Article I.            NAME

Section 1.01    NAME

The official name of this organization shall be “Gold Wing Touring Association of America – Pennsylvania Chapter B”. Commonly, Chapter B shall be known as “Keystone Wings”.

Article II.           PURPOSE AND GOALS

Section 2.01    PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization is to be a social organization for motorcycle owners and their families.

Section 2.02    OBJECTIVE

The objective of this organization is to provide the environment and organizational structure around which its membership may enjoy well-coordinated social gatherings and events without political endorsements or religious affiliations. It is also to encourage good riding habits, involvement in civic and charitable affairs, and to project a positive image of the sport of tour motorcycling to the public.

Section 2.03    AFFILIATION

The Gold Wing Touring Association of America – Pennsylvania Chapter B (A.K.A., Keystone Wings) is an affiliate chapter of the Gold Wing Touring Association of North America, Inc., and abides by and supports its established policies and principles.

Article III.          MEMBERSHIP

Section 3.01    NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The Gold Wing Touring Association Pennsylvania Chapter B does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, status as a U.S. Veteran, or make/model of motorcycle.

Section 3.02    GWTA MEMBERSHIP

Any individual or family who joins and pays dues to the Gold Wing Touring Association of North America, Inc., is eligible for membership in Pennsylvania Chapter B. Typically, affiliation with a chapter of the GWTA is made based on geographic location.

Section 3.03    GWTA MEMBERSHIP TERMINATION

Any member who is terminated by the Gold Wing Touring Association of North America, Inc. in accordance with Article 3, Sections 2, 3, and 4 of that organization’s by-laws likewise is terminated from Gold Wing Touring Association Pennsylvania Chapter B.

Section 3.04    MEMBERSHIP DEFINITION

For the purpose of this article, an Individual Membership is defined as one Individual, and a Family Membership is defined as either:

(a)    An Individual and his/her unmarried child(ren) still residing in the household regardless of age or

(b)    A couple and their unmarried children still residing in the household, regardless of age.

                                                            (i)    A household is defined as a single domicile

Section 3.05    VOTING

For the purpose of voting at the Chapter Level, an Individual Membership shall be entitled to one (1) vote and a Family Membership shall be entitled to two (2) votes.

Section 3.06    BREAKING A TIE VOTE

If a vote of the membership results in a tie, the issue shall be determined by the Chapter Director who shall cast the tie-breaking vote.

Article IV.         OFFICERS

Section 4.01    CHAPTER BUSINESS

The business and affairs of the chapter shall be governed by the Board.

Section 4.02    BOARD COMPOSITION

The Chapter Board shall be composed of the four elected officers, the Newsletter Committee Chair, the Rider Education/Safety Committee Chair, and up to three (3) “at large” members appointed by the elected Chapter Officers.

Section 4.03    BOARD REQUIREMENTS

Appointed Board Members must be members in good standing of the Chapter and will serve a term of one year unless he or she resigns or is removed.

Section 4.04    CHAPTER DIRECTOR

Nominations for this position may be made by any Chapter Member either by open or self-nomination.

The duties and responsibilities of the Chapter Director shall be as follows:

·         To preside at meetings of the Board and/or the membership.

·         To preserve order, enforce the by-laws, and exercise supervision over the affairs of the Chapter in general.

·         To construct an agenda for meetings.

·         To ensure that reports and paperwork required of the Chapter are properly completed in a timely manner. (Includes forms and reports required by the Gold Wing Touring Association of North America, Inc. as well as local, state, and federal authorities.)

·         To support and encourage effective, open, and frequent communications among Board members.

·         To ensure that the Chapter is operating in conformity with the standards set forth by the Gold Wing Touring Association of North America, Inc. as well as the law of the land.

·         She/he shall not be entitled to vote, except at the election of officers, or in case of a tie vote.

The Chapter Director shall be elected by a simple majority vote of the membership and can be removed from the position as defined in Article IX, Section 9.03 of the Chapter’s Bylaws.

Section 4.05    ASSISTANT CHAPTER DIRECTOR

Nominations for this position may be made by any Chapter member either by open or self-nomination.

The duties and responsibilities of the Assistant Chapter Director shall be as follows:

·         To preside at meetings of the Board and/or Membership in the absence of the Chapter Director.

·         To support and assist the Chapter Director in the discharge of his/her duties as needed.

