Department Of Virginia American Legion Riders Rules And Procedures
Department Of Virginia American Legion Riders Rules and Procedures The American Legion Riders are members of the American Legion who are also motorcycle enthusiasts. They can be found participating in parades, partaking in motorcycling events, and supporting the communities in which they live, work, and play. Members of the ALR come from the Legion, the Legion Auxiliary, and the Sons of the American Legion. The American Legion Riders were formed... To promote motorcycle safety programs and to provide a social atmosphere for American Legion members who share the same interest. To participate in parades and other ceremonies which are in keeping with the Aims and Purposes of the American Legion. To organize and participate in charity events helping our Veterans, their families, and the Local Community. To use our Association to promote and support the programs of the American Legion. The American Legion Riders is not a Motorcycle Club (M/C), and does not practice M/C rules or regulations. The American Legion Riders are family-oriented, just as is its parent organization: the American Legion. Table of Contents: Article I: Article II: Article III: Article IV: Department ALR Sub-Committee District ALR Liaison American Legion Rider Chapter Patches and Apparel 1
ARTICLE I DEPARTMENT ALR SUB-COMMITTEE Purpose: To ensure The American Legion Riders (ALR) operate in accordance with the Department of Virginia rules and procedures and operate within the guidelines of resolution 35 as adopted October 17-18, 2007 at the National Executive Committee. Section 1: Members 1. The Sub-Committee shall consist of the following members: Chairman; Vice Chairman Northern Region; Vice Chairman Eastern Region; Vice Chairman Western Region Director; and an Adjutant. Each Vice Chairman has one Director who operates as his alternate. Section 2: Qualifications 1. Must be a member of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary, or The Sons of the American Legion in good standing. 2. Must have a minimum of three (3) years as an American Legion Rider, minimum of five (5) years motorcycle riding experience, and be a current ALR Chapter Director or past Director. 3. ALR Advisor(s) is/are exempt from the qualifications in paragraph 2 above and is/are appointed by the Department of Virginia Internal Affairs Committee. Section 3: Selection 1. Members are appointed by the Department of Virginia Internal Affairs Committee. Section 4: Duties 1. Chairman: a. Charged with the overall supervision of the sub-committee and the American Legion Riders program in the Department of Virginia reporting directly to the Chairman, Internal Affairs Committee. b. Sets the agenda for all meetings of the sub-committee. c. Shall ensure all Chapters are following the rules and procedures as set forth by the Department. 2
d. Shall ensure all functions participated in by the Chapters are within the guidelines set forth by The American Legion National Organization. e. Shall ensure that the good name of the American Legion is not tarnished in any way by actions of Legion Riders or Legion Rider Chapters that could be conceived as detrimental to our image in our community. f. Shall ensure the motto Legionnaire First Rider Second is instilled in every Chapter. g. Shall ensure all necessary reports to the Chairman, Internal Affairs are submitted in a timely manner. 2. Vice Chairman: a. Responsible for Membership and Activities in their respective geographical region. b. Responsible for ensuring the administration, operation and safety of the Chapters in their region follow guidelines set by the Department and National. c. They shall make reports to the Chairman prior to the Fall Conference, Spring Conference, and the Department Convention. Reports should cover all aspects of Chapter membership, recruitment, social events, mileage, hours and funds expended in support of community events and programs, training and any other information for the good of the Legion Riders. 3. Adjutant: a. Minutes and reports of all sub-committee activities. b. Handles all administrative functions and correspondence of the sub-committee at the direction of the Chairman. 4. Advisor: Liaison to the Internal Affairs Committee Section 5: Meetings 1. There shall be three (3) official Sub-Committee meetings as scheduled by the Department Adjutant. These meetings are at the Department Fall Conference, the Department Spring Conference and at the Department Convention. Additional meetings may be called by the sub-committee Chairman at his discretion but at least one in between each conference mentioned above. Minutes of additional meetings 3
must be prepared by the Adjutant and submitted to the Department Adjutant. Section 6: Committees 1. The following sub-committees are to be established as directed by the Chairman and approved by the Sub-Committee. a. Training And Safety b. Retention c. Public Relations d. Ad-Hoc i. Committee will expire at the end of the event or need. ARTICLE II DISTRICT ALR LIAISON Section 1: Qualification 1. Must be a member of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary, or The Sons of the Legion in good standing. a. Must be an American Legion Rider b. Director or past Director of an ALR Chapter (in the event one is available). c. Must have a minimum of two (2) years motorcycle riding experience. Section 2: Selection 1. The sub-committee appoints the District ALR Liaison. Section 3: Duties 1. Reports to the American Legion District Commander on ALR chapters within the district, membership, and activities of the ALR chapters. 2. Maintain communication with ALR Chapters within his/her District. 3. Assist Post wishing to start an ALR chapter 4. Ensures ALR chapter s reports required by the ALR Sub-Committee are submitted. 5. Reports to the ALR Regional Chairman on ALR Chapters within his/her District. 4
