The Vulcan Riders Association is an international association founded to provide a means for riders worldwide of Kawasaki Vulcans to meet and ride in chapter based and inter-chapter activities.

Mission Statement

The Vulcan Riders Association will endeavor to:

Provide a means for enthusiasts of Kawasaki Vulcans of all ages and skills to meet for rallies, outings, and social functions in a cohesive family atmosphere.

Promote Vulcans and motorcycles in general as a fun and safe activity to be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.

Promote the image of the Vulcan Riders Association and motorcycle riders in general through involvement in public functions and charitable events and through demonstrated responsible motorcycling.

Bylaws of the MD Chapter Vulcan Riders Association

NAME:
The name of the Association will be the Vulcan Riders Association hereafter referred to as the Association. The Association shall also be known as the VRA. The name of the Chapter will be known as the MD VRA, hereafter referred to as the MD chapter.

PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Association is to promote responsible motorcycling activities for its members by conducting chapter activities and encouraging the participation of its members in these activities whilst maintaining a family-oriented atmosphere.

DEFINITIONS:

MD CHAPTER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - the governing body of the MD Chapter is composed of the President, Vice President, Secretary/ Treasurer, Sgt. At Arms, web master and Events Coordinator.

The President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer will be elected positions by the general membership.

The Sgt. At Arms, web master and Events Coordinator will be appointed by the Executive Committee by majority vote.

MEMBERSHIP:

Requirement for MD Chapter membership is a legal, running Kawasaki Vulcan of any size. All members must have insurance and licensing for said Vulcan as required by their locale.   Prior to being accepted for membership, members must be ride-qualified by one or more members of the Chapter Executive Committee.

DUES:

The membership year runs from April 1 to the following March 31.  Members must pay $25.00 annually to be Full Membership in the MD VRA Chapter. An exception is made for members designated as "Life Members" who are exempt from dues.

Payment due at time of registering as a member and then due yearly on April 1.  Members initially joining after September 1 still must pay $25.00, but they will be considered dues-paid for the following membership year.   Members that have not paid their dues by May 30 are considered inactive.  No prior year dues will be owed if a member was an active member of another chapter of the Vulcan Riders Association.

CHAPTERS:

CHAPTER NAME AND AFFILIATION:

The Vulcan Riders Association is the governing body of all VRA sanctioned activities. Each local chapter, however, will operate as an independent organization providing services to their chapter members on a "not-for-profit" basis. Each chapter is required to adhere to this charter and all operational policies as well as local laws. Where the Association Charter and local laws conflict, local law will always prevail. The affiliated chapter will be named after its respective city or locale. The Association reserves the right to approve chapter names. If at any time the Association determines that a chapter is not adhering to this charter or the spirit of this charter, the chapter affiliation may be rescinded.

CHAPTER REGISTRATION:

Each chapter is required to pay an annual registration fee to the Association. The registration fee will be determined by a majority vote of the Association Executive Committee.

MD CHAPTER OFFICERS AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

The Association requires all chapters to have the following primary officers: President, Vice President, Secretary/ Treasurer. No member may fill more than one of these positions simultaneously. Other Officers may be appointed as needed, and the MD Chapter has determined that the needed positions will be The Sgt At. Arms, Events Coordinator and web master. An appointed officer may simultaneously hold a position as an elected primary officer.

ELECTED OFFICERS:

President - The President will be the nominal head of the chapter. The President is to chair all meetings. The President of the President's nominee will represent the chapter at all functions and public events.

Vice President - The Vice President will generally assist the President and assume the duties of President in the President's absence.

Secretary/Treasurer - The Secretary/Treasurer will convene all meetings and be responsible for the minutes of their proceedings. The Secretary/Treasurer will circulate copies of the minutes of meetings to other bodies as directed by the Executive Committee. The Secretary/Treasurer or the Secretary/Treasurer delegate will be a member of all subcommittees. The Secretary/Treasurer will conduct the correspondence of the MD Chapter and maintain contact with all affiliated bodies and inform the MD Chapter of matters related to them. The Secretary/Treasurer will keep control of all records and other documents relating to the MD Chapter.

The Secretary/ Treasurer will keep account of the finances and assets of the MD Chapter. At the end of each financial year, the Secretary/Treasurer will prepare a balance sheet and statement of accounts. All financial matters must be referred to the Secretary/Treasurer. The Secretary/Treasurer will collect all dues.

APPOINTED OFFICERS (To be appointed):

Sergeant at Arms - Maintains order at Chapter meetings and activities. Assists Road Captain at activities and runs. Rides at rear of pack on runs, or designates someone to ride at rear on runs. Ensures that all riders and rides are legal before all runs.

Road Captain - Will not be an official member of the Executive Committee. The Road Captain will be performed by the rider who is planning the ride for that event or appointed by the President.

Webmaster - will be responsible for maintaining the official MD VRA web site. Also, is responsible for publishing monthly newsletters.

