BIKERS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE
OF ______INC.
STATE CONSTITUTION
MISSION STATEMENT
Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children. We exist as a body of Bikers to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live. We stand ready to lend support to our wounded friends by involving them with an established, united organization. We work in conjunction with local and state officials already in place to protect children. We desire to send a clear message to all involved with the abused child that this child is part of our organization, and that we are prepared to lend our physical and emotional support to them by affiliation and our physical presence. We stand at the ready to shield these children from further abuse. We do not condone the use of violence or physical force in any manner, however, if circumstances arise such that we are the only obstacle preventing a child from farther abuse, we stand ready to be that obstacle.
ARTICLE 1 : OFFICES
1. The principle office of Bikers Against Child Abuse of ______Inc. (Herein referred to as BACA of ______) for the transaction of business is located at P.O. Box ______City State ZIP.
2. BACA of ______may also have auxiliary offices at such other locations within the state of ______, where it is qualified to do business, as its business may require.
ARTICLE 2 : INTERNATIONAL POLICY
1. At no time will the articles contained within this constitution of Bikers Against Child Abuse of ______Inc, supersede or override any rules, regulation or policy voted upon, or set in place by the International Board of Directors, the International Executive Board of Directors, or Committee appointed by them for such.
ARTICLE 3 : CHAPTER BYLAWS
1. All chapters within the State of ______shall adopt the State Constitution as Bylaws.
2. Any revision of this Constitution must be approved by majority affirmative vote of the State Executive Board or its appointed Committee and then the Presidential Advisory Board before becoming effective.
ARTICLE 4 : FUNDS
1. Funds are to be acquired through contributions and fund raising.
2. All chapters shall participate in the 100 mile ride taking place the last Saturday in April with 50% of the proceeds going to the International Treasury.
3. All chapters shall hold money in an account for child assistance/therapy.
4. No part of the state or chapters funds shall ever inure to or be distributable to its members or officers, except that the state or chapter shall be empowered to pay reasonable reimbursement for services rendered, and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purpose for which it was formed.
5. Upon the dissolution of a chapter, after having paid for and settled all debts, the remaining assets shall be given to a charitable organization, pertaining to children, that has been approved by the state board.
6. The state or chapter shall not carry on any activities not permitted by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
ARTICLE 5 : MEMBERSHIP
1. Participation with any chapter of BACA of ______shall be at one of two specific levels. Those levels shall be Supporter (Article 7) and Member (Article 8).
2. There shall be no dues for participation with or membership in any chapter of BACA of ______.
3. New applicants may be liable for fees to cover background checks, processing, administrative cost and other.
4. No person participating as a supporter or member may be held responsible for the debts, liabilities, or obligations of BACA of ______or the chapter to which they belong.
5. Minimum age for participation with BACA of ______as a supporter or member will be eighteen years of age.
6. Membership will automatically terminate upon request of member or supporter.
7. A member may request a leave of absence for a period of up to six months from the chapter Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 6 : SUPPORTER
1. Definition of Supporter.
A. a person working towards meeting the basic requirements to become a member.
B. a person that cannot meet the requirements or doesn’t desire to become a member but wishes to participate with BACA.
2. Requirements
A supporter must submit to the chapter Board of Directors a membership application and successfully pass a BACA International approved background check for child abuse/neglect and other undesirable acts.
A supporter must maintain an annual participation of at least ______% to remain a supporter.
3. Privileges
A supporter may attend and participate in all BACA activities except as noted in exclusions.
4. Exclusions
A supporter shall not be allowed to act as a primary contact for children.
A supporter shall not be allowed a vote.
A supporter shall not wear a BACA back patch or any BACA patch on the back of the vest being worn while participating with BACA.
A supporter shall not be allowed to hold an officers position.
ARTICLE 7 : MEMBER
1. Definition of Member.
A member is a person entitled to all the rights and privileges allowed of one participating with BACA.
2. Requirements
A person desiring to become a member must participate as a supporter for a period of no less than twelve months. During the twelve month period ALL member requirements must be met.