The Assistant Chapter Director shall be elected by a simple majority vote of the membership and can be removed from the position as defined in Article IX, Section 9.03 of the Chapter’s Bylaws.

Section 4.06    SECRETARY

Nominations for this position may be made by any Chapter member either by open or self-nomination.

The duties and responsibilities of the Secretary shall be as follows:

·         To maintain an accurate record of all proceedings of the Chapter.

·         To maintain and store archived records of the Chapter and surrender those records to the next Secretary upon completion of his or her elected term.

The Secretary shall be elected by a simple majority vote of the membership and can be removed from the position as defined in Article IX, Section 9.03 of the Chapter’s Bylaws.

Section 4.07    TREASURER

Nominations for this position may be made by any Chapter member either by open or self-nomination.

The duties and responsibilities of the Treasurer shall be as follows:

·         To receive all monies of the Chapter and pay all expenses as voted upon by the Membership.

·         To maintain a checking account in an FDIC insured financial institution for the safekeeping and accounting of Chapter funds.

·         To maintain accurate records of Chapter bank accounts.

·         To present income and expense reports at Membership meetings.

·         Prepare end-of-the-year financial reports.

The Treasurer shall be elected by a simple majority vote of the membership and can be removed from the position as defined in Article IX, Section 9.03 of the Chapter’s Bylaws.

Article V.          COMMITTEES

Section 5.01    COMMITTEE CREATION

The Chapter Board reserves the right to create committee positions not listed in these by-laws.

Section 5.02    STANDING COMMITTEES

Gold Wing Touring Association Pennsylvania Chapter B’s Standing Committees include:

·         NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE

o   The Committee, chaired by the Editor of the newsletter, will be responsible for selecting, editing, preparing, printing, collating, and mailing the newsletter.

o   The Newsletter shall be published on a bi-monthly basis unless the Board determines the need for a different publication schedule.

o   The Elected Officers shall appoint the Newsletter Editor.

·         RIDER EDUCATION/SAFETY COMMITTEE

o   The Elected Officers shall appoint the Rider Education/Safety Director.

o   The Rider Education/Safety Director is selected on the basis of his/her experience, interest, and desire regarding motorcycle safety.

o   The Rider Education/Safety Director shall carry on a program of information during the year and may also initiate special safety events in order to educate Chapter Members.

Article VI.         MEETINGS

Section 6.01    SCHEDULING

Membership Meetings are scheduled on a bi-monthly basis and at the time and place decided by the Board on the last Sunday of the month of January, March, May, July, September, and November. Membership Meetings may be cancelled or rescheduled when holidays, events, or severe weather conditions warrant the change.

Section 6.02    MEETING PARTICIPATION

Meetings of the Gold Wing Touring Association Pennsylvania Chapter B are open to non-members. Those interested in joining GWTA are welcome to attend Membership meetings. However, only dues-paying members have the privilege of making motions, debating, and voting at Membership meetings.

Section 6.03    QUORUM OF THE BOARD

Four (4) members of the Board in attendance at a meeting shall constitute a quorum of the Board.

Section 6.04    QUORUM OF THE MEMBERSHIP

Ten (10) percent of the Chapter membership plus four (4) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum of the Membership.

Section 6.05    CALENDAR

The Gold Wing Touring Association Pennsylvania Chapter B recurring calendar items include:

·         January…Annual Ride Planning Meeting

·         September…Nominations of Elected Officers for the following calendar year

·         November…Announce results of Officer Elections

Section 6.06        ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER

Robert’s Rules of Order (newly revised) shall govern all meetings.

Article VII.       FISCAL YEAR

Section 7.01    FISCAL YEAR

The Gold Wing Touring Association Pennsylvania Chapter B’s fiscal year shall end on December 31.

Article VIII.      EXPENDITURES, CONTRACTS, AND LOANS

Section 8.01    EXPENDITURES REQUIRING BOARD APPROVAL

Expenditures or reimbursements equal to – or in excess of – twenty-five dollars ($25) and less than one hundred dollars ($100) must have prior approval of the Executive Board. Certain classes of expenditures may be given approval by the Executive board before they come due.

Section 8.02    EXPENDITURES REQUIRING MEMBERSHIP APPROVAL

Expenditures equal to – or in excess of – one hundred dollars ($100) must be approved at a membership meeting.

Section 8.03    DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS

Any payment or withdrawal of funds from any Keystone Wings’ account requires two authorized signatures.

