ARTICLE I.  MISSION STATEMENT

The UMME are motorcycle riders who have formed chapters within their home church to promote the fellowship of Christians through a common interest. UMME gives riders the Christian fellowship and the safe riding experience that so many are looking for. Also the UMME works to promote the start of new chapters in other United Methodist Churches.

ARTICLE II.  CODE OF CONDUCT

Any and all riders while representing the UMME must conduct themselves in a respectful Christian manner and practice safe riding habits, as not to cast a bad reflection on himself or herself, their UMME chapter, or the United Methodist Church.

ARTICLE III.  LEADERSHIP

Must be a member of a local United Methodist Church
Will consist of 5 officers to be elected every year.
The term of office will be Jan. 1 to Dec 31
The requirements and duty of each office is as follows:
 

PRESIDENT
Must be a member of a United Methodist Church
Must have Road Captain Status to hold this office
Duties Include:
Chair at meetings
Lead rides
Be liaison between UMME chapters, home Church, and the UMME Board of Directors

VICE PRESIDENT
Must be a member of a United Methodist Church
Must have Road Captain Status to hold office.
Duties include:
Assist President
Assume responsibilities upon Presidents absence

SERGEANT OF ARMS
Must be a member of a United Methodist Church
Must have Road Captain status to hold this office
Duties include:
Upon request of a rider the Sgt. of Arms will collect mileage and report mileage to secretary.
Ride at the rear of the column during all rides to keep the safety and integrity of the column.
Duties include:
Record minutes of meetings.
Maintain rider mileage
Maintain attendance records.
Keep rider information and release forms  

SECRETARY
Duties Include: 
Record minutes of meetings.
Maintain rider mileage. 
Maintain attendance records.
Keep rider information and release forms

TREASURER
Duties include:
Receive and keep records of all monies.
Report money status at meetings.
Purchase rider recognition awards upon approval.

ROAD CAPTAIN
A rider can obtain Road Captain Status after completing a minimum of 500 miles accumulated by: two (2) rides of 200 miles or more and the balance of miles of any other trips.

After the accumulated 500 miles, rider must plan and lead a 200 mile ride. The rider will receive Captains’ bar lapel pins. 

Mansfield Chapter Addition:
UMME Mansfield Keeps every riders safety paramount an as such persons holding Road Captain recognition, must attend, on an annual basis, group riding safety courses or training offered by UMME Mansfield to be considered in "Current" standing as Road Captain.

ARTICLE IV.  RIDER RECOGNITION

Rider recognition is important for individuals to work towards a goal. Therefore it is highly recommended to recognize riders for participating in the fellowship events. It is strongly suggested for each UMME rider and or passenger to donate a minimum of $1.00 per ride to provide funds for the recognition pins.

500/1000 Mile Recognition for Rider and/or Passenger.
Mileage accumulation must be from an official ride.
A Cross and Flame lapel pin will be presented to the Rider.
An Angel lapel pin will be presented to a passenger.

ARTICLE V.  RIDE STRUCTURE

Rides will be led by an Officer with Road Captain status, a Road Captain or a rider working towards Road Captain Status and conducting their 200 mile planned ride.

Sergeant of Arms will arrange column. He/she will ride at the rear of the column to maintain the integrity and safety of the group.

ARTICLE VI. COLORS

Section 6.01   Colors are the symbols, which represent and designate the group. The colors of the UMME is a Patch with the Cross and Flame on a light blue background with black ribbons on the top and bottom of the patch. UMME is printed at the top and the name of the church or chapter location in which you represent on the bottom. The Country’s Flag in which you represent is placed in the center left side. The State’s Flag in which you represent is placed in the center of the right side. This Patch is not to be altered in anyway shape or form, and is to be worn only on the back of a vest or coat and they shall be the only patches on the back panel o f the vest or coat.  

Section 6.02    The Colors of the UMME must at all times be represented with integrity and worn only in representation of the United Methodist Church. Furthermore to supervise the use of the official United Methodist insignia, and to preserve the integrity of its design, in cooperation with the General Commission on Communication and the General Council on Finance and Administration, the reproduction of the Official UMME Colors in any likeness is strictly FORBIDDEN on any article of clothing, pin, hat, bandana, bumper sticker and etc,that when worn by an individual could make that individual appear to represent or be an official member of the UMME. However the use of colors on business cards, literature, stationary etc. used to promote the UMME ministry shall be allowed with its use being submitted and approved by the UMME Board of Directors.

Section 6.03 In an effort to protect the integrity of the UMME and the United Methodist Church, any design created for the use of promoting, representing, or identifying the UMME in any way must be submitted to and approved by the UMME Board of Directors. This is to include all shirts, hats, pins, bandanas, bumper stickers and etc.

Section 6.04 Any design using the cross and flame must follow strict rules set out by General Council of Finance and Administration regarding their use. This information can be found on the GC web site at  http://www.gcfa.org/ls_trademarks.html  the UMME Board of Directors will not approve any design using the cross and flame that does not comply.
The most important things the Board of Directors will examine when approving any design is the proper use of the cross & flame, the proper use of the UMME colors and to make sure the design is in good taste. We do not want to restrict the creativity of any chapter but in order to remain a ministry of the United Methodist Church these criteria must be followed.

Section 6.05 Colors may be purchased thru the President of a UMME chapter only.

ARTICLE VII BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 7.01 The Board of Directors shall function to protect the image and future of the UMME and be the governing body that holds the UMME in compliance with the United Methodist Church.

 Section 7.02 The UMME Board of Directors, in an effort to protect the integrity of the United Methodist Motorcycle Enthusiasts and the United Methodist Church, reserves the right to remove and dissolve any chapter who decides to operate outside the Bylaws of the UMME in any manner considered detrimental to the United Methodist Church or the United Methodist Motorcycle Enthusiasts.

SECTION 7.03 The Board of Directors will be constructed of 8 members with fifty percent of members participating being a quorum for all meetings including electronic communications. All Board of Director members must be a member of a United Methodist Church. No two members will be from the same chapter of the UMME.

SECTION 7.04 All future or expired terms on the Board of Directors will be selected by the Board of Directors from nominations made be any or all chapters. Each nominee form will include but not be limited to the following information: Name of UMC that nominee is a member and for how long. Nominee must agree to have email access that is regularly monitored, grant permission to contact UMME chapter or pastor of nominees home Church, and give reason for wanting to serve on the UMME Board of Directors. The Board must try to the best of their ability to keep the representation from all states, and regions balanced with no regard to race, creed or gender.

SECTION 7.05 All terms of the Board of Directors shall be three year terms offset to each other by one year.  

SECTION 7.06 Any vacancy of any office can be filled by the Board in any regular or special meeting.

SECTION 7.07 The officers of the Board shall consist of a Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary/Treasurer.

SECTION 7.08 Any officer may be removed from office at any time by a majority vote of the Board, as then constituted, not withstanding the fact that the term for which she or he may have been elected has not expired. No cause need be assigned for any removal under this section. 

SECTION 7.09 Any Board member who’s term is about to expire, may request another three year term with the approval of the Board of Directors and the approval, by vote, of his or her home chapter. 

ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS

SECTION 8.01 These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the full Board (as then constituted) at any meeting of the Board, provided that the notice of such meeting clearly sets forth the proposed changes which are to be considered.

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