CBA CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
The name of this corporation shall be Concerned Bikers Association / A.B.A.T.E.
of North Carolina, Inc. and is organized as a non-profit corporation in the
State of North Carolina, formed by motorcycle riders, established to accomplish
the following goals:
1) To form a united motorcycle riders' organization both at the local as well
as the state level.
2) To promote fair motorcycle legislation and to insure motorcyclists freedom
by working to prevent enactment of and to work to repeal unfair motorcycle
legislation.
3) To work toward the elimination of prejudicial attitudes toward motorcyclists.
4) To promote motorcycle education and rider training programs, and public
motorcycle awareness programs.
5) To improve the public image of motorcycling by participating in public
service and charitable projects.
6) To foster a sense of brotherhood, sisterhood, and cooperation between all
motorcyclists.
ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP
1) Membership shall be as stated in this Constitution and in accordance with
the requirements of the By-Laws.
2) Any person who joins the "C.B.A." may become active in and entitled
to all benefits and privileges of the organization, except as noted below
in Sections 3, 9 and 10.
3) It shall be left to the discretion of each chapter of the C.B.A. to determine
whether to impose a 90-day waiting period to new members for the right to
vote. All other rights and privileges of membership shall become effective
immediately upon becoming a C.B.A. member and paying membership dues.
4) The State Executive Council, from time to time by resolution, may change
the annual dues that the membership is required to pay. The annual dues shall
be due and payable during the anniversary month of the members' admission
to membership. Membership shall no non-assessable, non-transferable between
other similar organizations, and non-assignable. Membership may be transferred
from a C.B.A. chapter to another C.B.A. chapter, with membership limited to
one chapter at any one time. (Current membership fees are as stated in Section
I of the By-Laws.
5) Lifetime membership will be available to members after two consecutive
years of membership have been completed. (Current lifetime membership fees
are as stated in Section I of the By-Laws.)
6) Membership cards shall state the period for which they are valid. The form,
size, and contents of the card in all other respects shall be fixed from time
to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. The name and address of each
member and the date of issuance of each membership card shall be entered on
the records of the Corporation. If any card shall become lost, mutilated,
or destroyed, a new card may be issued. Membership cards shall remain the
property of the Corporation.
7) No person may be denied membership or have membership terminated except
for failure to pay membership fees and/or for actions that are detrimental
to the organization and its goals, as specified in Section II of the By-Laws.
8) The membership of any member of the Corporation shall automatically terminate
on written request or upon the death of the member. Members that voluntarily
resign their membership may rejoin if dues are repaid. Membership dues are
non-refundable.
9) The Executive Council, the Board of Directors, and/or chapters shall be
authorized to grant an Honorary Membership to any non-C.B.A. member deemed
worthy by their special assistance to C.B.A. Any such person shall have no
vote or voice in the affairs of the corporation by virtue of this honor.
10) Associate membership shall be available for persons under 16 years of
age. Any such member shall have no vote or voice in the affairs of the corporation
by virtue of this membership.
11) A C.B.A. member must have a minimum of two consecutive years membership
before being eligible for state office and one calendar year for chapter office.
There would be an exception for new chapters and chapter emergencies.
12) A member may join any one chapter that he/she wishes to be listed in.
Any person who does not wish to be listed in a chapter may be listed as an
at-large member.
ARTICLE II
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1) The affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by the Board of Directors,
consisting of the State President, State Vice President, State Second Vice
President, State Treasurer, State Secretary, State Legislative Director, State
Information Director, Safety, Education and Awareness Director, Membership
Services Director, all District Coordinators, and all persons named as Director
Emeritus.
2) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be controlled by the
Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall arrange for publication of
an official newsletter for the organization, for Board of Directors' meetings,
Board of Directors and chapter Presidents' meetings, and for quarterly meetings
of the State Executive Council.
3) Each officer elected biennially by October of each odd numbered year by
the membership shall hold his office until his/her successor shall have been
duly elected and qualified, or until he/she shall resign or shall have been
removed from this office.
