CITIBEEMERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB BYLAWS
ARTICLE 1
NAME OF ORGANIZATION
The organization shall be known as CITIBEEMERS MOTORCYCLE RIDERS CLUB OF NEW YORK CITY.
ARTICLE 2: PURPOSE
To promote motorcycle safety and the public image of motorcyclists; to promote and organize meetings, outings, classes and other events of common interest to motorcyclists and motorcycling.
ARTICLE 3: MEMBERS
Section 1. Member Class
There shall be no membership limits set for the Club. In order to qualify for voting status, an individual must be a licensed motor vehicle driver and belong to one of the following member classes:
Active member: An active member shall be or recently have been the registered owner of a motorcycle, shall pay dues, and participate in the Club business.
Section 2. Member Composition
At least seventy-five percent of the membership will be BMW motorcycle owners.
Section 3. Qualifications for Membership
A new applicant must be recommended by a member in good standing in order to be considered for membership. The majority of those members present at the next regular meeting will confirm the applicant’s acceptance into the organization. Upon acceptance by the club, the applicant will become a member on payment of dues for the current year.
Section 4. Dues and Fees
Required dues and fees shall be set by the Executive Board on an annual basis, approved by the board members by a majority vote.
Section 5. Privileges of Membership
Many CitiBeemer activities are open to members and guests but some privileges are restricted to members in good standing.
Open activities include Club rides, Club email list-server, and open areas of Club website. Non-members who ride frequently with the Club will be encouraged to join.
Privileges restricted to members include the ability to attend Club events such as Track Days and overnight Club trips (with a guest), Club logo stickers provided to each member and restricted portions of Club web site (such as membership list and the section containing reviews and comments on local BMW dealers and independent repair shops, and use of the club Marketplace).
Section 6. BMW Motorcycle Owners Association Membership
All CitiBeemers Club members will be encouraged also to be members of the BMW Motorcycle Owners Association of which CitiBeemers is chartered club number 276.
ARTICLE 4: CODE OF CONDUCT
Members are expected to share an interest in BMW motorcycles, participate in Club activities, promote motorcycle safety, ride responsibly and encourage new membership. Members are expected to treat fellow members and guests with courtesy, integrity and respect. In no event should any member conduct themselves so as to bring discredit to the good reputation of the Club.
Members are expected to abide by Club etiquette guidelines for motorcycle riding. These are termed etiquette guidelines for the reason of emphasizing that, although our etiquette rules are intended to promote safety and enjoyment of riding, all members and others who ride with the club must recognize that no set of guidelines can eliminate the risk of injury and/or property loss associated with riding. Members must know that these etiquette guidelines are taken seriously and those who don’t abide by them are not welcome.
Riding etiquette guidelines are listed below. This section of the by-laws can be expected to be amended from time to time as points arise. Printed copies of these points should be carried with CitiBeemer riders at group rides and be shown to any new rider or guest rider.
Section 1. “Ride our own ride”
This catch phrase means that we all know that individual riders alone are responsible for their safety and for riding within their abilities. There is no reason to ride faster than is comfortable to catch up – when point 6 below is followed correctly, a slower rider will not become lost. We do not mind waiting for everyone to catch up and the club will do this regularly on rides.
Section 2. No competition
We do not compete with each other when riding together. Among us we have a wide range of riding abilities and a wide range of motorcycle performance. We appreciate all of those who enjoy riding motorcycles.
Section 3. No passing other riders
We do not pass each other when riding as a group. The only exception occurs when a rider clearly signals to a rider behind that she or he should pass. We never pass the ride leader unless there is a change in leader.
Section 4. Riding order
We are casual about the order we line up to ride but we appreciate riders who sort themselves according to comfort with riding speed. Note that this sorting is logically different when riding curvy small roads that require technical skills than when riding on big multilane highways that require different skills. We recognize and accept that some riders like to stay close to buddies. The rider leading the ride or a club officer may make suggestions about riding order and we consider such suggestions seriously. If a member invites a guest to join the ride, they are responsible for the guest and must ride immediately ahead or behind their guest.
Non members joining on the ride will be placed in the back.
Section 5. Passing automobiles
From time to time we meet traffic situations in which we pass an automobile on a two lane road. CitiBeemers do not signal following riders that passing is safe. Each rider must decide for himself or herself when it is safe to pass. CitiBeemers do not expect riders ever to feel pressure to pass an automobile in order to keep up with the group.
Section 6. Never lose a rider
We never lose sight of the rider just behind at any point on a ride where a turn or other change in route is made. When this is followed carefully, riders do not become separated. If a following rider is not in sight, the rider in front waits on the road in a safe place before the turn so that the following rider will not miss the stopped bike.
