ArkLaTex Off Road
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(ArkLaTex Off Road
 
By-Laws
 
Created 04-19-2015
Revised 01-06-2018
 
ARTICLE I Name
 
The name of this organization shall be ArkLaTex Off Road hereinafter referred to as ArkLaTex Off Road or the club.
 
ARTICLE II Purpose
 
ArkLaTex Off Road is a social organization of members who stand by these core values:
  • Friendship: The main purpose of this organization is social, meeting up with friends, old and new, and having fun while learning about 4x4 vehicles and their capabilities through events like off-road adventures, regular meetings and wrenching sessions.
  • Community: As an organization, we want to give back to the community through charitable donations, time spent at community functions and supporting local businesses.
  • Nature: As an organization, we want to do everything we can to educate others on having fun 4 wheeling and helping to preserve nature at the same time. We follow the guidelines of TREAD LIGHTLY (not to be confused as direct support of www.treadlightly.com) and leave no trace.
  • Promoting the sport and past time of wheeling in 4x4’s while enjoying comradery amongst members.

ARTICLE III Membership
 
Section 1: Membership shall focus on, but not be limited to, operators of 4x4 passenger vehicles (i.e. Jeep, Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Land Rover, Chevy, etc.).
 
Section 2: Members must be at least eighteen (18) years of age or older to be allowed to sign up on their own. If a prospective member, less than eighteen (18) years of age, wants to join:
     A. A parent or legal guardian must attend at least one monthly meeting and one trail ride prior to the minor being allowed to join, and
     B. A parent or legal guardian must sign the Membership Application and waiver form(s) in the presence of at least two (2) Board
         of Director (BOD) Members.
 
Section 3: Membership shall be made into two (2) classes:  Contributing Members and Charter:
      A. A Contributing Member is required to pay annual dues and be current, attend and participate in 1 meeting per year, attend and
          participate in 1 club sponsored ride per year and attend and participate in 1 work day per year at a minimum.Contributing Members
          are allowed to vote on all club issues / for elected offices and can hold elected and appointed positions within the club.
     B. Charter Members are those members listed herein of ArkLaTex Off Road and have been continuously since this club's inception.
          Their membership is permanent and cannot be revoked and they shall be entitled to vote and hold office in the club so long as they are in good standing. Charter members are not required to pay annual dues because of the initial cost they incurred.
          1. Paul Hooter
          2. Joseph (Joey) Miller
          3. Jack (Jax’) Dossey
          4. Lance Taylor
          5. Richard Baker
     C. The BOD has the final say by a majority vote as to the class status for any member.

Section 4: Application for Membership must be filled out either electronically or in person in its entirety and submitted along with the first year’s dues.
 
Section 5: Race, religion, national origin, gender or political belief shall not limit membership.
 
Section 6: Members shall notify any BOD Member of any change of mailing address and email address as soon as possible.
 
Section 7: ArkLaTex Off Road may deny membership to any person for reasons that are not in violation of any local, state or federal law by a majority vote of the BOD.
 
ARTICLE IV Conduct & Termination / Suspension of
Membership
 
Section 1: All members of ArkLaTex Off Road, regardless of class, shall be expected to conduct themselves in a manner that displays a positive image of the club. Conduct that is detrimental to the club shall be grounds for suspension or termination of membership. Failure to abide by the by-laws and the guidelines of the club shall be cause for termination or suspension of membership.
 
Section 2: Membership may be terminated or suspended upon a majority vote of the BOD.
     A. A member, regardless of class, shall be notified by email of his / her suspension or termination. The member shall be given 30 days
         from the date of the email to be heard by the BOD on appeal either in person or in writing. After hearing the member, any ruling by the BOD shall be final.

Section 3: Any member caught breaking any local, state or federal laws by riding off-road on private property without permission shall be terminated from the club immediately and without vote. After being away from the club for one (1) year, a majority vote from the BOD will allow the member to re-join the club.
 
Section 4: Membership dues are non-refundable upon membership termination.
 
ARTICLE V Dues (Eliminated)
Section 1: Persons applying for a Membership with the club shall pay dues when their application is approved.
 
Section 2: Annual Membership dues of $25.00 will be due Jan 1st of each calendar year; new members can join at any time and will still be charged $25.00 for the calendar year.  
 
Section 3: Members, regardless of class, whose dues are more than thirty (30) days past due shall have their membership privileges revoked until current dues are paid.
 
Section 4: Membership dues shall be paid by Paypal, check or money order made payable to: ArkLaTex Off Road.  Cash is also acceptable. All due amounts are in US currency.
 
Section 5: Any changes to membership dues amounts, whether increase or decrease, shall be brought up in Oct of each calendar year for consideration and if necessary, will be discussed at the Oct meeting and then, if necessary, will be voted on at the Nov meeting by all Contributing Members who are paid up to date. Any changes that are voted in will take effect for the dues that will be collected in Jan of the following year.
 
