Metro Atlanta Winnies

Chapter of

Winnebago—Itasca travelers

Constitution 2003

(Bylaws - Procedures - Officers)

 

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be METRO ATLANTA WINNIES chapter of the Winnebago-Itasca Travelers (WIT).

Article II – Club Colors & Symbols

The chapter white black and gold. The chapter symbols will be the state of Georgia outline. A star showing Atlanta and a coach at the bottom.

Article III – Purposes & Objectives

Basic Purpose:

To promote fellowship, friendship and fun among all members of WIT; to foster and develop recreational, social and travel opportunities for enjoyment, pleasure, and use of the members of WIT; and to encoursge gatherings and outings on local levels.

Objectives:

To assist in protecting members rights as private RV owners. To serve as a feedback mechanism to Winnebago Industries for the development of new motor homes of high quality.

 

Article IV ‑ Membership & Fees

Section 1:

The club was formed as part of Winnebago‑Itasca Travelers.

Section 2:                                           

Any person or family who is a WIT member in good standing is eligible for membership in the Metro Atlanta Winnies Chapter.

Section 3:

The annual dues for the metro Atlanta Winnies Chapter shall be $15.00 per fiscal year. Annual dues are payable in October and are considered OVERDUE if not paid by the conclusion of the October meeting. New members must pay a $5.00 initiation fee, a $15.00 for the first year membership. New members joining on or after October 1st are exempt from additional club membership dues for the following fiscal year (January through December).

Article V ‑ Officers

Section 1 ‑ Officers

A. The officers shall consist of at least a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, all of who shall perform the duties that usually pertain to these respective offices.

B. Officers will be nominated and elected at the October meeting and shall begin their term in January. Elected officers will hold office for one year or until their respective successors have been duly elected and installed. The chapter president and vice president shall not exceed two consecutive terms in each office. The secretary and treasurer may be exempted from the above requirements and may be combined.

C. Both the treasurer and the president may sign bankcards to write checks on a Metro Atlanta Winnies bank account. However, the president will exercise this authority only in the event that the treasurer should become incapacitated, etc., and only until such time that the newly appointed treasurer becomes eligible to sign checks on the Metro Atlanta Winnies account. A checking account is not mandatory

D. New members are not eligible to hold office for one calendar year from the date of membership.

Section 2 ‑ Vacant Office

If a vacancy occurs in the office of the president, the vice president shall become the president for the remainder of the elected president's term. If a vacancy occurs in any other office, the chapter shall elect a successor who shall hold office for the unexpired term.

Section 3 ‑ Other

Other officers may include wagon master, director, chaplain, youth coordinator, and additional vice‑presidents.

Article VI ‑ Committies

Section 1

The Board of Directors shall consist of the current officers and the immediate past president.

Section 2

A program Committee may be appointed by the President te be responsible for programs and entertainment.

Section 3

The Nominating Committee shall consist of not less than three members, excluding the president, who shall meet shortly prior to the October meeting to propose a slate of Officers which shall be presented to the Chapter by the president, or in his absence the vice-president. Other nominations may be presented from the floor at the October meeting.

Article VIII - Meetings

Section I

Regular meetings are usually held monthly beginning on the third Friday. State meetings and WIT National Rally may serve as  monthly meetings. Additional meetings may be held if so decided by the Chapter.

Section 2

Each year the October meeting shall be the meeting at which officers shall be elected, such officers to tale office at the January meeting.

Section 3

Special meetings of the membership may be called by the president or by any three members of the Chapter.

Section 4

A quorum of the Chapter shall consist of 20% of the voting members.

Section 5

The Regular Order of business at all meetings shall be as follows:

A. Call to Order

B. Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting by secretary.

C. Reading of the Treasurer's Report

D. Introduction of guests and Non-Members.

E. Unfinished Business.

F. Election of Officers (October) and Installation of Officers (January).

G. New Business.

H. Program.

I. Adjournment.

Article IX - Constitution ( The document in which the laws and principle of the chapter are written down.)

This constitution may be amended by a majority vote of members present at any regular or called meeting of the Chapter provided a quorum is present, and provided the intention to amend the constitution shall have previously been communicated in writing to all members.

Article X - Bylaws (a Secondary law ore rule adopted by an organization or assembly for governibg ti’s own meetings or affairs.)

Section 1

Bylaws may be adopted or amended at any regular meeting.

