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  Constitution and By-Laws of the Southern Nevada Jackrabbits Motorcycle Club

Constitution
 

 NAME

This club shall be known as the Southern Nevada Jackrabbits Motorcycle Club. The club is often referred to as—“Jackrabbits MC,”  “The Jackrabbits M/C Las Vegas,”  “The Jackrabbits MC LV,” “ JRMCLV,” or among members as “The Club.” 

HISTORY

The Jackrabbits M/C is a non-profit off-road racing club. The club was formed when The Welch family of the original California Jackrabbits brought their love for the club and sport to Las Vegas in the early 70’s. Their primary focus was on the kids, mini races and this remains our focus. The Jackrabbits MC membership is made up of amateur motorcycle enthusiasts from all walks of life. Not only from across the state of Nevada, but Utah, Arizona, California, Colorado, and Texas, who have the exciting sport of off-road motorcycling as a common interest.  Jackrabbit club members are family people (husbands, wives, and children); professional people (doctors, lawyers, and teachers); technicians and laborers. Off-road motorcycling holds no social, age, or ethnic bounds.

 PURPOSE        

Provide a safe and encouraging environment for children and mini racers.  All members must be held accountable for their actions and therefore act responsibly and be good role models for our youth.  Individual parenting techniques are recognized and accepted, but the overall environment must be safe and encouraging.

To promote, foster, encourage, and stimulate public interest in off-road racing, off highway vehicle (OHV) recreation, and competition

To provide participation opportunities for children and adults in Desert and Grand Prix (GP) racing, to enhance the skills and strategies necessary to participate, win local racing events, to gain valuable management and leadership experience through the efficient and creative administration of the club, etc.

To endorse, sanction, promote, sponsor, organize and conduct off-road activities, including but not limited to racing, camping, family events, and competition. 

To protect, promote, preserve and extend the rights and privileges of off-road motorists and enthusiasts in their responsible use and enjoyment of public lands

By-Laws

 Executive Board AND OFFICERS

Executive Board:  The officers of the Executive Board shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Race Referee.  These officers shall constitute the Executive Board. Recommendations of Executive Board shall be by simple majority.

 Duties of the Executive Board

To act for the club in all matters ordered by the club

To maintain club administrative records

Shall have general control over all club affairs

To appoint any member to fill a vacancy of the Executive Board or standing committees caused by death, resignation, or neglect to serve as determined by the Executive Board.

To perform an internal audit of the financial records of the club each year immediately following the annual election. The Vice President and one member other than the Treasurer shall complete the audit by December 31st.  After completing the audit, the Executive Board shall provide a report to the members at the next regular meeting.

To pay club debts. All checks shall require only one signature for payment of club debts.

The Treasurer should sign all checks. At the discretion of the President and Treasurer, additional members of the Executive Board may be authorized to sign checks only in the Treasurer’s absence.  Additional signing documents and procedures may be required.

To annually review the Constitution and By-laws to determine if changes or updates are needed. 

 President:  The duties of the President shall be:

To preside at all meetings of the club

To have general supervision of the affairs of the club

To appoint any person or committee not required to be elected by club members

To appoint any member as Secretary pro tempore whose duties shall be to record the minutes in the absence of the Secretary

To personally represent the club on proper occasions and business contacts

To promote interest on the part of each member in club life and activities

To vote only when necessary to break a tie

  Vice President:  The duties of the Vice President shall be:

To perform the duties of the President in his absence and to assist the President as required

To act as liaison between the President and Committee Chairpersons, if needed

To act as club liaison with other organizations for the purpose of planning and/or participating in area events

To have general supervision over all club non-riding events

Race Referee:  The Referee shall be a highly active member of exceptional standing in the club. The duties of the Referee shall be:

Fulfill responsibilities of the Referee at AMA sanctioned competition events.  These are defined in the AMA and the Motorcycle Racing Association of Nevada (MRAN) rule books.

The Referee should have a thorough knowledge of MRAN and AMA desert racing rules

Shall work in conjunction with the Scorekeeper

Render, with President and Scorekeeper all decisions on disqualification of riders and disqualify any rider who violates any of the rules

Secretary:  The duties of the Secretary shall be:

To keep a record of the club meetings

To send out notices of regular and special meetings

To handle all club correspondence

To perform such duties as generally fall to that office

To be the point of contact for the club by-laws. If approved by the President, the Secretary may make small corrections to the by-laws that do not change the approved intent.  Examples are typos and grammatical errors.

Treasurer:  The duties of the Treasurer shall be:

To collect dues from all members if dues are required

To collect all other money due the club

To make payment of all club debts

To maintain club financial records and deliver reports on a timely basis

To recommend changes of investment strategies to the club

Legislative Land-Use Officer:  The duties of the Legislative Land-Use Officer shall be:  

To maintain contact with Bureau of Land Management (BLM), individual persons, land owners, etc. for the purpose of gaining permission for use in club activities.

