American Legion Riders
Pennsylvania Gold Star Post
820
For God and Country, we associate ourselves together
for the following purposes:
To promote American Legion
membership; POW-MIA efforts; honorable military service; to provide a social
atmosphere for the American Legion family; and to use our programs to support
veterans, veteran’s homes and veteran’s hospitals.
To promote motorcycle safety and motorcycle riders
rights. To participate in parades,
programs, events and other ceremonies, that are within the aims and purposes of
the American Legion.
Name
Section 1. Name. The name of this organization
shall be the American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820.
Section 1. Civilian Organization. The American Legion Riders,
Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820, are a civilian organization and membership
therein does not affect, nor increase, ability for military or police
service. Rank does not exist in the
American Legion Riders and no member thereof, shall be addressed by his
military or naval title in any American Legion Riders meeting.
Section 2. Non-political. The American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold
Star Post 820, are non-political and shall not be used for the dissemination of
partisan principles, nor the promotion of the candidacy of any person seeking
public office or preferment.
Organization
Section 1. Department. The American Legion Riders,
Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820, are organized as a program of the American
Legion, Department of Pennsylvania.
Section 2. By-Laws. By-Laws shall be written to
govern the affairs of this group, provided the same shall not conflict with the
National American Legion Constitution and/or By-Laws, the Department of
Pennsylvania Constitution and/or By-Laws and the Gold Star Post 820
Constitution and/or By-Laws, or adopted amendments, pursuant thereto. The Secretary shall provide copies of our
current By-Laws, to each member.
Section 3. Officers. The
Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the American Legion
Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820; which are the following:
A. President
B.
Vice-President
C.
Secretary
D.
Treasurer
E.
Sergeant(s)-at-Arms
F.
Road
Captain
Section 4. Nominations,
Elections and Term of Office. Officers shall hold office for a
term of one (1) year or until their successors have been elected and/or
appointed. Officers must be a current
member, in good standing, with the American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold
Star Post 820, to hold office. A special
election may be held at the discretion of the President if a vacancy occurs, or
by majority vote of the general membership.
The President will make all appointments if a vacancy cannot be filled
by special election. Nominations will
be made at the General Membership meeting in May. Annual elections will be held at the General Membership meeting
in June. Elected officers will take
office at the first General Membership meeting in August. There will be no vote cast by proxy or
absentee ballot.
Section 5. Duties.
President The President shall have general
supervision over the group, subject to the Executive Committee of the American
Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820. The President shall endeavor, in all ways, to promote membership
and participation in the programs of the American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania
Gold Star Post 820, the American Legion, Auxiliary and Sons of the American
Legion. He shall preside at all
American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820 meetings; he shall perform
such other duties, as enjoined upon him, by this Constitution and By-Laws
adopted pursuant thereto, or as may be required of him by the Executive
Committee or the Post Commander. He
shall appoint all committees and shall be ex-officio, a member, of all
committees. The President will not have
a valid vote at the American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820
meetings, except in the event of a tie.
Vice-President The Vice-President, in the event
of death, resignation, disability, or when called upon, shall succeed to the
office and have and process all the powers and duties of the President; and
shall perform such other duties, as required of him, by the President and/or
the Executive Committee.
Secretary The Secretary will keep a full
and accurate record of all meetings of the American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania
Gold Star Post 820. The Secretary will
maintain a current and up-to-date list of member’s names, addresses, e-mail
addresses and phone numbers, including renewals and new members, and will
provide a new list to the membership, when applicable. The Secretary will
maintain each member’s current Legion, Auxiliary and Sons of the American
Legion membership status. The Secretary
will provide minutes to the President and will read out loud, at the monthly
meetings, the previous meetings minutes, unless prescribed otherwise by the
President or membership.
Treasurer The Treasurer shall
faithfully keep all monies of the American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold
Star Post 820, coming into his hands and account therefore; and shall keep such
books and records, as are necessary and proper, in the performance of his
duties. The Treasurer shall disburse
funds, as directed by the President and membership. All monies will be maintained in a two (2) signature Checking
Account. The Treasurer will provide a
financial report at each General Membership meeting.
