By-Laws

Revised 2026 By-Laws

British Motoring Club – New Orleans By-Laws

  1. The Club shall be called British Motoring Club – New Orleans, in these rules referred to as “the Club.”
  1. The objectives of the Club are:

(a) To promote the sport and pastime of motoring in all its branches, and in particular, to further the interest of ownership and driving of British motor vehicles.

(b) To encourage the preservation, ownership, and operation of British motor vehicles; to act as a source of technical information; to provide and regulate events and exhibitions for British motor vehicles and their owners, and to offer prizes and awards in respect thereof; and to encourage careful and skillful driving on the public highways.

(c) To extend to owners and drivers of British motor vehicles and their friends, and to all persons interested in motoring sports the hospitality, privileges and conveniences enjoyed in connection with the Club.

  1. ELIGIBILITY

Any person who is or has been the owner of a British motor vehicle, or who is in sympathy with the objectives of the Club, shall be eligible for membership. Membership shall be open to all irrespective of age, race, sex, creed or national origin. The classes of membership shall be:

(a) Full Members: membership shall be open to all persons who own or regularly drive a British motor vehicle or are interested in British motor vehicles.

(b) Life Members: Life membership shall be open to persons who qualify as Full Members. Life Members shall be subject to the same regulations and entitled to the same benefits as full members. Dues for Life Membership shall be a one-time fee of ten times the Full Member annual renewal rate.

  1. AUTHORITY

Except as expressly authorized by the Board of Directors, no member of the Club shall have any power to contract on behalf of, or pledge the credit of the Club. No member shall have the right of action against the Club arising out of relations subsisting between the Club and any member.

  1. ADMISSION

The election of candidates for membership of the Club shall be effected in this manner:

(a) The Membership Committee, consisting of the officers of the Club, shall review membership applications at the Officer’s Meeting and elect or reject the applicants by majority vote. If rejected, the applicant’s dues will be refunded fully.

(b) By choosing to join the Club, all new members agree to abide by the laws set forth by the Club in the By-Laws.

  1. MEMBERSHIP TERMINATION

(a) Membership will automatically lapse for nonpayment of dues at due date, June 30th.

(b) Any member may be suspended for infraction of the Club rules by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors or for other causes if a majority of the Board of Directors shall deem such suspension to be in the best interest of the Club. Upon such suspension, the member shall be so informed in writing and shall be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard. Any member suspended as provided above may be presented at the next General Meeting for expulsion and shall be expelled if a majority of the members present vote to expel said member. The vote shall be by secret ballot.

(c) Any member may resign by directing a letter of resignation to the Treasurer. The resignation shall be effective upon receipt, only provided all indebtedness to the Club has been paid.

(d) Any and all disciplinary actions for infractions shall be decided solely by the Board of Directors.

(e) Dues will not be prorated for termination of membership, whether voluntary or involuntary.

  1. DURATION OF MEMBERSHIP

The term of membership shall run from July1 to June 30 and must be renewed before the end of the term. Dues will be decided by the Board of Directors.

  1. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(a) Authority: All of the corporate powers of this corporation and the management of its affairs shall be vested in and controlled by the Board of Directors.

(b) Election and Term: Directors shall be elected annually by the members at Membership Meetings of the Club in the last quarter of each calendar year. Nominations for officers must be received by the Secretary by the 15th of September prior to the October Membership Meetings at which the election is to be held. Such directors shall assume office at the January Board of Directors’ meeting and shall hold office for one year. In the event a director’s position becomes vacant, the Board of Directors shall appoint a replacement officer until the next Membership Meetings at which the Club shall elect a replacement director.

(c) Number of Directors: The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Newsletter Editor, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Club. Also, one Regional Coordinator and one Regional Representative from each region. Approved regions members will elect their Region Coordinator and Regional Representative.

(d) Duties

President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the members and officers and shall perform the duties usually pertaining to this office. The President will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Club and as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Special meetings may be called only by the President’s authority.

