Defenders Motorcycle Club, Inc.
By-laws Revised 11-9-09
ARTICLE 1:
NAME
The name of this
organization shall be “Defenders Motorcycle Club, Inc.”,
aka “Defenders MC”, “Defenders Motorcycle Club”, or “DMC”.
The Defenders Motorcycle Club, Inc. is a “Not for
Profit” corporation by the laws of the State of Florida,
Florida State Statutes Chapter 617.
ARTICLE 2:
PHILOSOPHY/HISTORY
The Defenders Motorcycle
Club, Inc. (DMC) was founded in June 2004 as an
independent, non-profit, male social club. It was
established to provide the opportunity for increased
camaraderie between current and retired law enforcement
officers, military personnel, emergency services
personnel and select citizenry, who enjoy riding
motorcycles and attending motorcycling related events.
The DMC and Chapter rides and events are intended to
promote safe activities that will appeal to the
membership as a whole. Any member may suggest ideas for
rides or events. The Defenders Motorcycle Club, Inc. is
one club, with chapters in various locations. All
chapters shall be governed by and subject to the
authority of the National Executive Board.
ARTICLE 3:
MEMBERSHIP
Active Members:
Membership in the DMC is open to all male active and
retired law enforcement officers, military personnel,
emergency services personnel, and select citizenry who
have been sponsored by an active member in good
standing. All active members will be required to comply
with these By-Laws and all future amendments.
Membership of each
Defenders Chapter must be maintained as a majority of
Law Enforcement Officers, Public Safety Professionals,
and Military as compared to its civilian membership; of
this ratio each chapter will maintain a minimum
membership of 70% Law Enforcement Officers. The chapter
executive board will be responsible for maintaining this
ratio of membership. The National Executive Board will
ensure all chapters comply with this provision.
Law Enforcement Officer
status will be defined as:
a) Any active or
retired Federal, State, County, City, certified Law
Enforcement Officer who meets eligibility requirements
of H.R. 218.
b)
Active or
retired Military Law Enforcement Officer as defined by
DD-214.
c)
Active or
retired Federal, State, County or City certified
corrections officer.
Associate Members:
Associate membership by females is permitted, but shall
be limited to the female spouse or “significant other”
(girlfriend) of an active member in good standing. All
associate members will be required to comply with these
By-Laws and all future amendments. Upon the termination
of a relationship, a male patched member will be
responsible for collecting the patches from his
wife/girlfriend/significant other that he sponsored as
an associate member. That (former) associate member may
not be sponsored again by another patched member.
ARTICLE 4:
REQUIREMENTS FOR
MEMBERSHIP
Applicants for Active
membership in the DMC must be an active or retired male
law enforcement officer, military serviceman, member of
an emergency services profession, or a select member of
the citizenry who possess the highest moral and ethical
values, uncompromised integrity and character. All
prospects for membership must be sponsored by an active
member in good standing.
Applicants for Associate
Membership in the DMC must be the female wife or
“significant other” (girlfriend) of an active member in
good standing, and must also possess the highest moral
and ethical values, uncompromised integrity and
character. Active members shall be responsible for the
associate member under their sponsorship. Associate
members shall only be permitted to wear DMC patches or
insignia in the presence of their sponsoring active
member or other patched DMC members.
All active and
prospective members must own and ride an American made,
or cruiser style motorcycle. The DMC shall employ the
philosophy of judging members by who they are, not what
they ride. Other types and styles of motorcycles shall
be evaluated by the National Executive Board on a
case-by-case basis. A male patched member must own a
motorcycle. Should the member experience the loss of his
motorcycle by theft, financial troubles or vehicle
accident, the member will have a six (6) month period to
repair or replace the motorcycle. Extensions may be
requested by the member and such request for extension
will be reviewed for approval or denial by the National
Executive Board, on a case-by-case basis.
All active and associate
members who drive motorcycles must possess a valid
driver’s license with motorcycle endorsement and must
comply with all the laws of their State regarding
driver’s licensing, vehicle registration, and insurance
requirements.
