Brothers of the Third Wheel

Chapter By-Laws

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

A) To unite all members of BTW within a specific area.
B) To hold regularly scheduled meetings in order to keep the membership informed and to receive input from the membership.
C) To plan Chapter events and conduct other Chapter business that the members deem necessary.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

A) Good standing shall mean that all appropriate dues have been paid and there has not been a vote taken by the Chapter to revoke the membership.
B) Chapter dues will be Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) per year, per member and Thirty-Five dollars ($35.00) per year, per couple, will be a condition of membership.

(1) All members of a Chapter must be notified in writing of the proposed changes, involving dues, not less than 30 days prior to the vote.
(2) The amount of the dues may be adjusted by a vote of the membership at a regularly scheduled meeting by a majority vote of the members in attendance, provided proper notice has been given.
(3) Chapter dues may involve a special assessment for those members wishing to receive the Chapter newsletter.

C) There shall be no probationary period for new members. Every member is equal and entitled to the full benefits of members without time constraints.

(1) Children less than Eighteen (18) years of age will be sponsored by the parent/guardian membership.
(2) Children less than Eighteen (18) years of age will have no voting rights.
(3) Children less than Eighteen (18) years of age will not be assessed membership dues.

D) Nothing within these by-laws shall be interpreted that anything is mandatory, or required of a member. That shall include the wearing, or not wearing, of the BTW patch at any time or place.
E) Membership in the Chapter may be revoked by a majority vote of the members in attendance at a regular meeting.

(1) A motion must be made and seconded at a regular meeting with a vote being taken at a second meeting being held no less than 30 days from the meeting in which the motion was made.
(2) Any member whose membership is under consideration for revocation shall be notified of the pending action in writing afforded the opportunity to hear the charges against him or her and have the opportunity to appear before the membership on his or her own behalf.

E) Membership in the Chapter will be automatically terminated for non-payment of applicable dues after a grace period of 30 days.

ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS

ARTICLE V. OFFICERS AND DUTIES

A) Director (Elected Position)
The Director shall oversee all meetings of the Chapter; shall conduct all Chapter business; shall be responsible for notifying the membership of the time and place of all meetings; shall be responsible for holding at least one Chapter event each calendar year; shall collect all dues that have been accessed by the Chapter; shall be responsible to oversee all disbursement of funds owed by the Chapter; shall cause the Chapter news to be forwarded to the BTW Headquarters for publishing; and shall perform other such duties that are inherent to the running of the Chapter.
B) Other Positions
The Chapter may elect any other officers to assist the Director in the performance of his or her duties. No Chapter officer shall use the term “President” in their title. These other positions may include, but are not limited to:

(1) Assistant Director (Elected Position)
Shall assist the Director in their duties and shall serve as Director in the absence of the Director.
(2) Secretary (Appointed Position)
Shall keep written records of all Chapter meetings and perform other such duties as the Chapter deems necessary. In the absence of both the Director and Assistant Director, the Secretary shall chair all meetings.
(3) Treasurer (Appointed Position)
Shall be in charge of handling of all Chapter funds, shall collect and disburse any monies owed by the Chapter or to the Chapter and shall maintain a bank account, especially for Chapter funds.
(4) Event Coordinator (Appointed Position)
Shall plan and coordinate all Chapter activities. Shall head any committee set up for the purpose of planning and holding Chapter activities.
(5) Road Captain (Appointed Position)
Shall be responsible for leading all Chapter runs and shall assist the Event Coordinator in the setting up of Chapter events.
(6) Newsletter Editor (Appointed Position)
Shall prepare and cause to be printed and mailed the Chapter newsletter.
(7) Sergeant at Arms (Appointed Position)
Shall call all meetings to order and see that they are run in an orderly and proper manner.
(8)Merchandise Manager (Appointed Position)
Shall hold and distribute all merchandise that the Chapter holds for sale. Shall collect any money from the sale of merchandise and turn it over to the Treasurer for safe-keeping.

C) Temporary or Interim Directors
As the need arises, a temporary or interim director or contact may be appointed by either BTW headquarters, or by the State Director as they see fit. The term of the temporary or interim director shall end at such time that an elected director is selected to replace him/her.

ARTICLE VI. ELECTIONS

A) Notification of Elections
All members of the Chapter must be notified of any upcoming election at least 30 days before the election is held. This notification shall include a listing of all offices being voted on. Notification can be by postal mail, e-mail or phone.
B) Qualification
Any member in good standing with both BTW and the Chapter will be eligible to seek and hold an office. Good standing shall mean that the member’s membership has not been revoked by either BTW or by the Chapter and that all appropriate dues have been paid.
C) Term of Office
All officers will be elected for a term of 1 year, except in the case of an officer resigning, not being able to carry out his or her duties or being terminated by the membership, in which case the newly elected officer will serve the duration of the term of the officer he or she is replacing. Any officer will serve the duration of the term of the officer he or she is replacing. Any officer may be re-elected for consecutive terms.
D) Disputes
Any dispute arising from the election of officers, that cannot be satisfactorily resolved by the Members of the Chapter, will be handled by the BTW State Director. If the State Director is unable to resolve the issues, it will be turned over to the Regional Director. If the issue cannot be resolved by these means, the Regional Director will take it before the Board of Directors for review.
E) Recall
Any officer may be recalled by a vote of the membership.

(1) Just Cause
Causes for a recall shall include, but not limited to, neglect of duties, actions detrimental to the good name of the Chapter or non-payment of Chapter dues. Any member who is found not to be in good standing with BTW will be automatically recalled without a vote being taken.
(2) Procedure
A motion made and seconded at a meeting will be just cause to hold a recall vote. This vote shall be taken at a second meeting, which shall be held in no less than 30 days.
(3) Notice
The officer and all members of the Chapter will be notified, in writing, of the recall vote being taken and of the meeting date, time, and place. A brief description of the alleged charges against the officer shall be included.
(4) Appearance
Any officer being recalled will be afforded the opportunity to appear before the membership and answer the charges made against him or her before a vote is taken.

ARTICLE VII. FINANCES

A) Records
A complete record shall be kept of all finances by the Treasurer.
B) Financial Report
The Chapter’s financial report shall be open to any member desiring to see it and shall be published quarterly.
C) Disbursements
All Chapter funds shall be disbursed by the Treasurer with checks counter-signed by the Director, Assistant Director, Secretary, or other appointed officer.
D) No funds belonging to the Chapter shall be used by any member or officer for his or her own personal use, without the prior approval of the membership.

ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS

As of 5/6/2009