1. These by-laws are meant to be used as a guideline, and are subject to change with the approval, by vote, of the membership.

 

2. These by-laws may not conflict in any way with any Article in the International STAR Touring and Riding Charter.

 

3. NAME

 

The name of this organization shall be the Superstition Mountains, AZ. Chapter of the Star Touring & Riding Association, hereafter referred to as the Superstition Mountains, AZ. Chapter...

 

The Superstition Mountains, AZ. Chapter shall operate under the rules and regulations established within he International Charter. No Chapter bylaw shall supercede the International Charter.

 

The chapter nickname is the Superstition Star Riders #347.

 

4. OBJECTIVE

It is the objective of the chapter to adhere to the Star Mission Statement, which is:

 

“To pursue, promote and protect the interests of motorcyclists; to develop better and more enthusiastic relations between the general public, the media and the operators and riders of motorcycles; to encourage rider participation in events; to promote motorcycle safety and camaraderie among members; to promote organized events; and in general, perform them in a lawful manner.”

 

It is the objective of this Chapter to promote safe and enjoyable motorcycle riding and group activities within a family atmosphere. 

 

5.  MEETINGS

 

The chapter shall have at a minimum a monthly board meeting at a place and time as mutually agreed by the board members.

 

General membership meetings will be held at least quarterly.  They may or may not be combined with other events such as before a ride or at a chapter bike night.

 

A minimum of two weeks notice shall be given to the membership for general membership meetings.  The exception to this notice shall be for elections, which the membership shall have 30 days notice.

 

6.  ELECTIONS

 

  1. All elections will be voted on in the manner chosen by the Chapter. Any other questions before the membership may be voted on first by voice vote then by show of hands if necessary. If called for, a ballot vote will be held or recount of votes taken.

 

  1. Only active members are allowed to vote.  See 9b below.

 

  1. The offices of President and Vice-President are for voting purposes, nominated as a team. The person running for President will choose a running mate, as set forth in National By-Laws.

 

  1. The office of Sergeant at Arms will be an appointed position and not have a vote as a Board member except when there are an even number attending a Board meeting.

 

7.  CHAPTER OFFICERS

 

ELECTED POSITIONS:

 

  1. President:  Shall assure the compliance by all Chapter members with the STAR Charter. Shall exercise general supervision over the members of the Chapter Board and the affairs of the Chapter. Shall have the authority to make day-to-day decisions concerning the operations of the Chapter and report those decisions to the membership. Shall maintain a working relationship with Chapter sponsors and the dealer sponsors of STAR Touring and Riding. Shall represent the Chapter in involvement with other riders groups and organizations. Shall be a point of contact for all Chapter members in communicating with STAR International, i.e. National President and National Organizers.

 

  1. Vice President:  Shall stand in for and hold the responsibilities of the President in his absence. Shall work with all committee chairs to coordinate and inform board of committee progress. Shall work with the President to obtain sponsors and representing the Chapter and STAR Touring and Riding.

 

  1. Secretary:  Shall keep minutes of all meetings. Shall conduct a roll call of members at general meetings. Shall be sure that all members sign in on roster for monthly rides. Shall make sure that all members have signed a waiver form for the current year. Shall make sure that all e-mails are forwarded to the membership.

 

  1. Treasurer:  Shall maintain a bookkeeping system for the funds of the Chapter. Shall make a quarterly financial report to the Executive Board at Board meetings, and to the membership at each general meeting. Shall oversee sales of Chapter merchandise, i.e. T-shirts, sunglass straps etc. Shall place all orders and collect all monies for items purchased from STAR Touring and Riding International office, i.e. back patches, rockers, both the large rocker and any small rocker. Shall coordinate and collect funds during all 50/50 raffles.

 

  1. LOS (Ladies of the Star) Representative:  Shall work to make all women, either rider or passenger, feel welcome as a member of the Chapter. Shall coordinate with the National LOS Director for support. Shall work within the Chapter to further the image of women in motorcycling.

 

  1. STAR Vets Representative:  Will work with and for the STAR Vets of the Chapter.

 

  1. PR (Public Relations) Coordinator:  Will work to promote the Chapter to the community in a positive light. Will also work with corporations and companies in securing sponsorships and contributions for our various charitable events and activities. Will also work in securing venues for our various events. Shall work with other committees as necessary to plan out special events.

 

APPOINTED POSITIONS:

 

  1. Sergeant at Arms:  Shall be present at all meetings to keep and maintain order.  The Sergeant at Arms is responsible for making sure that all ride waivers are signed prior to any ride and to enforce the charters and bylaws as they are written.

 

  1. Shepard:  Shall have 3 years minimum riding experience.  The Shepard shall greet all new riders into the group.  It is the responsibility of the Shepard to explain to the new people about STAR Touring and Riding Association’s mission statement, chapter charters, bylaws, waivers, ride rules and make them feel welcome into the group.  The Shepard will be paired up with the new people and remain with them during their first 2 rides and meetings so that they do not feel left out and can be available to answer any questions they may have about the chapter or Star International.

 

  1. Road Captain:  Shall ride in the front left position in the pack and lead each group of riders. Shall call for lane changes by signal to Tail Gunner. Shall notify group of road hazards as they are found by hand signal to be passed back through the group. This position is an appointed position by the President, and can be withdrawn if the person violates the duties of Road Captain.

