FLORIDA BLUE KNIGHTS
CHAPTER III

Blue Knights' International

LAW ENFORCEMENT

MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC.,

  BYLAWS OF THE Blue Knights' International Law ENFORCEMENT MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC., FLORIDA CHAPTER III

ARTICLE I

Name and Purpose of the Chapter

 Section 1.01:  The name of the Chapter shall be "Blue Knights' International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Inc., , Chapter III.

 Section 1.02:  The purpose of the Chapter is to provide a fraternal and social motorcycle club for all its members and their families.

 Section 1.03:  This Chapter is an affiliate chartered member of the Blue Knights' International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Inc., which is a non-profit corporation headquartered in the Bangor/Brewer, Main area, hereinafter referred to as the "International".  This Chapter will have its own by-laws; however, in no case will anything be done in conflict with the Constitution and by-laws of the parent corporation, the "International".

ARTICLE II

Membership

 Section 2.01:  Membership in this Chapter shall be divided into the following categories: 1) Regular Members; 2) Associate Members; 3) Honorary Members; 4) Life Members; 5) Special Honorary Member.  All membership qualifications will be as defined by the International Articles of Incorporation and by-laws.

 Section 2.02:  The tenure of all memberships, with the exception of Life Members, is from January 1st to December 31st or any portion of the intervening period.

 Section 2.03:  Honorary Members will be voted on at the November meeting in a secret ballot.  They must first be nominated, in writing, by seven (7) Regular or Associate Members of the Chapter.  Each Honorary Member must receive a majority vote of the members present and eligible to vote at the November meeting.  If an Honorary Member is removed from the Chapter for disciplinary reasons, the Chapter will buy back any Blue Knight paraphernalia, at fair market price.

 Section 2.04:  Applicants for Regular and Associate membership to the Chapter will be accepted under the following criteria:  1) Must be sponsored by one member in good standing.  2) Must apply in person, with dues, at a meeting of the Chapter, with the sponsor present.  3) Secret ballot will be held, in which the applicant must receive 2/3 vote of the members present, and eligible to vote.

ARTICLE III

Dues

 Section 3.01:  The Chapter will collect annual Chapter and International dues.  The Chapter dues will be proposed by the Board and voted on by the members present at the November meeting, and eligible to vote.  The International dues will be as set forth be the International.

 Section 3.02:  The fiscal year will run from January 1st to December 31st.  New members will be subject to mid-year pro-rating of International dues, as set forth by the International.

 Section 3.03:  Renewing members must pay their required dues prior to December 20th of each year.  Members renewing after that date will pay a $5.00 surcharge.

 Section 3.04:New members must submit their application and dues for Chapter membership in person at a Chapter meeting (refer Sec. 2.05).  If membership is granted, new members will receive a new member kit consisting of an International crest, pin and decal, a copy of the Chapter by-laws, a membership list, a ride schedule, and anything else that may be deemed necessary at the time of their joining.

Article IV

Officers/Board of Directors

 Section 4.01:  The Board of Directors will consist of seven (7) members.  The officers of this Chapter, constituting the Board of Directors shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, two (2) Directors and the Immediate Past President.  One person may hold the position of Secretary and Treasurer.  If that were the case, three (3) Directors would be elected for that year.  If the Immediate Past President holds another office, a forth (4th) Director would be elected.

 Section 4.02:  Only regular members may hold the office of President and Vice-President.  An Associate Member may hold the office of Secretary, Treasurer or Director, if no Regular Member is willing to run for that office.  Honorary or Special Honorary Members may not hold any elected position on the Board of Directors, but may hold an appointed position (e.g.: Ride Captain, Quartermaster).

 Section 4.03:  The duties of the Officers are as follows:

    4.03.1:  President:  The President shall be the executive officer of the Chapter.  He shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter and of the Board of Directors.  He shall be an ex-officio member of all committees, except the nominating committee.  He shall be co-signer, with the Treasurer on all notes, checks, and all legal documents given on behalf of the Chapter.  He shall have the power to call meetings of the Board of Directors as required, and shall make full and complete reports on the actions of the Board of Directors, to the membership, as required.

    4.03.2:  Vice-President  The Vice-President shall aid and assist the President in conducting meetings, and in the absence of the President, he shall have the full powers of the President.  Should the office of President become vacant during the elective term, the Vice-President will assume the office of the President, with all responsibilities.  He will be responsible for the membership recruitment program, and will submit necessary documents to the International in regards to membership recruitment awards.

    4.03.3:  Secretary:  The Secretary will keep accurate records of all business transacted at the membership and the Board of Directors meetings.  He shall maintain an up to date attendance log of all meetings and Chapter rides/activities.  He shall give adequate notice to all members of any special meetings of the Chapter.  He shall keep an accurate record of the membership of the Chapter, and collect all yearly dues and application forms.

    4.03.4:  Treasurer:  The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all the Chapter funds.  He shall keep accurate records of all Chapter financial transactions.  He shall be a co-signer with the President on all notes, checks, and legal documents given on behalf of the Chapter.  He shall make a full report of the financial status of the Chapter at each monthly meeting.  He shall insure that any legal related tax or revenue issues are completed as required by law.

    4.03.5:  Directors:  The Directors will carry out such functions and duties what will be assigned to them by the President throughout the year.

 Section 4.04:  In the event that any position, with the exception of President, becomes vacant during the term, the Board of Directors may appoint a qualified member for the remaining portion of the elected term.

 Section 4.05:  The Board of Directors will appoint, prior to the January meeting a Ride Captain and Quartermaster.  The Quartermaster shall be a member.  If no member is available, then a spouse may be appointed.  The Board may, throughout the year, appoint other positions as they deem necessary.  Any member may hold these appointed positions.  They will serve as advisors to the Board, but will not have a vote at Board meetings.

