NAME
AND EMBLEM
ARTICLE 1
Section 1 (a).
The name of the association is: Combat Veterans Motorcycle
Association.
Principle office of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association
will be located at the following address: 1019 Highland,
Liberty, MO 64068 USA
Change of Address. The designation of the county or state
of Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association principal office
may change by amendment of these bylaws. The board of Officers
may change the principal office from one location to another
within the named country by noting the changed address and
effective date below, and such changes shall not be deemed
minor, and require an amendment of thse bylaws.
New Address:
Dated:
New Address:
Dated:
Other Offices. The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association
may also have offices at such other places, within or without
its state of incorporation, where it is qualified to do
business, as its business and activities may require, and
as the board of directors may from time to time, designate.
Section 1 (b)
IRC Section 501(c)(19) Purposes. Combat Veterans Motorcycle
Association is organized exclusively for charitable, religious,
educational and/or scientific purposes as specified in Section
501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code, including, for
such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations
that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(19)
of the Internal Revenue Code.
Section 2.
The emblem / logo used by the Combat Veterans Motorcycle
Association is the sole property of CVMA. The CVMA patch
and logo cannot be reproduced without license from the BOD.
The emblem of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association
is in the shape of a skull encompassed by the following
colors. The incorporated colors are: Red, representing the
blood that has been shed on the battlefield. The Military
Gold, representing the many ethnic backgrounds of all nations.
Black, representing the heavy hearts possessed for those
who gave their lives and for those that are considered missing
in action or prisoners of war. The Skull and ace of spade
represents the death that war leaves in its wake.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVES
ARTICLE 2
General: Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Protocol.
The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association is formed for
the betterment of communication and camaraderie between
other Motorcycle Associations, Veterans Organizations, and
or Motorcycle Groups.
Section 1.
To promote interest in various forms of motorcycle activity
associated with Veterans.
Section 2.
To create and maintain camaraderie among Combat Veterans
from all U.S. Branches of Service and its allies.
Section 3.
To support Veteran Organizations.
Section 4.
To raise awareness for the plight of POWs, MIAs and their
families.
Section 5.
To conduct Association functions and activities in a manner
befitting the members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle
Association and as well as the association's Auxiliary Members.
Section 6.
To encourage a better understanding of motorcycle riders
as a constructive sport among members of the public, press,
and law enforcement agencies.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE 3
Section 1.
Any person:
Of good character.
Who is a Veteran of a Foreign War, "Combat".
The ONLY Acceptable proof for membership to the Combat Veterans
Motorcycle Association is a copy of one's DD 214 or ERB
which must be surrendered to the BOD for verification.
Annual dues will be $15 for full Combat members and $10
for military support members. Dues for CVMA members deployed
in a war zone will be waived. Dues for all members are due
in June of each year. Dues for new members will cover the
balance of the current year and dues will be collected again
in June. Dues for all new members joining after March 1st
will be considered as paid in full for the balance of the
current year and the following year.
Must own and operate a Motorcycle of 500cc or above.
Should a full member resign they will be given a 5 day grace
period to rescind their resignation with no repercussions.
After the 5 day grace period a member will have to re-apply
for membership as a new member and will require BOD approval.
Active members in good standing with the CVMA who after
5 years become infirm, disabled or otherwise unable to ride
their motorcycles will be able to keep their patch and be
retired as life time members in good standing with the CVMA.
Life membership requirements: 3 years active in the CVMA.
member must be in good standing for all three years and
minimum participation of one sanctioned CVMA event per year
is required. Cost for life membership is $150. If a life
member quits for any reason or the member is removed from
the CVMA rolls for any reason, no refunds will be made.
Section 2 (a).
Auxiliary Members:
Must be of good character.
All Auxiliary members must be a spouse, widow or widower
of a full member who is in good standing with the CVMA
Must support the efforts of ALL branches of the United States
of Americas Armed Forces and the Combat Veterans Motorcycle
Association.
Will have no vote in CVMA business.
