BY-LAWS OF THE ABATE CHAPTER OF SOUTHERN NEVADA

 ARTICLE I Name and Location of Organization

Section 1. This organization shall be known as The ABATE. Chapter of Southern Nevada, with the acronym ABATE standing for ‘American Bikers Aimed Toward Education.

Section 2. This chapter shall be situated in the State of Nevada and not limited to any particular portion or geographical area of the state.

Section 3. This document supersedes any previously approved By-Laws and or documents designed to govern ABATE of  Southern Nevada.

ARTICLE II Purpose of Organization

Section 1. The objectives of this organization shall be as follows:

a. to join the general public together in an effort to protect the motorcyclist of the State of Nevada from undue and unnecessary legislation;

b. to monitor the government on all levels and avoid discriminatory legislation that would reduce or diminish the rights of all citizens;

c. to promote activities directed at and related to the safe enjoyment and operation of motorcycles;

d. to promote roadway safety and reduce motorcycle fatalities through education and awareness, not through legislation or government intervention;

e. to organize and conduct seminars, conferences, research, discussion groups, and publications on the subject of motorcycle safety and awareness;

Section 2. It is the goal of this chapter to take action against unfavorable legislation directed arbitrarily toward the community that we view as discriminatory and view as infringing on the rights of said community and to ensure that the constitutional rights of all are protected by establishing a voting populace that is able to hold our lawmakers to standards that are fair and equitable for all.

ARTICLE III Membership

Section 1. Membership in this chapter shall be open to anyone over the age of twenty-one years by paying an annual membership donation to be renewed each year on the anniversary date of the initial sign up date.

 Section 2. Membership donations shall be the sole discretion of the board of directors and/or the President in office.

Section 3. Any member is eligible to be appointed to office by the following methods in order;

 1.)  Presidential appointment,

2.) By a unanimous vote of the board of officers. Officers, excluding the president, are allowed to vote. The president will preside over the voting.

 3.) By a majority vote of the members that are current and in good standings with the Chapter and available at the next meeting

Section 4. The vote must be conducted strictly by the following process without deviation.

1. Only members in good standing with the chapter will be allowed to participate in the vote and this will be determined by showing a current membership card.
2. Once eligibility has been determined, each participant shall be given one secret ballot to cast. In the case of joint memberships, each member shall cast one vote.
3. The current Sergeant at Arms shall then collect all the ballots and in witness with at least two current members of the board (preferably two trustees) shall tally the ballots and transfer the number of votes for and the number against to a separate paper that will be delivered directly to the President for announcement to the membership.
4. All officers, with the exception of the president, are allowed to vote. The president will preside over the voting. Should the President be absent or unavailable to preside over the vote, it shall be conducted by the Vice President in office

Section 5. Any persons having proof of membership in ABATE, BOLT, MRF or any other recognized motorcycle rights organization, with permission, will be allowed to address our membership during the general membership meetings with information or questions pertaining to the topic at hand

Section 6. All meetings are to be presided over by the President or the Vice President only. No board member or officer shall conduct a meeting without having the President or the Vice President present.

Section 7. The privileges of membership of an active member once initiated may be suspended or revoked only by the two thirds (2/3) of the total vote of members (as described in Article III, Section 4) at a regular scheduled general membership meeting.

ARTICLE IV Officers & Committees

Section 1. Officers of this chapter shall be as follows President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Two Trustees, Manager and a Political Activist.

Section 2. All officers, excepting the President, shall be elected by majority of those present and voting at the first General Membership meeting to be held on the third Tuesday after the first day of each year on or before January 31st. The current President will preside over the elections. Potential officers can nominate themselves, or can be nominated by other members of the chapter. Nominees may make brief speeches before the votes are cast. Votes will be cast by secret ballot as described in Article III Section 4. The president will cast a vote only in the case of a tie. If the election is close, the president may choose to have a run-off election between the leading candidates. Officers shall serve a term of two years and may be re-elected at any time with no limit on the amount of terms served.

