NAME AND EMBLEM

ARTICLE 1

Section 1 (a).
The name of the association is: Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.

1. Principle office of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association will be located at the following address: 1019 Highland, Liberty, MO 64068 USA
2. Change of Address. The designation of the county or state of Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association principal office may change by amendment of these bylaws. The board of Officers may change the principal office from one location to another within the named country by noting the changed address and effective date below, and such changes shall not be deemed minor, and require an amendment of thse bylaws.
   
   1. New Address:
      Dated:
   2. New Address:
      Dated:
3. Other Offices. The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association may also have offices at such other places, within or without its state of incorporation, where it is qualified to do business, as its business and activities may require, and as the board of directors may from time to time, designate.

Section 1 (b)
IRC Section 501(c)(19) Purposes. Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational and/or scientific purposes as specified in Section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code. The BOD has the authority to change the CVMA bylaws if any part is found to be in conflict with Federal or MO state tax laws.

Section 2.
The emblem / logo used by the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association is the sole property of CVMA. The CVMA patch and logo cannot be reproduced without license from the BOD. The emblem of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association is in the shape of a skull encompassed by the following colors. The incorporated colors are: Red, representing the blood that has been shed on the battlefield. The Military Gold, representing the many ethnic backgrounds of all nations. Black, representing the heavy hearts possessed for those who gave their lives and for those that are considered missing in action or prisoners of war. The Skull and ace of spade represents the death that war leaves in its wake.

OBJECTIVES

ARTICLE 2

General: Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Protocol.
The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association is formed for the betterment of communication and camaraderie between other Motorcycle Associations, Veterans Organizations, and or Motorcycle Groups.

Section 1.
To promote interest in various forms of motorcycle activity associated with Veterans.

Section 2.
To create and maintain camaraderie among Combat Veterans from all U.S. Branches of Service and its allies.

Section 3.
To support Veteran Organizations.

Section 4.
To raise awareness for the plight of POWs, MIAs and their families.

Section 5.
To conduct Association functions and activities in a manner befitting the members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and as well as the association's Auxiliary Members.

Section 6.
To encourage a better understanding of motorcycle riders as a constructive sport among members of the public, press, and law enforcement agencies.

MEMBERSHIP

ARTICLE 3

Section 1.
Any person:

1. Of good character.
2. Who is a Veteran of a Foreign War, "Combat".
3. The ONLY Acceptable proof for membership to the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association is a copy of one's DD 214 or ERB which must be surrendered to the BOD for verification.
4. Annual dues will be $15 for full Combat members and $10 for military support members. Dues for CVMA members deployed in a war zone will be waived. Dues for all members are due in June of each year. Dues for new members will cover the balance of the current year and dues will be collected again in June. Dues for all new members joining after March 1^st will be considered as paid in full for the balance of the current year and the following year.
5. Must own and operate a Motorcycle of 500cc or above.
6. Should a full member resign they will be given a 5 day grace period to rescind their resignation with no repercussions. After the 5 day grace period a member will have to re-apply for membership as a new member and will require BOD approval.
7. Active members in good standing with the CVMA who after 5 years become infirm, disabled or otherwise unable to ride their motorcycles will be able to keep their patch and be retired as life time members in good standing with the CVMA.
8. Life members, if for health reasons can no longer ride can at their discretion, remain members in good standing with full voting privileges and can keep their patch.
9. Life membership requirements: 3 years active in the CVMA. member must be in good standing for all three years and minimum participation of one sanctioned CVMA event per year is required. One of which must be a National meeting. Cost for life membership is $150. If a life member quits for any reason or the member is removed from the CVMA rolls for any reason, no refunds will be made.

Section 2 (a).
Auxiliary Members:

1. Must be of good character.
2. All Auxiliary members must be a spouse, widow or widower of a full member who is in good standing with the CVMA
3. Must support the efforts of ALL branches of the United States of Americas Armed Forces and the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.
4. Will have no vote in CVMA business.
5. Cannot hold a position on the BOD
6. $10.00 annual dues will be assessed by the CVMA Auxiliary Unit

Section 2 (b).
Support members:

