British Motorcars of New England (BMCNE)
By-Laws
Article 1: Name
The name of the club shall be British Motorcars, FTR, LTD., of New England, USA (a/k/a BMCNE).
The club is organized under the laws of the State of Rhode Island as a non-profit corporation. The principal office shall be at the residence of the president or at such location as the president may direct.
Article II: Mission Statement
Section 1. Purpose
Recognizing that the preservation of British cars is worthwhile for our society, it is the mission of the BMCNE to provide services to individuals and organizations who share that core belief.
In addressing this mission BMCNE will:
1. Develop and share information about preservation, safety, mechanical and technical characteristics of British cars;
2. Conduct events and programs of interest to British car owners;
3. Assist in the professional development of personnel who are involved in the presentation of multi-marque exhibits and related programs;
4. Foster ethical standards and effective business practices in vehicle services and repairs, particularly those who offer services to British cars;
5. Advocate on behalf of BMCNE members to provide a higher profile and identity for British car owners;
6. Encourage diversity of members and of vehicle ownership;
7. Promote activities which contribute to the preservation of British marques;
8. Develop special events to publicize the benefits of British car ownership and extend the frontier of BMCNE’s marketplace; and
9. Encourage British car owners to practice vehicle safety and consistent vehicle maintenance.
Section 2. Badge
The BMCNE badge shall be circular in form, inscribed with the name British Motorcars, FTR, LTD and the name of the founding area, New England, USA.
Section 3. Newsletter
The official publication shall be called “the British Marque Car Club News” to be published eleven (11) times a year, on a monthly basis except for the December/January issue; and included for distribution as part of the dues structure, to all registered members, as specified in Article 3, Section 3. The British Marque Car Club News shall be used to disseminate information to registered members of the BMCNE.
Article III: Dues – Membership – Privileges
Section 1. Dues
Fees and annual dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Regular membership dues are due and payable in June or may be paid during the year as the President may direct. Membership will be deemed to have lapsed and privileges terminated if dues are not paid by June 30 of any given year.
Any lapsed member who is reinstated shall be considered a new member unless back dues are paid or other determination is made by the board.
All Honorary and Life members shall have their annual dues automatically waived.
Section 2. Membership
Any British Motorcar owner or enthusiast shall, upon application and payment of dues and fees, become a registered member, and shall be the principle family member. Children of members (under 18 years of age) shall have the same privileges as the registered member, except that the registered member shall be the only voting member. A family member may also become a registered member by paying 1/3 dues. Written correspondence and other material shall be sent to the individual membership address. Children shall be considered non-voting members.
New members of BMCNE, upon payment of membership dues, are entitled to receive a membership card, club decal, club newsletter and a dash plaque at year’s end. Each member is also entitled to register the Vehicle Identification Number of their British car with the club. All members in good standing with the club are privileged to vote on any issue in any election.
Section 3. Privileges
Any registered member in good standing shall enjoy all the privileges of the Club, including the right to vote at any membership meeting, receipt of all Club publications, attendance at all events and meets, rentals of Club videos, membership discounts, use of the loaner library, and participation in all other Club activities.
Section 4. Club Funds
All Club funds shall be used solely for Club functions and activities, or donated to any charitable organization as deemed by vote of the Executive Board. No one shall for selfish reasons draw money for personal gain. Any individual who advances funds on behalf of the club may be reimbursed by approval of the Executive Board. All funds received in the Club name shall be immediately turned in to the Treasurer who must issue a receipt therefor.
Article IV: Officers and Board of Directors
Section 1.
The Board of Directors shall consist of eight (8) members in good standing. The official term of office for each Director shall be one (1) year. The Office of President shall have a term limit of three (3) consecutive years, which may be extended by vote of the Board. Elections shall be held at the annual January meeting.
Directors shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which each was elected and a successor has been duly installed in said office or until they no longer hold the position to which they were elected for reason of resignation or removal from office for cause. In the event that the current President is re-elected as President, the previous Immediate Past President shall remain in place, and continue to serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
Section 2.
The elective officers shall be President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Membership Chair, Activities Chair, Sunshine Committee Chair, and Communications Chair.
The President shall be the presiding Officer of the Club. The President shall act as chairperson of the Directors, and shall call meetings of the Officers or Directors whenever he/she deems it necessary. The President may be a member of any committee at his/her own choosing. The President shall appoint all committee chairpersons, with the approval of the Officers. The President may appoint at least two members to act as interpreters of Robert’s Rules of Order during the monthly meetings.