Cannot hold a position on the BOD
$10.00 annual dues will be assessed by the CVMA Auxiliary
Unit
Section 2 (b).
Support members:
Must be of good character.
Must own and operate a motorcycle of 500cc or greater.
Maximum number of support members will not exceed 10% of
total CVMA full Combat membership.
Support members must be a veteran of the United States Armed
Forces.
Support members will read and abide by all CVMA by-laws
applicable to them. Sections excluded:
Section 6 and subsection 2
Section 3
Elections
Duties of Officers
Support members are required to submit their application
with proof of military service through a full member of
the CVMA who has held a membership for not less than one
year. Support members are required to have either ridden
a minimum of 3,000 miles with their sponsor, attended three
CVMA events or be known by their sponsor for a minimum of
6 months. A full member submitting an application for a
support member should verify they meet the above criteria.
Only 1 support member can be vouched on per year by an individual
CVMA member. Support members will be at a 1 to 10 ratio,
1 support member to 10 full members based on state.
Will have no vote in CVMA business .
Cannot hold a position on the BOD
$10.00 annual dues will be assessed and a CVMA Support ID
will be issued.
Support members in good standing can wear a small CVMA Support
Patch on the front of their vest or jacket which will be
supplied by their sponsor. Support members can also wear
the 10” support back patch which will be supplied by their
sponsor.
Section 3.
By applying for membership with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle
Association, you are giving the Combat Veterans Motorcycle
Association and its Board of Directors the right to verify
any membership application and DD 214 records.
Section 4.
Each member should attend a minimum of at least one (1)
event hosted by the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association
per year. This can also be an event in any member's state
if prior approval is obtained by the state representative
from the governing body of the Combat Veterans Association.
Section 5.
All members MUST conduct themselves in a manner that is
not an embarrassment to themselves, the Combat Veterans
Motorcycle Association, or the United States of America.
Section 6.
All members must possess a valid motorcycle driver’s license
endorsed by their state as well as proof of insurance for
their motorcycle.
Section 7.
In the event of misconduct by any member, under the by-laws
of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, the Board
of Directors possesses the right to revoke that member's
membership. Misconduct is defined as failure to abide by
the by-laws of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association
and any organization that the Combat Veterans Motorcycle
Association supports.
Bringing dishonor upon the Combat Veterans Association in
action, word(s), or deeds. Always remember WE ARE NOT, NOR
DO WE CLAIM TO BE, A MOTORCYCLE CLUB! WE DO NOT HAVE COLORS!
We do not prospect. We do have membership fees.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MEMBERSHIP DUES
ARTICLE 4
Section 1.
Membership dues shall be at such rate, schedule or formula
as may from time to time be prescribed by the governing
body of the association and approved by the general membership.
Section 2.
The governing body of the association shall determine deadlines
for payment of renewal membership dues.
Section 3.
New members purchasing patches of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle
Association will be done so at cost plus shipping and handling.
Section 4.
Charter members will not be required to pay annual dues
and may wear the 45 patch designating that they are an original
starter member, or support member, of the Combat Veterans
Motorcycle Association.
Section 5.
Chapters can collect local dues. A cap of $10.00 annual
chapter dues can be assessed. All national dues continue
to go straight to national.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ELECTIONS
ARTICLE 5
Section 1.
All nominees for any office must be active and in good standing
in the association with a minimum of 1 full year CVMA membership.
Section 2.
All elected and or appointed officers and Board of Directors
must remain active members in good standing for the duration
of the term while in office.
Section 3.
All officers are to be nominated and elected at the CVMA
National and will assume office within 60 days of the election
and hold that office for 36 months or until their successors
are duly qualified. Consecutive terms are permitted.
Section 4.
Nominations and elections to the BOD must be made at the
CVMA national. The President will vote only in the event
of a tie.
Section 5.
Members nominated for office are qualified if he or she
is a paid member in good standing with the CVMA for a minimum
of 1 year.
Section 6.
