Post 107 - Leeds Alabama

By-Laws

Purpose

We are members of the American Legion and its' entities, who Ride Motorcycles and who are also motorcycle enthusiasts. The ALR can be found participating in community services and other ceremonies like parades, partaking in motorcycling events, promoting motorcycle safety programs and to provide, a social atmosphere for American Legion members who share the same interest in supporting the communities in which we live, we work, and we play. Members of the ALR come from the Legion, the Legion Auxiliary, and the Sons of the American Legion. The American Legion Riders were formed, to keep with the Aims and Purposes of the American Legion.

The ALR organization is also ready to promote and support programs of the American Legion. The American Legion Auxiliary, the Sons of the American Legion, our community services and other Veteran's Organizations.

The American Legion Riders is not an M/C, and does not practice M/C rules or regulations. The American Legion Riders is family-oriented, just as is its parent organization: the American Legion.

BY-Laws

1. Membership: These are the requirements for membership.
   1. Must be a current paid member of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion.
   2. You most own a motorcycle with an engine of at least 25Occ in size.
   3. A spouse may be granted ALR membership provided they are legally married to a current paid American Legion Rider.
   4. A significant other may be granted ALR membership provided they or living with or having a personal and close relationship as a significant other with a current paid American Legion Rider.
2. Honorary Membership: Chapters, at their discretion, may elect by majority vote at a Regular membership meeting to authorize an honorary membership to an individual or individuals under the following guidelines:
   1. The individual(s) must meet all requirements at section A.1 (American Legion Membership).
   2. These memberships' are to be of an honorary nature and do not constitute actual membership. Honorary memberships should only be granted to those persons who have demonstrated themselves to be assets to the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion Organization and excelled in promoting the aims and purposes of the American Legion Riders". Honorary members may serve on committees, etc. but are not eligible to vote. Those proved for honorary membership are granted privileges to attend meetings and limited participation in meetings regardless of other offices held within the American Legion and its entities.
   3. If American Legion Rider back patches are granted to these Honorary" members, they must contain a bar with the back patch, which' states the words "HONORARY- so as to clearly Identify the class of membership. Shirts or other wearing apparel, which contain the "American Legion Riders emblem, should contain the words HONORAY""' or I SUPPORT.

3. Special Class Membership / Honorary Membership
   1. You, your spouse or your significant other may continue your membership as a special class member (with full membership privileges) if you fail to meet the membership requirements of sections (A, 2). Pursuant to the following and subject to the approval of the general membership:"

1. Death of the spouse or significant other who was the owner of the motorcycle as defined in A. 2.
2. Disability, which prevents you from physically being able to operate a motorcycle and ownership of the motorcycle, was relinquished, due to this disability. (This would also allow the spouse and significant other to continue membership under these conditions for special class membership.)
3. For (a) & (b) above, you must have been a regular American Legion member for at least one full year.
4. If you have been a member of the ALR for ten consecutive years and have reached the age of 50 you are entitled to the distinction of a "Special Class Life Member". Membership may continue without regards to section A. 2. For the most of your life and payment of Local Chapter Dues will be waived. You must continue with the requirements of A.1.
3. Non-Member Apparel: All apparel sold to non-member must contain the word "I support' The American Legion Riders.
4. Officers of Chapter 107 American Legion Riders: (Minimum requirements)

0. Director (Cannot Hold Dual Offices)
1. Assistant Director (Cannot Hold Dual Offices)
2. Secretary
3. Treasurer/ Membership (this is one office)
4. Run Coordinator
5. Historians
6. Sgt-at-Arms
5. Post may add as many officers as deemed necessary.
6. Post officers may hold more than 1 position but not to exceed 2 offices (except for Officers form section E. 1, E. 2 and E 4)
7. Elections: Elections of the Chapter level officers will be held annually and to correspond with American Legion Post 107 elections and at such a time as determined by vote of the general membership of the Chapter 107.

