CLUB RULES
Fire and Iron – Station 28
Bylaws
MEMBERSHIP
Fire and Iron MC is not, and never will be, a
“1%” club. We are, and will remain, a neutral Motorcycle Club.
a) No member shall
be discriminated on basis of race, sex or creed. No current or past member
of any 1% club will be allowed to join Fire and Iron. Any Applicant for
membership must be at least 21 years of age.
b) Primary
membership of the club shall be made up of those people who are Firefighters
and Fire Department support services personnel (i.e. dispatchers, EMS
Personnel, vehicle maintenance, etc), and Military Firefighters. This shall
and will include those members who are paid, volunteer and retired.
Verification of employment is required of all
Primary member-applicants (military firefighters
should submit a copy of their DD-214 with their application).
c) Union membership
is not mandatory.
d) All member's passengers will be able to join the club. (i.e. spouse or significant other).
e) Any
Primary Member can sponsor
1 non-Fire Department applicant to join club, (i.e. family members or
friends). Sponsored
Members (i.e. non-Fire Department Members) cannot sponsor anybody. Should a
Primary Member leave
the club, their Sponsored
Member must also leave, or find a new Sponsor.
f) All makes and
models of motorcycles will be accepted into club, however member motorcycles
must be at least 600cc's or greater. All Members must OWN a
motorcycle (spouses/passengers are excepted).
g)
Lifetime Membership shall only be granted to those members who have passed
away.
h)
All new members will be required to pay a one-time fee (currently set at
$70), which will include their first year’s membership dues.
i)
New members, upon acceptance of their application and initial fee, will be
considered as “probationary” members for a period of ONE (1) YEAR. Until
they have attended three (3) consecutive meetings, and attended any
station events, the new member will be authorized to wear the Station
“rocker” only. If a probationary member should miss a meeting during the
three-month period, they will be required to begin the three-month period
again. At the successful completion of the three-month period, the new
member will be awarded his/her club “colors”. They shall remain a
“Probationary” member until their 1st anniversary with the club.
2. DUES
a) All members in
good standing will be required to pay annual dues. The annual dues shall be
payable at the start of each calendar year. Any member who has not paid
their annual dues by May 1st of that year shall be assessed an
additional late fee of $10.00. Any lapsed member wishing to renew after 1
July will be required to pay the $70.00 new member fee, or be dropped from
the membership roster, and shall be required to turn in their club colors to
the President. Extenuating financial circumstances should be brought to the
attention of the President, for review by the executive board for
consideration.
b) Dues are
currently set at $20 a year. Dues may be subject to change via a majority
vote of those current members in good standing. Dues will be used to promote
activities and/or purchase equipment and supplies for the Station.
c) Dues give each
current member voting rights in the Station and a voice in the Station's
direction.
3. THE CLUB PATCH
(“COLORS”)
a) The Club patch
design / logo belongs to Fire & Iron, M.C., Chapter 1, Central Florida
Region.
b) The Club patch
(“Colors”) will be worn with honor and pride. Never leave the colors
unattended. The colors should never touch the ground, unless a member is
wearing them.
c) Reasons for a
member to lose his or her colors and membership in club are: non-payment of
dues, bringing shame and dishonor to club, actions of a member by which a
2/3rd's majority vote of the membership feels that are not in keeping with
the Club's sprit or intent, or a felony conviction.
d) Only members in
good standing will be allowed to wear the Club Colors. If, for any reason, a
member should leave or be removed from the Club, that member will be
required turn in their colors to the Station President, on demand.
e)
Temporary suspension of a member for “conduct unbecoming” may be imposed by
the president. The timeframe of said suspension shall be determined by the
executive board.
