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GMC EASTERN STATES
A Chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association
BYLAWS OF THE CHAPTER


CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

GMC EASTERN STATES, INC

A Chapter of Family Motor Coach Association, Inc.

ARTICLE I - CHAPTER NAME

The name of this not-for-profit organization shall be: The GMC Eastern States, Inc. a Chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association, Inc. hereinafter referred to as Chapter and FMCA.

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 as a regional group with mutual interest primarily in all states and provinces east of the Mississippi River in accordance with FMCA Bylaws.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERS

1. ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for and to maintain membership in the Chapter, a person must own or be significantly interested in a TZE-based 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:

A. ANNUAL DUES - Annual payment of Chapter and National FMCA dues enables people to become active members and be 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 as set forth.

B. RENEWAL - Renewal dues from Chapter members become due and payable on December 31st.

C. INITIAL APPLICATION - Application for new membership shall be accompanied by payment of annual chapter dues and National dues (unless already an FMCA member). If an initial application is received after October 1st, the dues shall be regarded as covering the next membership year.

D. INITIATION FEE - New and reinstated members may be required to pay an initiation fee in the amount to be established by the Chapter.

E. 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 AND EXECUTIVE BOARD

1. CHAPTER OFFICERS: Chapter Officers shall consist of the President, three Vice Presidents (Rallymaster, Policy and Procedures and/or Technical Awareness), Secretary, Treasurer, National Director, and Alternate National Director. The same person may hold the office of Secretary and Treasurer, but the two offices shall not be combined.

2. DUTIES OF OFFICERS: The duties of the elected officers shall be as defined in the National Bylaws (FMCA Bylaws Article XVI). (Note: This section has been moved to the Standing Rules where it has been expanded.)

2. TERMS OF OFFICE: The elected officers of this Chapter shall serve a one year term of office or until their successors are elected. except for The National Director and Alternate National Director who must be elected annually. The incoming Officers are elected and installed in office at the Fall business meeting. Their one year term commencing thirty (30) days after installation.

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 Chapter Members shall have the right to hold office. in this Chapter.

5. 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. Nominating Committee composition and duties are contained in Article VII, paragraph 1 and 2 of these Bylaws.

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. The operation of the Chapter shall be in accordance with the directions provides in these Bylaws/Standing Rules and the National FMCA Bylaws, Article XVI entitled "Chapters".

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

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 shall be duly announced thirty (30) days in advanced to the membership.

C. ANNUAL ELECTION - One of the business meetings, the Fall meeting, 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.

G. 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.

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

I. 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 - NOMINATING COMMITTEE AND 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 appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Board, with two (2) members appointed by the Executive Board 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, three Vice Presidents, 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. To make certain that nominated candidates are members in good standing and qualified under applicable FMCA and Chapter Bylaws. To nominate candidates to fill vacancies that occur in elected Chapter offices.

3. ELECTIONS:

A. Any member in good standing may be nominated for any office from the floor.

B. All nominees must indicate their clear acceptance to serve if elected.

C. Candidates for office will be elected at the Fall Annual Meeting.

D. Newly elected officers will be installed at the Fall Annual Meeting by the National Director or most recent Past President.

ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

1. MANDATORY AMENDMENTS: National FMCA 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:

A. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds 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.

B. 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 of FMCA and to the National Area Vice President.

4. STANDING RULES: The purpose of the Standing Rules is to further refine the Bylaws. These Rules can be modified by a motion of any member in attendance at a duly called business meeting, with a simple majority vote of family units present.

ARTICLE IX - EXPENDITURES:

1. EXPENDITURE OF CHAPTER FUNDS: Any amount in excess of $5.00 shall be paid by check, with the exception of Rally expenses. Checks may be signed by the President or Treasurer.

2. Rally expenditures shall not exceed the rally budget approved by the President prior to the rally. Any expenditure in excess of the rally budget must be approved by the Executive Board before payment.

3. Expenditures for capital equipment up to $100.00 shall have the approval of the Executive Board.

4. Expenditures for capital equipment in excess of $100.00 shall have prior approval of the Chapter membership.

ARTICLE X - LIQUIDATION AND DISSOLUTION (as amended on May 15, 2009)
In the event of dissolution of this Chapter of FMCA by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at a duly called meeting, provided that prior notice of at least thirty (30) days has been given of the proposal to dissolve the Chapter, all of the remaining assets shall be contributed to organization(s) that are dedicated to the betterment and preservation of the Classic GMC Motorhome as determined by a majority vote of the members present.
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Original Bylaws Adopted December 14, 2002.

GMC EASTERN STATES, INC

A Chapter of Family Motor Coach Association

STANDING RULES

ELIGIBITY: As GMC Eastern States is a chapter of FMCA, paid up membership in Family Motor Coach Association is a prerequisite for membership in this chapter as is a high level of interest in the TZE-based GMC motorhome.

1. Geographic Area: GMC Eastern States has selected as its territorial responsibility all States and Provinces East of the Mississippi River; however membership is open to all GMC owners who meet eligibility as described above in Article III of the Chapter Bylaws.

