Constitution of the Great Lakes Riding Club
General Information:
Macomb, Michigan is the National Headquarters for the Great Lakes Riding
Club. All chapters and memberships will take direction from this said headquarters and will comply with the constitution within this
organization. Any information about the Great Lakes Riding Club should be directed to its Founder and National President by
email at greatlakesrc@yahoo.com
I. Memberships:
1) The Great
Lakes Riding Club is a democratic, free and voluntary club. There are no dues but there are some commitments. Membership is open to
every race, color and creed. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver license as well as a cycle endorsement
and valid insurance. Members must be either a Rider or Passenger on a street legal motorcycle. Spouses, if they ride as passengers,
are eligible for the same membership status as the motorcycle operator. Non-Riders will only be allowed membership under special circumstances
to be determined by the board of directors.
2) The Great Lakes Riding Club is
a no dues family oriented club and does require some participation of meetings and rides. However if lack of communications exceed
90days, this may lead to revocation of membership at the discretion of the Executive Board. Exceptions to that rule may be a leave
of absence due to Military Duties or Health problems - as long as you are a member in good standing you may retain the right to participate.
3) Anyone wishing to apply for membership shall either complete a printed online application and return it to a National Executive Board
Member or complete an application on line. You must check yes that you have read and will comply with the constitution and guide lines.
4) Upon submission of an application you will be contacted by a National Executive Board Member within 7 business days.
5) The National or National Vice President may refuse membership to any person for the good of the chapter as a whole. Further review
by the National Executive Board maybe requested by the applicant.
6) Under Hippa
Laws all personal information will not be shared without consent and will never be distributed to the public in any way. Only 3 members
of the board will have the right to your information and that is the President, Vice President and Chapter Secretary.
7) All members and Executive Board Members must maintain current email and or phone #’s on file.
II. Meetings:
There will be one
sit down meeting every month and at least two scheduled rides. There may be impromptu rides available via the Delphi Forum that can
be prompted by any member. And we encourage our members to socialize with other Riding Clubs.
III. Safety:
The Great Lakes Riding Club
considers safety to be the most important feature of any ride. Given the nature of the clubs free structure and that the membership
is voluntary. At no time does the Great Lakes Riding Club accept responsibility for any rider’s actions or lack of actions before,
during or after a ride.
Each Individual is 100% responsible for :
A) Safely operating their vehicles in
accordance with all applicable Federal and State laws.
B) Making sure that they and their vehicle
are un-impaired and are currently functioning safely.
C) Making sure they can perform and maneuver
safely in the riding environments that they are in. Should they not be 100% sure of their ability in the current ride they should
remove themselves. At all times each rider must ride within their own capabilities.
D) Section (a) and
(c) above thus ultimately, their own safely actions/or lack of action is the duty of every rider to make sure the environment is safe
for themselves as well as the other riders. Every rider will be as safe as possible.
E) You shall
not operate your vehicle under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. No usage of narcotic or controlled substance, including
any medications, unless prescribed by a physician. Such activities are expressly prohibited at any official club activity, including
but not limited to rides, meetings, social get togethers, charity events or any function deemed an official club function by the National
/ Executive Board or its members. Non adherence to these rules as stated shall be deemed an offense and maybe punishable by expulsion
from the GLRC as reviewed by the National Executive Board.
F) You must abide by all state laws.
All blocking of traffic is prohibited.
IV. The Club Patches:
The Great Lakes Riding Club Patch will consist of one Patch worn
at the top and centered on a vest or jacket. Your patch should never refer to as “colors”. No members shall ever add the letter MC
or ever portray themselves at anytime as an MC or 1r .No Rockers or Chapter Location Bars that identify a state or territory or given
any appearance of a rocker along with our Back patch is against all regulations. Any Questions or concerns must be brought to the
board.
Remember we are a Family Oriented Riding Club.
1) Show respect – that is A #1 to all clubs
2) No member shall talk bad of other members. All issues should be brought to the board if there is a problem
3) Strive to conduct yourself in a responsible manner so not to give your club a bad name. Common courtesy and respect for ANY individual
you make contact with will always leave a good impression of you and your motorcyclist club in general.
