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SANTA MARIA 4 WHEELERS

BY LAWS

Adopted– February 20, 1964

Amended- August 18, 1966

Amended- October 7, 1968

Amended- May 15, 1969

Amended- February 15, 1973

Revised- January 15, 1976

Amended- April 21, 1977

Amended- November 8, 1979

Amended- September 24, 1991

Revised- February 27, 1996

Revised- March 27, 2007

Revised- April 24, 2018

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this organization shall be SANTA MARIA 4 WHEELERS (SM4W).

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

This Club is a non-profit organization and shall have as its objective the following:

1. To foster interest in all areas of the sport of 4-wheeling
2. To plan 4-wheel drive trips for its members
3. To provide a program of extra activities of interest to all members
4. To educate the members toward safety in 4-wheeling encouraging safe four wheeling at all times
5. To act as a source of information on all matters pertaining to the sport of 4-wheeling
6. To work with local, state and government organizations and agencies and deal with matters pertaining to off-road use
7. The Santa Maria 4 Wheelers shall be a member of the California Four Wheel Drive Association (CA4WDA)
8. To promote community service and charity.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1.  Members will be classified as follows:

1. REGULAR 
2. Individual
3. Family – Composed of parent(s) and their children under 18 years of age.
4. Regular Life – Life membership will be offered at a rate of fifteen (15) times the regular annual dues to anyone who is interested in purchasing such a membership and fulfills the requirements of regular membership.
5. LIFETIME

Lifetime membership may be bestowed by the board of Directors to any person who has been a member of the club for twenty (20) years or longer. 

1. SOCIAL 
2. Social membership may be purchased by anyone who wishes to participate in Club activities and events but does not wish to enjoy all the privileges of regular membership. Social members are not allowed to vote. Social members may apply for regular membership at any time provided that they meet the requirements of regular membership.
3. Life social membership will be offered at a rate of fifteen (15) times the social membership dues to anyone who is interested in purchasing such a membership and fulfills the requirements of social membership.
4. ASSOCIATE 

Associate membership may be purchased by any business firm.  Upon acceptance into the Club, the associate member may display the decal of the Santa Maria 4 Wheelers and may, upon written approval of the Board of Directors, be allowed to use the name and logo of the Santa Maria 4 Wheelers in any medium of advertising.

SECTION 2. Applicants for regular membership as described in ARTICLE III, SECTION I must meet the following requirements:

1. Own a 4 wheel drive vehicle that meets minimum equipment standards set forth by SM4W Equipment Checklist. Exclusions will be granted to vehicles that are in a state of build or repair.
2. Be 18 years of age or older.
3. Hold a valid driver’s license.
4. Have the minimum liability insurance as specified in the Financial Responsibility Act of the State of California.
5. Complete a membership application and pay first year dues.
6. Attend any combination of 2; meetings, work parties, runs, or club events.

SECTION 3. All classes of membership, except Social members, are only entitled to one vote. 

SECTION 3.5 To remain a regular member in good standing, you must meet the following minimum requirements annually (this does not apply to lifetime members).

1. Pay annual dues.
2. Attend 2 club meetings.
3. Attend 2 runs.
4. Must meet minimum equipment standards set forth by SM4W Equipment Checklist.

SECTION 4. Membership term

1. Regular, social and associate membership in the Club shall date twelve (12) months from March 1 through the last day of February.
2. Terms for membership are as stated in ARTICLE III, SECTION I.

SECTION 5. All members shall conduct themselves in a manner that will not bring discredit to the Club.  Any member may be expelled from the Club, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, for misconduct of any nature that would not be in the best interest of the club.

SECTION 6. Any member who forfeits their membership to the Club shall remove all Club insignias from their vehicle(s).

SECTION 7. Official Club Apparel shall be determined by a vote of the majority of the Membership.

ARTICLE IV – DUES

SECTION 1.  A. The dues of the membership shall be in such reasonable amount as recommended by the Board of Directors and voted on by the membership.

B   Lifetime members shall be exempt from dues.

1. Associate and Social Members pay Ten Dollars ($10) more per membership.

SECTION 2. Annual dues shall be due March 1 and payable to no later than March 31. A Five Dollar ($5.00) late fee will apply to dues paid after March 31.  Any member that has not paid dues by April 31st automatically terminates his or her membership and must start over with minimum requirements to join as stated in Article III, Section II

ARTICLE V – OFFICERS

SECTION 1. The officers of the Club shall consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Chairperson. The term of office shall be one (1) year and not more than two (2) consecutive years.  Exceptions to terms of office may be made with the approval of the members provided a quorum is present.

SECTION 2. Any voting member is eligible for office after being a member for a period of at least six (6) months from the date of admittance as Club member.

ARTICLE VI – DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

SECTION 1. The President shall be the general executive officer of the Club and shall preside at all meetings of the Club and the Board of Directors, and shall be ex-officio a member of all committees, except the Nominating Committee.  He or she shall have the duty to carry out the policies and decisions of the Board of Directors.  He or she shall be without right to vote except in the event of a tie.  He or she shall sign checks with the Treasurer, unless both are members of the same family.  The President shall be responsible for appointing chairpersons for each standing committee.

SECTION 2. The Vice President shall assume all duties of the President in his or her absence or disability.  The Vice President, in the absence of the Membership Chairperson, shall assume the responsibility of ledger roll call and determine the number of voting members in attendance so it may be known if a quorum or majority is present.