4) Election of Board of Directors
A) Nominations
1) Nominations for the offices of State President, State Vice President, State
Second Vice President, State Treasurer, State Secretary, State Legislative
Director, State Information Director, Safety, Education and Awareness Director,
and Membership Services Director shall be made by the general membership of
the C.B.A.
2) Nominations for the District Coordinators shall be by the members of their
respective districts.
3) Nominations for the Board of Directors shall be sent to the current District
Coordinators for validation prior to submission to the State Secretary 30
days before the July State Executive Council Meetings.
B) All persons voting shall present a valid membership card and sign a voting
roster. Ballots shall be compiled by the State Secretary to be distributed
to the chapters at the July State Executive Council Meeting.
C) The District Coordinators will tabulate the votes for his/her district
and forward the ballots, roster, and tabulations to the State Secretary no
later than September 15.
D) The State Secretary will compute the total and forward it to the Information
Director for distribution within 10 days.
E) There shall be a transition period where newly elected State Officers shall
serve an internship to acquaint themselves with the new office. This internship
shall last until January 1, when newly elected State Officers shall take office,
and be entitled to voting privileges on the Board of Directors.
5) Members of the Board of Directors shall be allowed reasonable travel expenses
to conduct CBA/ABATE business.
6) Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the State President
or by any five members of the Board, and such meeting shall be held at any
place so designated. The call for a special meeting shall state the nature
of the business to be considered and the place, date and hour of the meeting.
Notice of such special meetings shall be made to each director at least 10
days before the meeting. Business considered and acted upon shall be limited
to that stated in the call for the meeting.
7) Five-eighths (5/8) of the then existing membership of the Board of Directors
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The current issue
of Robert's Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority in all meetings
of the Board.
8) The Board of Directors shall provide for the development and distribution
of a membership kit. This kit will be mailed to all members joining C.B.A.
by Membership Services. Each kit shall include a copy of the State Constitution,
newsletter, promotional materials, CBA pin and a membership card.
9) A member of the Board of Directors may be removed from office by a majority
vote of the State Executive Council through procedures outlined for impeachment
of officers in Section IV of the By-Laws. Any vacancy shall be filled temporarily
by resolution of the Board of Directors, until a general election can be held.
This general election must be held within 90 days, except as noted below in
Section 10.
10) If a Board of Director position is vacated during the 2nd calendar year
of the term of office, the State Executive Council will, by resolution, fill
the office for the remainder of the term.
ARTICLE III
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1) STATE PRESIDENT
A) The State President shall serve as Chairman of the Board, President and
Executive Director, President of the State Executive Council, and President
of the Corporation.
B) The State President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation
and shall, in general, be subject to the control of the Board of Directors,
supervise and control all business and affairs of the Corporation. He/she
shall perform all duties incident to his/her office and such other duties
as may be required by law and the Articles of Incorporation of this Corporation,
or by this Constitution, or that which may be prescribed from time to time
by the Board of Directors. He/she shall preside at all meetings of the Board
of Directors, and be an ex-officio member of all standing committees.
C) The State President shall cause to be prepared and submitted to the State
Executive Council an annual written report, including a financial statement
from the State Treasurer, to be presented to the State Executive Council at
its April meeting. The State President shall also cause to be prepared all
reports necessary for governmental agencies and cause to be paid all taxes
and other charges against the Corporation.
D) The State President's signature may be one of two signatures on any checks
written by the State Corporation.
E) The State President shall be responsible to the State Executive Council
for all actions and decisions.
F) The State President shall have voting privileges on the Board of Directors,
Board of Directors and chapter Presidents, and State Executive Council only
in event of a tie.
2) STATE VICE PRESIDENT
A) The State Vice President shall serve as Vice President of the Corporation,
Assistant Chairman of the Board of Directors, and First Vice President of
the State Executive Council.
B) The State Vice President shall, in the absence of the State President,
perform all duties required of and have all the powers of the State President
and act as ex-officio member of all committees. He/she shall perform other
such duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of Directors
or State President.
