PEO-TAZ CHAPTER OF A.B.A.T.E. OF ILLINOIS, INC. A BROTHERHOOD AIMED TOWARDS EDUCATION BY-LAWS Purpose of PEO-TAZ Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, Inc. A.B.A.T.E. of IL Inc. is organized under the laws of the State of Illinois as a not for profit Organization and shall conduct its business in accordance with those laws. PEO-TAZ Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, Inc. is also organized for educational, civic, benevolent, social, athletic, and charitable purposes including for such purposes the promotion of motorcycle use, acceptance, safety and enjoyment. Said purposes including promoting motorcycle awareness to the chapter s members, affiliates, and the general public. Said Chapter is further organized to undertake such interaction including lobbying and litigation support with various governmental bodies as may be necessary or desirable to promote the motorcycling interests of the Chapter s members and affiliates. ARTICLE I Section I Section II ARTICLE II PRINCIPAL OFFICE AND REGISTERED AGENT Principal Office PEO-TAZ Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, Inc., having no physical office, will accept all mails and parcels at: PEO-TAZ Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. of IL, Inc., P.O. Box 5936, Peoria, IL 61601-5936 Registered Agent The address of the registered agent is A.B.A.T.E. OF Illinois, Inc. 311 E. Main Street, #418, Galesburg, IL 61401-4834 MEMBERSHIP Section I Eligibility/Dues A. Any person 18 years or older may join the chapter by paying a one or five year membership fee which is established by A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, Inc. by completing a membership form to be submitted to the Membership Coordinator of the Chapter. B. Membership will expire at the end of the member s paid period. C. Membership is not transferable to another person or state. 1
Section II Membership Rights A. Member is to be represented by A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, Inc in legislative matters regarding motorcyclist s rights. B. Members have voting privileges at all general meetings after membership of one month in PEO-TAZ Chapter of A.B.A.T.E of Illinois, Inc. C. No member shall take it upon him/herself to act on behalf or as an agent of the Chapter by entering into verbal or written contractual agreements without prior consent of the Executive Board. D. Any member wishing to bring in new business to a monthly meeting can do so during New Business as set forth in Robert s Rules of Order. If a member wishes to be put on the official printed agenda, he/she must contact the President five days prior to the Chapter meeting. E. Any member wishing to propose a change to the By-Laws of PEO-TAZ Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, Inc. may do so as outlined in ARTICLE X, Section III, letter A. F. Any member may register a suggestion or complaint about chapter business or another member by submitting the suggestion or complaint in written form to the Security Director or placing it in the suggestion box. Section III Termination of Membership A. Membership may be terminated or suspended from PEO-TAZ Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, Inc. for conduct unbecoming a member of the Chapter. Upon receipt of a written complaint, the Executive Board will send a written notice by regular and registered mail at least seven calendar days prior to an Executive Board Hearing. The Executive Board will hear the allegation against the member and the member has the right to respond to the allegation. If the member cannot attend, the member may provide a written or recorded statement or may send a personal representative. At the conclusion of the hearing a secret ballot vote of the Executive Board as stipulated in ARTICLE IV, Section III, letter C, is sufficient to recommend referral of the issue to a Officers meeting or to dismiss the allegation. B. If necessary, written notice shall be sent by regular and registered mail seven calendar days prior to a Board of Directors meeting. The Board of Directors will hear the allegations against the member and the member has the right to respond to the allegation. If the member cannot attend, the member may provide a written or recorded statement or may send a personal representative. At the conclusion of the hearing a secret ballot vote of the Board of Directors as stipulated in ARTICLE IV, Section III, letter E, is 2
