Bracket Masters Racing TEAM Incorporation
Approved BY LAWS – April
11, 2004
Amended, October 24, 2004
GENERAL
1.1 Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Organization
shall be from January 1st. to December 31st.
1.2 General Meetings
1.2.1 Frequency and number
General meetings of the Organization
will be held monthly. Meetings
may be rescheduled or waived by decision of the Board of Directors.
1.2.2 Date and place
The date of general meetings normally
will be the 4th Sunday of each month.
The place will be decided at the October annual meeting.
The Board of Directors can change the date and place.
1.3 Board Meetings
The Board of Directors shall meet at a time and place designated
by the President, but at least semi-annually.
1.4 Annual Meeting
1.4.1 Latest date for holding
The annual meeting shall be held on the second Sunday of October,
not later than October 31st.
1.4.2 Notice for annual general meeting
Notice of the annual meeting shall be
given to the membership in writing at least fifteen days in advance of the
date, or announced at the preceding general meeting.
1.5 Special Meetings
1.5.1 Method for convening
Special meetings may be called by the
Board of Directors or by presentation of a petition to the Secretary
signed by one-half of the members.
1.5.2 Time limit for holding
The Secretary shall schedule special meetings within two weeks of
receipt of the petition.
1.6 Procedure for Meetings
1.6.1 Quorum
A quorum at general meetings of the
Organization will consist of 20 percent, or one-fifth, of the membership
of the Organization, providing one of those present is the President or
Vice President.
1.6.2 Lack of a quorum
If there be less than a quorum in
attendance at the time for which any general meeting is called, the
meeting may, after a lapse of fifteen minutes from the time appointed for
the holding of the meeting, be adjourned, by the members or by the
directors present, and rescheduled by the chairperson at the meeting,
until a quorum shall attend. Any
meeting at which a quorum is present may also be adjourned in like manner
for such time as determined by vote.
1.6.3 Adjourned meetings
At any adjourned meeting at which a
quorum shall attend, any business may be transacted which might have been
transacted if the meeting had been held as originally called.
1.7 Voting
A majority of the membership present in favor must be obtained
on all items on which a vote is taken at general meetings.
BY-LAWS
II
MEMBERSHIP
2.1 Eligibility
2.1.1 Member
Membership in the Organization is open
to persons of good character, willing to abide by the charter and bylaws
of the Organization.
2.2 Application for Membership
2.2.1 Application for membership
should be made on a form approved by the Board of Directors. This
application should be filled out in full and should be accompanied by one
month’s dues and the initiation fee.
Dues and initiation fees are due within two months of admission.
2.2.2 An applicant shall be sponsored
by a current member. Each
prospective member, after proper discussion, will be voted on (vote
can be at a later meeting), if they obtain a majority of the votes of the members present at
a General Meeting. The new member will serve a 6 month probation
period before the members approve final admission. (approved
4/11/04)
2.3 Refusal
The general membership at their discretion, by majority vote,
may refuse any application for membership.
2.4 Special Membership
2.4.1 Honorary membership
Honorary membership for a period of
one year renewable, at the discretion of the general membership, may be
granted to persons performing a service to the Organization and who
support the aims and objectives of the Organization.
2.4.2 Dues and voting
2.4.2.1 Honorary members will have
privileges as determined by the Board of Directors or as voted by the
majority of members for special occasions.
Honorary members will not pay dues and will not have voting rights.
2.4.2.2. Honorary members may serve on
the Board of Directors and will have full voting rights on issues before
the Board of Directors.
2.5 Voting Rights
2.5.1 Members in good standing except
honorary members will be entitled to vote on all motions put before the
membership and to hold office on the Board of Directors.
2.5.2 Membership is considered granted
to a household. Each household
is entitled to one vote.
2.6 Annual Dues
The annual dues or fees of membership will be fixed by resolution
of the Board of Directors and are payable in monthly installments.
2.7 Number of Members
There will be no limitation as to the
number of members except as decided by the members.
Membership can be closed, opened or capped for periods decided by
the Board of Directors or as voted by the members during monthly meetings.
2.8 Membership Identification Cards
Membership Identification Cards will be issued to all members in
good standing.
