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This organization is a chartered Unit of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International, Inc. and shall be known as the Sierra Nevada Unit of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International, Inc.
The objectives of this non-profit organization shall be to furnish encouragement and assistance in the development of the Unit and thus afford fraternization for recreational vehicle owners; to encourage safe driving and assist in improving the general welfare of the recreational vehicle public through assistance and active participation of all its members in building a strong organization for the betterment of good will toward recreational vehicle travel; to coordinate with and participate in the interests and activities of the International and the Region; to cooperate with other organizations and units within our sphere which are seeking to elevate the standards and ethics of the various groups; to disseminate information of an advisory and educational nature which will be of value to its members and the public; to study, advise and recommend legislation which is in the interest of the recreational vehicle public and oppose all legislation which is discriminatory and injurious to the recreational vehicle public; and to encourage government and private agencies to provide more and better recreational vehicle parks and facilities.
Adult ownership of a fully self contained and hard sided recreational vehicle manufactured by Airstream, Inc. is a prerequisite for membership in this unit.
There are two classes of membership in this unit: Regular and Unit Members.
An applicant for membership in this Unit must submit an application in writing and, upon the payment of International and Unit dues, shall be a Regular Member of this Unit.
Regular Members who have sold their recreational vehicle manufactured by Airstream, Inc. may, upon request, retain their membership as Regular Members of this Unit pursuant to the provisions of Sec. 2, ARTICLE VI of the International Constitution. Such Regular Members shall possess all the rights and privileges of the International Club, including full voting rights in all elections and on all questions.
Regular Members of another Unit may become Unit members in this Unit by an application to the Membership Committee and upon acceptance shall possess all the rights and privileges of the Unit, except the right to hold office in the Unit or the right to vote in the selection or election of officers in the Unit, Region or International or on any amendment to the Unit or the International Constitution or on the dissolution of the Unit or the merger of the Unit with another Unit.
Applicants for membership in this Unit must submit dues and join the International Club simultaneously or show evidence of membership in the International Club through another duly chartered unit.
Failure to pay either Unit or International dues will automatically terminate membership in the unit.
In those cases of co-ownership of a fully self contained and hard sided recreational vehicle manufactured by Airstream, Inc., the rights and privileges of membership shall be deemed to include the spouses of such co-owners but collectively such co-owners shall possess one vote only except such co-owners who each pay International and Unit dues to this Unit shall each have one vote.
The officers of the Unit shall consist of a President, Secretary, Treasurer and two Trustees. The Executive Board shall consist of all of the Unit Officers plus the Immediate Past President of the Unit.
The Officers shall be elected at the annual business meeting and shall be installed and shall assume office on on election. An officer shall serve in office for a term of one year or until a successor is elected but in no case shall an officer be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office except the Secretary or Treasurer provided said officers are duly nominated and elected for each term of office.
An officer who advances to an office pursuant to the provisions of Sec. 5 of this ARTICLE shall not be deemed to have served a full term in such office unless said service is for a period of greater than one-half (1/2) the term of such office.
The Trustees shall be elected at the annual business meeting, each for a term of two years commencing on election but arranged so that only one-half such Trustees terms expire in any one year. No Trustee shall serve more than one two-year term consecutively.
In the event of the death or resignation of the President or the death, advancement or resignation of a Trustee, or an officers inability to fulfill the duties of office, the next ranking Trustee shall advance thereto. All other vacancies on the Executive Board, except that of the Immediate Past President, shall be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Board.
Ballots used in the vote of any election will be distributed and collected using a method deemed acceptable by the Executive Board. Any reasonable distribution and collection method may be used, including e-mail and other Internet methods. A combination of methods may also be used.
The Executive Board shall be the administrative body of the Unit and shall define the policies of and have full administrative authority in all matters pertaining to the Unit, and shall exercise general control and supervision of all officers and committees.
A quorum of the Executive Board shall consist of a majority of its members.
The annual business meeting of this organization, shall be held during the month of October in each calendar year. Such a meeting shall be announced by written notice and delivered to the members not less than fifteen days prior to the meeting. The notice shall indicate the date, time and location of the meeting. A quorum for conducting business at the annual meeting, or at any additional business meeting, shall be not less than 20 percent of members.
