Black List Wheelers Association, Incorporated
By-laws

Original 4-3-2004

Article 1 Name

The name of this organization shall be the Black List Wheelers Association, Incorporated, hereafter referred to as BLWA or BLWA Inc.

Article 2 Purpose

Section 1:
The BLWA exists for the purpose of bringing off-road enthusiasts together for the enjoyment and betterment of the sport of off-roading and other outdoor activities. Through the BLWA website, message forums, social gatherings, and 4-wheeling meets, the BLWA hopes to promote friendship exchange knowledge and further educate and inform the public about our growing family sport. The BLWA is a place for enthusiasts to meet and to discuss all opinions about our beloved sport. The BLWA is a very close group but we also openly welcome new members who enjoy the same passion as we do. The BLWA gets all of its strength from its members and we are building our future with our common interests and every new member we achieve.
Section 2:
The BLWA mission statement is:

PURPOSE

The BLWA main purpose is to advance the sport of responsible off-roading. The BLWA will form partnerships with other outdoor recreation enthusiast's with the intent to maintain and preserve wilderness areas. The BLWA will organize off-road trail rides and competitions alone or in conjunction with other authorities and organizations to support the club or its efforts. The BLWA also will encourage family and friendship in all activities it involves itself in.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the club is primarily enjoyment, friendship and family values as well as preservation of trails and the sport of off-road recreation in a safe, environmentally friendly manor. It is our intent to work for more open trails, to work with individuals and organizations to open and maintain trails for ORV use. When called upon, members of the BLWA will offer logistical and transportation support to local, State, or governmental agency's in emergency situations or other times of need.

Article 3 Emblems, Logos

The official emblem of the BLWA shall be a vulture perched on a tire inside of a tombstone with the club name set below it: (see attached image)
Other logos may be used by BLWA members if the letters BLWA are clearly marked and all variations from the original logo must represent the BLWA in a positive manner with no derogatory content and be approved by the executive committee. The emblems, logos and club name are property of BLWA Inc. Any member wishing to reproduce the logo for resale or other reasons must obtain permission from the executive board.

Article 4 Non Profit Organization

No part of the net earnings of the club shall benefit or be distributed to any of its members, trustees, officers, or any other private party, except that the club shall be authorized to pay reasonable compensation for services provided and make payments and distributions to further the purposes stated in Article 2. The BLWA shall not participate in any activities not permitted to be conducted by a corporation exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c) 7 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Article 5 Membership

Section 1:
Membership shall focus on but not be limited to individuals who own, operate, and have a common interest in off-road vehicles.
Section 2:
Founding or Regular members must be 18 eighteen years of age or older.
Section 3:
Membership shall consist of 4 classes, Founding member, Regular member, Jr. member, and Associate member.
A): Founding membership requires that the member pay a yearly due. It entitles the member to be a part of the founding committee, vote in club elections, hold appointed or elected positions. Also the founder will receive a membership card, a founders decal, a BLWA.org email address, and any other offers/benefits of a regular member.
B): Regular membership requires the members pay a yearly due. Also at the time of joining an application fee. Regular members are entitled to be on BLWA committees, vote in any club elections, and hold any other appointed or elected positions. Also they will receive a membership card, membership decal, and be eligible for any discounts or benefits that the club is offered from sponsors or otherwise.
C): Jr. Member is reserved for children or significant others of members of the club. It requires they pay a reduced fee yearly. It entitles them to a membership card and decal.
D): Associate members are not required to pay any dues. To become an associate member you must attend at least 2 BLWA trailrides in a year's time and at least 1 every year thereafter to retain your status. Associate members receive no privileges mentioned in (a)(b) or(c). When the term regular member is used in these bylaws it applies to regular and founding member.
Section 4:
Application for membership shall be made at the clubs website, www.blwa.org. Persons seeking membership can print out and mail in the application, turn it in to one of the executive board members, or use the online application process.
Section 5:
Gender, race, religion, national origin, political belief, or any other prejudice shall not limit membership.
Section 6:
The BLWA may deny membership to any persons that are not in violations of the local, state, or federal law.
Section 7:
Members shall inform the EX. Secretary when their contact information changes. (Email-mailing address-phone number-etc.)

