Constitution and Bylaws
Dated: June 1 st 2003  

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I
This club shall be known as the BUSHWACKERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB (BWMC).

ARTICLE II
BWMC is a family club whose objective is to encourage fellowship and social interaction with other families and friends who enjoy off-road motorcycling. We welcome all types of off-road motorcycles and quads only. Visitors are welcome to attend and are encouraged to participate in our meetings and events. We promote responsible motorcycling activities and encourage adherence to all motor vehicle laws and regulations.

BWMC principles are to:

  • Promote family and youth participation in off-road motorcycling;
  • Create a learning environment in riding skills, mechanical, environmental, sportsmanship and citizenship areas;
  • Promote healthy competition in the Club and opportunity for competitive advancement for Club members in AMA events;
  • Represent the core values of faith, family and friendship in our communities.

ARTICLE III
Charter members shall be members that form the Club and submit their names to the AMA for initial sanctioning. This membership acknowledges the efforts to form the Club, after submission of the application to the AMA no other Charter Memberships will be issued. The rights and responsibilities of Charter Members are the same as Active Members.

Active members shall be riders of motorcycles or quads, persons actively concerned with the trade, or motorcycle enthusiasts with an interest in wholesome family activity. Active members shall be entitled to hold elected office, a vote in BWMC affairs and to win any prizes in BWMC activities. Each active member’s vote shall be equal.

Charter Youth members shall be riders of motorcycles or quads, persons actively concerned with the trade, or motorcycle enthusiasts under the age of 18 that form the Club and submit their names to the AMA for initial sanctioning. Their parents or legal guardians must be members of the Club. Charter youth members can participate in all activities but do not have a vote on Club business, nor can they hold office in the Club. After submission of the application to the AMA no other Charter Youth Memberships will be issued. Charter youth will become charter members when they reach age 18.

Youth members shall be riders of motorcycles or quads, persons actively concerned with the trade, or motorcycle enthusiasts under the age of 18. Their parents or legal guardians must be members of the Club. Youth members can participate in all activities but do not have a vote on Club business, nor can they hold office in the Club.

Associate members are family members and friends that do not ride motorcycles but are a part of the important support network of the Club. They will not be required to hold AMA or D-36 cards. Associate members can attend all activities, they can not participate in competitive events, are not eligible for BWMC trophies, do not have a vote on Club business, nor can they hold office in the Club.

Semi-Active members shall be members that cannot attend regular meetings, but will make will be available when the Club is putting on events. Semi-active members are not entitled to vote in BWMC business, but may receive recognition for their efforts in helping with BWMC activities.

Honorary members shall be any other persons as the Club may decide by a two-thirds vote of those members present at any regular meeting.

ARTICLE IV
The officers of BWMC shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Event Coordinator. These officers shall form the Executive Board.

ARTICLE V
The duties of the President shall be:

  • To preside at all meetings of the Club.
  • To have general supervision of the affairs of the Club.
  • To appoint any person or committee not otherwise ordered by the Club.
  • To personally represent the Club on proper occasions and business contacts.
  • To assist all other officers of the Club in their records, correspondence and other activities.
  • To promote interest by each member in Club life and activities.
  • To vote only when necessary to break a tie.

ARTICLE VI
The duties of the Vice President shall be:

  • To perform the duties of the President in his absence.
  • To monitor local and state legislative activities affecting motorcycling in California and other areas that can affect members of the Club.
  • To communicate to the District 36 Legislative Officer or AMA Congress representative any of the legislative activities identified.
  • To work with District 36, the AMA Congress representatives and AMA Government Relations Department to promote programs and legislation that will benefit motorcyclists.
  • To serve as the BWMC competition steward and plan all BWMC competitive events.
  • To select assistants to aid planning, preparing for and administrating competitive events.
  • Responsible for all competitive awards and BWMC championships.

ARTICLE VII
The duties of the Secretary shall be:

  • To keep a record of the meetings of the Club.
  • To send out notices of regular meetings of the Club.
  • To handle all Club correspondence.
  • To perform such other duties as generally fall to that office.
  • To publish and distribute the club newsletter.

