By-Laws of
American Legion Riders Motorcycle
Association
of the
STATE OF ALABAMA
Click here for a copy of State by-laws
Purposes
of The American Legion Riders
The purposes of the American Legion
Riders are to provide an organization through which the members may
use their common interest and association to promote the aims and
purposes of The American Legion, the Sons of The American Legion, and
The American Legion Auxiliary, as well as the promotion of motorcycle
safety and awareness; to support those serving in uniform today; to
participate in community services and other ceremonies in keeping with
the aims and purposes of The American Legion; a social atmosphere for
members of The American Legion who share the same interest; and to use
our Association to promote and support programs of The American
Legion.
General
Principles
The American Legion Riders (ALR) is
a national program of The American Legion, recognized and authorized
by Resolution 35, “American Legion Riders as a National Program,”
National Executive Committee of The American Legion, October 17-18,
2007. The ALR is supported by The American Legion National
Headquarters and the Department of Alabama. The ALR upholds the
declared principles of The American Legion, and the ALR conforms to
and abides by the constitutions, by-laws, regulations, directives, and
decisions of The American Legion National Headquarters and the
Department of Alabama.
The American Legion National
Headquarters and the Department of Alabama maintain general oversight
of the ALR program, particularly, but without limitation, the proper
use of the name and emblem of The American Legion and the ALR; The
American Legion Legacy Run; and compliance with the governing
documents of The American Legion National Headquarters and the
Department of Alabama.
All members of the ALR shall strive
to maintain the image of The American Legion, at all times upholding
The American Legion name and emblem, which symbolizes the integrity
and principles of this great organization.
The ALR shall avoid the perception
of being a “motorcycle club” or “biker club.”
All ALR members shall obey the
motorcycle and traffic laws of each state in which they operate a
motorcycle.
No part of these ALR by-laws shall
be interpreted or construed to be inconsistent or in conflict with the
governing documents of either The American Legion National
Headquarters of the Department of Alabama. These by-laws, and any
other governing documents or directives of the ALR, are subordinate to
the constitution and by-laws of
The American Legion National
Headquarters and the Department of Alabama. Any provision of these
by-laws that is inconsistent or in conflict with the constitution and
by-laws of the American Legion National Headquarters and Department of
Alabama shall not be enforceable and shall be void and of no effect.
The original by-laws of the American
Legion Riders Motorcycle Association of the State of Alabama were
voted on and adopted on June 13, 2003, at a State Officers Meeting
Held at American Legion Post 155, in Bynum, Alabama. The original
by-laws were modified and amended in January, 2005.
A. The ALR Back Patch
1. The only recognized logo
and back patch of the ALR is that copyrighted and sold through The
American Legion National Emblem Sales. No other back patch or back
patch design is authorized to represent the ALR. No additional
lettering or images may be imposed upon the official ALR back patch.
2. Rockers authorized for
wear with the back patch shall not touch the patch because touching
the patch violates the trademark of the ALR patch.
3. The ALR back patch is to
be worn by all members of the ALR, subject to the
requirements and conditions set out
in these by-laws, when participating in any activity or function of
the ALR.
4. The ALR back patch must
be the dominant feature on the back of the garment upon which it is
worn. The ALR patch must not be subordinated or made equal to any
other patch, logo, emblem or device.
5. Local ALR chapters may
designate the garment upon which the ALR back patch shall or may be
worn.
6. The ALR is a program of
The American Legion and, as such, ALR members are representatives of
The American Legion. ALR members shall dress in a manner that promotes
a positive image for The American Legion, particularly when operating
in group activities or interacting with the community.
7. The ALR back patch and
related articles of clothing incorporate The American Legion emblem,
and must be worn in a manner consistent with The American Legion
emblem requirements.
B.
Full Membership: These are the
requirements for full membership in the ALR:
·
1. Must be
a current paid member in good standing of The American Legion, The
American Legion Auxiliary, or the Sons of The American Legion.
·
2. Must be
the legally registered owner of a motorcycle, properly insured as
required by the laws of the State of Alabama, of at least 350 cubic
centimeters (cc) (21.4 cubic inches) engine displacement.
·
3. Must
possess a valid motorcycle operator’s license in the individual’s
state of residence or the military equivalent thereof.
·
4. Must not
hold membership in more than one post-level chapter of the ALR.
·
5. The
legal spouse of an ALR member in good standing is eligible for full
membership in the same ALR chapter as his or her spouse provided
that the legal spouse is a current paid member in good standing of The
American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary, or the Sons of The
American Legion.
C.
Honorary Membership: Chapters, at
their discretion, may elect by majority vote at a regular membership
meeting to authorize an honorary membership to an individual or
individuals under the following guidelines:
·
1. The
individual(s) must meet all requirements of section B.1.
