O.T.W.I.

WIT of Oregon

O.T.W.I. By Laws

BY LAWS OF OREGON TRAIL WINNIES AND ITASCAS

 SECTION I - Name

The name, hereinafter referred to as "the club", shall be known as OREGON TRAIL WINNIES AND ITASCAS.

  SECTION 2 -- Office The principal office of the club shall be at the elected president's home address.

  SECTION 3 - The Emblem

The emblem of the club shall be a covered wagon in green and gold, on a white background with green lettering. The outline of the emblem shall be in the shape of the State of Oregon, bordered in green.

  SECTION 4 -- Objectives

The objectives of this club shall be to foster and develop recreational, social and travel opportunities for the enjoyment, pleasure and use of the members of the club, and also to encourage gatherings and outings on the local, state and regional levels. The members thereof shall not be entitled to receive dividends nor other intangible, real or tangible personal property in lieu of dividends, and no funds or property of the club, real or personal, as may be acquired by any member as surpassing compensation for services rendered to the club by said member. This provision shall not prohibit any individual member from purchasing property, either real or personal, from the club. The club may, from time to time, offer for sale any property or merchandise, provided that the individual pay the established fair market value of said property or merchandise. Further, there shall be no special provision accorded any individual acquiring property or merchandise, nor shall any individual be shown any special privileges in the purchase thereof, not available to or conferred upon the general public and non-members of the club. .

  SECTION 5 - Membership

Members of the club shall be those persons who are members at the time of adoption of these bylaws, in their respective classification, and such other persons as shall thereafter be elected to membership and shall comply with all of the conditions of membership in one of the following classes.

1. Charter member.

2. Regular member

3. Honorary member

SECTION 6 - Transfer of Membership

No membership in the club shall be transferable to another person. In the event of the death of a member, their family shall retain all the rights and privileges, which existed prior to the death of said member, upon payment of the regular dues for which the deceased member would have been liable.

SECTION 7 - Membership Eligibility and Entitlement

The following are the classifications of membership and the requirements for eligibility and entitlement of privileges for the said classification.

1. Charter Member - Any individual at least twenty-one (21) years of age who had purchased at least one Winnebago Industries Unit, joined W.I..T, and Oregon Trail Winnies prior to October 16, 1972, where title to such unit is held in an individual capacity.

2. Regular Member - Any person at least twenty-one (21) years of age who, after October 16, 1972, purchases a Winnebago or Itasca unit, joined W.I.T. or I.T.C. and Oregon Trail Winnies and Itascas, where title to such unit is held in an individual capacity.

3. Honorary Member - Past members selected by the club who because of health or age sold their motor home and can no longer participate as active members of the club. Honorary members may not vote or be owners of x-brands.

SECTION 8 - Admission of New Members

Applicants for membership in the club shall make written application on a form approved by the club.

SECTION 9 - Voting Rights

Only Charter members and Regular members shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of the membership, with no more than two votes per unit.

SECTION 10 - Board of Directors

The directors of the club shall be the President, First and Second Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Wagonmaster, immediate past President and Presidents of all local clubs. The Board shall have the power to adopt and enact from time to, time, rules and regulations pertaining to the operations of the club not consistent with the bylaws. Such rules and regulations shall not be in effect until they have been reduced in writing, and provided to each member unit of the club. Further, the Board shall have the power to enforce any and all rules and regulations as deemed necessary.

SECTION l 1- Quorum

A minimum of 25% of the membership must be present at any given meeting in order to conduct business for the club. Club and Chapters must define a quorum for transaction of business at any duly called meeting.  The quorum must be either a designed number or a percentage.

SECTION 12 - Vacancies

If a vacancy occurs in the office of president, the vice president shall be the president for the remainder of the elected president's term. If a vacancy occurs in any other office, the club may elect a successor who shall hold office for the remaining term.

