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American Legion Riders
Motorcycle Association
The Constitution
Of
WASHINGTON STATE
CHAPTERS
Preamble
To participate in parades and other ceremonies
that is within the goals and purposes of the American Legion. To
provide a social atmosphere for American Legion members and their
families who share an interest in motorcycling. To promote motorcycle
safety and support for other motorcycle organizations. To use our
Association to promote and support the programs of the American Legion
and of our communities.
Article I
Name
Section
1. The name of this organization shall be known as the American Legion
Riders of Washington State.
Section 2. Bremerton 149 shall hereby be referred to as the State
Chapter, as directed by Department of Washington, State resolution
Number 2005-2.
Section 3. Upon the formation of new chapters of the American Legion
Riders shall conform to the Constitution of Washington State Chapters
and their own individual chapter By-Laws, in common agreement with, as
set forth by the Washington State Chapter, Bremerton 149, affiliated
with Post 149, National American Legion Riders Association and the
Department of Washington State
Article II
Nature
Section
1. The American Legion Riders, Department of Washington is a social
organization for its members and their families who share and interest
in motorcycling.
Section 2. Each member shall perform his/her duty as a citizen
according to his/her own conscience and understanding in accordance
with State and Federal laws.
Article III
Organization
Section
1. These chapters are organized as a social body of the American Legion
known as the American Legion Riders, Washington State Chapter and
Department of Washington American Legion.
Section 2. Each chapter shall be governed by such rules and regulations
as may be prescribed by the National American Legion Riders (Michigan
is recognized as National Chapter), the state American Legion Riders
Officers, and by such rules and regulation as may be prescribed by its
affiliated Post of the American Legion, not inconsistent with those
prescribed by the National Organization.
Article IV
Eligibility
Section
1. Any current member in good standing of the American Legion,
Auxiliary of the American Legion, Sons of the American Legion and the
spouse of said member shall be eligible for membership.
Section 2. The member or their spouse must own a street legal
motorcycle 350CC or larger (no ATV’s). Said motorcycle must
be licensed and insured in accordance with the laws of the State of
Washington.
Section 3. Members of Legion Posts, which are not affiliated with an
American Legion Riders Chapter, are permitted to join a post with a
chapter, provided they meet that Chapters’ membership
eligibility requirements. However, they are not required to change Post
affiliation to become members of that Post’s Legion Riders
Chapter.
Section 4. Members of the American Legion family (i.e. Legion Members,
Auxiliary or SAL) who support activities and participate in events are
considered to be Support Members.
Article V
Chapter Location and
Residency
Section
1. It is envisioned that riders from various posts will band together
and create an American Legion Riders Chapter, therefore, no new ALR
Chapters should be established closer than 25 miles from an existing
Chapter.
Section 2. Any two (2) or more posts may combine all interested
motorcyclists and organize a new chapter, not to be within 25 miles of
an existing chapter.
Section 3. Each chapter will be known as a Washington Chapter and
further broken down to city of the affiliating post and
post’s number: Example: Rainier 264 and Bremerton 149.
Article
VI
Officers
Section
1. The elected offices of the chapter shall be, Director, Assistant
Director, Secretary and Treasure, all of whom shall be elected at the
annual meeting of the Chapter. The offices of Sergeant-at-Arms, Road
Captain, Historian, Membership Coordinator, Events Coordinator,
Chaplain and Webmaster are optional. They are voted upon by the
individual members and may be appointed by the Director.
Section 2. “I Support” members shall have no voting
rights nor may run for an elected office.
Article VII
Executive Committee
Section 1. An Executive Committee for Washington
State Chapters shall be formed and consist of each chapters current
Director and Secretary, or their appointed representative to provide
direction and guidance for the betterment of the American Legion Riders
of Washington State.
Article VIII
Dues
Section 1. The annual Membership dues shall be set
by the chapter and may be revised at the regular annual meeting
according to each Chapters individually approved By-Laws..
Article IX
Apparel
Section
1. When the American Flag is worn, it will be the highest patch/pin on
the left chest and/or the highest patch centered above the Riders back
patch.
