Bylaws of Northern Lights Chapter of Family RV Association
ARTICLE I – CHAPTER NAME
The name of this not-for-profit organization shall be the Northern Lights Chapter of the Family Recreational Vehicle Association, Inc., hereinafter referred to as Chapter and FRVA.
ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES
1. PURPOSE: This Chapter exists to promote social, recreational and informational exchange activities that provide for the enjoyment and pleasurable use of “Family Unit” members with RVs.
2. AREA/SCOPE: This Chapter shall be authorized to function in the Great Lakes Area with a mutual interest in and/or location of Michigan & Ontario.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERS
1. To be eligible for and to maintain membership in the Chapter, a person must own at least 1/3 of an FRVA- approved recreational vehicle, be in good standing with FRVA, and meet the dues requirement and provisions set forth in the Bylaws of this Chapter.
2. Membership in this Chapter shall not be denied any person because of race, sex, religion, color, marital or family status, age, nationality, or disability.
3. The term “Family Unit” is defined as a person, his or her spouse or partner, dependents of each,
regardless of age, non-dependent grandchildren and great- grandchildren aged 18 and under.
4. The term “Membership” is defined as either a family unit or an individual or individuals owning a Qualifying Recreational Vehicle who share a membership number.
5. The term “Member” is defined as each adult who, jointly or individually, constitutes a membership. The voting rights of each member are defined in the description of each category.
6. The term “Qualifying Recreational Vehicle” is a self-contained wheeled vehicle that includes permanently
installed cooking, sleeping, and sanitary facilities. The terms recreational vehicle and RV may be used
interchangeably.
7. VOTING AND HOLDING OFFICE: A member must own a qualifying recreational vehicle (RV) or at least 1/3 interest in a qualifying recreational vehicle (RV) in order to vote or hold office in this chapter. Associate members and Pathfinder members do not qualify to vote in chapter issues, including elections.
ARTICLE IV – DUES AND FEES
1. ANNUAL DUES: Annual payment of Chapter and National dues enables persons to become active members and entitled to all rights and privileges of the Chapter and FRVA. The annual dues for membership in the Chapter shall be an amount as the membership shall establish.
2. RENEWAL: Renewal dues from Chapter members become due and payable October 1.
3. INITIAL APPLICATION: Application for new membership shall be accompanied by payment of annual Chapter and National dues (unless already an FRVA member). If an initial application is accepted after September 1, the dues shall be regarded as covering the next membership year.
4. INITIATION FEE: New and reinstated members may be required to pay an initiation fee in an amount to be established by the Chapter membership.
5. ARREARS: Any member whose dues are unpaid for more than three months after becoming due shall be considered delinquent; after April 30th, membership is cancelled.
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS
1. DUTIES: The duties of elected officers shall be as defined in the Family RV Association Policies and Procedures.
2. TERMS OF OFFICE: The elected officers of this Chapter shall serve a one-year term of office, or until their successors are elected.
3. RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS:
a. An individual Family RV Association member may hold either a single office in each of two chapters or two offices in one chapter. A member may hold the office of national director or alternate national director in only one chapter.
b. Individual FRVA members may hold no more than two offices in the same chapter.
c. Any member in good standing may be nominated from the floor for any elective office.
d. Only Full Members, Full Lifetime Members, Life Members, or Honorary Members who have advanced from one of these classes has the right to hold office in this Chapter
e. No official or member shall become vested of any right, title to, or interest in any Chapter property, except as required by law.
ARTICLE VI – EXECUTIVE BOARD
1. The officers of the chapter shall constitute the Executive Board
2. The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the chapter between its business meetings. The Board shall be subject to the orders of the chapter, and none of its acts shall be in conflict with the Chapter or FRVA.
3. As required by the State of Michigan, non-profit corporations must have at least three directors. To meet this requirement, Executive Board members are empowered to serve as the directors of this Chapter.
4. LIABILITY: The Executive Board or a Family RV Association member shall be indemnified in accordance with Family RV Association Bylaws.
5. VACANCIES:
a. A vacancy will be declared to exist in the case of death, resignation, or inability of any officer to serve, or any officer ceases to meet the membership requirements as stated in ARTICLE III, except as authorized by ARTICLE III, 3 (f) of the Family RV Association Bylaws.
b. In the event of a vacancy, permanent or otherwise, in the position of the national director, the alternate national director shall promptly fill the vacancy. If the chapter does not have an alternate national director, the following paragraph applies.
c. In the case of a vacancy in any office other than president, the president with the consent of the Executive Board, will appoint a person to fulfill the duties temporarily until the Nominating Committee can nominate one or more candidates and the chapter can hold an election to fill the office.
ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES
1. APPOINTMENT: Committee members and Chairperson (except Nominating Committee) shall be appointed by the President.
2. DUTIES: All committees shall function within the policies of the Chapter and (except Nominating Committee) under the direction of the President. Financial reports, vouchers, and monies due the Chapter shall be submitted on a timely basis.
3. QUORUM: A Committee quorum shall be a majority.
ARTICLE VIII – CHAPTER ADMISTRATION
1. AUTHORITY: This Chapter shall be democratically self-governed, deriving its existence and authority from the consent of its membership assembled in meeting or, in certain instances, by mail vote on stated procedures.
ARTICLE IX – CHAPTER MEETINGS:
1. TYPES: The term “meeting” shall include coach rallies, campouts, dinner meetings, and any other gatherings suitable to the function of the Chapter.
2. BUSINESS MEETINGS: The Chapter must hold at least one business meeting each membership year, at which a quorum is present. Said meeting must be duly announced in advance to the membership.
3. ANNUAL ELECTION: One of the meetings shall be an Annual Meeting at which an election is held, if required by a one-term option. The voting general membership is to elect Chapter officers, including one President, two Vice Presidents, one Secretary, one Treasurer, one National Director, and one Alternate National director.
4. QUORUM: A quorum for the transaction of business at any duly-called Chapter meeting is 25% of the Chapter family unit membership or 15 family unit members, whichever is less.
5. VOTING: Except as specified elsewhere in these Bylaws, a simple majority vote of members in good standing and voting shall be required to approve or disapprove any matter. The Chapter has established that voting will be one vote per family unity.
6. BALLOTS BY MAIL: Balloting by mail may be undertaken when a proposed matter is judged to be of such importance or urgency that a total membership vote is advisable.
7. PARLIAMENTARY PROCESS: The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern this Chapter’s proceeding to which they are applicable and in which they are consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of FRVA and the Bylaws of this Chapter.
ARTICLE X – MAINTAINING AFFILIATION
This Chapter must maintain a minimum of 15 family unit members. The Chapter Secretary shall furnish to the National Office of FRVA no later than the last week in December a membership list, a list of Chapter officers, and assurance that one business meeting was held.
ARTICLE XI – ANNUAL AUDIT
An annual review of the Chapter’s financial books and records shall be undertaken and reported to the membership.
ARTICLE XII – APPLICATION OF NATIONAL CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS This Chapter accepts and agrees that the Chapter Bylaws shall conform to any mandatory requirements stipulated in the Constitution and Bylaws of FRVA.
ARTICLE XIII –ELECTIONS
1. NOMINATING COMMITTEE COMPOSITION: The Nominating Committee shall consist of not less than three Chapter members in good standing nominated and elected yearly by the Chapter membership. Election of an individual to the Nominating Committee shall not prohibit that person from being nominated for elected office.
2. NOMINATING COMMITTEE DUTIES:
a. To select one of its members as Nominating Committee Chair.
b. To nominate candidates for the Chapter offices of President, Vice President(s), Secretary, Treasurer, National Director, and Alternate National Director for the new year to be presented for voting by the Chapter membership.
c. To obtain clear acceptance of the nominees to serve the Chapter should they be elected.
d. To make certain that nominated candidates are members in good standing and qualified under applicable National and Chapter Bylaws.
e. To nominate candidates to fill vacancies that occur in elected Chapter offices.
ARTICLE XIV – AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
1. MANDATORY AMENDMENTS: National Bylaws amendments applicable to Chapter operations shall be automatically adopted by the Chapter and are not subject to a vote by the Chapter membership.
2. These Bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 affirmative vote of the members present and voting at a duly called meeting, providing that prior notice of at least 30 days has been given of the proposition(s) to amend.
3. Any member of this Chapter may propose amendments to the Bylaws.
4. Approved amendments to these Bylaws become effective immediately upon their adoption at such time as specified in the amendment.
5. DISTRIBUTION: Copies of changes, additions, amendments, or revision to these Bylaws shall be forwarded to the National Office and to the Area President.
ARTICLE XV – STANDING RULES
This chapter may adopt Standing Rules to provide guidelines and procedures by which the chapter may function and operate.
LIQUIDATION AND DISSOLUTION In the event of dissolution of this Chapter of FRVA by majority vote of the chapter, all of the remaining assets of the Chapter shall be contributed to the purpose(s) for which the Chapter is organized or to a qualified non profit charity or charities.
