BY-LAWS OF THE LEOMINSTER, MA CHAPTER, INC. #1870
Preamble
The Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) is an organization founded and sponsored by
Harley-Davidson Motor Company. The group was established to offer motorcycling
benefits and services to Harley-Davidson enthusiasts throughout the world, and to
develop a close relationship between the Harley-Davidson rider, the
Harley-Davidson dealer and Harley-Davidson Motor Company. The opportunity to
start an independent chapter affiliated with the Harley Owners Group is offered to
bring members together for the common interest of promoting motorcycling
activities. The goal of each chapter is to generate an increased level of enthusiasm
for riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The chapter shall be a family-oriented and
a nonpolitical organization.
Article I - Purpose
1. The purpose of the Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. shall be to promote
responsible motorcycling activities for Harley Owners Group members by conducting
chapter activities and encouraging participation in other H.O.G. events.
2. Chapter activities and operations shall be conducted in a manner consistent with
a family oriented, nonpolitical philosophy.
Article II - Sponsorship
1. Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. is sponsored by American Harley-Davidson Inc.
The decision to sponsor a chapter shall be undertaken solely at the dealer's
discretion.
2. American Harley-Davidson, Inc. shall have absolute authority to require that the
Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. conducts its operations and activities in accordance
with the sponsoring dealer's standards. American Harley-Davidson, Inc. shall
require the chapter to operate and conduct activities in accordance with the current
H.O.G. Chapter Handbook, hereafter referred to as "the Charter", and H.O.G.
operating policies.
3. All activities must be approved by American Harley-Davidson, Inc.
4. All Chapter officers must be approved by American Harley-Davidson, Inc.
Article III - Application and Term Of Relationship
Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. affiliation with H.O.G. is subject to approval by
H.O.G. per requirements as stated in the Charter and chapter application.
Article IV - Name and Affiliation
1. American Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the governing body for Leominster Mass.
Chapter, Inc.
2. Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. must adhere to the Charter and to H.O.G.
Operating Policies.
3. Should H.O.G. determine, in its sole discretion, that Leominster Mass. Chapter,
Inc. is not adhering to the Charter, H.O.G. may rescind its recognition of the chapter
as a H.O.G. affiliated organization. American Harley-Davidson, Inc. may likewise
rescind sponsorship of this chapter at any time, at which time the chapter's H.O.G.
affiliation shall also cease.
Article V - Officers
1. Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. will elect or appoint the following primary officers:
Director, Assistant Director, Treasurer and Secretary. Other discretionary officers
will be elected by the membership, or appointed as needed by the four active
primary officers, with the approval of American Harley-Davidson, Inc.
2. American Harley-Davidson, Inc. may assume any, or all, officer position(s)
including their respective responsibilities and may remove any officer from office at
the dealer's sole discretion. American Harley-Davidson, Inc. may determine how
chapter officers are selected and the length of their terms in office.
3. American Harley-Davidson, Inc. has the authority to require the chapter officers
to perform to the sponsoring dealer's standards and is to assure H.O.G. that the
chapter abides by the Charter and the Operating Policies.
4. The duties and responsibilities of the primary chapter officers shall be as follows:
1.
Director
The Director's duties are as defined in the current H.O.G. Chapter Handbook, Job
Descriptions and Operating Policies. The Director shall be accountable for Chapter
property.
2.
Assistant Director
The Assistant Director's duties are as defined in the current H.O.G. Chapter
Handbook, Job Descriptions and Operating Policies.
3.
Treasurer
The Treasurer's duties are as defined in the current H.O.G. Chapter Handbook, Job
Descriptions and Operating Policies.
4.
Secretary
The Secretary's duties are as defined in the current H.O.G. Chapter Handbook, Job
Descriptions and Operating Policies. In addition, the Secretary will send a
nomination form (Attachment A) and officer job descriptions as defined in the
current H.O.G. Chapter Handbook, to members on or about August 15th of the
election year. The Secretary will keep on file a current list of all Chapter property.
5. The duties and responsibilities of the discretionary chapter officers shall be:
1.
Activities Officer
The Activities Officer's duties are as defined in the current H.O.G. Chapter
Handbook, Job Descriptions and Operating Policies.
2.
Ladies of Harley Officer
The LOH Officer's duties are as defined in the current H.O.G. Chapter Handbook,
Job Descriptions and Operating policies.
3.
Road Captain
The Road Captain(s)'s duties are as defined in the current H.O.G. Chapter
Handbook, Job Descriptions and Operating Policies. Road Captains will be
appointed by the E-Board on recommendation of the Safety Officer and/or the Head
Road Captain.
