Club Guidelines
Club Guidelines:
ARTICLE 1. NAME AND ORGANIZATION
This organization shall be known as the "Montrose Motorcycle Riding Club." This may be abbreviated as "MMRC".
ARTICLE 2. PURPOSE
The Montrose Motorcycle Riding Club (MMRC) is dedicated to serving G.L.B.T. and gay-friendly motorcyclists in and around the Houston area. The MMRC promotes responsible and safe riding while emphasizing having fun and building friendships. Our club welcomes people from all walks of life who ride any brand and style of motorcycle. We support community charities through participation in area rides and events.
ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP
Section 3.1 Criteria: Membership is open to anyone who has an interest in motorcycles and or motorcycling, and who is GLBT friendly. Motorcycle ownership is helpful but not required.
Section 3.2 Membership Selection: Membership is open to those who:
(a) Meet the membership criteria [as mentioned in Section 3.1].
(b) Support the club purpose.
(c) In good standing in terms of conduct.
(d) Agree to abide by club by-laws.
Section 3.3 Rights: Each member shall have voting rights and full privileges. The members may further elect to have different levels of membership based on dues or other critera to be determined by the members.
Section 3.4 Orig: Any member may be removed for cause by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of members present at a business meeting following a discussion of the cause. The vote must be announced to the membership no later than two weeks (14 days) prior to the meeting and must include the date, time and location of both the cause and meeting. Removed members are not entitled to a dues refund.
Section 3.4 Revised: Members may be removed for cause. At any time any member may request a business meeting to discuss the basis and recommendation for member removal. This business meeting must be announced with a minimum of 14 days advance notice and must include the meeting date, time, location, and basis for removal. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of members present at the voting business meeting will result in member removal. Removed members are not entitled to dues or donation refunds.
ARTICLE 4. CLUB FUNDS
Orig: Upon on vote of members the club may begin charging annual dues to help cover operating expenses. Currently the club is run on donations and no dues are charged. We typically “pass the hat” or the coffee can at Bike Nite.
Section 4.1 Donations: The club may add a donations link to the club website. From time to time a donation jar may be placed so that members can make voluntary donations to the club general fund. At no time will members or guest be pressured to make a donation and every effort will be made to make it a comfortable situation.
Revised: Section 4.1 Currently, voluntary donations are collected at Bike Night to support club operations. Dues are not mandatory and do not preclude club membership. For as long as possible the club would like to maintain funding on a voluntary basis. However, if voluntary donations no longer cover operating expenses the club may begin collecting mandatory annual dues if agreed upon by two-thirds (2/3) members present at designated voting meeting. If mandatory dues are adopted, payment of dues would become a prerequisite for membership.
Section 4.2 Membership dues shall neither be pro-rated nor refunded unless approved by unanimous vote the Executive Board.
Section 4.3 In the event of dissolution of the club, all funds in the treasury shall be donated as selected by a majority vote of the membership.
ARTICLE 5. MEETINGS
Section 5.1 At least one business meeting will be held each quarter. These meetings will take place on the first Bike Night of the month, thirty minutes ahead of the normal meeting time. [Jan - Mar – 1st Wednesday in January, Apr – June – 1st Wednesday in April, Jul – Sep – 1st Wednesday in July, Oct – Dec – 1st Wednesday in October] Additional business meetings may be called by the membership or by a majority request of the Advisory Council to accommodate specific club circumstances.
Section 5.2 Bike Night, primarily a social meeting, will be every Wednesday night to promote club interest.
Section 5.3 The exact dates, times and location of business meetings will be announced on the club website.
Section 5.4 Meetings of the Advisory Board shall be called at the discretion of the members. All club officers shall be given timely notice, at least ten days, of such meetings.
Section 5.5 Any three members of the Council can require the chairperson to specify a quorum for decisions.
ARTICLE 6. CLUB OFFICERS
Section 6.1 The club is currently administered by an Advisory Council who shall collectively function as a steering committee: Chairman, Treasurer, Webmaster and Public Relations Coordinator, Safety Coordinator, Event Coordinator.
Section 6.2 Advisory Council officers are charged with enforcing conduct as set forth in the club by-laws.
Road Captains: organizes and leads the club during a riding event. The club will identify qualified road captains who will take responsibility for leading rides, riding the “tail-gunner” position, and giving pre-ride safety briefings.
Section 6.3 Qualifications:
(a) All officers must be members as described in Article 3 of these Bylaws.
(b) Advisory Council members must be licensed motorcycle owners and operators.
(c) Road Captains must have taken part in a group riding program that covers the planning, procedures, signals and other relevant factors for a group riding activity.