4. GENERAL INFORMATION
a) Meetings will
normally be held on the second Sunday of every month. The Station will
strive to have at least one ride a month during the riding season. All
members are encouraged to suggest a ride day or destination/route to the
Station’s Road Captains.
b) All members are
encouraged to do at least 3 rides per year and 1 charity event, (due
to conflicting F.D. schedules this is not a mandatory requirement).
c) The following of
safe riding practices are strongly encouraged, and members not adhering to
the "accepted" rules-of-the-road will not be tolerated!
d) Personal
conflicts or fighting within the "ranks" reflect poorly on the membership
and will not be tolerated. Any disagreements will be brought before the
membership for settlement.
e) Membership in
other groups is allowed i.e. H.O.G. or CMA. Again, no past/present members
of ANY 1% club shall be allowed within the ranks of Fire and Iron.
f) Colors will be
worn at all public Club events i.e. parades, charity events, meetings, and
official rides.
g) Your rank or
position within the Fire Department does not carry over into Club or hold
sway over any Club activities. What happens in the Club stays in the Club.
h) Those people
associated with the law enforcement community will not be allowed to join
club unless they are a sponsored member as outlined in Section 1., paragraph
d or e, or they hold dual-employment (i.e. Police and Fire, or Police and
EMT/Medic).
5. GENERAL NOTICE TO
MEMBERS
a) Any of the above
listed rules are subject to change with 2/3rds majority vote of the current,
active membership and/or by the Station President and Officers of the
Club. You will be informed of any changes.
6. OFFICERS AND
ELECTIONS
Station Officers
President:
The duties of the president are as follows:
Preside over meetings and the Station as a whole.
Judge items not covered in the constitution or in the rules/regulations that
are under local control.
Act as the personal representative of their Station and the club.
Represent their station in any club business contacts.
Promote enjoyable club life among members in general.
Hold the right to spend club funds for club activities, materials, supplies,
etc, with a $100 limit. Accountability via receipts for any and all
expenditures is required.
Vice President:
The duties of the Vice President are to assume the responsibilities of the
Presidency when the President is unable to do so.
Secretary:
The duties of the Secretary are as follows:
Record and safeguard the minutes of the station meetings.
Maintain the Station bylaws, recording any additions, deletions, or
modifications.
Handle any station correspondence from the president/officers to the
membership, or from the station to people/organizations outside the club.
Treasurer:
(May be combined with Secretary)
The duties of the Treasurer are as follows:
Monitor and record the stations income and expenditures.
Collect the dues owed by the members.
Hold the right to spend club funds for club activities, materials, supplies,
etc, with a $100 limit. Accountability via receipts for any and all
expenditures is required.
Sergeant at Arms:
The duties of the Sergeant at Arms are as follows:
Maintain order at station meetings in particular, and station activities in
general.
Ensure that members adhere to station rulings, policies, and expected models
of conduct when dealing with other members or outsiders.
Defend station members, property, or territory from outside threats.
Road Captains:
The duties of the Road Captain are as follows:
Plan the travel routes and organize the basic itinerary for the station
prior to going on a ride.
Lead or trail the club in formation while riding.
Enforce station rules
and procedures for group riding.
Elections:
Nominations of
candidates for ALL elected officer positions shall be made during the
January and February meetings each year. Election of Officers shall be held
during the new business portion of the March meeting each year. The voting
for each elected position shall be made by the members in attendance. Votes
shall be made by secret ballot, to be collected and counted by the
Secretary, and verified by the Sgt-at-Arms. The Secretary shall then
announce the winners of the election, and record the names and positions. In
the event of a tie, a separate “run-off” tie-breaker vote shall be held for
just the position in question. If the tie cannot be broken by vote, the
position will be awarded to the member with the most seniority (time
in-club), by the President. Candidates who accept the position they ran for
must understand that they must assume the responsibilities of that position.
It’s not just a title and an extra nametag for one’s vest. Be willing to DO
the job, or don’t TAKE the job.
7. STATION MEETINGS
FORMAT
All meetings shall
utilize the following format (Roberts’ Rules of Parliamentary Procedure):
President calls the
meeting to order.
Secretary records the
number of members in attendance.
Secretary reads the
minutes of the last monthly meeting. Motion to accept, second, and vote.
Treasurer reads the
Treasurer’s Report. Motion to accept, second, and vote.
President calls for
any old business to be discussed. Discuss and vote as necessary.
10 Minute break.
President calls the
meeting back to order.
President calls for
any prospective members present to identify and introduce themselves.
Secretary records names.
President calls for
new business to be discussed. Discuss and vote as necessary.
President calls for
adjournment. Motion to accept, second, and vote.
