HEART OF AMERICA COACHMEN
CHAPTER STANDING RULES
Effective August 1, 2008
The name of the Chapter is Heart of America Coachmen and is also referred to as Heart of America.
1) NEW MEMBERS
Full membership is obtained after attendance as a guest at a Heart of America rally and upon recommendation and sponsorship by two members in good standing and majority approval of the members attending the meeting at which the prospective member’s name is presented. Prospective members shall not be charged a rally fee for their first rally.
2) MEMBER EMERITUS/FAMILY ASSOCIATE
a) A Member Emeritus/Family Associate is an FMCA member who no longer owns a Qualifying Motor Coach. Membership in FMCA must be maintained.
b) A Member Emeritus/Family Associate shall be required to pay an annual fee equal to the Chapter dues
c) A member Emeritus/Family Associate shall not be eligible to vote or hold elected office or serve on a committee. An officer converting to associate membership status may be allowed to complete his or her term of office.
d) Upon request and payment of service fees, members will be added to the mailing list and receive newsletters and publications.
3) HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
a) Honorary Member is used at the Chapter level. Heart of America formerly referred to this membership as Friends. This is defined as a member who is no longer able, for reason of health, age, or extenuating circumstances, to operate or own a qualifying coach. It may also be bestowed on any person/member who has rendered significant service over an extended period of time.
b) Honorary members have no obligations to FMCA.
c) Honorary members shall pay an annual fee equal to the Chapter dues. Members will be added to the mailing list and receive newsletters and publications.
d) Honorary members may participate in Chapter functions by paying the applicable fees.
4) CODE OF ETHICS
a) Heart of America’s code of ethics requires each member to conduct him or herself in such a manner that reflects credit upon Heart of America and FMCA
b) Pets
1. Pets are welcome at rallies and must be maintained on a leash or carried while in the immediate rally area.
2. Dogs of a vicious nature or who bark persistently must be muzzled with a no-bark muzzle and kept inside the owner’s coach.
3. Pets will not be permitted in and around where food is prepared and eaten.
5) EXPULSION
a) Any member is subject to expulsion for any of the following reasons:
1. Violation of the By-laws and Standing Rules of the Heart of America.
2. Violation of and/or disregard of the code of ethics of FMCA as adopted by Heart of America.
3. Any willful act or conduct contrary to the best interest of Heart of America Coachmen or its members.
4. Conviction of any offense against the State or nation amounting to a felony.
5. Fraud, deceit, theft, or embezzlement of any property of Heart of America.
b) Upon complaint of any member, the President may appoint a grievance committee to investigate such complaint. If, in the opinion of the committee, there is possible grounds for expulsion of such a member, a secret ballot shall be taken at any special or called meeting to determine the course of action to be taken.
6) LENGTH OF BUSINESS MEETINGS
a) Business meetings should be held to approximately one (1) hour.
7) DUES AND FEES
a) Chapter dues are fifteen ($15) dollars. Dues are due and payable January 1 and delinquent April 1.
b) Initiation fee – new and reinstated members may be required to pay an initiation fee of twenty ($20) dollars. This covers the first year dues and cost of a chapter badge.
8) RALLIES
a) Rally fees are ten ($10) dollars per person. Requests for refunds must be forwarded to the Host for consideration.
b) The Hosts shall make arrangements as they see fit for camping, meals to be eaten out, catered meals, dinners from the rally fee, if needed, breakfast rolls, etc, coffee and tea. Time for a business meeting must be scheduled at each rally. Rally information should be given to the Editor for inclusion in the Newsletter.
c) Cost of catered meals is based on cost per person and paid for by each member.
d) Fees for renting buildings and expense of paper products (consumables) used are considered additional expenses and the Treasurer will make arrangement to cover the cost from Club funds upon receipt of itemized bills and receipts.
e) If Hosts underestimate rally expenses, they must advise the President and Treasurer and the additional expenses will by covered by the Club.
f) If Hosts do not spend all the money they received from registrations, they must return it to the Treasurer and it will be added to the General Fund.
g) Normally, generators will not be run between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM. This policy may be modified due to extenuating circumstances.
h) The Chapter will defray up to one hundred ($100) dollars of rally costs.
i) Any cost of renting a club/meeting room and replacement of consumable products, will be in addition to the submitted rally costs and will be paid by the Chapter.
j) A first night reception will be scheduled.
b) Pets
1. Pets are welcome at rallies and must be maintained on a leash or carried while in the immediate rally area.
2. Dogs of a vicious nature or who bark persistently must be muzzled with a no-bark muzzle and kept inside the owner’s coach.
3. Pets will not be permitted in and around where food is prepared and eaten.
5) EXPULSION
a) Any member is subject to expulsion for any of the following reasons:
1. Violation of the By-laws and Standing Rules of the Heart of America.
2. Violation of and/or disregard of the code of ethics of FMCA as adopted by Heart of America.
3. Any willful act or conduct contrary to the best interest of Heart of America Coachmen or its members.
4. Conviction of any offense against the State or nation amounting to a felony.
5. Fraud, deceit, theft, or embezzlement of any property of Heart of America.
b) Upon complaint of any member, the President may appoint a grievance committee to investigate such complaint. If, in the opinion of the committee, there is possible grounds for expulsion of such a member, a secret ballot shall be taken at any special or called meeting to determine the course of action to be taken.
6) LENGTH OF BUSINESS MEETINGS
a) Business meetings should be held to approximately one (1) hour.
7) DUES AND FEES
a) Chapter dues are fifteen ($15) dollars. Dues are due and payable January 1 and delinquent April 1.
b) Initiation fee – new and reinstated members may be required to pay an initiation fee of twenty ($20) dollars. This covers the first year dues and cost of a chapter badge.
8) RALLIES
a) Rally fees are ten ($10) dollars per person. Requests for refunds must be forwarded to the Host for consideration.
b) The Hosts shall make arrangements as they see fit for camping, meals to be eaten out, catered meals, dinners from the rally fee, if needed, breakfast rolls, etc, coffee and tea. Time for a business meeting must be scheduled at each rally. Rally information should be given to the Editor for inclusion in the Newsletter.
c) Cost of catered meals is based on cost per person and paid for by each member.
d) Fees for renting buildings and expense of paper products (consumables) used are considered additional expenses and the Treasurer will make arrangement to cover the cost from Club funds upon receipt of itemized bills and receipts.
e) If Hosts underestimate rally expenses, they must advise the President and Treasurer and the additional expenses will by covered by the Club.
f) If Hosts do not spend all the money they received from registrations, they must return it to the Treasurer and it will be added to the General Fund.
g) Normally, generators will not be run between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM. This policy may be modified due to extenuating circumstances.
h) The Chapter will defray up to one hundred ($100) dollars of rally costs.
i) Any cost of renting a club/meeting room and replacement of consumable products, will be in addition to the submitted rally costs and will be paid by the Chapter.
j) A first night reception will be scheduled.
9) AMENDING PROCEDURE
a) These Standing Rules may be amended by a majority affirmative vote of the members present and voting at a duly called meeting. A quorum must be present.
b) A quorum, for the transaction of business at any duly called Chapter meeting, is 25% of the Chapter family unit memberships or 15 family unit members, whichever is less.
