STATION 144 MEMBER RULES

 

 

 

1. MEMBERSHIP

 

A.)  No member shall be discriminated on the basis of race, sex or creed.

B.)  A prospective member must be at least 18 years of age.

C.)  Primary Membership of the club shall be made up of those people who are firefighters and fire department support services personnel. They will include members who are paid, volunteer and retired.

1.      Spouses of primary members will be allowed primary membership status with the following variations.

a.       The spouse is not required to own or ride a motorcycle.

b.      The spouse cannot sponsor another member.

c.       The spouse cannot hold the office of President and Vice President locally or any Regional or National office.

d.      The spouse cannot vote on National issues or elections.

2.      If a separation occurs between couples, the non-firefighter member will be removed from the club.

D.)  Sponsored Membership shall be made up of all non- fire department personnel. Sponsored members cannot sponsor another member. Sponsored Members cannot vote on matters pertaining to National issues or elections.

E.)   Union membership is not mandatory.

F.)   Any Primary Member in good standing can sponsor one (1) non fire department applicant to join the club. The sponsorship must meet final approval of the club President.

G.)  Primary Members are responsible for the actions and participation of their sponsored members. The Primary Member has the right to withdraw their sponsorship at any time.

H.)  If a Sponsored Member loses their sponsor, they must leave the club at the end of the year unless they obtain another sponsor.

I.)     Sponsored Members cannot sponsor a member.

J.)     If for any reason, a member no longer has a motorcycle, that member will have a time period of one (1) year to purchase a motorcycle, unless the member falls under Section 1, Para. C1. All unique situations will be taken into consideration and decided on by the club Executive Board.

K.)  All newly accepted members will be considered a Probationary Member. During the probationary period, that member will wear the club rocker only and must attend four (4) club meetings and attend at least three (3) sanctioned club rides. After these requirements are completed, the probationary member will be issued the club patch and become either a primary member or a sponsored member. Said member will be expected to remain a member in good standing while a member of Fire & Iron MC, Station 144. During the Probationary period, said member will be subject to all other rules and regulations of Fire & Iron MC, Station 144.

L.)   Honorary Membership is allowed and is at the discretion of Station 144. It may be granted to persons who have contributed substantially to the promotion of Fire & Iron MC, Station 144. Honorary Members will have the same rights and privileges as Sponsored Members. The number of Honorary Members shall not exceed 4 per station at any given time.

M.)  Lifetime Membership shall be granted to those previous members who have passed away. A Lifetime Membership will consist of having that members name and picture added to our Fallen Brothers page and the issuing of their colors to the family.

 

2. DUES

 

A.)  Each member will be required to pay annual dues no later than April 15 of each year.

1.)    If not paid by April 15, a $10.00 late fee must be paid with the dues to remain a member. NO EXCEPTIONS

2.)    If not paid by June 1, the member will no longer be a member of Fire & Iron MC, Station 144 and MUST turn in their colors to the President or Sgt. At Arms immediately.

3.)    To become a member again. You must re-apply as a new applicant and must pay all dues and fees associated with new membership.

4.)    Special circumstances may exist. Appeals may be made in writing to the Executive Board of Station 144. The Executive Board will make a final decision within 30 days.

B.)   Dues amount will be voted on annually by members in good standing and decided by a majority vote.

 

3. CLUB PATCH AND COLORS

 

A.    The club patch design/logo belongs to Fire & Iron MC, Chapter 1, Central Florida Region.

B.     All members will be issued one (1) Fire & Iron MC patch and one (1) Station 144, Mass. rocker that will be worn with honor and pride. Additional patches and rockers available for a fee, but still remain property of Fire & Iron MC.

C.     Only members in good standing will be allowed to wear the club patch and rocker. If for any reason a member should leave or be removed from the club, that member must turn in their club patch(s) and rocker(s) to the club President or Sgt. At Arms immediately.

D.    All members attending a Station 144 meeting must wear their club colors. (official patch and rocker) NO EXCEPTIONS

E.     Official club patch and rocker must be worn at all club meetings. The official Fire & Iron MC tee shirt may be worn (6/1 thru 9/1 only) at all club events except meetings. (I.e. parties, parades, charity events, rides etc.)              

F.      Colors must be affixed to black leather or blue/black vests or jackets.

G.    Colors must never be washed.

H.    Colors must be worn as the outer most garment and never be covered up.

I.       Colors must never be worn while riding in a four (4) wheeled vehicle. (cage)

J.       At no time will your colors touch the ground unless you are wearing them.

K.    Members are responsible for their colors at all times and should never leave them unattended. A non-member must never be in control of your colors.

L.     The colors of Fire & Iron MC must never be sold or given to a non-member.

M.   Reasons for a member to lose his or her patch and rocker and membership in Fire & Iron MC are as follows.

1.) Non-payment of annual Dues.

