ARTICLE 1: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

(Mission Statement)The Star of David Bikers (hereafter referred to as SDB) serves to provide people of the Jewish faith with an organization that recognizes and embraces motorcycle riding enthusiasts that live within our community by providing its members with organized riding events. SDB will make every effort to represent our faith and heritage proudly with respect for all.  Activities of SDB will include, but not be limited to, motorcycle rides and non-riding social events, as well as charitable pursuits deemed appropriate and as permitted under these By-laws in furtherance of the goals of SDB.  The club is a not-for-profit organization. It shall not be structured to provide financial profit for its members.

 

ARTICLE 2: MEMBERSHIP

While SDB is clearly a Jewish organization, any interested parties who adhere to this Charter may join. Active members must embrace the club's statement of purpose, hold a valid motorcycle license endorsement and have paid their dues in full.  Members and guests shall abide by the rules and regulations in Appendix A. New members are probationary and must be formally accepted into the club by a majority vote of the board.  No individual member, unless authorized by the president or board, shall be authorized to make statements on behalf of the organization to the public or press, or to use the club’s logo in any communications or other media.

 

ARTICLE 3: OFFICERS

The officers of the club shall be President, Vice-President and Secretary/Treasurer.  The officers shall constitute the operating Board of Directors (Board). Positions other than President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer may be combined at the discretion of the Board.  Officers shall hold their positions for two years or until successors are elected. There are no term limits for any position. See Article 8 for election details.  To afford an orderly transition following elections, new officers shall take office one week following their election. Outgoing officers are expected to aid in a smooth transition and shall, within that time frame, forward all records and relevant information to the appropriate incoming officer.  Beginning with the second election of officers, candidates for election must be members in good standing for a minimum of one (1) year prior to the date of election.  Additionally, the board will appoint, for a one (1) year term, the positions of JMA Representative, Ride Coordinator, Safety Officer, Director of Member Relations and Road Rabbi. These are non-voting positions that are open to members in good standing.

 

ARTICLE 4: OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. President

The duty of the president shall be to:

• preside at all club meetings,

• have general supervision of club affairs,

• personally represent the club on appropriate occasions and in business contacts,

• assist other club officers in their records, correspondence and other duties,

• appoint people to serve as officers, if an elected officer’s position becomes vacant,

• appoint interim officers to fill a vacancy with the approval of a majority of the Board of Directors,

• create and appoint additional positions within the organization as deemed appropriate and in the best interests and greater good of SDB and its membership, and foster within the organization a feeling of brotherhood, common purpose, and a shared desire to be a part of SDB and its stated mission.

 

2. Vice President

The duty of the vice president shall be to:

• Perform the duties of the president in his/her absence,

• Assume the function of President in his/her absence,

• Serve as President for the remainder of the president's term if the president resigns and immediately appoint a new vice-president,

• Share in the President’s work load, assisting the President to the best of his/her abilities.

 

3. Secretary/Treasurer

The duty of the Secretary/Treasurer shall be to:

• Keep records and/or minutes of all club meetings.

• Send out notices of club events and regular or special meetings via email, mail or telephone.

• Attend to all club correspondence as may be necessary, perform such other duties as may be assigned that normally fall into the category of this office.

• Maintain club bank accounts and financial records, and to deliver financial reports on a timely basis to the Board and the membership.

• Maintain a clear and detailed accounting record which always be available for review.

• Collect dues from active members.

• Collect all other money paid to the club, and pay club expenditures with the approval of the Board.

 

4. Director of Member Relations

The duty of the director of member relations shall be to:

• welcome and encourage new members,

• oversee committees for ride planning and social events.

 

5. Road Rabbi

The duty of the Road Rabbi shall be to:

• oversee the spiritual affairs of the club,

• lead any religious activities of the club

• provide a monthly commentary for the Rabbi's corner of the SDB website,

• be an advisor to the board of directors and membership.

• If the appointed member is not ordained by a club approved and recognized organization, then the title shall change from Road Rabbi to Road Chaplain.

 

6. Ride Coordinator

The duty of the Ride Coordinator shall be to:

• oversee all ride planning,Note: while any specific ride may have its own ride coordinator, road captain(s), and sweep(s), the Master Ride Coordinator will oversee the planning and details to assure satisfying adherence to SDB planning and safety standards.

• assist in organizing rides and producing route plans (when applicable),

• maintain the master calendar (including social events) for the entire organization,

• oversee and assist in the management of the calendar of events and the ride schedule, and work closely with the Secretary and/or the Web Master to assure all members have access to current information via the web site and or e-mail.

 

7. Safety Officer

The duties of the Safety Officer shall be to:

• form and manage a safety committee that will independently determine rules for riders, appoint road captains, sweeps, and anything pertaining to ride safety,

• assure rider education requirements (if any) for membership are fulfilled and maintained and to keep records pertaining thereto,

• establish and oversee safe riding practices for group rides, and encourage continued education in the form of providing workshop sessions, both riding (during which time riding exercises may be practiced), and non-riding events, such as a seminar/lecture, or a discussion related to riding.

