Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward
Education
An alliance of bikers dedicated to the
protection of the individual rights of motorcyclists
through political change, charitable works and public education.
Governing Regulations
Preface
APPROVED 3/24/01
1)
District Representatives
shall be the “Board of Directors”.
a)
The
Board of Directors
shall make all amendments, additions and deletions to the
Corporate Operating Procedures.
A 2/3-majority vote of the
Board of Directors is required
to pass a measure.
b)
The
Board of Directors
shall meet every other month or as requested with the
State Administration.
An operating report of the
State will be presented to the
State Board at these meetings.
c)
The
Board of Directors shall be given a
thirty-(30) day notification of any legislation or procedural change to
be acted upon at these meetings.
2) Elected State Officers shall be the
“Executive Board”.
3)
State Officers, elected or appointed, shall be the “State
Administration”.
a)
The State Administration shall operate the corporation on a daily
basis within the limits of the Corporate Operating Procedures.
b)
The State Administration shall meet every other month or as
requested to give an operating report to the Board of Directors and the
general membership.
4) The combined
body of the “Board of Directors” and the “State Administration” shall be
the “State Board”.
5) Chapter
Representative or Chapter Coordinator (President) shall be the “Board of
Chapter Reps”.
a)
The Board of Chapter Reps shall sponsor all new business at the
biannual Grand Board meetings.
b)
The Board of Chapter Reps may contribute to the discussion of old
business.
6) The combined
body of the “State Board” and the “Board of Chapter Reps” shall be the
“Grand Board”.
7)
Corporate Offices
a)
The Corporate Offices shall be located in the Harrisburg area.
This office shall be a public office under the direct control of the
ranking State Administration present or as directed by the Board of
Directors.
b)
The Corporation may have other public or private offices
throughout the state where business may be conducted as directed by the
Board of Directors.
Corporate Operating
Procedures
Of
Alliance of Bikers
Aimed Toward Education (PA)
Article I The
name of this corporation is Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education
hereafter referred to as A.B.A.T.E. of PA a
non-profit corporation.
Article II The
objectives of this Corporation are:
A)
Elimination of unfair motorcycle legislation.
B)
Protection of personal rights of members.
C)
Aid Pennsylvania communities with charitable functions and works.
D)
Promote motorcycle safety through education.
E)
Improve the image of motorcyclists to the general public
throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Article III
Members
A)
The membership of A.B.A.T.E. of PA shall be unlimited.
B)
Any individual that meets the criteria of membership, see Article
III, Section “H”, shall be a member of A.B.A.T.E. of PA upon payment of
the annual dues.
C)
The Board of Directors shall propose the dues “fee schedule”.
D)
This “fee schedule” shall be submitted to the Board of Chapter
Reps at the first annual Grand Board meeting for their consideration.
E)
The “fee schedule” for membership shall include:
1)
Single full membership
2)
Couple full membership
a)
The
[j1]word
“couple” in membership criteria shall mean: Two (2) people that are
married or living in a domestic partnership and reside in the same
household (mailing address).
b) If
[j2]the
“couple relationship is terminated, the next renewal application shall
be made as a single person.
3)
Junior membership
a)
Junior membership is limited to the maximum age of 16 years
b)
Junior members shall not have voting rights.
c)
After age 16 and upon completion of the Motorcycle Safety Course,
a Junior member shall receive a $4.00 discount off the first year full
membership.
4)
Five year single membership
5)
Lifetime membership categories.
a)
New member to five years
b)
After completion of five years
c)
After completion of ten years
6)
Honorary membership
a)
A written petition shall be submitted to the State Board and a
majority vote of the Board of Directors is needed for approval.
F)
Membership dues shall be submitted with the application. Annual
dues shall be payable upon anniversary date of membership acceptance
G)
The Criteria for membership shall be:
1)
Must complete the official membership application.
2)
Application shall be presented to any elected officer, appointed
officer or State Office Manager.
3)
Applicant shall abide by the Corporate Operating Procedures and
any Chapter by-laws.
H) A
[j3]member
not assigned to a chartered Chapter shall, for record keeping purposes,
be assigned to “Chapter 99” by the Office Manager and designated as a
“Member-At-Large.
I) Members Rights:
1)
The member is entitled to a state newsletter.
2)
The member is entitled to a state patch the first year and an
appropriate year pin thereafter.
3)
Membership shall not be transferable or assignable to other
members or non-members.
4)
Memberships may be transferred between Chapters. The member shall
notify the Chapter Membership Officer of each concerned chapter and the
State Office Manager.
5)
Members with one or more years of service shall be entitled to a
one time educational grant of $100 upon completion of the Motorcycle
Safety Program Instructors’ Course.
