Big Apple Miata Club Bylaws 2021

Article I – Name
The name of this organization shall be the Big Apple Miata Club.

Article II - Purpose
As a non-profit social group, the purpose of this organization shall be to provide social, recreational, instructional and technical activities to preserve the Mazda MX-5 Miata, to promote a responsible image for all Miata drivers, and to promote goodwill for the mutual benefit of the members. Membership is open to all Miata enthusiasts.

Article III - Meetings
Section A: General Membership meetings shall be held monthly, on the second Tuesday of each month.
Section B: The Executive Board shall meet at least once every calendar year or more as determined by the Board of Directors.
Section C: A quorum shall consist of the members present at any scheduled executive board or general Membership meeting.

Article IV - Membership
Section A: Individual Membership-A membership shall consist of one individual who shall have one vote in general membership decisions.
Section B: Multi-person Membership-A membership consisting of two persons per Miata, shall have only one vote per general Board decisions but two votes concerning general membership decisions.

Article V – Membership Rights and Responsibilities

Section A: All applicants for membership will be on Probation for a period of 90 days and must attend at least two monthly meetings and one event if available.  After which, the board and general membership will decide if the applicant is a good fit for membership in the club.  No annual dues will be collected until after the probation period.  This probation will also apply to former members who want to rejoin the club.
Section B: Any member delinquent in dues for more than three months, shall be removed from the club E-Vite list and shall be assumed to be a non-member.
Section C: Active members are invited to participate in all club activities.
Section D: Active members can attend board meetings as non-voting observers.
Section E: Active members will receive all membership E-Vites and official club publications.
Section F: Members and their guests shall act in accordance with the stated purpose of the organization and conduct themselves in a manner consistent with generally accepted decorum.                                                              Section G: Expulsion of membership shall be decided by a quorum of the Board with consultation from the general membership.                                                                    

Article VI - Officers
Section A: The elected officers shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer and are collectively known as the Board of Directors and represent the general membership in all official matters.
Section B: No member shall hold more than one elected office during any term.
Section C: Only one individual of a multi-person membership shall be a member of the board during any term.
Section D: The Executive Board shall consist of the Board of Directors plus any appointed officers consisting of the Technical Advisor(s), the Membership Coordinator, the Events Coordinator and the Facebook Coordinator.
Section E: The Executive Board shall make recommendations to the general membership on organizational matters.

Article VII - Duties of the Executive Board
Section A: PRESIDENT: Preside at all general membership and executive board meetings; enforce the Bylaws; be responsible for carrying out the decisions of the general membership; appoint committees as deemed necessary for the proper operation of the organization.  Create and send E-Vites of upcoming events to the current membership.
Section B: VICE-PRESIDENT: Assist the President in coordinating elected and appointed officers' duties, preside at all general membership and Executive Board meetings in the absence of the President.
Section C: SECRETARY: Record the minutes of all general membership and Executive Board meetings, maintaining a file of all minutes and records during his/her term.
Section D: TREASURER: Sign all checks and contracts; be responsible for all disbursements; and advise on all legal matters.                                                                                                                                                        Section E: Membership Coordinator: Collect, record, and deposit all membership dues.  Record and process new applications and send welcome package consisting of decal and club pin when available.                                  Section F: Events Coordinator: Coordinate event proposals for rides and meetings.  Maintain club website by updating information on date, event time and meeting place.  Also maintain information on event particulars such as luncheons, member donations for an event, and location dependent reminders, i.e. chairs, food, etc.                 Section G: Technical Advisor: Research and help members who have technical questions about their Miata concerning repairs, modifications, and maintenance.                                                                                      Section H: Facebook Coordinator: Gather photos of events and information concerning club activities and post to Facebook.                                                                   

Article VIII – Nominations, Elections and Terms of Office

Section A: Only members paid up in good standing shall be eligible for election or appointment as officers.
Section B: Nominations of officers shall be solicited from the general membership at the October meeting.
Section C: During the month of November, the club Secretary will mail ballots to every paid-up member listing the nominations for each elected officer of the club for the coming year as presented by the membership at the October meeting.  Ballots will contain a stamped self-addressed envelope with the Secretary's return address to ensure anonymity.  In the event that one or more of an elected office position has only one nomination, the mailed ballot will not be required for that position.                                                                                                               Section D: Election and installation of officers shall occur at the December meeting. The club Secretary shall count the returned ballots at the December meeting.  Elections shall be determined by a 2/3 majority of the returned ballots.  If 2/3 majority is not received, a simple majority will be accepted.
Section E: Elected and appointed officers shall hold office for one year from Jan. 01 to Dec. 31
Section F: If a position is vacated, the Executive Board shall appoint another member by a majority quorum to serve out his/her remaining term.
Section G: Member must be a current Miata owner to hold elected office.

Article IX – Dues and Expenditures
Section A: Annual dues for an individual and a multi-person membership shall be established and changed, as necessary, by a majority of a quorum vote of the general membership. Annual dues shall be payable in full to the Membership Coordinator. Checks should be made out to BAMC.
Section B: Annual dues shall be: 1) Existing members $30.00 for individual or multi-person  membership. 2) New joining members will pay, after their probation period, $30.00 if joining between March 1st and August 31st and $15.00 if joining between September 1st and February 28th.  They will be presented with a club decal and pin if available.
Section C: Expenditure of funds shall be restricted to the administration of club business and activities for the mutual  benefit of the general membership. The President has a spending limit of $100 without Board approval and a limit of $250 with approval of the Treasurer.
Section D: Dues must be paid no later than 3 months after due date to maintain membership or attend club functions.

Article X - Activities
Section A: Activities such as social, recreational, and instructional technical can be recommended by any member with approval by a majority of a quorum vote of the general membership.
Section B: Activities shall be limited to the general membership and their accompanying guests and invited guests.
Section C: A tentative schedule of suggested events shall be presented to the membership at the March meeting with updates to follow as necessary.

Article XI - Authority
Meetings shall be governed by the rules set forth by the Board and adopted by the general membership. The President shall conduct the meetings asking for a motion to accept an item, followed by a motion to second, followed by any debate from the membership.  Once all members have been heard, a vote to accept will be asked.  A majority of the members present will be required to accept/pass the item presented.

Article XII – Voting
Voting to amend these Bylaws must be by a 2/3 majority of at least ¾ of the Executive Board. For normal voting, a simple majority will suffice.
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