1.       These by-laws are meant to be used as a guideline, and are subject to change with the approval, by vote, of the membership.

 

2.       These by-laws may not conflict in any way with any Article in the International STAR Touring and Riding Charter.

 

3.       NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Chicago, IL Chapter of the Star Touring & Riding Association, hereinafter referred to as the Chicago, IL Chapter.

 

The Chicago, IL Chapter shall operate under the rules and regulations established within the International Charter. No Chapter by-law shall supersede the Charter.

 

The chapter nickname shall be Sweet Home Chicago Chapter #394.

 

4.       OBJECTIVE

It is the objective of the chapter to adhere to the Star Mission Statement, which is:

 

“To pursue, promote and protect the interests of motorcyclists; to develop better and more enthusiastic relations between the general public, the media and the operators and riders of motorcycles; to encourage rider participation in events; to promote motorcycle safety and camaraderie among members; to promote organized events; and in general, perform them in a lawful manner.”

 

It is the objective of this Chapter to promote safe and enjoyable motorcycle riding and group activities within a family atmosphere.

 

5.       MEETINGS

The Chapter shall have a monthly meeting at a place and time as mutually agreed to by the members. Currently, the meeting is held on the 3^rd Sunday of the month located at the Downers Grove Moose Lodge located in Downers Grove, IL at 10:00 a.m. during the non-riding season.

 

During the riding season (May – October), the meeting will be held in the same location, but will begin at 9:00 a.m.

 

 

6.       ELECTIONS

A.      All elections will be voted on in the manner chosen by the Chapter. If called for, a ballot vote will be held and one member in good standing and one officer will count the ballots.

 

B.       Only members in good standing are allowed to vote (see 9F below).

 

C.       The offices of President and Vice-President are, for voting purposes, nominated as a team.  The person running for President will choose a running mate, as set forth in the National By-Laws.

 

7.       CHAPTER OFFICER DUTIES

Elected Positions

 

A.      President.  Shall ensure compliance by all Chapter members with the STAR Charter.  Shall exercise general supervision over the members of the Chapter Board and the affairs of the Chapter.  Shall have the authority to make day-to-day decisions concerning the operations of the Chapter and report those decisions to the membership.  Shall maintain a working relationship with Chapter sponsors and the dealer sponsors of STAR Touring and Riding.  Shall represent the Chapter in involvement with other rider’s groups and organizations. Shall be a point of contact for all Chapter members in communicating with STAR International, i.e. National President and National Organizers.

 

B.       Vice President. Shall stand in for and hold the responsibilities of the President in his absence.

 

C.       Secretary.  Shall keep minutes of all meetings.  Shall conduct a roll call of members at general meetings.  Shall make sure that all members have signed a waiver form for the current year either at the annual membership meeting or when new members are voted into the chapter.  Shall make sure that all emails are forwarded to the membership.

 

D.      Treasurer.  Shall maintain a bookkeeping system for the funds of the Chapter.  Shall make financial reports at each general meeting.  Shall oversee sales of Chapter merchandise, i.e. T-shirts, sunglass straps etc.  Shall place all orders and collect all monies for items purchased from STAR Touring and Riding International office, i.e. Chicago, IL rockers, and any small rocker that requires Presidential approval prior to purchase.  Shall coordinate and collect funds during all 50/50 raffles with the LOS Representative.

 

E.       LOS (Ladies of the Star) Representative.  Shall work to make all women, either rider or passenger, feel welcome as a member of the Chapter.  Shall coordinate with the National LOS Director for support.  Shall work within the Chapter to further the image of women in motorcycling.  Will be responsible for selling and running the 50/50 raffles at club events with the Treasurer.

 

F.       STAR Vets Representative.  Will work with and for the STAR Vets of the Chapter.

 

G.      Sergeant at Arms.  Shall be present at all meetings to keep and maintain order.  The Sergeant at Arms is responsible for making sure that all ride waivers are signed prior to any ride with the Ride Captain and to enforce the Charter and by-laws as they are written.

 

H.      Shepherd.  The Shepherd shall greet all new riders into the group.  It is the responsibility of the Shepherd to explain to the new people about STAR Touring and Riding Association’s mission statement, National Charter, chapter by-laws, waivers, and ride rules, and make them feel welcome into the group.  The Shepherd will be paired up with the new people and remain with them during the rides and meetings so that they do not feel left out and can be available to answer any questions they may have about the chapter or Star International.

 

Appointed Positions

 

A.      Road Captain.  Shall ride in the front left position in the pack and lead each group of riders.  Shall call for lane changes by signal to Tail Gunner.  Shall notify group of road hazards as they are found by hand signal to be passed back through the group.  Shall be sure that all members have current ride waivers on file for the current year.

 

B.       Tail Gunner.  Shall, at all times, be the last rider in the formation.  Shall be the only rider to stop and assist another rider in the group that has experienced a problem.  Shall, upon notification by signal sent back from the Ride Captain, move left or right to secure the open lane for a group lane change.  Shall monitor the entire group to maintain formation.  Shall notify the Ride Captain and Chapter President of any violations in ride procedures.

 

C.       Safety Officer.  Shall review, research and suggest safety tips and be able to present any new information at club events.  Will also work with the Shepherd to verify the riding skill of the new member and verify that they have been briefed on group riding prior to their first ride with the group.

