American
Legion Riders State By-Laws,
THE AMERICAN LEGION, DEPARTMENT OF INDIANA
Article I - Name
Section 1. The Riders Organization existing under thise By-Laws is to be known as The American Legion Riders, Department of Indiana. (Hereafter "ALR")
Section 2. The objects of the ALR are as set forth in the Constitution.
Article II - Management
Section 1. The government and management of the ALR is entrusted to a Board of Directors to be known as th "Executive Committee."
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall consist of all elected officers of the ALR. They shall be nominated in July of each year, and elected at the annual October meeting. Elected officers shall be installed and take office at the January meeting next following the election. The candidate or candidates receiving the hightest number of votes shall be elected to the respective office or offices for which they are candidates.
Section 3. Nominations will be accepted from any member in good standing of any Post level chapter in good standing.
Section 4. All vacancies existing in any elective office of the ALR from any cause other than the expiration of the term, shall be appointed by the Director during the year of the vacancy, and a person so appointed shall hold office for the unexpired term. A vacancy shall exist when a member or officer is absent from three consecutive ALR meetings, unless excused by the Director of the ALR.
Section 5. All elections of officers shall be by delegates of each post chapter. Delegates consist of one delegate for every ten paid members, one delegate at large, and one delegate for the Director. Only the nember of delegates present for each post chapter may vote. Number of delegates for each post chapter will be verified by the state membership chairman.
ARTICLE III - ALR Executive Committee
Section 1. The Chapter Executive Committee may meet for organization and such other business as may come before it at the call of the State Director after the installation of the new officers. Thereafter the Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the Director or at regularly scheduled meetings as determined by the State Director. The State Director shall call a meeting of the Executive Committee upon the joint written request of three of more members of said Executive Committee. Six members of the committee shall constitute a quorum thereof.
Section 2. State Director will be allowed two nights of lodging plus mileage (Federal Rate For Mileage) to attend state meetings. The State Director will be allowed up to $250.00 for incidentals for ALR operation of ALR business. Those expenses must be accompanied with receipts. Anything over that amount must be approved by the majority of membership in attendance. The current State Director must also be on the bank account signature card along with the Finance Officer.
ARTICLE IV - Duties of Officers
Section 1. State Direcctor. Will serve as Chief Administrative Officer of the Association and will preside over all meetings. The director shall have general supervision over the affairs of the association and shall perform all other duties as directed by the membership. The State Director shall be reponsible for apppointing replacements for vacancies due to death, resignation or any other reason in elected and appointed offfices. The State Director shall approve all orders directing the disbursement of funds and shall make an annual report covering the business of the ALR for the year, and recommendations for the ensuing year, which shall be read at the annual meeting.
Section 2. Assistant State Director. Will assume the duties of the Director should the Director not be available. Will assist the Director in performance of all duties as called on to do so by the Director.
Section 3. Secretary. Will keep a full and accurate record of all proceedings of ALR meeting and will provide copies of same to the membership for approval.
Section 4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have charge of all finances and see that they are safely deposited in a local bank or banks and shall report once a month to the State Director the condition of the finances of the ALR, with such recommendations as may deem expedient or necessary for raising funds with which to carry on the activities of the ALR. The Treasurer shall present a regular report at each regularly scheduled meeeting for approval by the membership. The Treasurer shall sign all checks disbursing the monies of the ALR.
Section 5. Historian. Shall maintain the individual records and incidents of the ALR shall perform such other duties as may properly pertain to the office as may be determined by the ALR or the State Director.
Section 6. Chaplain. Shall be charged with the spiritual welfare of the members and will offer divine but nonsectarian service in the event of dedications, funerals, public functions, etc., and will adhere to such ceremonial rituals as are recommended by the ALR from time to time.
Section 7. Sergeant-at-Arms. Will preserve order at meetings, assist with the set-up of meetings and other activities, verify membership eligibility of those atttending the meetings and voting in election; shall be the keeper of the flag and other ALR regalia; will perform such other duties as may be from time to time assigned by the State Director.
Section 8. Run Coordinator. Will be the logistics person in charge of organized runs of the ALR. The RC will determine dates, times, routes, and meeting places for those taking part in a run activity. The RC may at any time appoint assistant road captains or take any other measures necessary to help insure the saftety of group during the run. The RC shall have sole authority to cancel a scheduled run if circumstances warrant, and must report his reasons for so doing in writing to the State Director.