6)
A.B.A.T.E. of PA will honor currently valid seniority earned in
any other state’s ABATE organization. Lifetime memberships do not apply
and only A.B.A.T.E. of PA membership years accrued can be applied toward
the Lifetime Membership discounted fee.
7)
A
[j4]Member-At-Large
shall not participate in holding formal meetings, sponsor events,
collect funds or engage in any activities while using the name A.B.A.T.E.
of PA unless approved by the Board of Directors.
8)
A member
[j5]may
elect NOT to be assigned to a chartered Chapter by informing the Office
Manager in writing. Upon receipt of this request, the Office Manager
shall assign this member to Chapter 99. All rights and limitations of
the Member-At-Large shall apply.
J) Termination of an Individuals Membership:
1)
Non-payment of annual dues.
2)
Acts considered detrimental to A.B.A.T.E. of PA.
a)
Improper behavior, resulting in negative publicity or derogative
to the image of A.B.A.T.E. of PA, its Chapters and Districts.
b)
Not obeying the By-laws.
c)
Discriminatory behavior toward other Members, Chapter, or
District.
d)
For procedural details see Article X, Section C
Article IV Officers
Note: “Member
in good standing” as used herein shall be defined as a currently paid
member who does not have
any charges pending against him by A.B.A.T.E. of PA.
A) State Administration
1) State Coordinator
a)
Chairs all A.B.A.T.E. of PA state level meetings.
b)
Oversees all A.B.A.T.E. of PA state level committees.
c)
Empowered to make all decisions, that does not need Board of
Directors approval. This ensures continuous daily operation of
A.B.A.T.E. of PA.
d)
Reviews and authorizes all media communication for A.B.A.T.E. of
PA at the state level.
e)
Has veto power.
1)
A 2/3-majority vote of seated quorum to override the veto.
f)
May only vote at State/Grand Board meetings in the event of a
tie.
g)
May sign A.B.A.T.E. of PA checks.
h)
Is an elected position with a two (2) year term.
i)
The
[j6]term
shall run concurrent with the term of the Pennsylvania Legislature.
1) To align the election of the State Coordinator,
the election for 2002 would be for a one (1) year term.
j)
Must be bondable, or office is forfeited.
k)
Must be a member in “good standing”
1)
If membership lapses, office is forfeited.
l)
Shall have a petty cash fund not to exceed $300 between Board
Meetings.
m)
Authorized to make non-budgeted
[j7]expenditures,
benefiting A.B.A.T.E. of PA, not exceeding $300 total, without Board of
Directors approval. Whereas, any additional funds for similar expenses
requires written approval of the Executive Board.
n)
Authorized
[j8]to
make budgeted expenditures, benefiting A.B.A.T.E. of PA
o)
Shall assist Districts or Chapters with any administrative
problems.
2) Assistant State
Coordinator
a)
Assumes authority of State Coordinator in the event of State
Coordinator’s absence, disability, or removal from office.
b)
May sign A.B.A.T.E. of PA checks.
c)
Has no State/Grand Board vote.
d)
Is an elected position with a two (2) year term.
e)
The
[j9]term
shall run concurrent with the term of the Pennsylvania Legislature.
1) To align the election of the Assistant State
Coordinator, the election for 2002 would be for a one (1) year term.
f)
Is the State Parliamentarian.
g)
Must be bondable, or office is forfeited.
h)
Must be a member in “good standing”
1)
If membership lapses, office is forfeited.
i)
Shall have a petty cash fund not to exceed $300 between Board
Meetings.
3) State Secretary
a)
Responsible for recording all State/Grand Board meetings minutes.
1)
Minutes shall be typed and mailed to the Grand Board, State
Newsletter Editor and State Office Manager within 15 days following a
State/Grand Board meeting.
b) Responsible for preparation of all
A.B.A.T.E. of PA state level correspondence and documentation.
c) Maintains all District and Chapter
minutes on file.
e)
May sign A.B.A.T.E. of PA checks.
f)
Must
[j10]be
bondable, or office is forfeited.
g)
Has no State/Grand Board vote.
h)
Is an elected position with a two (2) year term.
i)
The
[j11]term
shall run concurrent with the term of the Pennsylvania Legislature.
1) To align the election of the State Secretary,
the election for 2002 would be for a one (1) year term.
j)
Must be a member in “good standing”
1) If membership lapses, office is forfeited.
k)
May appoint an unpaid assistant.
l)
Provides written notice prior to every State/Grand Board meeting,
providing time and place. Refer to Article V pertaining to Agenda.
m)
Shall have a petty cash fund not to exceed $300 between Board
Meetings.