All members will pay
yearly dues and any other assessments the DMC deems
necessary for the good of the Club, the Chapter, and the
Organization as a whole. The Chapter Executive Board
will decide on dues and assessments. Dues and
assessments are NOT REFUNDABLE!
There are NO MANDATORY
RIDES! All members are encouraged to attend as many
rides, meetings, and events as possible.
In order to maintain
continued membership in the DMC, each member must attend
a minimum of three (3) meetings per year and keep
current with monthly dues. Monthly participation in
rides, meetings, and events is strongly encouraged.
Members are expressly
prohibited from maintaining membership in ABATE or any
other motorcycle club other than the DMC. This
provision does not include motorcycle benefit
organizations such as, A.M.A., H.O.G., or other similar
motorcycle benefit organizations. The National
Executive Board reserves the right to exclude any member
from maintaining membership in any organization deem
unacceptable or whose objectives and philosophies are
contrary to the objectives of the DMC.
Members of the citizenry
who are nominated for membership must have a recognized
and established history of active support for the
criminal justice professions and/or for the Defenders
MC.
ARTICLE 5:
DMC INSIGNIA
The name “Defenders
Motorcycle Club, Inc.” (See Article #1 above) and its
patches, colors, and insignia are the sole property of
the Defenders Motorcycle Club, Inc. Unauthorized use or
reproduction without express written consent of the
Defenders Motorcycle Club, Inc. is strictly prohibited.
Members will wear the
DMC patches on a black leather vest or jacket only.
Active Member patches on
the REAR of the vest will be worn in the following
order:
Defenders Top Rocker
Defenders Patch (Leo)
Center
LE Patch will be
displayed to the lower left of Leo
MC Patch will be
displayed to the lower right of Leo
Bottom Rocker State
No other patches or
insignia will be displayed on the rear of the vest.
Associate Member patches
on the REAR of the vest will be worn in the following
order:
Defenders Top Rocker
Defenders Patch (Leo)
Center
Lady’s Rocker
No other patches or
insignia will be displayed on the rear of the vest.
Patches on the FRONT of
the vest will be worn in the following order:
Left Front - American
Flag
Left Front – 1* Patch
Left Front - Life Member
Patch under the 1* Patch
Right Front - Nickname
Patch
Right Front – Officer
Patch
Right Front - Founding
Member Patch
Right Front – Chapter
Patch
Other patches, pins, and
insignia may be worn on either side of the front of the
vest below the Level of the America Flag.
All existing patches and
positions on the vest will remain the same as above.
Unacceptable patches,
pins, or insignia:
No patches, pins, or
insignia may be worn that depicts profanity, vulgarity,
language intended to offend, sexual language,
pornographic images, nudity, or sexual intercourse of
any kind. The Indicia displayed on the vest should
represent pride in yourself, your family, your
community, your country, your occupation, and your
brotherhood.
Any violation not
immediately rectified will be subject to disciplinary
action by the Chapter or National Executive Board.
ARTICLE 6:
NEW/PROSPECTIVE
MEMBERS
Prospects must be
sponsored by an active member in good standing.
Prospects who have been invited to apply for membership
will be placed on probation for a period of not less
than ninety (90) days. The patch and initiation fees
will accompany any prospective member's application.
During the probationary period, the probationary member
will not have voting privileges." During the
probationary period, the probationary member must wear
the “Probate” patch in the place of the Center Patch
(LEO).
Probationary members
may not sponsor an associate member. A probationary
member may be awarded their full patch and membership in
the DMC after completion of at least 90 days
probationary membership and a unanimous vote by the
chapter executive board and a majority vote by the
chapter membership in good standing. A Probationary
member who has been terminated from their qualifying
agency, or a military member who has been dishonorably
discharged or has been discharged for questionable
behavior, will not be considered for membership.