Section 2

Amendments and addendums are to be recorded by the secretary and a written copy attached to the Club bylaws. A copy is to be mailed to the chapter membership state Club president and the WIT Office within 30 days of the date of approval.

Section 3

In case of disagreement, Roberts Rules of Order shall govern on any item not specifically covered by these By-laws.

Article XI - Enforcement of Bylaws

Section 1

The WIT General Manager with the recommendation of the WIT Area Representative by their own initiative or upon complaint from at least five (5) members may discipline any member who has violated the bylaws or who has disregarded responsibilities and duties outlined herein. Prior to taking any action, the above persons shall ask the member recommended for discipline to reply to the charges. If the charged member does not respond within 30 days, the complaint shall be assumed to be true.

Section 2 - Suspensions & Revocations   

The General Manager if WIT, with the recommendation of the Area Representative, may suspend or revoke the charter of any chapter found to be violating the provisions of the bylaws. The above persons may also place the chapter under trusteeship and reorganize the chapter. The Board of Directors of the chapter may petition for reactivation subsequent to the time the offenses have been remedied.

Section 3: Expulsion/Reinstatement of club members

A. A member may submit a petition with the support of the two-thirds majority of the chapter members through the president to the Board of Directors for the conformation or denial of their petition. The Board of Director's decision should concur with the majority of the members.

B.  A member may submit a request for expulsion through the president to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors should review the request and make a recommendation to the membership. To approve the recommendation, the majority of the membership must vote in it's support.

C. The person named in the petition or request has the right to reply to the charges in writing prior to action being taken.

D. In either case, the expulsion and/or reinstatement of a member is based upon the two-thirds majority support of the chapter membership. The Board of Directors does not have the sole power to expel or reinstate a member.

E. In either process, the Board of directors should not vote against the wishes of the majority of the membership.

F. After the process is complete, documentation should be sent to the national WIT organization in forest City, Iowa.

Article XII - Powers

This chapter and these bylaws exist and draw authority from the Bylaws of the Georgia Winnie Rebels state club and the Winnebago-Itasca Travelers national club. These chapter By-laws may not conflict with the Georgia Winnie Rebels state club or the Winnebago-Itasca Travelers By-laws. If there is a conflict, the state club by-laws are the next in authority. If either or both conflict the WIT Bylaws rule.

Article XII I - Effective Date

The effective date of these revised bylaws shall be the date approved by the membership and that date shall be recorded on the cover page accompanied by the signature of the chapter president. A copy of the approved document shall be mailed to all chapter ,the state club president , and the WIT office  within 30 days of the date of approval.

Article XIV - Amendments & Addendums

To be added as approved by the membership. The date of approval is to be entered with each attached amendment and/or addendum..

 

 

Officer Responsibilities

President:

1. To lead the membership and coordinate affairs and events.

2. Presides over meetings. Offers recommendations and suggestions for consideration. Cast a deciding vote in case of a tie.

3. Appoints committees as needed and serves as chairperson of all except the nominating committee. Committee members serve at the pleasure of the president and may be excused without cause.

4. Insures all provisions of the WIT Bylaws are followed.

5. Notifies WIT immediately of any accident or injury, which occurs during any outing, meeting, or rally.

6. Recruits new members for the chapter.

7. Encourages members to participate in club or chapter functions.

8. Follow up with each officer to be sure all duties are being performed.

Vice-President:

1.  Presides over meetings if the President is absent.

2.  Carries out duties assigned by the chapter bylaws.

Assists the President in coordinating affairs and events.

Secretary:

1 .  Keeps accurate up-to-date records of the chapter membership. Sends a complete roster and listing of New Officers to the WIT headquarters in January.

2. Records the proceedings of all meetings of the membership and it's executive board.

3. Verifies that all members and applicants for membership are members of WIT.

4.   Requests year patch or birthday patches for cbapter's 5,10,15, 20, and 25th birthdays. A letter of request and a current roster must be sent to the WIT Office.

5.   Submits information on chapter outings for ';Who's Inviting Travelers" to the Club news editor. Deadline is always the first of the month preceding the issue month.

6. Responsible for CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE where applicable.

7. Handles all correspondence for the chapter.

Treasurer:

1. Receives, safeguards and keeps accurate records of all chapter funds in the name of the Chapter.

2. Submits a written report on funds at each meeting of the chapter. Gives an oral report to the membership.

3. Disburses funds only for authorized purposes and only in accordance with chapter bylaws. Distributes club or chapter patches, logos, and other related materials.

