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Bylaws

NORTHEAST COACHES FOR CHRIST CHAPTER BYLAWS  ARTICLE I – CHAPTER NAME The name of this not-for-profit organization shall be the North East Coaches for Christ chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association, Inc., hereinafter referred to as Chapter and FMCA.  ARTICLE II – OBJECT 1.     PURPOSE: This Chapter exists to promote social, recreational, and informational exchange activities that provide for the enjoyment and pleasurable use of family member coaches. 2.     AREA/SCOPE: This Chapter shall be authorized to function in the Northeast FMCA Area with a mutual interest in Christian Fellowship.  ARTICLE III – MEMBERS 1. ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for and to maintain membership in the    Chapter, a person must own at least 1/3 of an FMCA approved coach, be in good standing with FMCA, and meet the dues requirement and provisions set forth in the Bylaws of this Chapter.  Membership in this Chapter shall not be denied any person because of race, sex, religion, marital or family status, age, nationality, or disability. 2. The term “Family Unit” is defined as a person, his or her spouse, dependents, regardless of age, non-dependent grandchildren or great grandchildren aged 18 and under. 3. The term “Membership” is defined as either a family unit or individuals owning a qualifying motor coach who share a membership number. 4. The term “Member” is defined as each adult who, jointly or individually, constitutes a membership.  The voting rights of each member are defined in the description of each category. 5. The term “qualifying motor coach” is defined as a self-propelled, completely self-contained vehicle that contains all the conveniences of a home, including cooking, sleeping, and permanent sanitary facilities, and in which the driver’s area is directly accessible from the living quarters.  The terms motor coach and motor home may be used interchangeably.   6. DUES AND FEES:      ANNUAL DUES:   Annual payment of Chapter and National dues enables persons to become active members and entitled to all rights and privileges of the Chapter and FMCA.  The annual dues for membership in the Chapter shall be an amount as the membership shall establish.     RENEWAL:  Renewal dues from Chapter members become due and payable January 1.     INITIAL APPLICATION:  Application for new membership shall be accompanied by payment of annual Chapter and national dues (unless already an FMCA member.)  If an initial application is accepted after October 1, the dues shall be regarded as covering the next membership year.     INITIATION FEE:  New and reinstated members may be required to pay an initiation fee in an amount to be established by the Chapter membership.    ARREARS:  Any member whose dues remain unpaid for more than 6 months after becoming due shall be considered delinquent; after 1 year Membership is canceled.  ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS 1.  DUTIES OF OFFICERS:  The duties of elected officers shall be as defined in the Member and Volunteer Handbook. 2.  TERMS OF OFFICE:  The elected officers of this Chapter shall serve a 2 year term of office, or until their successors are elected. 3.  RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS:  An individual FMCA member may hold office(s) in only one chapter.   Individual FMCA members may hold no more than two offices in the same chapter.    Any member in good standing may be nominated from the floor for any elective office.    Only full members, full lifetime members, life members or honorary members who have advanced from one of these classes have the right to hold office in this chapter.     No official or member shall become vested of any right, title to, or interest in any Chapter property, except as required by law. 4. EXECUTIVE BOARD: The Officers of the Chapter shall constitute the Executive Board and shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Chapter between its business meetings.  The Board shall be subject to the orders of the Chapter, and none of its acts shall be in conflict with the Chapter or FMCA.    ARTICLE V – COMMITTEES 1.  APPOINTMENT:  Committee members and Chairpersons shall be appointed by the President. (except the Nominating Committee) 2. DUTIES: All committees shall function within the policies of the Chapter and (except Nominating committee) under the direction of the President.  Financial reports, vouchers, and monies due the Chapter shall be submitted on a timely basis. 3. QUORUM:  A committee quorum shall be a majority.  ARTICLE VI – CHAPTER ADMINISTRATION 1.  AUTHORITY:  This Chapter shall be democratically self-governed, deriving its existence and authority from the consent of its membership assembled in meeting or, in certain instances, by mail vote on stated propositions. 2.  ORGANIZATIONAL YEAR:  The fiscal and membership year of the Chapter shall commence on January 1 and end on December 31. 3.  CHAPTER MEETINGS:  The term “meeting” shall include rallies, campouts, dinner meetings, and any other gatherings suitable to the function of the Chapter.       BUSINESS MEETINGS:  The Chapter must hold at least 2 business meetings each membership year at which a quorum is present.  Said meetings must be at least 14 days apart and be duly announced in advance to the membership.  