Michigan State
Constitution
And
By-laws
2008
CONSTITUTIONARTICLE I-NAME
This Organization shall be known as the MICHIGAN STATE ORGANIZATION of the International Good Sam Recreational Vehicle Club. The aforementioned shall recognize the International Good Sam Club’s Constitution and By-Laws as their ultimate body of law.
The MICHIGAN STATE ORGANIZATION will always use the terminology “State Organization” when referring to its organization. The term “Club” always means the International Good Sam Recreational Vehicle Club.
This state Organization will only use the Good Sam name and logo in good taste, and to promote the Good Sam Pledge and State activities and in a manner consistent with the Club Constitution, By-Laws and General Policies.
ARTICLE II-PURPOSE
It is the purpose of this State Organization to promote the use and enjoyment of recreational vehicles and outdoor fellowship among its members through trips and group activities. This State Organization shall maintain an attitude, which is strictly non-sectarian, non-partisan, non-sectional, and non-racial, and shall be dedicated to bringing together people interested in the ideals and principles of the International Good Sam Recreational Vehicle Club.
ARTICLE III- MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership in this State Organization is limited to those individuals who are members in good standing with both International Good Sam Club and the State Organization( i.e. have paid International dues).
Section 2. Each member includes one couple or single and any dependents living with them.
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ARTICLE IV-STATE ORGANIZATION
Section 1. Officers of this of this State Organization shall be the State Director, Treasurer, Secretary, Wagonmaster, Assistant State Directors, and such additional officers as deemed necessary by the State Organization. The State Board is comprised of all State Officers listed above.
Section 2. The State Director is elected to a two year term, as specified in the Constitution and By-Laws of the International Good Sam Club.
Section 3. The treasurer will be elected to a two year term, as specified in the Constitution and By-Laws of the International Good Sam Club.
Section 4. All other State Officers will be appointed by the State Director, and will hold officer for a period designated by the State director, but not to exceed the State Director’s term of office.
Section 5. No State Officer may hold any other post or position within the Club, Region, State, or Chapter, unless special approval is given by the International Good Sam Club.
Section 6. No person shall hold any office of President or Vice-President in more than one Chapter.
ARTICLE V-STATE COMMITTEE
Each State is authorized to form a State Committee, composed of one Chapter President or his/her appointed delegate, from each Chapter within the State, as specified in the International Good Sam Club. The Upper Peninsula Chapters are authorized to send one (1) Chapter President, or delegate to the State Committee to represent and Chapters in the Upper Peninsula cast one (1) vote for each Chapter he/she is representing. For each Chapter he/she is representing that President or delegate must carry authorization from each Chapter President he/she is representing in the form of a signed letter by the Chapter President. This will apply only when the committee meeting is held in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan.
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ARTICILE VI-AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Proposed amendments to the Constitution must be submitted to the State Director by a State Committee member, in writing, to be included in the agenda of the next meeting.
Section 2. The proposed amendment(s) in its final form shall be sent to each State Committee member ten (10) days prior to the meeting at which time the amendment(s) is to be voted on.
Section 3. Such proposed amendment(s) shall automatically be an item on the subsequent agendas until properly disposed of by a vote of the State Committee members.
Section 4. The amendment(s) may be passed with an affirmative vote of three fourths (3/4) of the State Committee members present.
Section 5. Outgoing elected officials (i.e. the State Director and/or state Treasurer) must submit proper papers to the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) removing/updating names and addresses.
Section 6. Elected officials must maintain proper yearly paperwork pertaining to the IRS.
Section 7. Past elected officials and assistant directors should be encouraged to add the word “Past” to any apparel connected to any previous position.
Section 8. When and if the Michigan Good Sam Organization dissolves, all assets will be sold and the proceeds of the sale as well as the unsold assets will be donated to any charitable organization that the Good Sam Organization supports at the time of dissolution.
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BY-LAWS
ARTICILE I-MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. State Members-at-large Chapter members will be defined as those members of the club who do not belong to a local chapter.
Section 2. Other statewide chapters such as Second Chance Sams and Crimson Circle may be organized according to the Chapter Constitution and by-Laws.
ARTICILE II-DUTIES OF OFFICERS
STATE DIRECTOR The State director is elected to a two (2) year term as specified in the Constitution and By-Laws of the International Good Sam Club, not to exceed three (3) consecutive terms.
The State Director is the highest club officer in the state.
His/Her functions are:
1. To represent his/her state membership to the club.
2. To represent and uphold the Club Constitution and By-Laws, and general policies
of the Club to the membership.