A supporter must receive an unanimous vote from the chapter Board of Directors to become a member.
A member must maintain 80% annual attendance at mandatory BACA functions.
A member must have access to a motorcycle or trike (as a rider or passenger)
A member must wear a BACA back patch at all BACA events and activities unless protocol would dictate other at the time.
3. Privileges
A member may act as a primary contact for children.
A member may have a vote.
A member may hold an officers position as long as he/she meets all requirements for the position.
ARTICLE 8 : STATE BOARD of DIRECTORS
1. The state of ______shall be overseen and regulated in its business affairs by an elected State Board of Directors herein referred to as (SB).
2. The SB shall consist of three members from the founding chapter and two members from all other chapters within the state.
3. The SB positions shall be elected by simple majority vote of the members of the chapter they represent.
4. The SB shall elect a State Executive Board herein referred to as (SEB) for the purpose of conducting and overseeing the day to day business of the organization.
5. The SEB shall consist of the following seats. President, Vice President, Security Officer, Secretary, Treasurer and in a non-voting capacity Founder unless upon occurrence he/she should hold one of the voting seats.
6. The SEB shall have authority to appoint as necessary the following non-voting positions to the SB. Ambassador, Public Relations, Merchandise Coordinator, Event Coordinator, Child Liaison, Court Liaison and others as business may require.
7. The President of the SEB shall serve as the State Representative to the International Board of Directors. Upon occurrence he/she should hold a seat upon the International Executive Board or for any other reason is unable to fill this seat it shall then be filled by the SEB Vice President.
ARTICLE 9 : CHAPTER BOARD of DIRECTORS
1. All chapters within the state of ______shall be overseen and regulated in their business affairs by an elected Board of Directors herein referred to as (BOD).
2. The BOD shall consist of the following seats. President, Vice President, Security Officer, Secretary, Treasurer and in a non-voting capacity Founder unless upon occurrence he/she should hold one of the voting seats.
3. The BOD shall be responsible for conducting the day to day business of the chapter.
4. The BOD shall be elected by simple majority vote of the chapter members.
5. The BOD shall have authority to appoint as necessary the following non-voting positions to the BOD. Ambassador, Public Relations, Merchandise Coordinator, Event Coordinator, Child Liaison, Court Liaison and others as business may require.
ARTICLE 10: OFFICERS (Elected)
1. No officer of BACA will be allowed to hold an office in another motorcycle organization/club concurrent with his/her term with BACA.
2. Any vacancy of any office for any reason, with the exception of President, shall be filled by an appointment of the SEB/BOD for the remainder of the term. Vacancy of the office of President shall be filled by the Vice President for the remainder of the term.
3. There shall be no limitations on the number of consecutive terms an office can be held.
PRESIDENT shall be chief executive officer of the organization and shall, in general, subject to the control of the State/Chapter Board of Directors, supervise and control all business affairs of the organization.
VICE PRESIDENT shall in the absence of the President, perform all duties of the President. He/She shall also assist the President in any and all task as requested by the President.
SECURITY OFFICER shall be in charge of security for all activities and events. He/She shall be responsible for the preservation of the integrity of BACA. He/She shall also be responsible for issuance and accountability of member back patches.
SECRETARY shall keep all the minutes of the meetings and a complete and accurate account of the membership. He/She shall also chair the Election Committee.
TREASURER shall be responsible for the deposit of the funds of the organization and maintain a record of income and disbursement of such funds. He/she shall also oversee that any applicable financial statements and/or tax forms are filed in a timely manor.
ARTICLE 11: POSITIONS (Appointed)
LICENSED CLINICAL PROFESSIONAL shall attend all scheduled BOD meetings and shall also see to the following.
Provide training on a semi-annual basis to assist the members and supporters with the following:
1. Dynamics (psychological, emotional, and behavioral) of the wounded child
2. Sensitivity and protocol in approaching wounded children.
3. Specific training in knowing how to talk, approach, and assist wounded children.
Assist the Chapter in establishing good rapport with identified agencies that interview and treat abused children.
