COMBAT VETERANS MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS INC. BY-LAWS 


ARTICLE 1: NAME AND EMBLEM 

Section 1 (a): The name of the Chapter is Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc. 

a. Principle office of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of 
Illinois, Inc will be located at the following address: 1102 26th Avenue Ct. Silvis, IL 61282 USA. 

b. Change of Address. The designation of the county of Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc. principal office may change by amendment of  these by-laws. The Board of Officers, from this point forward referred to as the BOD (Board of Directors), may change the principal office from one location to another within the named state by noting the changed address and effective date below, and such changes shall not be deemed minor, and require an amendment of these by-laws.

1. New Address: 4141 27th Avenue; Rock Island, IL 61201
Dated: 6 March, 2010

2. New Address: 3782 1st Street; East Moline, IL 61244
Dated: 23 January, 2012

3. New Address:
Dated:


c. Other Offices. The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc. may also have offices at such other places, within or without its county of incorporation, where it is qualified to do business, as its business and activities may require, and as the board of directors may from time to time, designate.

Section 1 (b):

IRC Section 501(c) (19) Purposes. Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational and/or scientific purposes as specified in Section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c) (19) of the Internal Revenue Code. The BOD has the authority to change the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc. by-laws if any part is found to be in conflict with Federal or Illinois State tax laws.

Section 1 (c): DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS UPON DISSOLUTION (November 2008):

Upon the dissolution of the Organization, it’s assets remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of the Corporation shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for public purposes and which has established its tax exempt status under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or shall be distributed to the Federal Government, or to a State or Local Government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the County in which the principal office of the Organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

Section 2:
 
The emblem/logo used by the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc. is the sole property of the National Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. The National Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association patch and logo cannot be reproduced without license from the National BOD (Board of Directors). The emblem of the National Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association is in the shape of a skull encompassed by the following colors. The incorporated colors are: Red, representing the blood that has been shed on the battlefield. The Military Gold, representing all branches of the military service of the United States. Black, representing the heavy hearts possessed for those who gave their lives and for those that are considered missing in action or prisoners of war. The Skull and Ace of Spade represents the death that war leaves in its wake.



ARTICLE 2: OBJECTIVES

General: Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc Protocol. The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc is formed for the betterment of communication and camaraderie between other Motorcycle Associations, Veterans Organizations, and other Motorcycle Groups.

Section 1:
To promote interest in various forms of motorcycle activity associated with Veterans.

Section 2:
To create, and maintain camaraderie among Combat Veterans from all U.S. Branches of Service and its Allies.

Section 3:
To support Veteran Organizations.

Section 4:
To raise awareness for the plight of POWs, MIAs and their families

Section 5:
To conduct Association functions, and activities in a manner befitting the members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc. membership.

Section 6:
To encourage a better understanding of motorcycle riding as a constructive sport among members of the public, press, and law enforcement agency.

Section 7:
Aiding hospitalized, disabled and needy war veterans and their dependents.



ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP
 
General: The term “Good standing” shall be defined as any person who has fulfilled the requirements for membership in the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois Inc., who is not currently under disciplinary review or probationary status for disciplinary reasons, who has paid the necessary dues and conformed to the requirements as set forth in these by-laws.

Section 1:
Any person:

(a) Of good character.
(b) Who is a Veteran of a Foreign War, "Combat".
(c) The ONLY acceptable proof for membership to the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc is a copy of one’s DD214, ORB, or ERB which must be surrendered to the National BOD for verification.
(d) Annual National dues of $20 effective March 1, 2010 for all Full Combat Members and $10 for military support members. Life membership effective March 1, 2010 will be $200.00. Illinois Chapter dues will be $10 for Full Combat Members. Dues for National and Illinois, Inc. Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association members deployed in a war zone will be waived. Dues for all members are due in June of each year. Dues for all new members joining between January 1st and June 30th will be considered as paid in full for the balance of the current dues year and the following dues year. Dues for all new members joining between July 1st and December 31st will be for the current dues year only.
(e) Must own and operate a Motorcycle of 500cc or above.
(f) Should a full member resign they will be given a 5 day grace period to rescind their resignation with no repercussions. After the 5 day grace period a member will have to reapply for membership as a new member and will require National BOD approval.
(g) Active members in good standing with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc who become infirm, disabled or otherwise unable to ride their motorcycles will be retired as members in good standing with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc. Members must submit medical documentation and a minimum of one year as a member and/or BOD approval is required.
(h) Must be a member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.

