The West Michigan Transportation Club Bylaws
(revised February 2020)
ARTICLE I : ORGANIZATION
The Name of this club shall be the West Michigan Transportation Club. (Formerly Grand Rapids Transportation Club). The name change became effective January 2003 with the merger of the Muskegon Transportation Club.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
Mission Statement
The West Michigan Transportation Club is made up of members that are united by the common bond and devotion to build closer relationships between people in all modes of transportation and related fields of business.
Guiding Principles
- To provide a forum which promotes fellowship and social interaction through various activities that are organized by the governing Board throughout the year.
- By assembly, allow opportunities to network and learn more about various forms of the industries. · Establish events that give its members and guests a forum to entertain their customers and associates.
- Mutual respect and consideration for fellow members, competition, the industry and the community as a whole.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section I: Membership Classes: Membership in this club shall consist of four classes: 1) Active Member, 2) Associate/Guest Member and 3) Honorary 4) Alternate.
Section II: Membership Time Limits: Membership shall be effective from January 1 to December 31st. Dues not paid by March 31st of each year may not get posted on the Club’s website member list.
Section III: Membership Classes: 1) “Active” Membership is open to all men and women who are actively engaged in all related transportation matters. 2) Associate/Guest Members include those that may not be currently engaged in handling transportation matters, due to job change or temporary unemployment although has been in the Industry previously. 3) Honorary Membership is someone chosen by the Board because of their long standing devotion to the Club or Industry and may (or may not) have departed from the Industry in whole or in part. 4) An Alternate Member is 1) a reserved position for the previous year(s) President “past President” and 2) a member having interest in serving on the Board and is approved by majority vote of the standing Board members.
Section IV: Individual Member: Any member of this club having paid dues on an individual basis, who, by reason of change of occupation becomes ineligible, as defined herein, as an active member, shall continue to have all the privileges of an active member during the current dues year. They then can rejoin as an Associate/Guest member for a period of up to three years if not employed in the industry.
Section V: Company Membership: Any member of the club who has a membership for the account of a Company paying dues shall lose privileges as an active member upon separation from the company paying dues. The company paying the dues shall have the right to fill the membership with another employee. The departing individual may join individually as an Associate/Guest member for a period of up to three years if not employed in the industry. They would be expected to pay dues at that time in order to continue their status as a member.
Section VI: Contract Exclusion: Any person or company joining the club shall incur no contract obligation. Neither shall any member or any other person acquire any vested rights, in any fund thereof. The obligations of each member shall be purely voluntary and not otherwise.
Section VII: Membership Application: Each application for membership shall be made to the Executive Treasurer in writing, and shall state the name, business and position of the applicant and whether the applicant as an individual will pay dues or by the firm employing the applicant. Dues for current year must accompany the application. If the applicant is rejected, the fee shall be returned.
Section VIII: Dues / Assessments: The Executive Committee will determine the annual dues. When the amount of money in the hands of the Executive Treasurer shall be less than three Hundred dollars ($300.00), through no fault of the Club’s general business manner or any one individuals actions, the Executive Committee may order a special assessment on the membership as a whole.
Section IX: Failure To Pay Dues or Assessment: Any member failing to pay his annual dues or special assessment that may be levied by the Executive Committee, after sixty days, shall forfeit his membership in the club and his rights therein. They may be reinstated once the past due fees are paid.
Section X: Failure To Pay Event Fees: Any member or person that makes reservations to attend an event and fails to pay, whether they actually attended or not, shall be sent an invoice for the amount due. If they fail to pay within 60 days, that person or company shall not attend any further events until the debt is made whole. A list of those involved shall be maintained by the Executive Treasurer.
Section XI: Suspension: The Executive Committee may, by a majority vote, suspend any member of the club, who in its judgment shall have been guilty of gross misbehavior, or of obtaining membership without proper qualification, and such suspension shall continue until the next regular meeting of the club, when, unless it be then revoked by a two-thirds vote of the members present, such suspended member shall cease to be a member of the club. Notice of such action shall be given to such member and he shall be accorded an opportunity to be heard by the Executive Committee before suspension and by the club at its next (regular or special meeting). The Executive Committee for the club’s final approval must make all matters pertaining to suspension a subject of regular meeting after action.
ARTICLE IV. BOARD / OFFICERS
Section I: Positions: The officers of this club, referred to as “Board Members” or “Executive Committee”, shall consist of a President, two Vice-Presidents, four Board Members, a Secretary, a
Treasurer and the Retiring President as an Alternate. Any Honorary, so chosen by the Board, that wishes to be an active Board member, will have voting privileges. If the Retiring President is unable to take a one or two year term as an Alternate, it may be filled as a board position if deemed necessary by the Board and voted on.
Section II: Elected Officers (Board Members)1
President: One year (or two years as approved by the incoming Board) – The President shall preside over meetings, establish committees, determine events, and work with Board members in performing the duties and business of the Club.
1st VP – Two years: Assist President in preparation to succeed to that position. Work on committees as needed.
2nd VP – Two years: Assist the President and 1st VP in preparing to succeed to the 1st VP position. Work on committees as needed.
Board – Two years; Work on committees and help conduct the Clubs business.
Board – Two years: Work on committees and help conduct the Clubs business
Board – One year: Work on committees and help conduct the Clubs business.
Board – One year: Work on committees and help conduct the Clubs business
Secretary – As determined by the Executive Committee (see below)
Treasurer – As determined by the Executive Committee (see below)
Honorary – One year increments as determined by the Executive
Committee. Honorary has voting rights and discretionary committee work.
Alternate – One year as determined by the Executive Committee: has voting rights and discretionary committee work.
