A. Membership:
These are the requirements for membership.
1.
Must be a current paid member of the American Legion, American Legion
Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion.
2.
You must own a motorcycle with an engine of at least 350cc in size.
(According to the Laws of the State of Texas Dept. of Transportation)
3.
A spouse may be granted ALR membership provided they are legally married
to a current paid American Legion Rider Association Member.
B. Honorary Membership:
Chapters, at their discretion, may elect by majority vote at a
Regular membership meeting
to authorize an honorary membership to an individual or individuals under the
following guidelines:
1.
The individual(s) must meet all
requirements of section A.1.
(American
Legion Membership).
2.
These memberships are to be of an honorary nature and do not
Constitute
actual membership. Honorary memberships should only
be
granted to those persons who have demonstrated themselves to
be assets to the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of
the American Legion Organization and excelled in promoting the aims and purposes
of the “American Legion Riders”.
3.
If American Legion Rider back
patches are granted to these
Honorary
members, they must contain a
bar with the back patch, which states the words “HONORARY” so as to clearly
identify the class of membership. Shirts or other wearing apparel, which contain
the “American Legion Riders” emblem, should contain the words “HONORARY”
or “I SUPPORT”.
C. Special
Class Membership/ Honorary Membership
A. You, or your spouse, may
continue your membership as a special class member
(with full membership
privileges) if you fail to meet the membership
requirements of
section I (B) pursuant to the following and subject to the
approval of the general
membership:
1.
Death of the spouse who was the
owner of the motorcycle as defined in section I (B).
2.
Disability, which prevents you
from Physically being able to operate a motorcycle, and ownership of the
motorcycle, was relinquished, due to this disability.
(This would also allow the spouse to continue membership under these
conditions for special class membership.)
3.
For (1) & (2) above, you must
have been a regular member for at least one full year.
4.
If you have been a member for ten
consecutive years and have reached the age of 50 you are entitled to the
distinction of a "Special Class Life Member".
Membership may continue without regards to section I (B) for the rest of
your life and payment of Local Chapter Dues will be waived.
You
must continue with the requirements
of section I(A).
D. Non-Member Apparel: All
apparel sold to non-members must contain the word “I support” The American
Legion Riders.
E.
Officers of the American Legion Riders Texas State Chapter are as follows:
1.
Director
2.
Assistant Director
3.
Secretary
4.
Treasurer
5.
Run Coordinator
6.
Historian
7.
Membership
8.
SGT At Arms
9.
Chaplain
10.
Communications Officer
11.
Judge Advocate
1.
Director
2.
Assistant Director
3.
Secretary
4.
Treasurer
5.
Run Coordinator
6.
Historian
7.
Membership
8.
SGT at Arms
H. Post officers may
hold more than 1 position but not to exceed 2 offices.
I.
Elections: Elections of the State Chapter officers and Post level officers will be
held annually at such a time as determined by the general membership of the
State Chapter and/or Post.
J.
Duties Of State and Post Officers:
1.
Director:
Will serve as Chief Administrative Officer of the Association and will preside
over all meetings. The Director shall have general supervision over the affairs
of the association and shall perform such other duties as directed by the
general membership.
2.
Assistant Director:
Will assume the duties of the Director should the Director not be available.
Will assist the Director in the performance of all duties as called on to do so
by the Director.
3.
Secretary: To keep a full and
correct record of all proceedings of meetings.
4.
Treasurer:
To have charge of all finances of the Association. To have charge of
distributing funds as directed by the general membership. To give detailed
financial reports at each meeting.
5.
Run Coordinator:
Will be the logistics person in charge of organized runs of the Association. The
RC will determine dates, times, routes, and meeting places for those taking part
in a run activity. The RC, at any time, may appoint assistant road captains or
take any other measures necessary to help insure the safety of the group during
a run.
6.
Historian:
To keep all historical records of the chapter/post.
7.
Membership:
Keep membership records as may be required by the general membership. Give
detailed reports at each regular meeting.
8.
SGT At Arms:
Will help set up meetings and maintain order during meetings. Also assist
Director in most activities.
9.
Chaplain: To
give spiritual guidance and counseling to membership, and open and close all
meetings when available.
10. Communications
Officer: Cause to publish a minimum
of a quarterly newsletter (medium may vary, hard copy, Internet, email, etc.) to
all state chapter members.
11. Judge
Advocate: To offer legal advice in any situation requiring a lawyer
K:
Meetings:
Meetings will be held at a date, time, and place as voted on by the
members. Seven members will
constitute a quorum, consisting of at least 3 officers.
L:
Finances: Finances of each Association Post Chapter will be from Association
membership dues or such other sources as approved by the membership. Finances
for the State Chapter will be from dues or such other sources as approved by the
State Officers.
M:
Expulsion: Any member may be expelled
or suspended from the Association by a majority vote of the general membership
at a regular Post Chapter meeting. The patch MUST
be returned to the Association. The State Officers will handle all appeals.
N:
Charter Membership: Each Post Chapter
may determine eligibility for Post Charter Membership in its own Post.
1.Texas
Chapter Charter Membership cut off date is 1-31-99.
O:
Governing Rules: Each State Chapter
may elect to adopt a set of standing rules to govern its membership. These
standing rules shall be no less stringent than those contained in these by-laws
nor can they be in any conflict with the National constitution and by-laws of
the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion.
P:
Disbursement of Funds: Disbursement
of funds will be only those authorized at any
regular meeting of the
State and/or Post Chapter. Each Chapter and/or Post will be a non-profit
organization and may only disburse funds in a manner that is in keeping with all
local, state, and national laws regarding non-profit organizations, by majority
vote.
Q:
Order: All meetings will be conducted
under “Roberts Rules Of Order”
R:
State Annual Membership Dues: State
Level dues will be $7.50 as of January 1, 2001.
S:
These by-laws were voted on and adopted on April 27, 2003 at a State Officers
Meeting.