4.
Editor
The Editor's duties are as defined in the current H.O.G. Chapter Handbook, Job
Descriptions and Operating Policies.
5.
Safety Officer
The Safety Officer's duties are as defined in the current H.O.G. Chapter Handbook,
Job Descriptions and Operating Policies. The Safety Officer is required to have
successfully completed an Experienced Rider Course (ERC) within the three (3)
years prior to accepting nomination/appointment to this position.
6.
Photographer
The Photographer's duties are as defined in the current H.O.G. Chapter Handbook,
Job Descriptions and Operating Policies.
7.
Historian
The Historian's duties are as defined in the current H.O.G. Chapter Handbook, Job
Descriptions and Operating Policies.
8.
Membership Officer
The Membership Officer shall be responsible for ensuring that all chapter members
are current H.O.G. members, having on file a signed copy of the Annual Chapter
Membership Enrollment Form & Release of each member as signed on an annual
basis; maintains chapter membership report, providing quarterly updates to the
H.O.G. office or maintaining on the Chapter Business site of members.hog.com.
9.
Webmaster
The Webmaster shall be responsible for assembling and organizing material for the
Chapter Website and seeking approval from the sponsoring dealer prior to
publication
Article VI - Membership
1. All Harley Owners Group members may join the Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc.
An expired membership in H.O.G. automatically terminates local chapter
membership and any associated memberships. It shall be the responsibility of the
Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. to ensure that chapter members are active H.O.G.
members and to maintain on file in the Chapter records a signed copy of the annual
Chapter Membership Enrollment Form and Release of each chapter member. It
shall be the responsibility of any person applying for, or renewing, membership in
this Chapter to provide proof of his or her National membership as a condition of
eligibility for membership.
2. American Harley-Davidson, Inc. may suspend or terminate a person's
membership in Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. if American Harley-Davidson, Inc., in
it's sole discretion, determines that a member's conduct is undesirable or contrary
to the interests of American Harley-Davidson, Inc.
Article VII - Dues
1. Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization. Dues will be
collected in accordance with current H.O.G. Chapter Handbook.
2. American Harley-Davidson, Inc. may, in its sole discretion, establish chapter dues
to be utilized solely to pay or defray the cost of chapter administration.
3. The Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. may conduct legitimate fund-raising activities
to assist in paying or defraying chapter operating expenses or to raise funds for
charitable purposes. All such fund-raising activity shall be subject to approval by
American Harley-Davidson, Inc.
4. Chapter officers will be given free Chapter membership for the term of office.
5. Members will be presented a Chapter membership card for dues paid. The
burden of proof of payment lies with the member, not the Chapter.
6. A late fee of $5.00 plus current dues will be accessed for late renewals not paid
60 days from due date.
Article VIII - Activities
1. Chapter events and activities are the sole responsibility of the Leominster Mass.
Chapter, Inc. These events and activities may include any family-oriented, safe
activities that promote a positive image of the sport of motorcycling and that appeal
to our membership.
2. A Chapter sponsored event/activity must be approved by the officers of the
Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. and American Harley-Davidson, Inc.
Article IX - Chapter Publications
All material published by the Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. must include the official
chapter name and number. All chapter publications, whether written, oral
(broadcast), or electronic must be approved by American Harley-Davidson, Inc. If, at
any time, H.O.G. determines in its sole discretion that a chapter publication is
incompatible with the family-oriented, nonpolitical philosophies and/or objectives of
H.O.G., the chapter recognition as a H.O.G. affiliated organization may be
terminated. A copy of all chapter publications of any type must be sent to the H.O.G.
office.
Article X - Elections
1. The secretary will provide job descriptions for primary officer positions (director,
assistant director, secretary and treasurer) and discretionary officer positions
(activities officer, Ladies of Harley (LOH) officer, road captain, editor, safety officer,
historian and photographer). The job descriptions from the current H.O.G. Chapter
Handbook and a nomination form (Attachment A) will be mailed to each member
household on or before August 15th of the election year.
2. Interested members will complete the nomination form and return it to the director
of the Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. before or at the November meeting.
3. Nominated candidates will be announced and accepted. After all nominations
have been accepted, motion will be made from the floor and voted on to close
nominations.
4. After nominations are closed, any and all uncontested positions will be accepted
by a motion from the floor and voted on by the membership in attendance to fill
those positions for the next term.