sufficient to recommend referral of the issue to the general membership or to dismiss the allegation. C. If necessary, at the next regularly scheduled chapter meeting the recommendation shall be given to the attending membership which will vote on the recommendation by secret ballot. D. If the majority of the attending membership votes for suspension or termination, the Executive Board will notify the member and A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois Inc. of the decision. ARTICLE III Section I Section II ARTICLE IV OFFICERS OF THE CHAPTER The Executive Board consists of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Coordinator, and Safety & Ed. Coordinator, and State Representative. The Board of Directors consists of the Activities Director, Security Director, Public Relations Director, Newsletter Director, Products Director, Attendance Director, and Legislative Director. ELECTION, TERMS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES Section I Election A. To run for office, a member must be an active member of PEO- TAZ Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, Inc. for one year. B. A Member of PEO-TAZ Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, Inc. who is running for or holding an elected officer position in the Peo-Taz Chapter shall not run for nor hold an elected officer position in any other A.B.A.T.E. chapter and vice-versa. There are no restrictions on holding any appointed or committee positions. C. If an elected officer resigns during his/her term, he/she cannot run for another elected position in the next general election. D. No member may hold two elected positions at one time at the Chapter level. E. Nominations for elected positions will be taken from the floor at the September meeting. Letter of Intent forms for those accepting nominations and for those who wish to run for an elected office can be obtained at the September meeting. Letter of intent forms must be submitted before the start of the October meeting. After being read at the October meeting, the letter of intent will be published in the next newsletter. F. Members who submit a letter of intent form must attend the October or November officers meeting prior to election. G. Elections by secret ballot vote of the attending membership will be held in November during the chapter meeting. For each position on the ballot, the name of the person receiving the majority of the 3
votes will be announced. In case of a tie, another secret ballot vote will be taken until a majority is reached. Section II Terms A. Officers elected in even numbered years are the President, Treasurer, Safety & Ed. Coordinator, Activities Director, Security Director, Newsletter Director, and State Representative. B. Officers elected in odd numbered years are the Vice President, Secretary, Legislative Director, Membership Coordinator, Public Relations, and Attendance Director, and Products Director. Section III Responsibilities A. The Officers will approve business of the Corporation before being presented to the membership. B. Officers will not receive a salary for their services, but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses in connection with their duties as deemed necessary. C. An Executive Board meeting will be held whenever necessary with a quorum of 66 2/3% for example 5 of seven, in attendance necessary to vote on issues. D. An officers meeting of the Executive Board and the Board of Directors will be held once a month with a quorum of 66 2/3% example ten of fourteen, in attendance necessary to vote on issues. E. A meeting of the Board of Directors will be held whenever necessary with a quorum of 66 2/3%, for example five of seven, in attendance to vote on issues. F. Officers are required to attend all monthly meeting and as many events as possible. If an officer cannot attend, notification to another officer who will be attending is requested. G. All officers must try to attend and participate in the State Seminar. H. Attendance and job fulfillment of all officers and appointed persons will be reviewed in an officers meeting semiannually. Officers and persons of appointed positions who are not fulfilling their duties and responsibilities as outlined in ARTICLE IV, Section III of the By-Laws and in the job description of the office will be informed verbally and confidentially as to the nature of the allegation. Officers will take any action deemed necessary at that time. ARTICLE V VACANCIES Section I Notice A. Any officer wishing to resign must submit his/her intention to the Executive Board in writing providing a two months advance notice. 4
B. The Executive Board in emergency situations, which preclude such advance notification, will give special consideration. Section II Filling Vacancies A. If six months or less remain in the term of the office, the officers, at their discretion, may decide to have an officer assume the position for the remainder of the term or to begin the election process as outlined in ARTICLE IV, Section I. B. If more than six months remain in the term of office, the President will announce the vacancy and the date of a special election at the next chapter meeting. The election process will proceed as outline in ARTICLE IV, Section I with necessary noted changed to the months involved. ARTICLE VI LIMITATION OF LIABILITY Section I A. No member of the corporation shall be personally liable for the debt or obligations of the PEO-TAZ Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, Inc. ARTICLE VII JOB DESCRIPTIONS Section I A. Job descriptions intend to clarify the duties of each elected and appointed position for any member wishing to run or considering a position, to provide ease of transition from person to person, and to provide a basis for evaluating job performance as outlined in ARTICLE IV, Section III, letter H. B. Written job descriptions will be kept on file by the President, Secretary, and Membership. C. Written job descriptions will be on file with the By-Laws of PEO -TAZ Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, Inc. ARTICLE VIII TRUSTEES Section I Eligibility A. To run for the position of Trustee, a member must be an active member of PEO-TAZ Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, Inc. for one year. B. Members of PEO-TAZ Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, Inc who are officers of any motorcycle organization cannot run for the position of Trustee. C. Members of PEO-TAZ Chapter of A.B.A.T.E of Illinois, Inc. who are interested in the position must not have family members or significant others in the same household serving on the Executive Board or the Board of Directors. 5