Section 2 (a):
Auxiliary Members:

Auxiliary members living or visiting in the geographical boundaries of the chapter are maintained as members of the National Auxiliary and are welcome to participate as such at the chapter function or event.

Section 2 (b):
Support Members:

(a) Must be of good character
(b) Must own and operate a motorcycle of 500cc or greater.
(c) Maximum number of support members will not exceed 10% of total Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc full Combat membership.
(d) Support members must be a veteran of the United States Armed Forces.
(e) Support members will read and abide by all Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc by-laws applicable to them. Sections excluded:
     (1). Section 6 and subsection 2
     (2). Section 3
     (3). Elections
     (4). Duties of Officers
(f) Support members are required to submit their application with proof
of military service through a full member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc who has held a membership for not less than one year. Support members are required to have either ridden a minimum of 3,000 miles with their sponsor, attended three Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association events, or be known by their sponsor for a minimum of 6 months. A full member submitting an application for a support member should verify they meet the above criteria. Only 1 support member can be vouched on per year by an individual Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc member. Support members will be at a 1 to 10 ratio, 1 support member to 10 full members based on state.
(g) Will have no vote in the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc business.
(h) Cannot hold a position on the BOD.
(I) Support members in good standing can wear a small Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Support Patch on the front of their vest or jacket which will be supplied by their sponsor. Support members can also wear the 10” support back patch which will be supplied by their sponsor.
(j) Must be a support member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.

Section 3:
By applying for membership with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc you are giving the National Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and its Board of Directors the right to verify any membership application and DD 214 records.

Section 4:
Each member should attend a minimum of at least one (1) sanctioned event hosted by the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association per year. This can also be an event in any members’ state if prior approval is obtained by the state representative from the governing body of the National Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.

Section 5:
All members MUST conduct themselves in a manner that is not an embarrassment to them, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Veterans of Illinois, Inc, or the United States of America.

Section 6:
All full and support members must possess a valid motorcycle driver’s license endorsed by their state as well as proof of insurance for their motorcycle.

Section 7:
(a) In the event of misconduct of a member, under the by-laws of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc, the National Board of Directors possesses the right to revoke that member’s membership. Misconduct is defined as failure to abide by the by-laws of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, the by-laws of the Combat Veterans Association of Illinois Inc., and any organization that the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association supports.

(b) Never bring dishonor upon the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc in action, word(s), or deeds. Always remember:
WE ARE NOT, NOR DO WE CLAIM TO BE, A MOTORCYCLE CLUB! WE DO NOT HAVE COLORS! We do not prospect. We do have membership fees. 



ARTICLE 4: MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Section 1:
Membership dues shall be determined by the National Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, and a cap of $10.00 annual state dues can be assessed.

Section 2:
The governing body of the State Chapter shall determine deadlines for payment of State renewal membership dues.

Section 3:
New members purchasing patches of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association will be done so at cost plus shipping and handling.



ARTICLE 5: STATE CHAPTER ELECTIONS

Section 1:
All nominees for any office must be active and in good standing in the association and with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois Inc. Retired members cannot hold a Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association officer position.

Section 2:
All elected and or appointed state officers and Board of Directors must remain active members in good standing for the duration of the term while in office.

Section 3:
All state officers are to be nominated and elected at the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc Annual Fall meeting. They will assume office within 30 days of the election, and hold that office for 12 months or until their successors are duly qualified. Consecutive terms are permitted. After the first election, newly elected officers will hold offices for two years or until their successors are duly qualified.

Section 4:
Nominations, and elections must be made at the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc September Meeting. The Chapter Commander will vote only in the event of a tie.

Section 5:
Election cycles will normally run from the fall meeting through a 24 month cycle to the next years fall meeting.

Section 6:
BOD members will be considered for re-election in the following order, Commander/ Treasurer/ SGT of Arms, and then/ XO/ Secretary/ and PR the following year for keeping continuity. Should an elected officer resign or be removed from office for any reason the State Representative will appoint a replacement to serve until the remainder of the term.



