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Sisters in The Wind Bylaws |
Article #1: Organization
1. This organization shall be known as Sisters in the Wind. Sisters in the Wind, is not a club it is a not for profit entity.
2. Sisters in the Wind is a female motorcyclist organization that will not discriminate against any race, religion,
creed, nationality, or other basis, and will not violate laws emulating public policy.
3. There are four (4) types of members in this organization:
A. The Founder and Trustee of Sisters in the Wind: Lisa Koselak
B. Officers: Elected my members
C. Regular Members: Due paying female over 21.
D. Associate Members: Relatives of members or members under 21
Article #2: Officers
1. The officers of Sisters in the Wind will be: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Mediator, Auditor
and Events/Riding Committee.
2. All officers will be nominated and elected by the membership.
3. Only one office can be held at a time.
Article #3: Duties of the President
1. To preside over all meetings.
2. To vote only when necessary to break a tie.
3. To keep the line of communication open between officers and committees.
4. Attend all meetings and if not able notify Vice President who will then preside over the meeting and provide
report of said meeting to the President upon her return.
5. To provide group with safety and or maintenance tips at each monthly meeting.
6. Responsible to write a monthly newsletter and circulate via email to all members.
7. Attend all functions (if possible) and help as needed.
8. Oversees all financial transactions and co-signs all checks.
9. In the event the President cannot fulfill her term, the membership will vote either to advance the Vice President
or elect a new President and/or Vice President.
(NOTE: Amendment to Article #3: The position of President will be held by Lisa Koselak the founder and creator
of this organization until the January 2003 election).
Article #4: Duties of the Vice President
1. Attend all meetings and preside over meetings when the President cannot attend.
2. Will work under the supervision and direction of the President.
3. Will keep track of the various committees and make reports to the President of the committee's progress.
4. In the event the Vice President cannot fulfill her term there will be an emergency election held by the membership.
Article #5: Duties of the Secretary
1. To keep and review all organization records and secretarial duties.
2. To take minutes for each meeting and report last months minutes for membership
approval, and to send copy
of the minutes to the President within 5 days of the meeting.
3. To keep record of by laws and amendments.
4. To be responsible for notifying treasurer of upcoming financial obligations.
5. In the event she is unable to attend a meeting must notify Vice President or Treasurer to be responsible for the
minutes.
Article #6: Duties of the Treasurer
1. To be responsible for accounts payable and receivable.
2. To be responsible for transfer of accounts.
3. Any financial transaction that does not include the day to day expenses is subject to approval by the membership.
4. To be responsible for writing and signing checks which are to be co-signed by the President.
5. To present financial records on demand to a membership elected auditing committee of three to review records.
6. To be responsible for collecting membership dues and renewals upon members anniversary.
7. To be responsible for all insurance policies regarding functions and events.
8. To be responsible for having financial records ready for an audit at any given time.
9. In the event she is unable to attend a meeting she must notify President to be responsible for her duties.
Article #7: Duties of the Auditor
1. To be responsible for three random financial audits per year and report back to the membership.
Article #8: Duties of the Club Mediator
1. To squelch any dissention between members by providing counseling to said members in order to arrive
at a peaceful solution.
2. If said members do not come to an agreement the Mediator is then required to bring the situation to the
President and work on a resolution to the problem.
Article #9: Duties of the Events/Riding Committee
1. To collect data from members or other sources about upcoming local motorcycle events and rides. She is
then to share this information with the members at the monthly meetings.
2. To provide an updated printed list along with a sign up sheet, of these events to the President, who will
then post them in the monthly newsletter.
3. Organize all club rides: Dates, meeting place and time, gear required, length of ride, etc.
4. To appoint both a qualified riding captain and drag rider for each group ride. It will be their duty to watch
for any unsafe riding practices and to address the member in question, with their concerns. If she feels that the
rider is jeopardizing the safety of others in the group she is required to ask that rider to detach herself from the group.
Article #10: Election Procedures Shall Be
1. General Guidelines
A. All nominations should be over by October 31, with all elections over by November 30.
B. Membership to be notified of the nomination and election meetings thirty (30) days prior.
C. All voting will be by ballot, absentee ballot shall be mailed in no later than October 15th.
D. Elections for each office will be conducted separately and announced in the following order: President,
Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Mediator and Events/Riding Committee.