 

  1. Tail Gunner:  Shall at all times be the last rider in the formation. Shall be the only rider to stop and assist another rider in the group that has experienced a problem. Shall upon notification by signal, sent back from the Ride Captain, move left or right to secure the open lane for a group lane change. Shall monitor the entire group to maintain formation. Shall notify the Ride Captain and Chapter President of any violations in ride procedures. This position is an appointed position by the President, and can be withdrawn if the person violates the duties of Tail Gunner.

 

  1. Webmaster:  Shall maintain and operate the Chapter Website as directed by the Chapter, shall inform Chapter of costs and any other information as to maintaining the Website. This is an appointed position.

 

8.  EXECUTIVE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

a.  The Executive Board of Trustees includes:

 

1)      President

2)      Vice President

3)      Secretary

4)      Treasurer

5)      LOS Representative

6)      STAR Vets Representative

7)      PR Coordinator

8)      Sergeant at Arms

 

b.      The board’s purpose is to discuss chapter issues and decide on grievances with members.  The Sergeant at Arms shall be at the meeting to maintain order and only has voting rights if there is an even number of other board members so that there is an odd number of votes so no tied are possible.

 

c.       The board shall meet monthly at a place and time as mutually agreed by the board members.. 

 

d.      All board members must have email access.

 

e.       In the event that one of the officers must relinquish their position, the remaining Board members may make a temporary appointment until such time as an election may be held.

 

9.  MEMBERSHIP.

 

  1. Prospective members must join the Star Touring & Riding Association upon the completion of their third chapter ride. The prospective member must be voted into the chapter by a "majority" vote. All Chapter members must hold a current membership in the Star Touring & Riding Association. Expired memberships, unbecoming conduct, or a violation of any charter /bylaw agreement shall be cause for the members’ suspension or permanent removal from the Chapter and all of its activities.

 


                                             i.       Prospective members must  attend a minimum  three Chapter events,  one of which must be a  Chapter ride, in a 5 month period  before  membership  may be considered.    Assigned Shepard will work closely with prospective member prior to submitting recommendation to the Chapter Board.   Reasonable additional requirements (chapter rides, MSF training, etc) may be imposed by the Executive Board

 

                                           ii.       Transferring members will be eligible  to join Chapter #347  after assigned Shepherd has consulted with members previous Chapter.  Once transferring member has expressed sincere interest in joining chapter #347, Shepherd will submit recommendation to the board within 30 days. Transferring members may be subject to requirement(s) in section 9.a.i

 

 

  1. Members must participate in at least 40% (40% minimum per section 3.2 of the Charter) of the Chapter's monthly meetings, rides, events, and activities calculated by calendar year (January-December). Nonparticipation, without just cause, may result in the member's relegation to an associate member status. Associate members are entitled to all privileges of membership, excluding the right to vote or hold office.  Elected officers must participate in at least 70% of chapter functions.

 

  1. Associate members who fail to participate in chapter events, without just cause, may be subject to suspension or removal from the chapter and its activities.

 

10.  MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS

 

  1. Only Members in good standing will be allowed to vote on chapter issues (Charter section 3.2)

 

  1. Members must adhere to the "chain of command" on all Chapter issues. For purposes of explanation, the "chain of command" shall be as follows: Sergeant at Arms > Vice-President> President> Regional Director> National Director.> National Sergeant At Arms> International President, >International Executive Board of Directors.

 

  1. Any grievance between members, or between the members and Chapter, shall be directed to the Chapter President by "chain of command." The Chapter President shall convene the Board of trustees to deliberate on the grievance.

 


11.  REMOVAL OR SUSPENSION

 

  1. A Board of Trustees must be convened to decide upon a member's suspension or removal from the Chapter. This Board of trustees shall consist of the Chapter President, Chapter Vice-President, Sergeant at Arms, LOS Representative, and one additional chapter officer as appointed by the President.

 

  1. The Board of Trustees must reach their decision by a "majority" vote, and furnish the member with a written explanation of their findings and decision. All decisions of the Board are final.

 

12. APPEAL OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES DECISIONS

 

A member in good standing may appeal a removal decision to the International Executive Board based on one or more of the following:

 

a.       Bias

b.      Failure of Chapter board of Trustees to follow Chapter bylaws

c.       specific mitigating facts

 

Appeals must be made in writing and sent to: "STAR Touring office of the President"-Confidential. Decisions of the Executive Board are final and binding.

 

13.  OFFICIAL EVENTS

 

  1. The Chapter President must submit his approval on all Chapter events and Chapter rides before they can be considered "Official Events."

 

a.   Rides or events must be approved before they can be considered "Official Events".  Approval is obtained by one of the following:

i)                   Chapter president

ii)                   Majority vote by the Executive Board of Trustees

 

  1. Official events are ended only when the Chapter President or chapter officer issues a declaration that the event is over.

 

14.  CHAPTER ROCKERS

 

The chapter rocker can only be obtained through the chapter. The chapter rocker remains the property of the chapter and must be returned upon request.  Back patches may be purchased from the chapter or directly from the Star Touring & Riding Association.

 

Amendments:

8/10/05 –

            Add – 9.a.i

            Add – 9.a.ii

            Renumber:

                          from   11A APPEAL OF BOARD OF TRUSTREES DECISIONS

                           To     12    APPEAL OF BOARD OF TRUSTREES DECISIONS

 

                        from  12. OFFICIAL EVENTS

            To    13. OFFICIAL EVENTS

 

            From 12. CHAPTER ROCKERS

            To    14.  CHAPTER ROCKERS

 

            Modify    13.A (post renumbering)

 ……………………………. Respectfully submitted – k.lett – sect’y