Guidelines for Courtesy during Meetings
During any club meeting, please respect your fellow members in attendance.
Refrain from holding
side-conversations while the meeting is being held. Pay attention to the
topic at-hand and to who has the floor. If you have something ON-TOPIC to
say, please raise your hand, and wait to be recognized by the President.
Your opinion is always valued, but not at the expense of disrupting the
order of the meeting.
If you feel the
need to buy a drink or food, etc, please do so before the meeting is called
to order, or wait until the 10 minute break after old business is concluded.
Do not start taking orders for drinks from
other members while the meeting is in-session.
If the Sgt-at-Arms (or
any club officer, should the Sgt-at-Arms be absent) asks you to stop doing
something disruptive during the meeting, please comply immediately. If you
find that you simply can’t control yourself, please go home, out of respect
to the other members who are trying to pay attention to what’s being said by
the speaker at-hand.
Fire and Iron
Would like you to take a moment to read and heed the following
Rules of the road
1.) Ride in a Precise Formation as road conditions permit
.2.) Execute Signs and Turns Properly
3.) Do Not Fool Around (horse play) when riding with the group. Any member observing another member fooling around when in formation should discuss it with that member and the Road Captain or one of his Assistants.
4.) The Road Captain shall have the unchallenged right to terminate a members participation in a given ride or event for the clubs safety or image. Upon request of the Road Captain, President may suspend the member pending the lodging of official charges against the member.
5.) Riding Positions :
a.) While on any run, the Road Captain or his assistant will ride in front. The President may ride alongside or just behind the Captain depending on the formation in use. In the absence of the Road Captain and the assistants, whomever the Captain appoints will ride point.
b.) The assistant Road Captain will ride at the rear unless otherwise decided by the Captain. The assistant Captain will be responsible for holding a lane open while making a lane change. He will also assist any member who may break down or fall behind. The Captains will operate as a team and watch for problems within the group. Watching for all signals and seeing the need for changes are major parts of the assistant road Captain's job.
c.) Line up for a ride as follows: Road Captain, President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, full color wearing members, followed by the Sgt. at Arms, then by prospective members, non-members and bringing up the rear the two Safety Officers and the assistant Road Captain. Once you are in position keep it for the remainder of the ride.
d.) The Road Captain will give instructions to all riders prior to the start of a ride. This will include, if known, the name, address, and phone number of the destination. When you arrive at the destination point check in with the Road Captain.
e.) Each member shall make it his business to know the route to be taken.
6.) Use Common Sense At All Times :
a.) Anticipate your next move and those of the group. Maintain "situational awareness" (in other words, be aware of what's going on around you!)
b.) We are all aware of the proper safety procedures and the need for them. Let us exercise caution at all times and obey all traffic regulations.
c.) The Road Captain will occasionally point a control to you. i.e. speed up, block an intersection. We all must help to make our road trips safe for everyone.
The rear Road Captain(s) will help the group by getting out into the lane following the forward Captain's signal. By doing this he will help secure the chance to execute the maneuver freely and safely. Stay in position during any lane change or direction maneuver.
7.) Leaving the Group
If stopping, let your intentions be known to the Road Captain or his assistants. The convoy will be pulled into the nearest and safest rest area and the Captains and/or members he designates will return to the stopped rider. After ascertaining the problem, the Captain will then decide to get the group on its way as soon as possible and make arrangements to have the stopped rider and his bike taken care of.
8) Get to know your machine's cruising capacity with regard to gas. Running out of gas or making gas stops with large groups is time consuming. Therefore everyone will arrive for the rides with a full tank of gas and will top off their tank at every gas stop, no matter how small the amount. This will avoid staggered gas stops and possibly save time.
9.) Bike Maintenance Maintain it carefully, this is considered a must. Because if one fails to check for loose wires, shorts, dead batteries, worn tires, or worn chains/belts, this could take away from the pleasure of the club ride. Bike maintenance will be the responsibility of each member. Bring necessary tools and parts for your machine.
10.) Wearing Apparel It is strongly urged that on club rides each member wear his club colors. He should also wear the proper clothing when riding.
Strict adherence to these guidelines will provide for a long, successful and safe riding season.