Logout
Blue Knights MA Chapter I By-Laws
Bylaws of Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Inc. Massachusetts Chapter I ARTICLE I NAME PURPOSE AND SEAL SECTION I. The name of this Chapter shall be Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Club, Inc., MA I. SECTION 2. The purpose of this Chapter is to provide a fraternal and social motorcycle club for law enforcement personnel and associated professions. SECTION 3. The official seal of this Chapter shall be the seal of the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the International), as described in Article I, section 3 of the "International" bylaws, with the words Mass Chapter I displayed thereon. SECTION 4. Mass Chapter I has been duly organized in accordance with the provisions of the International bylaws, as amended July 18, 1988 and has been granted a Charter dated 1, 1974. This chapter is an affiliated, chartered member of the corporation headquartered in the Bangor/Brewer, Maine area hereinafter referred to as the "International". This chapter will have its own bylaws. However, in no case will anything be done in conflict with the constitution and bylaws of the Parent Corporation, the "International". ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP AND DUES SECTION I Membership classification and tenure. The five-(5) membership classes are: 1 Regular Member 2 Associate Member 3 Honorary Member 4 Special Honorary Member- Chapter Chaplain 5 Life Member Under the provisions of International bylaws, each Regular, Associate, Honorary or Life Member shall be considered a regular or associate member of the Corporation and are therefore subject to its bylaws while conducting business of the Corporation. SECTION 2. Regular membership is available to full time employees (32 hours per week minimum) of a governmental law enforcement agency, who have powers of arrest. Candidates must own or will own a motorcycle within Six (6) months of their acceptance as a member (Refer to Article VI, Section I, International Constitution). SECTION 3. Associate membership is available to part time employees (less than 32 hours per week, minimum of 10 hours per year) of a governmental law enforcement agency, who have powers of arrest, and are receiving monetary compensation for such employment. Candidates must own or will own a motorcycle within Six (6) months of their acceptance as a member (Refer to Article VI, Section I, International Constitution). SECTION 4. Honorary membership shall be available to any person who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Chapter, has substantially contributed to the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Inc., MA I to motorcycle development , motorcycle safety or enjoyment, and who has been proposed for such honorary membership by written application by at least seven members in good standing of the chapter, and the Board of Directors having a majority opinion that the proposed nominee is eligible for Honorary Membership, and then voted in by 2/3 majority of the members present at the Meeting at which such membership is proposed (Refer to International Constitution, Article VI, Section III). SECTION 5. The Chapter may grant Special Honorary membership status to an ordained member of a recognized religion or religious order for this position of the Chapter Chaplain. Such membership is limited to one, on an annual basis, and selection may be by criteria established by the Chapter, and not inconsistent with the Constitution and bylaws (Refer to International Constitution Article VI, Section V). SECTION 6. Life Membership is restricted to the founding fathers of International and past International Presidents in good standing (Refer to International Constitution Article II, Section 2.05). SECTION 7. All members in good standing shall have the right to vote at any chapter function. The standing of a member shall be determined by the Chapter Officer presiding at the particular time, and shall be subject to final determination by the Chapter Secretary. SECTION 8. Regular and Associate members only shall be entitled to hold office in the Chapter, as hereinafter described. SECTION 9. Regular, Associate, Honorary and Special Honorary membership shall expire on December 31st, annually. SECTION 10. Each new Regular, Associate, Honorary and Special Honorary member shall be assessed an initiation fee as levied by the Corporation, and in addition, each Regular, Associate, Honorary and Special Honorary member shall be assessed an annual fee levied by the Corporation. The annual dues of the Chapter shall be $ 20.00. Each Regular, Associate, Honorary and Special Honorary member of the Chapter may be assessed not more than $10.00 for clubhouse overhead. The Chapter shall pay the annual fee, Chapter assessment, and annual dues of the Board of Directors of the Chapter for the term of their elected office. SECTION 11. Upon termination of a Regular, Associate, Honorary and Special Honorary member's membership in the Chapter, such member shall turn in any club property in his responsibility and shall surrender his I.D. card to the Secretary. Such member shall also surrender any Blue Knight registration plate to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, Brockton Office, which he has in his possession that has been assigned by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to be issued to members of Mass Chapter I. Failure to comply with this section could result in such legal action that the Board of Directors deems necessary. ARTICLE III BOARD OF DIRECTORS SECTION 1. The business and property of the Chapter shall be managed and controlled by a Board of Directors who shall be elected by the Chapter members to hold office for two years, until the next biennial election or qualifications of their respective successors. The Board of Directors shall consist of the Chapter President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President, as well as three additional Directors who must be elected from the regular membership of the Chapter, elections falling on the odd calendar year or any special election meeting. An associate member may hold the office of Secretary, Treasurer or Director, provided that there are no regular members available to hold those positions. The members of the Chapter may establish other positions to be held by elected Chapter members for the conduct of Chapter business. Provisions of these bylaws relating to the conduct of business by the International Board of Directors Shall apply to actions of any Chapter Board of Directors, so