BY-LAWS

FIVE POINTS CHAPTER
HARLEY OWNER’S GROUP, Victoria, Texas
updated  (03-2010)

  1. All regulation/restrictions established by the parent organization shall be binding on all local chapter members.

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  2. The Victoria, Texas, Chapter Club, consisting of Harley-Davidson owners and Buell owners, will only be as good as its members.  All must work together to promote friendship, leadership, social recreation, and safety.

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  3. All Club members are treated equally, regardless of position or title in the Club. The Harley Owner’s Group, Victoria Texas Chapter, is formed as a social and recreational organization for friends to enjoy motorcycling, share motorcycling experiences, and to “Ride and Have Fun”

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  4. All members of the Victoria, Texas Chapter must be at least sixteen (16) years of age, and must own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, or be considered a ‘rider’, and must be a current member of the national Harley Owner’s Group, either as a full or an associate member.

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  5. It is the club member’s responsibility to inform primary officers of a name, address, or e-mail address change. Of course, the club member shall also inform national Harley Owner’s Group of said changes (1-800-CLUB-HOG).

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  6. Drinking/Behavior/Personal Appearance

    The Victoria, Texas Chapter shall be considered a non-drinking motorcycle club.  The Victoria, Texas Chapter shall promote motorcycle safety and support community and family-oriented activities and charities.
    There shall be no drinking of alcoholic beverages during a Club meeting, and there shall be no drinking of alcoholic beverages before any Club rides. If any member shall consume alcoholic beverages after a Club meeting, then said member shall consider the safety of the remaining members and not ride as part of the club pack.
    Each member is responsible for their own behavior, and each member is responsible to those with whom they ride.   All members are expected to conduct themselves with courtesy, discipline and pride as set forth in the H.O.G. International Constitution. Club members not only represent every member of the Five Points Chapter, they also represent Harley-Davidson Motor Company, national Harley Owner’s Group, and Victoria Harley-Davidson. We are a family-oriented group and, for this reason, club members, when wearing their colors, shall dress in a favorable impression to the public.  Club members should avoid inappropriate dress, extremes in dress, and shall not flash nudity while wearing club colors.Members who fail to observe above-stated standards may be subject to a verbal warning and/or possible revocation of club membership.

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  7. Dues

    Chapter dues are $20.00 per year and are considered due at the January club meeting.  Membership dues not paid before the March club meeting will be considered past due and such membership shall be considered terminated.  Members joining at any other time will pay $20.00 for the time remaining until December. Chapter dues are payable to the Assistant Director (Membership Officer), however, if the AD is not available, any other primary officer is allowed to accept money.  All monies collected shall be turned over to Treasurer for accurate record keeping.   All dues paid to the chapter are to be considered a binding agreement of acceptance of chapter regulations and are not to be refunded.

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  8. Colors

    Chapter ‘colors’ shall be attached to a blue or black denim vest or leather vest as individual taste dictates.   The stipulation being that the club rocker must be displayed over the larger ‘H.O.G.’ patch on the back of said vest. The Chapter t-shirt shall also be considered 'chapter colors’. Each Club member shall purchase one of the following through the appropriate Club officer and/or sponsoring dealer:

    1. Large Club rocker and large H.O.G. patch.
    2. Small Club rocker, if already own large H.O.G. patch.
    3. Club t-shirt, if already own large H.O.G. patch.

    Said rocker and larger H.O.G. patch shall be considered the property of said member. Any member, upon deciding to leave the club for whatever reason, may return the ‘Five Points Chapter’ large club rocker and/or small club rocker to the club.  The club will reimburse said member one-half of the money spent on said rocker(s) upon receipt.
    Any ‘officer’ patch or ‘past’ officer patch shall be purchased by the Chapter but remains the property of said officer/past officer.  The past’ patch shall be shown directly above the officer patch.
    Chapter ‘colors’ shall be worn at all meetings, rides, rallies and events attended as a club function.  A $1.00 fine will be imposed on those members who fail to wear the colors at such meetings, rides, rallies and events.  Sergeant-at-Arms and/or the Assistant Director (Membership Officer) will be responsible for collecting fees, and submitting fees to the Treasurer.
    An individual may wear ‘colors’ when riding or attending a rally by himself/herself, however, the person will be seen as a representative of the Victoria, Texas Chapter and will act accordingly.  The lending of ‘colors’ is prohibited.  Each member is responsible for his/her ‘colors’.