Effective September10, 2024
ARTICLE I – CHAPTER NAME
The name of this not-for-profit organization shall be the Northern Lights Chapter of the Family Recreational Vehicle Association, Inc., hereinafter referred to as Chapter and FRVA.
ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES
1. PURPOSE: This Chapter exists to promote social, recreational and informational exchange activities that provide for the enjoyment and pleasurable use of “Family Unit” members with RVs.
2. AREA/SCOPE: This Chapter shall be authorized to function in the Great Lakes Area with a mutual interest in and/or location of Michigan & Ontario.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERS
1. To be eligible for and to maintain membership in the Chapter, a person must own at least 1/3 of an FRVA- approved recreational vehicle, be in good standing with FRVA, and meet the dues requirement and provisions set forth in the Bylaws of this Chapter.
2. Membership in this Chapter shall not be denied any person because of race, sex, religion, color, marital or family status, age, nationality, or disability.
3. The term “Family Unit” is defined as a person, his or her spouse or partner, dependents of each,
regardless of age, non-dependent grandchildren and great- grandchildren aged 18 and under.
4. The term “Membership” is defined as either a family unit or an individual or individuals owning a Qualifying Recreational Vehicle who share a membership number.
5. The term “Member” is defined as each adult who, jointly or individually, constitutes a membership. The voting rights of each member are defined in the description of each category.
6. The term “Qualifying Recreational Vehicle” is a self-contained wheeled vehicle that includes permanently
installed cooking, sleeping, and sanitary facilities. The terms recreational vehicle and RV may be used
interchangeably.
7. VOTING AND HOLDING OFFICE: A member must own a qualifying recreational vehicle (RV) or at least 1/3 interest in a qualifying recreational vehicle (RV) in order to vote or hold office in this chapter. Associate members and Pathfinder members do not qualify to vote in chapter issues, including elections.
ARTICLE IV – DUES AND FEES
1. ANNUAL DUES: Annual payment of Chapter and National dues enables persons to become active members and entitled to all rights and privileges of the Chapter and FRVA. The annual dues for membership in the Chapter shall be an amount as the membership shall establish.
2. RENEWAL: Renewal dues from Chapter members become due and payable October 1.
3. INITIAL APPLICATION: Application for new membership shall be accompanied by payment of annual Chapter and National dues (unless already an FRVA member). If an initial application is accepted after September 1, the dues shall be regarded as covering the next membership year.
4. INITIATION FEE: New and reinstated members may be required to pay an initiation fee in an amount to be established by the Chapter membership.
5. ARREARS: Any member whose dues are unpaid for more than three months after becoming due shall be considered delinquent; after April 30th, membership is cancelled.
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS
1. DUTIES: The duties of elected officers shall be as defined in the Family RV Association Policies and Procedures.
2. TERMS OF OFFICE: The elected officers of this Chapter shall serve a one-year term of office, or until their successors are elected.
3. RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS:
a. An individual Family RV Association member may hold either a single office in each of two chapters or two offices in one chapter. A member may hold the office of national director or alternate national director in only one chapter.
b. Individual FRVA members may hold no more than two offices in the same chapter.
c. Any member in good standing may be nominated from the floor for any elective office.
d. Only Full Members, Full Lifetime Members, Life Members, or Honorary Members who have advanced from one of these classes has the right to hold office in this Chapter
e. No official or member shall become vested of any right, title to, or interest in any Chapter property, except as required by law.
ARTICLE VI – EXECUTIVE BOARD
1. The officers of the chapter shall constitute the Executive Board
2. The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the chapter between its business meetings. The Board shall be subject to the orders of the chapter, and none of its acts shall be in conflict with the Chapter or FRVA.
3. As required by the State of Michigan, non-profit corporations must have at least three directors. To meet this requirement, Executive Board members are empowered to serve as the directors of this Chapter.
4. LIABILITY: The Executive Board or a Family RV Association member shall be indemnified in accordance with Family RV Association Bylaws.
5. VACANCIES:
a. A vacancy will be declared to exist in the case of death, resignation, or inability of any officer to serve, or any officer ceases to meet the membership requirements as stated in ARTICLE III, except as authorized by ARTICLE III, 3 (f) of the Family RV Association Bylaws.
b. In the event of a vacancy, permanent or otherwise, in the position of the national director, the alternate national director shall promptly fill the vacancy. If the chapter does not have an alternate national director, the following paragraph applies.
c. In the case of a vacancy in any office other than president, the president with the consent of the Executive Board, will appoint a person to fulfill the duties temporarily until the Nominating Committee can nominate one or more candidates and the chapter can hold an election to fill the office.
ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES
1. APPOINTMENT: Committee members and Chairperson (except Nominating Committee) shall be appointed by the President.
2. DUTIES: All committees shall function within the policies of the Chapter and (except Nominating Committee) under the direction of the President. Financial reports, vouchers, and monies due the Chapter shall be submitted on a timely basis.
3. QUORUM: A Committee quorum shall be a majority.
ARTICLE VIII – CHAPTER ADMISTRATION
1. AUTHORITY: This Chapter shall be democratically self-governed, deriving its existence and authority from the consent of its membership assembled in meeting or, in certain instances, by mail vote on stated procedures.
ARTICLE IX – CHAPTER MEETINGS:
1. TYPES: The term “meeting” shall include coach rallies, campouts, dinner meetings, and any other gatherings suitable to the function of the Chapter.
2. BUSINESS MEETINGS: The Chapter must hold at least one business meeting each membership year, at which a quorum is present. Said meeting must be duly announced in advance to the membership.
3. ANNUAL ELECTION: One of the meetings shall be an Annual Meeting at which an election is held, if required by a one-term option. The voting general membership is to elect Chapter officers, including one President, two Vice Presidents, one Secretary, one Treasurer, one National Director, and one Alternate National director.
4. QUORUM: A quorum for the transaction of business at any duly-called Chapter meeting is 25% of the Chapter family unit membership or 15 family unit members, whichever is less.
5. VOTING: Except as specified elsewhere in these Bylaws, a simple majority vote of members in good standing and voting shall be required to approve or disapprove any matter. The Chapter has established that voting will be one vote per family unity.
6. BALLOTS BY MAIL: Balloting by mail may be undertaken when a proposed matter is judged to be of such importance or urgency that a total membership vote is advisable.
7. PARLIAMENTARY PROCESS: The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern this Chapter’s proceeding to which they are applicable and in which they are consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of FRVA and the Bylaws of this Chapter.
ARTICLE X – MAINTAINING AFFILIATION
This Chapter must maintain a minimum of 15 family unit members. The Chapter Secretary shall furnish to the National Office of FRVA no later than the last week in December a membership list, a list of Chapter officers, and assurance that one business meeting was held.
ARTICLE XI – ANNUAL AUDIT
An annual review of the Chapter’s financial books and records shall be undertaken and reported to the membership.
ARTICLE XII – APPLICATION OF NATIONAL CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS This Chapter accepts and agrees that the Chapter Bylaws shall conform to any mandatory requirements stipulated in the Constitution and Bylaws of FRVA.
ARTICLE XIII –ELECTIONS
1. NOMINATING COMMITTEE COMPOSITION: The Nominating Committee shall consist of not less than three Chapter members in good standing nominated and elected yearly by the Chapter membership. Election of an individual to the Nominating Committee shall not prohibit that person from being nominated for elected office.
2. NOMINATING COMMITTEE DUTIES:
a. To select one of its members as Nominating Committee Chair.
b. To nominate candidates for the Chapter offices of President, Vice President(s), Secretary, Treasurer, National Director, and Alternate National Director for the new year to be presented for voting by the Chapter membership.
c. To obtain clear acceptance of the nominees to serve the Chapter should they be elected.
d. To make certain that nominated candidates are members in good standing and qualified under applicable National and Chapter Bylaws.
e. To nominate candidates to fill vacancies that occur in elected Chapter offices.
ARTICLE XIV – AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
1. MANDATORY AMENDMENTS: National Bylaws amendments applicable to Chapter operations shall be automatically adopted by the Chapter and are not subject to a vote by the Chapter membership.
2. These Bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 affirmative vote of the members present and voting at a duly called meeting, providing that prior notice of at least 30 days has been given of the proposition(s) to amend.
3. Any member of this Chapter may propose amendments to the Bylaws.
4. Approved amendments to these Bylaws become effective immediately upon their adoption at such time as specified in the amendment.
5. DISTRIBUTION: Copies of changes, additions, amendments, or revision to these Bylaws shall be forwarded to the National Office and to the Area President.
ARTICLE XV – STANDING RULES
This chapter may adopt Standing Rules to provide guidelines and procedures by which the chapter may function and operate.
LIQUIDATION AND DISSOLUTION In the event of dissolution of this Chapter of FRVA by majority vote of the chapter, all of the remaining assets of the Chapter shall be contributed to the purpose(s) for which the Chapter is organized or to a qualified non profit charity or charities.
Effective September10, 2024
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