Sergeant(s)-At-Arms The Sergeant(s)-at-Arms will
assist the President to ensure that all rules set forth in this Constitution and
By-Laws are adhered to and followed at all meetings and functions. The
Sergeant(s)-at-Arms will maintain order at all American Legion Riders,
Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820 meetings and Executive Committee meetings. He/They shall introduce special guests and
new members to the membership. He/They
shall have the right to bring immediate Executive Committee action, upon
violation of the American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820,
Constitution and/or By-Laws.
Road Captain The Road Captain will be
responsible for creating and updating “Road Rules”, through the approval of the
Executive Committee. The Road Captain
is in charge of all sanctioned American Legion Riders, Gold Star Post 820 rides
and will have the authority to enforce said road rules. He shall appoint Road Lieutenant(s), to
ensure the safety of the membership during a run, as needed.
By-Laws
Section 1. The American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820 Executive Committee, shall have the power to make, alter, amend and/or appeal By-Laws for the governing of the American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820, in accordance with Article X.
Section 1. Eligibility. Any person may become a member
of the American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820, that meet the
following criteria:
1. Must be an active member of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, or Sons of the American Legion.
2. Must be a minimum of 21 years of age.
3. Must be the owner of a motorcycle with a minimum of 500cc, or the spouse of the owner of said motorcycle with a minimum of 500cc.
4. All new applicants must appear before the general membership, to express their interest in becoming a member of the American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820 and be admitted by majority vote.
Section 2. Honorary Memberships. By majority vote, at a general membership meeting, honorary membership may be granted to an individual or individuals under the following guidelines:
1. Must be an active member of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, or a social member of Gold Star Post 820.
2. Death of the spouse who was the owner of the motorcycle as defined in Article V, Section 1(3) and according to Article V, Section 1(1).
3. Disability that physically prevents operation and/or ownership of a motorcycle. (This would also allow the spouse to continue membership under these conditions for special class membership.)
4. In the event American Legion Rider patches are granted to these members, they must contain a “rocker” that states the word “HONORARY”, so as to clearly identify the class of membership. Shirts or other wearing apparel, which contain the American Legion Rider emblem, should contain the words “HONORARY”.
5. These memberships are to be of an honorary nature and do not constitute actual membership. Honorary memberships should only be granted to those persons who have demonstrated themselves to be assets to the organization and excelled in promoting the aims and purposes of the American Legion Riders.
6. Honorary members do not have a vote in any election and cannot be elected to an office.
Section 3. Membership
Application Forms. The
American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820 Executive Committee
shall provide a form of application for membership that all applicants shall
complete in full.
1. All new applicants must have a sponsor before being permitted to appear.
2. A disclaimer is printed on the back of the application. Before any person will be permitted join the group, or to participate in an event or program, the disclaimer must be signed.
3. Upon approval of applicant, membership fees will be collected, as set forth by the Executive Committee of the American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820, and a new members kit will be provided.
Section 4. Membership
Fees. A membership fee
will be charged when an applicant is accepted for membership and turned in to
the Treasurer. The new member will
receive a new members kit consisting of:
a. One small American Flag patch
b. One POW-MIA patch
c. One small American Legion Riders patch *
d. One small member rocker patch
e. One large American Legion Riders patch *
f. One large post rocker patch
* Refer to Article IX, Section 3, Patches.
Article VI
Government
Section 1. Quorum. A quorum for a general membership meeting of the American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820, will consist of four (4) voting members and the President or his designee. A quorum for the Executive Committee will consist of a majority of the Executive Committee members.
Section 2. Rules of Order. The Executive Committee and the American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820 meetings, shall be governed by this Constitution and the By-Laws. The meetings will be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, newly revised.
Article VII
Road Rules
Section 1. General All
official rides of the American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820,
will be the responsibility of the Road Captain. He will designate the route, the stops, length of stops, and make
sure that all participating riders have been briefed. The Road Captain, Sergeant(s)-at-Arms and appointed Road
Lieutenant(s) are in charge. Disclaimer
statements will be explained and each rider will be required to sign one,
before they will be permitted to participate in any sanctioned event, function,
or gathering.
