Article I – Name

The name of the organization shall be Alabama Off Highway Vehicle Association hereinafter referred to as ALOHVA.

Article II – Purpose/Mission Statement

To establish a recognized, statewide, incorporated association of Alabama motorized OHV recreation enthusiasts, businesses, and others that will identify and work together on recreation issues in cooperation with other land interest groups to ensure a positive future for responsible motorized OHV recreation.

Article III – Objectives

Section 2. To unite organizations, individuals, and businesses that share a common interest in OHV recreation and OHV vehicles

Section 3. Inform and coordinate the input of members of ALOHVA and other interested parties regarding pending and/or proposed legislation, land use planning or other action that would affect OHV activities.

Section 4. Assist government agencies in formulating policy concerning the development of areas and trails for OHV use and related activities.

Section 5. Improve recreation, cooperation, and unity of OHV groups through common communication and organized activities.

Section 6. Promote safe family activities for the enjoyment of our membership, and promote unity with in the membership of the organization.

Section 7. Promote positive OHV image and reputation.

Section 8. Work to educate youth in responsible OHV recreation and conservation of natural resources.

Section 9. Promote the formation of responsible OHV clubs in the state.

Article IV – Membership

Section 1. There shall be five (5) classes of membership: Club, Individual, Associate, Business and Charter.

Section 2. Club membership is the voting membership and shall be limited to incorporated clubs in good standing.

Section 3. Business memberships shall include professional businesses identified in the Association Rules as hereinafter set forth. They shall be a collective voting unit and may not hold elective office.

Section 4. Associate memberships shall include those OHV organizations representing more than one club or state. They shall be nonvoting and not hold elective office.

Section 5. Individual Membership shall be nonvoting OHV proponents.

Section 6. Charter Members shall consist of those Club, Associate, or Supporting Members that join this organization within the first year of organization.

Article V – Dues

All membership dues are to be determined by the voting representatives and covered in the Association Rules.

Article VI – Voting representatives

Section 1 Each club in good standing shall be entitled to two credentialed representatives each with one vote. Credentials can be proceedings from formal Club meetings, written confirmation by the member club as to authority to represent, or other credentials as may be approved by ALOHVA’s Board of Directors. For these purposes a club in good standing is one which has paid its dues to date.

Article VII – Voting Representative Meetings

Section 1 There shall be a minimum of one meeting to be held each year. Notice shall be sent to all members not less than sixty (60) days prior to the meeting.

Section 2 Special meetings may be called upon approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors or by petition signed by five (5) member clubs provided all member clubs are notified not less than twenty-five (25) days prior to the meeting.

Section 3 The voting representatives present from 51% of the member clubs in good standing present shall constitute a quorum at all voting representatives meetings.

Section 4 The voting representatives must approve the budget for fiscal year following the date of the Annual Meeting and review for approval and modification the current year's budget. This does not prevent the Board from revising the budget if required.

Section 5 Any club may petition for removal of an officer, either elected or appointed, from office. The request shall be made in writing to the ALOHVA President. If recommending the removal of the President, the request shall be made to the Vice-President. Said President or Vice-president shall facilitate a vote of the voting representatives on said petition within 60 days after receipt. Removal of an officer will require a 70% majority vote of the voting representatives. Vote may be taken by certified mail if necessary.

Section 6. Any club may be removed from the association for reason. Grounds for removal shall be set forth in the Operating Procedures. A petition for removal must be made in writing to the ALOHVA President and signed by 1/3 of the voting representatives. Said President shall facilitate a vote of the voting representatives on said petition within 90 days after receipt. Removal of a club will require a 75% majority vote of the voting representatives. Vote may be taken by certified mail if necessary.

Section 7. A club that has been removed from the association may apply for readmission after a 2 year period from the date of their removal. Reapplication shall require a petition for readmission presented to the ALOHVA President and signed by 3 voting representatives. Said President shall facilitate a vote of the voting representatives on said petition within 90 days after receipt. Readmission of a club will require a 51% majority vote of the voting representatives. Vote may be taken by certified mail if necessary.