2. Rally Frequency: Official Chapter Rallies shall be held a minimum of twice per year, once in the Spring and once in the Fall. The Fall Rally will be designated the Annual Meeting. Members, for special events as appropriate, can arrange more frequent area rallies.

3. Annual Dues: Will be set at $25.00 per year to cover the general expenses of the Chapter and the cost of the newsletter (to be published four times per year). A new member making application after October 1 will be considered to be a member for the next calendar year.

4. Initiation Fee: An initiation fee of $25.00 will be required for new members in order to cover name tag expense and other miscellaneous administrative expenses associated with first time membership.

5. Membership Classes: Regular Family membership requires the ownership of a TZE GMC motorhome or be a GMC enthusiast. Family Associate membership is reserved for former members who do not currently own or have a significant interest in a TZE GMC motorhome but wish to remain in company with the Chapter. Family Associate Members must remain in good standing with FMCA to maintain membership in the Chapter. and will have no vote on Chapter matters, cannot hold elected Chapter offices, and shall pay dues at the same rate as regular members.

6. Guest: Visitors are always welcome at Rallies. Non-members owners of motor homes based on the GMC TZE chassis are invited to attend Chapter Rallies as guests providing they are members in good standing with FMCA. Otherwise they Guests are limited to attending one rally per year. Editors of GMC Club Newsletters may receive a complimentary copy of our newsletter upon request.
7. Vendors: Vendors who pay the same fees as other attendees will be provided space at Chapter Rallies. Vendors are required to carry some form of liability insurance for the protection of themselves as well as coach owners.

8. Wagonmaster(s): Members who act as host/co-host for GMCES rallies will be exempt from rally fees for that rally.

9. Shipping/Storing Rally Equipment: At the end of each Rally, the Rallymaster shall seek a volunteer to transport, securely store, and return to the next Rally, the equipment and supplies used at that Rally. The volunteer shall be paid a sum of $200.00 for this service upon delivery at the Rally.

10. DUTIES OF OFFICERS: The duties (responsibilities) of the elected officers shall not conflict with the National FMCA Bylaws. They will, otherwise, be as follows.

PRESIDENT - Presides at all business meetings of the Chapter and Executive Board meetings. The President shall appoint all committee chairpersons except the Nominating Committee which shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Board. The President shall coordinate communication with the other officers on a regular basis so they may be aware of all aspects of the Club’s business.

VICE PRESIDENT - One of the three Vice Presidents will assume the duties of the President in his absence or when requested to do so by the President.

VICE PRESIDENT - RALLYMASTER - Shall be responsible for approving rally sites and choosing dates of the rallies.The Rallymaster shall appoint a Wagonmaster/Host for each rally who shall have complete charge of that rally including all activity, scheduling and procedures. The Wagonmaster shall work under the guidelines set out by the Rallymaster and approved by the Executive Board. The Membership shall be responsible to pay any charges committed to in advance. It shall be the duty of the Wagonmaster to submit an attendance roster and financial report to the Secretary/Treasurer and Rallymaster within a reasonable length of time after the rally and not exceeding sixty (60) days.

VICE PRESIDENT - POLICY AND PROCEDURES - Shall be responsible for reviewing and maintaining the Chapter Bylaws/Standing Rules to ensure compliance in the conducting of Chapter operations. This Vice President shall also ensure the Chapter complies with all sections of Article XVI of the most current FMCA Bylaws. This officer shall perform the function of Parliamentarian at all Chapter Business meetings to ensure the proceedings are in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.

VICE PRESIDENT - TECHNICAL PROGRAMS - Shall be responsible to identify and schedule appropriate subjects/presenters for the Chapter rallies. The Technical Program Vice President shall by responsible for the coordinating the origination, generation, and presentation of all Technical Programs conducted by the Chapter, both in seminars and online, serving as coordinator and advisor to the presentors.

SECRETARY - Shall maintain the official Chapter membership roll, record minutes of meetings, provide copies of the minutes to the other Officers, and handle Chapter correspondence as necessary. By the last week of December, shall send to FMCA a list of active members and assurance that a minimum of one (1) meeting was held. The Secretary shall provide all new members (or current members upon request) with an up-to-date membership list, a copy of current Bylaws/Standing Rules and a rally schedule.

TREASURER - Receives and deposits all monies, pays all bills as approved and instructed, maintains normal, adequate and up-to-date financial records, and submits a semi-annual financial statement to both the President and the Secretary prior to the Chapter meetings. In addition, submits a full year report for publication in the newsletter and any other reports requested by the President.  Submits to the Secretary an up-to-date list of Chapter members and new applicants whose dues are current.

NATIONAL DIRECTOR - Shall be the liaison between the Chapter and FMCA. Votes on the Chapter's behalf at FMCA meetings and reports any pertinent information from FMCA to the Chapter.

ALTERNATE NATIONAL DIRECTOR - Performs the duties of the National Director in his/her absence.