Section 2. On
the Road Riders must be
familiar with the rules of the road and all hand and arm signals. Any participating riders must arrive early,
with a full tank of gas and ready to ride in the day’s event. The Road Captain will lead the group with
the members running in a staggered formation, closing to two abreast at a
stop. An interval of 1-2 motorcycles
should be maintained between you and the rider on your right or left. You may need to increase your interval based
on riding conditions. On two-lane
roads, do not leave enough space for a vehicle to separate us. Tail riders must keep the group tight.
Section 3. Communication Oral
communication will be kept to a minimum.
Arm and hand signals will be used.
It is the responsibility of the Road Captain to make sure all riders
know and understand the arm and hand signals.
The ALR will start as a group and ride as a group. The Road Captain is the only authorized
person to release a participant from a ride.
If you have to break from the formation, due to mechanical problems,
inform the Road Captain, Sergeant(s)-at-Arms or Road Lieutenant(s).
Section 4. At
the Stop This is where
we socialize, announce changes, refresh ourselves and fill our tanks. The Sergeant(s)-at-Arms and Road
Lieutenant(s) will notify the Road Captain of any problems, safety violations
or mechanical breakdowns. If asked to
change your position in the group, do so without any complaints.
Section 5. Speed We
are not in a hurry. In the city limits
we will ride at or below the speed limit.
On the highway, we will ride the speed limit. If splinter groups occur, a Road Lieutenant or Sergeant-at-Arms
will ride with the separated group. The
Road Captain will decrease speed, slow down, or pull over and wait, until the
splinter group(s) have caught up.
Section 6. Safety Our
main concern while participating in any function is safety. If a safety violation is observed, do not
approach the individual; advise someone who is in charge. During a ride, safety violations and
infractions, or conduct unbecoming a member, are subject to disciplinary
actions, as decided by the Road Captain and/or Executive Committee.
Article VIII
Revenue
Section 1. Sources. Revenue shall be derived from the excess of costs (after patches and copies), of the membership kit and from other sources as the American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820, Executive Committee shall approve.
Section 2. Payment of Dues. Annual dues will be addressed in the By-Laws. Participation in Executive Committee approved fundraisers is strongly recommended.
Section 3. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Executive Committee and the American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820, shall commence on the first day of January and end on the thirty-first day of December of that year.
Section 4. Dues. Dues
will be addressed, in due time, to coincide with our agenda.
Discipline
Section 1. Suspension Any member can be suspended for
non-payment of dues to their initial American Legion group.
Section 2. Expulsion
Any member can be expelled
for unsafe riding practices and/or inappropriate conduct unbecoming a member,
as determined by the Road Captain and/or Executive Committee.
Section 3. Patches The
American Legion Riders patches are the property of the organization. If a member is expelled, the American Legion
Riders large and small patches are to be returned to the group. If the patches are usable, the group will refund
the amount paid for said patches.
Section 1. These By-Laws are adopted subject to provisions of the National Constitution and/or By-Laws of the American Legion and of the Constitution and/or By-Laws of the Department of Pennsylvania and of the By-Laws of Gold Star Post 820. Any amendment to said National, Department or Gold Star Post 820 Constitution and/or By-Laws, which is in conflict with any provision hereof, should be regarded as automatically repealing or modifying the provisions of these By-Laws, to the extent of such conflict.
Section 2. These
By-Laws may be amended at any general membership meeting of the American Legion
Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post 820.
An amendment must be read at two consecutive general membership
meetings, ample time must be given for discussion, and voting will take place
at the third general membership meeting.
Repeal and Saving Clause
Section 1. These
By-Laws were adopted at the American Legion Riders, Pennsylvania Gold Star Post
820, general membership meeting held at Gold Post 820 in Monroeville,
Pennsylvania on this the 11th day of January in the year 2003.