far as applicable. SECTION 2. Any vacancy on the Board that may occur during an election term of office may be filled by a majority vote of the general membership eligible to vote at the meeting at which such proposal is presented, for the unexpired portion of the term so vacated. Such vacancy may be filled from the membership provided the provisions of Section 1 (above) are adhered to. SECTION 3. The Board of Directors shall have supervision of, and be responsible for all affairs and property of the Chapter, and shall inspect, as often as may be desired, all records, books and accounts of the Chapter. It shall accept or reject all applications for membership in, or resignations from, the Chapter, and shall have the power to expel or suspend, upon majority vote of the Board, any member for due cause. It shall transact all business for and on behalf of the Chapter and its decisions shall, in all cases, be final unless an appeal therefrom be made and sustained by a majority of the members in good standing present at any special or regular meeting of the Chapter. It may by formal action delegate specific authority of the Board to such personnel or to committees as hereinafter set forth. SECTIONS 4. The Board shall have the right to accept for and on behalf of the Chapter any contributions, appropriations or grants-in-aid from whatever source that may be tendered in monies, goods, real or personal property, or services for the work of the Chapter. It may pledge the faith of the Chapter without security, if occasion should arise in the pursuance of its work. ARTICLE IV OFFICERS SECTION 1. The Officers of the chapter shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected biennially, and they shall serve in such offices from the fourth TUESDAY in NOVEMBER until there successor has been elected. SECTION 2. President - The President shall be the executive officer of the Chapter. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter, the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, and shall be an ex-officio member of all the other committees, except the Nominating and Election Committee. The President shall be cosigner with the Treasurer on all notes, checks, mortgages and other legal instrumentality given on behalf of the Chapter, and shall, if required by the Board, give such surety bond as maybe required at the expense of the Chapter. The President shall have the power to call meetings of the Board of Directors. The President shall not receive any stated salary for his/her expenses of attendance will be determined on an individual basis by the Board of Directors with approval. SECTION 3. Vice President - At the request of the President, or in the event of his/her death, pre-engaged absence, resignation or removal from office, the Vice- President will perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President to the extent authorized by the law. The Vice-President shall have other powers as determined by the Board of Directors, and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors. The Vice-President shall continue to perform the duties of the President until such time as the Board of Directors declares a vacancy and appoints a qualified replacement to serve as President for the unexpired portion of the term so vacated SECTION 4. Secretary- The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping accurate records of all business transacted at all meetings. The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of the membership of the Chapter. The Secretary shall give adequate notice to all members in advance of any special meeting of the Chapter. At the request of the President, or as otherwise provided herein, the Secretary shall give adequate notice of all meetings of the Board of Directors. For the purpose set forth, "adequate notice" shall mean at least sufficient time to reach the place of the meeting from the person's place o business or residence, under normal conditions. The Secretary shall collect all yearly dues from the membership and other monies due therefrom and turn the same over to the Treasurer upon demand; taking a receipt therefrom. SECTION 5. Treasurer- The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all Chapter funds. The Treasurer shall receive all Chapter Funds, depositing the same amount in the name of the Chapter in such banks or trusts company as may be Designed by the Board of Directors, and keep an accurate record of all receipts and disbursements. The Treasurer shall be cosigner with the President on all notes, checks, mortgages and other legal instrumentally given on behalf of the Chapter, and shall, if required by the Board, give such surety bond as may be requested at the expense of the Chapter. The Treasurer shall not make any distributions $100.00 or over, without prior approval of the Board. The Treasurer shall make a report of the financial status of the Chapter at each regular meeting, including an accounting of monies disbursed since his last report. Having determined that they are accurate, the Treasurer shall assure that all bills for utilities are paid when due without prior approval of the Board. SECTION 6. Any member of the Board of Directors who, having been duly notified of a meeting of the Board of Directors misses three consecutive meetings without cause, shall be subject to dismissal as a Director, upon approval of the Board of Directors. ARTICLE V COMMITTEES SECTION 1. The President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be Executive Committee of the Board of Directors and shall have duties and powers as may be from time to time conferred upon it by the Board. SECTION 2. