North Iowa American legion Riders
Motorcycle Association
American Legion Post 278, Osage, Iowa
The Constitution and By-Laws were adopted Nov. 13th 2008 at the American Legion Post 278, Osage, Iowa and amended April 9th 2009
Constitution Preamble
To participate in parades and other ceremonies that are within the aims and purpose of the American Legion. To provide a social atmosphere for American Legion members and their family who share an interst in Motorcycling. To promote motorcycle safty and support for other motorcycling organizations. To use our Association to promote and support of the American legion and our communities.
Article 1 Name
Section 1. The name of the organization shall be The North Iowa American Legion Riders Motorcycle Association, attached to American Legion Post 278, Osage, Iowa, American Legion Department of Iowa.
Section 2. Des Moines Post 731 shall be refferred to as The State Charter Chapter.
Section 3. The State Advisory Board shall be the governing body of the American Legion Riders of Iowa. The State Advisory Board will consist of a State Director, and an Advisor from each of the recongized local chapter. The State Advisors shall be elected from within their respective local Chapters. The State Advisors will elect the State Director from within the ranks of the Advisory Board. The term of the State Director will be 1 year beginning at the Mid Winter Conference.
Article 2 Nature
Section 1. The American Legion Riders Association, attached to Osage Post 278, Dept. of Iowa, is a socal organization for its members and their families who share an interest in motorcycling.
section 2. Each member shall perform his/her duties as a citizen according to his/her own conscience and understanding, in accordance with the law.
Article 3 Organization
Section 1. This Chapter is organized as a socal body of the American Legion Riders, Iowa Chapter and under the sponsorship and jurisdiction of Osage Post 278, Dept. of Iowa American Legion.
section 2. This Chapter shall be governed by such rules and regulations as mey be prescribed by the National American Legion Riders, The State American Legion Riders Advisors, and by such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by its sponsoring Post of the American Legion, not inconsistent with those prescribed by the National Organization.
Article 4 Eligibility
Section 1. Any current member in good standing of the American Legion, Auxiliary of the American Legion or The Sons of the American Legion shall be eligible for membership.
Section 2 The member or their spouse must own a street legal motorcycle (no ATV's) of at least 350cc in size.
Section 3 The members of any Legion Post are premitted to jion the chapter provided they meet the chapter's membership requirements.
Section 4. The chapter shall set the annual dues.
Section 5. Honorary Members shall be sponsored by a member in good standing and shall add something to the chapter. Honorary Members shall need a majority vote for membership.
Section 6 Supporting Members must meet requirement of Section 1 and shall wear a Supporting member patch with any Legion Riders Patch, supporting members may hold any office except, President, Vice President or Treasurer.
Section 7 A current member in good standing who can no longer ride due to age, health or other physical condition may continue to be eligible for local chapter membership even if their situation requires them to sell their motorcycle. This will require the member to apply for status as a special class member and a vote of approval at the regular chapter monthly meeting. Special Class members will be issued a Legacy Member Patch, which will signfy their long and faithful service to the Chapter.
Current rules pertaining to spouses of members in good standing will apply to Legacy members as well.
Article 5 Officers
Section 1. The officers shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant-At-Arms, Road Captain, Chaplin, Historian, Membership Chairperson and State Advisor all of who shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Chapter. The Chaplin, Historian and Membership Chairperson are optional.
section 2. Between chapter meetings the administrative power of the chapter shall be vested in the Chapter Executive Committee, wiich shall consist of all elective officers for the current and the Immediate Past President.
Section 3 All Past Presidents of the Chapter shall be members of the committee with out a vote.
section 4 Officer terms shall be for two years.
Article 6 Apparel
Section 1. Members shall be authorized to wear the American Legion Riders Shoulder Patch ans Back Patch on a black leather vest or black leather jacket. The shoulder patch should be worn on the right shoulder of a jacket or on the front of a baseball cap, however if both the back patch and the shoulder patch are worn on the same garment the shoulder patch should be on the left breast.
Section 2. A rocker patch may be worn under the back patch, indicating thr Chapter City and Post: example Osage Post 278, both patches MUST touch.
Section 3 All patches must be ordered from the National Emblem Sales and shall read IOWA CHAPTER per Dept. of Iowa Resolution.
Section 4 A rocker patch may be worn over the small shoulder patch reading N. IA Charter Member (only chapter charter members may wear this patch)
Section 5. A rocker patch may be worn over the small shoulder patch indicating Honorary Member. Only Honorary Members who have been bestowed this honor may wear this patch.
Section 5a. Supporting Members shall wear a rocker under the small shoulder patch indicating Supporting Member.
Section 6 The black Legion Riders Beret shall be the hat of choice for all members of the association. No other patches or pins shall be worn on the beret: Legion Officers may wear their Legion Hat.
Section 7 Other pins and patches may be worn, please do not wear offensive pins or patches, if the American Flag is worn it should be the highest pin/patch on the left breast.
Article 7 Amendments
Section 1. This Constitution is adopted, subject to the provisions of the National Constitution and the Dept. Constitution of which this Chapter is a subordinate member.
Section 2. This Constitution may be amended at any regular Chapter meeting by vote of 2/3rds of the membership attending said meeting, provided the amendment was submitted in writing and read at the immediate preceding meeting and that written notice given to all members no less then 5 days in advance of the voting date.
By-Laws
By-Laws of North Iowa American legion Riders
Attached to American Legion, Osage Post 278, Dept of Iowa
Article 1. Membership
Section 1. Application for membership shall be made in writing on forms prescribed by the national Legion Riders Organization.