 

8. JMA Representative

The duties of the JMA representative shall be to:

• Maintain communications with the JMA Council,

• Reporting to the Board on all matters transpiring with the JMA,

• Soliciting club responses to inquiries from the JMA, Report to the JMA all matters that the Board deems appropriate.

 

Standing Committees

• Social Committee: Chaired by Director of Member Relations, recommend and oversee all social activities that the club may wish to pursue. The chair shall report to the entire Board. The chair may staff the committee as deemed appropriate to perform its duties with permanent or temporary members as necessary.

• Grievance Committee: This will be a three (3) member committee with a chair appointed by the Board to independently listen to and adjudicate problems within the scope of this charter, or if this cannot be done, to bring the matter to the Board for discussion and resolution.

 

ARTICLE 5: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board will perform in a manner conducive with the best interests of SDB as its core responsibility, directing the club towards fulfilling its goals as stated herein, while adhering to the By-laws and Rules and Regulations of the club.  The Board is empowered to establish committees and appoint chairpersons as required.  The Board will meet to address club issues related to the affairs of the club and its activities. A meeting may be called by any Board member with the signed or verbal approval of at least two other Board members.  These meetings can take place by personal, internet, or telephone conference attendance.

 

ARTICLE 6: MEETINGS

Board Meetings

There shall be a minimum of one formal board meeting each year. The requirement for a quorum is a minimum of 50% of the board. The mandatory annual meeting shall take place no later than March. Any gathering, social or ride, may also be considered an official board meeting to transact club business if a quorum is present and if properly pre-noticed.  Each formal meeting will include a brief summary of financial activities, including current balances and a statement of the most recent receipts and expenses.

 

General Membership Meetings

If the Board wishes to put a given subject or question before the general membership at a meeting for a vote, 25% of the total voting membership must be present to have a quorum. Similar to the conditions set forth for a Board meeting, for a general membership vote, any gathering, social or ride, will be considered an official meeting to transact club business if a quorum is present and properly pre-noticed. A voting member must be a regular member in good standing with all dues and assessments paid to date.

 

ARTICLE 7: MEETING PROCEDURES

Roberts Rules of Order will be the general guide for conducting club meetings.

 

ARTICLE 8: ELECTIONS

Upon the ratification of this Charter by a majority of the founding membership, nominations will immediately be taken for all officer positions and all positions will be filled for a term not to exceed 120 days, upon which time elections will take place to fill all positions through December of two years hence (2009).  

 

In October 2015, and every two (2) years thereafter, the Board will request from its members in good standing nominations to be submitted to the Secretary/Treasurer.  Petitions from the membership for elective positions shall be forwarded to the Secretary/Treasurer no later than December 10th.  The Secretary/Treasurer will submit the ballot to the Board by December 15th.  The ballot will be distributed to the membership prior to the December meeting and the elections.

Only active members in good standing shall be eligible to vote or hold office. A plurality vote by all active members present at the meeting, or previously mailed or e-mailed into the meeting, is sufficient to elect officers.

 

ARTICLE 9: ANNUAL DUES

Annual dues shall be determined by the Board each year (starting immediately with the interim board), and will be stipulated at every March meeting thereafter. New members must pay pro ratadues within 30 days of membership acceptance to assure full membership privileges. Existing members must pay dues no later than March 31st of the current year to assure continued voting privileges. Dues will be used to offset any costs incurred with maintaining SDB or to fund charitable events in accordance with the procedures established to approve expenditures.  In addition to dues, members may be charged a fee for any given ride to offset any cost associated with that ride, or for charitable purposes. Should this be required, it will be announced sufficiently in advance of the ride.  If a member resigns, dues are forfeited. Any member removed by the Board for cause shall be entitled to a pro rata refund of the annual dues.

 

ARTICLE 10: CLUB EXPENDITURES

The Treasurer plus any elected officer may authorize disbursements once approved. No expense over $100 will be assumed or accepted by the club without the full understanding and acceptance by the membership. Expenses under $100 may be authorized without informing the membership by a majority vote of the Board. Expenditures requiring a membership vote may be approved at any recognized meeting (in person or by electronic means as specified in Paragraph 6) where the requirements of a quota and majority vote of the meeting attendees are met.  The Treasurer shall prepare an annual budget for acceptance by the Board. The Board shall present this projected budget for membership approval. If not approved, the Treasurer shall prepare a modified budget for approval via the process noted above.  No individual of SDB may derive personal monetary gain from any monies collected or raised, no matter the method. If profits are earned (e.g., income exceeding costs), for example, during the sale of T-shirts or patches, the funds earned will go into an SDB account, to be used in a manner consistent with this charter as determined and decided by the membership.