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, appoint such other committees as it may deem necessary or advisable for carrying out the purpose and work of the Chapter, and delegate to such committees such authority and powers as it may see fit to grant within the limits of its own authority. The membership of such committees shall be limited to members in a good standing of the Chapter, and Board of Directors shall fix the tenure of each committee. The Committee shall elect its own Chairperson. SECTION 3. On the THIRD TUESDAY of SEPTEMBER of each ELECTION YEAR, the Board of Directors shall appoint a Nominating and Election Committee composed of FIVE members in good standing of the Chapter, who shall prepare a list of nominations to fill whatever vacancies may occur on the Board of Directors for the upcoming term. No member who is running for office shall be appointed to the Nominating and Election Committee. The Committee will elect its own Chairperson. The Chairperson and one other member of the Committee present at any of its meetings shall constitute a quorum for conducting its business. The Committee shall prepare a list of candidates to be announced on the THIRD TUESDAY of OCTOBER. Nominations over and above those of the Nominating and Election Committee must be submitted in Writing by a voting member, and will be accepted by the Nominating and Election Committee up to 8:00 p.m on the THIRD TUESDAY of OCTOBER, such nominations to be delivered in hand to a member of the Committee, by any member is good standing. It shall be the duty of the Nominating and Election Committee to contact each nominee and determine their willingness to serve if elected. If they are unwilling or ineligible to serve, the nominations shall not appear on the ballot. ARTICLE VI ELECTIONS SECTION 1. The election of the Board of Directors shall be biennial. Voting shall take place on the THIRD TUESDAY of NOVEMBER in elections years. Ballots shall be returned in hand only. The Chairperson of the Nominating and Election Committee or a member of the Committee designated by him/her shall receive the ballots and a second member of the Committee shall be present to witness the receiving of the ballots. The ballots shall be received between 1:30 p.m and 9:00 p.m at the place of the Regular meeting scheduled for that day. A ballot shall only be accepted from a member in good standing whose name appears on a voting list provided by the Nominating and Election Committee by the Secretary. A record shall be kept of those members voting by the Nominating and Election Committee. The Nominating and Election Committee shall meet at 9:00 p.m. on the evening of the THIRD TUESDAY of NOVEMBER for the purpose of counting ballots. Only candidates whose name appear on the ballots shall be eligible for election. No write-in votes will be counted. The Chairperson of the Nominating and Election Committee shall advise the Board of Directors of the election results as soon as the counting of the ballots has been completed. Elected officers shall take office at the close of the business day on the THIRD TUESDAY of NOVEMBER following the announcement of the election results. Elected officials shall hold Office until their successor shall be duly elected and installed. The Chairperson shall impound all ballots until instructed by the Board of Directors to destroy same. If the election of officers shall be delayed for any reason. an election shall be held as soon thereafter as convenient and each Officer then holding an elective office shall continue to hold his office until his successor shall be duly elected. ARTICLE VII MEETINGS SECTION 1. The regularly scheduled meetings of Mass Chapter I will be held the FIRST TUESDAY of each month, from SEPTEMBER to MAY. In JUNE and AUGUST meetings will be held the THIRD TUESDAY and there will be NO regular scheduled meeting in July due to conflicts with the International. Seven Members in good standing shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business but a lesser number may adjourn the meeting to another date. The regularly scheduled meetings will hear and act upon the report of the officers and committees and transact such other business may properly come from the meeting. All general meetings will be conducted by the President or, in his/her absence, the Vice - President, in both their absence a regular member chosen from the Board of Directors, by those directors present shall preside. SECTION 2. By vote of the Board of Directors or upon the written petition of at least seven members in good standing of the Chapter, it shall be the duty of the President to call a special meeting at such time and place as may be mutually agreed upon by the Board of Directors and petitioners. A notice of the place, time and date of the said meeting shall be mailed in advance thereof to every member of the Chapter by the Secretary, and the Secretary's statement that such notice was mailed shall be deemed to be notice thereof. Seven members in good standing present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business as such special meetings, but a lesser number may adjourn the meeting to another date. Only such business as has been clearly set forth in the notice thereof shall be transacted at a special meeting of the Chapter. SECTION 3. There shall be no voting by proxy at any meeting or special meeting of the Chapter. Regular; Associate and Honorary members in good standing shall be allowed to vote. Invited guests will be allowed to attend the regular meeting so long as the decorum thereof is not disturbed. SECTION 4. The Board of Directors shall meet, subject to the call of the President, or upon the written petition of at least THREE BOARD MEMBERS mailed to all other Board members, as often throughout the year as may be deemed necessary by the President or members of the Board. FOUR DIRECTORS present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the Board, but a lesser number may adjourn the meeting to another date. SECTION 5. At all meetings of the Chapter or the Board of Directors, it's being established that there is quorum present as herein set forth, except as hereinafter provided by ARTICLE IX, a majority of the votes cast on any matter before the meeting shall rule. SECTION 6. Robert's Rule of Order shall guide the conduct of any meeting unless inconsistent with these by-laws. ARTICLE VIII PLACE OF BUSINESS SECTION 1. Unless otherwise specified by the Board of Directors, and approved by the general membership, the Executive Offices of the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Inc., Mass Chapter 1, Town Spa, Stoughton, Mass. Shall be deemed the business office. ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS SECTION 1. Whenever the Board of Directors or any seven members in good standing of the Chapter recommend in writing that the bylaws be amended, the President shall direct the Secretary to send out notice of the proposed action as hereinbefore set forth. AT A MEETING OF MASS CHAPTER I, BLUE KNIGHTS LAW ENFROCMENT MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., HAVING BEEN HELD ON MAY 18, 1999 OF WHICH DUE NOTICEHAD BEEN GIVEN AS HEREINBEFORE SET FOURTH, AND UPON A MOTION DULY MADE AND SECONDED, IT WAS VOTED TO ADOPT THE FOREGOING AS THE BYLAWS FOR THE MASS CHAPTER 1 BLUE KNIGHTS, A CHAPTER OF THE BLUE KNIGHTS INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC. PRESIDENT 6-15-01 VICE PRESIDENT JOHN BRADY 6-15-01
