Some frequently asked questions about the American Legion Riders Program
Listed below are some questions that have come up pertaining to the American Legion Riders. I have answered these questions to the best of my ability. In many cases these answers are given from information based not only on what has happened in Michigan, but also at other chapters across the country. This in no way means that every answer will work for every Chapter situation, and since a local Post of the American Legion sponsors each Chapter, no Chapter can do anything that will conflict with rules of their Post, District or Department.
Bill (Polka Bill) Kaledas
Director
American Legion Riders Advisory Committee
Q. How do I start an ALR chapter at my Post?
A. Go to the American Legion Riders Program Information Center website and select the "Starting An ALR At Your Post" link, or contact a member of the ALR Advisory committee (see section below for contact info.). Then do the following:
1. If you have any questions please contact a member of the ALR advisory committee.
2. Get the approval of the sponsoring Post.
3. Use the chapter locator on the American Legion Riders Program Information Center website and see if there is another chapter in your state (or State Chapter if listed). If so, please inform them of your intention to start a chapter and get information on how their chapter is set up.
4. Get some eligible members together and set up your first meeting to discuss how your program will run and set up an election for chapter officers.
5. After Chapter officers are elected, submit a completed “Chapter Data Form” (this can be done on-line at the American Legion Riders Program Information Center website. There is a version there that can be submitted online, and another that can be completed online, printed, and mailed – your choice!).
6. That’s it!! You are on your way!!! Just remember - our purpose is NOT to be a motorcycle club, we are there to use our common interest in Motorcycles to support the aims and purposes of the American Legion through service to the Community, State and Nation. Ride Safe and have FUN!!
Q. Where do we go to get our Patches for the American Legion Riders?
A. Patches are now available through the American Legion National Emblem Sales. To the best of my knowledge no other source is authorized to produce the patch. The patch contains the copyrighted/trademarked emblem of the American Legion and therefore cannot be reproduced without the express written permission of the American Legion (the necessary form is available at the American Legion Riders Program Information Center website. Patches can now be ordered through the American Legion National Emblem sales by calling: 1-888-453-4466 or online by going to the American Legion National website (Keyword: American Legion) and click on the “Emblem Sales” button. The product code for the large 10" ALR patch is #72338 and the small 4" patch has a product code of #72337.
Q. How about T-shirts etc.?
A. The American Legion National Emblem Sales has come out with T-shirts, hats and pins.
Q. Is the American Legion Riders Program recognized as a non-profit organization?
A. I am not a lawyer, nor do I pretend to be an expert at non-profit organizations. I know that the American Legion is a non-profit organization under the rules of IRS code section 501C, and most Post (if not all) have a Federal Tax number. The American Legion Riders program does not currently have a Federal Tax number that is for use of all the Chapters to fall under. Remember that each ALR Chapter falls under the Sponsorship of a local Post. Details for opening up a checking account and other financial matters should be worked out with your Post, if you should so desire. As far as I am aware most chapters work to stay under the "umbrella" of the sponsoring Post since the ALR is really a program of the Post anyway. Again, this should be worked out with your own Post as to what will work best for your group.
Q. Do we need to incorporate our Chapter?
A. The Michigan Chapter incorporated a few years ago as the American Legion Riders Inc. We did this on some advice from our attorney (we did not have to, but he was willing to do it for free - what the heck!). There is no requirement to incorporate and here again that may be left up to each Chapter to see what "Fits" in their own Post. If you think you may want to incorporate then talk to your sponsoring Post and get the opinion and advice of an attorney.
Q. Can our Local Chapter change the By-laws to fit our Post?
A. Yes. The By-laws that we started with were very loose and provided only a means to provide some uniform structure. You can change them to best fit the needs of your Post, District and Department. We only ask that you keep the basic structure in tact and do not change your by-laws to anything that would be in direct conflict with the original ALR by-laws (except as noted herein for Supporting and Special Class Members) or with the rules or by-laws of your Post, District or Department. The original by-laws were intentionally written to help individual chapters retain a certain structure but still allow each chapter to be unique. In the American Legion each Post has it's own by-laws, they are similar in structure, but can vary from Post to Post. Basically the By-laws of any ALR chapter should contain all the wording in the original by-laws plus any other amendments the Chapter feels is of benefit to their program. Changes in the wording are permitted provided the intent remains the same. Requirements for regular membership should not be changed. The best advice I have is to keep your by-laws simple. By-laws are intended to be an outline of structure and purpose. One word of caution, the ALR program was intended to bring together various members of the Legion Family who share an interest in motorcycles and the American Legion. The program is supposed to be enjoyable for the members yet still operating to serve the aims and purposes of the American Legion. It has been my observation that the most successful chapters are those that keep their by-laws very simple.