Section 2. The ALR Back Patch shall read “WASHINGTON
CHAPTER” (below the line Legion Riders, in gold lettering)
“as per American Legion Dept of Washington State and WA State
Chapter”, and is to be worn by all members of the ALR in good
standing. The ALR Back Patch is available through The American Legion
Emblem Sales.
Section 3. The ALR Back Patch must be the dominant feature of the back
of the garment upon which it is worn; i.e., the ALR Back Patch must not
be subjugated to any patch, any M/C or motorcycle owners’
group patch.
Section 4. Specification of the garment upon which the Back Patch is to
be worn is left to the discretion of the individual Chapters.
Section 5. If desired by the Chapter, the following rocker
configurations may be worn with the Back Patch:
5a. A top rocker patch may be worn above the Back Patch indicating
"VETERAN, AUXILIARY or S.A.L". In addition the "Position of Office"
rocker of that member may be worn directly above and touching first top
rocker. The lettering shall be block style, no larger than 5/8 inch in
height, gold in color on a black background. There shall be no
separation between the patch and any of the upper rockers.
5b. A bottom rocker patch may be worn under the Back Patch, indicating
the "Chapter’s city and/or Post No." Example: Bremerton 149,
Port Townsend (leaving out the word post), or Snoqualmie Post 79. An
additional rocker "CHARTER MEMBER" may be worn below the first bottom
rocker by those who started the Chapter and by those who join within
the time frame set by that Chapter. The lettering shall be block style,
no larger than 5/8 inch in height, gold in color on a black background.
There shall be no separation between the patch and any of the lower
rockers.
Section 6. Other patches, pins and wearing of head covers i.e. doo-rags
may be worn. Wearing of offensive patches, pins and head cover is not
allowed. Use Discretion! POW-MIA flag, if worn shall be the highest
patch/pin worn on the right crest of vest or jacket.
Section 7. Non ALR members, but members of the Legion Family (i.e.
Legion, Auxiliary or S.A.L.) who support the ALR may wear the 4
½" patch on the front of an outer garment with an "I
SUPPORT" rocker gold in color on a black background sewn on the top and
touching the patch.
Article X
Rules of Conduct
Section
1. Each chapter shall police their own members.
Section 2. Members or associate members will conduct themselves in an
adult and courteous manner at all times.
Section 3. Members or associate members will not discredit the American
Legion, Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, or the American Legion
Riders Association in any manner.
Section 4. No rider shall operate their motorcycle in such a manner
that will endanger themselves or other riders.
Section 5. The American Legion Riders of Washington Chapters shall
abide by all the house rules while participating as visitors to any
Post.
Article XI
Expulsion/Suspension
Section
1. Any member who brings disgrace or discredit upon the Association or
other member may receive a letter of censure, expulsion or suspension
from the Association as recommended by the Elected Officers. This will
be invoked by a majority vote of the general membership present at a
regularly scheduled general meeting.
Section 2. The member facing expulsion will receive a Notice of
Expulsion/Suspension including his/her appeal rights, no later than
thirty (30) days in writing prior to the general membership meeting.
Section 3. This expulsion will be only for the membership to the
American Legion Riders, Washington Chapter, not the American Legion.
Upon expulsion, said individual, shall surrender their ALR membership
card and not be allowed to wear the patches of the American Legion
Riders.
Section 4. Any member ninety (90) days in arrears on their dues will be
suspended until their dues become current.
Article XII
Amendments
Section
Section 1. This Constitution is adopted, subject to the provision of
the National Constitution and the Department of Washington State
Constitution of which this chapter is a subordinate. Any amendment to
the National Constitution or Department of Washington State
Constitution which is in conflict with any provision here of shall be
regarded as automatically repealing or modifying the provisions of this
Constitution, to the extent of such conflict.
Section 2. This Constitution may be amended by a called Executive
Committee meeting by a simple majority vote of the membership attending
said meeting: provided that the proposed amendment has been submitted
in writing, and read at the immediate preceding individual chapter
meeting, and provided further, that written notice to all chapters at
least thirty (30) days in advance of the date which such amendment is
to be voted upon. This thirty (30) day notice may take place
electronically or by regular mail.
Revised: 06/23/2007
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