About Our Club
MEMBERSHIP FOR 2001, we are opening membership up to 125 members
and will close membership when that is reached.
November
2000)WE ARE THE NEW ENGLAND 4 WHEELERS, INC.
THE NEW ENGLAND 4 WHEELERS, INC. IS A FAMILY ORIENTED FOUR WHEEL DRIVE CLUB CREATED TO PROMOTE THE SPORT OF RECREATIONAL FOUR WHEEL DRIVING ON PRIMITIVE ROADS. VEHICLES ARE LIMITED TO JEEP TYPE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WHICH ARE NARROW, LIGHTWEIGHT AND AGILE LIKE JEEP CJ'S, YJ'S, CHEROKEES, SUZUKIS, DEFENDER 90'S AND OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS GENERE.
VEHICLE SIZE IS LIMITED TO 70 INCHES AT IT'S WIDEST POINT. THERE IS NO LIMIT TO WHEELBASE LENGTH BUT IT IS RECOMMENDED IT NOT EXCEED 106 INCHES DUE TO BREAKOVER ANGLE. A TOW HOOK IS MANDATORY IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. A HOOK OR ATTACHMENT POINT IS REQUIRED FOR THE REAR. ALL VEHICLES MUST CARRY A TOW STRAP WITH LOOPS (NO HOOKS) RATED AT 20,000 POUNDS PLUS, AT LEAST 20 FEET IN LENGTH, A 40 CHANNEL CB RADIO, FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND FIRST AID KIT. METAL WHIP ANTENNAS ARE NOT ALLOWED. MAXIMUM ANTENNA LENGTH IS NOT TO EXCEED SIX FEET. OPEN TOPPED VEHICLES MUST HAVE A ROLLBAR. ALL VEHICLES MUST HAVE SEATBELTS FOR ALL OCCUPANTS. MINIMUM TIRE SIZE IS 31 INCHES. MAXIMUM TIRE SIZE ALLOWED IS 38 INCHES. A SPARE TIRE OF EQUAL DIAMETER TO YOUR ROAD TIRES IS MANDATORY.
NEW ENGLAND 4 WHEELERS, INC. BASES IT'S TRAIL RATINGS ON A 1 - 10 SCALE. 1 BEING EASIEST, 10 BEING NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. GENERALLY, MOST STOCK VEHICLES CAN HANDLE A TRAIL RATING TO 5. RATINGS ABOVE THIS WILL REQUIRE SOME MODIFICATIONS IN THE WAY OF LIFTS, LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS AND WINCHES. YOUR DISCRETION AND REALISTIC EVALUATION OF YOUR ABILITY IS ADVISED.
NE4W,I PLANS TRAIL RIDES FROM APRIL THROUGH NOVEMBER. WE ARE IDLE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FEBRUARY WHEN WE HOLD A BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING. MARCH HAS OUR ANNUAL KICKOFF PARTY.
YOUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER WILL INFORM YOU OF ALL CLUB EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO WRITE AN ARTICLE, TRIP REPORT OR COMMENT FOR THE NEWSLETTER AT ANY TIME. WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT.
NEW ENGLAND 4 WHEELERS, INC.
BY- LAWS
ARTICLE 1 NAME
The name of this non- profit organization shall be: The New England 4 Wheelers,
Inc. The identifying decal for this organization shall be round with the organization
name around it's outside perimeter, and a center with a drawing of a Jeep emblazoned
over the New England States.
Membership in this organization shall be open to the public regardless of
race, color or creed. Membership limits can and will be imposed from time to
time by the Board of Directors. A member shall receive upon initial membership,
a club decal, a membership to United Four Wheel Drive Assoc., and a monthly
newsletter published once a month with the exception of December and January
unless a special edition is warranted. A member is entitled to attend all regularly
scheduled events. In order for a person to become a member of the NE4W,I, a
prospective member must willingly abide by the rules and by-laws established
by the Board of Directors of NE4W,I.
Current maximum membership is 125.