(d) Event Coordinators must be capable of seeing the given event though completion. Revised: Event Coordinators must be present for the duration of the club event or arrange for a substitute event coordinator in their absence.
Section 6.4 Officers shall be eligible for reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred during the administration of club business by submitting a request with receipts at a business meeting. Approval is by a majority vote of members present. These expenses are to be listed separately on an end-of-semester report by the Treasurer.
ARTICLE 7. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 7.1 Duties of the Chairman:
(a) Preside over club meetings, functions and activities not being led by an Event Coordinator.
(b) See to the enforcement of the objectives and purpose of this organization.
(c) Coordinate, direct, and manage the business functions and activities of the club as required to ensure continuity and success of club and the club objectives.
(d) The President shall notify another Advisory Council member when he or she is unable to preside over any club meeting, function or activity, and appoint another Board member to substitute.
Section 7.2 Duties of the Public Relations Coordinator:
(a) To promote the club through print and electronic media.
(b) Maintain an up-to-date membership list available upon request by any member of the Advisory Council. Membership list would include member names, forum userid, e-mail addresses, phone #, mailing address, and motorcycle.
(c) As necessary performs other duties which may be assigned by the Chairman.
(d) Post weekly bike night locations on the website.
Section 7.3 Duties of the Treasurer:
(a) Orig: Coordinate reimbursement expenditures through the Advisory Council. Revised: Reimburse members for club related expenses after receiving approval from the Advisory Council when greater than $100.
(b) Receive, record, and report all monies or property donated to, paid to, or owned by the club.
(c) Keep an account of all receipts and disbursements so that a statement of the financial condition of the club is available upon request by the officers or general membership.
(d) Prepare a quarterly report for the Advisory Council to be shared at the first meeting of following quarter, and to be posted on the website.
Section 7.4 Duties of the Safety Coordinator:
(a) To coordinate establishing the by-laws, and to maintain and update the by-laws and amendments.
(b) To inform and advise the council of issues related to membership and by-laws violations.
(c) As necessary performs other duties which may be assigned by the Chairman.
Section 7.5. Duties of the Webmaster:
(a) Maintain club forum.
(b) Collect new material and information as needed to keep the website current.
(c) Manage and update web access by users.
Section 7.6 Duties of the Event Coordinator:
(a) Schedule, plan, communicate and ensure proper arrangements are made for all club-sponsored activities and events.
(b) Assist members wishing to host or lead a ride or event.
ARTICLE 8. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 8.1 Nominations and volunteers for the Advisory Council shall be made at the October business meeting. Nominations and applications may also be made by posting them on the club forum. The election will be held at the first meeting in November.
Section 8.2 All Advisory Council members must be members in good standing.
Section 8.3 Candidates for the Advisory Council positions must be current members. Those receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected for the remainder of the calendar year and hold office until the election of a replacement. Terms will run from December first until the following November 30th.
Section 8.4 Vacancies in any office shall be filled by a club member in good standing appointed by a consensus of the Advisory Council, and shall serve until the next regular election of officers.
Section 8.5 Any officer may be removed from office for cause by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of members present at a business meeting following a discussion of the cause. The vote must be announced to the membership no later than two weeks (14 days) prior to the meeting and must include the date, time and location of both the cause and meeting.
Section 8.6 Officers are expected to pay an active role in the club. As such it is recommended that officers attend a club function at least once a month. Club functions would include Bike Night, business meetings, or any other club-sponsored event.
ARTICLE 9. APPOINTMENTS AND COMMITTEES
Section 9.1 Appointments and Committees are positions in the club that are of a voluntary nature.
Section 9.2 These positions are appointed by the Advisory Council and may change at the discretion of the appointee or the Council.
ARTICLE 10. AMENDMENTS
Section 10.1 Notification of proposed changes to the by-laws of the club will be made through e-mail at least two weeks prior to a meeting at which changes in the by-laws are to be considered.
Section 10.2 By-laws may be changed by a simple majority vote of the members present at a regularly scheduled club business meeting.
Section 10.3 By-law changes will take affect upon determination of the final result of the vote. Results will be communicated to the general membership by the Safety Coordinator by means of the MMRC website.
Section 10.4 Amendments or changes to the bylaws shall note the date of change after the respective bylaw, e.g. "[1 Jul 05]".
ARTICLE 11. CONDUCT AND GEAR
Section 11.1 Any member of the club may be dismissed from a club meeting or club activity as a result of inappropriate behavior. The member shall be warned concerning such inappropriate conduct by an Advisory Council member or Ride Captain. The following shall be the basis for, but not limited to, inappropriate behavior and disciplinary measures:
(a) Reckless, unsafe riding, especially any activity which jeopardizes the safety of others.
