Constitution

ARTICLE I
NAME:
This club shall be known as the “ILLINOIS TREKKERS VOLKSSPORT CLUB” and the short name shall be “ILLINOIS TREKKERS.” It shall be a private organization,

ARTICLE II
PURPOSE:
This club is a recreational organization dedicated to promoting physical fitness through participation in volkssports events. The club shall:
• Encourage and support member participation in these events and similar activities.
• Promote the exchange of ideas, goodwill, friendship and good sportsmanship among clubs, local communities, civic organizations, and individuals dedicated to these purposes.
• Be a member of the American Volkssport Association, Inc. (AVA), a Texas nonprofit corporation, with its principle office at 1001 Pat Booker Road, Phoenix Square, Suite 203, Universal City, Texas 78148, and any state or regional associations as directed by the AVA.

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP:
Membership shall be open to any person of good repute subscribing to the club constitution.
Membership shall not be denied to any person based on an individual’s race, sex, color, religion, nation origin, marital status or age.
Active membership is defined as a current dues paying individual or family member age 18 or over.
The Board of Directors may, by a unanimous vote, bestow honorary memberships for the benefits of the club

ARTICLE IV
DUES:
The Board of Directors will establish initial and renewal membership dues, subject to the approval of the active membership.

ARTICLE V
OFFICERS:
The Board of Directors shall be the club executive agency and shall consist of seven elected club officers:
• President.
• Vice President.
• Secretary.
• Treasurer.
• Three (3) elected Directors-at-Large.
The term of office for the board of Directors shall be twelve months.

ARTICLE VI
COMMITTEES:
There shall be five (5) standing committees:
• Publicity.
• Awards and Achievements.
• Services and Properties.
• Volkssport.
• Special Activities
Ad Hoc Committees may be established as deemed necessary.

ARTICLE VII
MEETINGS:
One General Membership Meeting shall be held per month.
Special Membership Meetings may be held as called.
The President shall call the Board of Directors Meetings as necessary.
Quorums shall be defined in the by-laws.

ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS:
This constitution and by-laws shall be amended by a simple majority vote of the active members present at a General Membership Meeting or Special Membership Meeting.
Proposed changes to the constitution and by-laws must be published and provided to the active membership at least one month prior to the scheduled vote.

ARTICLE IX
AUDITS:
The Treasurer shall provide a financial statement annually and upon request of two-thirds of the active membership.
The Treasurer shall provide all materials requested for audit upon direction of competent authority.

ARTICLE X
GENERAL PROVISIONS:
The active membership is responsible for custodianship of the club operating fund.
The active membership will be financially liable only for the club’s normal operating obligations that the fund fails to discharge. All liabilities arising from ordinary operating expenses will be satisfied when, and if, the fund is dissolved.
Consideration will be given to public liability and property damage insurance coverage against any claims and lawsuits arising from acts or omissions of members acting in any capacity for, or participating in, the activities of the fund. Any insurance will expressly provide that neither the United States Government nor any non-appropriated find instrumentality will be liable for any claims against the fund or members when an event is held on a military reservation.
This club is a not-for-profit organization and no part of its assets shall incur to the benefit of any member.

ARTICLE XI
DISSOLUTION
Upon dissolution of this club, all finds and properties in excess of liabilities and expenses at dissolution will be distributed as recommended by a simple majority of the active members present at the last meeting of this organization.

ARTICLE XII
ADOPTION AND EFFECTIVE DATE:
This constitution and by-laws shall become effective upon adoption by an affirmative vote of a simple majority of the active members present and supersedes the constitution adopted on 17 May 1986.
Approved on 5 February 1998 by the active membership