The purpose of these By-Laws is to define the activities and duties of the officers, appointees and members of Tacoma Chapter, ABATE of Washington.
Tacoma Chapter By-Laws shall be consistent with all provisions of the ABATE of Washington By-Laws as amended, and shall not be in conflict with the State standing policies.
The Tacoma Chapter Charter Members are the initial members who joined ABATE of Washington in order to form the Chapter of Tacoma on or before January 20, 1979 or within ninety (90) days thereafter.
The Tacoma Chapter member shall be any person eighteen (18) years of age or older who has applied for membership, believes in the cause of ABATE and Freedom of the Road, and has paid his/her dues current. Members are expected to carry their membership cards to all ABATE meetings, runs, functions and activities and present such card as recognition and proof of current membership when requested by Chapter Officers or Sergeant(s)-at-Arms. Members are not required to attend meetings but should make the effort as regularly as possible to insure their awareness and demonstrate their support and exercise their right to voice their ideas. All members of Tacoma Chapter of ABATE are expected to support the action decided on by a majority vote received on a motion at a regular or special business meeting. All current and prospective members are encouraged to read the Chapter By-Laws, copies of which will be available from the Secretary.
The following officers will be elected in accordance with current State By-Laws: Chapter Coordinator, Chapter Deputy Coordinator, Chapter Secretary and Chapter Treasurer. These four (4) officers will constitute the Tacoma Chapter Board of Directors.
All officers will serve for a period of one (1) year or until resignation, removal or death.
Officers will be elected annually at the September business meeting by a majority of the Tacoma Chapter members present. They will assume the duties of their offices at the October business meeting. Outgoing and incoming officers will coordinate to whatever extent is necessary to prepare the new officers to fully assume their duties effective with the October business meeting.
A) Chapter Coordinator
The Tacoma Chapter Coordinator shall be the head of the Chapter's Board of Directors and will serve in the capacity of Chapter President and shall preside over Chapter meetings, activities, runs and events sanctioned by ABATE. He/she will be responsible to the State Coordinator and the State Board of Directors in accordance with current State By-Laws. The Chapter Coordinator will have the privilege to appoint Sergeants-at-Arms, Road Captains, Committee Heads and other positions of assistance deemed necessary. The Chapter Coordinator will be the official voice and spokesman of the Tacoma Chapter of ABATE but may exercise the right of delegation when deemed appropriate. The Chapter Coordinator will be entrusted with the Tacoma Chapter flag, pictorial and written records, trophies, plaques and such awards, commendations and publications relative to the achievements of the Chapter, and will keep and safeguard these treasures in his/her domicile unless or until permanent archives are assigned, and will release and transfer such to his/her elected successor. The Chapter Coordinator will be responsible for the projected public image of the Chapter and will exercise authority to protect that image. The Chapter Coordinator will assume the position of "Leader of the Pack" during runs, riding his/her motorcycle in the front of the left column. It shall be a prerequisite that the person elected be a member of Tacoma Chapter for at least six (6) months, own a motorcycle and be an active rider.
B) Chapter Deputy Coordinator
The Tacoma Chapter Deputy Coordinator shall serve in the capacity of Vice-President, assisting the Chapter Coordinator when necessary. In the event of the Coordinator's absence the Deputy will act with the same authority and perform the same duties as the Chapter Coordinator. The Deputy Coordinator will ride his/her motorcycle in the front of the pack, next to the Chapter Coordinator during runs. It shall be a prerequisite that the person elected be a member of Tacoma Chapter for at least six (6) months, own a motorcycle and be an active rider.
C) Chapter Secretary
The Tacoma Chapter Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings and will promptly transmit such to the State Secretary. He/she will transmit all membership applications and renewals to the State Secretary, except in the case where the Chapter Coordinator has appointed a Membership Chairman. The Chapter Secretary will advise the State Secretary of the regular meeting place and time, and will record and transmit any necessary Chapter correspondence.