Section 3. The duties of the President shall be as follows:

a. The President is an appointment for life and shall have the final say in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the Chapter and its members.

b. The President will call special meetings of this chapter and/or the board when necessary;

c. The President will appoint committees and committee chairmen as s/he deems necessary;

d. The President will be responsible for arranging speakers, programs, and information for meetings of the chapter;

e. The President will ensure that the chapter follows the general policy and direction as set forth in Article II;

f. The President will be the external liaison between other motorcycle rights organizations and the Chapter.

 Section 4. The duties of the Vice-President shall be as follows

1. The Vice-President shall assist the President in any way possible and fulfill the duties of the President in the President's absence.
2. The Vice-President shall be in charge of the internal workings of the organization, to include direction to the membership.
3. The Vice-President shall maintain order over the board of directors and the officers and keep the President aware of changes affecting the chapter.

Section 5. The Secretary shall have the responsibilities of

a. Taking the minutes of the meetings and transcribing them for the monthly report.

b. Notification of members of the time and place of meetings;

c. Keeping records of the minutes and the proceedings thereof.

d. Editing articles for the ABATE web site and newsletter for final approval by the President.

 Section 6. The duties of the Treasurer will be to;

1. Keep track of the membership total to be announced at each meeting.
2. Dispense the membership cards and pins to each new member as their donations are paid.
3. Handle all monies from donations, fees or any other source and maintain proper accounts for said money for disbursement by the board of officers as needed.
4. To maintain a proper bookkeeping method and make a report once a month at the general membership meeting.

Section 7. The President may appoint a Chair Person who shall designate the meeting times and places for the members of their respective committees as they shall deem appropriate.

Section 8. Vacancies occurring on committees or in any elected office shall be filled by appointment of the President of the chapter.

Section 9. Any officer of the chapter, except the President, may be removed by the concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) majority of the entire active membership of the chapter.

ARTICLE V Fees and Donations

Section 1. For membership into the chapter, a one-time membership fee, including national donation and donation to the local chapter, shall be due and payable to the Treasurer in an amount to be adjusted by the board on an annual basis.

Section 2. Annual donations shall be approved by the active and board members present at the first business meeting held on the third Tuesday of the first month of every year. Payment of such donations will be required for participation in chapter activities.

Section 5. No other donations or fees will be assessed or collected by the officers of this chapter, except by majority resolution of those present and voting at any business meeting; such fees shall be payable to the Treasurer.

ARTICLE VI Meetings

Section 1. Business meetings of this organization shall be held as necessary at a place determined by the President to be most convenient and expedient. The dates of the meetings will remain scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month for officers and the third Tuesday of each month for the General Membership Meetings.

Section 2. Attendance of all active members is required at all business meetings. Notice of time and place of meetings shall be made by the officers of the chapter at least three days prior to the date of the meeting.

Section 3. Special meetings may be called at any time when deemed necessary by the President of the chapter.

Section 4. The procedure at all meetings, chapter and committee, shall be governed by accepted Parliamentary rules of order, and members shall observe proper decorum during the sessions of the chapter and its various committees.

ARTICLE VII Constitution and Amendments

Section 1. The chapter shall have the power to make and amend these by-laws not inconsistent with the word and spirit of the national constitution, as may be deemed necessary.

Section 2. Amendments shall be adopted by the favorable concurrence of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of those members present and voting, provided that such amendment or amendments shall have been read in full to the chapter.

Section 3. This constitution, containing amendments to the original constitution shall be ratified by no fewer than two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting at the business meeting of January 15, 2008.

Approved this Fifteenth Day of January, in the Year Two Thousand and Eight.

Mike ‘Bones’ Davis President, ABATE of Southern Nevada

Karen Jurasinski Vice President, ABATE of Southern Nevada

Connie Brown Treasure, ABATE of Southern Nevada

Jeanne Michael Secretary, ABATE of Southern Nevada

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Last modified: 11/21/08