All patches remain the
property of the Defenders Motorcycle Club and will be
returned to the DMC after membership is expired by
dismissal or resignation. Thereafter, the member will
have no right, title, interest or claim in any asset of
the DMC or any rights to any refund of any dues, fees,
or contributions the member has made to the DMC.
Upon the return of a
members patches due to dismissal, resignation, or
retirement; all associate member patches issued under
the control of that member must also be returned.
Any member who maintains
active membership for a period of no less than seven (7)
consecutive years shall be deemed a Life Member. Life
membership shall entitle a member in good standing to
retain the DMC patches in the event of resignation from
the DMC in good standing. Life Members will be exempt
from dues and assessments.
All “Founding Members”
may elect to count their previous club affiliation time
in calculating Life Member status at the time of
application.
Fee Schedule to the
National Board:
National dues of $10.00
per Chapter member will be due bi-annually (January and
July).
Application and
Membership fees will be set by the National Executive
board and are subject to change. The individual Chapter
Executive Board shall set chapter membership dues.
ARTICLE 7:
EXECUTIVE BOARD and ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
National Executive
Board:
The Defenders Motorcycle
Club, Inc, hereafter named the National Executive Board,
will preside over all DMC chapters. The National
Executive Board shall consist of the following Executive
Officers: President, Vice-President, Commander, Major,
Secretary, Treasurer and Lt at Arms.
Members who are eligible
to serve on the National Executive Board shall consist
of Founding Members, Life Members, or members with prior
chapter executive board service.
Starting in 2012,
National Executive Board officers will serve a four year
term of office with no term limits. The first such
election for this four year term will take place in
October 2011. The offices to be elected will be
President, Commander, Secretary and Lt. @ Arms. The
newly elected officers will take effect January 1st,
the following year.
The second such election
will take place in October 2013. The offices to be voted
on will be Vice President, Treasurer, and Major. The
newly elected officers will take effect January 1st,
the following year.
Subsequent elections
will follow every two years with the same schedule as
dictated above, October election followed by January
effective date.
An executive board
officer’s term may be altered by death, resignation, or
removal for just cause for actions contrary to the
philosophy and objectives of the DMC. Said removal
shall be by a vote of the National Executive Board and
all chapter presidents. National Executive Board
members will be elected by a vote of the entire club
membership.
The National President
must be an active or retired Law Enforcement Officer.
Three of the six
remaining National Board Members must also be active or
retired Law Enforcement Officers.
The National Lieutenant
at Arm must be an Active Law Enforcement Officer with
powers of arrest.
The National Executive
Board shall have the ultimate authority over all
chapters and in all club decisions, but will work to
fulfill the requests and demands of each Chapter and the
membership as a whole, when at all possible.
The National Executive
Board shall be responsible for voting on issues relating
Club business. Open voting by both the chapter members
or club membership shall occur as deemed appropriate and
necessary. The National Executive Board has the
ultimate authority over all chapters and all members.
The National Executive
Board will have the power and authority to issue chapter
charters. The National Executive Board will have the
authority to collect charter fees as deemed necessary to
efficiently operate the club.
The National Executive
Board owns the trademark of the DMC patches and shall
possess the authority to issue DMC patches to members.
All DMC patches are the property of the National
Executive Board and may be recalled for just cause per
Article #9. Patch fees are not refundable.
All matters concerning
organizational, operational, or procedural aspects of
the management of the chapters and the Club shall be
directed to the National Executive Board for appropriate
direction and action as necessary.
President - National
The National President
is the Chief Executive Officer of the Club and the
Chairman of the National Executive board. The President
has the power and authority to run the club as deemed
necessary for the good of the organization. The
President will consider the input and suggestions of the
National Executive Board and the Chapter Executive
Boards when making decisions that affect the Club. The
National President (or his designee) shall preside at
all National Executive meetings and sign contracts and
other documents as necessary. The National President
shall perform other duties as required and necessary.
