NEW YORK CENTRALS CHAPTER
FAMILY MOTOR COACH ASSOCIATION, INC.
ESTABLISHED MAY 28, 1977
As adopted by the New York Centrals Chapter of FMCA dated June 6,1996. Revised August 2003 and August 2007.
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of this not-for profit organization shall be NEW YORK CENTRALS Chapter, Family Motor Coach Association, Inc., hereinafter referred to as Chapter and FMCA.
ARTICLE II
OBJECT
SECTION 1 - PURPOSE:
This Chapter exists to promote social, recreational, and informational exchange activities, which provide for the enjoyment and pleasurable use of family member coaches.
SECTION 2 - DESCRIPTION:
This Chapter shall be authorized to function as a regional group covering the geographical area of CENTRAL NEW YORK AND SURROUNDING AREAS.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERS
A) To be eligible for and to maintain membership in the Chapter, a person must:
1) Be in good standing with FMCA or concurrently present an application for FMCA membership with the application for Chapter membership
2) Meet the dues requirements and provisions set forth in the Bylaws of this Chapter.
B) Membership in this Chapter shall not be denied any person because of race, sex, religion, color, marital or family status, age, nationality, or disability.
The term
"member" as used herein is defined by FMCA as a family unit consisting of a
husband and wife, or adult person(s), with or without children.
A)
ANNUAL DUES: Annual payment of Chapter dues enables
persons to become active members and entitled to all rights and privileges of
the Chapter. The annual dues of this Chapter, for all types of membership shall
be $10.00 per annum.
B) RENEWAL: Renewal dues from Chapter members become due and payable on May 1.
C) NEW MEMBERSHIP FEE: New and reinstated members shall pay a New Membership Fee of $15.00 which includes 1 years dues @ $10.00.
D) INITIAL APPLICATION: Application for new membership shall be accompanied by payment of New Membership fee. If an initial application is accepted after September 1, the dues portion shall be regarded as covering the next membership year.
E) ARREARS: Any member whose dues remain unpaid after June 1 and until August 1 shall be considered delinquent (not in good standing). After August 1 membership in the Chapter is cancelled.
ARTICLE IV
CHAPTER ADMINISTRATION
SECTION 1 - AUTHORITY:
This Chapter shall be democratically self-governed, deriving its existence and authority from the consent of its membership assembled in meeting or, in certain instances, by mail vote on stated propositions.
SECTION 2 - FISCAL YEAR:
The fiscal year of this Chapter shall commence on January 1 and end on December 31.
SECTION 3 - CHAPTER MEETINGS:
A) TYPES: The term "meeting" shall include coach rallies, campouts, dinner meetings, and any other gatherings suitable to the function of the Chapter.
B) BUSINESS MEETINGS: The Chapter shall hold a minimum of two (2) business meetings each fiscal year at which a quorum is present. One of these meetings will be the Annual Business Meeting. Said meetings must be at least fourteen (14) days apart and be duly announced in advance to the membership.
C) ANNUAL ELECTION: At the Annual Business Meeting the voting general membership is to elect Chapter Officers, including a President, 1st Vice President and additional Vice Presidents as deemed necessary, Secretary Treasurer, National Director, and Alternate National Director.
D) QUORUM: A quorum for the transaction of business at any duly called Chapter meeting is twenty-five percent (25%) of the Chapter family unit memberships or twelve (12) Chapter family unit memberships, whichever is less.
E) VOTING: Except as specified elsewhere in these Bylaws, a majority vote is required of members in good standing.
1. Voting shall be required to approve or disapprove any matter.
2. Voting will be one (1) vote for each adult member.
3. Balloting by mail may be undertaken when a proposed matter is determined by the Executive Board to be of such importance or urgency that a total membership vote is advisable.
F) PARLIAMENTARY PROCESS: The rules contained in ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER NEWLY REVISED shall govern this Chapter and in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of FMCA and the Bylaws of this Chapter.
SECTI0N 4 - MAINTAINING AFFILIATION:
A) This Chapter must maintain a minimum of fifteen (15) family unit members.
B) The Chapter Secretary shall furnish to the National Office of FMCA, no later than the last week in December, a list of its membership, a list of its incumbent chapter officers, and assurance that at least two (2) business meetings were held during the year.
SECTION 5 - FINANCIAL AUDIT:
A) An annual audit performed by the AUDIT COMMITTEE of the Chapter's financial books and records shall be undertaken and reported to the membership at the Annual Business Meeting.
B) The Audit is to be completed during the 30 days prior to the September meeting and the preparation of the Treasurers Summary.
C) An Audit is to be completed immediately upon a change in the office of the Treasurer occurring during the year.
