By-Laws of the CRBC PDF Print E-mail

1 Article I - Name

The name of this organization shall be the Centre Region Bicycle Coalition.

 

2  Article II - Mission

The Centre Region Bicycle Coalition (CRBC) is an advocacy and resource organization that promotes bicycling for safe transportation and recreation.

 

3  Article III - Objectives

The objectives of the CRBC are:

     

  1. Bikeways

       

    • The completion of a comprehensive network of bikeways, including: Class I (exclusive bike paths separated from roads), Class II (on-road striped bike lanes), Class III, (on-road shared, signed routes) and Bicycle Boulevards.
    • Bicycle route numbering with maps.
    • Effective and continuing maintenance of all bikeways.
    • Highway and street standards including surface standards, bridge access, bicycle sensitive traffic signals.

     

  2. Health and Safety

       

    • Bicycle safety programs and education for both cyclists and motorists provide through schools, public agencies, non-profit groups and the private sector.
    • Health programs promoting the exercise, air pollution and quality of life benefits of cycling.

     

  3. Bicycle Parking and Amenities

       

    • Public bicycle parking, facilities for bicycle commuters (bicycle lockers, bike parking, showers).

     

  4. Liason with Government Agencies

       

    • Keep CRBC members informed about community developments that might affect bicycle and other alternative transportation.
    • Advise county, municipalities, authorities, and Penn-DOT about bicycle-related issues.

     

  5. Mass Transit

       

    • Support and promote the use of other alternative transportation within the Centre Region.

     

4  Article IV - Principal Office

The principal office of the Centre Region Bicycle Coalition (CRBC) shall be located at the residence of its duly elected president, or at the residence of the president's successor, or at such other place that may be designated by the Executive Committee.

 

5  Article V - Membership

 

5.1  Eligibility

Any person who supports the above objectives is eligible to apply for membership.

 

5.2  Membership Categories

     

  1. Regular Membership: Open to all persons.
  2. Honorary Membership: Awarded to an individual who's contribution to cycling has been outstanding. Honorary Membership may be granted by two-fifths (2/5) vote of those attending a legally constituted CRBC meeting.
  3. Associate Membership: Any person, association, partnership, corporation or estate supporting the above objectives may acquire associate membership by paying annual dues subject to approval of the Executive Committee. Acquisition of associate membership by any person, association, partnership, corporation or estate does not, however, entitle the holder to more than one vote.

 

5.3  Membership Terms

The membership year shall be twelve (12) calendar months. Membership shall automatically lapse for non-payment of renewal dues, terminating member rights, privileges and services, unless an exception is made by majority vote of the Executive Committee.

 

5.4  Suspension from Membership

Any member may be suspended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Committee for violation of CRBC rules or for other actions inimical to the general objectives and/or best interest of CRBC. Before suspension, the member shall be notified by or at the request of the president, and shall be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard by the Executive Committee.

 

5.5  Resignations

Any member may resign by addressing a letter of resignation to the Secretary of CRBC. Each member's resignation shall become effective upon receipt of such notice by the Secretary and all CRBC privileges, responsibilities and rights of such member shall terminate as of that date.

 

5.6  Dues

Annual dues for Regular, Honorary, and Associate members shall be determined from time to time by the Executive Committee with notice in the web-site. Honorary members shall be exempt from payment of dues. Renewal dues shall be payable on January 1st of each year after joining CRBC.

 

5.7  Privileges of Members

Members of good standing shall be entitled to all of the privileges of the CRBC.

 

6  Article VI - Officers

 

6.1  Election of Officers

     

  1. Election: The Officers shall be elected by secret ballot of members at the regular annual meeting. The officers selected shall be (1) President, (2) Vice President, (3) Secretary, and (4) Treasurer.
  2. Term of Office: All Officers shall serve for a term of one year or until their successor assumes the duties of office, whichever is later.