To monitor and report on state and federal proposed changes in laws and legislative activities concerning the sport of motorcycling.

To work with other organizations to promote programs and legislation that will benefit motorcycle enthusiasts.

American Motorcycle Association (AMA) Representative. The duties of the AMA Representative shall be:

General supervision over all AMA sanctioned events promoted by the club

To represent the club as the official AMA Representative

For AMA sanctioned events

To ensure that the events are properly sanctioned with liability insurance coverage intact

To review the registration procedures and ensure that an adequate supply of all sign up materials and release forms are available

To research and consolidate information on all participant or spectator mishaps during an AMA sanctioned event, complete and forward the injury report form to the AMA no later than 14 days after the event. However, in the case of a fatality or serious injury - serious injury being defined as any injury requiring hospitalization - telephone the AMA the first working day following your event, and the injury report form is to be mailed to the AMA within 24 hours after the event - along with the release form and data card from the injured party.

To attend a Risk Management Workshop prior to holding a sanctioned event.

To communicate to the AMA district legislative officer or AMA Congress delegate any of the legislative activities identified

To work with the AMA district legislative officer or AMA Congress delegate, and AMA government relations department to promote programs and legislation that will benefit motorcycle enthusiasts

Scorekeeper:  The Scorekeeper shall be a member in good standing.  The Scorekeeper is responsible for the following:

Keeping a running account of year-end competition points for all active members and report to MRAN Referee if a Jackrabbits points need to be corrected

The Scorekeeper is responsible for keeping an account of MRAN points only for MRAN sanctioned events and to turn these points in to MRAN

The Scorekeeper is responsible for keeping an account of AMA points only for AMA sanctioned events and to turn these points in to AMA

To keep score and track Jackrabbits club points for end of year awards

OFFICER ELECTIONS

 Eligibility:  Any officer must be an active member and in good standing in the club. At least two years club membership is preferred but not required.

All officers shall hold the office for one year or until their successor is elected and qualified

Elected officers are President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Referee.  The remaining officer positions may be appointed by the President. 

All elective offices shall be filled at an election to be held on November of each year.  Nominations should be accepted in October, but also accepted at the November meeting.  Voting will be held as a club vote with all members who are present.

MEMBERSHIP

Eligibility: Membership shall be open to all persons wanting to become members with the intention of participating in the sport.  Members shall be operators and riders of motorcycles, motorcycle enthusiasts, or persons actively concerned with the trade.

Requirements:  Prospective members must agree to the following:

The club purpose and by-laws

Successfully complete a continuous one hundred-twenty (120) day probationary period

Participate in club rides, meetings, and events.  The club recognizes participation will vary based on individual needs and availability.  The successful level of participation can be at the discretion of the Executive Board.

Receive a simple majority vote of members present at a regularly scheduled business meeting. If personal or job-related issues keep the prospective member from successfully completing items 6.02(2) and 6.02(3), the membership may vote a one-time extension of the probationary period.

Remain in good standing in terms of conduct

Classification of Membership

An active member is a member who participates in club events, but at a minimum participates in one organized racing event hosted by the Jackrabbits MC.  If participation is not accomplished, participation credit may be earned by assisting another racing club if approved by the President of Jackrabbits MC and the other club’s President. 

All active members receive club racing points in MRAN racing events

All members must be aware that all club racing points for MRAN can be withheld, forfeited, and removed at any time throughout the year if overall participation in the club is limited or deemed minimal by the club’s Executive Board.  The level of participation is at the discretion of the Executive Board based on individual needs, communication, past standing, and previous contributions. 

An inactive member is a member who cannot meet active member requirements.  A member can remain on inactive status through the next year following a year of active status.  If further inactive status is desired, the member must submit a letter to the Secretary stating the reasons why the status should be extended.  Extension of the status requires a majority vote of members present when letter is presented to the club by the Secretary.

Charter members are active members on membership list when this constitution and initial by-laws are approved

Alumni status is for club members who have been active for five or more years and no longer desires active membership.  They will pay no dues, but will have a vote on club matters.  They have no obligation except participation at the club race(s).

An Honorary Member is a person who has performed exceptional service over a period of years.  The honorary member must be decided by a two-thirds vote of those present at any regular meeting.  Honorary members cannot vote on organization's affairs unless they hold an alumni or active status.

Associate membership is anyone interested in the Jackrabbits MC who is not a rider or enthusiast of motorcycles, and may qualify for membership as support of the club.  Individuals interested in an associate membership must go through the same application process as someone who is applying for regular membership.  Individuals, who become associate members, may upgrade their membership at anytime upon meeting the requirements. 