SECTION 6 - APPLICATION OF NATIONAL CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS:
This Chapter accepts and agrees that the Chapter Bylaws shall conform to any mandatory requirements stipulated in the National Constitution and Bylaws of FMCA.
A) The Executive committee is comprised of the elected chapter officers including the National and Alternate Directors.
B) The chapter president is the chairman.
C) The Executive committee shall have the general supervision of the affairs of the Chapter between business meetings and make recommendations to the chapter members.
D) The Executive committee shall be subject to the orders of the Chapter.
E)
Meetings of the Executive committee may be called
by the President
or upon the written request of three members of the Committee.
F) A quorum of the Executive committee shall be a majority.
ARTICLE V
ELECTIONS
SECTION 1 - NOMINATING COMMITTEE COMPOSITION:
A) The Nominating Committee shall consist of not less than three (3) nor greater than five (5) members in good standing, nominated and elected by the Chapter membership.
B) This Committee shall nominate candidates for the Chapter Offices, including a President, 1st Vice President, and additional Vice Presidents as determined by the Executive Board, Secretary, Treasurer, National Director, and an Alternate National Director.
C) Election of an individual to the Nominating Committee shall not prohibit that person from being nominated for elected office or any member in good standing from being nominated from the floor for any elective office.
D) The Nominating Committee shall nominate candidates to fill vacancies that occur in elected Chapter offices.
SECTION 2 - NOMINATING COMMITTEE DUTIES:
A) Select a slate of officers for the New Year to be presented for voting by the Chapter membership. The slate may include more than one member for any or all offices.
B) Obtain clear acceptance of the nominees to serve the Chapter should they be elected.
C) To make certain that nominated candidates are members in good standing and qualified under applicable National and Chapter bylaws.
D) To select one of its members as Nominating Committee Chairman.
E) The nominating committee shall present the slate of officers at the July meeting and give same to the newsletter editor who will publish the slate in the August newsletter.
A) All Officers shall be elected for the term of one (1) year or until a successor is elected.
B) All elections, except to fill vacancies, shall be at the Annual meeting in September or as soon thereafter as practical.
C) Nominations shall be taken from the floor at any election.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
SECTION 1 - DUTIES OF OFFICERS:
A) PRESIDENT:
1) The elected Chapter President is the leader of the Chapter and presides at Chapter meetings.
2) The President is the chairman of the Chapter's Executive Committee.
3) The President appoints the members of all Chapter committees, except the Chapter Nominating Committee, and is an ex-officio voting member of all appointive committees.
B) 1ST VICE PRESIDENT:
1) The Chapter 1st Vice President assists the President and serves as presiding officer in the absence of the President from any duly-called meeting.
2) Upon a vacancy occurring in the office of President, or upon inability or refusal to preside, the 1st Vice President performs all the duties of the President. When so acting, the 1st Vice President exercises the authority and is subject to the same limitations as apply to the President.
3) Secures all rally sites. All sites considered shall require an initial inquiry and a confirmation in writing.
4) Acts as Wagon Master and secures Rally Hosts for all rallies.
C) ADDITIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS:
1) The Executive Board shall determine the need for additional Vice Presidents for the coming year. This shall be done in a timely manner allowing the Nominating Committee ample time to secure candidates.
2) The Chapter Vice President(s) assists the President and 1st Vice President and serve as presiding officer in the absence of the President and 1st Vice President from any duly called meeting.
3) Shall perform the duties set forth by the Executive Board.
D) CHAPTER SECRETARY:
1) DUTIES TO FMCA:
a) Certain obligations and duties of the Chapter Secretary are required and include the following:
(i) The Chapter Secretary shall keep accurate and up-to-date records of the chapter membership and forward to the National Office a membership list of names and FMCA numbers of the chapter's members, along with a list of incumbent chapter officers and certification that the chapter held at least two (2) meetings in the Chapter's current fiscal year. These reports are to be sent to the National Office no later than the last week in December in each year.
(ii) The Chapter Secretary shall promptly report, in writing, to the National Office of FMCA, the results of any election or change in status of Chapter officers, National Director and Alternate National Director. The report shall include addresses and telephone numbers of each person so elected.
b) Failure to annually forward a membership list and certification of meetings held, shall result in the suspension of the right to vote by the National Director or Alternate National Director.
2) OTHER DUTIES:
a) The Chapter Secretary is expected to record in a Chapter Minute Book the proceedings of all meetings of the Chapter's membership, and the Executive Committee.
b) The minutes of the chapter meetings shall be read and approved at the next meeting, unless said reading is waived by majority vote.
c) Minutes of all chapter meetings are to be kept available in the event a member desires to read them.
d) The minutes of the Executive Committee shall be read at the next meeting of the Executive Committee.
