Bylaws of the Houston Bicycle Club, Inc.

Organized 1964; Incorporated 1977

 

Name - Legal Status - Period of Duration

The name of the organization is THE HOUSTON BICYCLE CLUB, INC. and the organization shall be referred to in these Bylaws as the "Club". The Club shall be incorporated as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Texas. The period of its duration is perpetual.

 

Purpose

The purpose for which the Club is organized includes but is not limited to the promotion of bicycling among men and women as a healthful outdoor sport, and to promote and encourage bicycle safety in Texas among adults as well as young people, and in general to engage in only that conduct permitted by the regulations of the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act, Article 1396 et. seq.

 

Bylaws

Membership Qualifications

Non-voting member: Any person, 18 years of age or older, who signs a membership application subscribing to the rules and purposes of the Club may become a member upon payment of dues as designated in the Bylaws. Any person under the age of 18 who subscribes to the rules and purposes of the Club may become a member upon payment of dues as designated in the Bylaws and submission of a "Consent and Release for Minor" signed by a parent and notarized.

It is recognized that bicycling under certain circumstances may be a dangerous sport with accidents resulting in personal injuries from time to time. By becoming members of the Club and participating in its activities all members and their guests accept whatever dangers are involved and release each other from any liability for personal injuries or property damage as a result of any acts of negligence by other members of the Club of their guests which may directly or indirectly be the cause of an accident.

Voting member: Any member may become a voting member upon completion of two Club-sponsored rides, one of which must be a qualifying ride (minimum 25 miles in 3 hours).

 

Voting Privileges

Each member of a family membership who has met all qualifications for voting membership has voting privileges. No member may vote by proxy.

 

Ride Qualifications

All non-member cyclists over 18 participating in Club-sponsored bicycle rides must sign a release before riding. Minors (under 18) must have a parent sign a notarized release and turn it into the Club before participating in a Club-sponsored ride. All non-member minors must ride with an adult sponsor on Club-sponsored rides until his/her ride sponsor feels the minor is qualified to participate without the ride sponsor being present, at which time he/she is eligible for membership under Club rules.

 

Meetings

The annual meeting and election of officers shall be held in April as determined by the Executive Committee.

Regular meetings of the Club shall be held approximately once per month. The Club members present in person shall

constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Special meetings may be called at the request of the Club President. Object of the meeting shall be stated in the call.

Executive Committee meetings shall be held at such times as may be determined. Two-thirds (2/3) of the Committee members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

 

Officers

The officers of the Club shall be President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

 

Board of Directors

The officers of the Club shall constitute the Board of Directors.

 

Elections

Election of Club officers shall be held at the annual meeting in April. The election shall be by ballot from a slate chosen either by a Nominating Committee or from nominations in open meeting. The voting members who are present and voting shall constitute a quorum for the election. A majority of the attending voting members shall elect in all cases.

Officers shall be seated in May and shall hold office 12 months or until their successors are elected and duly installed.

In the event of a vacancy, a special election shall be called from the members present at the regular meeting at which

the resignation is accepted, and the vacancy on the Board shall be filled by a majority vote of those members present at that meeting. The Board of Directors may appoint an interim officer to fill the position until such time as it is practical to elect an officer to permanently fill the vacancy.

At least four weeks preceding the annual meeting, the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three voting members to nominate the designated Club officers.

 

Duties of Officers

President: Shall coordinate and supervise total Club program; preside at Club and Executive meetings. The President or whomever he shall designate shall have the authority to set qualifications for all rides.

Vice President: Shall assist President in carrying out the Club responsibilities and shall serve in his absence. It is recommended that he serve as Chairman of one of the appointed working committees.

Secretary: Shall take Minutes of Club and Executive meetings; issue general notices and announcements.

Treasurer: Shall keep and prepare all Club financial records and transactions; make periodic reports to Club membership. It is suggested that the Treasurer also serve as Chairman of the Finance Committee.

 

Committees

The Executive Committee shall be composed of the officers of the Club and the Chairmen of appointed committees. The Executive Committee shall have immediate charge, management and control of the affairs of the Club in the intervals between meetings.

The appointed committees of the Club shall carry on the program and business of the Club. Such committees may be: Membership, Trips, Leadership, Social, Bulletin, Publicity, Finance, etc. The President of the Club shall appoint all committee chairmen with the concurrence of the other officers. Committee chairmen may select their own committee members from the personnel of the Club.

 

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Club shall commence on the first day of the month of June and shall end on May 31 of the following year.

 

Dues

Annual dues shall be $20 per individual member and $25 per family membership.

 

Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Club in all cases to

which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Club may adopt.

 

Amendments

The Bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Club by a majority of the attending voting members, provided that the proposed amendment shall have been circulated to the membership at least two weeks prior to the time of voting.