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Constitution

 Updated:  Friday, August 27, 2004

 

Brother's Keepers Motorcycle Club

Constitution 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

1)      The Brother’s Keepers Motorcycle Club, from here on known as BKMC, is formed as a means for fellowship and comaradery among Firefighters for the enjoyment of riding cruiser / touring motorcycles. 

2)      All officers will maintain an Email address (through the club website), phone number, and address with the BKMC and available for all members.

3)      The club “Patch”, as worn on the vest or jacket, will be the Maltese Cross worn on the upper left chest and on the upper back with 99%er diamond.  No three-piece patches are permitted in the BKMC.  No member of the BKMC shall wear the designation 1% on his or her vest, jacket or any other article of clothing while representing the BKMC.  Patches representing other motorcycle clubs will not be worn on the Club vest or in conjunction with the BKMC Maltese Cross.  This does not apply to associations or owner group patches w/o chapter rockers that are 3 ½” or smaller.  No patches that show support for other clubs or political affiliation shall be permitted.  Other patches will be allowed as long as they do not take away from Club patch placement.

4)      All Club information and activities will be placed on the Club Web Site (www.brotherskeepersmc.com)

 

OFFICER (top)

(1)      The BKMC will consist of 3 Executive Officers (President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer), Chapter Officers (1st and 2nd Officer) and Road Captains.  The term of service for each position is unlimited.  If one of the Executive Officer or Chapter Officer positions becomes available, the New Officer will be voted in by the Membership.  An officer position may become available through: 

a)      Resignation of an officer

b)      A new position being established

c)      Impeachment of an officer by a 2/3rd vote of the Membership for conduct that shows the BKMC in a bad light, and any other reason deemed in the best interest of the Club.

2)      The President will oversee all activities of the BKMC.  The President will also maintain the Club Web Site (www.brotherskeepersmc.com) and will oversee all Officers and Members within the BKMC.

3)      The President will serve as the Charter Chapter’s (Shreveport, LA) 1st Officer until it is deemed that the Club has too many Chapters to oversee, that personally managing a Chapter is ineffective.

4)      The Vice President shall maintain the current Roster.  The Vice-President will report current numbers and activities at each monthly meeting.  The Vice-President will oversee committees established to plan and coordinate Club events.

5)      The Secretary/Treasurer shall maintain a membership list, record minutes of meetings, and maintain the Club’s finance records.

6)      The Chapter 1st Officer shall oversee all activities of his Chapter, shall keep President informed of all activities for theChapter, and perform other duties assigned by President.

7)      The Chapter 1st Officer shall appoint Chapter 2nd Officer and Road Captains.  All Road Captains resigning positions shall inform the President and assist in finding a replacement. 

8)      The Chapter 1st Officer is responsible to inform the President / Vice-President of all new members to the Chapter.

9)      The Chapter 2nd officer will perform duties of Vice-President and Sec/Tres for the Chapter.  Report financial information to the Sec/Tres.

10)  The Road Captains will be appointed by the 1st Officer and approved by Executive Officers.  Road Captains will lead Club rides.  The Road Captains must learn and be proficient in the hand signals used for safe group riding.  There will be 1 Road Captain per 5 to 7 members.  The Road Captains will be assigned members to contact by phone for meetings and rides.

11)  Chapter Officers must attend a minimum of 75% of all monthly meetings within a year and 50% of all sanctioned events.

12)  Road Captains must attend a minimum of 50% of all monthly meetings within a year and 25% of all sanctioned events.

13)  Officers who resign from their positions for other than hardship reasons will have a 6 month waiting period before they can be considered for another Officer position in the BKMC.  Personal hardship reasons consist of personal illness or that of a direct family member, death of a direct family member, relocation, temporary financial hardship or extreme time constraints placed on a member by employment, education or family.  Officers that have resigned due to hardship will be able to regain an Officers position based on the Club’s need and the President’s approval.

14)  Officers that resign due to conflict of interests; or Officers that have been removed from their position for failing to follow the Club By-Laws or Officer Code of Conduct will not be allowed to hold an Officer position in the BKMC.