ARTICLE VI Vehicle Requirements and Safety
 
Section 1: All vehicles are required to have and will be inspected for the following before each club sponsored ride:
     A. 4WD with locking hubs or All-Time / Full-Time 4WD
     B. At least one (1) tow point in front and rear that attaches to the frame. A trailer ball is NOT considered a tow point.
          A tubular bumper is NOT considered a tow point. A receiver hitch with pin is an acceptable tow point for a strap.
     C. Working seat belts for all occupants.
     D. Proof of insurance and registration.
     E. Aftermarket roll cage, factory roll cage, factory hard top, or normal roof and body pillars found on most vehicles.
     F. Tow Strap
     G. Battery bolted down, no bungee straps.
     H. Vehicle needs to be in FULL working condition to the best of the owner’s knowledge.
          Failure to have a working vehicle on the trails may result in leaving the vehicle at the trail head and riding with someone else.
          This is to keep the flow of the event going smoothly and to not take away from other participant’s enjoyment.

Section 2: It is recommended, but not required, that all vehicles are equipped with:
     A. Fire extinguisher
     B. CB radio
     C. Winch
     D. Gloves
     E. Tools
     F. Hi-Lift Jack

Section 3: Any member bringing a guest to a ride is responsible for ensuring that the guest meets all requirements and abides by the By-Laws.
 
ARTICLE VII Board of Directors (BOD)
 
Section 1: Conduct and Power:
     A. The BOD shall have the power to manage all affairs of the club on any and all questions relating in any manner whatsoever to the club and to make all contracts necessary for the proper transaction of all business. They shall have the entire jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to the care, conduct, control, supervision and management of the club and its finances and all appropriations shall be made by them.
     B. Any officer or member of the Board of Directors who shall absent him/herself from three consecutive meetings (or of Board Meetings unless he/she shall offer at the next meeting an excuse of his/her absence which is satisfactory to the BOD, shall be deemed to have resigned as a member of said Board, and cease to be a member of the BOD.
               1. Acceptable excuses can be but are not limited to work, illness or family requirements.
     C. The BOD shall have the following specific powers:
               1. To appoint representatives to the different Associations of which this club may be a member of for the purpose of conferring with any Association or club with respect to any matter in which this club may be concerned.
               2. To fix and enforce penalties for the violation of club rules.
               3. To call special meetings of the club to consider special projects.
               4. To prescribe additional duties for any officer, in addition to those herein set forth.

Section 2: The Board of Directors will consist of the following:
     A. President
     B. Vice-President
     C. Secretary
     D. Treasurer
     E. Events Coordinator
     F. Directors

Section 3: No officer or office shall be added or deleted from the club BOD without a majority vote of the BOD.

Section 4: The President or his designee shall: 
     A. Preside over all meetings.
     B. Have the duty of carrying out the policies and decisions of the BOD.
     C. Be present at all club events whenever possible.
     D. Have the authority to delegate his signature to any other elected BOD member when deemed necessary and have co-sign authority on all checks.
     E. Have the authority to assign duties and tasks to BOD members and Contributing members.

Section 5: The VP shall:
     A. Work in conjunction with the Treasurer creating a budget for the BOD.
     B. Handle any and all club Investments and the daily business of the club.
     C. Preside over all meetings when the President is not present.  

Section 6: The Secretary shall:
     A. Keep all club records.
     B. Take minutes of all meetings and write all correspondence.
     C. Assume the responsibility of ledger roll call and determine the number of voting delegates present so it may be known if a quorum is in attendance.
     D. Process all membership applications.
     E. Maintain a current roster mailing list.
     F. Designate, with BOD approval, an assistant if necessary.  

Section 7: The Treasurer shall:
     A. Keep accurate and complete records of all funds and accounts of the club.
     B. Collect dues and all other moneys and maintain a record there of.
     C. Have co-sign authority on all checks.
     D. Have the records open for inspection by any chapter member.

Section 8: The Events Coordinator shall:
     A. Set up or assist in the set-up of club sponsored events.
     B. Obtain event insurance.
     C. Designate a safety officer for each event who shall inspect all vehicles involved in and club event, ban any vehicle deemed unsafe and maintain all vehicle safety inspection forms for each event.

Section 9:  Directors (When needed)
Director positions shall be added or removed by the BOD at any time when there is a need for membership representation or when that need is no longer required.  Directors shall:
     A. Represent Contributing Members during administrative meetings
     B. Votes on administrative topics such as budget and disciplinary actions
     C. Assist the officers by forming committees when needed
     D. Work on increasing membership in their respected region
     E. Work with the Events Coordinator for regional club events such as local trail runs.

