of a check or money order made payable to ABATE of WV, Inc. All account numbers and bank branches shall be reported to the State Treasurer.
SECTION 5 - DUTIES OF THE CHAPTER SERGRANTS AT ARMS
a. On the floor of the meeting hall the Sergeant at Arms assist in the preserving of order as the chairperson may direct.
b. In case of large corporation meetings they may be required to attend under the supervision of the Regional Coordinator.
c. The Sergeant at Arms has responsibilities of certain physical arrangements of the hall, being responsible in seeing that the meeting hall is in proper order for the meeting.
d. The Sergeant at Arms are the doorkeepers and ushers who, in meetings where only members or some other limited category of persons are permitted to enter, check the credentials or eligibility of those arriving and deny entrance to unauthorized persons.
e. The Sergeant at Arms must attend all of their respective Chapter meetings.
f. Temporary Sergeants at Arms may be appointed as required.
Elections & Terms In Office
SECTION 1 - LIST OF ELECTED CHAPTER OFFICERS
a. Elections will be held for:
1. President
2. Vice-President
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer
5. Sergeants At Arms
SECTION 2 - CHAPTER NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
a. Nominations for all offices will be taken at the two (2) meetings regularly scheduled before the election.
b. Elections will be held at the regularly scheduled October meeting.
SECTION 3 – TERMS IN OFFICE
a. All officers shall hold office for a term of two (2) years, and/or until their successors are elected. Elections for State Officers shall be held during even numbered years. Chapter elections shall be held in odd numbered years. Terms shall commence at the regularly scheduled Meeting of the month/year said election takes place.
SECTION 4 - APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS BETWEEN ELECTIONS AT REGION AND CHAPTER LEVEL
a. Vacated officers positions will be filled in the following manner:
1) President - The Vice President will move up one office and the new president will appoint a new member in Good Standing to fill the now vacated office of Vice-President
2) All other Offices - The President will appoint a member in Good Standing to fill that particular office.
3) All State Officer appointments are subject to the approval of the Executive Board at the next regular meeting.
4) If an appointee is not approved by a petition of the membership, the membership may appoint from the floor a nomination for the office by a simple majority
MEETINGS
a. Due to the confusion of setting dates for meetings, it is deemed necessary to include certain guidelines for the meetings in the Bylaws. Care has been taken in the guidelines to ensure that all officers may fulfill their duties for attending Chapter, Regional, and Executive Board meetings as required.
b. Regularly Called Meetings:
1) Executive Board meetings are to be held every ninety (90) days, on the first weekend of a month.
2) Chapter meetings are to be held once (1) a month, provided they do not conflict with the Executive Board meeting.
c. The dates may be changed in an unusual circumstance.
d. Special meetings may be call as needed, provided that proper notice be sent to those involved for each meeting.
MEMBERSHIP CLASSES, RIGHTS, AND RESPONSIBILITES
SECTION 1 - MEMBERSHIP
Membership in ABATE shall be indicated in one of the following categories:
a. Full or Active Membership - Any individual eighteen (18) years of age or over whom has paid their annual dues and is a member in Good Standing.
b. Junior Membership - Anyone under eighteen (18) years of age who has paid their annual dues and is a member in Good Standing. All local Chapters shall decide how to include Junior members in their own functions and events, but always in regard to the child's welfare. Junior members may note vote or hold office in Full Membership capacity.
c. Honorary Membership - Any individual approved by the local Chapter or Executive Board to receive a membership. (To have full rights to membership with the exception that they may not vote or hold office.)
d. Lifetime Full Membership - Lifetime members have full and active membership rights. The Executive Board will determine fees.
e. Associate Membership - In our state there are various other organizations interested in our cause and purpose. It has seemed very essential that, in order for us to reach our goals, we must be able to join together with these organizations in order to better the motorcycling community as a whole in West Virginia. Therefore we include in these Bylaws a membership, subject to review and approval of the Executive Board, known as Associate Organization.
1) An Associate Organization is any organization (pending the approval of the Executive Board) who is seeking or whom ABATE is seeking to co-sponsor an Event or cause with ABATE of West Virginia.
2) Associate Organizations are not entitled to any ABATE Membership rights and pay no dues.
3) To Co-sponsor an event or cause with an Associate Organization a contract must be written and drafted explaining all details and obligations between ABATE and the Associate Organization for each event or cause. Both or all parties must agree within the contract to obligations, expenses, and disbursements of profits.
4. All contracts are subject to the approval of the Executive Board of this Corporation.
5. Associate Organizations are to support the rules, regulations, and Bylaws of ABATE and treat customs and protocols of ABATE with respect.
SECTION 2 - MEMBERSHIP DUES
a. All members are required to fill out an application for each year and pay dues promptly.
b. Annual membership dues are in effect for one (1) year from the date of application.
c. All dues are set by the Executive Board and are subject to change and review with reason.
d. Honorary Memberships are given on an annual basis. Honorary members are also subject to all Bylaws and policies of ABATE.
e. Individual members of ABATE will be required to pay their initial fee and to renew their membership annually as specified.
f. Failure of any member to pay their annual dues will result in them receiving a thirty (30) day notice. Failure to pay within thirty (30) days will result in member's loss of membership status until fees are paid.
SECTION 3 - DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS
a. All members are obligated to support the rules, regulations, and Bylaws and protect the good name of ABATE. Treat customs and protocols of ABATE with respect.
b. All members are hoped to be open-minded, attentive, and fair.
c. All members must respect the presiding officer's judgment at meetings and obey legitimate orders.
d. Members have the right to insist on law and order at meetings.
e. While recognizing the right to keep and bear arms, ABATE reserves the right to restrict weapons at ABATE functions.
SECTION 4 - RIGHTS OF MEMBERS
Members have the right within ABATE to:
a. Introduce business and to speak in support of it according to parliamentary procedure at all open meetings.
b. Any member dismissed from ABATE of WV, Inc. for violent acts against another member or guest(s) of ABATE of WV, Inc., members at an ABATE of WV, Inc. meeting will forfeit their membership dues.
c. Any member who is dismissed be the decision of the Executive Board for acts against the policy of ABATE of WV, Inc. or its Chapters will forfeit membership dues.
d. To receive copy of the Bylaws upon request.
e. To attend all meetings except meetings considered closed officer's meetings.
f. To trial if accused.
g. To enjoy all the fellowship and event activities ABATE provides.
h. To have the right to vote.
SECTION 5 - DISMISSAL OF MEMBERS
a. Any violent act against another member or guest at an ABATE function or meeting will result in immediate expulsion from ABATE. Any member and/or guest charged with a violent act against another member and/or guest will result in the member(s) and/or guest(s) being forever barred from ABATE and its functions. Punishment shall be to the fullest extent of the law.
b. Any person(s) whose acts or actions are deemed detrimental, discrediting to ABATE of WV, purposes, protocols, and/or operation, can be called upon for "Dismissal" from ABATE by any member through the grievance procedures.
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
SECTION 1- GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES AT CHAPTER LEVEL
a. Any member with a grievance must submit it in writing at the next regularly scheduled Chapter meeting. >br> b. Grievances must be presented to the Chapter of which the accused is a member by the plaintiff.
c. The Chapter President will then appoint three (3) members in Good Standing to investigate the grievance and present their recommendation for resolution for a vote at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
d. All appeals go to the Regional Coordinator for arbitration.
e. Any member with a grievance unresolved by the Regional Coordinator may refer it to the Executive Board at a regularly scheduled meeting.
f. The Executive Board will hear the grievance, propose a resolution, and take an immediate vote.
g. All Executive Board decisions are final.