Vice-President -
National
The National
Vice-President (VP) is the second in command of the
organization and shall assume all duties and
responsibilities of the national President in his
absence. The National VP shall act as an intermediary
between the chapter executive boards and the National
President. The VP is responsible for coordinating the
recruitment of prospective chapters and the orientation
and development of new chapters. The VP may assign
duties to chapter executive board members as necessary
to aid in the completion of these (and other) tasks. The
VP will execute all other assignments as directed by the
National President.
Major - National
The National Major shall
direct and supervise the responsibilities of the Chapter
Majors. The National Major shall coordinate
inter-chapter events and oversee development and
coordination of road rules for all chapters. The Major
will execute all other assignments as directed by the
National President or his designee.
Commander – National
The National Commander
shall direct and supervise the responsibilities of the
Chapter Commanders. The National Commander will
coordinate all club security and ensure that safety
measures are in place for protection of chapters and
club members. The National Commander will handle
liaison duties between the DMC and other organizations.
The Commander will execute all other assignments as
directed by the National President or his designee.
Secretary-National
The National Secretary
shall be responsible for making and keeping all records
as directed by the National President. The National
Secretary shall record and maintain minutes of all
National Executive Board meetings. The National
Secretary shall create and submit any reports as
required or directed. The National Secretary shall
maintain the Official registrar of all Chapters and all
Club members. The National Secretary shall prepare and
submit all correspondence to chapters, club members and
other persons and organizations outside the Club. The
National Secretary will execute all other assignments as
directed by the National President or his designee.
Treasurer - National
The National Treasurer
shall maintain an up-to-date accurate ledger of all
National Executive Board Finances to include all income,
expenses, assets and debts. The National Treasurer
shall maintain all Club financial documents, papers, and
records. The National Treasurer shall prepare the
monthly and annual financial reports. The National
Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of all
monies to include dues, fees, assessments, or any and
all payments due to the Club. The National Treasurer
shall be responsible for the payment of all bills and
expenses. The National Treasurer shall be responsible
for the completion and submission of all official
financial documents such as tax returns, reports, etc.
The National Treasurer will execute all other
assignments as directed by the National President or his
designee.
Lieutenant at Arms -
National
The National Lieutenant
at Arms shall ensure that all By-Laws are followed and
all orders and directives of the National President and
the National Executive Board are carried out as
intended. The Lieutenant at Arms shall maintain strict
compliance with these articles and orders by the
chapters. The Lieutenant at Arms shall maintain order
and dignity during all National Executive Board
meetings. The Lieutenant at Arms shall be responsible
for enforcing club discipline as directed by the
National President or National Executive Board, ensuring
the payment of all fees and assessments as required by
the Club, and for securing patches, colors and all Club
property from chapters, members or associates who
retire, resign, or who are expelled from the Club for
just cause. The Lieutenant at Arms shall continually
maintain an awareness of real or perceived threats or
safety issues affecting the Club and it members and
immediately report said threat or safety issue to the
National Executive Board.
The Lieutenant at Arms
is required to be an active certified law enforcement
officer with powers of arrest. The Lieutenant at Arms
will execute all other assignments as directed by the
President or his designee.
National Quartermaster:
The National
Quartermaster shall maintain a record of all merchandise
or regalia from all club chapters relating to the club
name as well as it's logo(s) and or mottos. The
National Quartermaster will review new potential club
merchandise or regalia for the club store and has
authority to approve such items on behalf of the
National Executive Board.
The National
Quartermaster shall keep and provide invoices of all
funds expended by the National executive Board.
The National
Quartermaster will obtain approval from the National
Treasurer or President or Vice President prior to
expending funds on behalf of the National Executive
Board, or advancing funds on their behalf. The National
Quartermaster shall research new sources and venders for
existing and new merchandise as well as negotiate prices
with suppliers. The National Quartermaster will be a
contact for the chapter quartermasters and will render
assistance whenever possible regarding club merchandise
or regalia. The National Quartermaster will maintain
records and information pertaining to the club's on-line
store. The National Quartermaster shall also be aware
of License and Trademark agreements and keep copies of
signed agreements. The National Quartermaster will not
have voting privileges.