·
2. These
memberships are to be an honorary nature and do not constitute full
membership. Honorary memberships should only be granted to those
person who have demonstrated themselves to be assets to The American
Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary, or the Sons of The American
Legion, and who have excelled in promoting the aims and purposes of
The American Legion Riders. Honorary members may serve on committees,
etc., but are not eligible to vote. Those approved for honorary
membership are granted privileges to attend meetings and limited
participation in meetings regardless of other offices held within The
American Legion family organizations.
·
3. If
American Legion Rider back patches are granted to these honorary
members, they must contain a bar with the back patch, but not touching
the back patch, stating HONORARY, so as to clearly identify the class
of membership. Shirts or other wearing apparel, which contain the ALR
emblem or logo must contain the words HONORARY or I SUPPORT.
D.
Special Class Membership:
A full ALR member or the spouse of
an ALR member may continue ALR membership as a special class member
(with full membership privileges) if the member or spouse no longer or
fails to meet the membership requirements of section B.2, pursuant to
the following and subject to the approval of the general membership:
1. Death of the
spouse who was the owner of the motorcycle as defined in section
B.2.
2. Disability, which
prevents the member from physically being able to operate a
motorcycle, and ownership of the motorcycle was relinquished, due to
this disability (this would also allow the spouse to continue
membership under these conditions for a special class membership.)
3. The member has been a
member of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary, or the
Sons of The American Legion for at least one full year.
4. If the member has been a
member of the ALR for ten (10) consecutive years and has reached the
age of 50, that member is entitled to the distinction of a “Special
Class Life Member,” which may continue without regard to section B.2,
for the rest of the member’s life, and payment of local ALR chapter
dues will be waived. Special Class Life Members must continue to
satisfy the requirement of section B.1.
E. Non-Member
Apparel: All apparel sold to
non-members of the ALR must contain the words “I SUPPORT” the ALR, but
in a manner consistent with the requirements of section A.
F. Officers of
the American Legion Riders Alabama State Charter
are as follows:
·
Director (Cannot Hold
Dual Offices)
·
Assistant Director
(Cannot Hold Dual Offices)
·
Secretary
·
Treasurer
·
Run Coordinator
·
Historian
·
Membership
·
Sgt-at-Arms
·
Chaplain
·
Communications Officer
·
Judge Advocate
G.
Officers of the Post Level American Legion Riders
(Minimum Requirements):
·
Director (Cannot Hold
Dual Offices)
·
Assistant Director
(Cannot Hold Dual Offices)
·
Secretary
·
Treasurer
·
Run Coordinator
·
Historian
·
Membership
·
Sgt-at-Arms
H.
Post may add Officers as deemed
necessary.
I.
Post officers may hold more than one
position but not two exceed two offices with exception to the Director
and Assistant Director. See sections F and G. .
J. Elections:
Elections of State Chapter Officers will be held every two years in
conjunction with The American Legion Department of Alabama Annual
Convention, and the ALR post level chapter officers will be held
annually, at the same time as their American Legion Post holds its
elections.
K.
Duties of State and Post Officers:
·
Director: Will serve
as Chief Administrative Officer of the Association and will preside
over all meetings. The Director shall have general supervision over
the affairs of the association and shall perform such other duties as
directed by the general membership.
·
Assistant Director:
Will assume the duties of the Director should the Director not be
available. Will assist the Director in the performance of all duties
as called on to do so by the Director.
·
Secretary: To keep a
full and correct record of all proceedings of meetings.
·
Treasurer: To have
charge of all finances of the Association. To have charge of
distributing funds as directed by the general membership. To give
detailed financial reports at each meeting. The State Treasurer will
present a budget each year to The American Legion Department Executive
Committee (DEC) and provide a complete audit of all state funds.
·
Run Coordinator (RC):
Will be the logistics person in charge of organized runs of the
Association. The RC will determine dates times, routes, and meeting
places for those taking part in a run activity. The RC, at any time,
may appoint assistant road captains take any other measures necessary
to help insure the safety of the group during the run.
·
Historian: To keep
all Historical records of the charter/post chapter.
·
Membership: Keep
membership records as may be required by the general membership. Give
detailed reports at each regular meeting. The State Membership person
shall give full detailed report of all paid-up full members, including
honorary and special class members, of each chapters within the State
ALR.
·
Sergeant-at-Arms:
Will help set up meetings and maintain order during meetings, and also
assist Director in most activities.
·
Chaplain: To give
spiritual guidance and counseling to membership, and open and close
all meetings when available.