ARTICLE 6: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1:
The Chapter Commander of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, Inc will preside over all meetings of the association; committees, issue the call for regular and special State Board of Directors meetings, schedule regular elections, and be sure they are held IAW this constitution, and carry out the directives of the State of Illinois Board of Directors.

Section 2:
The Chapter XO will perform all duties of the Chapter Commander in his absence.

Section 3:
The Secretary shall keep minutes of the Board of Directors and general membership meetings, and assume all duties to office. The Secretary shall provide copies of minutes to the State BOD within a week after the meeting.

Section 4:
The Treasurer will collect dues and other forms of income due to the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc, maintain the accounting books, make payments from the chapter funds when so ordered by the State Board of Directors, sign all associations checks (along with another officers signature) and make regular reports of the associations financial status to the State Board of Directors, State Representative and the general membership.

Section 5:
The Public Relations Officer will maintain a file and have it ready to present at each meeting and all association functions. He or she will be in charge of all the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc. publicity, in conjunction with and approved by the Chapter Commander. Duties will include: Historian, Club file, Pictures, newspaper articles, TV and radio announcements and the associations web site.

Section 6:
Sgt of Arms (SAA) is responsible for ensuring that the By-Laws and the standing rules of the chapter are not violated. SAA is responsible to insure the orders of the Board of Directors (BOD) are carried out in an expeditious manner. The SAA will maintain order during the chapter meetings and check and record each member's ID Cards before the start of each meeting. SAA is responsible for policing and keeping order at all chapter events, except as noted under the Duties of the Commander. The SAA may conscript members to aid in keeping order on their own authority. The SAA has the responsibility to the chapter to report any unseemly behavior or incident to the Board of Directors. SAA is responsible for securing patches from any member who resigns or is expelled. SAA is responsible for the safety and security of the chapter, as well as the protection and defense of its members. SAA shall keep and maintain a record of all data pertinent to the safety and security of the chapter and its members. Upon becoming aware of any real or perceived threat to the chapter, its members, or events, the SAA shall immediately notify the Board of Directors of that information.
 
Section 7:
The Board of Directors constitutes the Executive Board of the Chapter, responsible for the execution, through its officers of the authorized policies, by majority votes, and submits to the chapters meetings any recommendations affecting the policies of the chapter which have been previously approved.

a. The Board of Directors may ask for the resignation of another BOD Officer if said officer is not performing the duties of his office, or for conduct that is below the standards expected of an officer. If said officer refuses to resign, the BOD may recommend to the State Representative that the officer needs replaced. The State Representative will forward the request through the chain of command for a decision from the National Board of Directors and if granted, the State Representative will appoint a replacement to finish the term of office. 

Section 8:
The Regional Representatives will serve for a period of three years. They will be chosen by the members in the given region and will require NBOD approval prior to taking office. Regional representative’s primary duty will be to enforce the CVMA By-Laws. Regional Representatives cannot hold any other Combat Veteran motorcycle Association office while serving as the Regional representative.

Section 9:
State Representatives are elected by the full members of the Illinois membership. Nominees must be active and in good standing with a minimum of two (2) full years of CVMA membership. Term of office shall be three (3) years. The State Representative would be over the State Chapter Commander (s), all below the State Representative would be elected by state members.

Section 10:
State and Regional Officers would use military terms to describe their position.

Section 11:
State representatives’ responsibilities: These include carrying out the by-laws of the National and State, and to watch over their membership. State representatives can dismiss or discipline unruly members with National BOD approval. The State Representative cannot hold any other Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association office while serving as the State Representative.



ARTICLE 7: MEETINGS

Section 1:
A quorum of conducting business shall consist of those full members present at any given meeting.

Section 2:
See DUTIES OF OFFICERS, Article 6.

Section 3:
The Chapter Commander or two active members can call special membership meetings and special State of Illinois Board of Directors meetings.

Section 4:
The Robert’s rule of order will be applied during meetings to affect parliamentary procedures, unless otherwise amended and provided for in the by-laws. 