Article VIII – Officers and Directors at Large

The officers shall be: President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer, Legislative Affairs Director, Membership Director, Public Relations Director, Immediate Past President, and three (3) Directors-at Large one each representing Off Highway Motorcycles, All Terrain Vehicles, and Four Wheel Drive Vehicles.

Article IX – Election of Officers and Directors at Large

Section 1 Nominees for office shall be individual members in good standing, or members of member clubs in good standing.

Section 2 The President, Secretary, Public Relations Director, and the Membership Director, shall be elected on the even numbered years by a majority vote of the voting representatives.

Section 3 The Vice-president, Treasurer, Legislative Affairs Director, and the Directors at large shall be elected on the odd numbered years by a majority vote of the voting representatives.

Section 4 Elections shall be held at the first scheduled voting representative meeting of the year.

Section 5 All terms of office shall be two (2) years with the exception of first year.

Article X - Board of Directors

Section 1 The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers.

Section 2 The Board of Directors shall manage the property, affairs and business of ALOHVA.

Section 3 The Board of Directors shall meet at least two times per year at times and places agreed upon by the Board members. The Board shall also meet before and after each annual meeting of the voting representatives.

Section 4 The Board of Directors may, in cases of emergency, conduct necessary business by a telephone conference. Decisions reached by telephone meetings shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote. Any vote shall be confirmed in writing in order to retain a permanent copy of the vote.

Section 5 Two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at all Board of Directors meetings.

Section 6 Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors shall be filled by the Board from the membership. The successor shall hold office until the next annual meeting at which time the voting representatives shall elect a successor who shall hold office for the unexpired term of the Officer so replaced.

Section 7 No officer shall receive compensation for any services he/she may render to the association as an officer; however, any officer may be reimbursed for his/her expenses as detailed in the Association Rules. All expenditures over $200.00 must have prior approval by the treasurer and vice-president.

Article XI – Officers and Duties of Officers

The officers of ALOHVA and the Directors at large shall constitute its board of directors.

The new members of the board shall take office after the first voting representative meeting of the year.

The President Shall:

Serve as executive officer of the association

Preside over all meetings of the association and the board of directors.

Serve as a member of the board of directors.

Have the duty, along with the board of directors, of carrying out the policies and decisions of the association.

Appoint all committees and name committee chairpersons, as necessary.

Prepare and submit, to the board of directors, an annual budget for the office of President.

Prepare and submit an article to the editor for each publication of the association’s newsletter.

Serve as Tiebreaker in votes.

Act as an official spokesperson for ALOHVA.

The Vice President shall:

Serve as second officer of the association.

Assist the President and keep the President informed of all major developments in the association.

Serve as a member of the board of directors.

Serve as committee coordinator.

Help organize and recruit new clubs within the association

Fulfill the duties of President in his/her absence.

Act as principal communicator and liaison between clubs and the board of directors.

Be responsible for an inventory of all association equipment. Maintain an inventory of all properties.

Prepare and submit, to the board of directors, an annual budget for the office of Vice President.

Perform other such duties as may be requested by the President and/or the board of directors.

Act as an official spokesperson for ALOHVA

The Treasurer shall:

Serve as a member of the board of directors.

Receive, disburse, and account regularly for all association funds, as authorized by the President and/or board of directors.

Maintain association financial records and have records open for inspection at any time by the board of directors, voting representatives, or an authorized auditor.

Receive and verify a full accounting of any funds collected, expended, reimbursed, or generated by all officers, committees, chairpersons, and any other group within the association.

Keep the President apprised of the association financial status.

Prepare and submit, to the board of directors, a financial report at each voting rep. meeting.

Prepare and submit, to the voting representatives, a yearly financial report.

Prepare and submit, to the board of directors, an annual budget for the office of Treasurer.

The Treasurer may sign checks up to $1000 with approval of the President or Vice President. All checks above $1000 must be signed by the Treasurer and either the President or Vice President.

The Treasurer must be bonded, with the bond being paid by the association.

The Secretary shall:

Serve as a member of the board of directors.

Record the minutes of all voting representative meetings, board of directors meetings and special meetings.