C) The Vice President's signature may be one of two signatures on any checks
written by the Corporation.
D) The State Vice President shall, in December, cause to be produced a State
Events Calendar for the upcoming year, to include all State Executive Council
Meetings, Board of Directors meetings, state events, and all major chapter
events.
3) SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
A) Responsible for special projects assigned by the State President.
B) Responsible for all security arrangements at any state event.
4) STATE TREASURER
A) The State Treasurer shall serve as Treasurer of the Corporation, Treasurer
of the Board of Directors and of the State Executive Council.
B) The State Treasurer shall deposit all funds of the Corporation and maintain
a record of the income and disbursements of such funds. He/she shall keep
accurate books of account and report quarterly to the State Executive Council
as to the financial condition of the Corporation.
C) The State Treasurer's signature must be one of two signatures on any checks
written by the Corporation.
D) The State Treasurer shall have Membership Services maintain an inventory
of all State CBA products, promotional items, and membership kits and cards.
Membership Services shall ship products and promotional items to the chapters
when ordered and work with the State Treasurer in maintaining records of monies
owed and paid by the chapters for products.
E) The State Treasurer shall perform all duties incident to the office of
Treasurer, and other duties which, from time to time, may be prescribed by
the Board of Directors or the State Executive Council.
5) STATE SECRETARY
A) The State Secretary shall serve as Secretary of the Corporation, the Board
of Directors and the State Executive Council.
B) The State Secretary shall keep a copy of the Constitution, By-Laws and
Policies of CBA, and have them present at all state functions.
C) The State Secretary shall maintain minutes of all Board of Directors, Board
of Directors and chapter Presidents, and State Executive Council meetings.
D) The State Secretary shall assist the other State Officers as may be necessary
with special reports and mailings, and serve on the Newsletter Committee.
E) The State Secretary shall, in general, perform all duties incident to the
office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned
to him/her by the Board of Directors or the State Executive Council.
6) STATE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR
A) The State Legislative Director shall serve as an Assistant Vice President
of the Corporation and the State Executive Council, and member of the Board
of Directors.
B) The State Legislative Director shall be responsible for obtaining and maintaining
all pertinent legislative information. He/she shall cause this information
to be disbursed to the State Executive Council and Board of Directors and
to the general membership via the Information Director.
C) The State Legislative Director shall chair the Legislative Committee, and
shall (or shall appoint someone to) maintain contact with the C.B.A. lobbyist.
D) The State Legislative Director shall perform all duties incident to his/her
office, and other duties, which from time to time may be prescribed by the
Board of Directors or the State Executive Council.
7) STATE INFORMATION DIRECTOR
A) The State Information Director shall serve as an Assistant Vice President
of the Corporation and the State Executive Council and member of the Board
of Directors.
B) The State Information Director shall be responsible for obtaining and maintaining
a record of all pertinent statistical information and legislative information.
He/she shall cause this information to be disbursed to the State Executive
Council and Board of Directors through the State Secretary, and to the general
membership by any method at his/her disposal as he/she deems necessary. He/she
shall also research other information as requested by the State Executive
Council and the Board of Directors.
C) The State Information Director shall appoint a Newsletter Editor and work
with him/her as to the content of the newsletter through the Newsletter Committee.
D) The State Information Director shall chair the Public Relations Committee,
which shall be responsible for producing C.B.A. promotional literature and
sending out State news releases. The Public Relations Committee shall also
be responsible for establishing and maintaining a C.B.A. web page.
E) The State Information Director shall perform all duties incident to his/her
office, and other duties, which from time to time may be prescribed by the
Board of Directors or the State Executive Council.
8) SAFETY, EDUCATION AND AWARENESS DIRECTOR
A) The Safety, Education and Awareness Director shall serve as an Assistant
Vice President of the Corporation and the State Executive Council and member
of the Board of Directors.