ARTICLE 4 VEHICLES
Vehicle width is limited to a maximum of 70". Vehicles must be Jeep type
or sport utility vehicles with a low range transfer case. Minimum tire size
shall be 31". Maximum tire size shall be 38". Tow hooks up front are
mandatory and some type of tow hook or receiver hitch, clevis or other secure
means of towing from the rear is required. A hitch ball is NOT acceptable for
safe pulling of another vehicle. All non-hard top vehicles must have a roll
bar. All vehicles must have seat belts for ALL occupants which must be worn
while vehicle is in motion. Vehicles must be legally registered and insured.
Antique plates are welcome. Any vehicle over 70" wide must have approval
of the Board.
ARTICLE 4A GUEST VEHICLES
Three guest vehicles will be allowed per club run under the following conditions:
1) One guest vehicle per club member.
2) Seven days advance notice to club president.
3) Guest vehicle owner signs waiver of indemnity and liability.
4) Meets all club minimum equipment requirements.
5) Subject to all club rules while riding with NE4W,I.
6) Limit to one run per year.
ARTICLE 5 MANDATORY EQUIPMENT
All vehicles must have a first aid kit, a CB radio, fire extinguisher, tow strap
with loops (no hooks) and a spare tire equal in size to the tires being run
on the vehicle. No undersize or temporary spares will be allowed. Steel whip
antennas are not allowed. Maximum antenna size not to exceed five feet.
ARTICLE 6 CLUB EVENTS
A club event is a regularly scheduled event authorized by the Board of Directors.
All club members and their passengers must sign a waiver of liability and indemnity
before being permitted on a club run. A tech inspection may be performed by
the trail leader(s) before leaving for the run.
ARTICLE 7 CONDUCT
All members of the club are required to drive their vehicles in a safe and courteous
manner, respect the rights of property owners and not willfully or wantonly
destroy, remove or damage in any way the property of another club member or
property owner. Members are expected to obey the orders of the assigned trail
leader in regards to keeping the event safe and moving along. Any unnecessary
risk taking is frowned upon and will be dealt with by the Board of Directors
as soon as possible. No alcoholic beverages or illegal substances will be consumed
during a club run. Failure to comply may result in the suspension or removal
of a member.
ARTICLE 8 SUSPENSION or REMOVAL of a MEMBER
All members of The New England 4 Wheelers, Inc. are expected to conduct themselves
in an appropriate manner. Should it be necessary to suspend or remove a member
from the club for inappropriate behavior, a vote of not less than 2/3 (two-thirds)
of the Board of Directors will be required and the offending member shall be
informed in writing within seven days stating the reasons for his/her suspension
or removal. A member has the right to appeal this decision within 30 days in
writing to the club president. The president will set up a hearing for the member
to hear his case with the Board. The Board's decision will be final.
ARTICLE 9 DUES
The annual dues for an existing member must be renewed by March 1st of the current
year. After this period, and at the discretion of the Board, membership may
be denied for the upcoming year based on the current paid number of members.
All checks and applications received after the March 1st deadline will be returned.
A waiting list will be created and prospects for membership will be determined
by the Board. Any membership's received after September 1st will pay
50% of the current yearly dues.As dues can change from year to year, the current rate will be
posted on the "New member/ renewal application form." The club President,
Secretary- Treasurer, and Webmaster are exempt from paying dues, as an incentive
for their time consuming positions.
ARTICLE 10 CLUB OFFICERS
The club officers include the President, Vice-president, Secretary/Treasurer
and 8 (eight) board members. Each are entitled to one vote with the President
abstaining. In the event of a deadlock, the tie-breaker will be the President's
vote. For a Board of Directors meeting to be considered binding, at least five
board members must be present and must include either the President or Vice-president
or both. A Board member may not be an office holding member of another conflicting
organization.
ARTICLE 10A CLUB OFFICERS DUTIES
President:
The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer, and subject to the
control of the Board of Directors, shall have general charge and
supervision of the affairs of the Club in accordance with these
bylaws.
The President shall preside at all BOD meetings.
Vice President:
The Vice President shall have such duties and powers, as the Board of
Directors shall determine. He/she shall have and may exercise all the
powers and duties of the President during the absence of the President
or in the President's inability to act
Secretary/Treasurer:
He/she shall be in charge of its financial affairs, funds, securities,
and valuable papers and shall keep full and accurate records thereof.