ELECTION:  One of the business meetings shall be an election meeting at which the membership is to elect the following: Chapter President, 1 or more Vice presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a National Director, an Alternate National Director as well as a Nominating Committee.     QUORUM:  A quorum for the transaction of business at any duly called Chapter meeting is 25% of the membership or 15 unit members, whichever is less.     VOTING:  Except as specified elsewhere in these Bylaws, a simple majority vote of members in good standing and voting shall be required to approve or disapprove any matter.  The Chapter has established that voting will be 1 vote each adult member (18 or over)  Balloting by mail may be undertaken when a proposed matter is of such importance that a total membership vote is advisable.     PARLIAMENTARY PROCESS:  The rules contained in the current edition of “Robert’s Rules of Order” shall govern the chapter’s proceedings to which they are applicable and which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws of FMCA or this Chapter. 4. MAINTAINING AFFILIATION:  The Chapter must maintain a minimum of 15 family unit members.  The Chapter Secretary shall furnish to the National Office of FMCA, no later than December 31, a membership list, list of chapter officers, and affirm that two business meetings were held. 5. ANNUAL AUDIT:  An annual audit of the chapter’s financial books and records shall be undertaken and reported to the membership. 6.  APPLICATION OF NATIONAL CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS:  This Chapter accepts and agrees that these Bylaws shall conform to any mandatory requirements of the Constitution and Bylaws of FMCA.  ARTICLE VII – ELECTIONS 1. NOMINATING COMMITTEE:  Shall consist of not less than 3 Chapter members in good standing, nominated and elected every other year by the Chapter membership.  Election of an individual to the Nominating Committee shall not prohibit that person from being nominated for elected office. 2. NOMINATING COMMITTEE DUTIES: To select one of its members as Nominating Committee Chairman. To nominate candidates for the Chapter offices to be presented for voting  by the Chapter membership. To obtain clear acceptance of the nominees to serve the Chapter should they be elected. To make certain that nominated candidates are members in good standing and qualified under applicable National and chapter Bylaws. To nominate candidates to fill vacancies that occur in elected Chapter offices.  ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS 1.  MANDATORY AMENDMENTS:  National Bylaw Amendments applicable to Chapter operations shall be automatically adopted by the Chapter and are not subject to a vote by the membership. 2.  AMENDING PROCEDURE:  These Bylaws may be amended by a two thirds affirmative vote of the members present and voting at a duly called meeting, providing that prior notice of at least 30 days has been given of the proposition to amend.  Any member of the Chapter may propose amendments to the Bylaws.  Approved amendments become effective immediately upon their adoption, or at such time specified.    3. DISTRIBUTION:  Copies of changes, additions, amendments or revisions to these Bylaws shall be forwarded to the National Office.  ARTICLE IX – LIQUIDATION AND DISSOLUTION  In the event of dissolution of this Chapter of FMCA, by majority vote of the Chapter, all of the remaining assets of the Chapter shall be contributed to the purpose(s) for which the Chapter is organized, or to a qualified non-profit charity or charities.  EFFECTIVE     July 15, 2003       NORTHEAST COACHES FOR CHRIST CHAPTER STANDING RULES  The following rules were approved by the membership on August 9, 2008 1. OFFICERS: The following chapter officers will be elected by a majority vote to serve a two year term or until new officer is elected.  Duties of each office are as listed in FMCA Handbook. President Secretary National Director Nominating Committee – at least 3 members Vice President Treasurer Alternate National Director 2. OTHER POSITIONS: The following positions may be appointed by the chapter president with the approval of the Executive Board (the elected officers) Newsletter Editor, Web master, Wagon master, program coordinator 3. DUES: Annual chapter dues shall be $10.00 per family unit.  New members joining the chapter and paying dues between October 1 and December 31, will be considered paid for the following year.  Members who have not paid dues by June 30, will be notified they are in arrears.  If dues are not paid by the following year, past due members will be dropped from the roster. 4. CHAPTER MEETINGS: The chapter will hold at least (2) business meetings annually.  Elections will be held bi-annually at the Northeast Area Rally.  Special elections to fill vacancies will be held at the next scheduled meeting. 5. NAME BADGES: The chapter will adopt the blue, egg-shaped badge with the fish imprint originally designed by Coaches for Christ International.  If desired, one or more hangers may be added to the badge indicating chapter or officer titles. 6. GUEST POLICY: Guests and former members are welcome at all meetings but may not vote or hold office. 7. MONIES: A member doing chapter business may be reimbursed up to $100 per occurrence.  Expenditures over $100 should be approved by the Executive Board before payment. 8. AMENDING: These standing rules refer to chapter operating procedures and may be amended by majority vote at any meeting and may also be temporarily suspended.