B) The Safety, Education and Awareness Director shall be responsible for establishing
and implementing an agenda and training program for all new Directors. He/she
will arrange for training programs as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors.
C) It will be his/her responsibility to develop and implement motorcycle awareness
programs.
9) DISTRICT COORDINATOR
A) The District Coordinators shall serve as Assistant Vice Presidents of the
Corporation and the State Executive Council and members of the Board of Directors.
B) The District Coordinators shall be responsible for maintaining communication
between the chapters in their district.
C) The District Coordinator shall plan and coordinate any state event to generate
funds for the State Treasury.
D) District Coordinators shall be available to meet with officers of any chapter
in their district requesting assistance, in an advisory capacity.
E) The District Coordinator shall be responsible for coordinating his/her
district in all general elections as defined in Article II, Section 4.
F) A District Coordinator shall be able to appoint a Deputy Coordinator as
needed.
G) District Coordinators shall perform all duties incident to the office of
District Coordinator and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned
by the Board of Directors or the State Executive Council.
10) MEMBERSHIP SERVICES DIRECTOR
A) Membership Services Director oversees the design and maintenance of membership
database.
B) He/she oversees the design and maintenance of membership packets.
C) He/she oversees the design and maintenance of membership packets.
D) He/she prepares a yearly budget to be submitted at the October State Meeting.
E) He/she oversees the design and maintenance of membership applications.
F) He/she chairs the membership committee.
G) He/she oversees the purchase and installation of software and computer
upgrades to insure no compromise of the quality of membership services.
H) He/she will determine whether a member is classified as new or renewal.
An appeal of this decision may be made in writing to the Board of Directors.
I) He/she shall perform all duties incident to the office and such other duties
as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of Directors or the State
Executive Council.
11) DIRECTOR EMERITUS
A person eligible for office must have served three consecutive complete years
on the Board of Directors. He/she must be nominated by a current Board member
and be approved by a majority of the Board. This is an advisory capacity and
has no voting privileges and not count as part of the quorum. Term of office
is until death, termination of CBA membership or upon request of the member.
ARTICLE IV
STATE DISTRICTS
1) The State is currently divided into three districts: Eastern, Central and
Western. Each district shall be represented by a District Coordinator elected
by the members in that district.
2) Each district's boundaries shall be as shown on the map in Appendix A.
ARTICLE V
STATE TREASURY AND GENERAL FINANCIAL POLICIES
1) A State Treasury shall be established, with income from membership dues,
product sales, assessments and donations from chapters and any other sources
not detrimental to the organization. The State Treasurer shall maintain accurate
books for this treasury.
2) A State checking account shall be established, with 2 of 3 signature checks.
One of the signatures must be the State Treasurer, the other may be the State
President or the State Vice President.
3) An annual financial statement will be released to the Executive Council
in the Annual Report at the second quarter State Executive Council Meeting
each year.
4) No part of the CBA State Treasury may be used for personal reasons by any
State Officer or any other individual. No part of the net earnings is to inure
to the benefit of any officer, director or members, nor any other private
individual, except for professional services.
5) The State Treasury will sell CBA products to the local chapters at a discount
rate, to be sold at retail rates.
6) The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be from January 1 through December
31 of each year.
7) No Director or member of this Corporation shall be personally liable for
the debts, liabilities or obligations of the Corporation except as stated
in Art. VII, Section 15 of this Constitution.
8) 20% of the net profit made on any non-charitable event conducted by a chapter
or district shall be assessed by the State Treasury.
9) If the Corporation is dissolved, all monies remaining after payment of
all liabilities will be donated to a charity.
ARTICLE VI
STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
1) The State Executive Council shall consist of all local officers and coordinators
of C.B.A.
2) The State Executive Council shall be responsible for any by-laws or amendments
to the Constitution of C.B.A.
3) The Board of Directors of C.B..A will serve as officers of the State Executive
Council. The State President shall serve as President of the Executive Council,
the State Vice President as Vice President, the State Secretary as Secretary,
and the State Treasurer as Treasurer. The State Legislative Director, State
Information Director and all District Coordinators shall serve as Assistant
Vice Presidents.