Immediate Past President

1. Serves as an advisor to the President.

2.             Is a member of the Executive Board of Directors.

PROCEDURES

Certificates of Insurance

Some campgrounds and fairgrounds require certificates of insurance. Chapters are automatically covered by Winnebago Industries $2,000,000 general liability policy.

What does the policy cover? If by the action of the chapter, the facility is damaged: an examples while using stove or gill a fire starts and part of the building is damaged, Winnebago's policy will pay for the damages. If an individual member backs his/her unit into the building or over a water hydrant, the member must use his/her own personal insurance to cover the damages.

The facility is covered for the specific dates of the event. If members come early and/or stay late, include those dates in your request. NO ADDITIONAL INSUREDS WILL BE ADDED. Winnebago Industries will name only the campground or fairground as insured's. It will not name the fair board or other individuals as additional insured's. If required, the chapter may need to purchase additional coverage.

At the time there are three options:

1.   Advise the campground that Winnebago Industries does not list additional insureds and try to persuade them to forego the requirement.

2. Seek a different location.

3.   Purchase a policy for additional insured's. A local insurance firm gave an approximate cost of $250 for a $500,000 general liability policy. This may vary from state to state. Perhaps adding $1 to $2 to the rally fee would help defray the expense. If you have concern, call the WIT Office.

When you make facility arrangements, ask for their insurance requirements. Let's tackle possible problems sooner than later. If the campground or fairground does not ask for a certificate of insurance there is no need to request one.

 

WIT/Dealer Show & Tell

The Show & Tell program proves to be very beneficial to the chapter and the dealer. Working together, both are successful.

After the Show & Tell, submit an article for the Club News along with a list of members who 'worked" the Show & Tell. Members who 'work' the Show & Tell normally bring their motor homes to the dealership for display and stay at the dealership during the designated times to greet and visit with potential new and future WIT members.

The chapter may approach the local dealer and ask if he/she would be interested in doing a Show & Tell. The WIT Area Representative works with Winnebago Industries' dealer network to ask them to contact the chapter(s) in their area. Remember, the key to success is 'TEAMWORK'. For additional Information contact the WIT Office.

Birthday Patch Program

This birthday program started January 1, 1998 and is not retroactive. It's purpose is to recognize chapters celebrating their 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 year birthdays.

State clubs receive a one-year patch, which may be attached to the WIT or special club flag. Local chapters receive a birthday patch for each current member. To receive your year patch or birthday patches, the chapter secretary will send a letter or request and a current roster to the WIT Office. Patches are sent to the president who is responsible for distribution.

Roster Information

A computer printout of the Georgia Winnie Rebels roster with WIT number, name and expiration date is available upon request.

The State President receives new WIT member labels monthly and should distribute them to the respective local chapters for the purposes of obtaining new members. The WIT member deletions are also sent to the State President.

A current chapter roster is required annually and is submitted in January by the chapter secretary along with a list of new officers.

WIT Club News Magazine

The WIT Club News Magazine is published monthly. The January issue is the membership directory. WIT Club, state club and local chapter news articles and 'Who's Inviting Travelers' do not appear in the directory publication.

Some state clubs and local chapters set their outings and rally dates a year in advance. The schedule is sent to WIT once, at the beginning of the state club or local chapter year. WIT Club News guidelines are available upon request.

Transition of Old to New Officers

It is the "responsibility of the outgoing officers" to make a smooth transition to the new officers. Each officer should have a file box containing all materials relative to his/her office.

The Officers of the chapter may determine the success or failure of the club. During your term in office, be an effective leader by gathering and organizing all club related materials. This will help your new officers considerably.

NOTE: the WIT Staff is available to assist club members. They are identified on the inside of the first page of the WIT Club News. Don't hesitate to call and ask questions.

 

Amendment to Bylaws

Amendment A has been approved per Article X of the Bylaws dated 22 January 1994 and is effective immediately, subject to approval of WIT.

 

Reason for Amendment A:

 

Amendment A

Article IV—Membership & Fees

Section 3.

The annual dues for Metro Atlanta Winnies Chapter shall be $15.00 per Physcal year. Annual dues are payable in October and are considered OVERDUE if not payed by the conclusion of the October meeting. New members must pay a $5.00 initiation fee plus $15.00 for the first year of membership. Nwq members joining on or after October 1st are exempt from additional chapter membership dues for the following fiscal yesr (January through December).

Date:January 15, 2003

Jerry Berens

President, Metro Atlanta Winnies