:. Bylaws

revised December 2005

Article 1 - Name

The name of this organization shall be:  Women In The Wind - Akron Chapter.

Article 2 - Purpose

The purposes of the organization are:

1)    To unite women motorcyclists with friends of common interests.

2)    To promote a positive image to the public of women on motorcycles.

3)    To help educate its members on motorcycle safety and maintenance.

Article 3 - Membership

Chapter membership is defined according to the national by-laws.

1)    Annual chapter dues shall be paid by May 11^th each year for the period of May 11^th through May 10^th of the following year.  If a new member joins after August 11^th, she shall owe 75% of the normal annual dues; after November 11^th, she shall owe 50% of the normal annual dues; and after February 11^th, she shall owe 25% of the normal annual dues.

2)    A member shall be considered in good standing if both national and chapter dues are paid in full and the member attends a minimum of two meetings or club-sponsored events in a calendar year.

3)    Rules of conduct as specified in Article 3 number 2 and Article 10 number 4B of the national By-Laws should be followed at all times.  Negative attitude or derogatory comments, witnessed by other members, towards other members will not be tolerated.  One warning will be given, after which membership may be revoked by a majority vote of the Chapter officers.  All members representing Women in the Wind by wearing the Women in the Wind logo are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which promotes a positive image to the public.  In violation of this, one warning will be given, after which membership may be revoked by a majority vote of the Chapter officers.

4)    Recommendation of revocation of national membership may be made by a majority vote of the chapter membership.

5)    A prospective member may be voted on after completing a six month probationary period during which time the prospective member will attend a minimum of 3 meetings and 4 chapter-sponsored rides*.  The prospective member shall have a valid motorcycle endorsement by the end of the probationary period.  The prospective member shall at all times carry motorcycle insurance and show proof and provide this information to the Chapter.  Voting on a prospective member shall be done in private by members in good standing at the end of the probationary period.  If the majority dissents then the probationary period may be extended at the discretion of Chapter members.

* Chapter-sponsored rides will be listed as such on the website.  If the status of a ride is in dispute, the Road Coordinator is the final authority on designating a ride as Chapter-sponsored.

Article 4 - Officers

Chapter officers and their duties are:

1)         President.

A.    To preside over chapter meetings.

B.    To supervise the general affairs of the organization.

C.    To appoint committees as needed.

D.    To be a valid signatory on chapter checks.

E.    To know and coordinate the duties and activities of officers and chairwomen.

F.    To tally the results of all balloting.

2)         Vice President.

A.    To be the official hostess of the chapter.

B.    To perform the duties of the President in her absence.

C.    To coordinate any special events and activities of the organization.

D.    To fill any office that is vacated between elections.

3)         Secretary.

A.    To make a written record of all meetings.

B.    To provide one copy of the minutes to the President and Web Mistress before or at the following meeting.

C.    To conduct and report on the correspondence of the chapter.

D.    To preserve in a permanent file all minutes, reports, and official documents of the chapter.

E.    To have the files available for audit by the Audit Committee by the first week of November.

4)         Treasurer

A.    To have custody of the funds of the chapter.

B.    To be responsible for all money collected, for depositing chapter money, and for collecting chapter and national dues.

C.    To disperse money as approved by the chapter.

D.    To ensure that chapter funds are used for the benefit of all chapter members, and not for the sole benefit of any one member.

E.    To prepare a written monthly account of all chapter money and monetary transactions.

F.    To preserve in a permanent file all monthly accounting records and other financial documents of the chapter.

G.    To have the books available for audit by the Audit Committee by the first week of November.

H.   To notify the national secretary of any chapter member address changes.

5)         Road Coordinator

A.    To promote safe riding practices.

B.    To educate chapter members on safety and maintenance issues.

C.    To lead chapter rides and/or to appoint another member to do so.

D.    To record points earned by each member.

6)         Audit Committee

A.    To consist of two members, not including the present Treasurer and Secretary, appointed by the president.

B.    To review the checkbook, all monthly accounting records, and other financial records for completeness and accuracy.

C.    To review the meeting minutes, correspondence, and other non-financial records for completeness and accuracy.

D.    To complete the audit of both financial and non-financial records before nominations for officers are taken.

7)         Newsletter Editor

A.   To prepare and mail a newsletter to all members and interested parties monthly.

8)         Web Mistress

A.    To maintain the chapter’s web site.

B.    To maintain the chapter’s web hosting and domain registration.

Article 5 - Elections

1)    Election of officers shall be held during the last meeting in December.  Newly elected officers shall take office immediately and shall serve for one year or until their successors are elected.

2)    Nominations shall be taken for each office one month prior to elections.  Nominees must be chapter members in good standing and have been a chapter member for at least 3 months. Nominees need not be present when nominated, but must agree that they will accept the office if elected.  A member may be nominated for more than one office.

3)    Any member in good standing is eligible to vote.  If a member will not be present at the election meeting, she may vote in absentia by presenting any current officer with her ballot no less than 48 hours before the election.

4)    Officers shall be elected by secret ballot.  The order of election shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Road Coordinator, Newsletter Editor, and Web Mistress. 

Article 6 - Meeting and Other Procedures

1)    The quorum of the chapter shall be not less than one third of the chapter membership.  A quorum is required for the conduct of a meeting.

2)    All voting, unless otherwise specified, shall be by the majority of those present.

3)    These by-laws may be amended or added to by a proposed amendment being submitted in writing at a regular meeting.  No proposed amendment may be in conflict with the national by-laws.  The proposed amendment must be published in one newsletter prior to being voted upon.  It shall require a majority vote of members in good standing.

Standing Rules

1.     Dues shall be $20.00 per year.  There shall be a grace period of no more than 30 days.  After the grace period, a penalty fee of $10.00 shall be charged.

2.     The secretary is authorized to purchase normal stationary supplies, including postage, as needed.  Receipts must be presented to the treasurer for reimbursement.

3.     Receipts must be provided for all expenditures, including those authorized by club vote.

4.     Standing rules may be amended by the majority vote of members attending a regular meeting.

5.     Members shall work and not participate in club sponsored fund raising events.

6.     Chapter officers are authorized to spend $50.00 for flowers, food basket, or other memorial upon the death of an immediate relative of a chapter member. 

Immediate relatives are defined as spouse, children, parents or parents-in-law, brothers and sisters, and grandchildren.