Additional business meetings of the members may be held at a suitable time and place during the second day of each rally of the members. if the rally or meeting is of less than two days duration, written notice to the members indicating the time, location and purpose of such meeting shall be delivered to the members not less than ten days prior to the meeting.
The Executive Board, by majority vote, may call additional business meetings of the members.
The President or any two members of the Board may call a business meeting of the Executive Board at any time deemed necessary.
All Regular Members voting at the annual or additional business meetings of this organization, and each such membership, identified by the International Club membership number, shall be considered one vote, except for co-owners who each pay International and Unit dues to this unit as provided for in Article III, Section 8.
Ballots for a vote on any proposal will be distributed and collected using a method deemed acceptable by the Executive Board. Any reasonable distribution and collection method may be used, including e-mail and other Internet methods. A combination of methods may also be used.
Bylaws not inconsistent with this Constitution, and with the Constitution, Bylaws and Policy of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International, Inc., embodying additional provisions for the government of the Unit may be adopted by the Executive Board.
Proposed amendments to this Constitution shall be submitted to the Executive Board in writing. The Executive Board shall submit all such amendments to the members for their consideration.
Any Article or Section of this Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at a business meeting of the Unit or a special meeting called for that purpose, provided in either case, a notice containing the proposed amendment or amendments has been mailed first-class to each member of the Unit at least fifteen days prior to such a meeting.
All amendments to this Constitution shall become effective upon adoption.
This Constitution adopted and effective Oct 17, 1996 at Reno, NV
DALE GROSCH, President Sierra Nevada Unit
Parliamentary procedures for all meetings of the Unit and Executive Board shall be governed by the current edition of ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER NEWLY REVISED except when they are in conflict with the Constitution or Bylaws of this Club
The order of business shall be:
Standing Committees shall be:
The President shall appoint and be an ex-offlcio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
All Standing Committees shall consist of a Chairman and as many members as deemed necessary by the President. Chairmen of Standing Committees shall report at each meeting of the Executive Board.
General Duties
In cooperation with the incoming and outgoing Treasurer of the Unit, prepare for the Executive Board a budget projecting the unit's income and expenditures for the calendar (or fiscal) year next ensuing.
To plan, organize, and obtain leaders for unit cai~vans that ar~ operated or conducted for the Unit within the scope of the WBCCI Caravan Handbook. To develop an aggressive Unit Caravan program and to coordinate unit caravan matters with appropriate Region and International Caravan Committee personnel.
To conduct a continuing review and study of the Unit and the International Constitution and Bylaws and to make recommendations for any amendments or additions deemed desirable and in the best interest of the. Club.
To investigate and assess all grievances or complaints made by members and others and to make recommendations thereon to the Unit executive Board.
Plan programs to encourage participation of family/youth at unit functions and to be the liaison person between the Unit and International Family/Youth Standing Committee.
To record events including written and pictorial material associated with unit activities and to maintain an historical record of such.
To receive and make welcome guests and new members a~ club functions. Recommend ways to meet and greet all club members and guests at all es and/or seasonal functions.
To study, advise and recommend legislation in the interest of the Club and its members; to recommend opposition to all legislation which is discriminatory and injurious to the interest of the Club and its members.
Be the Unit/Club contact for prospective new members and explain the purpose and objectives of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International. Extend invitations to prospective members to attend a rally or meeting when making application for membership.
To collect newsworthy items of interest to club members and to publish monthly a newsletter containing past and future events of the Unit, Region and International. To publish yearly a roster in the form and content as directed by the Executive Board. Forward material to Headquarters for publishing in the Blue Beret and Directory with respect to the Unit's activities schedule.
To maintain communications with the International and Region Public Relations Committees for maintaining a continuing program of public relations between WBCCI and communities being exposed to rallies and caravans.
Special Committees may be appointed by the President as required.
A guest (or guests) sponsored and invited by a member in good standing may attend activities of the Unit. Members sponsoring such a guest shall pay one extra rally fee exclusive of the parking fee.
A member in good standing in this Unit may sponsor and invite a prospective member to attend activities of the Unit.
Members in good standing in the International Club may attend activities of the Unit provided that such members, and where required, shall have made prior reservation for each attendance.