ARTICLE III AMERICAN LEGION RIDER CHAPTER Purpose: To promote motorcycle safety programs and to provide a social atmosphere for American Legion members who share the same interest. To participate in parades and other ceremonies which are in keeping with the Aims and Purposes of the American Legion. To organize and participate in charity events helping our Veterans, their families, and the Local Community. To use our Association to promote and support the programs of the American Legion. Section 1: Establishment of Chapters 1. Chapters must have a sponsoring Post. 2. Chapters must have a minimum of six (6) Riders. 3. Chapters must take the name and/or Post number of the sponsoring Post, e.g. George F. Dashiell Chapter 49 or ALR-49, Buck Keys Post 28 or ALR-28, etc. Other names are not permissible. Any chapters with approved charters prior to the date of this document are grand fathered in and may retain their present name. 4. Chapters must be registered and approved by the Department before it is considered as officially chartered. Section 2: Qualifications: 1. Must be a member in good standing of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary, or The Sons of the American Legion. 2. Riders must be a registered owner of a motorcycle, have a valid operator license with a motorcycle endorsement, and insured as required by state law, or the spouse of the registered owner of the motorcycle. Section 3: Organization: 1. ALR Chapter is a Post Level Program of The American Legion. 2. ALR Chapter exists at the discretion of the sponsoring Post. 5
3. Members may not at any time hold membership in more than one Post-level Chapter of the ALR. a. Does not preclude a member from holding office in any Governing District, Regional, Department, or National Office. 4. All members will be given a membership number in order to facilitate membership audits and tracking by The American Legion. Example: VA-284-0001 a. The first segment shall be VA abbreviation of the Department (Virginia), followed by a hyphen. b. The next segment shall be Post number of the sponsoring Post, followed by a hyphen. c. The next segment shall consist of a four-digit member number formed by adding one to the preceding member's number. d. Membership numbers are not re-issued in the event a member leaves the Chapter. Section 4: Officers: 1. Required officers: Director, Assistant Director, Adjutant, Treasurer, Road Captain, and Safety. 2. Optional Officers: Sergeant-At-Arms, Chaplain, Historian, Communication, etc. Section 5: Duties 1. Director: a. Serves as Chief Administrative Officer of the Chapter and presides over all meetings b. Serves as liaison to the Executive Committee of the sponsoring Post. c. Supervises all affairs of the Chapter. d. Coordinates with other ALR Officers at the chapter, district and department level. e. Submits reports as required by the sponsoring Post, District, and Department. 2. Assistant Director: a. Perform such duties as directed by the Chapter Director. b. Executes the duties of the Chapter Director during his/her absence or disability. c. Membership chairman 6
3. Adjutant: a. Shall maintain membership records sufficient to establish i. Members in good standing ii. Contact information iii. Maintains and issues membership numbers as outlined in Article III, section 3.4 b. Maintains a log of all events and group rides. i. List of riders and passengers ii. Length of event and ride in hours and miles c. Maintains a full and accurate record of all proceedings at meetings. d. Responsible for maintaining Chapter Constitution, by-laws and amendments. 4. Treasurer: a. Maintains accurate records of all transactions in accordance with the sponsoring Post s financial requirements. b. Deposits funds in assigned bank account and disburses funds approved for Chapter operations. c. Responsible for maintaining the financial records of the ALR Chapter. d. Provides financial reports to the sponsoring Post Finance Officer as directed. 5. Road Captain a. Responsible for organizing group rides. b. Responsible for reporting to the Adjutant i. Date and name of the event or ride. ii. Names of riders on the ride iii. Length of event or ride in hours and miles c. Assigns additional road captains and sweeps for large groups. i. Determines safe number of riders in each group d. Responsible for giving a pre-ride briefing covering route, hazards, and hand signals. e. Shall ensure all guest riders sign a waiver of liability before all rides. Signed waivers will be given to the Adjutant for filing. 7
6. Safety a. The Training and Safety Officers primary duty is to insure the safe operation of group rides and events in accordance with all applicable Federal, State and Local laws. b. Shall draft Chapter safety rules and procedures, to be voted on and approved by the Chapter Membership, and reviewed annually. ARTICLE IV PATCHES AND APPAREL Section 1: Black Leather Vest 1. ALR Back Patch a. Centered, left to right, and attached to the back of the vest. 2. ALR shoulder patch a. Attached to the right upper side of the front of the vest 3. US Flag patch a. Attached to the left upper side of the front of the vest 4. POW/MIA patch a. Attached to the left lower side of the front of the vest 5. Virginia patch a. Attached to the right lower side of the front of the vest 6. Individual Patches: a. Should be veteran related and when placed on the vest will present a positive image of the American Legion and the ALR. b. The Director can restrict patches not appropriate 7. Pins a. When placed on the vest will present a positive image of the American Legion and the ALR. b. The Director can restrict pins not appropriate. Section 2: Dress for Funerals and Special Events (Veterans Day and Memorial Day Ceremonies, etc.) Members will wear Dark Pants, Long Sleeve White Shirt, Black Vest, and appropriate Legion family headgear. 8