SECTION 3. The Secretary shall keep careful and complete written records of the proceedings of all Club meetings.  He or she shall conduct the correspondence pertaining to the Club and attend to such other duties as may be incidental to his or her office.

SECTION 4. The Treasurer shall be custodian of all funds of the Club and keep accurate and complete records of funds and accounts and shall collect all dues and maintain a record thereof.  He or she shall make only such disbursements that are directed by the Board of Directors and ARTICLE XIII thereof.  He or she shall prepare a monthly written financial report in detail and co-sign all checks with the President or his alternate.

SECTION 5. The Membership Chairman shall keep an updated roster of all members; keep attendance at all meetings, outings and treks.  Make sure all dues are paid for new and existing members.

ARTICLE VII – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the five (5) duly elected officers.  The term of office shall be one (1) year and not more than two (2) consecutive years.  Exceptions to terms of office may be made with the approval of the members provided a quorum is present.

SECTION 2.  Any voting member is eligible to serve as a Director after being a member for a period of at least six (6) months from the date of admittance as a Club member.

SECTION 3. The Board of Directors shall meet upon the call of the President. Three (3) members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.

SECTION 4. Any vacancy caused by the death or resignation of any Director or Officer, or for any other reason, may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors present at any meeting of the Directors at which a quorum is present.

ARTICLE VIII – DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. The Board of Directors shall act as the governing body of the Club and shall be responsible to the Club membership for the proper execution of the By-Laws.  The Board of Directors shall carry out the specific duties assigned elsewhere in the By-Laws, and shall further complete such rulings as it may seem necessary to promote Club objective and activities.

SECTION 2. The Board of Directors shall report to the membership at the next general meeting all rulings adopted by the Board.  Any ruling made by the Board shall not be binding on the membership until it has been as announced.  In the absence of an overruling vote by the membership (as in SECTION 3), the announced Board action shall become binding.

SECTION 3. Any ruling announced by the Board may be brought to the general meeting floor for discussion only upon a majority vote of the members present at the meeting.  Any such discussion or debate shall be confined strictly to the specific action in question.  Following discussion, a majority vote of the members present shall be required to overrule the Board action in question.

SECTION 4. The Board of Directors shall be authorized to spend up to One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for specific Club purposes in accordance with Club policy.

ARTICLE IX – COMMITTEES

SECTION 1. Communication & Info Committee

1. Chaired by Director of Information to be appointed by the President.
2. Committee member’s duties include providing communication to the members through email & website and to communicate activities of the club to media and outside sources, and to initiate ideas for funds generation other than membership dues at the direction of the board of directors.
3. Co-Chair – Facebook – maintain and update the clubs business page
4. Co-Chair – Website – maintain and update the clubs website. 

SECTION 2. Promotions Committee (formed as needed)

1. Chaired by the Director of Promotions to be appointed by the President.
2. Committee members duties include promoting the SM4W whenever possible at the direction of the Board of Directors, (includes booths at events, soliciting business and individual memberships, advertising, etc.).

SECTION 3. Trek Committee

1. Chaired by the Directors of Trek 1 & 2 to be appointed the by President.
2. Committee member’s duties include planning of the club outings for club participation and assist in setting up the yearly calendar of runs and events at the direction of the members.

SECTION 4. Charity Committee – formed by Board of Directors as needed for events.

SECTION 5. Chairman of each committee shall serve a term of one (1) year but shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms. Exceptions to terms of office may be made with the approval of the members provided a quorum is present.

ARTICLE X – MEETINGS

SECTION 1.  The fiscal year of the Club shall be twelve (12) months beginning on March 1 and ending on the last day of February.

SECTION 2. Meetings of the Club shall be held once monthly at such times and places as may be designated by the Board of Directors.  Fifty-one percent (51%) of the members present shall constitute a majority for voting purposes.

SECTION 3. The Board of Directors meeting shall be held at the call of the President.

ARTICLE XI– ELECTIONS

SECTION 1. Open nominations will occur at the January meeting each year.

SECTION 2. Election of all officers shall be held at the regular February meeting each year.

SECTION 3. Officers duly elected shall take office at the following March meeting.

ARTICLE XII – AMEMDMENTS

The By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of voting members present.  All members must be notified by two weeks prior to such amending vote.

ARTICLE XIII– DISSOLUTION

In the event of dissolution of the Club, any funds in the treasury (after payment of all outstanding debts) shall be donated to the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs, Inc. with the stipulation that these funds be utilized for conservation purposes only.

ARTICLE XIV– FINANCE AND EXPENDITURE

SECTION 1. All funds received from any source by any member of the Club shall be immediately given to the Treasurer to be deposited in the appropriate Club account.

SECTION 2. Single expenditure in excess of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) must have the approval of the majority of members present at a meeting.  All expenditures shall be made by check and the item for which each check is drawn shall be designated on the face or reverse side thereof.  If funds for more than one purpose are included in the amount of the check, they shall be itemized separately by stating the amount of each.

SECTION 3. All receipts for expenditures for any purpose as well as all unused appropriated funds shall be immediately given to the treasurer with accurate documentation of such.

ARTICLE XV – RECALL

Any officer of the Club may be recalled by two-thirds majority vote of all voting members of the Club, as described in ARTICLE III, SECTION 3.

ARTICLE XVI– RULES AND PRODECURES

Unless otherwise specified in these by-Laws, Roberts Rules of Order Revised shall govern parliamentary procedure.

The By-Laws have been adopted this 24th day of April 2018 and supersede all previous By-Laws and precedents, Last revision, March 27, 2007.