4) Participate as much as you are comfortable with. You joined to ride and meet others with the same interest. The more you participate
the more you will get to know others and enjoy the experience. You will only get out what you to put into it.
5) We are a riding club, not a motorcycle club and have no intentions on trying to become a motorcycle club (M/C).
6) Our patches are bought, not earned.
7) There are no dues
8) All makes and models of motorcycles are welcome. As well as all skill levels.
9) We are a non-
territorial club
10) We are a neutral club and do not wear any MC support patches
11) Women riders
are welcome and in many cases hold elective positions
12) We are an AMA National Chartered Club. Charter No. 02808.
13) Do not brag about how large the local or national membership is.
14) Always refer people with too many
questions to an Executive Board Member
15) If you are convicted of a Felony or commit a murder your membership
will be immediately terminated.
IV. Dual Memberships:
You can only belong to one riding club, but the Constitution
does promote riding and getting to know other clubs and their members. The only dual memberships that are acceptable are those of
national origin such as HOG, Star, AMA and ABATE.
V. Executive Board and Addressing the Board:
The Executive Board may revoke
any member that does not comply with the Constitution or acts in a manner that does not reflect the chapter in good light. Any issues
regarding a member will be brought to the Board for discussion and a vote will be taken in a private matter. The member in question
has the right to appeal the Board’s decision and make the private matter public knowledge and bring a vote to all chapter members.
Any
member has the right to address the board for any grievance. A grievance may be presented to the board either by email or letter form.
All pertinent information must also accompany the grievance. All grievances sent to the board of directors for a review will be kept
confidential and will not be released to the public or shared with general members. All decisions of the Great Lakes Riding Club Executive
Board of Directors are final, subject to a veto by the President. (The President does not vote unless required for a tie). If a decision
cannot be met by the board, then the Founding Members will be the deciding vote.
VI. The 5 Executive Board Members:
President
The
Chapter President is the Chairman of the Executive Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the Club Chapter. All matters concerning
relations between the club and any outside person or organization should be routed to the President of that individual chapter or
the National President for appropriate action. The President or his delegate shall assume the chair at all chapter meetings. He is
responsible for controlling the meeting and keeping order. The chair may utilize the services of the Sergeant at Arms to aid keeping
order. The Chair may not make or second any motion and may only vote on the question where their vote would affect the outcome, as
making or breaking a tie vote, or ballot in question.
1) Should other Chapters form under the Great
Lakes Riding Club name, the acting founder of that chapter will become the President of said chapter. And at that time, the National
President may nominate a Regional Officer to aid in overseeing the other chapters.
2) Chapter Presidents
will organize their chapters under the same structure as the National. Chapters will be organized around the members and not a dictatorship
by any individual, Chapter President or Executive Board Member.
3) Removal of Chapter President
– A Chapter Executive Board Member or Regional Officer may bring forth a request for review to the National Executive Board of any
violation(s) by the Chapter President. All violations must be documented for review.
Vice-President
The Vice President shall coordinate all committees and supervise plans for all club events. The Vice President acts as an intermediary
between the President and the members. All questions and comments concerning any club business not specifically related to the duties
of the Board Members should be brought directly to his attention. Additionally, the Vice President is the second in command to the
President and shall assume all responsibilities and duties of the President in his absence. The Vice President may delegate a Rides
and Events Coordinator to assist and oversee all rides and events.
Secretary
The Secretary is responsible for making and keeping all
club chapter records - Membership List, Chapter Bylaws, Rules of Order, Standing Rules, Records of all committee appointments,
all written appointments, copies of all correspondence between the club, any outside person or organization and meeting minutes. He
is responsible for roll call at the meetings. The Secretary must notify active members of special or emergency meetings and must notify
all the members of any appointments or elections in their absences. Maintain a national membership directory for all chapters.