Article 6 Dues

Section 1:
Persons applying for a regular membership shall pay a yearly due of $25.00. Initial applications require a one time only $10.00 processing fee.
Section 2:
Membership dues are due by February 1st of the corresponding year. If dues are not paid by then member will be reduced to Associate member status and have all privileges revoked until dues are paid. Founding members not paid by Feb. 1st shall lose their founding member status, and upon paying will be reinstated as a REGULAR member.
Section 3:
The executive secretary shall collect all dues and record all information from the members.
Section 4:
Due increases shall be brought up each year at the executive meeting for consideration, and will require a vote from the founding committee to be passed.
Section 5:
All dues paid are non-refundable.

Article 7 Member Conduct & Termination or Suspension of Membership

Section 1:
All members of the BLWA shall conduct themselves in a manner that displays a positive image of the club and the sport of off-roading in general. Any conduct that harms the image of the club or any of its member or sponsors will not be tolerated and would be grounds for suspension or revocation of membership. Failure to abide by the clubs bylaws or guidelines is also grounds for suspension or revocation of privileges/membership.
Section 2:
Members or guests on a BLWA trail ride/event shall not consume alcohol before or while operating any type of motor vehicle. Members or guests shall not at any time operate their vehicle in a manner that is reckless or could endanger anyone including the driver and/or passengers.
Section 3:
A member may be suspended by a 3/3 vote by the executive board. Upon termination the member will be notified and given the chance to appeal to the founders committee, any ruling the founders committee makes on the matter will then be final.
Section 4:
Membership dues are non-refundable upon termination.
Section 5:
Upon termination the former member must surrender his/her membership card and remove all BLWA associated decals from their vehicles.

Article 8 Vehicle Requirements and Trail Rides or Club Sponsored Events

Section 1:
Membership in the BLWA shall be focused on but not limited to 4 wheel drive off-road vehicles.
Section 2:
All BLWA trail rides/events must meet BLWA trail ride guidelines, which are as follows:
A): Any club member may host an event or trail ride.
B): Club sponsored events only are eligible to receive any resources established by BLWA or from BLWA supporters/sponsors.
C): The founders committee reserves the right to provide articles of appreciation to non-members for their support and/or contributions to the club.
D): Participants of BLWA events/trail rides shall be eighteen (18) years of age or older or be accompanied by a legal guardian or parent. Anyone else under the age of 18 will require that their parent or legal guardian signs a juvenile release form, the form is available on the clubs website.
E): The club member hosting the event is considered to be the trail leader. The leader may appoint co-leaders to lead the different groups according to skill and vehicle level. The trail leader also has the authority to place vehicles in their correct group for the trails to be run that day, this is to insure no hold ups on the trail and that a enjoyable time is had by all.
F): All participants attending trail rides will have an emergency contact form filled out and in their possession. The trail leader is responsible for everyone having this filled out before the start of the ride. The emergency contact forms will be available on the BLWA website and the trail leader should carry extras as well.
G): All participants shall sign an attendance sheet at every trail ride.
Section 3:
All local, state, and federal laws shall be followed.

Article 9 Administration

Section 1:
Board of Trustees
A): A board of trustees shall manage the BLWA.
B): The board shall be known as the executive board and shall establish the policies of the club. They shall oversee, implement, and execute the policies and guidelines set forth by the club.
Section 2: Executive board
A): The executive board shall consist of the President, Vice President, and Executive Secretary.
B): The regular members of the club shall elect the executive board for a term of two (2) years. There shall be no limit to the number of terms they may serve.
C): All executive board members must attend as many BLWA functions as possible, Host one function, and attend one executive meeting every year.
D): Each executive member shall have one vote, and may only hold one (1) executive position at a time.
E): All members of the executive board shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
Section 3:
Conflicts:
No officer may participate in, or attempt to influence any decision by the club affecting his/her own personal business interests, or otherwise use his/her official position for personal gain. No officers may hold an elected position in another off-road club. All elected officials are representing the membership and if not performing their duty satisfactorily may be relieved of duty by a majority vote called by the founding committee. All elected officials sole purpose is to do what is best for the BLWA and shall do everything in their power to make it grow and spread knowledge about our sport.

