Organization

Group Structure | Bylaws | Rules of Conduct

Bylaws

BY-LAWS OF THE NEW MEXICO PATRIOTS, A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION

ARTICLE I ORGANIZATION
The name of the organization shall be "New Mexico Patriots".

ARTICLE II PURPOSES
The New Mexico Patriots is a patriotic motorcycling group formed in 2003. Our mission is to bring awareness to the POW/MIA issue; to support, help organize and participate in Veterans' and patriotic events, and to raise money for charitable events, all while presenting a positive image in our communities. We aim to ride to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., each May to pay our respects to all our fallen heroes.

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
Membership in this organization shall be open to people of all races, religions, gender, and backgrounds, as long as they are legal residents of, love, support and abide by the laws of the United States of America.

ARTICLE IV MEETINGS
The monthly membership meeting of this organization shall be held on the third Saturday of each month except if such day is already scheduled for an event, then and in that event, the membership shall vote at the prior month's meeting to meet either a week earlier or a week later, but it shall not be more than two weeks from the date fixed by these By-Laws.

The Secretary shall cause to be mailed, e-mailed or phoned to all members in good standing at their addresses as appears in the membership roll book in this organization, a notice telling the time and place of such meeting.

A majority of the members of the executive board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any regular or special meeting.

The president may call special meetings of this organization when he deems it for the best interest of the organization. Notices of such meeting shall be mailed, e-mailed or phoned to all members at their addresses as they appear in the membership roll book at least three (3) days before the scheduled date set for such special meeting. Such notice shall state the reasons that such meeting has been called, the business to be transacted at such meeting and by whom it was called. At the request of fifty percent (50%) of the members of the Board of Directors or fifty percent (50%) of the members of the organization, the president shall cause a special meeting to be called but such request must be made in writing at least three (3) days before the requested scheduled date.

No other business but that specified in the notice may be transacted at such special meeting without the unanimous consent of all present at such meeting.

ARTICLE V VOTING
At all meetings, except for the election of officers and directors, all votes shall be by voice. For election of officers, ballots shall be provided, and there shall not appear any place on such ballot that might tend to indicate the person who cast such ballot.

At any regular or special meeting, if a majority so requires, any question may be voted upon in the manner and style provided for election of officers and directors. If, after a vote, there are any questions, the board of directors will certify results.

Voting will be only by members in good standing.

ARTICLE VI ORDER OF BUSINESS
1. Pledge of Allegiance at all gatherings.
2. Roll Call/Sign In.
3. Reading of the Minutes of the preceding meeting.
4. Treasurer's Report
5. Reports of Committees.
6. Reports of Officers.
7. Old and Unfinished Business.
8. New Business.
9. Announcements.
10.Adjournments.

ARTICLE VII BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The business of this organization shall be managed by a Board of Directors consisting of six [6] members, together with the officers of this organization. All directors elected shall be legal residents of the United States of America.

The directors to be chosen for the ensuing year shall be chosen at the annual April meeting of this organization in the same manner and style as the officers of this organization and they shall serve for a term of two (2) years.

The Board of Directors shall have the control and management of the affairs and business of this organization. Such Board of Directors shall only act in the name of the organization when it shall be regularly convened by its chairman after due notice to all the directors of such meeting.

Fifty percent (50%) of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum. Meetings shall be held the last month of each quarter, one half hour before the general monthly meeting.

Each director shall have one vote and such voting may not be done by proxy.

The Board of Directors may make such rules and regulations covering its meetings as it may in its discretion determine necessary. Any recommendations by the Board of Directors will be presented to the general membership for approval and implementation.

Vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be filled by a vote of the majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors for the balance of the term.

A director may be removed when sufficient cause exists for such removal. The Board of Directors may entertain charges against any director. The Board of Directors shall adopt such rules for this meeting as it may in its discretion consider necessary for the best interests of the organization.

ARTICLE VIII OFFICERS
The initial officers of the organization shall be as follows:

President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Sergeant at Arms

The President shall:

Preside at all membership meetings.
Exercise general supervision over the affairs of the organization.
By virtue of his office, be Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Present at each annual meeting of the organization an annual report of the work of the organization.
See that all books, reports and certificates required by law are properly kept or filed.
Sign all written contracts approved.
Be one of the officers who may sign the checks or drafts of the organization.
Oversee all Board positions to ensure duties are upheld.
Vote only if there is a tie vote.
Have such powers as may be reasonably construed as belonging to the chief executive of any organization.
In the absence of any of the officers, appoint a person to serve temporarily in that position.
Work to develop, and maintain behavior so as to project a positive image of the organization in the community.