BOD members will be considered for re-election in the following
order, Pres., VP, SGT at Arms/PR. The office of Treasurer
and Secretary will be filled by the President of the CVMA
at his discretion.
Section 7.
Should an elected officer resign from office for any reason
the BOD will appoint a replacement to serve until the next
CVMA National.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
ARTICLE 6
Section 1.
The President will preside over all meetings of the association;
serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors, act as ex-officer
member of all committees, issue the call for regular and
special Board of Directors meetings, schedule regular elections,
and be sure they are held IAW this constitution, and carry
out the directives of the Board of Directors. Treasurer
and Secretary positions are both accountable to the CVMA
President the CVMA President is allowed fill these positions
at his discretion.
Section 2.
The Vice-President will perform all duties of the President
in his absence.
Section 3.
The Secretary shall keep minutes of the Board of Directors
and general membership meetings, and assume all duties to
office.
Section 4.
The Treasurer will collect dues and other forms of income
due to the association, maintain the accounting books, make
payments from the associations funds when so ordered by
the board of Directors, sign all associations checks (along
with another officers signature) and make regular reports
of the associations financial status to the Board of Directors,
State Representative and the general membership.
Section 5.
The Public Relations Officer will maintain a file and have
it ready to present at each meeting and all association
functions. He or she will be in charge of all the Combat
Veterans Motorcycle Associations publicity, in conjunction
with and approved by the associations President. Duties
will include: Historian, club file, pictures, newspaper
articles, TV and radio announcements and the associations
web site.
Section 6.
Sgt of Arms has and will maintain order during CVMA meeting's
and check members ID cards before each meeting will start.
Section 7.
The Board of Directors constitutes the Executive Board of
the Association, responsible for the execution, through
its officers of the authorized policies, by majority votes,
fills vacancies in any office of the Board of Directors
and submits to the associations meetings and recommendations
affecting the policies of the association which have been
previously approved.
Section 8.
The regional directors (once regions are organized) will
be appointed by the Board of Directors.
Section 9.
State Representatives are appointed by the BOD and the Chapter
Commander would be picked by the Chapter members. The State
Representative would be over the State Chapter Commander,
all below the State Representative would be elected by state
members.
Section 10.
State and Regional Officers would use military terms to
describe their position.
Section 11.
State representative’s responsibilities. These include carrying
out the bylaws of the national and to watch over their membership.
State representatives can dismiss or discipline unruly members
with BOD approval.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MEETINGS
ARTICLE 7
Section 1.
A quorum of conducting business shall be those present at
any given meeting.
Section 2.
See DUTIES OF OFFICERS, Article 6, Section 1.
Section 3.
Special membership meetings and special Board of Directors
meetings can be called by the President or two active members.
Section 4.
The Presidents rule of order will be applied during meetings
to affect parliamentary procedures, unless otherwise amended
and provided for in the by-laws.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DELEGATIONS
ARTICLE 8
Section 1.
Delegations will be appointed by the President, but are
subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, to represent
the association at any convention, meeting, rally, or other
assembly that may be deemed necessary, and all delegations
are authorized to exercise only those powers specifically
vested in them by the Board of Directors.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMENDMENTS
ARTICLE 9
Section 1.
These by-laws may be altered, or repealed and new by-laws
adopted only at the yearly CVMA National by a two-thirds
vote of the members present.
Section 2.
Approved and accepted amendments take effect immediately.
Section 3.
Any changes to any Article and or Section of the Combat
Veterans Motorcycle Association will be discussed and voted
on by a quorum.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE CHAPTERS
ARTICLE 10.
Section 1.
State chapters require a minimum of 15 members.
Section 2.
State chapters are based on when they were recognized; KY
being chapter one, MA chapter two, etc.
Section 3.
The Chapter Commander will be picked by the Chapter members.
The State Representative will be over the State Chapter
Commander, All below the State Representative would be elected
by state members.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bylaws modified by Blackhorse, National Secretary of the
CVMA 1/19/07.