4) The State Executive Council shall meet at least 4 times a year. These meetings
shall occur at least once in each quarter of the year, with the first quarter
beginning on January 1st. The meeting dates will be determined by the Council
at the last quarterly meeting of the previous year. The meetings shall be
at least 8 weeks apart and not more than 20 weeks apart.
5) At least 2 officers of local chapters shall attend State Executive Council
meetings, with a treasurer's report prepared by the chapter treasurer, and
a quarterly activity summary prepared by the chapter secretary.
6) The State Executive Council will decide on any expenditure from the State
Treasury that is not considered day-to-day operating expenses.
7) Unless an exception is granted by a majority of members present at a State
Executive Council meeting, discussion on any single item shall not exceed
30 minutes.
8) Each chapter will be allowed 5 votes when voting on any motions at a State
Executive Council meeting. If there are at-large members present at any State
Executive Council meeting, they may vote on any business, with each at-large
member having one vote if there are no more than five (5) at-large members
voting. If more than five at-large members wish to vote on any item, they
must form a voting bloc, and they will be allowed five votes when voting on
any motions.
ARTICLE VII
CHAPTERS
1) A chapter may be chartered by the action of the State Executive Council
wherever 5 Concerned Bikers come together to accomplish the purposes for which
the CBA was formed. Each chapter will operate as a non-profit organization,
using the Constitution of the Concerned Bikers Association/A.B.A.T.E. of North
Carolina, Inc. as a guide. Chapters cannot vary from the rules specified in
this Constitution.
2) The primary purpose of the chapters shall be to help improve the effectiveness
of Concerned Bikers Association in obtaining its goals.
3) When 5 or more members decide to form a new chapter, a full staff of acting
officers shall be elected.
A) These officers shall serve for a period of not less than 80 nor more than
120 days. Before these temporary elections are held, the length of term of
office shall be decided.
B) At the end of this temporary term, regular elections shall be held, with
officers serving until December 31.
4) Elections for chapter officers will be held the first meeting in October
of each year. Officers shall be elected to serve from January 1 to December
31 of each year, and are elected by a simple majority of those members present
at the election.
A) Nominations for chapter officers will be held at the first meeting in September.
Any member may nominate a person for office except as noted in Article I,
Sections 9 and 10.
B) Elections will be by secret ballot. Ballots are to be counted before the
members at that meeting.
C) Any member unable to attend an election may give his/her absentee vote
in writing in a sealed envelope to any chapter officer or mail to the chapter
post office box one week prior to that election.
D) If a chapter office is vacated, an election will be held for that office
no sooner than the next regular meeting, but within 45 days.
5) Chapter officers shall include, but may not be limited to: President, Vice
President, Secretary, Treasurer, Master Sergeant at Arms, Sergeant at Arms,
and Legislative Coordinator.
A) The Chapter President is chairperson for the local chapter meetings, and
is directly responsible to C.B.A. for all actions and decisions. It shall
be his/her responsibility to keep the State President, Executive Council and
Board of Directors informed as to what is going on in his/her chapter. The
Chapter President's signature may be one of two signatures on the chapter
checking account.
B) The Chapter Vice President shall act in place of the Chapter President
in the event of his/her absence. The Chapter Vice President shall maintain
communications between other C.B.A. chapters and shall also perform any duties
requested by the Chapter President. His/her signature may be one of two signatures
on the chapter checking account.
C) The Chapter Secretary shall keep full and fair records of all proceedings
and transactions at all chapter meetings, including officers meetings. He/she
shall maintain a membership roster of all chapter members. Membership applications
shall be handled as stated in the By-Laws Section 1, #4 and mailed to Membership
Services. The Chapter Secretary shall keep the State Secretary and State Information
Director informed at all times of the time, place, and date of all chapter
meetings, and shall inform the State Secretary of any chapter officer changes,
and prepare a quarterly chapter activity summery to present to the State Secretary
at meetings of the State Executive Council. The Chapter Secretary shall also
insure responsibility of the chapter letter for the state newsletter by writing
it him/herself or by delegating the letter to someone else within the chapter.