Q. When was the American Legion Rider program started?
A. It was first started at Post 396 in Garden City Michigan in the fall of 1993.
Q. How many members do I need to start a chapter?
A. Just enough to fill the needs of the chapter offices. You do not need a large group to start a chapter. Many chapters have formed with the interest of one or two members. From there they got a few others involved and held a meeting. They got the permission of their local Post and then they were on their way. Most chapters have grown by bringing new members in to the American Legion. Word spreads pretty quickly.
Q. Motorcycle clubs have rules for what type of items can be worn on a vest with the Emblem, what are our rules?
A. In the first place the American Legion Riders program was never intended to act as a motorcycle club. We are not an M/C and should never consider ourselves as such! As far as what can be worn on the vest, along with the ALR emblem can be left up to each Chapter. Here in Michigan, our chapter members are allowed to wear anything they want on their own vest. To this day I have no knowledge of anyone from the Michigan Chapter putting anything on his or her vest that could be considered offensive or disrespectful to the American Legion, Our Country or the ALR program. Their Vest is as unique as the individuals who wear them. Any member who adds something to his/her vest that in any way shows disrespect to our Flag, our Country or the American Legion would be looked at to see if they should even be part of the ALR program. Currently there is no rule that was adopted Nationally, to define requirements for the wearing of the emblem on a vest (although the American Legion National Internal Affairs Committee has suggested guidelines). Some chapters do allow members to wear rockers and some do not. In Michigan we do give members the option to wear bottom rockers that say "Veteran" for Post members, "Auxiliary" for Auxiliary members and "Squadron" for S.A.L. Members. Some other chapters allow members to wear their Post Number as a rocker. Like I stated, it is up to the individual Chapters or States. If you think you may have a problem with local M/Cs then you might try to work them out prior to starting to wear the emblem on your vest. It has been my experience that most problems with the Patch were “perceived” problems and never really became an issue. If you have a concern then contact the M/Cs in your area and let them know you are serving a Veterans organization and that you are not an M/C.
Q. Is Michigan the National Chapter? Is there some sort of “ALR National Committee”?
A. As the ALR program started to grow there became the need to have a "National" entity. We contacted all the Chapters in existence, at that time, to have their membership vote on a resolution to declare Michigan the "Acting National Chapter" until such time as we were able to have a convention, or other means, to elect a National Board of Officers or National Committee. All the Chapters voted to approve the resolution, (except one that never returned a vote). More recently a vote was taken by all the Chapter officers attending the National ALR event in southern Indiana (Rolling Hills Romp) this past July 2003 to elect an ALR National Advisory Committee. The purpose of this Advisory Committee is to assist new chapters that are forming, provide information to existing chapters and to use their experience in answering general questions that arise from any of the Chapters across the country. This ALR National Advisory Committee is a non-governing entity and will not rule over any individual chapter nor is it’s intent to solve disputes at the local chapter level or between chapters. The committee may advise chapters using historical information and by-law interpretation. It may give advice to a chapter but has no method to enforce its opinion. This Advisory Committee will now serve as the hub to collect and disseminate information for the ALR Chapters throughout the country, and therefore assist to provide continuity between all the Chapters. Four members were elected to serve on that committee. They are as follows:
Director: Bill (PolkaBill) Kaledas (Michigan) bkaledas@hotmail.com
Ass’t Director: Keith (Dawg) Jones (Indiana) dawgj@psci.net
Secretary: Bernie (Stonz) Dare: (Texas) cbdare@embarqmail.com
Member at Large: Chuck (Tramp) Dare (Texas) cbdare@embarqmail.com
Q. Now that National is selling the patch, what stops non-members from buying it?
A. I think it may serve to enhance the growth of the ALR program. I have received from National some information on Legionnaires who inquired about the ALR after seeing it in the National Emblem Sales Catalog. There is no resource or manpower to verify ALR membership at the National Emblem sales order desk. This is not only a problem for the ALR but the Legion in general (i.e. you could order a past commanders pin without ever being a Post commander etc.).
Q. Should our program become a program of our Department?
A. I think that each program should become a program of the department, if agreeable to the Department and to the local Chapter, especially when more than one chapter exist. This may allow for better coordination between different chapters and may allow for a State (Department) level board of Officers. If the American Legion Riders program is already a program of your Department then you should check with the ALR State (Department) Officers for more information on the program in your State. If the program is not a Department Program then you should contact your Department Adjutant for details on how to get the program at the Department level. It would be my hope that when more than one chapter exist in a state that they work together to take the program to the Department Level. The choice to become a department program is up to the chapters located within that Department. Talk to your American Legion Department Officers to make sure that this is what you want to do. Be sure that it is truly in the best interest of the Local Chapter(s) to become a Department Program.
