Kalamazoo Bicycle Club Constitution

Revised and Adopted June 10, 2003

ARTICLE 1 - Name

The name of this organization shall be (the) Kalamazoo Bicycle Club, Inc., also referred to as "The Club" in the following document.

ARTICLE 2 - Club Purpose

The purpose of the Club shall be to promote bicycling; to encourage and facilitate touring, races, bicycle outings, and all forms of recreational bicycling activities; to defend and protect the rights of bicyclists; to secure a better understanding and recognition of the need for safer riding conditions; to encourage the allocation of facilities for bicycling on public lands; to cooperate with the public authorities in the observance of all traffic regulations; to provide an opportunity for members to socialize with others who have an interest in bicycling; and to recognize bicycles as vehicles used for pleasure, fitness and transportation. The Club will cooperate with other organizations with a similar goal and purpose.

The Club shall maintain an attitude strictly non-sectarian, non-partisan, and non-profit. All money collected by dues or other means shall go to the treasury, and be used only for furthering the stated purpose of the Club. The Club will not engage in any activity contrary to its non-profit status or which would be contrary to Section 501 (c) (3) or Section 501 (c) (4) of the IRS code.

ARTICLE 3 - Membership

The three types of membership in the Club are,
  1. Regular Membership
  2. Membership
  3. Complimentary Membership

Section 3-A

Regular Membership in the Club is given to dues-paid members who are 18 years of age or older. Those under 18 years of age must have written parental approval. Regular members will be eligible to hold a Club office position and are entitled to full voting privileges. Each regular membership will receive the Club's newsletter, ride schedule, and be eligible to participate in any Club sponsored activities.

Section 3-B

Family membership is available for two or more individuals who reside at the same address, with at least one individual being 18 years of age or older. A family membership is awarded all the privileges of a regular membership, except a family membership carries two votes on Club matters. In this instance, at least two family members over age 18 must be present at a Club meeting to cast their two votes.

Section 3-C

Complimentary membership in the Club may be given to bike shops, individuals, and other organizations. Complimentary memberships carry no vote on Club matters.

ARTICLE 4 - Dues

The dues amount will be set yearly at the first meeting of the new year by the Board of Directors and will be based on a fiscal year which will commence the first of the month after the month in which dues are paid and continue for the next 12 months.

ARTICLE 5 - Elections

Section 5-A

Election of Club officers shall be held annually at the November membership meeting. The Board of Directors will be the nominating committee and will present a list of candidates for the offices to be filled. Additional names may be placed in nomination at the October membership meeting. All nominations will be published in the newsletter. A plurality vote of members present at the November membership meeting shall be necessary to elect. The officers-elect will take their position at the first meeting following the election.

Section 5-B

Members of the Executive Committee will serve for a term of one year. Appointed Club positions shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Executive Committee and will also serve for a term of one year.

ARTICLE 6 - Officers and Duties

The Board of Directors of the Club shall consist of the elected Executive Committee officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer; and those members holding appointed positions.

President
  • Is a voting member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
  • Is the chief operating officer of the Club with the power to initiate and direct Club policy subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
  • Chairs the Board of Directors and Executive Board meetings and general membership meetings.
  • Provides the Club with leadership and guidance in accordance with the purpose of the Club.
Vice-President
  • Is a voting member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
  • Arranges meeting sites and programs.
  • Substitutes for the President in his/her absence.
Secretary
  • Is a voting member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
  • Records minutes of all Club meetings.
  • Serves as official correspondence Secretary.
  • Furnishes a copy of minutes of all Club meetings to the Club newsletter editor.
Treasurer
  • Is a voting member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
  • Keeps a record of all financial transactions.
  • Pays approved bills for which there is a receipt.
  • Regularly reports on the Club's financial status.
  • Maintains the Club's bank account(s).
  • Files appropriate tax returns and reports.
Appointed Officers:
  • Newsletter Editor: Is a voting member of the Board of Directors. Responsible for publishing the Club newsletter, which includes meeting notices, the monthly ride schedule and any other items of general interest to Club members. This position is autonomous, but the Board of Directors has space allocated in the newsletter to communicate to the Club on a monthly basis.
  • Membership Database Administrator: Is a voting member of the Board of Directors. Keeps up to date records of the Club membership roster and mailing lists, and supplies new members with a membership packet.
  • Ride Committee Chair: Is a voting member of the Board of Directors. Responsible for developing and scheduling weekly Club rides throughout the year.
  • Social Director: Is a voting member of the Board of Directors. Develops and coordinates all the Club's social activities.
  • Safety and Education Committee Chair: Is a voting member of the Board of Directors. Responsible for promoting bicycle safety, bicycle education, and related community outreach in Southwest Michigan.
  • Webmaster: Is a voting member of the Board of Directors. Responsible for developing and maintaining electronic communication for the Club, including a website. These efforts may be supported by additional club members, who may function as a committee.