D) The Chapter Treasurer shall maintain financial records for the chapter,
using a standardized system of recording expenditures and income. He/she shall
forward to the State Treasurer any monies due the State Treasury for membership
dues, product sales, chapter event assessments and/or donations to the State
Treasury. These monies shall be forwarded to the State Treasurer within ninety
(90) days of the event or collection of income. The Chapter Treasurer shall
present to the State Treasurer a quarterly financial report for the state
records, at the State Executive Council meetings. Membership applications
shall be handled as stated in the By-Laws Section 1, #4. The Chapter Treasurer's
signature must be one of two signatures on the chapter checking account.
E) The Master Sergeant at Arms shall maintain order at all chapter meetings
and functions, supervise secret ballots, and be available to the State Vice
President for security arrangements at state functions.
6) A chapter officer may be impeached for negligence or malfeasance of duties,
as prescribed in Section IV of the By-Laws.
7) All C.B.A. chapters will have a checking account. All chapter checking
accounts shall require two signatures, the Chapter President's or the Chapter
Vice President's and the Chapter Treasurer's to sign checks. If a chapter
needs to set up another account, such as an event account, two signatures
are still required to sign checks but they can be any two members voted on
by the chapter membership as long as they have been a member for a period
of least one year and do not reside in the same household.
8) Chapters may issue Certificates of Appreciation to members at the discretion
of the chapter.
9) The legislative body of the C.B.A. Chapter shall consist of all persons
with current membership in the chapter.
10) Regular meetings of local chapters of the C.B.A. will be held at last
once a month. The date, time and place of the meeting will be determined by
the local president upon recommendation of the members. Special meetings may
be called by the local president, by a majority of the officers, or by at
least 30% of the membership.
11) A simple majority vote of the members present is needed to approve any
proposal or action of a local C.B.A. chapter.
12) New chapters will send 20% of their membership dues to the state and keep
80%. Effect on the date of a chapter's one year anniversary, the chapter will
start paying 80% to the state and keep 20%.
13) If, in the opinion of the State Executive Council of C.B.A., a chapter
is in violation of the Constitution or of its By-Laws, a hearing will be held
at the next State Executive Council meeting, or at a special State Executive
Council Meeting called to discuss the suspected violation.
A) There should be at least 2 officers, or other representatives, duly authorized
by the chapter in question, present at such meeting. Failure of the chapter
to be represented at such hearing will not prevent the State Executive Council
from proceeding with such hearing.
B) If, by majority vote of the State Executive Council members in attendance
at such regular or special Council meeting, a chapter is placed on probation,
that chapter will have until the next regularly scheduled Council meeting
to correct the violation. If satisfactory corrections are not made by that
time, the chapter's charter may be suspended or revoked.
C) If by 2/3 vote of the State Executive Council members in attendance at
such regular or special State Executive Council meeting, a chapter's violation
is considered to be of such severe nature, the chapter's charter may be suspended
or revoked immediately.
D) In the event that the chapter's charter is suspended, an additional period
to be determined by the Council, will be allowed to correct the violation.
During the period of suspension, the State Board, at its discretion, may assume
control of the chapter's treasury.
E) In the event that the chapter's charter is revoked by the State Executive
Council, all funds and property of the chapter will be immediately surrendered
to the state organization.
14) If at any time, the state records show that less than 5 dues paid members
exist in a chapter, their charter is subject to cancellation.
15) Should a local chapter dissolve, have its charter revoked or canceled,
the local chapter treasury shall be surrendered to the state organization.
The local Chapter President, Vice President and Treasurer shall be held legally
responsible for the chapter treasury.
ARTICLE VIII
COMMITTEES
1) The following committees shall be maintained continuously:
A) The Legislative Committee, chaired by the State Legislative Director
B) The Products Committee, chaired by the State Treasurer.