1 – In case of any vacancy it shall be filled by the appointment of another member for the un-expired term by the Executive Committee.(as before)
Executive Treasurer – shall perform all mailings to all members of not less than 4 weeks prior an event. Collect all dues, issue past due notices, perform collections where necessary and keep an accounting of each members status in the Club. The Executive Treasurer shall have charge of all funds. They shall report fully on the affairs of his office to the Executive Committee at each Board meeting the money of the club shall be deposited in a bank selected by the Executive Committee, in the name of the club. Their accounts shall be kept in books belonging to the club which shall be at all times open to any member of the Executive Committee and or Audit Committee appointed by the President.
Executive Secretary – shall keep and preserve a record of the proceeding of each regular meeting as well as meeting of the Executive Committee, together with all matters of which a record shall be deemed necessary or desirable by the club or the Executive Committee, such records being available for reference by the officers or members of the Executive Committee on request. The Secretary shall create the event flyer and distribute it to the persons and committee responsible for the event – for further distribution as the case may be. The Secretary shall also create any other visuals called upon for business purposes of the Club or committees. In the absence of the Executive Secretary at any regular meeting of this club, a member of the Executive Committee, such member to be selected by the President, thereof will perform the duties.
Section II: Salary Positions: The salary of the Executive Treasurer shall be five hundred dollars ($500.00) per year and he/she shall be exempt from dues. The Executive Secretary shall receive the same compensation. If the two positions are performed by one person, they shall receive the combined amount.
At the discretion of the Board with consideration of the Club’s financial situation, the President may be gifted or receive monetary compensation equal in value for his or her hard work during the course of their term in office. The amount is not to exceed $500 in value.
ARTICLE V: MEETINGS
Section I.2: At all regular meeting of this club the order of business shall be as below. An “agenda” must be prepared in advance and distributed to those in attendance. Board Members may contribute subject matters to put on the agenda.
- Report of Officers & Executive Committee.
- Report of standing and special committees.
- Unfinished business.
- New business.
- Miscellaneous.
2 – Five members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum to do business
Section II: Meeting Chairman: Presiding over meetings, in case of absenteeism, in succession, are President, 1st VP, 2nd VP then Secretary
Section III: Rules of Order: Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the Procedure at the meeting of this club so far as they are consistent with the by-laws.
Section IV: Meeting Schedule: Regular meetings shall be held throughout the year as deemed necessary by the Board in preparation to organize activities and to perform the business duties of the Club. Special meetings may be called upon at any time by the President
Section V: Annual Meeting: The annual meeting of this club (Annual Dinner) shall be held in December of each year at such time and place as may be determined upon by the executive committee, and written notice of annual meeting shall be mailed to each member at least 30 days before date thereof.
At the Annual (Dinner) Meeting, the President shall introduce the upcoming Board for next year, preview the financial records from the previous year, vote on any pending matters, announce the expectations or events for the upcoming year and conduct any other business matters of the club that are necessary.
Section VI: January Planning Meeting: The President, after his election and installation at the Annual Meeting in December, shall hold a Board meeting in January to determine activities for the year and select a committee for each along with a chairperson. The said Chairperson of the committee will get in free to the outing they are in charge of.
ARTICLE VI: EVENTS:
Section I: Meeting/Event Schedule: Main activities should be scheduled approximately in March, May, June and Oct. The Annual Dinner is in the first part of December. Intermittent events (i.e. happy hours) may be scheduled at anytime in-between.
Section II: Committee Responsibilities: The committee chairperson along with his/her committee members are responsible to obtain any contracts involved, establish cost and price, and project a profit margin for the event. They are also responsible to secure any other needs to put the event on. They are to seek the help of other Board Members as the need may be. The said Chairperson of the committee will get in free to the outing they are in charge of.
Section III: Financial Responsibility: All moneys collected by anyone involved in an event shall deposit the money to the Committee Chairperson who in turn shall deposit the money with the Executive Treasurer. This should be done immediately after the event. A copy of any Contract shall be placed with the Executive Treasurer. All bills must be approved (initialed or signed) by the Chairperson then forwarded on to the Executive Treasurer immediately as well. The Executive Treasurer shall then pay the bills in a timely manner. The Executive Treasurer shall then report the breakdown of charges/income and profit/loss to the Executive Committee soon thereafter if possible or at the next meeting.
ARTICLE VII – ELECTION PROCESS
Section I: Candidate Selection: A meeting shall be held in October or November by the Executive Committee and shall recommend candidates for office for the upcoming year for the offices to be filled. Candidates shall be approved by two-thirds vote by the Executive Committee. Any other member in good standing that has expressed an interest in an Executive position will be included in the ballot.
Section II: Voting Process: A ballot shall be mailed as soon after the meeting as practical to all members listing the nominees along with a “fill in” space for each position. Any “fill in” named member that reaches a majority vote, must also be approved by two-thirds vote of the existing Executive Committee.
Section III: Eligibility: Any and all active members in good standing are eligible to run for office.
Section IV: Voting Announcement: Results of the election process to be announced at the Annual (Dinner) Meeting by the President.
ARTICLE VIII – SURETY BOND
Section I: A Surety Bond, the amount of which is not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), shall cover the Executive Treasurer. This club shall assume the cost of this surety bond.
ARTICLE IX – BYLAW AMENDMENTS
Amendments to these by-laws may be made by a vote of 2/3rds vote of the Executive Committee at a meeting of said Board having a minimum quorum. Written notice must be submitted to the Board at least 10 days before such meeting outlining the purpose of the meeting. Following adoption by the Board, such amendments shall be published on the website for not less than 60 days. Such amendments are subject to removal or change by the General Membership by presenting a motion to the Board with just cause. The Board may then elect to either have a General Membership meeting or mail a ballot out to the General Membership. In either instance, the majority rule of 51% will prevail.