Any member may be expelled for conduct unbecoming a member of the club.  Charges must first be made in writing and the accused member given a hearing before the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall take evidence and report its findings to the club with the recommendation that the accused member be expelled, or the accused remain a member of the club. The club shall then vote whether the recommendation of the Executive Board shall be adopted. It shall require a two-thirds vote of the active members present. 

Only active and alumni adult members shall be entitled to a vote in any of the organization's affairs.  Voting privileges of juvenile members (non big bike racers) are limited to matters concerning the Mini, 65, and Peewee classes.

Membership Fee: None at this time

Late Fees: None at this time

QUORUM

The club will conduct business meetings with the active members that are present provided at least six active members cast a vote

Voting at impromptu or non-regularly scheduled meetings can be held if approved by majority vote at the last regularly scheduled meeting

MONETARY COMPENSATION 

The Jackrabbits MC is a not for profit, tax exempt, non-stock corporation.  As such, no member of the Jackrabbits MC shall receive monetary compensation for any services rendered to the organization. Reimbursement for club expenses is permitted to include, but not limited to office expenses, club supplies, race expenses, and equipment rentals. 

Meeting RULES OF ORDER

The order of business shall be:

Call Meeting to Order

Roll Call

Introduction of Guests

Questions/answers of minutes from previous meetings.  Previous minutes should be read prior to attending current meeting.

Report of Officers

Secretary

Treasurer

Scorekeeper

Referee

AMA Representative

Legislative Land-Use Officer

Vice President

President

Special Event Reports / upcoming events

Legislative Reports other than land-use

Old Business (Unfinished Business)

New Business

Motion to Adjourn

To keep meetings timely and for the benefit of all members, the order of business should be followed to the maximum extent.  Side and personal conversations should be held until the official meeting is adjourned.  The club President can modify the order of business if deemed necessary.

Managers and Committees

All special committees shall be appointed by the President and report to the Executive Board

Race Committee

Composed of current members in good standing, appointed by the club President.  A chairman should be appointed who is experienced with race organization.

Race committee shall meet when Chairman deems it necessary to plan club event

Recommendations of race committee shall be presented to club at regular meeting and voted by membership

Pit Committee

A pit committee captain should be appointed at each race.  This pit captain will manage all activities of the pit during the race.

All racers must ensure race sign-in sheet is completed prior to riders’ meeting

No pit will be closed or removed until everyone on the pit sheet returns from race course or injured/broken down racer is located and accounted

Due to needs of an injured or broken down racer, all members are required to remain at club pit or camp area until excused by the pit captain

No member may leave the club or pit area to retrieve a broken down rider unless authorized by pit captain.  The pit captain will ensure host club approves members on the course.

All members are encouraged to serve as a pit member in at least one race per year

Guest Racers

Non-members, excluding prospective members, cannot ride as a guest unless sponsored by a regular member

Sponsoring members of a guest rider must obtain concurrence from a club officer present at the event, but the assigned pit captain will retain final approval

Sponsoring members will ensure guest rider is on club pit sheet, indicating they are acting as sponsor

Riders are limited to two guest rides, then must become a prospective or active member

Indemnification

Participants shall hold harmless as an entity or individually the Jackrabbits MC and any of its officers, members, prospects, and guests against any and all claims and causes of action of any kind arising from the activity of operating a motorcycle

Participants retain rights to pursue claims and causes of action against an individual club member, prospect, or guest who has violated by-laws

Jackrabbit CLUB POINTS AND TROPHIES

The club will present a trophy to the member who accumulates the most club points during the year

Club points awarded as follows:

9 points – For each full day of official work party

5 points – Flying American or club flag at camp / pits

MRAN events only:

10 points – 1st in class

9 points – 2nd in class

8 points – 3rd in class

7 points – 4th in class

6 points - Finishing

5 points - DNF

5 points – For attending race and wearing club colors

5 points – For attending meetings

6 points – Pit captain

4 points – Pit worker

Points to be annual and trophies awarded for the top seven point earners

Points to be reviewed each meeting by the club Scorekeeper

1st place trophy should be of the perpetual type.  After being won by the same member three times, trophy is then retired to that member.

The club will also give an award to the family that participates and supports the club the most.  This award will be voted by simple majority vote at the November meeting.  After being won by the same family three times, trophy is then retired to that family.

AMENDMENTS

The Constitution and by-laws  may be amended providing the proposed amendment is submitted in writing or electronic means deemed adequate by the Secretary (e.g. by email to all active members), at least one regular meeting prior to the regular meeting at which vote is to be taken. An approved vote of two-thirds of the members present shall be required to adopt an amendment.

Attachment 1
Charter Members

Attachment 2
Alumni Members

Attachment 3
Honorary Members