Ozarks JeepThing Club, Inc. Bylaws
Amended April 2017. Amended sections are in Bold.
Annual Membership Letter 2017-2018
ARTICLE I
CHAPTER CLUB OF NATIONAL JEEPTHING
Section 1.
1. Ozarks JeepThing is to remain a Chapter of the National JeepThing club and is bound to retain National JeepThing’s Sub Bylaws.
A. Sub Bylaws of National JeepThing
I. Chapters of The National JeepThing must do the following:
a. Keep these Sub Bylaws as part of the Chapter Bylaws
b. Retain reference and a link to the National site at www.jeepthing.com
c. Must keep Membership activities and website appearance in
accordance with ‘Tread Lightly!’ initiatives
d. Must be helpful to the chapter’s Members
e. Must facilitate the education of Jeeps and Off-roading
f. Must preserve the ability to use Jeep on public land
g. Must help off-road enthusiasts whether they are Members of the chapter or not
h. Must support other worthy organizations and associations whenever possible
I. Must support ‘Tread Lightly!’ and their goals and objectives
j. Cannot discriminate or keep anyone from becoming a Member because of sex, color, race, creed, religion, financial or social status
k. Must offer and protect the ability of handicapped or otherwise disabled individuals who could not otherwise use the park/forest systems
l. Must offer volunteering efforts to other non-profit, charitable, and public/government organizations
ARTICLE II
NAME
This Not for Profit Organization shall be known as Ozarks JeepThing, Inc. (OJT) registered in the State of Missouri. Henceforth known as OJT Club or The Club in this document.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSE
To coordinate and support off-road events, to foster pride and friendship within the Jeep community. To preserve use of public lands. To activity participate in related programs such as ‘Tread Lightly!,’ and to offer volunteering efforts to other non-profit, charitable, and public/government organizations.
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Active Members
Persons seeking Membership in The Club as active voting Members must meet the following requirements.
1. Maintain ownership of a Jeep
2. Be at least 18 years of age
3. Must show proof of adequate and current license and vehicle insurance
4. Submit application fee with completion of application form and signature of release
(Liability waiver)
a. $35.00 for individual club Membership (1 vote)
b. $40.00 for same household Membership (2 votes)
The above requirements must be met before active Membership is issued.
The prospective Member(s) will become eligible for voting upon completion of the above requirements.
Section 2: Honorary Membership
The Board of Directors will nominate honorary Members. Any suitable person or business may be elected for an Honorary Membership into The Club. OJT Club dues will be waived for one year, however, shall not be entitled to hold any office or cast a vote for the non-paid year.
Section 3: Charter Member(s)
Five years after the inception of Ozarks JeepThing, those being active Members the entire five years are eligible to become Charter Members. Their Membership will be permanent and will not be revoked and they shall be entitled to vote and hold office in The Club so long as their membership dues are paid and are otherwise in good standing. Charter members shall maintain continuous access to the Membership Only Forum.
Section 4: Dues
Dues for new Members between April 1st and October 31st will be $35.00 for an individual Membership and $40.00 for a household Membership.
Dues for new Members between November 1st and March 31st will be prorated by half of the yearly dues.
Dues payment includes a single Membership or household Membership.
Dues must be paid between April 1st and the 1st General Membership Meeting in May. Individuals who pay following the meeting in May will be considered inactive Members and may request to be reinstated by making a written or personal request to the Board of Directors.
Section 5: Complimentary Membership(s)
The Board of Directors will nominate complimentary Memberships. Any suitable person
may be elected for a Complimentary Membership into The Club. OJT Club dues will be waived for one year. The Member(s) shall be entitled to vote and hold office in The Club so long as the Member(s) are in good standing.
Section 6: Sale of Jeep
Upon sale of a Jeep, the Member must remove all OJT Club decals and other associated decals and emblems from their Jeep. Any Member leaving this club under unfavorable conditions shall return all evidence of OJT Club Membership.
ARTICLE V
FISCAL YEAR
Annual Dues for Members shall be established by the voting Membership at the Annual Meeting. The Membership year shall be the fiscal year. The BOD shall accept dues to be placed in an account for disbursement to carry out the purposes of the Organization. The fiscal year shall be April 1st to March 31st.
ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS
Section 1: Monthly Meetings
Monthly meetings of the club shall be held at such time and place as selected by the Board of Directors. Changes to the time and place of the monthly meeting shall not be made unless notice is given to the general Members not less than two weeks before such action is taken.
Section 2: Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting shall be held at the last club meeting of the Fiscal Year. The Secretary shall mail notice of every Annual Meeting of the club to every Member of the club at least two weeks prior to the date of such meeting. The club newsletter may serve as notification.
The annual meeting’s Order of Business shall be:
1. Minutes of the previous meeting.
2. Reports of Officers and Board of Directors.
3. Progress Reports on Initiative of the Board of Directors
4. Voting on New Officers and Board of Directors
5. Voting on any bylaw changes.
Section 3: Special Meetings
The Board of Directors whenever needed may call a special meeting of the club.
Section 4: Conduct of Meetings
All meetings shall be conducted according to club bylaws, and open discussion from the floor on all measures shall be permitted and encouraged.
Section 5: Board Meetings
The Board of Directors shall meet one week prior to the club’s regular monthly meetings each
month unless otherwise posted or at the direction of the club as necessary or when three or more Directors shall call for such a meeting.
ARTICLE VII
MANAGEMENT
The management of the club shall be vested in the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and 8 other voting Directors elected by the officers, which shall constitute the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors includes the 4 Officers and the 8 Board of Directors (BOD) elected by the Officers.
ARTICLE VIII
VOTING AND QUORUMS
Section 1: Definition of Active Member
Active Members are defined as having met the requirements for Membership, and are identified on a Membership application as applicant or same household applicant.
Section 2: Who May Vote
Only Active Members may cast votes for election of Officers, changes to Bylaws, and formal motions made at general and annual meetings.
Section 3: Quorum at General Meetings
For the purpose of voting at general meetings all voting Members present shall constitute a quorum.
Section 4: Quorum of BOD Meetings
At a meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the total Members of the board shall constitute a quorum and majority vote of the directors present at any BOD meeting shall prevail. A BOD vote must include a minimum of 5 voting Directors in order to pass.
ARTICLE IX
OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS
Officers will be elected on a rotating biennial (rotating every other year) basis. Even years will elect a President and Secretary and odd years will elect the Vice President and Treasurer. This will take affect April 2018.
Eligibility to become an Officer in the Club requires the member to be in good standing for one year prior to nomination. Eligibility to become a Club Director requires either the member be in good standing for one year or have been a committee member for six months prior to nomination.
Club Officers are elected by voting in person at the Annual Meeting or by mail proxy vote. Mail proxy votes must be received no later than the day before the Annual Meeting. The BOD will establish conditions and methods for a mail vote.
In the event of a vacancy in any office except the President – the Board of Directors shall appoint a Member in good standing to fill the unexpired term until the next election.
If you wish to vote absentee your vote must be received via mail one day prior to the annual membership meeting in March. OJT does not accept email as a way to cast absentee ballots. To request an emailed ballot to print please send a request to ozarksjeepthing@gmail.com.
ARTICLE X
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1: Board of Directors
The BOD shall have the power to manage all affairs of the club on any and all questions relating in any manner whatsoever to the club, and to make all contracts necessary for the proper transactions of all business. They shall have entire jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to the care, conduct, control, supervision, and management of the club and its finances and they shall make all appropriations.
It shall be the duty of the BOD to prescribe and publish rules regulating the use and occupancy of the offices of the club, and the care and protection of its property.
Any officer or Member of the BOD who shall absent him/herself from three consecutive meetings of BOD, unless he/she shall offer at the next meeting an excuse for his/her absence, which is satisfactory to the BOD, shall be deemed to have resigned as a Member of the BOD, and cease to be a Member of the BOD.
The Board of Directors shall have the following specific powers:
To appoint Delegates to the different Associations of which this club may be a Member for the purpose of conferring with any Association or club with respect to any matter which this club may be concerned.