1. ALR chapter 107 elections will be held in the same month as the American Legion Post elections are held for Post 107

1. Nominations can be taken up to one month prior to date of elections.
2. Nominations will be taken from the floor before each Office is put to the membership for a vote.
3. New Officers will take office after installation during the annual commencement ceremony for American Legion Post 107.
4. Any officer can be removed from office for inefficiency by a two-third vote from the general membership.
8. Duties of Chapter Officers

0.     Director: Will serve as Chief Administrative Officer of the Association and will preside over all meetings, The Director shad have general supervision over the affairs of the association and shall perform such other duties as directed by the general membership. (Cannot hold two offices)

1.     Assistant Director: Will assume the duties of the Director should the Director not be available. The Assistant Director will assist the Director in the performance of all duties and any duties that is called on by the Director. (Cannot hold two offices)

2.     Secretary: To keep a full and correct record of all proceedings of each meeting and activity. The secretary is to inform all members of any meetings or activities accruing during the upcoming months and year. The Secretary should maintain a calendar of special events including American legion Post meetings, ALR meetings and functions accruing throughout the state ALR family.

3.     Treasure / Membership: To have charge of all finances of the Chapter. To have charge of distributing funds as directed by the general membership. The Treasure is to give detailed financial reports at each meeting. The Treasure is to maintain funds and setting up of Poker runs or any activity that will involve funds for the Chapter 171. Membership: Keep membership records and collect all dues that may be required. Give detailed reports at each regular meeting. (This is one office)

4.     Run Coordinator: Will be the logistics person in charge of organized runs of the Association. The RC will determine dates times, routes, and meeting places for those taking part in a run activity. The RC, at any time, may appoint assistant road captains/guards and take any other measures necessary to help insure the safely of the group during a run.

1. The Run Coordinator will set up a yearly schedule for rides by the end of January to be approved during the February meeting. This schedule should include State meetings, Mid-winter Conferences, ALR National Romp, annual 911 Poker run, any runs known by other Chapters, any District runs, and any known State runs. This schedule could change at any given date or time.
4. Historian: To keep all historical records of at functions for the post chapter. By keeping notes or photos in albums from our functions
5. SGT at Arms: Will help set up meetings as well as call all functions and meetings to order.
   1. The Sgt at Arms is to maintain order, and subdue any disruptions by any person as well as removing any person being disrespectful to an officer or any other ALR or Legion member including Auxiliary and Sons of legions during any functions or meetings of the ALR.
   2. The Sgt at Arms is to assist Director and Assistant Director at all activities as needed.
   3. The Sgt at Arms is responsible that he/she insure no one shall remain a stranger in our mist.
   4. During functions and meetings if colors are needed into your hands is given charge, to stand the colors which you will properly display at all ALR meetings and or ceremonial occasions.
6. Chaplain: To give spiritual guidance and counseling to membership, and open and close all meetings when available.
7. Communications Officer: If all possible should publish a minimum of a quarterly newsletter (a minimum means, such as a hard copy news letter, or an Internet web-page, or e-mail, or other forms of communications) to all chapter members and to the District and the State Chapters.
8. Judge Advocate: To offer legal advice in advice situation requiring a lawyer.
   1. Not used by ALR chapters
9. Meetings:
   0. Chapter 107 meetings will be held once a month. Emergency meetings can be held if the Director and Assistant Director are BOTH IN APPROVAL. IF NOT THE A MAJORTIY OF THE OFFICERS MUST APPROVE THE MEETING. Seven members will constitute a quorum, consisting of at least 3 officers.
   1. Chapter 107 meetings are every third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm and may be changed due to other functions by the Director or Assistant Director. A notice will be sent out if changes are needed in a timely manner by the Secretary or Treasure.
10. Finances: Finances of each Chapter will be from membership dues or such other sources as approved by the membership or the Director.
11. Expulsions or Suspensions: Any member may be expelled or suspended from the American Legion Riders by a majority vote of the general membership at a regular Chapter meeting.
    0. There will be four (4) volunteers from the general membership to set up a tribunal. If there or no Volunteers for the tribunal, the Director will appoint 4 general members to hear the complaints and bring to the general body of Chapter 171 for discussion and a vote. Once the general membership has voted on the charges, the tribunal will render punishment after voting has been tallied from the general membership.
    1. Not to included any chapter officers
    2. Suspensions: The tribunal will set punishment not to exceed 90 days for the charges against the accused after the general membership has voted
    3. Expulsions: The tribunal will notify the accused that they have been voted out of the ALR permanently and the Sgt-at-arms with escort them from the general meeting if present immediately.
    4. During suspension the ALR members patch must not be worn nor will the member be allowed to participate in any ALR functions.
       1. Excluding American Legion functions
    5. If the ALR member is being expelled from the chapter and wants to return their patch to the ALR chapter 171 the patch will be bought back by the Chapter if in good order.
       1. Buy back not to exceed $25.00 for patch and rockers combined
       2. Other wise the expelled member can keep the patch, but will not wear or display any article that associates them with the ALR as part of the American Legion Riders. Patches, pins, hats, clothing and stickers that address ALR most be removed and not displayed in any form or fashion.
    6. The State Officers will handle all appeals.
       1. All appeals must be in writing within 5 days from date of expulsion and a copy is to be turned into each member of the tribunal to forward to the Director.
          1. The Director has 5 days to notify the State Director of the appeal.
12. Charter Membership: Each Post Chapter may determine eligibility for Post Charter Membership in its own Post.
13. Organized Rides:
    0. Chapters 107 shall not have a ride on Dates that are scheduled for District 21 9/11 ride. (All rides may not fall exactly on these dates, yet they will be in the general time frame.)