Article 10 Voting/Elections/Members & Founders Forums

Section 1:
Executive board annual meeting:
The executive board shall agree upon a time and place for a meeting to discuss business at hand and all the clubs events for the year.
Section 2:
Founders forum:
This forum was created for the founding members of BLWA and access is restricted strictly to those or those that the founding committee chooses to vote in.
Section 3:
Members forum:
This forum is for all regular members of BLWA. It will be used to discuss business and activities that the paying members of the club need to know about. Other functions of this forum include:
A): Motions for consideration to the executive board, the motion must be made by a regular member and seconded by the same, to be carried. Once carried the motion will be discussed in the founders forum.
B): Questions or information by the executive board that requires input from the regular members.
C): Election notices, nominations, and candidates views will also de discussed here.
Section 4:
Elections:
A): Elections for new board members shall occur BI-annually, Voting will be the entire month of November and will take place in the members forum.
B): Nominations shall be made by regular members in the members forum, for the nomination to be carried it must be seconded by another regular member and accepted by the nominee.
C): All election notices and information regarding elections shall stay in the members forum, anything regarding elections in the public forums will not be tolerated.
D): Election results will be posted by December 15th in the members forum.
E): The terms for the new officers shall then commence Jan. 1st and continue for 2 calendar years.
Section 5:
Members votes:
A): Each regular member shall receive one vote on all matters that require a membership vote. Associate and Jr. members have no voting rights. All actions except those prohibited by law or the bylaws shall be by majority of the regular members votes.

Article 11 Powers and Duties of Club Officers

Section 1:
President- The presidents role on the executive board will be to guide the board by setting an example for the members and participating in BLWA events. It shall be his/her duty to carry on all correspondence that should come to his/her attention and to maintain contact with the executive board and all members. The president shall be a leader and will always do what is best for BLWA. The president will work along with other entities to help our sport and club grow and prosper.
Section 2:
Vice President- The VP shall fill in for the president in his/her absence, fulfilling and performing the duties in the same way mentioned in article 11 section 1. He/she shall perform all duties associated with the position and all duties assigned to him/her by the president. The VP shall remain in contact with the executive board. It is the VPs duty to carry on all correspondence that should come to his/her attention.
Section 3:
Executive Secretary (ES)- The ES shall maintain records of membership. The ES shall issue membership packets. The ES shall notify any member that is past overdue on their dues, that member shall be notified via email that their membership is being downgraded and privileges revoked. The ES shall maintain records from all the trail rides. The ES shall maintain contact with the executive board. The ES shall perform all duties incident to the office of ES. The ES shall maintain the clubs records and records of membership. It is the ES duty to carry on all correspondence that is issued to him/her. The ES shall assist the executive board with the financial records of the BLWA, in accordance with local, state, and federal laws.
Section 4:
Committees- Any paid member can become part of the Webmaster, events, marketing, or any other committee the executive board feels the need to form. A vote of 3/3 shall be required to appoint a member to a committee. There shall be no limit to the number of committees that a regular member can serve on. A member can be removed from a committee by a 3/3 vote by the executive board. All committees shall hold meetings as required and always have the BLWAs best interests at hand.
Section 5:
Forum Moderators- The executive board shall appoint forum moderators for the message board on the BLWA website. He/she shall have the authority to move, delete, edit, or assist members with their posts. Moderators will all be regular members. All moderators shall report to the executive board.

Article 12 Internet

Section 1:
The BLWA shall use the clubs website for its primary use of communication. It shall be the members responsibility to stay informed of all club happenings on the website.
Section 2:
All material shall be posted in the appropriate forum, violation could result in suspended website privileges.
Section 3:
Only BLWA.org shall be used to represent the BLWA.
Section 4:
Sending or posting spam on the site is strictly forbidden, all commercial advertisements must be pre approved by the executive board and/or marketing committee.

Article 13 Recall

Only a majority vote of the entire paid membership of the BLWA may enforce the removal of an officer of the executive board, on grounds detrimental to the office.

Article 14 Amendments

Any member of the executive board or founding committee may propose a change in the bylaws. A 3/3 vote of the executive board shall be required to make the change. Any bylaw changes will be posted in the members forum. Changes shall be effective immediately upon passage.

Article 15 Dissolution & Liability

In the event of the dissolution of the BLWA inc., all assets not required by law to be distributed among the members in good standing at the time of dissolution shall be distributed in a manner voted upon by the remaining members of the BLWA. The statutory agents listed on the current Incorporation charter has final say in all matters concerning the continued use of the BLWA Inc. in the event of dissolution.