·
Communications
Officer: Cause to publish a minimum of a quarterly newsletter (medium
may vary, hard copy, internet, e-mail, etc.) to all state chapter
members.
·
Judge Advocate: To
offer legal advice in situations requiring a lawyer.
L. Meetings: Meetings will
be held at a date, time, and place as voted on by the chapter members
or as directed by the director as they deemed in the best interest of
the charter.
The state meetings will be four
times a year. Two such meetings will be in conjunction with The
American Legion, one being the midwinter conference and the other at
the Annual Department Convention. The other two state meetings will be
held in the spring and fall in locations around the State of Alabama
at different Chapters. Seven members, consisting of at least three
officer, will constitute a quorum.
M.
Finances: Finances of each
Association Post Chapter will be from Association membership dues or
other such sources as approved by the membership. Finances for the
State Charter will be from dues or such other sources as approved by
the state officers.
·
The ALR state will
furnish to DEC a full financial report of the state finances each year
as well as a new state budget for the upcoming year as required by The
American Legion programs operations.
·
It is recommended that
each post chapter will submit to an audit at least once a year, buy
either an outside agency or from the parent Post Finance officer.
N.
Expulsion and Suspension of Members:
Any member may be expelled or suspended from the Association for good
cause, including, but not limited to, failure to meet the membership
requirements; violation of these by-laws or any other governing
document or directive of the ALR, violation of any provision of the
constitution or by-laws of The American Legion National Headquarters
or the Department of Alabama. Expulsion or suspension of a member
shall be by majority vote of a quorum of the general membership at a
regular post chapter meeting. The State Officers will handle all
appeals. If a patch is purchased by any expelled or suspended member,
a nominal buy-back will be offered if the patch is in a serviceable
condition. The patch MUST not be worn by expelled or suspended
members, and must be returned to the Association upon request.
Expulsion or suspension of a member from the ALR shall not affect or
impact the expelled or suspended member’s membership in The American
Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary or the Sons of The American
Legion.
O.
Charter Membership: Each post
chapter may determine eligibility for post charter membership in its
own post chapter. Alabama Chapter Charter Membership cut-off date is
December 31, 2003. To foster membership the cut-off date was extended
to January 31, 2004. The State Charter will remain with the original
founders and/or the original 43 members.
P.
Governing Rules: Each post chapter
may elect to adopt a set of standing rules to govern its membership.
These standing rules shall be no less stringent than those contained
in these by-laws, nor can they be in any conflict with the
constitution and by-laws of The American Legion National Headquarters
or the Department of Alabama.
Q.
Disbursement of Funds: Disbursement
of funds will be only those authorized at any regular meeting of the
State and /Post Chapter, and subject to the requirements therefore
imposed by the constitution and by-laws of The American Legion
National Headquarters and the Department of Alabama, and the
directions, instructions or orders of the Department Executive
Committee. The state chapter and each post chapter will be a
non-profit organization and may only disburse funds in a manner that
is keeping with local, state and federal laws regarding nonprofit
organizations, by majority vote.
R.
Order: All meetings will be
conducted under “Robert Rules of Order”
S.
State Annual Membership Dues: State
Level dues will be $7.50 if there are no District dues, and if there
are district dues then the State dues will be $5.00 as of January
2005. Post dues to be determined by Post members to include state
dues. State ALR dues will be required by November 15th of each year.
In the event a charter member whose dues for the current year have not
been paid by January 1st shall be classified as delinquent with
membership in state ALR forfeited. If charter membership has been
forfeited for delinquent dues only, and if the member is in good
standing otherwise, the member may rejoin state ALR without charter
privileges by February 1st. After February 1st, an individual may be
reinstated to active membership in good standing by a vote of the
state ALR general membership and payment of current dues for the year,
and meeting the requirements of section B. Original state founders and
charter members shall not be required to pay dues above the state dues
requirement. Consideration shall be taken when establishing district
dues, to point of not bringing undue hardship in post chapter members
meeting dues requirements.
T.
Membership Cards: A copy of the
membership application will be sent to the State office. State will
issue membership cards annually.
U.
No Confederation of Clubs (CoC) Affiliation:
The State Chapter or any Post Chapter shall not be a member of or
affiliated with any CoC motorcycle group. We do not sponsor or support
CoC operations.
V.
No “I SUPPORT” patches from any motorcycle club or group will
be worn on or with the American Legion Riders Patch at anytime.
·
Under General
Principles: ALR shall avoid the perception of being a “motorcycle club
or biker club.”
Adopted and Approved by general
membership meeting:
June 26, 2009
Rex Fronduti
Braxton Bridges
State Director ALR
Adjutant, The American Legion
Department of Alabama
