American Legion Riders

Motorcycle Association

The Constitution

Of

WASHINGTON STATE

CHAPTERS

Preamble

To To participate in parades and other ceremonies that is within the goals and purposes of the American Legion. Toprovide 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. 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 an 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 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.

Signatures are on file. See downloadable pdf file.

Udated 06/23/2007