Section 8.04    CONTRACTS

No individual or group of individuals may enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of, and on behalf of, the Chapter without specific approval to do so. Approval must be given by the Chapter at a Membership meeting in accordance with Article VI, Section 6.04 of the Chapter By-Laws.

Section 8.05    LOANS

No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the Chapter and no evidences of debt shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the Board. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

Section 8.06    LOANS TO OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

No loans shall be made by the Chapter to its officers or Members.

Article IX.         VACANCIES

Section 9.01    CHAPTER DIRECTOR VACANCY

Should the Chapter Director’s position become vacant, the Assistant Chapter Director shall assume the office.

Section 9.02    OFFICER/BOARD MEMBER VACANCY

Any other vacancy of an Elected Officer position shall be filled by a special election. Any vacancy of an appointed Board Member shall be filled by appointment of the remaining Board. Whether elected or appointed, the term of office (like all Board Member positions) expires at the end of the calendar year.

Section 9.03    REMOVAL OF BOARD MEMBER

A Board Member shall be removed from office when the following steps are successfully completed:

·         A petition stating cause signed by ten percent (10%) of membership eligible to vote for the Officer or Board Member must be submitted to the remaining Board.

·         The Board is obligated to vote to retain or remove the named Officer or Board Member. An affirmative two-third (2/3rd) vote of the remaining Board will remove the named Officer or Board Member.

·         The Petitioner will be notified of the Board’s action.

Article X.          CONDUCT AND GEAR

Section 10.01    GOOD RIDING HABITS

The Gold Wing Touring Association Pennsylvania Chapter B encourages its members to incorporate good riding habits into every ride. All members and guests participating in any riding activity are encouraged to:

·         Properly maintain his/her motorcycle as recommended by the manufacturer.

·         Learn, and follow, the principles of safe group riding (i.e., when and how to ride in a “staggered” formation.)

·         Respect the limits of his/her bike and ride within his/her own ability.

Section 10.02    THE LAW

Members shall obey all traffic rules and should make a conscious effort to promote drug and alcohol-free motorcycling.

Section 10.03    SAFETY GEAR

All members and guests participating in any riding activity are encouraged to wear…

·         A helmet compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 (FMVSS 218), commonly known as the DOT helmet standard.

·         Eye protection such as goggles, glasses, or face shield.

·         Long pants, over-the-ankle-footwear, long-sleeved shirt or jacket, and full-fingered gloves.

Article XI.         SAFETY AND LIABILITY

Section 11.01    PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The operation of a motorcycle is an inherently hazardous activity which may result in property damage, serious injury, or death. The Gold Wing Touring Association Pennsylvania Chapter B is a voluntary association of individuals who, by their membership and participation in activities of the Chapter, agree to act in a safe and prudent manner, and agree to -- at all times -- be responsible for their own personal safety.

Activities of the Chapter may be conducted on private property, on public roads, or upon other public property, where hazards may be present. Each participant in any activity is responsible for determining his or her own skills and the skills required to participate in the activity. Any participant who believes that his or her skills are not sufficient for any activity shall not participate in that activity.

In voluntarily participating in any activity, each participant agrees not to operate his or her motorcycle or otherwise behave in any manner which endangers or would reasonably be expected to endanger any other person or property.

Section 11.02    LIABILITIES

The Gold Wing Touring Association Pennsylvania Chapter B and its Officers, Board, and members, who organize activities, assume no responsibility or liability for the safety of persons or property. It is the responsibility and duty of each individual voluntary participant to act in a safe and prudent manner at all times and to be fully responsible for his or her own actions.

Article XII.       DISSOLUTION

Section 12.01    CHAPTER FUNDS

If The Gold Wing Touring Association Pennsylvania Chapter B is dissolved, Chapter funds shall be used to satisfy outstanding debts of the Chapter. Any remaining balance shall be donated to a charitable organization – as defined by the Internal Revenue Service in Section 501(c)(3) – that is in no way affiliated with any individual member of the Keystone Wings.

Article XIII.      AMENDMENTS

Section 13.01    REQUIREMENTS

These bylaws may be amended by a majority of the members present at any regular meeting. Written notice stating that discussion and voting on bylaw amendments must be delivered to all members at least two weeks in advance of the proposed meeting date. Delivery may be made in person, through electronic mail, or via the U.S. Postal Service.