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Below is the "proposed" revision of the Constitution. Please note that the proposed revisions are in ALL CAPS.

All of the proposed revisions were agreed on by the Constitution Revision Committee, with the exception of the items that have already been placed before the club for a vote.

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CONSTITUTION OF

“THE GEAR GRINDERS OF SAN ANTONIO”

A Specialty Vehicle Organization Geared For Safety

Article I

Preamble

Section I: This organization shall be known as “The San Antonio Gear Grinders”.

Section II: This organization’s logo shall be a cluster of two gears

Section III: This organization’s colors shall be red, white AND BLACK.

Article II

Objective

The objective of this organization is to promote interest in various types of vehicle activities and to kindle an attitude of good sportsmanship among all its members, other clubs and goodwill in the community.

Article III

Membership

Section I: Any responsible person of good standing and character that is known to be interested in vehicle activities is eligible for membership.

Section II: Those seeking membership must meet the following criteria:

A. Said person must be sponsored by an active member.
B. Said person must BE 18 YEARS OF AGE and have a valid Driver’s License
C. Said person must attend three (3) consecutive or four (4) non-consecutive club meetings and/or club activities. ONCE APPLICANT HAS MET THESE REQUIREMENTS, A PROBATION VOTE WILL BE TAKEN. IF APPROVED, A SIX (6) MONTH PROBATION PERIOD WILL BEGIN. DURING THIS PROBATION PERIOD THE MEMBER IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE. AT THE END OF THE PROBATION PERIOD THE APPLICANT WILL BE VOTED ON FOR MEMBERSHIP, AND IF ACCEPTED WILL RECEIVE THEIR PLAQUE AT THAT TIME.
D. Said person must receive eighty percent (80%) approval vote of the members present AT BOTH THE PROBATION VOTE AND THE FINAL MEMBERSHIP VOTE.
E. Said person must own at least one (1) special interest vehicle (i.e., Hot Rod, Race Car, Motorcycle, antique Auto) SAID VEHICLE DOES NOT NEED TO BE IN RUNNING CONDITION. ONCE IN RUNNING CONDITION, VEHICLE MUST MEET CLUB SAFETY SPECIFICATIONS.

Section III: All applications for membership must be submitted in writing on a standard, approved form to be submitted to the MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE.

Section IV: ALL NEW MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE ONE (1) CLUB PLAQUE AND ONE (1) T-SHIRT AT NO CHARGE. ANY ADDITIONAL ITEMS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DRESS SHIRTS, HATS, T-SHIRTS, PLAQUES, ETC., WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MEMBER.

Section V: All members’ vehicles shall be eligible to display a club plaque.

A. Club plaques must be purchased through the club.
B. Pricing is determined by the general membership.

Section VI: Any member who is not current with their dues is considered inactive and not eligible to vote.

Section VII: Any non-lifetime member who has remained inactive for a period of one (1) year will be removed from the club’s roster, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ANY MEMBER WITH EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND THEIR CONTROL, WHICH THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE AND/OR OFFICERS HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF. NOTIFICATION WILL BE SENT OUT VIA E-MAIL AND/OR POSTAL SERVICE ADVISING SAID MEMBER THAT THEY ARE IN DANGER OF BEING DROPPED FROM MEMBERSHIP. IF NO RESPONSE IS RECEIVED FROM SAID MEMBER BY THE TIME OF THE NEXT MONTHLY MEETING A MOTION WILL BE MADE BY THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE TO DROP SAID MEMBER.

Section VIII: Any person who has been an active member for a period of ten (10) total years shall be eligible to become a Lifetime Member.

A. A vote will be taken of those members present, where a majority vote (51%) OF THE MEMBERS PRESENT is needed for approval.
B. A lifetime member may not be dropped from the club roster FOR ANY REASON.

