Chinook Camping Club Code of Ethics and Bylaws Preamble to the Code

 

Each member of the Chinook Camping Club, as defined in the Bylaws, agrees to the conditions of membership contained therein, and is obligated to abide by its Code of Ethics. The Code reflects our endeavors to be good neighbors, careful, responsible motor coach owners, and good citizens of our communities. Consistent adherence to the Code of Ethics is desired to ensure that the actions of all members reflect favorably upon the organization.
 

Requirements of the Code of Ethics

1. Personal Responsibilities. To maintain a favorable public image of the organization, Club members should maintain the highest degree of personal conduct and at all times respect the rights and privacy of other members and the general public on and off the highways.

2. Vehicles. Each Club member should:

a. Maintain required registration and licensing of the Chinook coach, and carry proper amounts of insurance coverage.

b. Keep the coach in proper and safe mechanical condition regarding lights, tires, mirrors, batteries, liquid propane containers, fire extinguishers, brakes and other systems as described in the owner’s manual of each coach.

3. While Traveling. Members should:

a. Obey all federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances governing the ownership and use of family motor coaches.

b. Never operate motor home in an unsafe manner or unsafe mechanical condition.

c. Avoid blocking roads or becoming a traffic hazard for others by pulling aside to allow following vehicles to pass.

d. Use caution when traveling in groups, maintaining appropriate distances between coaches for safe passage.

e. Secure all interior and exterior objects before travel, including tank covers and valves, utility equipment, antennas and compartments; dispose of refuse properly.

4. While Camping. Members should always comply with rules of national, state, and local parks and campgrounds regarding noise, pets, waste disposal, smoking, campfires, and the protection of the natural beauty of any area. If possible, members should always obtain local permission to remain overnight in any public area not designated for camping.
Revised 2014

ARTICLE I – CLUB NAME AND IDENTIFICATION
 

The name of this not-for-profit organization shall be the Chinook Camping Club, hereafter referred to as the “Club.” The organization has been assigned IRS Taxpayer Identification Number 27-2031598 and is considered tax-exempt under the provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(7), and its status as such is maintained by the annual submission of

IRS Form 990N.

ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVE

1. PURPOSE: This Club exists to promote social, recreational and information exchange activities that provide for the enjoyment, pleasurable and safe use of member coaches.

2. SCOPE: The Club will be comprised solely of members who are owners of a Chinook motor home, and those who meet the requirements of associate membership.

Revised 08/01/2019

3. AREA: This Club shall function primarily in the eastern and central United States, although it is open to qualified owners from anywhere in the United States and Canada.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

1. DEFINITIONS: For purposes of these Bylaws, the term “person” is defined as an individual or individuals. The term “Member” is defined as the adult(s) who, individually or jointly, constitutes one membership.
Revised 10/10/2015
 

2. ELIGIBILITY TO JOIN: To be eligible for initial membership in the Club, a “person,” as defined above, must be the current owner of a Chinook motor home and meet the dues requirements, the provisions set forth in these Bylaws and those contained in the Club Code of Ethics. Admission to the Club cannot be denied on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, or disability. New members will be provided with a copy of the Club Bylaws and Code of Ethics, and issued a membership number and membership badge(s).

Revised 08/01/2019

3. ELIGIBILITY TO RENEW MEMBERSHIP: To be eligible to renew membership in the Club, the member must remain the current owner of a Chinook motor home and meet the dues requirements and provisions set forth in these Bylaws.

Revised 08/01/2019

4. ELIGIBILITY TO JOIN AS AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER: To be eligible to join the Club as an associate member, a person must have initially joined the Club when they were the current owner of a Chinook motor home, but no longer own that, and meet the dues requirements, the provisions set forth in these Bylaws and those contained in the Club Code of Ethics.

Revised 08/01/2019

5. ELIGIBILITY TO RENEW AS AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER: To be eligible to renew membership in the Club as an associate member, a person must already be an associate member of the Club, or have initially joined the Club when they were the current owner of a Chinook motor home, but no longer own that, and meet the dues requirements, the

provisions set forth in these Bylaws and those contained in the Club Code of Ethics.

Revised 08/01/2019

6. ELIGIBILITY FOR VOTING AND ELECTIVE OFFICE: Each coach is entitled to one vote. Any member shall be entitled to hold an office, and more than one member owning a single coach may hold office.

Revised 10/10/2015

7. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS: Associate members are entitled to vote. They will not be entitled to hold office in the Club. They will continue to receive Club correspondence. They are encouraged to participate in Club activities, and may attend all events, including meetings.

Revised 12/11/2022

8. DUES AND FEES:

a. ANNUAL DUES: Timely annual payment of Club dues enables members to remain active and entitled to all rights and privileges of the Club. The annual dues for membership in the Club shall be an amount that the membership shall establish.

b. RENEWAL: Renewal dues from Club Members become due and payable on October 1st of each year.

c. INITIAL APPLICATION: Application for new membership shall be accompanied by payment of annual Club dues. If an initial application is accepted on or after June 1st, the dues shall be regarded as covering the next membership year.

d. ARREARS: Any member whose dues remain unpaid for more than two months after becoming due (December 1st) shall be considered delinquent; after being delinquent for two months (February 1st), the membership will be canceled.

e. ACTIVE DUTY: Any member whose military service has them deployed for more than one month will have their dues deferred to the following membership year.