Section 10: Conflicts
No BOD Member, Club Member, regardless of class, or officer of ArkLaTex Off Road shall participate in or attempt to influence any decision by the club affecting his / her own personal business interests or otherwise use his or her official position for personal gain. All of the elected officials are answerable to the membership and their sole purpose is to serve the best interests of the ArkLaTex Off Road.
 
ARTICLE VIII Election / Voting
 
Section 1: Biennial Elections
     A. An election for the BOD positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Events Coordinator shall take place biennially. The election will be held during the month of Nov. Only Contributing Club Members who have been a member for a minimum of six (6) months will be allowed to vote or run for office.
     B. Current board members whose seat is up for election can run for re-election.
     C. An announcement of the upcoming elections will be made at the July meeting and sent out by email and/or Facebook. Nominations for the election will take place at the Sept meeting. All nominations must be seconded at this meeting for the nominated Contributing Member to be added to the ballot.
     D. Each nominee will be given 5 minutes to speak to the members during this meeting if they so desire or if they are unavailable to attend the meeting a short posting on Facebook.
     E. Voting by Contributing Members will begin by proxy on Nov 1st. Proxy voting shall end the day before the Nov monthly meeting.
Any proxy vote turned in less than 24 hours prior to the meeting, during the meeting or after the meeting shall be void and not counted.
     F. All Contributing Members and current BOD Members present at the Nov meeting will vote for the BOD unless:
         1.  The Contributing Member or BOD member voted by proxy prior to the meeting, or
         2.  The Contributing Member or BOD member is not paid up on his / her dues, or
         3.  The Contributing Member or BOD member did not meet the conditions of membership.
     G. Election winners will be notified by email by Dec 1st with a Facebook posting on Dec. 2nd and will be installed at the Jan monthly meeting of the next calendar year.
     H. Director positions shall have elections annually or as required by the BOD.

Section 2: Director Elections
     A. Directors are initially appointed by the BOD.
     B. Upon creation and appointment of a director position, an annual election shall occur during the month that the position was created.  

Section 3:Emergency Elections
     A. Should the VP, Secretary, Treasurer or Events Coordinator need to step down immediately or be recalled, the BOD will elect a successor for the remainder of the term. Should the President need to step down immediately or be recalled, the VP shall be the successor and the BOD will elect a successor for the VP for the remainder of the term.
     B. For the purpose of conducting club business, a quorum will consist of a majority of the filled BOD positions.
     C. Any officer of ArkLaTex Off Road may be recalled by a quorum vote of the BOD.

ARTICLE IX Campsite
 
Section 1:  ArkLaTex Off Road members can reserve ArkLaTex Camp in accordance with the rules of Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area (BMRA).
 
Section 2:  Any member or member guess found to misuse the campsite or be destructive towards the campsite or other BMRA property shall have immediate emergency action by the BOD such as membership suspension or termination.
 
Section 3:  Members using the campsite should inspect the site for needed repairs and report those needs to the BOD.  Furthermore, cleanliness of the camp is the responsibility of the members even if the site is found unclean before club use.
 
Section 4:  Members should be respectful of other campers and maintain noise restriction during those hours posted by BMRA at all times in ArkLaTex Camp. 
 
ARTICLE X Internet
 
Section 1: ArkLaTex Off Road shall conduct all of its communications through ArkLaTexOffRoad.com, Facebook.com group page, and email. It is the member’s responsibility to stay informed of club activities through the websites and making sure the club has their correct email address.
 
Section 2: Misuse of ArkLaTexOffRoad.com may result in suspension from the club. Any inappropriate images or videos posted on the website or Facebook.com group page WILL result in suspension from the club and the material WILL be removed.
 
Section 3: Sending SPAM through ArkLaTexOffRoad.com email is prohibited and could result in suspension of membership. Commercial advertisements or posting items for sale must be pre-approved by a majority vote of the BOD. 
 
ARTICLE X Amendments
 
Section 1: Proposed Amendments to the By-Laws:
     A. Must be presented in writing and forwarded to all BOD members in advance of the BOD meeting that the action is to be taken.
     B. May be voiced by a motion at the BOD meeting, requires a second and a discussion.
     C. Requires a majority vote by the BOD to pass when a quorum is present.
     D. Approved amendments take effect immediately.  

Section 2: Issues
     A. For any and all issues arising, which are not directly addressed in these by-laws, the BOD will be notified to determine resolution. A vote by Club members will determine if the resolution is acceptable or not.  

ARTICLE XI Dissolution and Liability
 
In the event of the dissolution of ArkLaTex Off Road all assets not required by law to be distributable among the members in good standing at the time of dissolution shall be distributed in a manner voted upon by the remaining Contributing Members of the club.
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