Mission

Mission

BY-LAWS

THE RUN-A-WAYS

ARTICLE I NAME

Section 1. The name of this group shall be the RUN-A-WAYS

ARTICLE II PURPOSE

Section 1. The purpose of this group shall be to provide opportunities for its members to enjoy fellowship and pleasant use of recreational vehicles at regularly scheduled campouts; to foster friendships among Elk members and to set an example of courtesy on the highways; model conduct at meeting sites and public campgrounds, and to promote safe procedures in regards to vehicle equipment and highway progress.

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Any person may become a member providing:

(a) The applicant is a member in good standing of The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Lodge 2444 or is a member in good standing of another ELK Lodge and desires to join our club and has a trailer, motor home, camper or tent.

(b) Guests, in their own unit, will be limited to a maximum of three campouts then must join to be eligible to attend.

(d) Applicant agrees that as members they will serve as an Assistant Trail Boss for at least one Campout during their first or second year of membership.

(e) All members attending three or more campouts per year are required to serve as a Trail Boss at least once every three years.

Section 2. February Nominations of officers, Absentee Ballots will be mailed to all members. For those wishing to vote but who will not be in attendance in March, these ballots are to be signed and submitted to an officer prior to the March election meeting

Section 3. Dues and Fees

Annual dues are $15,00 per unit and are payable for the first year upon admission to membership, and thereafter on January 1st. Guest units will pay $5.00 per unit per campout (in addition to and concurrent with payment of the campout fee). Any member delinquent over two months shall be dropped from the group and will be required to pay $15.00 annual dues to be reinstated.

Section 4. It is recognized that situations may arise wherein health, death of spouse or temporary lack of equipment could be construed as reason for being dropped from membership. In those cased where the member or spouse chooses to remain a member (and pay the annual dues) he or she will be retained.

ARTICLE IV OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of this group shall be Wagonmaster, two (2) Assistant Wagonmasters, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, and Publicity Chairperson.

Section 2. The term of office shall run concurrently with the Lodge year, April 1 through March 31.

Section 3. The Treasurer shall maintain a bank account for Club funds. The Treasurer or Wagonmaster shall be authorized to sign checks against this account.

Section 4. The past Wagonmaster shall serve in an advisory capacity for a period of one year following his term in office.

ARTICLE V STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1. The Wagonmaster will appoint all committees necessary for the coming year and each chairman will secure his own assistants.

Section 2. The Wagonmaster shall acquire necessary Trailbosses and plan campout schedules for the next year.

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ARTICLE VI CAMPOUTS

Section 1. Campouts are to be within two and one-half (21/2) hours drive or 125 miles unless approved by a majority of membership present.

Section 2. Campouts will be scheduled for the second weekend of each month except December. For determination of the second weekend of the month, the first weekend shall be that the first day of the month must fall on Friday or before.

Section 3. Members are responsible for making their reservations as soon as possible by signing the Sign-up sheet or by contacting the Trailboss. THESE RESERVATIONS ARE A COMMITMENT AND MUST BE PAID UNLESS THE MEMBER (NOT THE TRAILBOSS) CAN OBTAIN A REPLACEMENT MEMBER AND NOTIFY THE TRAILBOSS. Deadline for reservations is at the discretion of the Trailboss.

Section 4. Deposits are not refundable. Forfeits not paid to the campground will be paid to the Fink Fine Fund.

Section 5. The Trailboss will not pay a camping fee for his/her campsite. This includes the Elks Rally and December Holiday Party.

Section 6. A member may accommodate as many guests within his unit as he desires. He must advise the Trailboss one week in advance to arrange additional food assignments for his guests. This advance notice includes guests who drive out for the day and plan to stay for Saturday night dinner.

Section 7. The Trailboss will assign sites. No spot reservations.

Section 8. Monthly meeting will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday of the campout unless a special event requires a change by the Wagonmaster.

Section 9. The Saturday evening meal arrangements will be at the discretion of the Trailboss. We will eat as a group. The Trailboss will decide upon the menu.

Section 10. In December, rather than a campout, a holiday party will be held for members only (NO GUESTS).

The cost of this party will be covered from:

(a) The accrued fink fine fund.

(b) A charge of $6.00/couple for each campout missed in excess of three over the prior eleven months. The Secretary will publish an attendance list for determining these charges.

(c) The Club General Fund. At the November campout meeting, by vote of attending Members, the balance of costs will be covered, if approved from the General Fund.

Section 11. Name badges will be given to each and every member to display as a courtesy to all new and present members. This will help each to enjoy our fellowship between all campers. It will not be a mandatory function and there will be no fines levied against anyone not wearing a nametag.

ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS

Section 1. These By-Laws may be amended after rule changes have been submitted, in writing to the By-Law Committee for the annual February review. Changes may be adopted by a two-thirds vote at the following general meeting.

ARTICLE VIII CHARITY

As an affiliate of the ELKS Lodge 2444, it is our intention to participate in the Lodge's contribution to the California/Hawaii Elks Assoc. Major project. Therefore the 50% derived from the Club's monthly raffle will be accumulated for 12 months and then presented to the new Exalted Ruler upon his installation.

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