Q. Is the American Legion Riders program recognized, officially, by the National American Legion?
A. No, although, they do work with us by distributing our Patch, and help to promote our program. We currently are in the process of getting the program to a National level through proper channels. This could take some time; as to do it properly can be a lengthily process. It is my opinion, based on conversations with various people in National, is that each Department will run the ALR program as they see fit to do in their own Department. Also, if the program becomes a National program, anything that is stated in this question and answer section may be subject to change. The National American Legion Internal Affairs Committee has formed some suggested guidelines for the ALR. These can be viewed on the americanlegionriders.net website.
Q. Are there any forms that I need to keep updated as I form a new chapter or my chapter changes officers?
A. Yes, we ask that each time a new Chapter is formed or when there is a change in Officers that a new Chapter Data Form is filled out. A copy of this form can be obtained by going to the following website: American Legion Riders Program Information Center
Q. Does our Chapter need special insurance since we ride motorcycles?
A. This is a question that would have to be decided at your own chapter. As of the day of this writing I know of no other chapters who carry any special insurance for the sole operation of an American Legion Riders Chapter. I have heard, however, of chapters obtaining insurance for "Special Events" such as Poker runs where they got special Liquor Liability insurance for functions where beer and/or liquor was served. Again the insurance laws vary greatly from state to state, so it is up to your chapter to decide what is best for you. Most chapters have their members sign a waiver form when they join. This waiver form can be part of their membership application. We have these forms in a two part carbon-less form. We keep the original for our chapter records and give the copy to the member. A copy of this form can be downloaded from the American Legion Riders Program Information Center website if you feel this would suit your chapter.
Q. Do members of our Post Sponsored ALR Chapter have to be members of the sponsoring Post?
A. All Chapters have the option to allow members from other American Legion Post to join their ALR Chapter. At this time I know of no other Chapter that requires ALR members to be members of the sponsoring Post. Another suggestion may be that when there are not enough riders at any one post then you can involve 2 or 3 different post. Have one of the post sponsor the Chapter but take turns having meetings at all the different Post. As the program grows and you get enough members you may then consider splitting the Chapter back to their own Post (forming 2 or 3 chapters). This, of course, would be by agreement of the membership involved to allow the program to grow closer to home.
Q. Can we charge our Chapter members annual dues?
A. That would be at the discretion of each chapter, provided it was voted on at a regular membership meeting of the ALR Chapter. Most chapters that do charge membership dues keep it to a minimum amount ($10.00 - $15.00 Annually).
Q. Can we have members who do not own motorcycles or are not spouses of owners?
A. This question has been brought up many times and I can only say what other Chapters are doing. Some Chapters will allow “Supporting” members. These members must still be members of the American Legion Family. The term “Supporting” does not constitute actual membership so these honorary members may not run for office or have voting power at the meetings. They are welcomed at the meetings and at any ALR events. Any clothing that contains the ALR emblem will also have the words “Supporting” or “I Support”. I am not saying that you should or should not allow “Supporting” members. I just let you know that some chapters do. I would give it some thought and, if you decide to allow this type of membership, that you limit it to those that are really supporting your chapter, and not just to help a friend “get in”, as this defeats the true purpose of Supporting members.
Q. Can we allow girlfriends, friends, cousins, mothers, fathers, etc. to join as a regular member even if they are not eligible under the by-laws?
A. I would only tell you that every Chapter who has tried to deviate from the requirements for membership that is stated in the original by-laws has opened a “can of worms” that they wished they would have never opened. What seemed harmless at the time came around to “bite” them later. It is clear to me that that perspective member must fully meet BOTH requirements as set forth in the by-laws under “requirements for membership”
Q. Can a member, who was a fully qualified ALR member, continue his membership if he becomes injured or disabled?
A. A few chapters have rules that allow members who become injured or disabled to continue their membership even though they had to sell their motorcycle due to the injury or disability. This may also apply to a spouse – even in the event of the death of his/her spouse. These are commonly referred to as “Special Class Members” under the following guidelines:
1. The member must have been a member who met the original eligibility requirements for a set number of years.
2. The “Special Class Member” must still keep current their membership in the American Legion.
3. The disability or injury must be significant enough in nature to prevent the member from operating a Motorcycle.
4. Each case is carefully considered and voted on by the Chapter membership before continued membership is granted as a “Special Class member”.
This is a common sense approach to allowing a member to retain active participation in the ALR program in the event he/she becomes permanently disabled, or injured through no fault of their own.
F.Y.I. We have two great sites for members to exchange information.
(1) American Legion Riders Program Information Center _
(2) http://communities.msn.com/AmericanLegionRidersInc
Both of these sites are a great way to find out what is going on in the ALR and have links to individual chapter web sites.
If you have any other questions, please contact me or any member of the Advisory Board. If they are of General interest I will add them to this page.
Bill Kaledas
Email: bkaledas@hotmail.com
Keith (Dawg) Jones
Email: dawgj@psci.net
Tramp or Bernie Dare
Email: cbdare@embarqmail.com
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