Bylaws

The name of the association shall be the "North Texas Striders", hereafther referred to "this association" or "this organization". This is a non-profit organization.

The prime mission of the association shall be the promotion and encouragement of mid and long distance running and the education of the public to its benefits.

This association may: hold championships, races on the road or track, lectures, fun runs, other educational activities, demonstrations, clinics and social events, print and publish books, magazines and newsletters, make awards, and all such other things as may be conductive to the encouragement of running.

Other objectives are to engage in community and public service activities, and to publicize by appropriate means the benefits of running as means of physical fitness.

This association shall be a chapter of the Road Runners Club of America, and all measures adopted by that body must be considered by this organization. The association may also form alliances with other running organizations.

Individuals who wish to participate in the activities of this organization shall submit the required dues and an application for membership. Members shall be entitled to the following benefits and privileges which may be amended from time to time; inclusion in association activities, purchase of association apparel, voting rights for election of Board of Directors at general membership meetings, eligibility for appointment as a non-elected Officer, and eligibility to run for elected office in the association. Membership runs from January 1 until December 31 of each year. There is no proration of dues,however any new member who joins after November 1 is considered paid in full for the following year.

The management of this association shall be vested in an elected Board of Directors consisting of a President, Vice-President, Membership Officer and Chief Financial Officer. 

The Board of Directors may create additional Chairperson Positions, and appoint members to those positions. The responsibilities for the Officer and Chairperson positions are defined in the Bylaws as attached. The Board has the authority to create, remove, or revise Officer and Chairperson Positions as needed. At the discretion of the Board, positions may be occupied by more than one member. 

The Board of Directors, Officers, and Chairpersons comprise the association’s “Executive Committee”. The President at his/her discretion may create additional ad hoc positions of a Non-Officer capacity. In the event of a Board member or Officer vacancy, excepting the office of President, the Board of Directors shall, by majority vote, appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term.

Duties of Board of Directors: 

President – preside over meetings, represent this association in the RRCA and other sanctioned running organizations, to call any special meetings, to be a primary spokesperson to the membership at large and to the public, and to review information or statement prior to their release to same. 

Vice-President – assume the powers of the President in his/her absence and to take on special assignments as requested by the President. In the event the President is unable to fulfill his or her term, the Vice-President shall be named President for the remainder of the term. Record minutes and meeting and keep a file of such meeting minutes. 

Membership Officer – Respond to inquiries from prospective members, maintain association’s master member database and payment information, keep member information private to all but Executive Committee, welcome new members, publish vendors offering discounts to members, and keep a master file of all processed membership applications. 

Chief Financial Officer – administer the association’s finances and have the authority to sign or disburse necessary appropriations as directed the Board of Directors; to make withdrawals and deposits at the association’s financial institution on its behalf, to issue purchase orders and collect payments, keep financial, administrative and legal records, and make financial reports to the Executive Committee on at least a quarterly basis. 

IT and Webmaster Officer – Maintain association’s web site. Update site regularly under guidance of President or Vice President.

Eligibility: Term of Office Board of Directors may be elected to succeed themselves. Officers and Chairpersons may be reappointed to successive annual terms. 

Term of office for Board Members: Officers and Chairpersons shall be one year, beginning with or at the close of the first meeting held within the calendar year, and in no case beginning later than March 1. Interim positions shall also expire no later than March 1.

Elections: The Board of Directors shall be elected by a majority vote of those present at a general membership meeting, to be held not later than March 1. For continuity purposes, extra effort will be given to not replace more than 50% of the Board in any given election year.

1.1. Procedural Requirements: 

1.1.1. Parliamentary procedure will be carried on at Executive Committee meetings, and every effort will be made to discuss any measures coming before the group. In the absence of Vice President, the Treasurer or another Officer designated by the President shall be responsible for recording meeting minutes. 

1.1.2. A majority vote of the Executive Committee members present is necessary to pass ordinary measures. All measures and shall be deemed ordinary except those proposing a constitutional amendment to the Bylaws. 

1.1.3. A quorum shall consist of a minimum of four Executive Committee members, and shall include no less than three Board Members. No official Executive Committee meeting shall be held unless a quorum is present. 

1.1.4. Each Executive Committee member shall have one vote, regardless of the number of Officer or Chairperson positions they occupy. 

1.2. Bylaws amendment 

1.2.1. Bylaws shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors at least annually. 

1.2.2. A Bylaw amendment may be accomplished by two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors present at the meeting. 

1.2.3. All members must be notified at least 7 days prior to voting that Bylaw amendments will be discussed and voted on at the next executive meeting. 

1.3. Executive Committee Meetings - Executive Committee meetings will be held at least twice annually and more frequently if called by the President. 

1.4. Removal of Members 

1.4.1. Board Members - In the event that a member believes that a Board member should be removed from office prior to the expiration of the term, a written request must be sent to at least two other Board members. Upon receipt of the request, the Board shall take it under consideration. If a majority of the Board believes the request has merit, an official vote shall be taken at the next Executive Meeting. A two-thirds majority vote by those present at the Executive Committee meeting is required for removal from office of the member in question. 

1.4.2. General Members - Members may be removed from the association by a majority vote of the Executive Committee for the following infractions: 

1.4.2.1. Non-payment of dues; 

1.4.2.2. Theft or deliberate misuse of association property, including association’s website; 

1.4.2.3. Threatening or harassing other association members; 

1.4.2.4. Conviction of a crime.

Dues shall be as determined by a majority of the members present at an Executive Committee meeting and shall not be changed more than once per year.

Dues, entry fees, and other monies received by the organization will be spent entirely for carrying out the stated purpose to the organization.

No part of the net earnings of the association shall benefit any individual.

This organization shall be empowered to participate in fundraising activities.

This organization will submit a portion of the annual dues (as described in RRCA handbook) to the RRCA as membership in that body shall require.

In the event of dissolution of this organization, the funds in the treasury, after all creditors have been paid, shall go to the Road Runners of America or other 501(c)(3) non-profit organization as determined by a majority of members at an Executive Committee meeting.

Merchandise and Apparel Chairperson - Maintains inventory of association’s branded clothing as determined by Executive Committee. Collects and processes apparel orders. Maintains vendor relationships.

Social and Events Chairperson - Organizes and manages association’s social events. Solicits association members regarding scheduling, scope and theme of Association’s social events. Submits proposals for social events to Executive Committee for approval. Develops and maintains vendor relationships as required.

Communications Chairperson - Prepare and publish Club Newsletter periodically. Prepare formal correspondence to outside organizations as needed.