Section 2. A copy of the Riders Insurance card must accompany their application.
Section 3. Any member may be expelled or suspended from the Association by a majority vote of the general membership at a regular Chapter meeting with just cause.
Section 4 Post Chapter Charter Membership shall be 20 members or July 31, 2009, whichever comes first.
Article 2.
Nomination & Election of Officers
Section 1. The chapter shall nominate members for Office at the November monthly meeting.
Section 2. The membership shall vote by ballot at the December monthly meeting.
Section 3. The newly elected officers will take office on Jamuary 1st following the election.
Section 4 Terms of Officers will be two years.
Article 3. Duties of Officers
Section 1. President: Will serve as Chef Administrative Officer, and will preside over all meetings. He/She shall have general supervision over the affairs of the Association.
He/She shall preform such other duties as directed by the general membership.
Section 2. Vice President:Will assume the duties of the President in His/Her absence, will assist the President in the performance of his/her duties when called upon to do so by the President.
Section 3. Secretary: To keep full and correct record of all proceedings at meetings. Keep membership records, copy's of proof of ins. ect. as may be required by the general membership. Send out meeting notices, and other correspondences.
Section 4. Treasurer: To have charge of all finaces of the Chapter. To have charge of disbursing funds as directed by the general membership. To give detailed financial reports at each regular meeting.
Section 5. Sergeant-At-Arms: Will also help maintain order during chapter meetings according to Roberts Rules of Order. He/She will be responsible for posting the colors at all meetings. He/She will monitor all persons entering or leaving the meeting while in session. He/She shall call for the salute to the flag and lead the pledge of allegiance, will call for salute and retire the colors to end the meeting.
Section 6. Road Captain: Will be the logistics person in charge of organized runs of the Chapter. He/She may at his/her discretion, appoint assistant Road Captains or take any other measure he/she may feel necessary to help insure the safety of the group during the run. Will act as ride coordinator and may appoint others to help plan rides as needed.
Section 7. Chaplin: The Chaplin shall perform such divine and non-sectarian service as may be necessary, adhering to such ceremonial rituals as may be prescribed by the Nation, Membership and the Post.
Section 8. Historian:The Historian shall collect from year to year all records and data of value and interest to the American Legion riders and the American Legion, and shall compile a complete history of the years events.
Section 9. Membership Chairperson: Shall be responsible for maintaining an accurate listing of the membership. Oversee all membership drives. Coordinates Supporting Business Program. Sends out renewal notices.
Section 10. State Advisor: Shall be the Chapters representative to the State Advisors Committee. Shall attend State Advisor Committee meetings and make reports to the membership at monthly meeting. shall bring up any Chapter concerns to the Advisor Committee at Committee meetings.
Article 4
Executive Committee
Section 1. The Chapter Executive Committee shall consist of all seated officers and the immediate Past president, all Chapter Past Presidents will be non-voting members.
Section 2. Any officer or executive committee member may be removed for inefficiency by the Executive Committee. Any officer or executive committee member who is absent for three or more consecutive Chapter meetings can on ivestigation be removed by 2/3rds vote of the executive committee.
Section 3. The Executive Committee shall meet in Jan., April, July and Oct. one half hour prior to the regular meeting if needed. May be called to special meeting if the need arises.
Section 4. The Executive Committe will fill any open office due to removal or resignation of any officer for the remainder of that term.
Article 5 Standing Committees
Section 1. Upon Nomination by the President, the Executive Committee shall annually appoint such standing committees as shall deem advisable for the benefit of the Chapter and the Post.
Article 6 Meetings
Section 1. The Annual Meeting of this chapter is on the regular meeting day in January of each and every year.
Section 2. The regular meetings of this chapter shall be on the 2nd Thursday of each and every month at 7:00 PM at the Post in Osage.
Section 3 Special Meetings shall be called upon a majority vote of the Executive Committee or upon the request of 10 Chapter members with cause.
Section 4. notice of special meetings of the chapter shall be emailed at least 24 hours in advance. members who do not have email will be notified by phone.
Article 7 Quorum
Section 1. Seven members, including one presiding officer(President, Vice President) shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Chapter.
Section 2. Four members of the Executive Committee with one presiding officer (President, Vice President) shall constitute a quorum for legal transaction of business.
Article 8 Finances
Section 1. The Treasurer shall deposit all funds of this chapter in a Bank. Withdrawals shall be made by check signed by the Treasurer or The President. Excess funds shall be placed in a savings account until the Chapter decides where to donate them.
Section 2. Dues will be $10.00 per member per calendar year.
Section 3. Books shall be audited yearly in December by the Executive Committee and reported to the chapter at the January meeting a copy will be given to the Post if required by the Post.
Section 4. Donations: Funds raised for donations shall be held in savings and donations decided upon at the January meeting.
Section 5 Emergency Donations: May be made at any time with approval of 2/3rds vote of the membership attending monthly meeting when the need is brought before the meeting. $300.00 yearly will be set aside for this propose, funds will not carry over.
Article 9 Rules of Order
Section 1. Roberts Rules of Order shall govern conduct at all meetings.
Article 10 Amendments
Section 1. These By-Laws may be amended at any regular Chapter meeting by vote of 2/3rds of the members attending such regular meeting, provided that the proposed amendment shall have been submitted in writing and read at the prededing meeting and further that written notice shall have been given to all members at least Five days in advance of the date of the vote.