The Vice President shall:

In the event of the absence or inability of the President to exercise his office become acting president of the organization with all the rights, privileges and powers as if he had been the duly elected president.
Oversee internal affairs of the organization.
Oversee elections.
Revise and maintain the organization's By-Laws and other documentation.
Appoint all committee members.
Oversee committees and ensure their status is reported at the meetings.
Manage ongoing board development and recruiting.
Oversee member satisfaction.
Work to develop, and maintain behavior so as to project a positive image of the organization in the community.
Perform other duties the President or Board may assign.

The Secretary shall:

Keep the minutes and records of the organization in appropriate books.
File any certificates required by any statute, federal or state.
Give and serve all notices of meetings to members of the organization.
Be the official custodian of the records of the organization.
If necessary, be one of the officers required to sign the checks and drafts of the organization.
Present to the membership at meetings any communication addressed to Secretary of the organization.
Submit to the Board of Directors any communications addressed to Secretary of the organization.
Attend to all correspondence of the organization and shall exercise all duties incident to the office of Secretary.
Forward approved minutes to the Electronic Media Specialist for online publication.
Work to develop, and maintain behavior so as to project a positive image of the organization in the community.
Perform other duties the President or Board may assign.

The Treasurer shall:

Have the care and custody of all monies and securities belonging to the organization and shall be solely responsible for such monies or securities.
Cause to be deposited in a regular business bank or trust company a sum not exceeding $10,000.
Be one of the officers who shall sign checks or drafts of the organization. No special fund may be set aside that shall make it unnecessary for the Treasurer to sign the checks issued upon it.
Render at stated periods as the Board of Directors shall determine a written account of the finances of the organization and such report shall be physically affixed to the minutes of the Board of Directors of such meeting.
Maintain the books and records for inspection by the President and the Board at any time.
Keep accurate financial records, submit such vouchers, receipts, invoices or other records to the Board of Directors for the examination and approval as the Board requires.
Present a financial overview at Board and monthly meetings.
Forward monthly financial statements to the Electronic Media Specialist for online publication.
Exercise all duties incident to the office of Treasurer.
Work to develop, and maintain behavior so as to project a positive image of the organization in the community.
Perform other duties the President or Board may assign.

The Sergeant at Arms shall:

Serve as the protocol and chief law enforcement officer.
Be the principal administrative manager.
Be responsible for maintaining order on the floor of a meeting.
Be charged with maintaining security, as well as protection of the members themselves.
Serve as the executive officer for enforcement of the organization's rules.
Be in close proximity to the President at all times during any event or ride.
Work to develop, and maintain behavior so as to project a positive image of the organization in the community.
Perform other duties the President or Board may assign.

The President, Vice President and Treasurer shall by virtue of their offices be members of the Board of Directors. The other three (3) positions shall be filled from the general membership.

No officer shall for reason of their office be entitled to receive any salary or compensation, but nothing herein shall be construed to prevent an officer or director for receiving any compensation from the organization for duties other than as a director or officer.

ARTICLE IX COMMITTEES
General membership shall determine the need for specific committees. The Vice President shall appoint all committee members and their term of office shall be for a period of one year or less at his discretion.

The permanent committees shall be:

Safety

ARTICLE X DUES
The dues of this organization shall be:

First year dues will be the equivalent of the cost of a rocker, POW/MIA Patch and nametag. Subsequent annual dues will be twenty ($20.00) dollars per person or thirty ($30) dollars per married couple and $10 for each additional person in a family. Dues shall be payable on the anniversary of each member/couple being voted into the group. Members voted in during November 2007 or later will owe annual dues November 2008 or on the anniversary month of their membership. All other member's dues shall be due as of April each year.

ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS
These By-Laws may be altered, amended, repealed or added to by a paper ballot vote in the affirmative of not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the members present.

ARTICLE XII DISSOLUTION
In the event of a dissolution of this organization, all remaining assets will be used exclusively for exempt purposes of the New Mexico Veterans Integration Center.