To make rules for the conduct of the Members of the club and for their use of the club property.
To suspend or expel a Member for any conduct in violation of rules or behavior improper or prejudicial to the interests of the club.
To fix and enforce penalties for the violation of club rules.
To prescribe rules for the admission of strangers or guests to the privileges of the club.
To call special meetings of the club to consider special subjects.
To prescribe additional duties for any officers, in addition to those herein set forth.
To reject a Membership application.
Section 2: President
The President shall preside at all meetings of the club and Board of Directors whenever possible, and enforce all laws and regulations of the club.
He/She shall perform such other duties as shall be imposed upon him/her by resolution of BOD. The President shall, with the Treasurer, sign all written contracts and written obligations of the club. The President shall have the power to appoint committees whenever it becomes necessary.
Section 3: Vice President
In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall perform his/her duties. In the event of the death, disability, resignation or impeachment of the President, the Vice President shall assume the duties of the President for the remainder of his/her term and the BOD shall appoint a Member of the club to fill the Office of the Vice President until the next general election.
Section 4: Secretary
The Secretary shall keep minutes and other official reports of the club. The secretary shall keep records; book, documents and the BOD shall designate papers relating to the club in such place as designated. The Secretary shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the BOD.
Section 5: Treasurer
The Treasurer shall keep account of all monies received by him/her and deposit same in the name of the club in such bank as designated by the BOD. He/She shall not pay out any money of the club except in such manner and for such purpose as shall be authorized by motion or resolution of the BOD. The Treasurer shall submit quarterly reports on accounts.
Section 6: Director of Vendor/Public Relations
The Director of Vendor/Public Relations will be responsible for outward appearance of and all
advertising/promotions aspects of the club. The Director of Vendor/Public Relations will work with vendors and other individuals in an effort to promote their clubs name and events.
Section 7: Director of Trails
The Director of Trails is responsible for leading and planning all club sanctioned OHV activities.
The Director of Trails will make sure attendees to these OHV activities meet the minimal requirements for safety.
Section 8: Director of Events
The Director of Events will be responsible for coordinating all OJT events, meetings, shows and other events held by the club during the year.
Section 9: Director of Internet
The Director of Internet will be responsible for the OJT web page. The Director of Internet will make sure the OJT web page is running and updated with club activities at
www.ozarksjeepthing.com
Section 10: Director of Club Publications
The Director of Club Publications will be responsible for the OJT (extracted “Monthly”) Newsletter. The Director of Club Publications will make sure he/she keeps updated on club events and club Member news for publication.
Section 11: Director of Photography
The Director of Photography will be responsible for taking pictures at club events and providing those photos to the Director of Publications and Director of Internet for use in the Club Newsletter and Articles posted on the Club Website.
Section 12: Director of Membership
The Director of Membership will be responsible for recording new Members, taking dues and working with the Treasurer regarding dues monies. The Director of Membership shall also provide Members with Club Bylaws, Membership Cards and Club Logo Decals. The Director shall work with the Publications and Internet director to maintain Membership lists for Newsletters and Members Only Forums access.
Section 13: Director of Charities
The Director of Charities shall be the chairperson of all Charity committees. The Director will help to coordinate fund raising activities and work with the Treasure for dispersal of monies and items taken in for donation to charities as voted upon during Club meetings.
ARTICLE XI
VEHICLE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
The following items are required present on each vehicle to participate in club-sanctioned runs.
Section 1: Vehicle
Seat belts.
Roll bar for open top vehicles.
Head lights.
Brake lights.
Valid license plate for that vehicle when on public property.
Full size spare tire.
Tow hooks or D-Ring Mount front and rear.
Section 2: Member
Shoes or boots (No open toe)
Section 3: Prohibited
Any Member that is on a club sanctioned run has the right to request an individual and/or group leave the run if the following is observed 1st hand.
Consumption of alcohol by any Member or participant while on any sanctioned run.
Use or distribution of any illegal substance.
Excessive profanity.
Fighting.
Littering.
Firearms.
Amended March 2012. Amended sections are in Bold.