4) State
Treasurer
a) Must
sign all A.B.A.T.E. of PA checks
1)
Where two signatures are required the signatures shall not be
those of relatives or co-inhabitants.
b) Not authorized to sign checks beyond
budgeted
[j12]expenses
and over $300.
1)
Checks over this limit ($300) must be approved by a majority vote
of the seated quorum of the Board of Directors prior to the expenditure.
c) Receives State, District and Chapter bank
statements and Treasurer’s Reports on a monthly basis.
d)
Prepares the “Annual State Budget” for presentation and approval
at the January State Board meeting.
e)
Petty cash shall be budgeted
[j13]for
and set up by the State Treasurer for each State Administrator to pay
for expenses incurred in maintaining these offices. Upon receipt of
signed and dated receipts with a statement of how the expenses were
incurred, the petty cash shall be replenished.
f)
Responsible for the completion of the yearly tax returns.
g)
Has no State/Grand Board vote.
h)
Is an elected position with a two (2) year term.
i)
The
[j14]term
shall run concurrent with the term of the Pennsylvania Legislature.
1) To align the election of the State Treasurer,
the election for 2002 would be for a one (1) year term.
j)
Shall be bonded, or office is forfeited.
k)
Shall be a member in “good standing”
1) If membership lapses, office is forfeited.
l)
The State Treasurer’s office shall be audited. The results shall
be presented at the State Board meeting and published in the State
Newsletter.
1) An audit shall be conducted at the conclusion
of each elected year and when the office changes hands.
2)
An internal audit shall be conducted twice a year, June 30th
and December 31st. The internal audit shall be conducted by
the State Coordinator, State Secretary and two (2) District Reps.
3)
If an external audit is needed, the cost of this audit shall be
funded by A.B.A.T.E. of PA.
m)
Shall maintain current file of A.B.A.T.E. of PA financial records
at the Corporate Office.
n)
Shall have a petty cash fund not to exceed $300 maximum between
State/Grand Board meetings.
o)
A record shall be kept of all A.B.A.T.E. of PA
[j15]assets
and shall be inventoried and reported yearly at the January State Board
meeting.
p)
The State Treasurer shall be responsible for the reimbursement of
elected and appointed officials.
1)
Authorized only during execution of official duties.
2)
Telephone bills limited to cost and tax of official calls.
3)
Vehicular
[j16]expenses
shall be limited to 60% of the current “Federal IRS mileage rate”
connected with official travels.
a) It is the responsibility of the State
Coordinator and the State Treasurer to obtain the applicable rate and
have it published in the A.B.A.T.E. of PA newsletter each April.
4)
Accommodations shall be limited to reasonable expenses, when
private accommodations are not available.
5)
Correspondence shall be limited to postage and supplies
necessary.
6)
The Board of Directors shall authorize any expenses beyond
budgeted[j17]
expenses prior to expenditure.
7)
Signed and dated receipts in the amount to be reimbursed shall be
submitted along with a statement of cause of expense to the State
Treasurer prior to reimbursement.
5) State Legislative Coordinator
a)
Shall be the A.B.A.T.E. of PA liaison officer to the legislative
lobbyist and/or state lobbyist.
b)
Shall be responsible for all legislative concerns for A.B.A.T.E.
of PA
c)
Shall be responsible for keeping State Representatives and
Senators aware of A.B.A.T.E. of PA aims and goals.
d)
Has no State/Grand Board vote.
e)
Is
[j18]an
elected position with a two (2) year term that shall run concurrent with
the term of the Pennsylvania Legislature.
f)
Shall be responsible to coordinate and direct activities of the
District Legislative Coordinators.
g)
May sign A.B.A.T.E. of PA checks.
h)
Must
[j19]be
bondable, or office is forfeited.
i)
Must be a member in “good standing”
1)
If membership lapses, office is forfeited.
j)
Shall appoint an Assistant State Legislative Coordinator (s)
whose term shall be two (2) years. The Board of Directors shall vote on
approval of the Assistant.
k)
Outgoing State Legislative Coordinator shall serve in an advisory
capacity for six (6) months after leaving office.
l)
Shall have a petty cash fund not to exceed $300 between Board
Meetings.
m)
Shall be a registered voter or office is forfeited.[j20]
6) Assistant State Legislative Coordinator
a)
Assumes position of State Legislative Coordinator in the absence
of the State Legislative Coordinator.
b)
Answers directly to the State Legislative Coordinator.
c)
Appointed position by State Legislative Coordinator with the
approval of the Board of Directors.
d)
Has
[j21]no
State/Grand Board vote.
e)
Must
[j22]be
bondable, or office is forfeited.
f)
Shall
[j23]have
a petty cash fund not to exceed $100 between Board Meetings.
g)
Two (2) year term, but that term shall be one (1) year out of
place with the State Legislative Coordinator. This keeps an experienced
person in office during election transitions.
h)
Must be a member in “good standing”.