 

8.       EXECUTIVE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

A.      The Executive Board of Trustees shall include:

1.       President

2.       Vice President

3.       Secretary

4.       Treasurer

5.       LOS Representative

6.       Sergeant at Arms

 

B.       The Board’s purpose is to discuss chapter issues and decide on grievances with members.  The President only has voting rights if a Board member is not present at the time of the vote to ensure there are no ties.

 

C.       The Board shall meet at a place and time as mutually agreed by the board members. Meetings will be scheduled at least a week in advance of the meeting date.

 

D.      All Board members must have email access.

 

E.       In the event that one of the officers must relinquish their position, the remaining Board members may make a temporary appointment until such time as an election may be held.

 

9.       MEMBERSHIP

 

A.      Prospective members must join the Star Touring & Riding Association upon the completion of their third chapter ride per the Charter.  The prospective member must be voted into the chapter by a 75% vote of members in good standing present at the chapter meeting.  Only Chapter members who are in attendance at the meeting when the voting process begins and are in good standing may vote.  There is no absentee balloting.  The Sergeant at Arms will escort the prospective member from the room for the vote to commence.  There will be a period of discussion regarding the prospective member before the vote. 

 

Voting will take place in the form of a secret ballot.  One officer and one member at large will be responsible to count the ballots and report the results to the membership.  After the vote is completed, the Sergeant at Arms will escort the prospective member back to the room so the results of the vote may be shared.

 

i.        Prospective members must attend a minimum of three Chapter events, one of which must be a Chapter ride, in a five-month period before membership may be considered.  Assigned Shepherd will work closely with prospective member prior to the prospective member being eligible for consideration into the chapter.

 

ii.       Transferring members will be eligible to join Chicago, IL. Transferring members are subject to the same requirements as set forth in section 9.A.i.

 

B.       A member in good standing is a member that has participated in at least 40% of the chapter events calculated by calendar year (January 1 – December 31) per Section 3.2 of the Charter, is a current member of Star Touring and Riding and has paid their yearly dues.  Nonparticipation, without just cause, may result in the member's relegation to an associate member status.  Associate members are entitled to all privileges of membership, excluding the right to vote or hold office.

 

C.       Associate members who fail to participate in chapter events without just cause may be subject to suspension or removal from the chapter and its activities.  Honorary members may be presented to the Chapter, by the President, for a vote to be considered.  An honorary member must be a member of Star Touring and Riding prior to being presented to the membership by the President for consideration.

 

An honorary member will still need to be voted into the chapter pursuant to Section 9.A.i. of these bylaws.  If an honorary member wishes to become a prospective member, they will have to fulfill the membership requirement in Section 9.A.i., and a new vote would have to commence after their requirements have been met for full membership.

 

D.      Chapter dues, as unanimously voted upon by Chicago, IL in the amount of $24.00 per family per year will be collected at the annual membership meeting in January.  A 30-day grace period will be extended until the next chapter meeting in February if payment is not made at the January meeting.  There are no extensions past the February meeting.  For a member who joins after the annual membership meeting in January, dues will be prorated based on the month in which they become a chapter member.  Each month is equal to 1/12 of the annual dues.  New members will also be granted a 30-day grace period in which to pay their dues.

 

E.       Chapter membership shall be suspended or revoked for failure to maintain current membership in Star Touring and Riding Association, and for violation of the Charter or Chapter by-laws.   Chicago, IL will not tolerate drunk or disorderly behavior, nor will Chicago, IL tolerate the use of illegal substances on its rides by members and non-members attending a chapter event.  If it is deemed that you are riding in an unsafe manner, you will be asked to leave the ride.  Chicago, IL will, at all times, ride safe and sober. THERE ARE NO SECOND CHANCES!

 

10.     MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS

A.      Only Members in good standing will be allowed to vote on chapter issues (Charter Section 3.2).

 

B.       Members must adhere to the "chain of command" on all Chapter issues.  For purposes of explanation, the "chain of command" shall be as follows:

 

1.       Sergeant at Arms

2.       Vice-President

3.       President

4.       Regional Director

5.       National Director

6.       National Sergeant At Arms

7.       International President

8.       International Executive Board of Directors.

 

C.       Any grievance between members or between the members and the Chapter shall be directed to the Chapter President by "chain of command."  The Chapter President shall convene the Board of Trustees to deliberate on the grievance.

 

11.     REMOVAL OR SUSPENSION

A.      A Board of Trustees meeting must be convened to decide upon a member's suspension or removal from the Chapter.

 

B.       The Board of Trustees must reach their decision by a majority vote and furnish the member with a written explanation of their findings and decision.  All decisions of the Board are final.

 

12.     APPEAL OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES DECISIONS

A member in good standing may appeal a removal decision to the International Executive Board based on one or more of the following:

 

1.       Bias;

2.       Failure of Chapter Board of Trustees to follow Chapter by-laws; and

3.       Specific mitigating facts.

 

Appeals must be made in writing and sent to STAR Touring Office of the President - Confidential.  Decisions of the Executive Board are final and binding.

 

13.     OFFICIAL EVENTS

A.      Rides or events must be approved before they can be considered "Official Events."  Approval is obtained by one of the following:

 

1.       Chapter President

2.       Majority vote by the Executive Board of Trustees

 

B.       Official events are ended only when the Chapter President or chapter officer issues a declaration that the event is over.

 

14.     CHAPTER ROCKERS

The chapter rocker (Chicago, IL) can only be obtained through the Chapter.  The chapter rocker remains the property of the Chapter and must be returned upon request.  Back patches may be purchased directly from the Star Touring & Riding Association website.