Charter & By-Laws of the Voyagers Motorcycle Riders

Voyagers Motorcycle Riders

2440 Seidlers Road

Midland, Michigan  48642

Purpose

The Voyagers Motorcycle Riders is formed to promote safe and enjoyable riding and touring in and around Mid-Michigan.

Article 1

We shall be known as the Voyagers Motorcycle Riders, and referred to in the by-laws as the VMR.

Article 2

We shall be a non-profit chartered group under the laws of the state of Michigan. We shall abide by the rules and regulations of non-profit groups set down by the state, and maintain our status as long as the group remains viable.

Article 3

Members shall be legal riders of any make of motorcycle maintained in a street-legal format. Membership will be limited to such riders who want to ride without the influence of alcohol or mind-altering drugs. Preference is given to motorcycles exceeding 500cc ‘s. Street legal format requires that all lights and signaling devices be operational, and that the exhaust system has not been altered to exceed the state of Michigan maximum decibel regulations.

Any VMR officer or full member shall be permitted to require proof of license, registration and insurance of any member or prospective member.

Article 4

Membership in the VMR is by sponsorship only. Prospective members are welcome to join in group activities, but can only become a member after sponsorship by a current member and after completing a six (6) month probation period after such sponsorship. Full members are the only voting members of the VMR. Sponsor's obligations do not cease upon completion of the probation period and acceptance as a full member.

Article 5

Sponsors may sponsor up to two (2) members per year.

Article 6

VMR shall be a dues-paying group, with membership fees set at $5.00 per year. Dues may only be changed through a by-law review and amendment process. Dues are collected only for the operation of the VMR.

Article 7

Membership in the VMR does not preclude membership in any other motorcycle organization.

Article 8

The VMR is chartered as a Directorship organization. As such, we will have annual elections. Elections will be held annually at a group meeting in May to elect officers for the following year. Newly elected officers are expected to work with the person they are replacing until they take office the following January. As a Directorship organization, Directors will carry out all normal operations of the group. The only business that requires member voting is the annual election and by-law amendments.

Article 9

The Board of Directors of the VMR will consist of a Director, an Assistant Director (who will act as Director in the absence of that officer), and a Treasurer.  The Board will appoint other non-board positions (such as Ride Coordinator) as required.

Officers and members running for office must be full members in good standing. Appointees for non Board positions shall also be full members in good standing.

Article 10

Meetings will be held monthly. No permanent venue for meetings is required nor desired. To accommodate the members for different parts of the Mid-Michigan Tri-City area, meetings will be rotated from area to area. Preference of meeting sites will be in favor of restaurants have free private areas for groups that will dine as part of the meeting. The annual list of meeting sites will be selected and confirmed at a board meeting in early spring and published on the groups website.

In addition to the one group meeting per month, other activities will be determined by Board appointees such as the Ride Coordinator and Social Director. Such functions will include rides and dinner outings as well as other purely social events.

Article 11

Normal communications with the membership shall be by means of the group website: http://www.mi-voyagers.org. A “phone tree” will be instituted for important and immediate announcements. The webmaster will be an appointee of the Board and can be an additional function of any Board member.

Article 12

Associate membership in the VMR is reserved for immediate family members of members of the VMR. Associate members are always welcome at group rides and events.

Article 13

Financial Affairs: The treasurer will be the “owner” of the bank (checking) account in the name of the Voyagers Motorcycle Riders. Signing authority for any checks will require two (2) of three (3) registered officers. The three (3) registered officers will be the Director, Assistant Director and Treasurer. The signing authority shall be changed at the financial institution before the start of the officers terms.

Article 14

The VMR is chartered to promote safe riding and touring. Therefore, all group rides will contain a Road Captain as well as a Rear Guard. The duties of these two members are to ensure the group ride is safe. They shall ensure that all riders are aware of CB Radio practices as well as visual signals. They shall also ensure that riders operate their motorcycles in a safe manner.