2.9 Expulsion of Members
2.9.1 Causes
The Board of Directors may expel any
member whose conduct is prejudicial to the interests or reputation of the
Organization. This expulsion
may be performed at any regular meeting or special meeting of the Board of
Directors.
2.9.2 Return of Paraphernalia
Any member expelled as in paragraph
2.9 forfeits all privileges of membership and the balance of his/her dues,
and will return to the Organization all identifications badges, jackets,
hats or any other item bearing the Organization Logo, upon receipt of
notice of exclusion from the Secretary. There will be no reimbursement of
any fees or payments of any type collected towards any Organization
activity.
2.9.3 Alcohol and Drugs
While taking part in any scheduled event,
there will be no consumption of alcohol in restricted areas.
No member shall remain in good standings that abuses prescription
drugs or consumes Illegal drugs.
2.9.4 Conduct
There will be no arguments with
officials to any event in which the Organization is participating or the
Organizations logo is displayed.
2.10 Monthly Dues
All dues or fees are payable at the
monthly general meeting. The
member will automatically be dropped from the membership list if dues
become three months late.
2.11 Renewal of Lapsed Members
2.11.1 A member who has been dropped
from the membership list under paragraph 2.10 may be reinstated at any
time upon payment of the total monthly fees of membership that they owe,
plus the sum of $10.00/month late fee.
2.11.2 After a lapsed period of four
months, a member is no longer eligible for renewal without reapplication
as though they had never been a member of the team.
2.12 Traveling to Events
2.12.1 When traveling to approved
events, the members should leave from a predetermined meeting place and
travel together, if possible. The
courtesy of a call to organization members who are traveling to let them
know you are not going to be on time for a trip will allow the
organization to leave at the predetermined time.
Not all members are required to travel at the same time.
2.12.2 There may be more than one
approved event occurring approximately on the same dates that qualify as
approved trips.
BY-LAW
III
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
3.1 Constitution
The Board of Directors shall consist
of the President, the Vice-President, the Treasurer, the Secretary and
other members to bring the total board members to at least nine members.
Board members may be appointed that are outside of the Organization
and not members of the team. The
members of the team serving as board members shall be in good standing
with the Organization. These
board members shall be responsible for the control and management of the
Organizations affairs, property and interests, and may exercise all powers
except as otherwise provided by law or in the Articles of Incorporation.
3.2 Election of Members to Board
3.2.1 Time of election
3.2.1.1 At the annual meeting held in October, the members of the Board of
Directors, from within the Organization, shall be elected by secret ballot
by members of the Organization.
3.2.1.2 Persons that are outside of
the Organization that are invited to become members of the Board of
Directors are to be nominated and selected by the present Board of
Directors.
3.3 Term of Office
A member may serve as many terms as
elected.
3.4 Uncompleted Terms of Office
3.4.1 Member of the Board
In the event of resignation or removal
of a member of the Board, the Organization may vote by secret ballot to elect a
member of the Organization or a person from outside of the Organization to
serve out the remainder of the term.
3.4.2 Vice-President or Treasurer
In the event of the resignation of the
Vice-President or the Treasurer, the Organization shall vote, by secret
ballot, to elect a member of the Organization to serve out the remainder
of the term.
3.4.3 President
In the event of the resignation of the
President, the Vice-President will become the President and will in turn
be replaced by a member of the Board.
3.4.4 Nomination for Election to the
Board
3.4.4.1 By members
Nominations duly moved and seconded
may be made by members of the Organization from the floor during the
election of directors.
3.5 Signing Officers
Any two signatures, the Treasurer, President, Vice-President or
other member designated by the Board of Directors to sign checks, shall be
required on all checks issued by Bracket Masters Racing Organization
Incorporation. Only one
signature, the Treasurer, shall be required on all receipts issued by the
Organization. The President or
Vice-President can also issue receipts.
3.6 Funds in Chartered Bank
The funds of the Organization shall be deposited with any
chartered bank in the state of Louisiana
as selected by the Treasurer or designated by the Board of Directors.
3.7 Removal of Director
A director of the Organization, upon presentation of a petition,
signed by one-half of the members of the Organization, may be removed at a
special or regular general meeting of the Board of Directors, provided
that the Board of Directors is satisfied that the reasons for removal of
that director are valid. The
removed Director will continue to be a member of the Organization,
provided he/she was not removed for non-payment of fees or dues.