Section IX: Any group operating outside of San Antonio may become a Chapter of the San Antonio Gear Grinders

A. All Chapters are expected to follow the Article set forth in this Constitution.
B. All Chapters shall pay the same dues and fees AS THE SAN ANTONIO HOME CLUB, AND MUST MAINTAIN THEIR OWN DUES AND FEES. ANY ADDITIONAL DUES AND/OR FEES SET UP BY THE INDIVIDUAL CHAPTER MUST BE APPROVED BY THE SAN ANTONIO HOME CLUB.
C. ANY FUCTIONS OR EVENTS PLANNED BY THE CHAPTER MUST BE APPROVED BY THE SAN ANTONIO HOME CLUB.
D. All Chapters will adhere to the same standards set forth by the San Antonio Gear Grinders.
E. Any joint activity costs will be shared on a pro-rata basis.

Article IV

Membership Fees and Dues

Section I: A non-refundable membership fee of THIRTY-FIVE dollars ($35) is due and payable AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD FOR MEMBERSHIP into the San Antonio Gear Grinders.
A. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROBATION PERIOD THE MEMBER SHALL RECEIVE ONE T-SHIRT.
B. MEMBER WILL RECEIVE PLAQUE WHEN ACCEPTED INTO THE CLUB. NO PLAQUE SHALL BE DISPLAYED ON THEIR VEHICLE UNTIL FULL MEMBERSHIP HAS BEEN GRANTED.

Section II: Dues for active members shall be forty-eight dollars ($48) annually and are due and payable at the beginning of each year, but no later than the last day (31st) of March.

A. A new member shall have until his/her second meeting to pay all monies due.
B. New member’s first years dues shall be pro-rated at four dollars ($4) per month.

Section II: Dues for lifetime members shall be twenty-four ($24) annually and are due and payable at the beginning of each year, but no later than the last day (31st) of March.

Section III: Special payment arrangements can be made through the Treasurer.

Section IV: At the close of the fiscal year, May 31st, any member who has an outstanding balance in the Treasury shall be considered inactive.

A. The Treasurer shall notify these members of their inactive status and ineligibility to vote BY E-MAIL AND REGULAR MAIL.
B. At the end of the calendar year, December 31st, all inactive members shall be dropped from the club’s roster, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF LIFE MEMBERS.

Article V

Government

Section I: This organizations governing body shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sgt. At Arms AND MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN.

Section II: The officers shall maintain and oversee club property as approved by the membership.

A. Matters of finance are the responsibility of the Treasurer.
B. All distributions of funds are subject to approval by the membership.

Article VI

Election of Officers

Section I. Elections shall be on the first (1st) Wednesday in December.

Section II: The election of officers will proceed as follows: Nominations will be taken for one office at a time followed by the vote of a show of hands for that office. Offices will be voted on in the following order:
A. President
B. Vice-President
C. Secretary
D. Treasurer
E. Sgt. At Arms
F. MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN

All nominees for the office of President will be entered and a vote taken, followed by the office of Vice-President, the office of Secretary, the office of Treasurer, the office of Historian, and the office of Parliamentarian.

Section III: Terms of office are for one (1) year commencing at the first (1st) general meeting in January.

Section IV: Should a vacancy occur in any office, it shall be filled in accordance with Article VII, Section II at the next regular meeting. ALL ACTIVE MEMBERS WILL BE NOTIFIED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE VIA E-MAIL PRIOR TO THE MEETING. There must be two (2) officers present to hold the election.

Article VII

Duties of Officers and Chairmen

President: The President shall conduct the monthly general meetings and oversee all duties of the other officers.

Vice-President: In the absence of the President shall conduct the monthly meetings.

Secretary: The Secretary shall issue notices to all members of special meetings, handle correspondence, record the minutes of all meetings and be the custodian of all records excluding those of the Treasury.

Treasurer: The Treasurer shall handle all monies and keep records of all financial transactions. He/she shall pay out funds as the club by resolution may direct. ALL CHECKS MUST BE SIGNED BY THE TREASURER AND ONE ADDITIONAL OFFICER.