2.) Bringing shame or dishonor to the club.

3.) Removing colors and throwing them to the ground or floor.

4.) Losing or misplacing their colors.

5.) Actions of a member by which a 2/3rd’s majority vote of the membership feels are not in keeping with the clubs sprit or intent.

6.) A felony conviction.

7.) Affixing a non-approved patch that supports another club and not removing it when directed.

 

4. ELECTIONS

 

A.    To be eligible to run for office (local, regional, national) you must be a member in good standing for a minimum of two (2) years.

B.     Election of officers will be held annually at the General Meeting.

C.     Terms will be for two (2) years.

D.    The election of President and Treasurer will be held on odd numbered years.

E.     The election of Vice President and Secretary will be held on even numbered years.

F.        All terms will start on February 1 and end on January 31.

G.    The positions of President and Vice President can only be held by Primary members.

 

5. GENERAL INFORMATION

 

A.    Meetings will be held Bi-monthly. January, March, May, July, September and November.

1.)    The General Meeting is in January. Elections, Rule changes, Money disbursements will take place during this meeting.

2.)    Meetings should be held at the same location bi-monthly and will be at the discretion of the President and the Executive Board...

3.)    Meetings will be held on the same day of the month ( ie. first Thursday,) bi-monthly and will be at the discretion of the President and Executive board.

a.)    Changes may occur because of holidays, etc.

4.)    Special Meetings may be called at the discretion of the President or the Executive Board.

B.     All members are required to attend a minimum of three (3) meetings per year. (See appendix A)

C.     All members are required to attend a minimum of three (3) sanctioned club rides per year. Station 144 will strive to have at least one sanctioned ride per month. (May – Nov.)

D.    All makes and models of motorcycles will be accepted in the club; however, member motorcycles must be able to keep up during group rides.

E.     Safe driving practices are strongly enforced. Members not adhering to the “accepted” rules of the road will not be tolerated.

F.         Personal conflicts or fighting reflects poorly on the membership and will not be tolerated. Any disagreements will be brought before the Executive board for settlement.

G.    Membership in other MC clubs is not allowed. Membership in motorcycle associations or groups is discouraged but allowed. (i.e. HOG, IAFF, CMA)

H.    Your rank or position in the fire department does not carry over into the club or hold sway over any club activities.

I.         What happens in the Club, stays in the club.

 

NOTE:

There are Fire & Iron MC National By-laws that have been written and approved by the National Board. Station 144 rules have been written to conform and can not in any way be less restrictive than the National By-laws.

 

 

 

STATION 144 OFFICERS

 

President          (must be a primary member)

 

The duties of the president are as follows:

 

  1. Preside over Station meetings and the station as a whole.
  2. Handle all communications at the Regional and National levels.
  3. Judge items not covered in the by-laws or in the station rules and policies.
  4. Act as the personal representative of Station 144.
  5. Represent Station 144 in any club business contacts.
  6. Promote enjoyable club life among members in general.

 

Vice President      (must be a primary member)

 

The duties of the vice president are as follows:

 

1.      Assume the responsibilities of the presidency when the President is unable to do so.

2.      Serve as chairman of sub-committees or liaison in certain matters that the President deems necessary.

 

Secretary

 

The duties of the secretary are as follows:

 

1.      Record and safeguard the minutes of the station meetings.

2.      Maintain the station rules and policies, recording any additions, deletions or modifications.

3.      Keep Station 144 members informed of any and all stations events. (rides, meetings, parties, etc.)

 

Treasurer

 

The duties of the treasurer are as follows:

 

1.      Monitor and record the stations income and expenses.

2.      Collect the dues and fines owed by club members.

 

Road Captain

 

The duties of the Road captain are as follows:

 

1.      Plan the travel routes and organize the basic itinerary of the station prior to going on a ride.

2.      Lead or trail the club while in formation.

3.      Enforce station rules and procedures for group riding.

 

Sergeant at Arms

 

The duties of the Sgt. at Arms are as follows:

 

         1. Maintain order at station meetings and other station events in general.

         2. Ensure that members adhere to station rules, policies and expected conduct when                                                            dealing with other members or outsiders.

         3. Defend station members, property or territory from inside and outside threats.

         4. Will report directly to the station President and Vice President.

         5. In cases of area/regional conflicts, the Sgt. at Arms may contact the Regional Officer directly.

 

Appendix A.

 

            Because of a firefighters unique work schedule in which a member could work several meeting nights during the calendar year, the following is understood and will be monitored by the Executive Board.

 

Any member, primary or sponsored, whose regularly scheduled work shift falls on a meeting night, that member could be excused from the three (3) meeting rule. However, that member would be expected to make up that time by attending additional rides or events during that same calendar year.