Allegan County Explorers 4x4 Club

By-Laws of

Allegan County Explorers 4x4 Club 

Est. 2009

Ratified July 12^th 2009

Article I.                 NAME

Section I.1           
The name of this organization shall be the Allegan County Explorers 4x4 Club, Incorporated, hereinafter referred to as the ACES.

 Article II.            OBJECTIVES

 Section II.1     
The ACES is a nonprofit organization.  Our organization purpose will be:

 (a)        Promoting cooperation, friendship, and family participation among off-road drivers.

(b)        Promoting the art of safe off-road activities.

(c)        Providing the education of proper operation of four-wheel-drive vehicles. 

(d)        Participating in and supporting civic activities for the betterment of Michigan and associated states.

(e)        Most of all lets have fun!!

 Article III.      MEMBERSHIP

 Section III.1
Limitations on vehicles will be that they are safe four-wheel-drive type vehicles.

 Section III.2
Application for membership of the ACES shall be submitted to the Secretary.  Such application shall include name, address, type of vehicle, date and any other information deemed pertinent.

Section III.3 Types of Membership

(a)          Full Member An individual Member with current dues paid and in good standing.  Membership is for an individual with voting rights only extended to one member designated on membership card.

(b)          Family Member A family membership for a family unit, with voting rights extended to 2 members designated on separate membership cards

(c)          Limited Member A member of website and forum in good standing with no voting rights.

(d)          Associate Member A member in good standing with an Associate Club or a spouse/significant other of an ACES member, will have full member access to website and forum.  No voting rights

(e)          Sponsoring Member Membership for Dealers and Manufacturers supporting club.  No voting rights

(f)          Charter Member  A paid member at the time of ratification of these bylaws will be known as a charter member

Article IV.            DUES

Section IV.1     
Each member coming into the ACES will pay dues for that fiscal year.  Dues will be designated annually by the current membership and listed in the handbook for that year.

Section IV.2      New Membership Dues will be prorated Quarterly

Section IV.3     
Renewal Dues will be due at the first meeting of the fiscal year (April).

Section IV.4     
Sponsoring member dues for dealers and manufacturers will be determined at the time of application.  Memberships will expire one year from time of application.

Section IV.5     
Dues will be paid to the Treasurer of the ACES.

Section III.4 Voting Rights

(a)          Any Member issued a membership card can cast one vote per call

(b)          Proxy voting is allowed by written permission for any Member

Article V.                 TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Section V.1           
All members to maintain their membership in good standing will abide by all of ACES By-Laws.  Failure to abide by the By-Laws shall be cause for dismissal upon 2/3 majority of members present at any regular meeting.

Section V.2           
Dues shall be in arrears after July business meeting of each year.  Such arrears shall be cause for dismissal from the ACES.

Article VI.            MEETINGS

Section VI.1     
There will be regular monthly meetings, to be determined by the officers.

Section VI.2     
In an emergency, the president may call a special meeting which will be held in a central location.

Article VII.      OFFICERS – ADMINISTRATION

Section VII.1
The elective offices of this organization shall be President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary.

Section VII.2
The elective officers of the ACES will be elected from the membership at large, voted on by members at the last meeting of the fiscal year to take office upon the commencement of the next fiscal year.

Section VII.3
Terms of office shall be on year in length.  An individual may not hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms.  Treasurers are exempt from this term limitation.

Section VII.4
Members present at such may hold elections at any meeting to fill any vacancy of office.

Article VIII. DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE OFFICERS

Section VIII.1                   PRESIDENT. 
The President shall preside at all meeting and shall have the power to appoint such committees as may be necessary to carry on the activities of the ACES.  It shall be the duty of the President to oversee all correspondence that should come to his attention and maintain contact with all club officers in regards to any business which might come to the attention of any of them.

Section VIII.2                   VICE PRESIDENT.
It shall be the duty of the Vice President to assist the President at all times and all meeting and functions.  During the absence of the President, the Vice President shall take his place.  The Vice President shall follow-up on all committees formed and assist all other officers as needed.