Section 7. Voluntarily leaving the ride
Those who know they will have to leave the ride early should make this as widely known to all the other riders as possible (always to the leader and the rider in the “sweep” position) and ride at the back of the group. The reason is to avoid causing route confusion for any following rider.
Section 8. Fuel check before rides
At the beginning of a ride, we check to be certain that everyone has a full gas tank. By full we mean less than 10 miles since topping off. All riders are expected to appear at the meeting place for the ride with a full tank of gas.
Section 9. Fuel refills during rides
We always alert the leader whenever we become low on fuel. Also we all top off tanks when any rider has to stop for gas.
Section 10. Splitting into smaller groups
Because very large groups are clumsy to coordinate, especially on multilane highways, we often split into smaller groups when the total number of riders exceeds twelve. Leaders of the split groups will bring the groups together at a chosen destination.
Section 11. Informing riders of route
When possible, ride leaders provide written documentation to all riders regarding the ride destination and route. This is not always possible because some rides develop spontaneously.
Section 12. Ending group ride
Sometimes after our destination has been reached and we have made the decision to ride home on a large highway so that the route is clear to all riders, we decide to end the formal group ride allowing all riders take the route and speed that suits them. We do not take this as an invitation to compete on the return trip. We are also careful to be certain that all riders in the group know the route home; if any rider is uncertain about the home route, another rider will stay with him or her until the route is clear.
Section 13. Riding gear
The majority opinion of the club is that good gear is very important. Good gear includes, but is not limited to, true DOT-approved helmets and abrasion-resistant gloves, jacket and pants and over the ankle boots. Many CitiBeemers believe full face helmets and body armor are wise. The ride leader or Club officers may request that a rider not participate in a ride if, in the opinion of the ride leader and/or Club officers, that rider is not wearing appropriate gear.
Section 14. Bike maintenance
We maintain our motorcycles so that all critical safety components are in good operating condition. Such components include brakes, tires, steering head bearings, chains or other final drives and all lights. If a ride leader or club officer notices a maintenance deficiency, she or he may ask the rider of that bike to repair the deficiency before joining a group ride. However, we are acutely aware that we may miss mechanical deficiencies and that it is the total responsibility of each rider to maintain their bike in good working order. The ride leader or Club officers will request that a rider not participate in a ride if, in the opinion of the ride leader and/or Club officers, that rider’s motorcycle is not in safe operating condition.
Section 15. Request to leave ride
The etiquette guidelines in this list are not rules that ensure safety but describe behavior that CitiBeemers are comfortable with and desire those who ride with us to observe. If a ride leader or a club officer observes a rider not following what we have described as our etiquette guidelines, that rider may be asked to leave the ride.
Section 16. Rider Documentation
We expect all who ride with us to have a valid motorcycle license, valid motorcycle inspection sticker and valid insurance. These are important for several reasons. One is the legal requirement. Another is the responsibility each rider has for the others. Finally, if we are accused of a traffic violation, our experience has been that we are dealt with more leniently if all these things are in order for all of us. Therefore CitiBeemers have no problem demonstrating that they have the required documentation.
ARTICLE 5: THE EXECUTIVE BOARD - CLUB OFFICERS, APPOINTMENTS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1. Officers
The officers of the Club shall be President, Vice President, Treasurer, Committee Chairs and Directors. All elected officers and appointed directors are voting members of the board and have one (1) vote. The President only votes in order to break a tie.
Section 2. Eligibility
Only members in good standing are eligible for appointment or election to an office.
Section 3. Nomination of Officers
For all elections there will be a Nominating Committee appointed by the President. In addition, any member in good standing can be nominated from the floor by any other member in good standing.
Section 4. Elections
Elections shall be held by secret ballot of the members at the general meeting. An officer will be considered elected by a simple majority of the votes cast and hold office for a term of two calendar years and/or until their successors are installed. It is the duty of the President to set the election date and time, to be certain that ballots are available and to appoint members to count the ballots. Should there be any question about the count, the President shall appoint another set of members to recount the ballots.
Section 5. Resignations
If an officer resigns during his/her term of office, a replacement to finish the term shall by elected by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE 6: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1: President
The duties of the President shall be to preside at all meetings of the Club to develop club programs, to have general supervision of the affairs of the club, to act as ex-officio member of all committees, to personally represent the Club on proper occasions and on business contracts, to promote interest on the part of each member in Club life an activities, and to vote on a motion only when necessary to break a tie. The President shall also be responsible for having minutes of Executive Board and Club meetings be prepared and made available to the membership.
Section 2: Vice President
The duties of the Vice President shall be to perform the duties of the President in his absence, and to assist the President in all of his or her duties and, until a general election, to assume the office of President if for any reason the elected President is unable to do so.