ARTICLE V

Financial

 Section 5.01:  Any member may disburse or commit up to $100.00 of Chapter funds with prior approval of the President.  The disbursement of funds involved in the normal administration of the Chapter is not restricted by this limit.  The Board of Directors must approve any disbursement or committal of Chapter funds over $100,00.  Any disbursement or committal of funds over $400.00 must be approved by the Chapter membership.

ARTICLE VI

Elections and Voting

 Section 6.01:   At the September meeting, a nominating committee shall be formed to seek candidates for the Board of Directors for the following year. Nominations will begin at the September meeting.

 Section 6.02:   The committee will present the nominations at the October meeting, at which time any further nominations will be taken from the floor. Nominations will be closed prior to the conclusion of the October meeting.

 Section 6.03:  The committee will publish the list of nominations by mail, or on the chapter web site.

 Section 6.04:   Voting for the board of Directors will be done by ballot, in person, at the November meeting. The nominating committee will prepare the ballots. Members, who are unable to attend the meeting, may make arrangements with the Chairman of the nominating committee to vote, in person, up to five days, prior to the November meeting. The Chairman will advise the members at the meeting of those who have voted in this manner, prior to the start of the voting.  All Officer / Board of Director positions will be 24 month terms.

 Section 6.05:   In the case of a tie, the Chairman will place the names of the nominees involved in the tie, in a container. The Chairman will then draw a name to determine the winner. This procedure will be done at the meeting, before all members present.

 Section 6.06:   Following the announcement of the results, all nominees will have the right to examine the ballots and/or the counting of the committee, if they so wish. Ballots will be held for 30 days.  Prior to the close of the December meeting, a motion will be entertained to destroy all the ballots.

ARTICLE VII

Voting

 Section 7.01:   Only members in good standing of the Chapter may vote at the Chapter elections or on any issue dealing with the International.

 Section 7.02:   All members may vote on any item that affects the Chapter business, or International business.

 Section 7.03:   There will be no voting by proxy at any time.

ARTICLE VII

Meetings

 Section 8.01:   The General Meetings of the Chapter will be held at a time, date and place to be determined at the preceding meeting. The Secretary will notify all members if there is any change to the meeting place, time or date.

 Section 8.02:   Five (5) members, one of whom must be a Board member, will constitute a quorum for Chapter meetings, but a lesser number may adjourn the meeting to a later date.

 Section 8.03:   Roberts Rules of Order will govern all meetings, unless inconsistent with these Bylaws or the Articles of Incorporation and By laws of International.

 Section 8.04:   A majority vote of those present and eligible to vote is required to pass any motion on general Chapter business at the meetings.

 Section 8.05:   The Board of Directors may decree that only members and their families may attend certain Chapter meetings or functions. In such cases, guests will not be permitted.

 Section 8.06:   Board of Directors meetings will be attended by the Board members only, unless otherwise specified by the President.

ARTICLE IX

Discipline

 Section 9.01:   If any member of the Chapter becomes aware that another member of the Chapter has not maintained a standard of conduct acceptable to the Chapter, he shall provide full details to the Chapter President and/or Vice President.

 Section 9.02:   The President will thereafter appoint a committee of three (3) regular members, consisting of the Vice President and two (2) other regular members, to conduct an investigation into the allegations. If the member who is being investigated is the Vice President, the Secretary will fill his position on the committee. The investigation will include an interview with the complainant and the respondent. Prior to the interview, the respondent will be advised in person or in writing (certified mail) of the allegations/complaints against him. The Vice President will report the findings of the committee to the President within thirty (30) days.

 Section 9.03:   If the complaint is unfounded the matter will be dropped and the complainant and the respondent will be so advised by the President.

 Section 9.04:   If the complaint is founded the committee will recommend appropriate disciplinary action in their report to the President. The President will review the report with the committee and when appropriate disciplinary action is agreed upon; the President will advise the respondent and will carry out the said disciplinary action. Notification to the respondent will be done by registered mail.

 Section 9.05:   If the respondent feels that the action taken is not justified, he may appeal to the Chapter Board of Directors by presenting his appeal to the Board in writing, within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the notice of said action.

 Section 9.06:   The Board will hear such appeal at the next Board meeting or, if necessary, they will convene a special meeting. The appeal will be resolved by a secret ballot.

 Section 9.07:   The President will advise the members of the outcome of all investigations and/or appeals at the following membership meeting.

 Section 9.08:   The respondent may appeal the Board’s decision to International as per the International Bylaws Article X, Section 10.02. Such appeal must be filed with International within thirty (30) days of the final Chapter Board decision.

 Section 9.09:   The President will advise International in writing should any member’s membership be revoked, providing full details of the incident and any investigation.

ARTICLE X

Amendments

 Section 10.01: These Bylaws, or any part thereof may be amended or repealed at any business meting of the Chapter by a 2/3 majority vote of those present and eligible to vote (members only), providing that a motion has been duly made and seconded at the meeting prior to the vote, and that notice of the motion and proposed amendment have been published in the Chapter newsletter, or web page prior to the vote.

 Section 10.02: Upon approval of the amendment, the Secretary will advise International of the changes, and will provide members with an updated copy of the Bylaws.

ARTICLE XI

General

 Section 11.1: All references herein to the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender where appropriate.

 Section 11.2: Any Club Officer / or Designate, in the absence of an officer, may request reimbursement of up to $100.00 for attendance and representation at any Blue Knights regional conference, and up to $150.00 at any International conference.  Reimbursement requests must be made to the Chapter President in advance of attendance, and may be allowed once annually to each qualified member.  Approval will only be granted if funds are available, and total costs do not exceed 25% of total club funds.

Copyright 2008 - Florida III Blue Knights - All Rights Reserved