Treasurer
and Co-Treasure
The Treasurer keeps all the funds of the club chapter. All un-issued Patches or reproductions there of issued to members,
Pins and 50/50 Tickets. He may distribute funds to pay expenses as prescribed in the standing rules, The Treasurer must keep an accurate
record of all income and expenses and he is required to report the fiscal status of the club at each regular meeting. Any checks written
out of the club fund that exceed $35.00 must be approved by the Board and Members. The Assistant Treasures voice can be heard by the
Treasure in a meeting but does not hold a Board position - but is required as a second accountable person to make sure funds are kept
in order.
Sergeant at Arms
The Sergeant at Arms is responsible for ensuring that the by-laws and the standing rules of the club are
not violated. He is responsible to issue that the orders of the Executive Committee are carried out in an expeditious manner. He is
responsible for policing and keeping order at all club events. Except as noted under the duties of the chairman. He may conscript
members to aid in keeping order on their own authority. Upon becoming aware of any real or perceived threat to the club, its members
or events, he shall immediately notify the Executive Committee of that information.
VII. Nominated Positions:
Assistant
to the Board
The Assistant is in place to help
in any matter as there are many duties to perform. This person is to sit in and help as needed. In the absence of a Board Member,
the Assistant may sit in a meeting as a board member and have an active vote.
Events Coordinator
The Events Coordinator works in hand with the Vice President and is responsible to set up meetings, locations and times. Duties also
include designing the ride calendar for the following season. The voice of your position will be heard through The Vice President
and currently does not hold a board position
Lead Road Captain
The Road Captain is responsible for all club runs. He shall research, plan and organize all runs based on calendar events. He must
go over pre-ride guidelines prior to a ride. During actual time on the road or as intermediate stops during a run, he shall act as
the ranking club officer, deferring only to the President or Vice-President if either of them are present, and only for matters involving
persons outside the club .He shall supply the Secretary with any information required to notify outside agencies as it relates inquires
about our club. All member ideas should be heard for future ride ideas. Those must be submitted to the Lead Road Captain or to the
Vice President to be put on the calendar, unless it is an impromptu type of ride.
Regional Officer
Upon the forming of any new chapters, a Regional Officer will be appointed to oversee
and to help ensure the success of the new chapter. He must maintain contact and share all information with the National Executive
Board. And help in coordinating rides and meetings for all chapters.
Newly assigned Road Captains and Tail gunners
Newly assigned
Road Captains and Tail Gunners will be reviewed by the individual Chapter Executive Board as these positions are safety related and
should be looked at in the best interest of the members.
VIII. Reappointment of Executive Board Members:
If at any time a grievance is filed with proof and it is determined
that an Executive Board Member is not fulfilling his or her duties, a vote of the members may remove a person from their position
(National President excluded), unless vetoed by the National President. At which point another course of action may be taken.
If at
any time an Executive Board Member willingly steps down, a vote by all members within that chapter will reappoint that position. Only
all present members’ votes will be counted and all members will be notified in advance of the election date. There will be no absentee
ballots.
During the time of a vacancy of an Executive Board Member, the Assistant to the Board may step in on an interim basis until
the position can be filled.
There will be a 3 year term for Executive Board Members and a 2 year term for Nominated Positions.
IX. Forming a New Chapter:
The applicant must be
at least 21 years of age or older and have a valid motorcycle endorsement on their license. And must have at least 5 other members
to fulfill the Executive Board positions. The applicant must contact the National President at email address greatlakesrc@yahoo.com to
inquire. The applicant will be required to purchase the Great Lakes Riding patch and upon receipt, your chapter will be opened by
the National President and assigned a region. The newly formed chapter will follow the same structure of the National Executive Board
and form their own chapter Executive Board, adhering to this Club Constitution.
X. Great Lakes Riding Club Delphi Forum:
The Official State Forum is open to the public and is the official forum
for all state chapters. No Private Forums will be permitted.
Amendments
Any revisions to this Constitution will be agreed upon by the National Executive Board and its Founding Members. Notification will
be sent to each member through the Chapter Secretary.