Events Coordinator - will be responsible for organizing events for the MD Chapter of VRA. Will lead committees for larger events, and also work with the Road Captain for the monthly ride. Events Coordinator will be responsible for leading any fund raising events, that the Executive Committee agrees that the MD Chapter will participate in.

ELECTION OF CHAPTER OFFICE BEARERS:

The Office Bearers of a Chapter will be elected at the Annual General Meeting. Nominations will be made in writing to the Secretary/Treasurer. Written consent must be obtained from the nominated person. Persons nominating or being nominated must have Full Membership rights. Voting for the election of Office Bearers will be by secret ballot by members with Full Membership rights. Voting will take place only if there are two or more nominations for a position. The term of office will be from the conclusion of the meeting at which they were elected, until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting. A person is not eligible to simultaneously hold more than one (one) Office Bearer position.

VACANCIES IN CHAPTER COMMITTEE:

A vacancy in the office of a committee member occurs if the member:

• dies,
• ceases to be a member of the MD Chapter,
• resigns from office,
• is absent from three consecutive Executive Committee Meetings without reasonable excuse.
• Casual vacancies on the Executive Committee will be filled by majority vote at a General Meeting.

REMOVAL OF CHAPTER OFFICE BEARERS:

The chapter may, in a General Meeting, by resolution, remove any office bearer from the Executive Committee, before the expiration of the member's term of office.

CHAPTER MEETINGS:

The Annual General Meeting:

In addition to any other business, the business of the Annual General Meeting will be to:

• confirm the minutes of the last preceding Annual General Meeting;
• receive from the Executive Committee reports on the activities of the Association during the preceding year;
• elect members of the Executive Committee; and
• receive and consider the audited statement of accounts and any other reports required to be submitted to members

Regular Meetings:

Executive Committee Meetings will be held at least bi monthly, at a time and place agreed by the Executive Committee.

Special Meetings:

A Special General Meeting may be called by a request made in writing to the Executive Committee signed by at least ten full members, stating the purpose of the meeting.

A Special Executive Committee Meeting may be called by a request made in writing to the Secretary/Treasurer, signed by at least three General Committee members stating the purpose of the meeting.

Upon receipt of such requests the Secretary/Treasurer will within seven days convene a meeting for a date not more than twenty-one days after receipt of the request.

ITEMS OF BUSINESS:

No item of business will be transacted at a General Meeting, Special General Meeting or Annual General Meeting, unless a quorum of members entitled to vote is present during the time the meeting is considering that item.

ADJOURNMENTS:

An unfinished item of business at a General Meeting may be adjourned to a Special General Meeting or to the next General Meeting, subject to the consent of the majority of members present at the meeting.

QUORUM:

A quorum for a General Meeting, Special General Meeting or Annual General Meeting will be three Office Bearers and Whatever general membership is present.

VOTING:

Issues will be decided by a majority vote, this majority being determined by a show of hands from those entitled to vote. Any Full Member can demand a secret ballot on any vote taken at a meeting. Any person with Full Membership rights but unable to be present may communicate their vote in writing to an Office Bearer prior to commencement of the meeting. Any member with Full Membership rights, but unable to be present may appoint another Full Member to act as their proxy. Notice of this is to be given in writing to an Office Bearer prior to commencement of the meeting.

CHAPTER FINANCES:

The funds of the chapter will be derived from annual subscriptions of members, donations and any such other source as the Executive committee determines, subject to confirmation by majority vote at a General Meeting. The funds of the chapter will be maintained by the Secretary/Treasurer. Expenditures will be approved by obtaining approval of majority of the Office Bearers. All income of the chapter will be used to fund its activities and further its aims. No money may be paid to any member as remuneration, but compensation will be given for authorized expenses.

CHAPTER SPONSORSHIP:

Chapters may seek sponsorship from a local Vulcan dealer. Chapter sponsorship may take the form of financial sponsorship of the chapter and/or chapter events, and discounts to chapter members on purchases or other sponsorship arrangements. In return, the sponsoring dealer is entitled to on-sell membership to the chapter with the sale of Vulcan motorcycles, and may display Association logos and symbols in the sponsor's business premises and at legitimate trade shows. The sponsor is also entitled to display and demonstrate products at official chapter rallies.

CHAPTER DISSOLUTION:

If the chapter is dissolved for any reason, the assets and properties remaining after the settlement of all just debts will not be disbursed to members but will be given to bodies with similar aims to the Association and/or to a recognized charity. The recipient organization is to be determined by resolution of the members of the Association at or before the time of the dissolution.

LOGOS AND SYMBOLS:

All Association logos are copyrighted and the copyright rests with the Association Executive Committee. The right to use copyrighted logos and symbols is extended to chapters upon receipt of an annual chapter registration fee. Use of logos and symbols by any other third party requires permission from the Association Executive Committee.

AMENDMENTS:

These bylaws may be amended as needed by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.