3.8 Prior Approval of Commitments
3.8.1 Any member without the prior
approval of the Board of Directors or a meeting of the full membership,
may make no commitment, financial or otherwise, on the behalf of the
Organization.
3.8.2 The President may approve
purchases or expenditures, not in excess of $100.00, without approval of
the members or the Board of Directors or a vote in a general or special
meeting.
3.9 Proposals, Contracts or Quotations
If a director wishes to submit a proposal, contract or quotation
to the Organization for services, he/she must do so in writing and that
person will not be allowed to vote on the acceptance of the proposal or
contract.
3.10 Quorum of the Board
A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of five
members, provided the President or Vice-President is one of these.
3.11 Failure to Attend Meetings
If a Director fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the
Board of Directors, he/she shall be automatically removed from the Board
of Directors, unless he/she has notified the Secretary in advance, giving
sufficient reason for his/her absence.
3.12 Notice of Meeting
Directors may be informed of the meetings of the Board of
Directors in advance either verbally or in writing.
3.13 Failure to Give Notice
Meetings of the Board of Directors will not be invalidated by
failure to give notice to any one member.
3.14 Deeds, Documents and Contracts
Any two persons, the President, Vice-President, Secretary or
Treasurer, shall sign deeds, documents and contracts.
3.15 Minutes of Meeting
The minutes of any meeting of the Board of Directors need not be
complete in every detail and they shall be legal under any circumstances
provided the Board approves them. Minutes
will be approved at the end of each meeting.
3.15.1 The minutes of the last meeting
will be read near the start of the next meeting.
Changes will be incorporated and approved by voice vote or show of
hands.
3.16 Answer of Writs
The President shall be required to answer all writs against the
Organization unless he/she delegates the Vice-President or Secretary to
act.
3.17 Borrowing Permitted
The Board of Directors is empowered to borrow money for
Organization purposes from any legal source.
3.18 Special Meetings
A special meeting of the Board of Directors may be called by the
President or Secretary and will have full force and effect as if it was a
regular monthly meeting.
3.19 Simple Majority Required
A simple majority will be required on
all decisions of the Board.
BY-LAW
IV
APPOINTMENTS
4.1 Officers
The officers of the Organization shall be the President, the
Vice-President, the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and the Secretary.
4.1.1 The Organization shall select a
Chaplain from amongst the members of the Organization who shall serve as
the prayer leader of the group, opening and closing each meeting with a
prayer.
4.2 Chairpersons of Committees
The Board of Directors may appoint a chairperson of each
committee from amongst the members of the Organization.
BY-LAW
V
DUTIES
OF THE OFFICERS
5.1 Duties of the President
5.1.1 Preside at meetings
To preside at all meetings of the
Board of Directors and at all general meetings of the Organization unless
a chairperson has been appointed.
5.1.2 Guide Bracket Masters Racing
Organization, Inc. and Board of Directors.
To
guide the Organization and the Board of Directors in all their actions and
decisions.
5.1.3 Direct, implement and coordinate
To generally direct, implement and
coordinate all decisions, actions and policies of the Organization.
To promote the science of Drag Racing and advancement of
motorsports and sporting events.
5.1.4 Contact others
To negotiate, act as an intermediary
or otherwise facilitate contact with individuals, groups, Organizations or
clubs whose objects and principles are similar to those of Bracket Masters
Racing Organization, Inc.
5.2 Duties of the Vice-President
5.2.1 Assist the President
To assist the President in carrying
out his duties, and to help committee chairpersons in organization of
their assigned duties.
5.2.2 Absence of the President
To preside at general meetings or
meetings of the Board of Directors in the absence of the President.
5.2.3 Assume duties of President
To
assume any or all of the duties of the President when the President shall
see fit.
5.3 Duties of the Treasurer
5.3.1 Fiscal policy
To
propose a policy to the Board of Directors pertaining to fiscal matters.
5.3.2 Handle monies
To
handle all monies of the Organization.
5.3.3 Maintain records
To maintain complete and up-to-date
records of receipts and disbursements of the Organization.