 

ARTICLE 11: DONATIONS

All donations made to the club, or made in the name of the club, must be approved by the board. The Board will assign a committee to seek out worthwhile charitable pursuits. The Board may make a selection from any recommendations and then the general membership will vote on those causes that they feel are most worthy of SDB’s efforts.

 

ARTICLE 12: HONORARY MEMBER STATUS

Any member, for example someone who no longer actively rides a motorcycle and wishes to remain a member of the club, or has relocated out of SDB area, may apply to the board for honorary membership status. The Board, at its sole discretion, is empowered to grant this status. Honorary members will not be liable for dues nor will they have voting privileges, but will be entitled to attend meetings and wear the club patch.  Additionally, any person "not necessarily a member" may be granted the status of honorary member by the Board if deemed appropriate for furtherance of the club’s mission.

 

ARTICLE 13: AMENDING THE CHARTER AND OTHER GOVERNING DOCUMENTS

The Charter and By-laws may be changed, deleted or appended, providing the proposed changes, deletions or additions are submitted in writing to the Secretary at least four weeks prior to any official meeting. Note: a special meeting may be called for the purposes of discussing and voting on these matters.  The Secretary must communicate the proposed changes to the entire membership in good standing, using mail, e-mail or telephone as deemed appropriate. Two-thirds (2/3) of the eligible members attending that meeting must approve the amendment(s). Quorum requirements must be met for the vote to take place.

 

ARTICLE 14: ASSETS

Any Member whose membership in SDB shall have been terminated by resignation, membership revocation, or other cause shall forfeit thereby all rights of membership thereof. No member has any property rights in any assets of SDB. Furthermore, no surplus funds of SDB (if any) shall inure to the benefit of any member of SDB.

Assets are, but not limited to:

• Internet domain name(s) ownership*

• Web site host ISP ownership*

• Club display banner(s)

• Identifying paraphernalia such as patches, hats, t-shirts, etc., not in the possession of the member as a result of purchase or membership

• Any item as so declared by resolution at an official club meeting.

* For administrative purposes only, a member may be temporarily assigned as the official owner of record in order to conduct club business with these Internet entities. The member acknowledges that conveyance of this temporary ownership conveys no rights to the actual ownership of the asset, which shall always remain with SDB.

 

ARTICLE 15: DISSOLUTION AND DISBURSEMENT OF CLUB PROPERTY AND TREASURY

If SDB ceases to be functional and dissolution is the only option, the members remaining at that time will choose the manner in which all property, intellectual and otherwise, with the exception of the money in the treasury, shall be disbursed. The money in the treasury (less any funds required to pay outstanding debts) shall, by a vote of the remaining members, be given to a recognized and legitimate Jewish charity or any other recognized Jewish-related entity that is not necessarily a charity, but accepts donations. No funds or assets shall accrue to any member or individual.

 

ARTICLE 16: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

All copyrights, or other intellectual property owned or created by any Member independent of SDB shall remain the property of that member, and rights there under shall not be affected in any way by the member’s participation in SDB. However, all copyrights, or other intellectual property created by any member for and under the direction of SDB shall become the property of SDB, unless otherwise agreed to in writing. All material presented to SDB shall be deemed non-confidential in nature and hence for public distribution unless otherwise stated and marked as such. The SDB, through its activities, may generate intellectual property such as graphics or marketing materials, and may license such materials at its sole discretion on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms, conditions and prices.  The SDB may publish documents to promote its purposes and goals. Members may be cited as authors and co-authors when appropriate. In no event, however, shall the name of any member be used in any publication of SDB without prior written consent. This obligation shall survive resignation, membership revocation, or cessation of activity of any member or dissolution of SDB.

 

ARTICLE 17: RATIFICATION

This Charter and By-laws will become effective upon ratification at the first organizational meeting of the charter members.

Ratified by the charter membership of SDB on this 17stday of May in the year 2007.

Attest: ______________________________________, President

           ______________________________________, Secretary

 

APPENDIX A

Member Rules and Regulations

• Members are expected to maintain their motorcycles in good working order.

• All motorcycles participating in SDB rides must have valid registration, insurance and current state inspection.

• Non-members (visitors) may participate in SDB events (rides or social) under the following conditions:

1. For rides, the visitor shall meet the requirement for having taken a Basic Rider’s course and having 3000 miles road experience. This requirement may be waived by the chair of the Safety Committee.

2. After attending two SDB events of any type, the visitor shall be encouraged to become a member. If the visitor elects not to join SDB, then the Board may have the option to refrain the visitor from participating in future rides or events.

• Conduct at SDB events:

1. SDB is first and foremost a Jewish motorcycle club which makes it a very visible representative of our faith, culture, community and family. Act accordingly. Avoid confrontation; prioritize safety; and behave in a way that brings pride to SDB and serves as a model for what a motorcycle club should be.

2. There will be zero tolerance for illegal drugs and alcohol during riding events. Any violation of this rule will mean as a minimum not continuing with the group on a ride, and possible removal as a member.