Chapter Executive
Board:
The Chapter President
must be an active or retired Law Enforcement Officer.
Each Chapter of the DMC
will elect a Chapter Executive Board for a term of two
(2) years (no term limit). Any none probationary, fully
patched, active members shall be eligible for service on
the Chapter Executive Board. Voting will be in
accordance with state statute guidelines. The Chapter
Executive Board shall consist of the following Executive
Officers: President, Vice-President, Commander, Major,
Secretary, and Treasurer, & Lt at Arms.
The Chapter Executive
Board shall be responsible for voting on individual
chapter issues. Open voting by the chapter members shall
occur as deemed appropriate and necessary.
The Chapter Executive
Board shall have the authority to govern the chapter and
the chapter members. The Chapter Executive Board will
work to fulfill the requests of the chapter membership
as a whole, when at all possible.
President - Chapter
The Chapter President is
the Chief Executive Officer of the Chapter and chairman
of the chapter Executive Board. The President has the
power and authority to run the club as deemed necessary
for the good of the Chapter. The President will
consider the input and suggestions of the Chapter
Executive Board when making decisions that affect the
Chapter. The Chapter President (or his designee) shall
preside at all Chapter Executive meetings and sign
contracts and other documents as necessary. The Chapter
President shall perform other duties as required and
necessary, as approved by the National Board.
Vice-President -
Chapter
The Chapter
Vice-President (VP) is the second in command of the
Chapter and shall assume all duties and responsibilities
of the Chapter President in his absence. The Chapter VP
shall act as an intermediary between the chapter
executive board and the Chapter President. The VP is
responsible for coordinating the recruitment of
prospective members. The VP may assign duties to
chapter executive board members as necessary to aid in
the completion of these (and other) tasks. The VP will
execute all other assignments as directed by the Chapter
President.
Major - Chapter
The Chapter Major shall
direct and supervise the responsibilities of the Road
Captains and Road Guards. The Major will ensure that
all rides and events are properly planned, organized,
routed, and executed in a safe and responsible manner.
The Major shall coordinate with the VP and the Commander
to ensure that events and rides have adequate security
to protect the club, its members and guests. The Major
will execute all other assignments as directed by the
Chapter President or his designee.
Commander – Chapter
The Commander shall
direct and supervise the responsibilities of the
Sergeant-At-Arms. The Commander will coordinate with
the VP and the Major to ensure that all rides and events
have adequate security and safety measures in place for
protection of members and guests. The Commander will
execute all other assignments as directed by the
President or his designee.
Secretary – Chapter
The Chapter Secretary
shall be responsible for making and keeping all records
as directed by the Chapter President. The Chapter
Secretary shall record and maintain minutes of all
Chapter meetings and send them to the National
Secretary. The Chapter Secretary shall create and
submit any reports as required or directed. The Chapter
Secretary shall maintain the Official registrar of the
chapter and all Club members. The Chapter Secretary
shall conduct a roll call of members at all meetings.
The Secretary shall prepare and submit all
correspondence to club members and other persons and
organizations outside the Club. The Chapter Secretary
shall submit all roster changes and meeting minutes to
the National Executive Board Secretary on a monthly
basis. The Secretary will execute all other assignments
as directed by the Chapter President or his designee.
Treasurer - Chapter
The Chapter Treasurer
shall maintain an up-to-date accurate ledger of all
Chapter Executive Board Finances to include all income,
expenses, assets and debts. The Chapter Treasurer shall
maintain all Club financial documents, papers, and
records. The Chapter Treasurer shall prepare the
monthly and annual financial report. The Chapter
Treasurer will submit a quarterly financial report to
the National Treasurer. The Chapter Treasurer shall be
responsible for the collection of all monies to include
dues, fees, assessments, or any and all payments due to
the Chapter. The Chapter Treasurer shall be responsible
for the payment of all bills and expenses including
Chapter Charter Fees to the National Executive Board on
a quarterly basis. The Chapter Treasurer shall be
responsible for the completion and submission of all
official financial documents such as tax returns,
reports, etc. The Chapter Treasurer will execute all
other assignments as directed by the Chapter President
or his designee.