1) Receives, safeguards, and holds all Chapter funds in the name of the Chapter and in the capacity as its trustee and fiscal agent.
2) Keeps accurate accounts of all Chapter funds and renders reports on same at each business meeting of the Chapter's membership, and as may be required by the Chapter's Executive Board.
3) Disburses Chapter funds only for authorized Chapter purposes, and only in accordance with these Bylaws.
4) Prepare and distribute a summary (Treasurers Summary) of the current years financial transactions, which shall be presented at the Annual Business meeting.
F) NATIONAL DIRECTOR AND ALTERNATE NATIONAL DIRECTOR:
1) The National Director is elected to serve on the Governing Board of FMCA.
2) The Alternate National Director shall serve whenever the National Director is unable to serve.
3) Chapter Officers are not precluded from election as the National Director or as the Alternate National Director.
4) Members of the same family unit may not serve as National Director and Alternate National Director in this Chapter concurrently. Such members may hold these offices in different chapters. i.e.. One member my serve as National Director in this chapter and another person of the same family unit may be the National Director or Alt National Director of another chapter.
5) The term of office of a newly elected National Director or Alternate National Director begins fourteen (14) days after receipt by the National Office of notice of said election, and the term, extends until a successor is duly elected and qualified.
6) If a vacancy occurs in the office of National Director, the Alternate National. Director shall immediately assume this office, and this shall by promptly reported in writing to the National Office. If the incumbent Alternate Director cannot serve as National Director, the Chapter is to promptly nominate and elect a member to fill the vacancy in the office of National Director and notify the National Office.
SECTION 2 - OFFICER LIMITATIONS:
A) There shall be no limit to the number of terms an elected officer may serve.
B) An individual FMCA member may hold no more than two (2) offices in the same chapter and may not hold a chapter office in more than one chapter.
C) Only Full Members, Full Lifetime Members, Life Members, or Honorary Members, who have advanced from one of the aforementioned classes, have the right to hold office in this Chapter.
D) No official or member shall become vested of any right, title to, or interest in any Chapter property, except as required by law.
ARTICLE VII
COMMITTEES
SECTION 1 - COMMITTEES:
A) Committee members and chairmen of the following committees shall be appointed by the President after taking office:
1) Chapter Bylaws
2) Newsletter
3) Membership - forward to the Secretary an up to date list of all current members with their FMCA numbers due December 1st, so the Secretary can forward the same to FMCA National by December 31st dead line.
4) Historian
5) Any other committee the president deems necessary for the proper functioning of the Chapter (except Nominating and Audit Committees).
SECTION 2 - DUTIES OF CHAIRMEN:
A) All committees shall function within the policies of the Chapter and under the direction of the President. The Nominating Committee is not under the direction of the President.
B) Financial reports, vouchers, and monies due the Chapter shall be submitted on a timely basis.
SECTION 3 - QUORUM:
A committee quorum shall be a majority.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENT OF
BYLAWS
SECTION 1 - MANDATORY AMENDMENTS:
Amendments applicable to Chapter operations shall be automatically adopted as may be required by mandatory amendments to the National FMCA Constitution and Bylaws. Such mandatory amendments are not subject to voting by the Chapter membership.
SECTION 2 - AMENDING PROCEDURE:
A) These Bylaws may be AMENDED by a 2/3 affirmative vote of the members present and voting at a duly called meeting, providing that prior written notice of at least thirty (30) days has been given of the propositions(s) to amend.
B) Balloting by mail may be undertaken when a proposed matter is determined by the Executive Board to be of such importance or urgency that a total membership vote is advisable.
C) Any member of the Chapter may propose changes in the Bylaws.
D) Approved amendments to these Bylaws become effective immediately upon their adoption, or at such time as specified in the amendment.
E) A copy of the approved Bylaws shall be sent to the National Office and the Area Vice President immediately.
ARTICLE IX
LIQUIDATION AND DISSOLUTION
In the event of liquidation or dissolution of the NEW YORK CENTRALS chapter of FMCA, by majority vote of the members, all of the remaining assets of the Chapter shall be contributed to the purpose(s) for which the Chapter was organized, or to a qualified non-profit charity or charities.
ARTICLE X
RALLIES
SECTION 1 - LIMITED PARKING:
Where parking space is limited, either awnings or slide outs are accepted at the discretion of the Rally Host.
SECTION 2 - GENERATORS:
A generator "pipe up" extending above the roofline of your coach is required at HOBO style camping if your generator exhaust pipe exits toward a neighboring coach.
SECTION 3 - NAME TAGS:
All members are required to obtain and wear at all New York Central rallies, so as to be-readable, a name identification badge including the letter prefix, (i.e.: F,L,A), FMCA membership number, and suffix, (i.e.: D,S) if applicable.