Adopted 08/01/2019
 

9. CODE OF ETHICS: Violation or disregard of the Club Code of Ethics by any member may constitute cause for expulsion from the Club.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS
 

1. DUTIES OF OFFICERS: The duties of elected officers shall be as follows:

a. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Club and shall preside over all business meetings. If the President is not present at a duly called business meeting, one of the Club vice presidents shall preside.

b. The Vice President – Rallies shall recruit Club members to act as rally hosts and shall support and facilitate the efforts of the rally hosts in putting on interesting and attractive events for the Club members.

c. The Vice President – Membership shall:

• Conduct an active Club membership recruiting program;

• Process new member applications;

• Keep accurate records of the Club membership;

• Publish an annual membership directory and update that directory as needed.

d. The Secretary shall accurately record the minutes of all properly convened business and annual meetings and provide these minutes to the Board of Directors and the membership for their approval.

e. The Treasurer shall manage the Club’s finances and required IRS reporting, and keep accurate records. The Treasurer shall present the year-end Treasurer’s report at the annual meeting, or within 30 days of the close of the Club’s fiscal year.

2. TERMS OF OFFICE: The elected officers of this Club shall serve a one (1) year term, or until their successors are elected. Officers may serve consecutive terms.

a. NOMINATIONS: Any member in good standing may be nominated from the floor for any elective office.

b. OWNERSHIP OF CLUB PROPERTY: No member shall become vested of any right, title to or interest in any Club property.

3. BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

a. The officers of the Club shall constitute the Board of Directors.

b. The Board of Directors shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Club between its business meetings. The Board shall be subject to the orders of the Club, and none of its acts shall be in conflict with these Bylaws.

c. Each officer shall have one vote with decisions made by simple majority.

d. Any member may attend Board of Directors meetings on a non-voting basis.

ARTICLE V – COMMITTEES

1. APPOINTMENT: The President shall appoint chairpersons and members of committees as the need arises (except for the Nominating Committee).

2. DUTIES: All committees except the Nominating Committee shall function within the policies of the Club and under the direction of the President.

3. QUORUM: A Committee quorum shall be a simple majority.

ARTICLE VI – CLUB ADMINISTRATION

1. AUTHORITY: This Club shall be democratically self-governed, deriving its existence and authority from the consent of its membership assembled in meeting or, in certain instances, by mail or e-mail vote on stated propositions.

2. ORGANIZATIONAL YEAR: The fiscal and membership year of the Club shall commence on October 1, and end on September 30.

3. CLUB MEETINGS:

a. TYPES: The term “meeting” shall include annual rallies, mini-rallies, dinner meetings, and any other gatherings suitable to the purpose of the Club.

b. BUSINESS MEETINGS: The Club must hold at least one business (“annual”) meeting each membership year. Business meetings must be duly announced in advance to the membership.

c. ANNUAL ELECTION: At each annual rally, an annual meeting shall be held at which an election will beheld to fill vacancies.

d. QUORUM: A quorum for the transaction of business at any duly-called Club meeting is twenty-five percent (25%) of the Club membership or twelve (12) memberships, whichever is less.

e. VOTING: Except as specified elsewhere in these Bylaws, a simple majority vote of the membership in good standing and voting shall be required to approve or disapprove any matter. Balloting by mail or email may be undertaken when a proposed matter is deemed to be of such importance or urgency that a total membership vote is advisable.

f. PARLIAMENTARY PROCESS: The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Club’s proceedings.

4. AUDITS: A regularly scheduled, formal audit of the Club’s financial records is not required. However, in addition to the one annual Treasurer’s report, presented at the annual meeting, the Treasurer shall make the Club’s books available at any time to an Audit Committee appointed by the President.

ARTICLE VII – ELECTIONS

1. NOMINATING COMMITTEE COMPOSITION:

a. The Nominating Committee shall consist of the immediate past President and not less than three (3) Club owner members in good standing, nominated and elected annually by the Club membership at each annual meeting, to serve for the following year.

b. Election of an individual to the Nominating Committee shall not prohibit that person from being nominated for elected office.

2. NOMINATING COMMITTEE DUTIES:

a. To select one of its members as Nominating Committee Chairperson.

b. To nominate candidates for all Club offices.

c. To ascertain that nominated candidates are members in good standing.

d. To obtain clear willingness of nominees to serve as Club officers if elected.

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ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

1. These Bylaws may be amended by a 65% affirmative vote of returned mail or email ballots, or present and voting at a duly-called meeting providing that prior notice of at least 60 days has been given of the proposition(s) to amend.

2. Any member of the Club may propose amendments to the Bylaws.

3. Approved amendments to these Bylaws will become effective immediately upon their adoption, or at such time as specified in the amendment.

ARTICLE IX – CLUB DISSOLUTION

1. The Club may be dissolved only by its Board of Directors at a meeting called for that purpose, and with approval by a two-thirds vote of the membership.

2. Upon dissolution, all remaining assets after payment of all its debts, obligations and final expenses shall be distributed to recognized charities chosen by the Board of Directors.

Revised 08/2015

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