ARTICLE VIII
The duties of the Treasurer shall be:

  • To collect dues from all the Club members.
  • To collect all other moneys due the Club.
  • To prepare a budget for each fiscal year to be voted on during the December meeting.
  • To pay all bills incurred by the Club.
  • To invest the money in the Club treasury for the best practical return on investment.
  • Act as Insurance Communications Officer (ICO)

ARTICLE IX
The duties of the Event Chairperson shall be:

  • Coordinate non-competitive Club events throughout the year
  • Assign duties to Club members for all events
  • Create and distribute event calendars

ARTICLE X
The duties of the Executive Board shall be:

  • To act for the Club in all matters ordered by the Club.
  • To properly investigate and present to the Club all business or important activity situations.
  • To make final decisions upon member expulsions.
  • To have general control over all Club affairs.

ARTICLE XI
All elective offices shall be filled at an annual election to be held during the Club meeting in October of each year. All officers shall hold office for twelve months or until their successors are elected and qualified to serve.

ARTICLE XII
The regular meetings of the Club shall be held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM , but the President or the Executive Board may call a special meeting at any time by advance notice. If announced in advance by the President or Executive Board, certain Club activities can substitute for a regular business meeting.

ARTICLE XIII
Six active members in good standing shall make up a quorum for transaction of Club business.

ARTICLE XIV
This constitution and bylaws may be amended or added to, provided the proposed amendment is submitted in writing at a regular meeting. It will then be voted on at the next meeting. A two-thirds vote of all active members in attendance shall be required to pass an amendment.

BYLAWS
1. Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the parliamentary proceedings of the Club unless otherwise provided in these bylaws. The order of business shall be:

  • Call to Order
  • Approval of Minutes
  • Guest Introduction
  • Treasurer's Report
  • AMA Report
  • LAO Report
  • Old Business
  • New Business
  • Open Discussion
  • Adjournment

2. The Club dues shall be $25/year for individuals and $40/year for families. Dues for members joining after Oct. 1 shall be discounted 50% for that calendar year but become due in full the following January. The dues for each year shall be paid not later than the Club meeting in January. No Club member will receive a Club membership card, patch, decal or additional Club identification materials until they have paid their dues. All dues will be based on a calendar year from January to December and may be modified by changes to these by-laws.

3. All expenses must be checked and approved by the Executive Board before they are incurred. Expenses incurred without approval will be considered donations. All checks must be signed by the Treasurer and one additional Club officer.

4. Applicants for membership must be recommended by two active members of the Club in good standing. Upon payment of dues, applicant will be placed on probation for a period of six months. During that period applicants must attend 2 Club business meetings and 1 BWMC event. At the expiration of that time, his/her conduct being satisfactory and upon vote of the Executive Committee, he/she becomes a member and entitled to all privileges of the Club.

5. Only charter and active members shall be eligible to hold office in the Club. Club officers may not be members of another Club that hosts similar competitive events in the region. Club members may work or assist other Clubs as long as they do not share confidential information.

6. In the event of a vacancy in any of the elective offices, the members shall, at the next regular business meeting, have nominations of members to fill the vacated office and, at the following regular business meeting, hold a special election for the vacant office.

7. All members of the Club must be members of the American Motorcyclist Association and District 36 (associate members are exempt) and attend 3 Club business meetings and 1 schedule Club event each year.

8. All Club correspondence regarding business should be referred to a Club officer.

9. A member may be expelled for violation of the by-laws or conduct unbecoming a member of the Club, but charges must be first be made in writing and the accused member given a hearing before the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall take evidence and report its findings to the Club with the recommendation that the charges be considered proven and the accused member be expelled, or the charges be considered not proven and the accused member remain a member of the Club.

10. Amendments to the adopted constitution and bylaws may be added, if such amendments in no way supersede or contradict the constitution and bylaws of the parent body, the American Motorcyclist Association.

11. In the event of disbandment, all property of the Club shall be divided into equal shares--one share for each of the Members who have been a member in good standing of this organization for at least two years, plus one additional share each for Charter Members. Funds existing in the treasury will be donated to the D-36 LAO.

BWMC Rules of the Trail

  • Safety equipment will be worn at all Club events; a minimum of helmets, goggles and gloves will be worn at all times.
  • Club members will have a first aid kit available at every Club event
  • Club members will strive to maintain sound environmental practices.
  • Every organized trail ride will begin with a rider count and have an official lead and sweep rider.
  • No rider will leave the group without checking with the lead rider.
  • Senior riders will position themselves at each new trailhead to ensure every rider makes the correct turns.
  • No Club member will be left on a trail alone.
  • We respect and support all levels of rider ability and will design trail rides to accommodate the most junior level.
  • Club members will offer assistance to riders whenever possible.
  • Club members will obey the laws of the land.