Denver Off-Road Bylaws
ARTICLE I – Organization Name
(1) This organization shall be known as the Denver Off-Road.
ARTICLE II - Objectives
(1) The Denver Off-Road is to be organized and maintained as a non-profit organization for the purpose of being a common interest organization for anyone with an interest in Off Highway Vehicle recreation. The purpose of the organization is to bring community members together so they can learn, go on outings, and work towards a better four-wheeling community. In addition, the organization focuses on safety, vehicle maintenance, outdoor education and trail maintenance, ensuring compliance with Stay the Trail, TreadLightly! and Colorado Trail Patrol principles of responsible off-highway vehicle recreation.
ARTICLE III - Membership and Dues
(1) Owners of suitable, plated SUV’s and trucks with four wheel drive and low range, as well as individuals interested in four-wheeling are eligible for membership in the Denver Off-Road.
(2) Each individual membership includes the immediate family; however, voting power is restricted to one vote per paid membership. Each organization or business will have one vote and will be designated in writing from the organization or business. Individuals associated or employed by member businesses or organizations may also join as individuals.
(3) All members and participants in club activities must conduct themselves in a respectable and orderly fashion during club activities. Any member who acts in a manner not consistent with safety, or violates the principals or spirit of Stay the Trail, TreadLightly! or Colorado Trail patrol principles may, at the discretion of the Board, be suspended or expelled from the club.
(4) Applicants for individual membership must be at least eighteen years of age (exceptions may be made by decision of the Executive Board).
(5) Applicants for individual membership must attend one membership meeting and/or one activity before being voted into membership. An initiation fee in addition to the annual membership fee may be assessed to each new membership. Acceptance shall be by a majority vote of the Executive Board.
(6) Applications for business or group membership will be considered by the Executive Board on a case by case basis. Different membership and initiation fees may be assessed as deemed appropriate by the Executive Board. Annual renewals of these businesses and groups will be at the sole discretion of the Executive Board.
(7) (a) Dues for this organization for all membership types shall be determined by the Executive Board on a yearly basis and paid per membership per year, payable in advance. Dues are due on April 1. For members joining after April 1, dues will be calculated on a pro rata basis rounded to the next full month. Membership is non-refundable.
(7) (b) Prospective members may participate in 2 events/trips free of charge. Attending events/trips thereafter requires payment of membership dues.
(7) (c) Any member, group or organization whose dues are three months in arrears shall be dropped from the rolls of this organization. Nothing herein contained shall prevent reinstatement of delinquent members or organizations upon payment in full of his unpaid dues, together with a reinstatement fee of one quarter that year’s dues.
(8) Any individual member not having participated in an event in a membership year may be dropped from the organization roster without refund. Exceptions may be made by the Executive Board.
(9) All personal expenses such as uniforms, decals, insignia, etc., shall be bore by each individual and are not to be arranged for in any manner by the club.
(10) Members, businesses or organizations shall notify the Secretary upon a change of address, mailing address, e-mail address or telephone number in a timely manner.
(11) All club activities are performed at the member or participants own risk.
ARTICLE IV - Meetings
(1) Regular meetings of the membership of the Denver Off-Road shall be held once a quarter at such time and places as may be designated by the Executive Board.
(2) A simple majority of the officers at a meeting will constitute quorum.
ARTICLE V - Administration and Officers
(1) The officers of the Denver Off-Road shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Safety and Compliance, and shall be known as the Executive Board. It shall be their duty to draw up agenda for all board and membership meetings, and it shall be their further duty to assume the functions of the Executive Board in cases of emergency.
(2) The Safety and Compliance Officer shall be appointed by the elected officials of the Executive Board, and serve a term concurrent with the board that appointed them.
ARTICLE VI - Duties and Powers of Officers
(1) The President shall preside over all membership and board meetings and be present at all events when possible. He or she shall be the executive officer and shall have the duty to carry out the policies and decisions of the Executive Board. He or she shall also preside over the Expedition Qualification and Trail Leader Program. He shall sign all checks with the Treasurer, unless both are members of the same family.
(2) The Vice President shall in the absence of the President, serve in that capacity. He shall also serve as a Parliamentarian and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Executive Board. Club promotion and recruitment as an ongoing process will also be a focus of this office.
(3) The Secretary shall keep and preserve all records and minutes of the meetings of the regular membership and the Executive Board, shall assume the responsibility of ledger roll call and determine the number of voting members present so it may be known if a quorum is in attendance, shall keep a file system of membership, and shall receive and answer all general correspondence pertaining to the organization. He or she shall sign checks with the Treasurer in the event the President and Treasurer are members of the same family.