 

6.2  Duties of Officers

     

  1. President: The President shall serve as Chief Executive and shall preside at all meetings of the membership and the Executive Committee. The President shall report to and advise the Executive Committee on all significant matters of business, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Executive Committee are carried into effect. The President shall be empowered to act, speak for, or otherwise represent the coalition between meetings of the Executive Committee within the boundaries and purposes established by the Executive Committee. The President shall be responsible for implementing any policies adopted by the Executive Committee, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Executive Committee or by the general membership.
  2. Vice President: In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice President shall perform all duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice President shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the Executive Committee or the President or the general membership.
  3. Secretary: The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office or at such other place as the Executive Committee may direct, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of the Officers, committees and members with the time and place of holding the regular or special meetings, and if special, how authorized, the notice given, the names of those present at such meetings and the number of members present or represented at members' meetings and the agendas of such meetings. The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal executive office as determined by the resolution of the Executive Committee, a record of the coalition's members, showing the names and addresses of all members. The Secretary shall give or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the members and of the Executive Committee required by the By-Laws to be given.
  4. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer and shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, earnings and other matters customarily included in financial statements. The books of account shall be open to inspection by any Director at all reasonable times. The Treasurer shall deposit all monies and all valuables in the name and to the credit of the Coalition with such depositories as may be designated by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Coalition as may be ordered by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall render to the President and Officers, whenever they request it, an account of all of his or her transactions as chief financial officer and of the financial condition of the CRBC, and he or she shall have other powers and perform such other duties that may be presented by the Executive Committee or the general membership.

 

6.3  Succession of Officers

In the event of an officer's death, resignation, disability, or disqualification, other than the President's, the Executive Committee shall appoint a successor. The President shall be automatically succeeded by the Vice President.

 

7  Article VII - Meetings of Members

 

7.1  General Meetings

The general meetings shall be held at such time and place as the Executive Committee shall determine after due consideration of the convenience of the members, with a minimum of eight (8) meetings per year.

 

7.2  Notice of Meetings

A notice with the time, place, date and purpose of any meeting of the membership shall be distributed via the email list-serve and the coalition website.

 

7.3  Quorum

Nine (9) members in good standing shall constitute a quorum.

 

8  Article VIII - Executive Committee

     

  1. Subject to any limitations in the Article of Incorporation of these By-Laws and the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, all corporation powers shall be exercised by, and business and affairs of the corporation and CRBC shall be controlled by the Executive Committee.
  2. Without limiting or detracting from the foregoing general power, the Executive Committee shall have the power to appoint and remove all officers and prescribe their duties and to make rules and regulations not inconsistent with these ByLaws and/or the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  3. The Executive Committee shall consist of the four (4) elected officers of the CRBC for the current year.

 

9  Article IX - Meetings of the Executive Committee

 

9.1  Executive Committee Meetings

Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held quarterly; the time and place to be determined by the President.

 

9.2  Special Meetings

Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the President or by a majority of the Executive Committee members at such time and place as may be designated.

 

9.3  Quorum

Three-fourths (3/4) of the members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum.

 

9.4  Majority

A majority vote shall decide all matters unless otherwise provided for in these by-laws.

 

10  Article X - Books, Records and Reports

 

10.1  Funds

All monies paid to the Coalition shall be placed in a general operating fund, or in other special funds as approved by the Executive Committee.

 

10.2  Disbursements

Each disbursement shall be made by check signed by the treasurer or, in the absence of the treasurer, by the President, the Vice President, or Secretary, in that order.

 

10.3  Fiscal Year

The accounting year of the Coalition shall end on December 31.

 

10.4  Budget

As soon as possible after election of an incoming Executive Committee and Officers, the Budget committee shall compile a budget of estimated expenses for the coming year. After the Executive Committee has been seated, the Budget committee shall submit such budget to the Executive Committee for approval.

 

10.5  Bonding

The Officers and such other persons as the Executive Committee may designate may be bonded by a fidelity bond in an amount set by the Executive Committee and paid for by the corporation.