(b) Behavior that is detrimental to the image of the club. We should always be aware and respectful of our surroundings especially when around children and families.
(c) Consumption of alcohol or any other potentially impairing substance by a vehicle operator prior to or during any riding event. (Exception) One drink with dinner at an outing or having a drink at an event then waiting an hour per drink before operating a motorcycle, as long as common sense is used.
Members should refrain from riding while impaired.
Section 11.2 Ratification of Advisory Council recommendations for disciplinary action will be ratified by a two-thirds majority vote of the club members in attendance at a regularly scheduled business meeting.
Section 11.3 All members and guests participating in any riding activity:
(a) Shall wear a helmet compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 (FMVSS 218), commonly known as the DOT helmet standard.
(b) Riders are recommended to also wear long pants, over-the-ankle footwear, long-sleeved shirt or jacket and full-fingered gloves.
(c) Shall be licensed, tagged/registered and insured for the vehicle that they are operating.
(d) Shall keep their motorcycle in proper operating condition including but not limited to vehicle equipment and operation requirements set forth by the State of Texas Department of Public Safety. All vehicles participating in a club function shall have successfully passed a State vehicle inspection within the past year.
(f) Any club officer or road captain may deny participation for failure to meet 11.3 standards in the interest of group's safety.
(g) Riders are encouraged to successfully complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) class.
11.4 Road Rules
1. Ride your own ride: don’t try to push yourself if the group is moving faster than you are comfortable. Fall back, and ride your own ride.
2. First Aid Kit: Road Captain, Ride Leader, and Safety Co-ordinator to insure that a first aid kit is carried on each club ride.
3. Speed: The Road Captain should lead rides at the posted speed limit. In no case should a club ride exceed the posted limit by over 9 MPH, for legal and safety reasons.
4. Freeway Travel: When entering a freeway, the Road Captain should accelerate to freeway speeds quickly to avoid having the Tail Gunner traveling at speeds too slow for freeway travel. While on the freeway we should travel at the posted speed limit, and not less. The left lane should be used primarily for passing and not prevent other motorists from passing.
5. Lane Changes: Lane changes should begin with the Road Captains signal to change, then, the last person in line, or Tail Gunner, should change lanes first, moving on up the line, with the Road Captain moving over last. This is not always possible, due to traffic flow, but should be the preferred method.
6. Staggered formation: For most travel we will travel in staggered formation, with each bike allowing two seconds of space between him and the bike directly in front of him, and one second for the bike in the staggered position in front to the left or right.
7. Formation size: When group size exceeds seven, we should break into smaller groups, each being no more than seven bikes. It may be advantageous to place faster riders in one group, so that no one is riding outside of their comfort zone.
8. Staying together: Avoid making unsafe stops, starts or lane changes for the sake of staying in a formation. Riders can always catch up later. If you see a turn executed, and the rider behind you can’t see you yet, move over safely out of the lane of traffic and make sure the rider sees you make the turn before you proceed.
9. Pulling over: If one or more group members fall out of formation at a traffic light or on the freeway, don’t just automatically pull over. This can cause a hazardous condition, especially when re-entering traffic. If possible, slow down and give the rider a chance to catch up. If no turns are involved, this should be easy. If a turn is involved, let the last rider in line find a safe place to pull over out of the lane of traffic and wait. As soon as the trailing rider(s) can see the last rider, he can then proceed with the turn.
10. Meeting up: If a group is stopping to pick up an additional rider(s) along a route, have a designated stop such as a restaurant or gas station, and pull off the road to meet the rider. Avoid stopping on the shoulder, and never stop in a lane of traffic. It may even be beneficial to have one rider peel off and go ahead so the new rider will be ready when the group arrives, or, arrange the meet-up spot at a gas stop.
11. Hand signals: Always pass back hand signals and road hazard warnings to the rider behind you.
12. Lost riders: To avoid lost riders, everyone should have as many riders cell phone numbers as possible. The Road Captain should pass out copies of route instructions to all riders pre-ride.
13. Stunt riding: There should be no burn-outs, wheelies, or stoppies in any MMRC club ride formation, including parades. There are clubs for that type of riding, the MMRC is not one of those clubs. Any rider exhibiting this type of riding behavior will be asked to stop or leave the group.
Our mission statement: “The MMRC promotes responsible and safe riding while emphasizing having fun and building friendships.” Says it all!
ARTICLE 12. NON-MEMBER GUESTS
Section 12.1 Non-members are welcome at general meetings, rides, and social gatherings of the club so long as they are invited guests and accompanied by a “regular” member.
Section 12.2 Guests must agree to abide by club rules and standards of conduct.