a. This is only as long as there is a District 21.

1. All Charity rides that will be collecting monies for Chapter 107 will contribute no less than 50% of the proceeds to the given charities divided equally. The charity or charities will be named in advance of each ride.
2. All major organized chapter rides will be for some form of charity. The distribution of funds will be at the Chapter 107 own discretion.  
   1. Not all Chapter 107 Rides will be for Charity and cost riders and guest fees, some rides are fun rides just for the chapter as a whole. Any funds raised for theses rides will be for the Chapter.
3. The Run Coordinator from ALR Chapter 107 will notify the District Officers and State Officers of any Organized Ride.
4. When at all possible, ALR Chapter 107 shall try to avoid having rides on the same day when other Post Chapters within the District 21 are having rides (this cannot always occur).
5. Safety meetings shall be held before all organized rides.
6. Everyone should sign a release before each ride.
14. Disbursement of Funds: Disbursement of funds can only be those authorized at any regular meeting of Chapter 107.
    0. Incase of emergency and funds are needed in support of ALR Chapter 107 and any other emergencies that the Director or Assistant Director deems needed or might arrive can be granted by three Chapter 107 officers, the Director, Assistant Direct and Treasurer of Chapter 107. At the next general membership meeting a full account of the emergency funds must be delivered to the general members.
    1. Chapter 107 will be a non-profit organization and may only disburse funds in a manner that is in keeping with all local, state and national laws regarding nonprofit organizations, by majority vote.
15. Robert Rules of Order: All meetings will be conducted under "Robert Rules of Order"
16. State By-Laws will overrule Post by-Laws.
17. MC/COCs: The American Legion Riders is not an M/C, we are an ORGANIZATION and we do not practice M/C rules or abide by their regulations. The American Legion Riders from chapter 107 will not support any MC nor will they take part in the COC of Alabama while representing the American Legion Riders of Alabama.
    0. The ALR abides by only one other organization that is the American Legion our parent organization and the ALR Chapter 107 has adapted their bylaws and rules to work with the rules and regulations of the American Legion.
18. The original by-laws for Chapter 107 were voted on and adopted from the District by-laws voted on and adopted on 21 FEB 2007 at a meeting held at The American Legion Post 107, Leeds, Al..