C) The Public Relations Committee, chaired by the State Information Director.
D) The Newsletter Committee, consisting of the State Information Director,
State Secretary, the Newsletter editor, and other volunteers.
E) The SMART Committee, chaired by the SMART Director.
F) The Constitution Committee, consisting of a chairperson and volunteers.
G) The Membership Services Committee, comprised of District Coordinators,
State Treasurers and other volunteers, and chaired by the Membership Services
Director.
2) Any other committees shall be voted by the State Executive Council as needed,
and the Chairperson of such committees shall be appointed by the Council.
3) The Board of Directors shall, by resolution, define and modify the authority
and duties of each standing committee. Each standing committee shall prepare
a statement annually of its recommendations as to its responsibilities and
budget needs for the upcoming year, to be presented at the October State Executive
Council meeting.
4) The State President and Vice President shall be ex-officio members to all
committees with the power to vote, and shall be counted for the purpose of
determining a quorum.
5) A majority of committee members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose
of conducting business.
ARTICLE IX
CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES
1) Any proposed change to the Constitution or its By-Laws shall be presented
in written form to the Constitution Committee Chairperson.
2) Proposed changes will be turned over to the Constitution Committee for
review to be checked for wording and whether or not to make a recommendation
of the proposed change to the Executive Council. The proposed change will
then be sent out in writing to all chapters within 45 days.
3) The proposed change shall be voted upon at the following quarterly State
Executive Council meeting. A 2/3 majority vote of the State Executive Council
members in attendance shall be required for the change to be in effect.
4) The Board of Directors has the right to make the necessary minor word changes
to a proposal so that the proposal may still be brought to a vote at the next
State Executive Council Meeting.
BY-LAWS
SECTION I
Membership Fees
1) Current membership fees are $25 per person for the first year, or $35 per
couple for the first year. Renewal membership fees will be $20 per person
or $30 per couple per year.
2) Lifetime membership fees are as follows:
A) Lifetime membership will cost $100 after 2 years of consecutive membership,
to be reduced $10 a year after that.
B) Minimum cost of lifetime membership will not be lower than $70.
C) Lifetime members shall supply a current address validation to Membership
Services in January of each year to continue receiving mailings.
3) C.B.A. may establish a "Prison Charter" or individual prison
memberships within prisons and reformatories. Members will be charged a $.50
token charge for membership with the following restrictions:
A) No vote or voice in the affairs of the Corporation.
B) After their release, said members have 3 months to reinstate their regular
membership at the current dues rate.
4) Membership applications complete with the membership fees are to be turned
in to the chapter Treasurer who will then stamp the application paid and received,
then initial it. The Treasurer will then turn the application over to the
Secretary for validation and their initials and recording. In the event the
same person holds both the Treasurer and Secretary offices, the President
will be responsible for initialing the application.
5) There will be no fee for associate membership.
SECTION II
Termination of Membership
1) Membership in C.B.A. may be terminated for the following reasons:
A) Failure to pay membership fees.
B) Any action that is detrimental to the organization and its goals.
2) Membership in C.B.A. may be terminated by following the procedures listed
below:
A) A signed written complaint must be presented to any officer of the chapter
of the member in question or to any member of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation. The complaint may be filed by any current member of the organization.
B) The member in question shall be notified of the nature of the complaint
by registered mail sent by the State Secretary. Additional means of notification
may also be used. A hearing date shall also be set by the State Secretary,
with the affected member and the complainant notified of the date, time and
location of the hearing.
C) At such hearing, the chapter officers may transfer membership to At Large
status with the stipulation that the person in question not be allowed to
attend any meetings of said chapter.
D) At the next regular chapter meeting, the complaint and response shall be
presented, and a majority vote of the members present shall be necessary to
confirm transfer of membership to At Large status with above mentioned stipulation.