2. Terms of Office
A. Terms of all offices are January 1 through December 31.
a) All Sisters in the Wind property and membership material will be turned over to new officers by
January 5, this includes treasurer reports and necessary documents for transfer of checking account.
3. Eligibility for Nomination and Voting
A. To be eligible for accepting nomination, nominating another person, and/or voting, an individual must
be a current member on the current active roster.
B. To be eligible for office or voting privileges must be a member prior to August 1.
4. Officer Candidate Requirements
A. Must be present at nomination and election meeting.
B. Must have been a member prior to August 1.
5. Officer Requirements
A. All officers are required to sign an agreement form and failure to do so restricts them from holding the
office regardless of voting.
B. All officers are required to read and understand the bylaws before signing agreement form.
Article #11: Voting
This constitution (bylaws) is subject to change if thoroughly discussed by the membership at a meeting and
after its third reading at the three proceeding meetings. Must be done by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of membership.
Article #12: Dues
Sisters in the Wind annual membership dues of $25.00 are due on the first day of your anniversary month.
Membership Descriptions:
Regular Member:
1. Any woman over 21 years of age who wants to join Sisters in the Wind and pays their membership dues will
be considered a member with no discrimination of any sort.
2. Will have the privilege of voting.
3. Are required to have a motorcycle endorsement.
4. Are required to have proof of insurance on their person while on any group ride.
5. Any woman is welcome to attend up to, but no more than, two (2) meetings or two (2) group functions before
deciding on membership. At which time she will submit membership contribution.
Associate Member:
1. Male or female family member of a regular member
2. A female following above guidelines of regular member, but not yet 21
3. Associate members do not have voting privileges
Founding Member:
1. Lisa Koselak as founder of this organization is a lifetime member of this organization.
2. She will hold voting privileges as a member for life.
3. Her vote as founder will count as one separate to any other vote as officer or member.
Club Identification:
1. Sisters in the Wind, is not a club. Members have the choice to wear logo, pins, T-shirts as they choose.
2. We encourage all women motorcyclists to be members, but we remain an independent organization.
Withdrawal From Office:
1. Any member withdrawing from her office for any reason cannot resume said office until re-elected at regular
election time the year after.
2. Upon any member giving up her office another member may be appointed by majority vote to fill said office
for current term.
Resignation or Suspension of an Officer:
1. If an officer resigns for any reason she must sign resignation form and immediately turn over all property
and paperwork to her replacement or another officer.
2. Any officer not performing their job, at anytime within the three (3) month period after assuming office may
be removed from office by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership and a new officer will be elected
by the membership.
Rules For Suspending Officers From Their Positions:
1. The membership by majority vote will appoint a committee to investigate any officer accused of conduct
unbecoming an officer or dereliction of duty.
2. After a thorough investigation of an officer the investigation committee reports to the membership who then
votes on up to a 30-day suspension or permanent expulsion.
Rules For Suspending or Expelling Members:
1. Any member may be expelled, or have their membership suspended, for conduct unbecoming a member of
Sisters in the Wind or causing dissention within the ranks, with a two thirds (2/3) majority of the membership vote.
2. A member will be immediately suspended from riding with the group if he or she does not have a valid drivers
license or proof of liability insurance.
3. The secretary must send a warning letter to the member, before any suspension or expulsion proceeding occurs.
Last Revised June 1, 2001
Guiding Principals for Sisters in the Wind
Sisters in the Wind do not see the color of your skin or the label on your bike. Every one is equal and balanced in our organization. Any one thinking otherwise need not apply for membership.
Rudeness or inconsideration are not wanted in this organization
If there are any disputes or grievances that you have with other members or the club itself you are to take these disputes or grievances directly to the Club Mediator immediately. Do not converse with other members about the situation as this will only serve to make the problem worse.
If a road or drag captain approaches you with a concern about your riding habits on a group ride, you are required to respond properly and correct the problem or leave the group for the remainder of the ride. We'll talk about it later.
We are committed to the safety and well being of our Sisters. If we see that one of us is in need of help, we will offer that help. Whether it's physical or emotional support that is needed, it will be provided. No one is left behind or left to fight their own battles here.
Last Revised June 12, 2001
Copyright (c)2001 Sisters in The Wind
All Rights Reserved