Chapter NO Charter - Jan. 2009

Nipissing Riders – Chapter - NO   

Charter - 2009

Article 1:  Name

• 1:1 – We are a chapter of the Gold Wing Touring Association (GWTA)
• 1:2 - The official Chapter name within the GWTA is “ Nipissing Riders, Chapter - NO.”
• 1:3 – We are referenced as the Touring Association or (TA)
• 1:3 – As a chapter we represent the Nipissing region and area of Northern Ontario

Article 2:  Objectives 

• 2:1 - To promote the interest in motorcycles and to encourage the use of motorcycling
• 2:2 – To encourage motorcycle operation in a cooperative and supportive manner
• 2:3 – To be friendly and tolerant of all members, their differences, personalities and style
• 2:4 - To encourage and organize activities of interest relating to motorcycles to the members;
• 2:5 To maintain the integrity of the TA slogan “Destination Friendship”

Article 3:  Membership and Dues           top of page

• 3:1 - Membership is open to all motorcycle enthusiasts, owners and family members;
• 3:2 - Honorary Memberships - Honorary memberships may be granted by a membership vote to any member for special contributions/service to The Nipissing Riders
• 3:3 - Responsibility and Privileges - All general members have the right to vote at The Chapter meetings and run for office. All members are encouraged to participate in all The Chapters events. All members are encouraged to attend regular meetings whenever possible
• 3:4 - Voting – All members in good standing have voting privileges.
• 3:5 - GWTA Dues – Dues for each fiscal year are determined by the GWTA. As a member in the GWTA you are eligible for Participation in all GWTA chapter events. As a member of the GWTA you are part of an international association and it benefits.
• 3:6 - Chapter Dues – No chapter dues are required for membership in the Chapter. Any introduction of chapter fees must be carried out by a membership vote for their approval. First the idea of fees and second the amount fees and its term must be approved.
• 3:7 - Sponsorship monies or funding sources are welcomed from outside groups but they must be presented and approved by the membership.
• 3:8 – All members must be willing to sign a liability release form at time of chapter membership. Participation in events includes all individuals including guests signing liability release forms.

 Article 4:  Officers and Elections            top of page

• 4:1 - Elections – Elections of The Chapter officers will be held in December each year for the following term to begin in January. A majority consists of 50% plus one vote using ballots. All terms are one year January to Decemebr31.
• 4: 2 - Elected Chapter Officers – Their responsibilities are to act as executive officers that work together to execute the will of the chapter members. If an officer is unable to fulfill his/her duties for any reason the remaining executive will appoint an interim officer and request input from the membership with regards to filling the vacant position.
• 4:3 - Most officer duties tasks and structure as outlined within the GWTA and can be used as a guideline for interpreting and adaptation into the chapter.
• 4:4 – Any position can be created and submitted to the chapter by any member of the group and approved through a voting process.
• 4:5 – Executive consists of a Chapter Director, Assistant Chapter Director, and Treasurer.
• 4: 6 - Any conduct that is detrimental to the Chapter image, or dangerous to the existence of the Chapter, e.g.: misuse of Chapter funds, misrepresentation of the Chapter and its objectives, or not abiding by the charter and memberships direction are grounds for a motion to examine the problem and replace or remove the executive or member in question if the membership votes for this action.
• 4:7 - The members of the Chapter may remove an officer or member by a resolution passed by at least two thirds of the votes cast at a general meeting and thereby elect any member in his or her stead for the duration of the term.
• 4:8 - All attempts will be made to arrive at a reasonable solution before tabling this type of motion.  The membership decides the solution based on a presentation by both parties.

Chapter Director:           top of page

• 4:9 - Will call and preside over meetings as well as call for adjournments.
• 4:91 - Will be official Chapter representative to the press and other public actions.
• 4:92 - Will be one of the signing officers of The Chapter financial account.
• 4:93 - Will follow the guidelines as laid out by the GWTA and the chapter
• 4.84 – Will be a signing authority on all Cheques if required

Assistant Chapter Director:

• 4:10 - In the absence of the Chapter Director the Assistant Chapter Director will assume the Directors duties with liaison with the Treasurer and membership.
• 4:10.1 -Will assist the Chapter Director in all duties.
• 4:10.2 - Will fulfill the Chapter directors duties and call for an election if the membership requests it if the Chapter Director steps down or becomes unable to act for any reason.
• 4.10.3– Can be a signing authority on all Cheques if required

Treasurer:

• 4:13 - Will maintain a record of all Chapter financial transactions and keep all pertinent receipts.
• 4:14 - Will collect and distribute Chapter funds.
• 4:15 - Will report on The Chapter’s financial situation at all general meetings.
• 4:16 - Will be one of the official signing officers.
• 4:17 - Will present a full financial report at the annual January meeting.
• 4:18 - Will be one of the signing officers of The Chapter financial account.

  Secretary:

• 4:19 - Will keep the minutes of the meeting as well as read the minutes of the last meeting.
• 4:20 - Will maintain a current Chapter membership list.
• 4:21 - Will be the main contact for correspondence.
• 4:22 - Can be one of the signing officers of The Chapter financial account.