 

10.6  Annual Audit and Report to Members

     

  1. Each year, each member may request a copy of the most recent annual financial report and shall be promptly sent to any member who sends a written request for the report.
  2. Not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year on December 31, this corporation shall prepare an annual financial report containing (i) a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year, (ii) an income statement for the fiscal year, and (iii) the information required by section C below. The report shall be accompanied by (i) any report on it by an independent accountant or if there is no such report, (ii) the certificate of an authorized officer of the corporation that the statement was prepared without audit from the books and records of the corporation.
  3. Within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year, this corporation shall prepare and give to each member a statement of any transaction with the corporation in which any Director or Officer had a direct or indirect material financial interest.
  4. The statement in subsection C shall be given to each member in the manner provided for giving notice to meetings to members.

 

10.7  Inspection of Records by Executive Committee

Every member of the Executive Committee has the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect all books, records and documents of any kind and the physical properties of the corporation.

 

10.8  Maintenance and Inspection of Record Members

The corporation shall keep in its principal offices a record of its members containing their names and addresses and the class of membership held by each ("the membership list"). A member of the Coalition may either (i) inspect and copy the membership list at reasonable times, by making a written demand stating the purpose for which the inspection is to be made, or (ii) obtain from the Secretary, by written demand and payment of a reasonable charge, the membership list of the members entitled to vote for Officers, as of the most recent record date for which the list has been compiled, or as of a date specified by the members subsequent to the date of demand. The latter demand must state the purpose for which the list is requested. Within 10 business days after receipt of the latter demand or after the subsequent date specified in the demand, if reasonable charge has been paid, the Secretary shall deliver the membership list to the requesting member.

 

10.9  Maintenance and Inspection of Articles and By-Laws

A copy of the CRBC Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws as amended to date, shall be maintained at the principal office of the CRBC and shall be open to inspection by any member at all reasonable times.

 

10.10  Maintenance and Inspection of Other CRBC Records

The CRBC books and records of account and minutes of the proceedings of its members, Executive Committee, and committees of the CRBC shall be kept at the principal office of the CRBC, or at a location that is designated by the Executive Committee. The minutes shall be kept in written form and the books and records of account shall be kept either in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form. The minutes and books and records of account shall be open for inspection upon written request (demand) of any member at any reasonable time, for a purpose reasonably related to the member's interest as a member.

 

10.11  Who May Inspect

Any right of inspection by a Director or member stated in these By-Laws includes the right to copy and to make extracts of the records inspected and to inspect in person. Any record requested for inspection shall be made available in written form, on reasonable notice if not maintained in written form.

 

11  Article XI - Committees

Committees may be formed by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. Any member in good standing is eligible to join a committee. The Chairperson of the Committee shall be determined by majority vote of the Committee members. The President, or his or her appointed representative, shall be ex-officio members of all committees.

 

12  Article XII - Dissolution

CRBC shall use its funds only to accomplish the objectives and purposes specified in these By-Laws, and no part of said funds shall inure, or be distributed, to the members of the Coalition. On dissolution of the Coalition, any funds remaining shall be distributed to one or more non-profit organizations to be selected by the Executive Committee.

 

13  Article XIII - Parliamentary Authority

The current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall be the source of authority in all questions of parliamentary procedure as long as such rules are consistent with the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the CRBC.

 

14  Article XIV - Amendments

These By-Laws may be amended or altered by a Three-Fourths (3/4) vote of the Executive Committee or by a majority of the members at any regular or special meeting, providing the notice for the members includes the proposals for amendments. Any proposed amendment or alteration shall be submitted to the Executive Committee or the membership, as the case may be, in writing, at least ten days before the meeting at which they are to be acted upon.
 

the voice of slow and fast bicyclists for safe, connected bike routes

All original contents are the copyright of the Centre Region Bicycle Coalition.  The CRBC is a non-profit organization that has been certified as tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.