3. To conduct the election of the State Treasurer.
4. To act as the advisor in the administration of State and Chapter business.
5. To administer the formation of new Good Sam Chapters.
6. To officiate at the State Samboree.
7. To advise the state Committee composed of the Chapter Delegates in his/her
state, to officiate at its meetings, and to vote only in the event of a tie.
8. To participate in the annual audit of the Treasury.
9. To perform such other functions as specified in the general policies of the Club.
10. To maintain records on all members of the State Organization.
11. To submit the state Constitution and By-Laws with amendments to the
International Good Sam every three (3) years for approval. (Due again 2010)
12. Any disciplinary action taken must have approval of the committee consisting
of the State Director, President or representative of the Chapter involved, and
one other Chapter President.
Upon the death, resignation, or relocation form the state of the State Director, the International Good Sam Club Executive Director shall appoint a State Director to service out the balance of the term, or request that the State Committee present another candidate for the position.
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ASSISSTANT STATE DIRECTOR The Assistant State Director will be assigned responsibility for a particular geographical section of the state, and will serve as the representative of the State Director for that area.
The functions of the Assistance State Director are:
1. To assist in organizing local chapters.
2. To supervise state functions in their assigned areas under the direction of the
State Director.
3. To act as advisor to local chapters when requested.
4. To observe and report legislative activities affecting recreational vehicles.
5. Other duties designated by the State Director.
STATE SECRETARY The functions of the State Secretary are:
1. To handle all correspondence as assigned by the State Director,
2. To attend all regular and special meetings of the State Board and State
Committee, with responsibility for: recording the minutes of the meeting
with the time and place, how called or authorized, note notice given thereof,
names of those present and proceedings: reading minutes from the previous
meeting; duplicate and distribute minutes to members of the State Board and
State Committee when requested to do so; recording roll call.
3. To assist in the preparation of the agenda for the presiding officer, showing
What is to come before the meeting.
4. To have list of all standing committees, and to file the reports of those
Committees when presented.
5. To a have copy of the State Organization’s By-Laws available for ready
refererence.
6. To send out notices of all regional and special meetings of the State Board and
State Comnmittee.
STATE TREASURER The State Treasurer is elected biennially, on alternate years to the State Director’s term by three-fourths (3/4) of the members of the State Committee by mail. The election shall be conducted by the State Director. The Treasurer may not be a member of the State Director’s family.
The functions of the State Treasurer are:
1. To have custody of the funds, securities, and assets of the State Organization.
2. To be responsible for the keeping full and accurate accounts of all receipts and
disbursements, and to make a report of such at all regularly scheduled State
Committee meetings.
3. All disbursements will be made by check, signed by the State Treasurer and
State Director.
4. To prepare an annual itemizes financial report for approval by the State
Committee.
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5. To participate in the annual audit of the Treasury.
6. To conduct the biennial election of the State Director according to the
Constitution and By-Laws of the Club.
Upon the death, resignation, or relocation from the State of the State Treasurer, the State Director will conduct a special meeting of the State Committee as soon as possible, for the purpose of electing another State Treasurer to fill this position.
STATE WAGONMASTER At the direction of the State Director the State Wagonmaster will assist in selecting the site of the State Samboree, mini-rallies, and other State Activities, and to serve as the Chairman of the parking committee; and other duties as designated by the State Director.
ARTICILE III-STATE COMMITTEE
Section 1. The State Organization shall form a State Committee composed of all Chapter Presidents within the State, or their appointed delegates, as specified in the International Good Sam Club Constitution and By-Laws. When formed a State Committee has the voting power to reconcile serious disputes within the State and in any Chapter within the State.
Section 2. The State Committee shall meet at least twice a year, or as often as necessary to conduct the business of this committee. The State Director, with the approval of the State Committee, shall determine the time and place of all State Committee meetings.
Section 3. A simple majority of the State Committee members or their delegates will constitute a quorum. A quorum must be present to conduct business.
Section 4. Roberts Rules of Order shall govern all business meetings, which will be conducted as follows:
1. Call to order
2. Roll call
3. Introduction of guests
4. Reading of minutes of previous meeting
5. Treasurer’s Report-presentation of Bills
6. Reading of correspondence
7. Reports of committee
8. Unfinished business
9. New business
10. Announcements
11. Adjournment
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Section 5. The state Board shall be allowed to sit in and participate in the State Committee meetings as a recommending body, but has no voting power. The State Director will vote only in the event of a tie, on issues before the State Committee.
Section 6. The State Committee has the authority to establish, regulate, and control the State Treasury.
Section 7. It is the responsibility of the members of the State Committee:
1. To attend State Committee meetings as the representative of his/her Chapter, and to
report the proceedings of such meetings to the chapter members. If the Chapter
President or Vice-President is unable to attend, he/she shall notify the State Director in
writing, prior to a scheduled State Committee meeting, as to who the delegate from
the Chapter will be.