Section 3 : Treasurer
The duties of the Treasurer shall be to collect dues from all members, to collect all other money due the Club, to make all payments from Club funds as directed by the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall prepare financial statements and make these available to the membership. The form of the statements will be approved by the Executive Board. The treasurer shall maintain the list of active and honorary members and make this list available to other officers when requested.
Section 4: Committee Chairs
Committees will be set up by the Executive Board from time to time to reflect current activities of the club. It is expected that initial Chairs of such committee will be volunteers who see a need for a particular club activity and who bring this need to the attention of the Executive Board. If the Executive Board agrees that the activity would benefit the club, that volunteer will most often be appointed to chair a committee to develop the activity. Club members will be notified by the President of the formation of new committees. There will be no prohibition against a member serving on multiple committees of even chairing multiple committees, however no member of the Executive Board will have more than one vote.
Examples of possible committees include but are not limited to: Track, Web Site, Email Communication, Rally, Ride Planning, Marketplace, Slow School, and Off-Road Riding. It is expected that these committees will change from time to time as club activities change. Committee Chairs shall be responsible for developing and guiding the club activity for which their committee was formed. Committee Chairs shall recruit other members to assist as needed.
Immediately upon appointment or election, a committee Chair becomes a member of the Executive Board. This will often occur at the same meeting at which a member proposes formation of a particular Committee.
After appointment by the Executive Board, the Chair of a committee will remain in office for at least a year. Either that member or another will be nominated and elected to Chair of the committee at the next club election subsequent to completion of the first year in office.
A committee will cease to exist if the purpose of the committee is not met over any 18 month period. Dissolved committee can be reformed at any time using the same process used to form new committees.
Section 5: Directors
Directors are special club officers. Unless otherwise installed, the immediate Past President shall serve as a Director. Two additional directors shall be appointed by the President.
The duty of Directors is to bring to the Executive Committee special expertise, viewpoint, knowledge or advice they may have which may be useful to the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE 7: Executive Board
Section 1: Composition
The Executive Board is composed of all Club officers. Each member of the Executive Board shall have one vote except the President who can only vote to break a tie. No member may have more than one vote even if holding more than one office. No Executive Committee business may be conducted without a quorum which shall be a number greater than 60% of the Executive Committee members.
Section 2: Executive Committee Meetings
Executive Committee meetings will be held at least every ninety days, but may be called at any time at the discretion of the President.
Section 3: Duties
The Executive Committee shall have general supervision of the Club affairs between general meeting, make recommendations to the Club, approve new Club Committees, approve spending of the club funds, elect replacements to fill the term of officers who may resign and perform such duties as specified in these bylaws, acting in the best interest of the Club.
ARTICLE 8: FINANCIAL
Section 1: Accounts
The club will have no more than 2 checking accounts. One will be a general account for conducting routine business. The other account will be the Rally Account or Special Event Account, and will be used to conduct Rally or Special Event business. Special Events include Track Days or other activities that require collection and expenditure of significant amounts of money.
Section 2: Signatures
In order to be processed, checks from the general account will require the signature of the Treasurer or, if she or he is unavailable, the President or Vice President. For the Rally of Special Event account, the Rally master, Special Event Chair may be authorized to sign checks.
Section 3: Cash Transactions
Reimbursed expenses must be supported by copies of cancelled checks, receipts or billing statements. Any deviation in this must be approved by all members attending an Executive Board meeting. Transactions less than $200.00 can be handled by the Treasurer with consent of the President but these must be reported to the Executive Board by email.
ARTICLE 9: MEETINGS
Club meetings will be called by the President and will occur at least twice a year. Members will be notified by email of the time and place of all general meetings at least one week in advance of the meeting. If any change to an announced meeting is required, all members are to be notified using the same method of notification used for the initial announcement.
A general membership meeting shall be held a minimum of twice a year at the discretion of the Executive Board or force major.
ARTICLE10: DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution of the CITIBEEMERS MC of NYC, all funds in the treasury will be distributed to a charity as selected by the majority vote of members present. Any member in good standing may suggest a charity for this purpose.
ARTICLE 11: AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
Section 1: Procedure
To amend this constitution, an amendment shall be considered a partial change, not a complete revision.
Section 2: Passing an Amendment
Any amendments to this constitution must be presented in writing either by printed copy or by email to the membership at least 30 days prior to the general meeting, at which time they will be voted upon. They will be read and discussed at said meeting and may be adopted by a majority vote of the members present.
Section 3: Amendment Proposals
Any member may propose an amendment to these bylaws by submitting the proposed amendment in writing to the Board. The Board will act upon the proposal at the next general meeting. If approved, the amendment will be presented in writing to the membership at least 30 days prior to a general meeting at which time the amendment will be read and discussed and may be adopted by a majority vote of the members present.