Lieutenant at Arms -
Chapter
The Chapter
Lieutenant-At-Arms shall ensure that all By-Laws are
followed and all orders and directives of the Chapter
President and the Chapter Executive Board are carried
out as intended. The Lieutenant -At-Arms shall maintain
strict compliance with these articles and orders by the
chapter. The Lieutenant -At-Arms shall maintain order
and dignity during all Chapter meetings. The
Lieutenant-At-Arms shall be responsible for enforcing
chapter discipline as directed by the Chapter President
or Chapter Executive Board, ensuring the payment of all
fees and assessments as required by the Chapter, and for
securing patches, colors and all Club property from
chapters, members or associates who retire, resign, or
who are expelled from the Club for just cause. The
Lieutenant -At-Arms shall continually maintain an
awareness of real or perceived threats or safety issues
affecting the Club and its members and immediately
report said threat or safety issue to the Chapter
Executive Board.
The Lieutenant -At-Arms
is required to be an active certified law enforcement
officer with powers of arrest. The Lieutenant -At-Arms
will execute all other assignments as directed by the
President or his designee.
*** The following
positions are Chapter officers. Chapter officers are not
executive officers and do not serve on the Executive
Board and do not have voting privileges.
Road Captains
The Road Captains are
responsible for researching, planning and executing all
chapter rides. The Road captains shall conduct a
monthly “Road Captains meeting” to obtain input from the
membership as to suggested rides and events. The Road
Captains shall stay informed as to local rides and
events that may appeal to the membership, and include
them as deemed necessary on the ride schedule. The Road
Captains will submit a monthly ride schedule to the
Vice-President for inclusion on the Official Ride
Calendar. The Road Captains is responsible for the ride
organization and route planning to effect a safe and
efficient movement of the members and guests during
rides. The Road captain is responsible for the
enforcement of road rules during rides. The Road
Captain has the authority to terminate any ride as a
whole for safety reasons and has the authority to
terminate any members or guests participation in a ride
for any safety reason. The circumstances of such an
action will immediately be reported to the Executive
Board for review and follow up action if necessary. The
Road Captain will execute all other assignments as
directed by the President or his designee.
Road Guards
The Road Guards will
assist the Road Captains as ordered and directed.
The Road Guards will
coordinate with the Road Captains and Major for ride
safety and security. The Road Guards will monitor the
actions of members and guests at all Club rides and
events. The Road Guards may assume the position of the
Road Captains in the absence of those officers or at the
direction of an Executive Officer. The Road Guards will
execute all other assignments as directed by the
President or his designee.
Sergeants-At-Arms
The Sergeants-At-Arms
shall provide safety and security for the Club, all
members, and guests at all Club meetings, functions,
events and rides. The Sergeants-At-Arms shall
continually maintain an awareness of real or perceived
threats or safety issues affecting the Club and it
members and immediately report said threat or safety
issue to an executive officer.
All Sergeants-at-arms
are required to be active certified law enforcement
officers with powers of arrest. Sergeants-At-Arms are
expected to use their knowledge, training, skills and
abilities to defuse and control all situations for the
safety and security of the Club and all members. The
Sgt-at-Arms report to the Major or Lt-at-Arms. The
Sergeants-At-Arms will execute all other assignments as
directed by the President or his designee.
Chapter Quartermaster:
The Chapter
Quartermaster shall maintain the club inventory for
Members including patches, shirts, and other
paraphernalia for the purpose of selling to members.