2. To vote on such items as come before the State committee on behalf of the Chapter.
3. To make written request to the State Director on behalf of the Chapter, thirty (30) days
prior to a meeting, that item(s) be placed on the State Committee agenda.
4. To present to the State Committee any proposed amendment(s) to the State
Constitution and By-Laws deemed necessary by the Chapter.
5. To serve on committee(s) voluntarily or by appointment for the good of the State
Committee.
6. To obtain written support of twenty-five percent (25%) of the State Committee
Membership to petition the state Director to call a special meeting
Section 8. Whenever a chapter representative has not attend a State committee meeting for a period of one year, the State Director shall write a letter to the last known Chapter President and Vice-President requesting that the Chapter be represented at the next State Committee meeting. If the Chapter is not represented at the next State Committee meeting, the Chapter shall be declared inactive and shall not participate in the State Committee meetings until the Chapter requests reactivation from the State Director in writing.
ARTICILE IV-STATE TREASURY
Section 1 All monies received by the State Organization from State Samborees or any other source shall be placed in the State Treasury.
Section 2. A report of all expenditures of monies from the State Treasury shall be presented for approval by the State Committee at the State Committee meeting.
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Section 3. The State Committee shall appoint three (3) members of the State Committee to act as an Audit Committee. An Audit will be conducted every two (2) years with the election of the State treasurer. It will be carried out regardless of whether the State Treasurer is re-elected. The outgoing and incoming State Treasurer (if applicable) will participate in this two (2) year audit to attest to their own satisfaction as to the validity of the audit. Special audits shall be initiated by the State Committee whenever a change in the State Treasurer occurs. The audit report will be distributed to the state Committee. The State Treasurer will make available receipts, invoices, cancelled checks, and bank statements covering the period of the audit.
Section 4. The State Committee shall appoint three (3) member of the State Committee to act as an Inventory Committee, with the State Director acting as chairperson. An inventory will be conducted every two (2) years with the election of the State Director, to inventory the equipment belonging to the state (truck, trailers, and all nonexpendable equipment and items). The inventory will be carried out regardless of whether or not the State Director is re-elected. The outgoing and incoming State Director (if applicable) will participate in the inventory to asset to their own satisfaction as to the validity of the inventory. Special inventories shall be initiated by the State Committee whenever a change in the State Director occurs. This inventory shall be conducted at the State Director’s last rally, when the equipment is unloaded, with the new State Director present. A copy of this inventory shall be given to the new State Director, Treasurer, and Secretary. All new and donated nonexpendable equipment will be added to the State Treasurer copy as received.
Section 5. Samboree Rally Fees:
1. The fees for any Samboree shall be determined by the State Director and State
Treasurer. The State Committee will be informed of any changes at the next scheduled
State Committee Meeting. The fees shall be collected by the State Treasurer.
2. Refunds of prepaid fees: In the event of a cancellation of a Samboree, the Treasurer
shall refund the amount prepaid. In the event of non-attendance of the member at the
Samboree, the member shall notify the Treasurer by E-mail or in writing which must
be postmarked within seven (7) days of the end of the Samboree and the Treasurer
shall refund all but five dollars ($5.00) or the current charge of the bank’s handling
fee which ever is greater.
3. Non-sufficient checks: In the event that a NSF check is written to the Michigan
Good Sam Organization, a Twenty Five Dollar ($25.00) fee, or the current charge of
the bank which ever is greater will be added to the full amount of the check. This
shall be paid by money order or certified bank check to the Treasurer.
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ARTICLE V-COMMITTEES
The State Organization shall be empowered to appoint such committees as it deems necessary, and to direct the activities of the said committees.
ARTICILE VI-STANDING RULES
Section 1. The state organization’s constitution and by-laws, and any amendments made thereto, must be submitted to International Headquarters for approval.
ARTICLE VII- MICHIGAN STATE ORGANIZATION PROPERTY
Section 1. State property will consist of all property owned or acquired by the Michigan Good Sam Organization through purchase or donation; property to include all inventoried items, all vests, statements, correspondence records, not to include personal correspondence.
Section 2. When the State Director, Assistance Directors, or any state officer leaves office he/she will turn over all state owned property in his/her passion to the State Director or his/her successor and take his/her receipt for the same.
APPROVED BY THE STATE COMMITTEE ON MAY 17, 2007
SUBMITTED TO THE INTERNATIONAL GOOD SAM RV CLUB HEADQUARTERS FOR FINAL APPROVAL MAY 21, 2008
Joseph Halhober
Michigan Good Sam Director
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