Club Bylaws

Homepage About the Club Get Involved Event Calendar Environmental Action Land Use/OHV Access Whoops! Members' Rigs Links & Affiliations Photo Gallery Forums

 

ARTICLE I:  Organization, Structure

Organization:

bullet

This club shall be called the Cumberland Off-Road Club [club].

bullet

This club shall be called this unless it is presented by vote during new business for change.  A unanimous vote must be incurred by all present members and approval from the Board received to change this name.

bullet

This club shall be a non-profit organization for public benefit.

bullet

This club shall be a member club of the Southern Four-Wheel Drive Association [SFWDA].

Structure:

bullet

A Board of Directors [BOD] panel shall exist consisting of at least 3 directors and a Chairman at any given time.

bullet

A BOD member may resign from the position by announcement to the club at a regular meeting but will be expected to fulfill their duties until a new member has been voted in.

bullet

A BOD member who is delinquent in dues monies more than three months past due date shall forfeit their position on the board and must be reappointed and voted into the position.

bullet

In the event of a Director's vacancy the opening shall be filled by an appointed member in good standing who has completed a minimum of two years' service to the executive committee and he or she must be approved by membership vote.

bullet

Executive Officers shall exist and the officers shall be selected through nomination and membership vote.  No minimum club affiliation time is required to serve as an officer.

 

ARTICLE II:  Purpose

Purpose:

bullet

Cumberland Off-Road Club is formed exclusively for recreational, educational, and charitable purposes.  Cumberland Off-Road Club is to be a safe Off-Highway Vehicle [OHV] recreation club, open to all four-wheel drive vehicle types, which unites folks for the common goal of enjoying OHV recreation.  Part of our mission is to provide enjoyable off-highway trail riding opportunities, especially for newcomers to the sport.  As a group, Cumberland Off-Road Club will promote safe responsible use of OHV's and will work to keep OHV areas open as well as work to increase OHV trail riding opportunities in the Southeast.  Each member of Cumberland Off-Road Club will promote a family atmosphere at all times on the trails.  Club members and all family members are encouraged to attend club rides, dinners, parties, work days, and all club activities.  Cumberland Off-Road Club members are to encourage all OHV users, regardless of vehicle type, driver experience, or skill level to always enjoy the sport, give back to the spot, promote a positive image of off-road recreation, and never forget to have FUN!

 

ARTICLE III:  Membership, Dues, Rules and Requirements

Membership Types:

bullet

Individual Membership:  A membership for a single person, which has a single vote.  This membership will carry one membership to SFWDA and United Four Wheel Drive Association [UFWDA].

bullet

Family Membership:  Membership for multiple people in a single household, this membership still allows for a single vote.  This membership carries one family membership to SFWDA and United Four Wheel Drive Association [UFWDA].

Rights of Members:

bullet

Membership will be allowed in other similar 4x4 groups.  All guests attending our rides from other organizations will be required to follow our club rules for a safe trail ride.

bullet

Membership shall run for one year (365 days).

Dues:

bullet

Dues will be set annually by the executive officers.  A portion of membership dues shall go toward membership in SFWDA and UFWDA.

bullet

Dues are due by the first monthly meeting of each year [see Amendment 4]

bullet

Dues may be paid late, however a loss of full club benefits is possible.

bullet

Any officer whose dues are more than three months lapsed shall be relieved of their position.  a new officer shall be placed in this position by President's appointment or membership vote.

Rules:

Eligibility and Obligations of Membership:

bullet

Membership in the club shall be open to any individuals/families who agree to abide by the Bylaws and Membership Standards of the club and who support the purposes and goals of the club.  All members are expected to contribute to the best interests and growth of the club by volunteering for committees and assigned tasks and for taking their turn at leadership positions.  All club members will submit mailing address, e-mail address, and/or phone number changes to the club Secretary in a timely manner.

bullet

No member may speak on behalf of this club without approval from the Board of Directors and the President.

bullet

All actions on behalf of this club must be approved by the Board of Directors and the President.

bullet

The following vehicle rules/requirements were set by the club:

Vehicle Requirements:

bullet

Safe attachment point available (front and rear) for extraction.

bullet

Minimum of liability insurance on your vehicle.

bullet

No alcohol at any club ride.

bullet

Seatbelts for all passengers are required.

bullet

Recovery strap in vehicle is required on all rides.

bullet

No chains for tow straps.  No metal hooks on ends of straps.

bullet

Full size usable spare tire

bullet

First-aid kit

bullet

Fire extinguisher

Recommended Accessories:

bullet

CB Radio or FRS two-way radio

bullet

Extra food and clothing

Club Trail Ride Rules:

bullet

No alcohol at club rides (Previously stated)

bullet

No illegal drugs at ANYTIME or ANYWHERE.

bullet

No behavior that would be unsafe for anyone on a ride.

bullet

Seatbelts for all passengers are required (Previously stated)

bullet

Show courtesy to other trail users and assist anyone in need of help.

bullet

Shut off engines when encountering equestrian riders.

bullet

First time offense for drugs or alcohol - you are asked to leave the club ride and will be removed from club rolls.  You must contact the Executive Committee to explain yourself and the committee will decide whether or not the offender should be voted back in.  Membership vote required.

 

ARTICLE IV:  Meetings

Meetings:

bullet

This club shall hold monthly business meetings.

bullet

The place of the meeting will be open to suggestion, but finalized by the Executive Officers.

bullet

The Executive Officers can call for special meetings at any given time at their discretion.

bullet

No less than 50% of the members shall constitute a quorum and shall be necessary to conduct business of the club.

bullet

Meeting time and place for the 12 monthly meetings will be decided upon by the fourth month of the year and shall remain in effect for 12 consecutive meetings.