 

MEMBERSHIP (top)

1)      Membership in the BKMC is open to any Firefighter (volunteer or career, active or retired) owning a cruiser / touring motorcycle with an interest in group riding regardless of race, creed or sex and all applicants must be 18 years of age or older.  Members must be a rider of a cruiser / touring motorcycle.  Immediate family members of a current member that own/ride a cruiser / touring motorcycle may apply for full membership.  Any immediate family member of a current member that only rides as a passenger may apply for Associate Membership.  Associate Members do not have voting rights, but are invited to all Club events.  Non-riders will only be allowed Membership under special circumstances to be determined by the President.

2)      First time membership dues of $125US will be collected from applicants that are accepted for membership.  With these dues the new member will receive a black leather vest with all patches and colors applied.  The vest and colors are property of BKMC and must be relinquished to an officer if demanded.  Each year a $25US membership fee will be collected in January.  Members will have their picture placed on the Club Website and will receive e-mails of upcoming events.  Associate Members will be assessed a $115US initial membership fee and $15 annual fee.

3)      Anyone wishing to apply for membership shall complete a membership application on-line to be submitted on-line.  The Chapter Officers will discuss and vote to allow membership and forward recommendation for membership to the Executive Officers.  If membership is denied the applicant will receive a reason for denial and a refund of any monies collected.

4)      The President may remove membership from any member that does not comply with the Constitution of the BKMC or acts in a manner that does not reflect the BKMC in a good light.

5)      Each Member must have proof of insurance and valid motorcycle endorsement.

6)      Members must attend 1 monthly meeting per quarter and 25% of all sanctioned events to stay active.

 

MEETINGS (top)

1)      There will be a monthly meeting.  The monthly meeting will be conducted by “Robert’s Rules of Order”.  The date, time and location will be posted on the Club Web Site at least 7 days prior to the meeting.  A club ride will usually precede the meeting.  If Members are unable to attend the ride they are encouraged to attend the meeting.

2)      The monthly meeting is open to all members.  Members present will be able to vote on topics presented for vote.

3)      Any officer may call a meeting of the Officer Staff to discuss any problem or potential problem.

 

CHARITY EVENTS (top)

1)      The BKMC will not discourage any member from attending a charity event.

2)      The BKMC and Charter Chapter (Shreveport, LA) has adopted the Percy Johnson Burn Foundation as our charitable partnership.  Each Chapter must contact their local Burn Foundation to partner with. The Club will sponsor and conduct an annual charity ride to the Burn Camp to assist in raising money for the foundation.

3)      Any funds in excess of $1,000 at the close of books for the year, will be donated to the Burn Foundation.

 

SANCTIONED RIDES AND EVENTS (top)

1)      Prior to the monthly meeting, a ride will be planned and conducted.

2)      Any ride/event organized and conducted by another club that accept outside clubs may be advertised and sanctioned for BKMC to attend as a group.

3)      Any event organized and conducted by BKMC will a sanctioned ride/event.

4)      Any member that wished to conduct and plan a ride may do so with the following requirements:

a)      Inform a Chapter Officer to ensure the event does not conflict with other Club activities.

b)      Contact at least one Road Captain that is able and willing to attend to act as a ride leader.

c)      Ensure a minimum of 5 members (including one officer) will attend the meeting.  Any ride organized that does not have 5 members (including one Officer) will not be considered a sanctioned ride/event.

d)      Ensure the President has the information published on the Club Web Site.

5)      The Brother’s Keepers Motorcycle Club does not condone riding intoxicated.  Members must use their best judgment when on a club ride to limit consumption of alcoholic beverages.  It is the right of an Officer to dismiss a participant from the ride if in the Officer’s judgment, the participant’s drinking may be a hazard to themselves or other participants in the ride or the Officer deems that a motorcycle is in an unsafe condition.

6)      The riding speed for group riding will not exceed 10 mph over posted speed limit to include cautionary speeds in curves.  Any new member, anyone with less than 500 miles on the bike, or anybody the ride leader deems inexperienced must ride in front of the group.

AMENDMENTS (top)

1)      These bylaws may be amended by a 3/4th vote of the Officer Staff.