ARTICLE 7 - Committees and Duties

Section 7-A

The Executive Committee of the Club shall consist of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Section 7-B

The property and lawful business of the Club shall be held and managed by the Executive Committee, which shall possess all the powers and the authority as may be necessary to carry out the purpose and goals of the Club as limited by the constitution and bylaws.

Section 7-C

The duties of the Executive Committee members shall be such as their title by general usage would indicate, and such as would be assigned to them by the board from time to time, and such as required by law, or stated in this constitution and bylaws. The Executive Committee may perform an audit of the Club Treasury on an annual basis or more often if needed.

Section 7-D

All Board of Directors positions are unpaid positions. Members seeking Board positions do so with this knowledge and seek their desired positions to help further the stated goals of the Club.

Section 7-E

If any member of the Executive Committee does not perform his/her assigned duties to a level stated by this document and expected by the membership, he/she may be removed from his/her office as follows.

Any Club member may petition the Board of Directors and ask for the removal of an Executive Committee member. Such a request must be in person and presented to the board at a regularly scheduled board meeting. A full explanation of why removal is sought must be provided. The general membership must be informed of pending actions against any Executive Committee member by notification of such action in the Club newsletter prior to any such vote.

The President, or Vice President in the event that the action is sought against the President, with a simple majority approval of the Board of Directors, shall have the authority to ask the general membership to approve the removal of any Executive Committee member from his/her position at any time, for any cause which the Board shall deem adequate. It shall be necessary to identify such cause or reason in the records of the meeting. He/she may be removed from office by a simple majority vote by the members attending a Club meeting.

Any Executive Committee member removed from office shall not be eligible for reelection or reappointment to the Executive Committee for a period of one year after his/her removal. Upon removal from a position on the Executive Committee all documents and objects which are the lawful properties of the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club, Inc. and were in possession or assigned to the particular board member must be turned over to the Executive Committee in a timely fashion.

Members holding appointed Board of Directors positions may be removed by a simple majority vote of the Executive Committee. In addition, any Club member may petition the Board of Directors and ask for the removal of an appointed Board of Directors position member. Such a request must be in person and presented to the Board of Directors at a regularly scheduled Club meeting. A full explanation of why removal is sought must be provided. The general membership must be informed of pending actions against any appointed position member by notification of such action in the Club newsletter prior to any such vote.

Upon removal from an appointed position all documents and objects which are the lawful properties of the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club, Inc. and were in possession or assigned to an appointed position member must be turned over to the Executive Committee in a timely fashion.

Section 7-F

In the event of the removal or resignation of the Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer, the Board of Directors shall appoint a replacement for the vacated position subject to a simple majority approval by the general membership present at a Club meeting. In the event of the resignation or removal of the President, the Vice-President shall assume the presidency and the Board of Directors shall appoint a new Vice-President, subject to the membership confirmation stated above. In the event of the resignation or removal of any of the appointed position members, the Executive Committee shall appoint a new person to the position.

ARTICLE 8 - Meetings

The Board of Directors will meet as often as necessary, generally monthly. All Club members are invited to attend Club meetings. Meeting sites and times will be publicized in the Club newsletter and on the Club website.

ARTICLE 9 - Quorum

A quorum for the purpose of conducting business at Club meetings shall consist of at least three (3) Executive Committee members.

ARTICLE 10 - Bylaws

People furnishing refreshments at Club meetings will be reimbursed for beverages and snacks upon a submission of a bill receipt to the Treasurer. A reimbursement dollar amount limit will be determined by the Board of Directors and made known to the membership.

Annual membership dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

All Club members may cast one vote on Club matters, and family memberships may cast two votes, subject to the conditions in Section 3-B.

A current copy of the constitution and bylaws will be given to all new members, and will be available on the Club website.

All Club expenses in excess of $500.00 must be approved by the Board of Directors before they are paid.

Amendments to the constitution may be submitted by the general membership at any time. An amendment, if approved by the Board of Directors, must then be ratified by a two-thirds majority of Club members attending the next publicized Club meeting after the proposed changes have been published in the newsletter.

Signed:

Douglas Kirk, President
Jeff Newman, Vice President
Terry O'Connor, Treasurer
Brad Fry, Secretary
June 10, 2003

Amendments

Amended August 10, 2004, to add the Webmaster as a Board-appointed position.