E) If person the complaint was filed against wants to refute the allegations,
the complaint, response, and record of chapter vote must be presented to the
Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may at this time revoke membership
completely or keep membership At Large with the above said stipulations.
F) Any member whose membership is revoked will not be allowed to rejoin the
C.B.A. without approval by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Re-approved
persons will reenter the membership roll as a new member.
G) A full record of the proceedings shall be retained by the State Secretary.
SECTION III
Impairing Substances
Concerned Bikers Association and its chapters will not allow consumption or
use of impairing substances during meetings.
SECTION IV
Procedure for Impeachment of Officers
1) To start impeachment proceedings, a special hearing/meeting shall be called,
by the President, a majority of officers, or 10 members. At the meeting, the
senior officer present shall act as chairman, and if an officer is not present,
a chairman shall be elected by majority vote. Minutes shall be taken at this
meeting. There must be at least 6 members present for the meeting to proceed.
At the conclusion of the discussion, a secret ballot shall be taken on whether
or not to proceed with impeachment. If the majority vote is yes, a report
shall be prepared (to include the minutes of the special meeting and list
reasons for which an impeachment is deemed necessary) and a copy of this report
shall be presented to the officer in question. The officer may or may not
wish to resign at this time.
2) If the officer has not resigned at this time, the report from the special
meeting shall be read at the next regularly scheduled meeting to the members
present, and a secret ballot taken to see if the impeachment should proceed.
If voted yes, an impeachment vote will be held at the following regular meeting,
with an effort being made to contact all members to inform them of the proceedings
beforehand. The impeachment vote itself shall also be by secret ballot, and
if voted yes, it shall be the discretion of the membership as to whether the
President appoints a replacement (if at chapter level) or an election is held
for that office only (chapter or state level).
3) At the conclusion of the proceedings, a full report shall be maintained
by the chapter (if at chapter level) or by the Board of Directors (if at state
level) with any change of officers to be forwarded to the State Executive
Council.
SECTION V
Theft Information Reward
The Board of Directors of C.B.A. is authorized to offer a $500 reward to anyone
giving information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone stealing
or receiving a motorcycle belonging to a member of Concerned Bikers Association/A.B.A.T.E.
of NC, Inc.
The Board of Directors of C.B.A. is authorized to offer a $1000 reward to
anyone giving information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone found
responsible for the crime of hit and run of any member of Concerned Bikers
Association/A.B.A.T.E. of NC, Inc., while said member is operating a motorcycle,
or is a passenger upon a motorcycle, when the incident results in admittance
to a hospital for more than 24 hours.
SECTION VI
State Events
A State Events Coordinator shall be appointed by the Board of Directors. He/she
shall be responsible for planning, coordinating events to fund the state treasury,
with plans for these events to be approved by the Board of Directors.
SECTION VII
Bike Bashes and Bike Burns
Where as we are a motorcycle rights organization representing the rights of
and encouraging the membership of all motorcycle riders, we feel that bike
bashes and bike burns are contrary to and a hindrance to our goals and will
be banned from all C.B.A. events.
ADDITIONAL CBA POLICIES
TRAVEL POLICY
From time to time persons may be dispatched out of state on C.B.A. business
where use of public or commercial transportation is not feasible. In such
instances the following rules for travel reimbursement shall apply:
1) A rental car may be used when approved by the Board of Directors. When
rental vehicles are used, insurance shall be obtained so that C.B.A. is not
liable in case of accident or injury.
2) Personal vehicles may be used. Fuel expenses will be paid when receipts
are submitted to the State Treasurer. Any expenses incurred due to breakdown
or vehicle failure are the responsibility of the vehicle owner. C.B.A. is
not liable for accident or injury.
3) C.B.A. will not cover any travel expenses for trips within the state of
North Carolina except as allowed in Article II, Section 5 of the C.B.A. Constitution.
NATIONAL CONVENTION POLICY
All representatives sent to the national conventions will be selected by the
Board of Directors. Alternates will also be selected in case one or both of
the originally selected representatives cannot go.
(Revised 07/2004)