Section 5:
The majority of the members present at a chapter meeting can mandate the Board of Directors to request the resignation of a board member, or remove that officer from his/her office by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the members present, and his successor selected, at a meeting of the chapter at which a quorum is present, if said officer is not performing the duties of their office, or for conduct that is below the standards expected of an officer.

a. Prior to the membership requesting the removal of a BOD officer, the chain of command will conduct an investigation into the wrong doing, or failure to perform the duties of the office to which elected by the membership of the chapter.

b. The Chain of Command is as follows:

    1. Chapter Commander, or XO if Chapter Commander is the officer being investigated.
    2. State Representative.
    
c. The Chain of Command will perform investigative duties as applicable when allegations of misconduct or failure to perform the duties of the elected office have occurred and have been requested by any member in good standing of the chapter.

d. Allegations occurring and are considered serious enough to remove an officer from his/her position, the Chain of Command and membership can ask for the termination of his/her membership in the CVMA regardless of the position held. The NBOD will be the final approving authority for any levied punishment requested by the chapter membership.
    


ARTICLE 8: DELEGATIONS

Delegations will be appointed by the Chapter Commander, but are subject to the approval of the State of Illinois Chapter Board of Directors, to represent the chapter at any convention, meeting, rally, or other assembly that may be deemed necessary, and all delegations are authorized to exercise only those powers specifically vested in them by the State of Illinois Chapter Board of Directors.



ARTICLE 9: AMENDMENTS

Section 1:
These by-laws may be altered, or repealed, and new by-laws adopted only at the yearly Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc Chapter meeting, by a three fourths vote of the members present. Amendments once passed will take place immediately. 
a. Proposals for amendments to by-laws may be submitted to the chapter general membership meeting for consideration for a maximum of two consecutive years. If the proposal is denied for two  consecutive annual State meetings , it shall not be placed on the agenda again unless one of the following criteria is met:
        1. A two year time limit has elapsed.
        2. The State Chapter of Illinois BOD approves the item for placement on the agenda.

Section 2:
If ANY Illinois Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Illinois, Inc by-laws conflicts with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association National by-laws, the National by-laws will take precedence over the State by-laws. Corrections will be made in future meetings to bring the state by-laws in line with the National one.

Section 3:
The chapter can petition National for funds up to $250 per incident from the benevolent fund for its state members only after raising money on their own prior to applying.

Section 4:
Any full member who is still a member of the Armed forces of the USA who attends the previous year’s Nationals, but cannot because of military deployment to a combat zone, attend the current year national meeting will be given credit for the National and will be authorized a rocker for the National patch that will read, for example, DEPLOYED 20XX.

Section 5:
Illinois Chapter(s) will have delegate votes base on chapter membership. One delegate vote per 15 full members. Delegate votes will be used for National agenda items. Votes for National officers will not be changed and will still be taken by full members in actual attendance at the National.



ARTICLE 10: STATE OF ILLINOIS CHAPTERS

Section 1:
Illinois State Chapters require a minimum of 15 members to form.

Section 2:
The chapter at a minimum needs to be incorporated. The chapter will stand as an individual entity and will be responsible for their audit. The chapter will submit a yearly report to the State Representative. The State Representative will in turn submit a financial statement to the National treasurer. The report is due following the close of business year and not later than 15 Feb. Report needs to include an itemized list of donations made to eligible groups (example Veterans homes) and any monies raised from chapter sponsored events, and all donations received from sources outside the Chapter. A detailed list of expenses for chapter operation is to be included as well, and man hours spent.

Section 3:
Chapters should not be located closer than a one (1) hour ride from a previously established Chapter within Illinois unless approved by the State Representative and/or National BOD.

Section 4: (DETACHMENTS)
Detachments are sponsored by and accountable to the state chapter (s).

Section 5:
Detachments require a minimum of 8 members.

Section 6:
Detachment Commanders within the state are considered to be equal in “rank” regardless of detachment recognition dates.

Section 7:
The detachment members would elect the Detachment Commander. The State Representative would be over the State Chapter Commander; State Chapter Commander would be over the Detachment Commander; State members would elect all below the State Representative.


AMENDMENTS:
 





_____________________________________________________________________

CVMA of IL Inc. Chapter 24-1 By-Laws 11 September, 2011