The Vice-President shall fill the vacancy of the position of any absent officer and shall perform the standard duties of that office. If a vacancy occurs in the office of the Vice-President, an interim Vice-President shall be appointed by the President, with the approval of the Officers.
The Treasurer shall receive all monies due to the Club, and pay all bills approved by the Directors in the name of the Club. The Treasurer shall make a detailed report of all receipts and disbursements at each regular Board of Directors meeting and at such other times as the Directors may direct.
The Secretary shall maintain all correspondence and have charge of all documents belonging to the Club. The Secretary’s Report may include, at the Secretary’s discretion, the report of the Treasurer, number of members and guests present at each meeting, all business transactions and all standard items and accounts expected in a Secretary’s report. The Secretary’s reports are automatically approved once published in the Club newsletter and without exception from a Full Member within 30 days.
The Membership Chair shall maintain all membership records and applications. The membership chairperson shall order/distribute all membership cards, club decals and dash plaques to new members. Membership chairperson shall also maintain club newsletter mailing lists.
The Activities Chair shall appoint an events chairperson or organize and maintain all club activities. Report planning activities to the board of directors. It shall be the duty of the Activities Chairperson to plan and organize the Annual Holiday Party, Pizza nights, Pot Luck nights, etc.
The Sunshine Committee Chair shall be responsible for all correspondences with club members
The Communications Chair shall maintain communications with club members by disseminating information via email, website and social media outlets. Communications include notification of upcoming events, meetings and gatherings.
Section 3.
The Board of Direction shall consist of elective officers and the Past President whose term has most recently expired.
Section 4.
In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of President, the unexpired term shall be filled by the Vice-President. In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of Vice-President the Board of Direction shall appoint a Director to fill the unexpired term. In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of Director, the unexpired term shall be filled as prescribed in the Chapter Charter.
ARTICLE V: Committees and Appointees
The following shall be standing committees and appointees:
(a) Tour Committee: It shall be the duty of the President and committee to organize, plan, and direct all tours sponsored by the Club. The Tour Chairperson is appointed by the Officers.
(b) Public Relations Committee: It shall be the duty of the Public Relations Chairperson and committee to inform the local media and other auto clubs regarding activities that may interest the public. The Public Relations Committee is appointed by the Officers.
(c) Web Master: It shall be the duty of the Web Master to maintain the Club website, known as bmcne.org and any other domains owned by the Club. The Club owns the domain bmcne.org. The Web Master will also maintain the Club e-mail address, which is communications@bmcne.org and any other e-mail addresses owned by the Club. The Web Master is appointed by the Officers.
(d) Election Chairman: It shall be the duty of the Election Chairman to oversee the elections of Officers as described in Article V of these By-Laws. The Election Chairman may form a Nomination Committee, members of which shall not be an Officers or a candidate for office, to assist in gathering nominations for Officers. The Election Chairman shall be appointed by the Officers.
ARTICLE VI: Quorum
A quorum shall be defined as at least seven (7) members.
Article VII: Meetings
There shall be an annual meeting of the Club in the month of January of each year, and there shall be regular monthly meetings, February through November except when a majority of the Directors vote to omit the next regular meeting. Regular meetings shall be conducted on the last Tuesday of the month. Special meetings may be called by the Directors and/or a majority of the Officers whenever deemed necessary. The January meeting of the Club will be the Annual Holiday Party, at which any Club awards will be made. All members shall be notified of all meetings by the Club newsletter, emails and website.
ARTICLE VIII: By-Laws
All By-Laws are to be adhered to. Amendments to these By-Laws may be introduced by any Full Member who submits an amendment in writing to the Secretary of the Club. Amendment(s) shall be discussed/reviewed by the Directors. Amendments cannot be approved at the same meeting of the Directors in which the Amendment(s) were originally introduced. Amendments approved by a unanimous vote of the Directors shall be effective immediately upon publication in the Club newsletter. Full Members may object to the changes in writing to a Director.
ARTICLE IX: Dissolution
In the event that no meeting of the Club is held for twelve (12) consecutive months, the Club shall be considered dissolved and the most recent Directors shall meet and designate that all properties and assets of the Club shall be distributed equally to Full Members as of the day of the last known meeting (considered the day of dissolution).