The Quartermaster will review new potential club
merchandise for the club store and present it to the
membership for approval. The Quartermaster will then
order paraphernalia from vendors. The Quartermaster
shall be responsible for the record keeping of sales to
members, other chapters and share those records with the
Treasurer and Executive Board if requested. The
Quartermaster shall keep and provide invoices of all
funds expended. The Quartermaster will obtain approval
from the Treasurer prior to expending funds on behalf of
local chapters, or advancing funds on their behalf. The
Quartermaster shall research new sources and venders for
existing and new merchandise as well as negotiate prices
with suppliers. The Quartermaster will handle requests
for all regalia for members and non-members. The
Quartermaster shall also be aware of License
and Trademark agreements
and keep copies of signed agreements.
ARTICLE 8:
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Defenders Motorcycle
Club, Inc. is a Law Enforcement based organization and
all Club members and associates must possess and
maintain the highest moral and ethical values and
un-compromised integrity for continued membership in the
Club. All Club members will strictly follow and adhere
to the laws and ordinances of their respective state or
jurisdiction, and the constitution of the Untied States
of America. All Club members and associates will show
respect for Club officers and all members. No club
member or associate shall disrespect another, harass, or
cause embarrassment to themselves or the Club or exhibit
conduct contrary to the philosophy or objectives of the
Defenders Motorcycle Club, Inc. Sexual harassment of
members, associates, or guests is strictly prohibited.
The Defenders Motorcycle Club, Inc., its members and
associates, will not associate with any known felons,
criminals, or known or suspected criminal organizations,
this includes known or suspected 1% motorcycle clubs and
their associates or affiliates. Members and associates
will not discuss Club business outside of the Club. Any
suspected violations of the Code of Conduct will be
immediately reported to the Chapter Executive Board for
investigation. The National Executive Board reserves
the right to discipline Club members as outlined in
Article 9. The National Executive Board reserves the
right to suspend or revoke Chapter Charters for just
cause for conduct contrary to the philosophy or
objectives of the Defenders Motorcycle Club, Inc.
ARTICLE 9:
DISCIPLINE
The National and Chapter
Executive Boards will have the power and authority,
after notice and an opportunity to be heard, to vote to
rescind the membership of any member or associate and
remove the name of any member from the National roster
for conduct contrary to the philosophy or objectives of
the Defenders Motorcycle Club, Inc. The National and
Chapter Executive Boards will have the authority to
sanction its membership, including, but not limited to
discipline, suspension of active membership, or
expulsion. Conduct unbecoming is not acceptable and
will not be tolerated.
The National Executive
board has the right to revoke the charter of any chapter
for just cause for actions contrary to the philosophy
and objectives of the DMC. The National Executive Board
has the ultimate authority over all chapters and all
members.
Brothers or Probates who
are fired or have been fired from an agency that
qualifies them for membership or an active duty military
person who subsequently receives a criminal conviction
or is discharged for "Other than Honorable Conditions”
will have their membership reviewed by the Chapter
Executive Board and subsequently voted on by the entire
Chapter as to whether to allow the affected to continue
their membership in the DMC.
ARTICLE 10:
LIABILITY
The Defenders Motorcycle
Club, Inc. is not responsible and can not be held
accountable for any illegal, immoral, or unethical
actions by it members or associates. Any such actions
will be considered an independent action by that person.
Any such action will subject that person to discipline
up to and including expulsion from the Club. All
individuals, including members, Associates, and guests
participating in Club events, will be required to sign a
release of liability form that holds harmless the
Defenders Motorcycle Club, Inc. from any civil liability
claims.
ARTICLE 11:
CHANGES and
AMENDMENTS
The Defenders Motorcycle
Club, Inc. reserves the right to issue changes and
amendments to the By-Laws as deem necessary for the
efficient operation of the Club. All members and
associates are bound to abide by all future changes and
amendments. All changes to the Defenders MC Bylaws must
be voted on as follows:
A Chapter vote to approve must be 75% or more of the
Chapter Membership. The
Chapter President (or designee) will then receive one
(1) vote to be cast for his Chapter at the next
President’s meeting.
A 75% or better vote of
approval by all Chapter Presidents and National
Executive Board Officers must be registered in order for
the change to take effect. (Each National Board Officer
receives one (1) vote as well as each Chapter having one
(1) vote).