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  9. Meetings/Rides

    All members of the Victoria, Texas Chapter shall meet for a monthly club meeting on the first Thursday of each month, unless otherwise directed by Primary Officers.  There is no ‘minimum’ requirement of members in order to hold a monthly club meeting.  Officers should open communications with the club members for suggestions, discussions and/or comments regarding club business. The monthly Primary Officer Meeting shall be held preceding said monthly club meeting, unless otherwise decided by primary officers.  Any club officer may elect to attend said meeting in order to conduct chapter business, retain information and/or inquire about said meetings; however, notice should be given to one of the primary officers so that appropriate time may be allowed at said meeting.  The monthly Primary Officer Meeting shall, with proper quorum and a majority of votes, conduct chapter business, discuss all up-coming rides and events, and make final club decisions.
    The monthly club ride shall be designated as the Sunday following said monthly club meeting.  The ‘club rides’ officially END when the members/guests have reached their destination and ‘kick stands are down’.  Additional club rides and club functions may be scheduled, and are HIGHLY SUGGESTED.  Said functions shall be directed to the primary officers.
    Additional club membership meetings, Primary Officer meetings, and Officer meetings may be called.

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  10. Chapter Officers

    Chapter Officers are elected on an annual basis each and every year in November. New officers take their position in that office the following January.  Chapter Primary Officers will be decided as follows:

    • Director shall be voted by chapter members.  Director should have at least one year experience as a Chapter Officer with Five Points Chapter.
    • First Asst. Director (‘Membership Officer’) shall be appointed by sponsoring dealer.
      • Second Asst. Director (‘Program Officer’) shall be voted by chapter members.
    • Secretaryshall be voted by chapter members.
    • Treasurershall be appointed by the sponsoring dealer.

    Chapter Primary Officers shall each be given one vote when discussing and conducting chapter business and making final club decisions.  Primary officers are treated equally.  Primary officers shall abide by proper quorum and must have a majority of the votes to rule.  Director shall act in the capacity as spokesman for the other primary officers.

    Additional Chapter Officers are as follows:
     
    • Editor shall be voted by chapter members.
    • Webmaster shall be appointed by sponsoring dealer, due to trademark and web rules by Harley Owner’s Group and Harley-Davidson Motor Company.  Also, there may be a CONTROLLER, appointed by Sponsoring Dealer, responsible for the approval of club website with Harley-Davidson Motor Company and security of the same.  Controller shall also be responsible for national link to local link as well as sponsoring dealer link to club link.
    • Photographer shall be voted by chapter members.
    • Historian shall be voted by chapter members, (usually V.H-D).
    • Ladies of Harley Officer shall be voted by chapter members.
    • Sergeant-at-Arms shall be voted by chapter members.
    • Activities Officers (at least three) shall be voted by chapter members.  (The Primary Officers shall appoint a “head” Activity Officer.)
    • Road Captains and Safety Officers shall be appointed by Primary Officers and approved by Sponsoring Dealer.

    ALL club officers shall set an example for behavior and personal appearance to other members of the Club.
    In the event a club officer voluntarily submits a ‘letter of resignation’, either written or verbally, the Primary Officers shall appoint a temporary replacement for said position until the following annual club officer elections.
    For more information, refer to Chapter Officers Information and Guidelines (02-2010).

    Primary Officers are encouraged to attend Primary Officer Training, which is sponsored by Harley Owner’s Group. The training is designed to educate chapter officers regarding such topics as leadership, HOG rules, regulations and requirements, legal issues, dealer roles, chapter finances, tax issues, volunteer training, group riding, safe riding skills, and member communication skills. Primary Officer Training is free seminars sponsored by national Harley Owner’s Group. Local HOG clubs are responsible for transportation and accommodations. It is an excellent training course offered every year in multiple locations.
      Primary Officer Training
    shall be paid by the club up to a maximum amount per officer per year. Primary Officers shall discuss and vote each year if primary officers and/or additional officers will attend and how much of the expense, if any, the club will pay.

  11. Sponsoring Dealer

    Sponsoring Dealer maintains ‘an open door policy’ to all club members. Every club member is important! Any club member may call or visit Sponsoring Dealer with any complaints, concerns or suggestions. In the alternative, if any club member has a complaint, concern, or suggestion, any officer may be contacted. Any club member has the right to submit a grievance against another club member or club officer. Said grievance may be submitted, either orally or written, to any primary officer or to sponsoring dealer.
    There shall be kept in the possession of the Sponsoring Dealer, but at the additional control of the Club, a set of forms, files information pertaining to national H.O.G. and Five Points Chapter H.O.G.  Anyone needing information or forms or wanting to review past files and information is welcomed. Please contact Sponsoring Dealer during business hours or arrange for a time convenient to all parties.
    Sponsoring Dealer reserves the right to alter or change any of the above By-Laws to protect the interests of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Harley Owner’s Group, Victoria Harley-Davidson, and/or the Victoria, Texas Chapter. If primary officers, officers, or club members elect to make any changes to By-Laws, the Sponsoring Dealer must be notified and said changes approved by Sponsoring Dealer, as well as Regional HOG Manager.


    12. Victoria Harley-Davidson
    608 N. Moody, Victoria, Texas  77901
    (361)575-7881  fax: (361)570-4647

    send email to: dawn@victoriahd.com