  SECTION 13 - Duties of the Officers

1. President

a. Lead the membership and coordinate affairs and events.

b. Preside over meetings. Offers recommendations and suggestions for consideration. In case of a tie, casts a vote.

c. Appoints committees as needed and serves as chairman of all except the nominating committee. Committee members serve at the pleasure of the president and may be excused without cause.

d. Insures all provisions of the W.I.T. Bylaws are followed

e. Notifies W.I.T. immediately of any accident or injury that occurs during any outing, meeting or rally.

f. Recruits new members for the club.

g. Attends outings of other clubs or chapters as often as possible.

h. Encourages members to participate in club functions.

i. Works with the Area Representative in his/her areas.

j. Requests certificates of insurance from the W.IT. Office, if required by campgrounds or fairgrounds.

k Follows up with each officer to be sure all duties are being performed.

m. Distributes chapter birthday patches.

2. First Vice-President

a. Presides over meetings, if the president is absents

b. Assists the president in coordinating affairs and events.

3. Second Vice President

a. Presides over meetings if the president and first vice president are absent

b. Assists the president in coordinating affairs and events.

c. Acts as the club membership chairperson.

4. Secretary

a. Keeps accurate up-to-date records of the club membership. Following the election sends a complete roster and listing of new officers to the WIT. Office. A roster is required annually.

b. Records the proceedings of all meetings of the membership and its Executive Board

c. Requests year patch or birthday patches for club's 5,10,1S,20,25 and 30'~ birthdays. To receive club birthday patches, a letter of request and a current roster must be sent to the W.IT. Office.

d Submits information on club outings and "Who's Inviting Travelers" to the Club News editor. Deadline is always the first of the month preceding the issue month. For example, if you want information in the March issue, it must be received in the W.I.T. Office no later than February l st.

5. Treasurer

a Receives, safeguards and keeps accurate the records of all club funds in the name of the club.

b. Submits written reports on funds at each meeting of the club. Gives oral report to the membership.

c. Disburse funds only for authorized purposes and only in accordance with club bylaws.

d. Distributes patches, pins, logos and other related materials.

e. Verifies that all members and applicants for membership are members of W.IT.

6. Wagonmaster

a. Shall execute the duties assigned them by the President and Vice-President

b. Will explore locations for meeting sites and make suggestions to the club on those sites. Will have the

power to exercise authority in decision making within the region.

c. Will coordinate parking at State club affairs and events.

  SECTION 14 - Removals

Any officer or director may be removed by the Board of Directors at any time, assigning just cause thereof.

  SECTION 15 - Amendments

These by laws may be altered; amended or rescinded by the vote of the membership upon a majority vote thereof. No bylaws shall be altered, amended, or rescinded by the members at the meeting when such change is first proposed All amendments or changes in the club bylaws should be submitted to W.I.T. for approval.

  SECTION 16 - Initiation Fees and Dues

The dues for all members shall be $10.00 annually. Dues are due and payable at the time of the Annual Rally and delinquent September 30 of each year.

 SECTION 17 - Election of Officers

A nominating committee will be appointed by the President at the April meeting each year and will report at the June meeting. Nominations from the general membership will be accepted at the June meeting. Election of all officers will be held at the September meeting with newly elected officers to be sworn in at the Annual Rally in September. Term of office to run from October I to October l of the following year.  The of President shall not hold office more than five (5)consecutive one-year terms. A partial term shall not count as a term served. Person must be out of office as President two years before being able to return back as President. The office of Vice President may be exempted from the above requirement.” The offices of secretary and treasurer are exempt from the above requirements and may be combined, as are other offices including wagon master and webmaster.To be eligible for an office a person must be a member of Oregon Trail Winnies and Itascas for one year.

           SECTION 18 - Expulsion of Club Members  

1. A member may submit a request for expulsion through the president to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors would review the request and make a recommendation to the membership. To approve the recommendation the majority of the membership must vote in its support.

2 The person named in the petition or request has the right to reply to the charges in writing prior to action being taken.

3. The Board of Directors should not vote against the wishes of the majority of the membership.

4 After the process is complete, documentation should be sent to the national W.IT. organization in Forest City, Iowa.

SECTION 19 - Effective Date of Bylaws

These revised bylaws shall take effect July 30, 2011