The Unit, once each calendar year, may host a rally, caravan or combination thereof with a recreational vehicle club not chartered by the Wally Byam Caravan Club International, Inc., and it may conduct a Buddy Rally, caravan or combination thereof to which each member of the unit may invite not more than one non-member recreational vehicle family.
The Executive Board shall, not less than ninety (90) days prior to the units's annual business meeting, appoint a three member Nominating Committee who shall, after having obtained the prior acceptance for office of each nominee if elected, place in nomination one candidate for each office and trustee to be filled by election, and submit a written report to the Executive Board which shall include the names of all candidates considered, and the President shall distribute the report to the membership not less than fifteen (15) days prior to said business meeting. Additional candidates who have previously consented to accept the office if elected, may be placed in nomination from the floor of said meeting. No seconds are required for any nomination.
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Unit and Executive Board, enforce the Constitution and Bylaws, appoint all standing committees and have such powers and duties as normally pertain to the principal executive officer.
The Secretary shall issue notices of all meetings of the Unit and the Executive Board as prescribed in Article VI, Sections 1 and 2 and Article VIII, Section 2 of the Constitution; shall prepare an agenda of pending business for use by the presiding officer at each meeting; shall keep a register of all members of the Unit. The Secretary shall record and preserve the minutes of all official meetings of the Unit and the Executive Board; copies of same shall be mailed to the members of the Executive Board not more than fifteen days following each meeting; shall record the attendance of the officers and trustees at each meeting and advise the presiding officer if a quorum is present.
The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records of the Unit and shall receive all monies and promptly deposit them in the bank previously chosen by the Executive Board; shall notify members of expiration of dues and issue receipts for dues paid; submit a full written report of finances to the Executive Board at each meeting and before retirement from office shall have the books and accounts audited by a committee of not less than three members selected by the incoming President; shall deliver all books, monies and property of the Unit promptly to the incoming Treasurer.
The duties of the Trustees shall be as prescribed in the Constitution, Article V, Section 1 and to attend all meetings of the Unit and the Executive Board; to accept special assignments as directed by the President.
The Executive Board shall appoint one delegate and one alternate from among the officers and Regular Members who will attend the annual Delegates meeting of the parent organization, the Wally Byam Caravan Club International, Inc. Any vacancy occurring following such selection shall be filled by appointment by the President. The delegate should be instructed with respect to the wishes of the Unit on matters to come before the meeting. The President and Secretary shall certify to these appointments.
The annual unit dues of Regular and Affiliate members shall be set by the Executive Board.
A member who fails to pay properly assessed International and Unit dues before November 15 may not be listed in the Annual Membership Directory of the International Club for the following year. If the dues are not paid and receipted by the Treasurer on or before December 31, the membership will be terminated.
All members shall abide by the following Code of Ethics:
To be ever mindful of our responsibility to the Wally Byam Caravan Club International, Inc. and through conduct indicate to the public that membership in this organization is an assurance of our courtesy on the road and goodwill to all peoples and countries.
To say or print nothing which may reflect unfavorably on others and to dedicate ourselves to the work of cementing together the members of our units and Club in bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding
To conduct ourselves so as to inspire others also engaged in recreational vehicle travel to a full appreciation of the intent and meaning of this code.
To maintain our camps and parking areas in an orderly manner and to leave them in a neat and clean condition.
Neither the Unit nor its officers are responsible for the loss of or damage to property or for injury to or death of a person on the premises of any club function. This freedom from responsibility for loss or damage to property applies regardless of whether that property has been received by any member or officer or left upon the premises.
These Bylaws may be amended at any business meeting of the Executive Board by two-thirds vote, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted to all members of the Executive Board in writing ten (10) days prior to such meeting.
Such amendments shall become effective upon adoption.
In the event of dissolution of this Unit, the members shall, through the President, assign all assets to the International Club, or in the case of an incorporated unit to such other trustee appointed in accordance with the laws governing non-profit corporations in the State or Province of their incorporation, to be held in trust until such time as the charter is restored, the unit is reorganized, or a new charter is issued when such assets shall be returned or transferred to the newly functioning unit. This procedure is in accordance with the meaning of Section 501 (c) (7) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. None of the funds shall entire to the benefit of any member and the Unit Charter and all International club property shall be returned to International Club Headquarters.
These Bylaws were adopted October 17, 1996, modified 13 March 2001 and again 16 October 2002