5. Contested positions will be voted on by secret ballot (Attachment B) at the
November meeting by those in attendance. Nominees, whose papers have been
received by the October meeting, will be listed alphabetically by last name. Any
nomination papers turned in at the November meeting will be read and written in on
the ballot by the membership prior to voting.
Article XI - Meetings
1. Chapter Meetings will be held on the first Sunday of every month except where
schedule conflicts with a holiday or hall availability.
2. Special meetings may be called by chapter officers/members providing sufficient
time, notification and suitable location.
3. The meeting format will follow general guidelines as set forth in the current
H.O.G. Chapter Handbook.
4. All members and guests will be permitted to take part in discussions as long as
decorum is not unduly disturbed.
5. Solicitation for donations without prior approval from the Director is expressly
forbidden during the meeting.
6. Active members must sign-in at each meeting to exercise their right to vote.
Voting must be in person, proxy votes are not permissible.
7. Scheduling of any sanctioned events must be approved by the Executive Board.
A full schedule of events shall be recorded by the secretary and made available to
each member.
8. The Executive Board of officers will meet once a month to set Chapter meeting
agenda and administer Chapter business. Executive Board meetings are closed.
Anyone wishing to attend for a specific reason, may contact the Director for
approval.
Article XII - Fees and Expenses
1. Membership fees are collected annually, due and payable in January with a
Chapter Membership Enrollment and Release Form. The membership fee is not
refundable and may not be prorated. New membership applications for a current
part-year will be accompanied by the full membership fee to cover the cost of
processing and membership for the remainder of that year.
2. No officer or member shall receive payment for the performance of his or her
chapter duties.
3. The secretary shall be reimbursed for all expenses pertaining to the performance
of that office.
4. The editor shall be reimbursed for all expenses incurred in the production and
distribution of the chapter newsletter.
5. The treasurer shall be reimbursed for all expenses pertaining to the performance
of that office.
6. Expenditures on charitable or other worthy causes will be voted on by the
membership.
7. All expenses other than those expressly provided for herein shall require prior
authorization from the membership or the executive board including the director or
his appointed agent. No reimbursement will be issued without proper receipt.
Article XIII - Income and Property
1. All moneys and receipts for the chapter are controlled by the treasurer and the
director or sponsor. Any outstanding income must be turned over on demand or
within 10 (ten) working days of receipt.
2. All Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. checks require 2 signatures, the treasurer and
the director or sponsor.
3. Any trophies, certificates, awards, etc. earned by the chapter will be offered to
American Harley-Davidson, Inc. for display.
4. The Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. membership/mailing list is the property of
Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. and is considered to be confidential material for
chapter use only. These lists may not be used or provided for personal profit or
gain.
5. Chapter property may be used with the approval of the director.
Article XIV - Logos
1. All H.O.G. logos are registered trademarks of Harley-Davidson, Inc. Products
bearing these logos must be obtained under the direction of the merchandise
coordinator of the H.O.G. staff in Milwaukee.
2. The rights to distribute or associate any products and/or services with the phrase
"Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc.", "Leominster H.O.G." or any recognizable variation
thereof are reserved by American Harley-Davidson, Inc.
3. The rights to display the "Leominster Mass. Chapter" rocker with the H.O.G. logo
is granted to active members of the Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. No other logo is
approved for use in conjunction with these unless permission is granted by H.O.G.,
Leominster Mass. Chapter or American Harley-Davidson.
4. Officer rockers are available on loan to current officers of Leominster Mass.
Chapter, Inc. only. Past officers may not display any insignia indicating previously
held position(s) unless explicitly approved by the director.
Article XV - Disclaimer
While Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. is affiliated with H.O.G. and American
Harley-Davidson, Inc., it remains a separate entity, responsible for its own actions.
All persons participate voluntarily and at their own risk in H.O.G. and Leominster
Mass. Chapter, Inc. activities. American Harley-Davidson, Inc., H.O.G. and
Harley-Davidson, Inc. are released and held harmless by the member for any injury
or loss to the member or his or her property which may result from participation in
H.O.G. or Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc. activities. This means that all members
agree not to sue Leominster Mass. Chapter, Inc., American Harley-Davidson, Inc.,
H.O.G. or Harley-Davidson, Inc. for any injury resulting to them or their property.
Article XVI - Amendments
1. All amendments shall be appended to this section and shall supersede any
Article or Section that precedes it.
2. Amendments shall be voted on at regular annual elections. Proposed
amendments must be published and circulated at least one month prior to the vote.