He/she shall have such other duties and powers as designated by the
Board of Directors or the President. He/she shall also be in charge of
the books of account and accounting records, and of its accounting
procedures. The Secretary/Treasurer shall record and maintain records
of
all proceedings of the Board of Directors Meetings.
Board of Directors:
The affairs of the Club shall be managed by the Board of Directors who
shall have and may exercise all the powers of the Club, except those
powers reserved to the Members by law or these Bylaws
ARTICLE 11 OFFICER ELECTIONS
Nominees for club office shall be members in good standing.
The President shall be elected every two years on the even numbered years.
The Vice-president and Secretary/ Treasurer shall be elected every two years
on the odd numbered years. The Board of Directors shall be elected
every year effective Jan. 1, 2002.
Elections are to be held in October with the results
posted in the November newsletter. A neutral party shall be the vote counter
to be determined by the board.
There are no term limits. A term of office shall begin on January 1st and end on December
31st. A special election may be held at any time by the BOD
and those club members present if at an official BOD meeting, to replace a member
of the Board, including the President and Vice- President. This procedure may
also be done via conference amongst the BOD only if no scheduled meeting is
planned.
Article 11A CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, Elections
Only one member of a household may hold one of the following positions: President,
Secretary- Treasurer or Vice- President. In the event another member of a household
is elected to one of the Executive Governing positions in the organization,
a decision between the two household members MUST be decided as to who will
relinquish their position. The time period for this will be 7 days from the
announced date of the election results. The Board of Directors, at this time
will appoint the runner- up in the election to the position so vacated. If there
is no runner- up, the Board will vote on a successor.
ARTICLE 11B CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, Events
A club member, regardless of position or status, will accept no gratuities,
gifts, prizes or money on behalf of himself/ herself while soliciting for donations
from manufacturers, specialty shops or other concerns for the benefit of the
New England 4 Wheelers, Inc. Also, members soliciting for the club shall exempt
themselves from any raffle or drawing in which they had a part in securing prizes
and/ or services for.
ARTICLE 12 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall manage the property, affairs and business of the
club. The Board shall meet at least two times a year at a place mutually agreed
upon. The Board of Directors may, in case of emergency, conduct business by
telephone conference, fax machine, e-mail as necessary to carry out club business.
Decisions must have a majority vote of the board members.
ARTICLE 13 VOTING
At times a general consensus of the club will be required and a membership vote
will be necessary. All members in good standing are entitled to vote and are
encouraged to do so. A member has one vote. There are no non-member votes. In
the event of a tie, the President will cast the deciding vote, unless it is
for his own election to office. The decision then rests with the Board of Directors
by a 2/3 majority vote.
ARTICLE 13A VOTING VIA EMAIL
For all non-time sensitive issues, there will be a 3 business day
period. This shall begin with the seconding of a motion, before the
actual vote is tallied. Voting shall occur on the 3rd business day,
with 2 business days of discussion. For time sensitive issue a simple
majority vote obtained expeditiously shall suffice.
ARTICLE 14 MEETINGS and ORDER OF BUSINESS
The meeting of the Board shall start with a roll call. Should the roll call
reveal less than five Board members, the meeting
shall be null and void and no official business may be conducted. Reading of
the minutes of the last meeting of the Board shall commence after roll call.
Reports of committees, officers, old business and new business shall be conducted
in this order. Adjournments follow.
ARTICLE 15 COMMITTEES
A committee shall consist of not less than three persons with at least one committee
member being the committee chairperson. The committee's chairperson reports
directly to the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 16 AUTHORITY
All proceedings shall be governed by these by-laws, standard operating procedures
promulgated by majority vote of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 17 AMENDMENTS
Any amendments to an article must be approved by a majority vote of the Board
members present at any scheduled meeting. At minimum, 51% of the Board must
be present to enact any article amendments. All Board members shall be advised
no less than 30 days prior to any scheduled board meeting. Any Board members
not in attendance shall be informed of changes to amendments in writing within
30 days.