1)
If membership lapses, office is forfeited.
i) Shall be a registered voter or office
is forfeited.[j24]
7) State Membership Officer
a)
Objective shall be to recruit and maintain the highest possible
number of Chapters and Members in A.B.A.T.E. of PA.
b)
Shall design, produce and distribute membership recruitment
literature and ad copy, which is subject to approval of the State
Coordinator. The State Coordinator may also submit for State Board
approval.
c)
Shall design and produce all documents and procedures required to
conduct and administrate the state membership drive contests, which is
subject to approval of the State Coordinator. The State Coordinator may
also submit for State Board approval.
d)
Shall contract with M/C media and/or M/C organizations for
publication of membership ad copy, which is subject to approval of the
State Coordinator. The State Coordinator may also submit for State
Board approval.
e)
Shall interact with motorcycling media and organizations for
reciprocal exchanges, which is subject to approval of the State
Coordinator. The State Coordinator may also submit for State Board
approval.
f)
Analyze the unchartered counties of the state to determine
potential for new chapters.
g)
Establish rapport with all riding groups and recruit A.B.A.T.E.
of PA members from within those groups.
h)
Visit Chapters as needed to help resolve problems, as requested
by the Chapters.
i)
Shall provide training for Chapter Membership Officers. Monitor
their performance and provide assistance as needed.
j)
Shall attend State Board meetings and report on activities.
k)
Shall prepare statistical analyses of membership level trends and
report to the State Board.
l)
Develop plans of action, in conjunction with Districts and
Chapters, to stimulate and maintain memberships, pursue membership
renewals and enhance positive trends.
m)
Shall have a petty cash fund not to exceed $100 between Board
Meetings.
n)
Shall be an appointed position by the State Administration with
the approval of the Board of Directors.
o)
Two (2) year term
p)
Has
[j25]no
State/Grand Board vote.
q)
Shall
[j26]be
bondable or office is forfeited.
r)
May appoint one or more unpaid assistant(s).
s)
Shall be a member in “good standing”.
1)
If membership lapses, office is forfeited.
8) Newsletter Editor
a)
Shall edit the monthly A.B.A.T.E. of PA newsletter.
b)
Shall be responsible for publication of the monthly A.B.A.T.E. of
PA newsletter.
c)
The Editorial policy for the State Newsletter encourages letters,
articles, etc. from members that are positive in nature and related to
A.B.A.T.E. of PA and/or motorcycling in general. The Newsletter Editor
shall forward any questionable material to the State Coordinator for
decision. Negative and/or impertinent material will be rejected for
publication[j27].
d)
Shall be responsible for all advertising and billing of the
A.B.A.T.E. of PA newsletter.
e)
Has no State/Grand Board vote.
f)
Shall be an appointed position by the State Administration with
the approval of Board of Directors.
g)
Shall prepare a yearly budget for the State Treasurer prior to
the January State Board meeting.
h)
Shall present the yearly Newsletter budget to the State Board at
the January meeting.
i)
Two (2) year term.
j)
Shall be a member in “good standing”.
1)
If membership lapses, office is forfeited.
9) Products Coordinator
a)
Authorizes and provides all A.B.A.T.E. of PA products.
b)
Will limit operating capital to contract cap
[j28]with
the exception of preparing for the Rights Rally and other state
fundraisers.
c)
Shall remit all profits to the State Treasurer as per contract[j29].
d)
Has no State/Grand Board vote.
e)
Shall be an appointed position by the State Administration with
the approval of Board of Directors.
f)
Term is subject to contract.[j30]
g)
Shall be bonded[j31]
or office is forfeited.
h)
Shall be a member in “good standing”.
1) If membership lapses, office is forfeited.
i)
Shall have authority to maintain a separate corporate checking
account.
j)
Shall make BI-monthly report to the Board of Directors.
k)
Shall make a detailed bi-monthly report with bank statement to
the State Treasurer.
l)
Shall prepare yearly financial statement of operating results for
the State Treasurer fourteen (14) days prior to the January State Board
meeting.
m)
Shall have authority to approve the use of the A.B.A.T.E. of PA
name and/or logo for District or Chapter products. The State
Coordinator may also submit for State Board
approval.[j32]
a)
Shall maintain order at the request of the State
Coordinator/Assistant State Coordinator or Board of Directors.
b)
Has no State/Grand Board vote.
c)
Shall be an appointed position by the State Administration with
the approval of Board of Directors.
d)
Shall be a member in “good standing”.
