Velo Atlanta By-Laws

Established 2011

 

 

ARTICLE I: Name

The name of the Organization shall be Velo Atlanta. Its principle place and geographical area of activity shall include but not be limited to the Atlanta, Georgia, and surrounding metropolitan areas.   

 

ARTICLE II: Mission Statement

Velo Atlanta, a non-profit organization, was founded in 2011 for the purpose of promotion and development of cycling for sport, fitness, recreation, transportation, and safety education.

 

ARTICLE III: General Objectives

The objectives of Velo Atlanta are to a) promote interest in all aspects of cycling; b) encourage and facilitate recreational bicycling for all skill levels; c) increase the awareness of the need for a safe bicycling environment; d) promote the practice of safe bicycling techniques and e) gather and publish for its members, information about cycling, cycle clubs and their activities and other information related to cycling in the form of a monthly media on the Velo Atlanta website.

 

Article IV. Membership

Members. Membership shall be open to anyone over the age eighteen (18) and who subscribes to the bylaws of this organization. Persons fourteen (14) through seventeen (17) years of age may become Junior Members provided that at least one (1) parent or legal guardian is a member of Velo Atlanta.  

 

Termination of Membership. No membership shall be terminated or denied renewal except for cause. Cause shall include a) severe violation of the bylaws or policies established by Velo Atlanta, b) behavior deemed highly disruptive to Velo Atlanta. A resolution that a membership be terminated must be passed by a two-thirds vote of a membership meeting. Terminated members shall a) automatically forfeit any and all rights and interest in, or claim to, any property owned and managed by Velo Atlanta and b) forfeit all right to use of the name, emblem, or other insignia of the Velo Atlanta. All financial obligations incurred prior to the termination of membership are due and payable to Velo Atlanta upon termination of membership.

 

Member Rights and Duties.

All members have the right to a) receive meeting notices, b) attend, participate and vote in general meetings, c) make and second motions and present resolutions, d) nominate for office, vote in elections, and hold office and e) participate in committees and to take part in the planning and undertakings of the group. All members are entitled to only one (1) vote.

 

ARTICLE V: Election of Officers

Officers will be voted in annually. Nominations will be solicited from the floor of set membership meeting(s). Members must be nominated and be seconded for consideration of each elective office. Election requires a two-thirds majority vote of Velo Atlanta members who vote. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, a runoff of the top two (2) candidates will determine the election. Each officer shall be elected for a one (1) year term to run concurrent with the calendar year.  No person shall be chosen or elected officer who has not been a member of Velo Atlanta for a period of twelve (12) consecutive months. He/She must be in good standing as a fully paid member. The nominee must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age on or about the date of their nomination. An individual can become an officer if they participate in at least 50% of rides during a single season.  Officers shall be installed at the first meeting following the annual election. Elections of Officers-Nominations of officers will be conducted via internet/e-mail rather than the floor.

 

ARTICLE VI: Elected Officers

If officers miss 6 rides out of the riding season then the officer can be dismissed from office. A member or officer can be dismissed from the club if behavior is extreme by two-thirds votes of club. If officer has an acceptable reason for missing rides, then allowances will be made.  Velo Atlanta shall be comprised of the following elected officers with the attendant responsibilities.

 

President: The President shall be the chief executive officer and shall preside at meetings with the right to vote. The President shall communicate such matters, suggestions and recommendations to the members and to the Board of Directors as in his/her opinion tend to promote the welfare and increase the usefulness of the organization. The President is ultimately responsible for all activities Velo Atlanta collectively engages in. The President shall appoint all committees and shall act as an ex-officious member thereof, with the exception of the nominating committee. In the event an officer or director is unable to complete his or her term of office, the President shall be empowered to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the term by appointment, subject to ratification by the Board of Directors. He/she shall perform such other duties as are incident to the office of President or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. The President shall prepare and submit a proposed agenda of all general and Board of Directors meetings to the Recording Secretary within three days of the said meeting. The President shall be one of the signatories on checks issued in the Velo Atlanta account. No person shall act in his/her stands as signatories. Upon the President’s resignation, the Vice President shall assume office until the next election.

 

Vice President: The Vice President shall work in cooperation with the President and shall, in the absence or disability of the President, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President. The Vice President may be delegated by the President to perform one or more of the duties of the President. In the event of the resignation of the President during his term of office, the Vice President shall thereupon become President.

The Vice President shall arrange for special presentations at the general meetings. The Vice President shall serve on the Budget Committee. The Vice President shall be one of the signatories on all checks issued in Velo Atlanta account. No person shall act in his/her stand as signatories. He/She will perform his duties in accordance with the bylaws of Velo Atlanta. Upon the Vice President’s resignation, the Secretary shall assume office until the next election.

 

Secretary: The Secretary shall maintain the official record of the proceedings and actions of all meetings. The responsibilities shall include notices, agendas, sign - in sheets and material distributed. The Secretary shall prepare and read the minutes of each Velo Atlanta meeting and shall make minutes available upon written request by any member in good standing. He/She shall maintain custody of records and reports. The Secretary shall sign and incorporate all amendments into the bylaws and shall ensure that copies of the amended bylaws are on file in the office. The Secretary shall be responsible for reviewing, maintaining and responding to all correspondence regarding Velo Atlanta. He/She shall prepare media encouraging member participation, outreach and recruitments. The Newsletter must contain a message from the President, list of Executive Board Members, all meeting dates, Club rides, and any other material deemed appropriate by the Executive Board. He/She shall also be responsible for maintaining a current list of members, which shall be available at every meeting. The Secretary shall assume the Vice President’s duties in his/her absence or resignation. It shall be a temporary appointment until the next general election. Secretary shall serve on the Budget Committee.

 

Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial records of Velo Atlanta. The Treasurer shall keep an account of all moneys received and expended for the use of Velo Atlanta and shall make disbursements for Velo Atlanta. The Treasurer shall maintain the necessary banking accounts and records, and shall provide quarterly reports on Velo Atlanta’s financial transaction at a monthly meeting to the Board of Directors and Velo Atlanta Members. The treasurer shall be responsible for the filing of all appropriate tax reports. The treasurer shall have a designated backup that will fulfill the responsibilities of the treasurer in circumstances that the current treasurer is unable to do so. These officers will comprise the Executive board. Any two office positions may be held by one person. In that case, He/she will have only one vote on the Executive board. The Executive board shall be responsible for creating an annual budget against which the club’s expenditures can be measured. The Treasurer shall be one of the signatories on all checks issued in Velo Atlanta account. No person shall act in his/her stand as signatories.  The Treasurer shall chair the Budget Committee.

 

Members at Large: Backup officer for Velo Atlanta.

 

ARTICLE VII: Authority and Obligations

Only the elected Officers or persons authorized by the Executive Board to act on behalf of Velo Atlanta shall incur any indebtedness or obligations in the name of the club. No elected officer or authorized person shall incur any indebtedness above $500.00 without the approval of the majority of the Executive Board. No elected officer or authorized person shall incur any indebtedness above $1000.00 without the approval of the majority of members at a regularly scheduled meeting.

 

ARTICLE VIII: Charter Revision

Any change to the charter will require a two-thirds majority of voting members. Members shall have the opportunity to vote in absentee by mail in ballots. Ballots will be sent out via media preceding voting meeting by at least four (4) weeks. Members shall have the opportunity to vote in absentee by internet. The Treasurer shall be one of the signatories on all checks issued in Velo Atlanta account.  Persons fourteen (14) through seventeen (17) years of age may become Junior Members provided that at least one (1) parent or legal guardian is a member of Velo Atlanta.  Elimination of office of Trainer.