D. Trustees shall not be eligible to serve as Officers or on committees whose books, records and/or accounts are audited by the Trustees of PEO-TAZ Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, Inc. Section II Election A. Nominations for Trustees will be taken from the Floor at the February membership meeting. Letter of intent forms for those accepting nominations and for those who wish to run for Trustee can be obtained at the February meeting. Letter of intent forms must be submitted before the start of the March meeting. After being read at the March meeting, the letters of intent will be published in the next newsletter. B. Election by secret ballot of the attending membership will be held in April during the chapter meeting. Section III Terms A. The person garnering the most votes will serve a three-year term. B. The person garnering the second most votes will serve a two-year term. C. The person garnering the third most votes will serve the one-year term. D. Each April a Trustee will be elected for a three-year term. ARTICLE IX APPOINTED POSITIONS AND COMMITTEES Section I Appointed Positions A. The President will announce at monthly chapter meetings when vacancies occur for appointed positions. B. Letter of intent forms for appointed positions, available from the Secretary, should be turned into any Executive Board member by the start of the next chapter meeting. C. The Roving Reporter, the Webmaster, and other appointed positions as deemed necessary will be selected by the Executive Board from the submitted letters of intent. Section II Committees A. Standing Committees 1. The officers, by 66 2/3% vote may create and establish standing committees as deemed necessary for the efficient and effective operation of the chapter. 2. Considering recommendations from the officers, the President shall appoint a chairperson or chairpersons for any standing committee. 3. The President shall request volunteers for any standing committee at the chapter meeting. 6
4. Any standing committee shall consist of no fewer than three total members. 5. The chairperson(s) shall provide the President with the names of the members of the committee. B. Special Committees 1. The officers by a 66 2/3% vote, may create and establish special committees as deemed necessary for the efficient and effective operation of the chapter. 2. Considering recommendation from the officers, the President shall appoint a chairperson or chairpersons for any special committee. 3. The President shall request volunteers for any special Committee at the chapter meeting. 4. Any special committee shall consist of no fewer that three total members. 5. The chairperson(s) shall provide the President with the Names of the members of the committee. 6. Special committees shall dissolve at the conclusion of their assigned project. ARTICLE X ENFORCEMENT, DISTRIBUTION, AND CHANGES TO THE BY-LAWS Section I Enforcement A. Authority to enforce these By-Laws and for any item covered herein shall be vested solely in the Executive Board. Section II Distribution A. The Secretary will keep a copy of the By-Laws in file. B. A copy of the By-Laws will be sent by the Secretary to the office A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, Inc. and to other parties deemed necessary by the officers. C. A copy of the By-Laws will be available by the Membership Coordinator to each new member upon receiving an application and to each member as his/her membership is renewed. Section III Changes A. Any proposed change to the By-Laws must be submitted in writing to the By-Law committee chairperson by the start of any chapter meeting. The dated and legibly signed submission must refer to the Article, Section and/or letter(s) being proposed for change as well as the recommendation and the reason for change. B. The By-Laws committee will review the proposal and the recommendation at the next officers meeting. 7
C. The officers, after having discussed the proposal and the recommendation from the By-Laws committee, will arrive at their own recommendation, which will be presented to the present membership at the chapter meeting. D. The original proposal and the recommendation of the officers will be published in the next newsletter. E. The By-Law issue will be put on the agenda under Old Business at the next chapter meeting. A vote of the present membership will be taken; a simple majority vote is required to pass a change to the By-Laws. F. The By-Laws committee will review the By-Laws on an annual basis in October. Revised as of July 2007 8