Minutes shall be in finished draft to the board of directors within 30 days of the last meeting.

Answer all correspondence as requested by the President and/or the board of directors.

Maintain permanent copies of all correspondence up to 5 years.

Prepare and submit, to the board of directors, an annual budget for the office of Secretary.

The Director of Membership shall:

Serve as a member of the board of directors.

Maintain permanent records of association membership.

Receive and review all applications from prospective new members and present same to the board for directors and voting representatives for approval at the next quarterly meeting.

Mail association membership packets to new members as requested and provide assistance to new members as necessary.

Initiate an annual membership drive and solicit new member club/associations and individual membership.

Be informed and up to date on all matters concerning association programs

Prepare and submit to the board of directors, an annual budget for the office of Director of Membership.

The Legislative Affairs Director shall:

Serve as a member of the board of directors.

Coordinate association legislative contacts, via personal, telephonic, and written communication, on the federal, state, and local level as necessary to protect and promote the majority interests of the association.

Maintain an ongoing association liaison with the administration, governmental agencies, members of Congress and their staffs, congressional committees, and other associations in order to keep the board of directors and membership abreast of legislative developments that effect OHV recreation, and coordinate such contacts as appropriate.

Initiate and coordinate proper association response to legislative threats to OHV recreation, to access to public lands, as well as to initiate proactive legislation and legal intervention as necessary to protect the interests of the association in the halls of Congress, and coordinate such actions, as necessary, with other OHV associations.

Keep the President apprised of all current legislative developments affecting the association.

Prepare and submit, to the board of directors, an annual budget for the office of Legislative Affairs Director.

Act as an official spokesperson for ALOHVA

The Director of Public Relations shall:

Serve as a member of the board of directors

Act as the public voice of the association

Ensure that the association maintains a favorable public image at all times.

Ensure that the association and its policies are accurately portrayed and presented to the public.

Secure adequate advertisement and promotion for the association and its events as necessary.

Coordinate positive, ongoing association relationships with manufacturer’s representatives, equipment and parts supply organizations and OHV service firms and vehicle dealers, as necessary, including solicitation of contributions for association membership recruitment and fund raising events.

Prepare and submit, to the board of directors, an annual budget for the office of Director of Public Relations.

Each Director at Large shall:

Be elected by the members representing their respective interest areas and shall be participants in the area they represent. These Directors shall sit on the Board of Directors.

Represent the individual members of the association of their respective areas, and act as their voting voice.

Keep the President apprised of all current developments affecting their respective area.

Coordinate with clubs/associations within their respective area to keep abreast of all current developments.

Prepare and submit, to the board of directors, an annual budget for the office of Director at Large.

Article XII – Procedures

Roberts Rules of Order shall be the governing parliamentary procedures at all meetings. The order of business shall be as follows at all meetings of the association and the board of directors:

a. Call to Order

b. Reading of the minutes

c. Reports of Officers, starting with Financial Report

d. Reports of committees.

e. Unfinished Business.

f. New business.

g. Adjournment

Article XIII – Official Publication

ALOHVA shall establish and maintain an official publication to provide communications within the association.

Article XIV - AOHVA Office

The AOHVA office shall be supervised by the secretary should one become necessary.

Article XV – Dissolution

Upon resolution to dissolve the association voluntarily or decree ordering involuntary liquidation, any assets of the Alabama OHV Association, remaining after all outstanding debts have been met, shall be donated in equal shares to NOHVCC, BRC, AMA/ATVA, and UFWDA or their successor organizations.

Article XVI – Amendments

Section 1 A quorum of the Members Clubs shall be defined as 51% of the member clubs in good standing.

Section 2 These Bylaws may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the voting representatives present at any scheduled meeting of the voting representatives provided that a quorum of the Member Clubs are present.

Section 3 The association rules may be amended by a simple majority vote of a quorum of the voting representatives present at any scheduled meeting of the voting representatives or a simple majority vote of a quorum of the Board of Directors at any Board meeting.

Section 4 All members shall be advised of proposed amendments to the Bylaws in writing no less than sixty (60) days prior to any scheduled meeting.