(4) The Treasurer shall keep accurate and complete records of the funds and accounts of this organization and shall collect all dues and maintain a record thereof. He or she shall make only such disbursements from the funds of the organization as are directed by the Executive Board and Article VII hereof.
(5) The Safety and Compliance Officer’s duty is to ensure that the club, in all its activities, acts in a manner that reflects a positive image on the organization, its members, and the off-road community. This includes, but is not limited to: safe practice on-trail activities, philanthropic involvement and community relations in concert with the president.
ARTICLE VII – Expedition Qualification and Trail Leader Designation
(1) Expedition Qualification is granted to members who may lead other members on club trips and host events as a Trail Leader. Any member having attended any five club trips may apply, to the Executive Board for Expedition Qualification. Expedition Qualification may be denied, suspended or revoked by the majority vote Executive Board on the basis of their inability to carry out the duties of Trail Leader.
(2) Trail Leader - Trail Leader designation is given to any club member who has gained an Expedition Qualification and is confident in leading a trip on a specific trail and has submitted a trip plan to the President or Vice President prior to hosting a trip or event. The plan must include the following: Trail Leader contact information; initial meeting date, time and place; trail details and difficulty, expected duration and return time of the trip, initial designated CB channel and any other anomalies expected. Trail Leader shall brief drivers’ and participants’ prior to departure from meeting place. At this meeting the Trail Leader will outline the trip, difficulty and safety issues for the specific trails that are anticipated to be completed. During the trip, the Trail Leader will be responsible for coordination and enjoyment of all participants. After the trip is completed, the Trail Leader will submit a written report in a timely manner to the President and Vice President that will include the names of all participants, any incidents, and any other note worthy events. The Trail Leader may appoint Assistant Trial Leaders to assist with large or diverse groups. Trail Leader may collect a fee to cover group costs of an event or trip. This may include but not limited to: access fees, permits, group meals, guides, etc.
ARTICLE VIII - Expenditures and Finance
(1) All monies received from all sources shall, in a timely manner, be turned over to the Treasurer to be deposited in the checking account of Denver Off-Road.
(2) No withdrawal from funds shall be made without the approval of the Executive Board. Single expenditures in excess of Twenty Five ($25.00) must have an approval of the majority of the Executive Board. All expenditures shall be made by check, and the item for which each check is drawn shall be designated on the face of the check.
ARTICLE IX - Committees
(1) Committees shall be designated by the Executive Board. Each committee shall be assigned by the President to a director who shall be responsible for its activities and who, with the approval of the Executive Board, will appoint a committee chairman.
ARTICLE X - Election of Officers
(1) The membership shall meet and elect officers and directors for each fiscal year at the regular last quarter meeting of the preceding year. The newly elected officers shall take office on the end of that quarter. Voting shall be in person and not by proxy or mail unless otherwise permitted by the Executive Board.
(2) Balloting for each office shall be in separate successive sequence and will be held by secret ballot. All ballots for offices must be counted and checked by three members other than the nominees.
(3) Executive Board members are determined by the candidate who receives the most votes. In the event of a tie vote, the candidate receiving the majority vote of the serving Executive Board shall be elected to office.
(4) In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President shall assume the position. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Vice President, the Secretary shall assume the position. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Secretary or Treasurer, a successor shall be elected by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE XI - Recall
(1) Any officer or director of the Denver Off-Road may be recalled by an 80% vote of the Executive Board.
(2) Should a member or members desire the removal of an officer or other member or members, business or organization, they may petition in writing the Executive Board. The Executive Board is then required to address the member(s) concerns at the next Executive Board meeting. A formal determination of the disposition of the petition must be recorded by the Secretary and made available to the member(s) that initiated the petition.
ARTICLE XII - Rules and Procedure
(1) Unless otherwise specified in these By-Laws, Roberts Rules of Order Revised shall govern parliamentary procedure.
ARTICLE XIII - Amendments
(1)These By-Laws may be amended by majority vote with a quorum being present of the executive board or organizational members. Section 2 is suspended until April 1, 2008 at which time Section 1 is revoked.
(2) These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds attending membership majority vote at a regular membership meeting, a quorum of officers being present and voting. Any amendment to the By-Laws must be presented to the membership at the regular membership meeting preceding that in which the vote is taken.
