ARTICLE I - CHAPTER NAME 

The name of this not-for-profit organization shall be: The GMC Eastern States Chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association. 

ARTICLE II - OBJECT 

1. PURPOSE: This Chapter exists to promote social, technical, recreational, and informational exchange activities that provide for the enjoyment and pleasurable use of Classic GMC Motorhomes.
    

2. AREA/SCOPE: This Chapter shall be authorized to function in the International Area with mutual interest in all states and provinces east of the Mississippi River.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERS

1. ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for and to maintain membership in the Chapter, a person must own a TZE GMC Motorhome, be in good standing with FMCA, and meet the dues requirement and provisions set forth in the Bylaws of this Chapter.

Membership in this Chapter shall not be denied any person because of race, sex, religion, color, marital or family status, age, nationality, or disability. 

2. DEFINITION: The term “member” as used herein is defined by FMCA as a family unit consisting of a husband and a wife, or adult person(s), with or without children.
    

3. DUES AND FEES:
   1. ANNUAL DUES: Annual payment of Chapter and National dues enables persons to become active members entitled to all rights and privileges of the Chapter and FMCA. The annual dues for membership in the Chapter shall be the amount as the Chapter shall establish.
   2. RENEWAL: Renewal dues from Chapter members become due and payable on December 31^st.
   3. INITIAL APPLICATION: Application for new membership shall be accompanied by payment of annual chapter dues and National dues (unless already an FMCA member) If and initial application is received after October 1^st, the dues shall be regarding as cover 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.
   5. ARREARS: Any member whose dues remain in arrears for more than 30 days shall be considered delinquent; after 60 days membership shall be canceled.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS 

1.      DUTIES OF OFFICERS: The duties of the elected officers shall be as defined in the National Bylaws (FMCA Bylaws Article XVI)

2.      TERMS OF OFFICE: The elected officers of this Chapter shall serve a one year term of office, until their successors are elected, except for National Director and Alternate National Director who must be elected annually.

3.      RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS:
 

A.    An individual FMCA member may hold office(s) in only one chapter.

B.     Individual FMCA members may hold no more than two (2) 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, Life Members, or Honorary Members who have advanced from one of these classes shall have the right to hold office in this Chapter
 

4.    EXECUTIVE BOARD:

A.    The officers of the Chapter shall constitute the Executive Board

B.     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 FMCA.

ARTICLE V - 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 simple majority. 

ARTICLE VI - CHAPTER ADMINISTRATION 

1.             AUTHORITY: This Chapter shall be democratically self-governed, deriving its existence and authority from the consent of the membership assembled in meeting or, in certain circumstances, by mail vote on stated propositions.

2.             ORGANIZATIONAL YEAR: The fiscal and membership year of the Chapter shall commence on January 1 and end on December 31.

3.       CHAPTER MEETINGS:

A. TYPES: The term “meeting” shall include coach rallies, campouts, dinner meetings, and any other gatherings suitable to the function of the Chapter. 

B. BUSINESS MEETINGS: The Chapter must hold at least two (2) business meetings each membership year at which a quorum is present. Said meetings must be at least fourteen days (14) apart and be duly announced in advanced to the membership.

C.    ANNUAL ELECTION: One of the business meetings must be an Annual Meeting at which the general membership is to elect Chapter officers, including a President, three Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a National Director, and an Alternate National Director.

D.    QUORUM: A quorum for the transaction of business at any duly-called Chapter meeting shall consist of twenty-five percent (25%) of the Chapter family unit membership or fifteen (15) family unit members, whichever is less.

E.     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 (1) vote per family unit. Balloting by mail may be undertaken when a proposed matter to be voted is considered by the Board to be of such importance or urgency that a total membership vote is advisable.

F.     PARLIAMENTARY PROCESS: The rules contained in the current edition of ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER NEWLY REVISED EDITION shall govern this Chapter’s proceedings to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of FMCA and the Bylaws of this Chapter. 

4.    MAINTAINING AFFILIATION: This chapter must maintain a minimum of fifteen (15) family unit members. The Chapter Secretary shall furnish to the National Office of FMCA, no later than the last week of December, a membership list, a list of Chapter officers, and an assurance that two (2) business meetings were held.

5.    ANNUAL AUDIT: Annual audit of the Chapter’s financial books and records shall be undertaken and reported to the members.

6.   APPLICATION OF NATIONAL CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS: This Chapter accepts and agrees that the Chapter Bylaws shall conform to any mandatory requirements stipulated in the Bylaws and Constitution of FMCA. 

ARTICLE VII – ELECTIONS 

1.   NOMINATING COMMITTEE COMPOSITION: 

A.     THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE: shall serve for one year and shall consist of five (5) Chapter members in good standing, of which the Chairman will be the most recent Past President, with two (2) members appointed by the Board of Directors and two (2) members nominated and elected by the general membership.

B.     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 nominate candidates for the Chapter Offices of President, Vice President-North, Vice President-Central, Vice President, South, Secretary, Treasurer, National Director, and Alternate National Director for the new year to be presented for voting by the Chapter membership.

B.     To obtain clear acceptance of the nominees to serve the Chapter should they be elected.

C.    To make certain that nominated candidates are members in good standing and qualified under applicable National and Chapter Bylaws.

D.    To nominate candidates to fill vacancies that occur in elected Chapter offices.

ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

1. MANDATORY AMENDMENTS: National Bylaw Amendments applicable to Chapter operations shall be automatically adopted by the Chapter are not subject to a vote by the Chapter membership.
2. AMENDING PROCEDURE: These Bylaws may be amended by a 66% affirmative vote of the members present and voting at a duly called meeting, providing that prior notice of at least thirty (30) days has been given of the proposition(s) to amend. Any member may propose amendments to the Bylaws. Approved amendments to these Bylaws become effective immediately upon their adoption, or at such time as specified in the amendment.
3. DISTRIBUTION: Copies of changes, additions, amendments, or revisions to these Bylaws shall be forwarded to the National Office and to the National Area Vice President.

ARTICLE IX – LIQUIDATION AND DISSOLUTION

In the event of dissolution of this Chapter of FMCA, by a majority vote of the Chapter, all the remaining assets of the Chapter shall be contributed to a qualified non-profit charity or charities. 

Bylaws Adopted December 14, 2002