Order of Business:

bullet

Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting

bullet

Reports of the executive board

bullet

Old and unfinished business

bullet

New business

bullet

Events/Trail rides/Announcements

bullet

Adjourning

 

ARTICLE V:  Voting

Voting:

bullet

At all meetings, all votes shall be by voice or show of hands.

bullet

At any meeting, if any topic is questionable, it will be put to a vote unless special circumstances occur.

bullet

The President does not have a vote except to break a tie.

 

ARTICLE VI:  Board of Directors

The duties of the Board of Directors shall be:

bullet

Assist and advise the Executive Officers in guiding the club toward its intended purpose.

bullet

Seek future direction which will improve the quality of club membership.

bullet

Maintain the business and legal requirements for the club.

bullet

Pursue continued opportunities for improvement.

bullet

The power of the board shall not extend beyond the power to veto a membership vote.  A majority vote from the Board is required to to veto a membership vote.

The Executive Officers shall be:

bullet

President

bullet

Vice-President

bullet

Secretary

bullet

Treasurer

bullet

Membership Director

bullet

A term of office shall run one year from March meeting to March meeting for each member of the Executive Officers.

bullet

[see Amendment 1 and 2]

bullet

The duties of the Officers shall be dealing with the day to day business and exchanging of information to the members.  Specifically:

President:

bullet

The President shall preside at club meetings.

bullet

The President shall see all minutes, records, and monies that have anything to do with the club. 

bullet

The President shall be responsible for guiding the club in its intended purpose.

bullet

The President can designate people to be in committees as he/she sees fit.

bullet

The President will see that all club rides are safe for all members.

bullet

The President shall not have a vote at meetings except to upset a balanced vote.

bullet

The President makes up the first member of the Executive Committee.

Vice President:

bullet

The Vice President shall take over the duties of the President in the absence of the President.   An example would be if a club ride occurs that the President is not able to attend, the Vice President would take full responsibility as if he/she was the appointed President.

bullet

The Vice President will also be allowed to see all minutes, records, and monies that have anything to do with the club.

bullet

The Vice President makes up the second member of the Executive Committee.

Secretary:

bullet

The Secretary shall keep all the minutes for each meeting and keep the records in an appropriate consecutive manner.  These minutes shall be kept safe and passed on to the next incoming Secretary. 

bullet

The Secretary will serve all notices to the members of the organization.

bullet

The Secretary will read the minutes of the previous meeting at each meeting.

bullet

The Secretary will take roll of members present at each meeting.

bullet

The Secretary will take note of any volunteer hours that a club member participates in.

bullet

The Secretary makes up the third member of the Executive Committee.

Treasurer:

bullet

The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all monies belonging to the organization.

bullet

If money is needed to buy something for the club, the Treasurer could okay the purchase with two of the Board of Directors' approval.

bullet

The Treasurer shall present a report of expenditures and money collected at meetings and events.

bullet

The Treasurer shall ensure all expenditures are in accordance with club purposes.

bullet

The Treasurer makes up the fourth member of the Executive Committee.

Membership Director:

bullet

The Membership Director shall be responsible for documenting contact information of all club members.

bullet

The Membership Director will inform new members of the benefits, rules, and privileges of membership.

bullet

The Membership Director will promote the merit and purpose of Cumberland Off-Road club to all potential members.

bullet

The Membership Director will provide public relations for the club.

Activities Director/Trail Boss (see Amendment 3):

bullet

The position of Activities Director shall exist.  The member in this position shall assume the role of Trail boss and the following duties apply (adopted from Kentucky Krawlers club):

bullet

The Trail Boss will be in charge of trail rides along with elders of the club.  If the Trail Boss cannot attend, then an officer or elder of the club will take charge.

bullet

The Trail Boss can designate different people to be in charge of different groups on the trail ride.

bullet

The Trail Boss will oversee all activity on the trail ride to ensure safety.  If accidents happen, it is not the fault of the Trail Boss.  The Trail Boss is just there to lend a helping hand from years of experience to the ride to make things safer and more fun for all.

bullet

The Trail Boss will try to plan club rides ahead of time and put together a calendar.  More rides and trips will occur, but the Trail Boss is in charge of putting together a set number of rides for the club to plan for each year.

 

ARTICLE VII:  Amendments to the Bylaws

bullet

Amendments to the Bylaws can be made at any given time at a club meeting.

bullet

Amendments to the Bylaws must be voted in by 100% of a constituted quorum after the proposed Bylaws are approved.

Amendments:

bullet

[1]    March, 2002, Chris Knox, motion to extend the term of officer to two years.  Motion carried - amended Article VI Section 2.6.  The term of office for all executive officers shall run two years.

bullet

[2]    January 2003, Rhyn Brogden, motion to combine membership director and treasurer into one position.  Motion carried - amended Article VI Section 2.4.  The Treasurer shall be responsible for the duties as outlined for Treasurer and Membership Director.

bullet

[3]    October 2004, Carson Correll, motion to add office of Activities Director to Executive Officers.  Discussion - could this be handled by existing office?  Revised - add position (Trail Boss) with no executive distinction.  Motion carried - amended Article VI Section 3.1.  Added.

bullet

[4]    April 2005, Chris Knox, motion to move dues date to be more consistent with SFWDA.  Motion carried - amended Article III Section 2.3.  dues are due at the September meeting and are considered late after the November meeting.