1)
If membership lapses, office is forfeited.
11) State Public Relations Officer
a)
Shall disseminate effective information to all forms of news
media concerning events which affect motorcycling on behalf of
A.B.A.T.E. of PA.
b)
Shall acquire and issue news releases to the media.
c)
Shall develop a database of information defining the major media
companies.
d)
Shall develop and implement a system by which media releases are
systematically issued to the appropriate media.
e)
Shall interface with the media companies who unfairly
discriminate or provide biased coverage.
f)
Shall work with Chapters to develop means of achieving
satisfactory local media coverage.
g)
Shall react to unfavorable portrayal of motorcyclists in movies,
TV, advertising, etc.
h)
Shall attend State/Grand Board meetings and provide reports on
activities.
i)
All copy shall be subject to the approval of the State
Coordinator, who may also submit it for State Board approval.
j)
Shall have a petty cash fund not to exceed $100 between Board
Meetings.
k)
Has no State/Grand Board vote.
l)
Shall be an appointed position by the State Administration with
the approval of Board of Directors.
m)
Two (2) year term.
n)
Shall be bondable or office is forfeited.
o)
May appoint an unpaid assistant(s).
p)
Shall be a member in “good standing”.
1)
If membership lapses, office is forfeited.
12) Office [j34]Manager
a) Shall be a paid employee of A.B.A.T.E. of PA
b)
Shall be bonded[j35]
or office is forfeited.
c)
May appoint an unpaid assistant(s).
d)
Shall be a member in “good standing”.
1) If membership lapses, office is forfeited.
e)
Shall be hired by the State Administration with the approval of
Board of Directors.
f)
Shall be paid a bi-weekly salary set by the State Administration
with the approval of Board of Directors.
g)
Shall attend State/Grand Board meetings and provide reports as
needed.
h)
Has no State/Grand Board vote.
i)
Shall be responsible for depositing all monies in the A.B.A.T.E.
of PA account in a timely manner.
j)
Shall be responsible for receiving incoming and sending outgoing
mail for A.B.A.T.E. of PA.
k)
Shall perform other duties as directed by the State
Administration with the approval of Board of Directors.
l)
Shall have a petty cash fund not to exceed $300 maximum between
State/Grand Board meetings.
13) Communication [j36]Director
a)
Shall administer[j37]
the A.B.A.T.E. of PA website.
b)
All[j38]
copy shall be subject to the approval of the State Coordinator, who may
also submit it for State Board approval.
c)
May appoint an unpaid assistant(s).
d)
Shall be a member in “good standing”.
1) If membership lapses, office is forfeited.
e)
Shall attend State/Grand Board meetings and provide reports as
needed.
f)
Has no State/Grand Board vote.
g)
May teach “internet” workshops as needed.
h)
Shall receive no petty cash since this is transacted via the
internet.
i)
Shall work with Chapters to develop means of achieving
satisfactory communication between A.B.A.T.E. of PA , Districts and
Chapters.
j)
Shall be appointed by the State Administration with the approval
of Board of Directors.
14) Miscellaneous
a)
The Executive Board shall not hold any other elected office at
the State, District, or Chapter levels. The member shall remain as full
member in their home Chapter.
b)
Any office vacated for any reason during the term, except for the
State Coordinator’s” office, shall be filled by interim appointment by
the State Coordinator with the approval of a 2/3-majority vote of the
seated Board of Directors, until such time as a special election can be
held and its results verified, unless at the State Board’s discretion,
The office shall be filled at the next regular election.
c)
In the event of a vacancy in the State Coordinator’s office, the
Assistant State Coordinator shall assume the State Coordinator’s office
for the unexpired term.
d)
In the event of vacancies in both the State Coordinators’ office
and the Assistant State Coordinator’s office, the senior Board of
Directors member shall fill the State Coordinator position until a new
election can be held.
e)
Vacancies, which occur in the appointed offices, shall be filled
by reappointment by the State Administration with approval of the Board
of Directors.
15) Organizational Representatives
a) A.B.A.T.E. of PA may appoint members to other organizations to
represent A.B.A.T.E.
of PA.
b)
Has no vote at State/Grand Board meetings.
c)
Shall be an appointed position by the State Administration with
the approval of Board of Directors.
d)
Shall be a member in “good standing”.
1)
If membership lapses, office is forfeited.
e)
Not required to attend State/Grand Board meetings unless
requested by State Board.
f)
Two (2) year term.