5.3.3.1 Disburse amounts decided by
the Board of Directors to Organization members for expenses incurred while
traveling to scheduled events in which the Organization is participating.
Organization meetings are allowed to be held at locations that the
Organization may travel to participate in events or conferences.
5.3.3.2 Disburse amounts decided by
the Board of Directors to Organization members for authorized travel
expenses by members of the team.
5.3.3.3 Disburse amounts decided by
the Board of Directors to Organization members who travel to conferences
and association meetings approved by the Board of Directors.
5.3.4 Annual Report
To present at the general annual
meeting a report of the Organization's financial standing for the fiscal
year just ended.
5.3.5 No bond of security
5.3.6
Insure Organization taxes are prepared and paid.
The
Treasurer shall require no bond of security.
5.4 Duties of the Secretary
5.4.1 Maintain records
To manage and maintain all record
books, minutes, transactions and other correspondence of the Organization.
5.4.2 Conduct correspondence
To
correspond with and contact persons with whom the Organization has
business.
5.4.3 Have records available for
inspection
To have available at all times for
examination of civil authorities or members of the Organization, all
records, minutes and transactions of the Organization, subject to their
right by law to examine such records, minutes and transactions.
5.4.4 Receive applications for
membership
To receive applications for membership
and to maintain a complete and up-to-date record of members of the
Organization and their addresses.
5.4.5 Member of the Board of Directors
and Secretary to the Board
To serve as a member of the Board and
act as secretary to the Board of Directors as well as to the Organization.
BY-LAW
VI
COMMITTEES
6.1 Committees
Committees are formed as deemed necessary by the Board of
Directors, for the following:
6.1.1. Competitions
6.1.2. Publicity
6.1.3. Program
6.14. The chairperson of each
committee shall recruit at least two (2) other members to his/her
committee.
6.2 Responsible to the Board
Each committee shall operate under the general guidance of the
Board of Directors and shall be fully responsible to the Board of
Directors.
6.3 Competitions Committee
The Competitions Committee shall be
responsible for
6.3.1. Implementing a schedule of
competitive team events.
6.3.2. Maintaining an up-to-date
record of competitive standings in team and events.
6.3
3. Providing awards.
6.3.4. Reviewing the rules of the
association governing competitive events that the Organization may enter
and notifying the membership of any changes, as they are published, by
governing bodies.
6.3 5. Provide guidance, assistance
and advice to organizers of competitive events.
6.3
6. Designate organizers and stewards for each competitive event.
Approve area of competition to avoid conflicts.
6.4 Publicity Committee
The Publicity Committee shall be
responsible for
6.4
1. Promoting the activities of the Organization to the general public.
6.4 2. Providing information to the
membership of upcoming activities.
6.4
3. Providing an exchange of information with other clubs or Organizations.
6.4 4. Upon death of a close relative
of the Organization, (immediate family, foster parents or grandparents),
the Publicity Committee will purchase flowers and card, or an appropriate
alternative, not to exceed $50.00 and send to the church, funeral home or
home of the deceased.
6.5 Program Committee
The program committee shall be responsible for all
non-competitive activities of the Organization, including non-business
portions of general meetings and social events.
BY-LAW
VII
LOGO
Of The Organization
7.1 Form
The official logo of the Organization shall be similar in shape
and detail to the letterhead marking of the Bracket Masters Racing
Organization, Inc. of Baton Rouge, LA, stationery and be in two (2)
colors: red on gold background or gold on red background.
The logo may consist of double-crossed racing flags, one partial
racing flag or may be void of racing flags
7.2 Who May Wear
The official logo may be worn by members on their cars after
they have been admitted to the Organization.
7.2.1 Wearing the Organization logo or
not, you represent Bracket Masters Racing Organization.
Act professional at all times, be courteous and helpful to
Organization mates, other racers, and race officials.
7.2.2 Maintain your jackets, caps and
other Organization logo materials clean at all times.
7.3 Remain Property of Organization
The logo shall remain the property of the Organization and shall
be returned or removed from cars on expiration of membership, if the Board
of Directors so desires. The Board of Directors shall decide upon the cost
of the logo to members. The
cost of purchasing logo decals or painting the logo on vehicles will be
the responsibility of the member.
End of By-Laws