Section 9. Membership. Shall have charge of all matters pertaining to the membership of the ALR, including the recruitment of new members, reinstatements and eligibility of members and shall be responsible for maintaining all membership records. Will provide a written report at each regularly scheduled meeting and shall determine number of delegates for each Post Chapter for voting purposes.
Section 10. Communications Director. Shall be charged with the promotion of public support of the Riders' program and activities by the establishment of proper contact with public media, and shall publish a regularly recurring newsletter of the ALR; Shall prepare and maintain the official website of the ALR.
ARTICLE V - Appointments
The State Director immediately upon taking office each year, shall appoint any and all committees necessary for the operation and functioning of the ALR.
ARTICLE VI - Regalia
Members of the ALR, shall conform to all rules governing the wearing and display of ALR regalia and American Legion name and emblem. Violations of any rule shall subject the violator to suspension and expulsion as provided for in the ALR Constitution and By-Laws.
Section 1. The sleeveless vest is the approved minimum article of clothing on which ALR regalia may be displayed, provided that rules applying to displays on the vest apply equally to sleeved garments including but not limited to jackets, T-shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, etc.
Section 2. The American Flag Patch shall be displayed on either side of the front of the vest providing that the stars on the patch are closest to the center of the chest and in the highest feasible position. No other patch or item shall be displayed above the American Flag.
Section 3. The emblem of The American Legion organization (TAL, SAL, Auxiliary) that the ALR member is entitled to wear by virtue of membership therein shall be displayed on the left front breast of the vest.
Section 4. When displayed on the ALR vest, the ALR emblem back patch will be displayed in the center of the back.
Section 5. POW/MIA or POW/MIA/KIA patch will be worn on the right side of the vest in the highest possible position providing it does not go above the American Flag Patch.
Section 6. Vulgarity, scatology, profanity, and provocative verbiage and imagery (being verbiage and imagery intended to threaten, harass, insult or frighten non-members) shall not be displayed on any item sumultaneously bearing the ALR emblem or an emblem of The American Legion; provided that questions concerning same shall be presented to and decided by The American Legion Department of Indiana's American Legion Riders Committee.
Section 7. Nothing in this Article is to be construed as requiring an alteration, revision, replacement, re-design or prohibition of methods or placement of regalia displayed by members in good standing prior to the adoption of this Constitution and By-laws, dated 10/07/2007.
Section 8. Regalia added to an existing article of clothing protected under Section 7 above shall conform to the provision of all other sections of Article VI.
Section 9. All regalia displayed in violation of Article VI, Sections 1-7, shall be deemned a violation of the Constitution and By-laws and subject the offending member to all suspension or expulsion at the discretion of the ALR Executive Committee.
ARTICLE VII - Resolutions
All decisions affecting the conduct and activities of the ALR beyond those items deemed routine by the Executive Committee, shall be made by resolution originating at a post-level Chapter of the Riders, or at an official committee duly appointed. Resolution approved shall be approved by a simple majority of those voting and a record of the resolution shall be maintained by the secretary. Resolutions approved shall embody the opinion of the ALR on the subject and copy of same shall be forwarded to the American Legion Riders Committee of The American Legion, Department of Indiana for its approval before any publicity is given or action other than mere passage is taken.
ARTICLE VIII - Meetings
Regular meetings shall be held in conjunction with the Department Conferences and Conventions.
Section 1. Official American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, or Sons of The American Legion covers or the ALR Beret will be the official cover worn at all official department ALR committee meetings.
Section 2. The State Director or a majority of the Executive Committee, shall have power to call a special meeting of the ALR at any time, provided that advance notice of at least ten days is provided to all post-level chapters.
Section 3. Upon the written request of one-third of the post level chapters, the Executive Committee shall call a special meeting.
Section 4. For the conduct of regular and special meetings of the ALR, a quorum shall exist when two-thirds of the elected officers, exclusive of elected members of the Executive Committee, and representatives from 25 percent of those Post level chapters in good standing are present.
Section 5. ALR hospitality rooms shall be closed during all ALR meetings.
ARTICLE IX - Notices
Every Post level chapter shall furnish the State Director with a current address conforming to US Postal Service regulations and the name and contact information for the chapter director.
Section 1. The list of chapters and their officers shall not be released in any form for any purposes other than to authorized officers and employees of the Chapter and Department of The American Legion, and may be used by said organizations only for purposes approved by the governing bodies of same.
Section 2. The state Director shall cause notice of the annual election to be given at least 45 days prior to the post-level chapter directors.