Vice President: It shall be the duty of the Vice President to act as Activities Director and Chairman of all Club Committees. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall preside at meetings of the members and officers.

Treasurer: The Treasurer shall, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be made by the officers, have custody of all monies, debts, and obligations belonging to the Club. All money of the Club shall be received and deposited into the Club account by the Treasurer. All debts of the Club shall be paid by the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be prepared to report on the financial status of the Club.

Secretary: The secretary shall keep records of all minutes and notes and report the minutes at each meeting of the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall keep an updated roll of all Club members. The Secretary shall prepare the ballot for the election of officers and process absentee ballots.

Newsletter Editor: The Newsletter Editor shall publish a club newsletter as set forth elsewhere in these by-laws. The position can be held concurrently as another Board of Director’s position but limited to one vote.

Webmaster: The Webmaster shall maintain and update the Club website. The position can be held concurrently as another Board of Director’s position but be limited to one vote.

Other Positions: Other job specific positions can be created by a vote of the Board of Directors, and will be an appointed, non-voting position. The position can be held concurrently as another Board of Director’s position.

Regional Representative: It shall be the duty of the Regional Representative to represent their Region’s club membership at all meetings. Regional Representatives may be assigned certain duties by a majority of the officers.

Regional Coordinators: Regional Coordinators conduct Regional Membership Meetings and act as a Regional Representative, representing their members.

(e) No obligations, debts, or other liability shall be incurred on behalf of the Club by any board member without the specific prior approval of a majority of the directors.

  1. MEETINGS

(a) Membership Meetings shall be held once a month in each region.

(b) Any corporate action or resolution, other than the amendment of the Articles of Incorporation or the amendment of the By-Laws, may be taken or passed by affirmative vote of a majority of the members present.

(c) A quorum at a general membership meeting is required for amendment of the Articles of Incorporation, amendment of the By-Laws and election of officers. A quorum at a general membership meeting will exist when 20% of the membership is present or represented by properly executed absentee ballots in possession of the club secretary or his/her designee.

(d) Approved Regions shall elect Regional Coordinators to conduct regional meetings. The elected Regional Coordinator will be submitted to the Board of Directors for approval. For the purposes of voting for amendments to the by-laws, amendments to Articles of Incorporation and election of officers, members present and voting at a designated regional meeting shall be considered present and shall contribute towards forming a quorum. The date and time of any Membership Meetings at which a vote will be take shall be announced the month before the Last Membership Meeting at which the vote will be taken.

(e) The Board of Directors Meeting shall be held once a month.

(f) A quorum at the Board of Directors Meeting will exist with fifty percent plus one (50%+1) of the officers.

  1. AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS

Any member in good standing, by written petition submitted to the Secretary, may propose an amendment to the By-Laws. The proposed amendment must be published via email twice within the 30 days prior to the vote being taken. This process should be held Annually in October. Members may vote for or against said proposal at the membership meetings following the second publication of said proposal. If a majority of the members present and voting (including members present and voting at any membership meetings and properly executed absentee ballots) decide in favor of the proposal, the amendment shall be approved and adopted. Upon approval, notice shall be sent to each member of the Club and shall immediately become effective and binding upon all the members of the Club.

  1. ABSENTEE VOTING

Absentee ballots must be submitted to the Secretary no later than 48 hours before the Last Membership Meeting of the month at which any election or vote is scheduled to take place. Valid absentee ballots in possession of the Secretary or his or her designee at the Last Membership Meeting of the month shall count towards a quorum when voting on amendment of the Articles of Incorporation, amendment of the By-Laws and election of officers.

  1. NEWSLETTER

A newsletter shall be published once a month and shall be published online.

  1. ACTIVITIES

All events are required to follow the recognized rules and procedures that apply to that event at time of execution. Any illegal or unsafe act is prohibited.