Article 5:  Conduct of the Voting Process            top of page

• 5:1 - Elections of officers will take place yearly in December.
• 5:2 - Notification of the election time and place will be made to all voting members in the November meeting.
• 5.3 – Any member standing for a position must notify their intent to the membership prior to at the November meeting preceding the December vote.
• 5:4 - New members will still be accepted between November and elections in December
• 5.5 - Newly signed on members November to December meeting will not be allowed to vote until the following election of new officers. 
• 5.6 - A quorum of 6 paid up members is required with a simple system of written balloting will be employed for election of officers. Written ballots may be submitted by absent members.
• 5:7 – Regular chapter meetings can be conducted with a voting process with the showing of hands. This normal show of hands process may be changed at any meeting by the request of any member who feels that a paper ballot is more suitable for the occasion.
• 5:8 – All executive officers and members in good standing are eligible to vote
• 5.9 - All Chapter NO decisions are acted upon after having been discussed at a Chapter meeting and approved by the majority of the members

Article 6:  Finances            top of page

• 6:1 - Expenditures: All expenditures will need approval of the membership. All Chapter cheques will require a dual signatory procedure. Chief signing authority lies with the CD and Treasurer. Any secondary signature when required can be made by other executive officers. Operational costs are to be approved at monthly meetings.
• 6:2 - Regalia: All changes to official regalia design must be approved by The Chapter members. Chapter logo or identification regalia must be approved.
• 6:3 - Any funding to charity must have prior approval of the membership. Any monies to be spent on The Chapter social outings i.e. BBQ, Show, Rally, etc. must have membership approval.
• 6:4 - A fiscal budget projection will be drawn up each year in January and presented to the members. These budget and budget lines serve as a guideline for approved spending and record of past transactions for reporting. This budget projection serves as a goal setting target.
• 6:5 – The Chapter will seek to set a money amount of $1200 to be held in the bank as a reserve fund at all times after its operation costs are first met.
• 6:6 – Budget revision is possible with the approval of the Chapter throughout the year as new items and situations occur. Budget targets are of priority but modification can be made.

Article 7:  Meetings             top of page

• 7:1 - Members are encouraged to come to regular meetings and bring all other riders throughout the season. Other riders include guests, visitors and the general interested public.
• 7:2 - Locations and dates of meeting are to be announced.
• 7:3 - Voting during these meetings is valid with a quorum present (6 paid up members).
• 7:4 - A member of the executive should be at each meeting and in if an executive officer is not represents the membership can elect an interim meeting chairperson.
• 7:5- Process of the meeting shall be: 

• A call to order;
• Reading of the minutes
• Reports by officers and or committees;
• Old business;
• New business;
• Announcements; and
• Adjournment

Article 8:  Amendments 

• 8:1 - Any member may submit, in written form, suggestions for amendments to The Chapters charter to the Chapter Director who in turn will incorporate it into the meeting.
• 8:2 - It will be voted on at a regular meeting where a quorum is present and it has been put on the agenda sent to members.
• 8:3 - Every effort will be made to present the proposal to the entire membership before voting.
• 8:4 - A two-thirds majority vote is required for passage
• 8:5 – All members are to be sent a notice of the motion ten days prior to the meeting.
• 8:6 - This would typically be considered a notice within the previous month of the meeting.  

Article 9:  Charity            top of page

• 9:1 – A reserve fund will be set up for the deposit of any a money surplus beyond the chapters immediate operating budget
• 9:2 - This reserve fund amount will be set at $1200.00 and reviewed once this sum is met.
• 9:3 - Funds beyond the reserve amount can be designated to a charity.
• 9:4- Any charity can be recommended to the chapter by any member of Chapter – NO.
• 9:5 - Our Treasurer will accumulate the names of submitted charities and present them to a chapter meeting for discussion and selection.
• 9:6 - The selected charity, on a one time basis, will receive the agreed amount of monies that is drawn from the excess funds beyond our reserve fund limit.
• 9:7 - Our policy regarding fund raising for charities is one of a passive nature. Charity support and fund raising is not a goal for the chapter.
• 9:8 - Our goal is to become self sustaining with a charitable hand once there are sufficient excess funds to be given to selected charities.   
• 9:9 - We are not a charity driven chapter.

Article 10:  Dissolution           top of page

• 10:1 - If for any reason The Chapter ceases to exist as a formal organization all funds shall be donated to charity to be decided by the membership.
• 10:2 - Any unsold regalia will be sold off and proceeds donated to a charity decided by the membership.

Article 11: Other

• 11:1 - All activities events and rides conducted by or attended by Chapter NO Nipissing Riders shall be deemed as above and within the law.
• 11:2 - Members are prohibited of maintaining a membership in any other motorcycle group chapter or association deemed as part of the1% er biker organizations.
• 11:3 - Members are permitted to maintain association with any group other than those groups deemed as 1%ers. Members are free to participate and belong to all legal biker groups.
• 11:4- No illegal activities are deemed as acceptable.
• 11:5- Abuse of alcohol or drugs will not be tolerated.
• 11:6 - Safety of yourself and others around you is of paramount importance to the Chapter.

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