Correspond with identified agencies, along with Chapter representatives, the will and intent of BACA Inc.
Answer and address clinical questions from the leadership and membership.
Facilitate the development of a referral base for BACA, and maintain relations with referring agencies.
The Licensed Clinical Professional member of the Board is excluded from treating any children referred to BACA, but may have his/her clients visited by the organization.
PUBLIC RELATIONS shall be responsible for overseeing all state/chapter interaction with the media.
MERCHANDISE COORDINATOR shall be responsible for the ordering and distribution of all BACA merchandise and shall be responsible for overseeing the proper use of all BACA registered trademarks and art work.
EVENT COORDINATOR shall be responsible for the planning and preparation of BACA activities and events.
CHILD LIAISON shall act as the liaison between the child’s guardian and BACA. He/she shall be responsible for reviewing all cases and reporting the findings to the BOD. He/she shall be responsible for assigning primary contacts to adopted children.
COURT LIAISON shall be responsible for keeping members informed of upcoming court appearances and advise protocol for each.
ARTICLE 12: OFFICERS (Honorary)
1. STATE FOUNDER shall have an honorary seat in non voting capacity upon the SEB until he/she relinquishes it or is removed by the provisions provided within this Constitution.
2. Once the Founders seat has been relinquished or removed that seat will no longer exist.
3. He/she may hold an elected position without relinquishing the founder’s seat.
4. The Founder of the state of ______shall be known as ______.
5. CO FOUNDERS shall be honored by title only and shall have no honorary seat.
ARTICLE 13: MEMBERS BACK PATCH
1. All member back patches shall be ordered through the International Security Officer.
2. Only one person from each state shall have authority to order back patches.
3. Only one member back patch per member. Any replacement patch must be approved by the SEB.
4. Proper placement of member back patch shall be across the shoulder blade area of vest or jacket unless it becomes necessary to place it higher or lower to fit on the vest or jacket.
5. No patch of any kind shall be worn above the bottom of the member back patch.
6. No patch containing material either in language or symbol unsuitable for children shall be worn upon the vest or jacket upon which the member back patch is worn.
7. No support patches may be worn for any other club or organization, however a BACA member may wear a patch on the front of their BACA vest/jacket to show he/she is a member of another club or organization as long as that club or organization will allow that member to also wear a patch stating BACA membership on the front of their vest/jacket that carries the member’s patch of that club or organization.
ARTICLE 14: ELECTIONS
STATE/CHAPTERS
1. Elections shall be overseen by an election committee consisting of the Secretary and two other appointed members.
2. (a) All chapter members in good standing shall have the right to vote in an election for chapter officers.
(b) All chapter representatives to the state board shall have the right to vote in an election for state board officers.
(c) Members must be present to vote in an election.
3. Votes shall be cast by anonymous ballot.
4. Nominations shall be made ______months prior to the general election.
5. Elections shall be held every two years on ______numbered years.
6. Members must be a member in good standing for a period of no less than two years to be eligible for office with the exception of President. Exempt from this would be newly formed chapters/states or those without membership numbers to fulfill this requirement.
7. To be eligible for the office of President a member must have held a position on the SB/BOD for at least two years previous to taking the office of President.
ARTICLE 15: MEMBERSHIP REVOCATION
1. Membership may be revoked by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. If a member/supporter is found to have, or to be committing an act detrimental to the cause or purpose of BACA or failure to comply with the rules and regulations set forth within this constitution or any policy adopted by the Chapter or State.
2. Members have the right to appeal membership revocation through the chain of command beginning with the chapter BOD, and then the state SEB, and lastly the International Committee of Oversight and Appeals.
ARTICLE 16: CHARTER REVOCATION
1. A chapters charter and sub-license agreement may be revoked by a unanimous vote of the SEB after having followed all policy and procedure set forth in any International Policy in place for such. Upon occurrence that chapter should have a representative hold a position/seat upon the SEB that officer’s vote shall not be considered or counted.
2. The chapter shall have the right to appeal the decision of the SEB to the International Committee of Oversight and Appeals.