1. Must be of good character.
2. Must own and operate a motorcycle of 500cc or greater.
3. Maximum number of support members will not exceed 10% of total CVMA full Combat membership.
4. Support members must be a veteran of the United States Armed Forces.
5. Support members will read and abide by all CVMA by-laws applicable to them. Sections excluded:
   1. Section 6 and subsection 2
   2. Section 3
   3. Elections
   4. Duties of Officers
6. Support members are required to submit their application with proof of military service through a full member of the CVMA who has held a membership for not less than one year. Support members are required to have either ridden a minimum of 3,000 miles with their sponsor, attended three CVMA events or be known by their sponsor for a minimum of 6 months. A full member submitting an application for a support member should verify they meet the above criteria. Only 1 support member can be vouched on per year by an individual CVMA member. Support members will be at a 1 to 10 ratio, 1 support member to 10 full members based on state.
7. Will have no vote in CVMA business .
8. Cannot hold a position on the BOD
9. $10.00 annual dues will be assessed and a CVMA Support ID will be issued.
10. Support members in good standing can wear a small CVMA Support Patch on the front of their vest or jacket which will be supplied by their sponsor. Support members can also wear the 10” support back patch which will be supplied by their sponsor.

Section 3.
By applying for membership with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, you are giving the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and its Board of Directors the right to verify any membership application and DD 214 records.

Section 4.
Each member should attend a minimum of at least one (1) event hosted by the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association per year. This can also be an event in any member's state if prior approval is obtained by the state representative from the governing body of the Combat Veterans Association.

Section 5.
All members MUST conduct themselves in a manner that is not an embarrassment to themselves, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, or the United States of America.

Section 6.
All members must possess a valid motorcycle driver’s license endorsed by their state as well as proof of insurance for their motorcycle.

Section 7.

1. In the event of misconduct by any member, under the by-laws of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, the Board of Directors possesses the right to revoke that member's membership. Misconduct is defined as failure to abide by the by-laws of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and any organization that the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association supports.
2. Bringing dishonor upon the Combat Veterans Association in action, word(s), or deeds. Always remember WE ARE NOT, NOR DO WE CLAIM TO BE, A MOTORCYCLE CLUB! WE DO NOT HAVE COLORS! We do not prospect. We do have membership fees.

MEMBERSHIP DUES

ARTICLE 4

Section 1.
Membership dues shall be at such rate, schedule or formula as may from time to time be prescribed by the governing body of the association and approved by the general membership.

Section 2.
The governing body of the association shall determine deadlines for payment of renewal membership dues.

Section 3.
New members purchasing patches of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association will be done so at cost plus shipping and handling.

Section 4.
Charter members will not be required to pay annual dues and may wear the 45 patch designating that they are an original starter member, or support member, of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.

Section 5.
Chapters can collect local dues. A cap of $10.00 annual chapter dues can be assessed. All national dues continue to go straight to national.

ELECTIONS

ARTICLE 5

Section 1.
All nominees for any office must be active and in good standing in the association with a minimum of 1 full year CVMA membership.

Section 2.
All elected and or appointed officers and Board of Directors must remain active members in good standing for the duration of the term while in office.

Section 3.
All officers are to be nominated and elected at the CVMA National and will assume office within 60 days of the election and hold that office for 36 months or until their successors are duly qualified. Consecutive terms are permitted.

Section 4.
Nominations and elections to the BOD must be made at the CVMA national. The President will vote only in the event of a tie.

Section 5.
Members nominated for office are qualified if he or she is a paid member in good standing with the CVMA for a minimum of 1 year.

Section 6.
BOD members will be considered for re-election in the following order, Pres., VP, SGT at Arms/PR. The office of Treasurer and Secretary will be filled by the President of the CVMA at the BODŐs discretion. Should the Treasuer or the Secretary resign or be removed for any reason the BOD has the authority to replace the officer and the new officer will be put up for approval at by the CVMA members during the next scheduled National meeting. In addition, nominations for the newly filled position will be taken at that time should anyone want to apply for the position.

Section 7.
Should an elected officer resign from office for any reason the BOD will appoint a replacement to serve until the next CVMA National.

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

ARTICLE 6

Section 1.
The President will preside over all meetings of the association; serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors, act as ex-officer member of all committees, issue the call for regular and special Board of Directors meetings, schedule regular elections, and be sure they are held IAW this constitution, and carry out the directives of the Board of Directors. Treasurer and Secretary positions are both accountable to the CVMA BOD the CVMA BOD is allowed to temporarily fill these positions as required.

Section 2.
The Vice-President will perform all duties of the President in his absence.