Sgt. At Arms: The Sgt. At Arms shall be ready at all times to settle points on parliamentary law that may arise. He/she will determine the presence of a quorum at each meeting when a vote is required. He/she will make sure that the meeting is held in a professional and dignified manner. He/she will have the authority to ask any member who has gotten “out of hand” to leave the meeting.

Membership Chairman: The Membership Chairman will be responsible for forming a committee made up of at least three (3) active members. This committee will be responsible for informing new potential members of the rules and regulations of the club. The Chairman will be responsible for keeping track of the events that all new potential members attend and inform the club when it is time for the preliminary and/or final vote on said member.

HISTORIAN: THE HISTORIAN WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING AND MAINTAINING THE CLUB HISTORY IN THE FORM OF SCRAPBOOKS, CDS, AND ANY OTHER METHODS HE/SHE DEEMS NECESSARY. HE/SHE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THAT PICTURES ARE OBTAINED AT ANY AND ALL CLUB EVENTS, OR ANY OTHER EVENT ATTENDED BY CLUB MEMBERS.

PUBLICITY CHAIRPERSON: THE PUBLICITY CHAIRPERSON WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THAT THE CLUB GETS ACKNOWLEDGED FOR CLUB EVENTS VIA TELEVISION, NEWSPAPER, WEB-SITES, RADIO, ETC. HE/SHE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THAT PICTURES ARE OBTAINED AT ANY AND ALL CHARITABLE EVENTS AND THE INFORMATION IS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE APPROPRIATE AGENCIES.

WEB COORDINATOR: THE WEB COORDINATOR WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR UPDATING AND MAINTAINING THE CLUB WEB-SITE WITH EVENT INFORMATION, MEMBER INFORMATION AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE CLUB OR ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST TO THE CLUB.

Article VIII

Constitutional Amendments

Section I: The governing rules of this Constitution may be amended by a quorum vote. Two-thirds (2/3) of all active members must be present to constitute a quorum. A vote may be taken at any general or special meeting provided notice has been given of such a proposed amendment at the proceeding meeting. The President may call for a quorum vote at any time he/she feels one is warranted.

Article IX

Meetings

Section I: Meetings shall be held on the third (3rd) Wednesday of each month, at 7:30 PM throughout the year at places designated by the officers of the club, with the exception of December when the normal meeting will be held on the first (1st) Wednesday to allow for elections.

Section II: Special meetings may be called by the officers of the club. No regular business may be transacted at these special meetings. Notification of these special meetings will be by e-mail and/or phone as deemed necessary by the officers.

Article X

Order of Business

Section I: The order of business at all general meetings shall be as follows:

A. Call to order
B. Roll call by the Sgt. At Arms
C. Reading of the previous months minutes by the Secretary
D. Treasurer’s report
E. Old Business
F. New Business
G. For Sale or Trade

Article XI

Rules and Regulations

1. Members shall not drive recklessly or race a vehicle anywhere other than on a racetrack or other area set aside for that purpose.

2. No member shall engage himself in any activity that might jeopardize the good name of this club or its members.

3. No member may use the club name in any form or on any printed matter such as newspapers, magazines, etc., without RECEIVING PERMISSION FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, WHICH IS COMPRISED OF THE OFFICERS.

4. Any member found guilty of violating any of these rules can be fined an amount determined by the club and or suspended from this club for a period determined by the club. If found guilty of the same violation within one year, the member may be expelled from the club, AND THE CLUB PLAQUE MUST BE RETURNED TO THE CLUB.

5. ANY MEMBER INVOLVED IN MILITARY AND/ORSCHOOL OR UNDERGOING MEDICAL AND/OR PERSONAL HARDSHIP OR EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES WILL BE EXEMPT FROM ANHUAL DUES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CLUB. SAID MEMBER WILL MAINTAIN THEIR CURRENT MEMBERSHIP STATUS.