Section VIII.3                   SECRETARY.
The duties of the secretary shall be to maintain membership records, call roll at meeting record and preserve minutes of the meeting, maintain correspondence in regards to application for membership an amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws, and to carry on any correspondence that might come to his/her attention.  The Secretary will maintain close contact with the President and other officers in regards to any business that correspondence.  He/she will also maintain a pretty cash fund, all expenditures from which are to be validated with receipts.

Section VIII.4                   TREASURER.
The duties of the Treasurer shall be to have custody of all ACES funds, and at each meeting submit an actual financial report, showing income and expenditures for the last period.  An accurate account will be kept at all times regarding the funds.  All money received shall be deposited and all bills shall be paid by check.  All checks shall be approved by the president or Vice-President.  The Treasurer shall also oversee the petty cash fund assigned to the Secretary.  The books of the ACES shall be open and subject to audit at all times by any or all members.

Section VIII.5                  
There shall be no compensation to any officer, and or other member of the ACES for work rendered on any business or activity.  Unless approved by quorum vote.

Section VIII.6                  
No withdrawal from funds shall be made without the approval of the Board of Directors. Single non-budgeted expenditures in excess of twenty-five dollars ($25) must have approval of the majority of a voting quorum of the membership. All expenditures shall be made by check, and all checks must indicate purchase in memo line.

Section VIII.7                  
The ACES 4x4 Club shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who shall serve at any time hereafter as a director or officer of the organization from and against any and all claims and liabilities to which such person shall become subject by reason of his having been a director or officer of the organization, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by him as such director or officer, and shall reimburse each such person for all legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with any such claim or liability. The rights accruing to any person under the foregoing provisions of this section shall not exclude any other right to which he may be lawfully entitled, nor shall anything herein contained restrict the right of the organization to indemnify or reimburse such person in any proper case even though not specifically herein provided for. The organization, it’s directors, officers, members, and agents shall be fully protected in taking any action or making any payment, or in refusing to do so, in reliance upon the advice of counsel.

Article IX.            RECALL

Section IX.1     
Any member may recommend removal of an officer from office on grounds of detrimental conduct to the office at any regular meeting.  Removal of an officer will require 2/3 majority vote of all members present at the afore mentioned meeting.

Article X.                 RULES AND PROCEDURES

Section X.1           
Order of the conduct of the meeting will be according to Roberts Rules of Order.

Article XI.            CLUB RULES

Section XI.1     
All laws, federal, state and local shall be obeyed as stated.

Section XI.2     
Club Rules shall be followed as established by rules committee and voted upon by membership.

Section XI.3     
Notification of trips and activities can be made through correspondence.

Article XII.          COMMITTEES

Section XII.1
The Board of Directors shall designate three standing committee’s, the membership will establish Committee Chairs and can establish sub-committees with majority vote at any regular meeting. Each committee/sub-committee shall have a chairperson who shall be responsible for its activities and monthly reports.

Section XII.2
The Three standing committees shall be:

(a)        Community Relations committee

        (i)       Responsible for overseeing all public relations and club awareness and subcommittees

(b)        Membership committee

          (i)       Responsible for overseeing membership expansion and development and subcommittees

(c)        Trail Committee

            (i)       Responsible for overseeing Trail Development and expansion and subcommittees

Article I.                 AMENDMENTS.

Section I.1           
Any member may propose a change in the By-Laws at any regular meeting.  A 2/3 vote of quorum shall be required for approval of such change.  A proposal cannot be voted on at the business meeting at which it is first presented. It shall be published in the newsletter and voted upon at the next business meeting.  Changes in By-Laws shall be effective immediately upon passage.

Article II.            DISSOLUTION

Section II.1      DISTRIBUTIVE RIGHTS.
In the event of dissolution of the Allegan County Explorers 4x4, all assets shall be distributed to the State of Michigan.

Rev. 07122009