Section 3.
The Secretary shall keep minutes of the Board of Directors and general membership meetings, and assume all duties to office.

Section 4.
The Treasurer will collect dues and other forms of income due to the association, maintain the accounting books, make payments from the associations funds when so ordered by the board of Directors, sign all associations checks (along with another officers signature) and make regular reports of the associations financial status to the Board of Directors, State Representative and the general membership.

Section 5.
The Public Relations Officer will maintain a file and have it ready to present at each meeting and all association functions. He or she will be in charge of all the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Associations publicity, in conjunction with and approved by the associations President. Duties will include: Historian, club file, pictures, newspaper articles, TV and radio announcements and the associations web site.

Section 6.
Sgt of Arms has and will maintain order during CVMA meeting's and check members ID cards before each meeting will start.

Section 7.
The Board of Directors constitutes the Executive Board of the Association, responsible for the execution, through its officers of the authorized policies, by majority votes, fills vacancies in any office of the Board of Directors and submits to the associations meetings and recommendations affecting the policies of the association which have been previously approved.

Section 8.
The regional directors (once regions are organized) will be appointed by the Board of Directors.

Section 9.
State Representatives are appointed by the BOD and the Chapter Commander would be picked by the Chapter members. The State Representative would be over the State Chapter Commander, all below the State Representative would be elected by state members.

Section 10.
State and Regional Officers would use military terms to describe their position.

Section 11.
State representative’s responsibilities. These include carrying out the bylaws of the national and to watch over their membership. State representatives can dismiss or discipline unruly members with BOD approval.

MEETINGS

ARTICLE 7

Section 1.
A quorum of conducting business shall be those present at any given meeting.

Section 2.
See DUTIES OF OFFICERS, Article 6, Section 1.

Section 3.
Special membership meetings and special Board of Directors meetings can be called by the President or two active members.

Section 4.
The Presidents rule of order will be applied during meetings to affect parliamentary procedures, unless otherwise amended and provided for in the by-laws.

DELEGATIONS

ARTICLE 8

Section 1.
Delegations will be appointed by the President, but are subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, to represent the association at any convention, meeting, rally, or other assembly that may be deemed necessary, and all delegations are authorized to exercise only those powers specifically vested in them by the Board of Directors.

AMENDMENTS

ARTICLE 9

Section 1.
These by-laws may be altered, or repealed and new by-laws adopted only at the yearly CVMA National by a two-thirds vote of the members present.

Section 2.
Approved and accepted amendments take effect immediately.

Section 3.
Any changes to any Article and or Section of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association will be discussed and voted on by a quorum.

STATE CHAPTERS

ARTICLE 10.

Section 1.
State chapters require a minimum of 15 members.

Section 2.
Initial State chapters are based on when they were recognized; KY being chapter one, MA chapter two, etc. Subsequent chapters within the same state shall be numbered in accordance to their initial recognition as a full chapter within that state. Example Kentucky Chapter is KY Chapter 1-1; the next full chapter will be KY Chapter 1-2.

Section 3.
Chapters should not be located closer than a 1-hour ride from a previously established Chapter within the same state unless approved by the State Rep and/or National BOD.

Section 4.
The Chapter members would elect the Chapter Commander. The State Representative would be over the Chapter Commander; state members would elect all below the State Representative.

Section 5.
Chapter Commanders within the state are considered to be equal in "rank" regardless of chapter recognition dates.

Section 6. (DETACHMENTS)
Detachments are sponsored by and accountable to a state chapter.

Section 7.
Detachments require a minimum of 8 members.

Section 8.
Detachments may apply for Chapter status provided they meet Chapter guidelines. (see Article 10 sections 1-5).

Section 9.
Every chapter at a minimum needs to be incorporated. Each chapter that hasthier own runs and checking account will stand as individual entity and will be responsible for their own audit. Each chapter or sub chapter, at their discretion can apply for tax exempt 501 c status and will submit a yearly report to their State Representative.

Section 10.
The Detachment members would elect the Detachment Commander. The State Representative would be over the State Chapter Commander; State Chapter Commander would be over the Detachment Commander; state members would elect all below the State Representative.

Section 11.
The BOD has is the final authority in disbanding a chapter or dismissing a chapter member. The BOD has the authority to assemble an investigative committee to investigate any incidents involving either a chapter or chapter member.

Bylaws Version 1.1  |  16 APR 08  |  Blackhorse, NAT SEC