D) Chapter Treasurer
The Tacoma Chapter Treasurer shall maintain accurate records, maintain a complete account of all incomes and disbursements of funds and report at each Chapter business meeting on the financial condition of the Chapter. The Chapter Treasurer will forward all membership funds received to the State Treasurer or as otherwise directed. Funds disbursed by the Treasurer will be for such items as voted on by the majority of the members in attendance at any business meeting. No loans will be made to individuals for personal reasons or objectives. The treasurer will submit any reports required by the State Board in a timely manner. It shall be a prerequisite that the person elected be a member of Tacoma Chapter for at least six (6) months.
The following appointments are made by the Chapter Coordinator upon taking office: Sergeant(s)-at-Arms, Road Captain(s), Product Chairman and Membership Chairman. They will serve for the duration of the Chapter Coordinator's term unless replaced by the Chapter Coordinator before such time. Committee Heads shall be appointed by the Chapter Coordinator to serve for as long as the committee is deemed necessary and may be replaced as the Chapter Coordinator sees fit.
A) Sergeant(s)-At-Arms
The Sergeant(s)-at-Arms will perform several duties for the Chapter Coordinator and will be expected to maintain their alertness and be prepared to respond to the summons of the Chapter Coordinator during all meetings, activities and functions sanctioned by the Tacoma Chapter of ABATE. Sergeant(s)-at-Arms will be entrusted with the role of "Keeper of the Peace" during meetings, activities, functions and runs. They will refrain from initiating interference, action or restraint until consulting with the Chapter Coordinator or Deputy Coordinator except in obviously dangerous situations where immediate response is necessary. On group rides they will monitor the pack and alert the Chapter Coordinator of anyone riding in a hazardous manner.
B) Road Captain(s)
The Road Captain(s) will be responsible for the planning of and route taken on a run. He/she will not perform this haphazardly and if unfamiliar with the route will investigate it beforehand. The Road Captain(s) will thoroughly brief the Chapter Coordinator before the run and ride behind the officers except when his/her direction is imperative, then he/she will direct from the front of the pack.
C) Product Chairman
The Product Chairman will procure and sell products approved by the membership. He/she will maintain a written account of income, disbursements and inventory on hand and will give an oral report of same at business meetings. Product line expansion or alteration will be by a majority vote of members in attendance at any business meeting. All funds received for products will be turned over to the Chapter Treasurer monthly.
D) Membership Chairman
The Membership Chairman will transmit all membership applications and renewals to the State Secretary or as otherwise directed. He/she will maintain accurate records of the Chapter members' expiration dates and will notify those members that have expired or are about to expire. He/she will verify and correct the State supplied computer membership roster. In the event that a Membership Chairman is not appointed, these duties will be the responsibility of the Chapter Secretary.
Tacoma Chapter ABATE business meetings shall be held at a current venue on the first Wednesday of each month (except August – no meeting). No alcoholic beverages are to be consumed during meetings. The Chapter Coordinator (or designee in his/her absence) will call the meeting to order and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. A quorum of ten (10) members, two (2) of which must be chapter officers, is required for the conduct of business. The Sergeant-at-Arms will maintain order throughout the proceedings. Only current Tacoma Chapter members may make or second motions, or cast votes. Pass-the-hat collections will be made to assist the treasury.
Special meetings of the Chapter may be called by the Chapter Coordinator when he/she and the Chapter Officers deem necessary. In the event of a special meeting being called, the Chapter Officers will notify the appointed contact people who will, in turn, notify those members assigned to them. A minimum of eighteen (18) hours notice will be given before calling a special meeting. An attendance of twenty-five (25) current members must be present to constitute a quorum to vote on matters presented at a special meeting.
Social meetings will be held on the third (3rd) Wednesday of each month. Announcements may be made, discussions may be held, items to be placed on the business meeting agenda may be decided and committees may be appointed. However, no votes will take place and no business will be finalized.
Members are not required to attend Chapter meetings, but should do so whenever possible to insure their awareness, demonstrate their support and exercise their right to vote and voice their ideas. All members are expected to make a reasonable effort to attend special meetings, as these will only be called under unusual circumstances.
These By-Laws may be amended by a written motion presented to the Chapter Coordinator at a business meeting. The amendment(s) must be seconded and approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote.
The amendment(s), having been approved by the Chapter, will be forwarded to the State Board of Directors for approval.
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