BY-LAWS AND CONSTITUTION OF THE

MOTOR ESCORT PATROL PREAMBLE

            The Object and purpose of the Unit shall be to act as personal escorts to the Potentate of Araba Temple and to Other Dignitaries as requested by the Potentate, also to participate in sanctioned Araba Temple parades and to compete in Shrine Motorcycle drills.

          To promote cordiality, fraternalism and good fellowship among its members and individuals as a Unit, with the exchange of ideas and other activities that will add to the value of its membership.

          None of the provisions therein contained shall be construed in any manner abridging or conflicting with the constitution, By-laws or edicts of either the Imperial Council A.A.O.N.M.S., now existing or hereinafter enacted, nor the Constitution and By-laws of Araba Temple

          Should any of these By-laws conflict with future Imperial or Temple By-laws or orders, they shall be amended Ipso-facto.

ARTICLE I

          This organization shall be known as the "Araba Motor Escort Patrol", hereinafter referred to as the "Unit".

ARTICLE II

          ELIGIBILITY:  Any Noble of the Mystic Shrine of North America who is currently in good standing as a member or associate member of Araba Temple, and not a member of any other unit, except the Legion on Honor, the Past Masters, the Director Staff or the Zem Zems shall be eligible to petition the Unit for membership.

          Any member of the Unit may propose the name of a noble of Araba Temple, who is in good standing, as stated above, to the membership of the Unit.  Such proposed applicants personal check for the full amount of the initiation fee and/or Unit dues along with a completed membership application shall be presented to the Secretary/Treasurer for processing.

           Each proposal for membership will be reviewed openly at the meeting and then will be tuned over to a membership committee for investigation.  The committee shall make recommendation at the next regular monthly meeting, where a secret ballot will be cast by the membership present.  If the ballot is clear, an invitation to join the Unit will be given. Two negative votes will make the applicant ineligible for membership, and his check returned at that time.  After a period of 90 days he may re-apply for membership. 

Upon approval for regular member or associate member: There shall be a one year probationary period. During this probationary period the member shall pay dues, enjoy limited privileges, have no voting rights or hold an office in the Unit.

During this probationary period the member shall also fulfill the mandatory requirements of participation in 75% of scheduled Unit events, displaying cordiality & good fellowship with general interest & concern for the Unit.

During this probationary period a regular member shall prove his ability to ride safely in Parades, within a group on the road and or within a competitive drill team.

Only regular members of ARABA Temple shall be elected to hold the office of Administrative or Operational Leaders.

No active Motor Escort Patrol Unit Officer can run for any other position or office within the Shrine. There shall be only one exception to this rule, being (FASMC) Florida Association Shrine Motor Corp. The reason for this exception is to permit an active member from ARABA Temple that is a member of FASMC to be an officer on the FASMC line. This will allow ARABA TEMPLE representation at the Florida Shrine Convention and Competition. They are only required to attend two meetings a year (FSA and Mid Winter meeting to finalize competition arrangements)  

ARTICLE III

        Initiation Fee:  For a regular member             $250.00

                         For an associate member          $100.00

ARTICLE IV

          MEMBERSHIP: Each member shall be issued a suitable membership card, and/or insignia.  Should the member leave the Unit for any reason such membership card and/or insignia shall be returned to the Unit. 

          Each member is entitled to wear the properly designated Fez of the Unit.

          The term regular member is meant to be, that individual who has displayed the desire to participate with the current active drill or parade teams.  He must also be willing to purchase or at present own a motorcycle, (two, three wheel or trike kit) of the size and model currently used by the drill and/or parade teams (Minimum should be 1100 cc’s).

          The term associate member is meant to be that individual, who has displayed a sincere desire to belong to this motorized Unit, but is either unwilling, unable or has no desire to purchase a motorcycle as stipulated above.  Associate members are entitled to all the rights and privileges as that of a regular member.  Except that no membership card will be issued, or will an associate member have the full voting rights as that of a regular member.  Voting will be limited to membership applications and activities other than parades or drill practice.  Associate member can not be elected officers of the Unit.

ARTICLE V

          DUES:  Financial stability of the Unit is the sole responsibility of the Unit, with no assistance from either Araba Temple or any other organization within A.A.O.N.M.S.  Dues increases will be voted on and passed by the majority of the voting members present at a business meeting, providing all members were notified of the impending vote at least 30 day in advance of said vote.

          The officers of the Unit shall have the authority to assess Unit members in case of an emergency or in the opinion that it be to the best interest of the Unit, with said assessment be voted on at the earliest possible meeting.

          With all members considered equal, the dues are set at $55.00 annually.  Being due the second regular meeting of each year.

          As part of the initiation fee, the first year’s dues are included up to and including the due date of all members, at which time the new member will be included into the annual assessments along with all existing members.

          Each member is entitled to all the rights and privileges extended to him providing his dues are kept current.

LIFE MEMBER: This classification shall be conferred only on those members who have served 10 years minimum in his unit as an active member. Such Life members shall have all the privileges granted to active members. They shall not pay dues and shall retain this classification for life, unless expelled from ARABA TEMPLE on charges. A Life membership may also be conferred upon a past Unit leader or a member for meritorious service, upon approval of two thirds (2/3) vote of the unit.

ARTICLE VI

OFFICERS:  The officers to the Unit shall consist of the following:

1.  Colonel; Unit Leader

2.  Lieutenant Colonel; Assistant Unit Leader

3.  Major; Secretary-Treasurer

4.  Drill Captain

5.  Quartermaster:

6.  Captain:  All other regular members.

7.  Lieutenant; All associate members

ARTICLE VII

DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

          A)  Colonel:  The Colonel shall be in charge of the Unit at all times and be responsible for the successful operation of the same in respect to all functions.  In his absence the ranking officer shall be in charge of the Unit and assume all the responsibilities of the Colonel.
          It shall be the Colonel’s responsibility to see that the Unit is properly instructed, rehearsed and physically fit for the all the ceremonies, parades or other appearances which may be assigned to the Unit.  He must also advise all new members of their responsibilities and arrange all social functions.

          Furthermore it shall be the responsibility of the Colonel to conduct all business meetings and attend all Temple Unit meeting.

          The Colonel, may appoint any other officer he deems necessary, to co-participate or in his absence, to attend any social or business function as his representative.

          The Colonel shall serve term of one (1) year, commensurate with the swearing in by the Potentate of the Araba Temple.

          B)  Lieutenant Colonel:  The Lieutenant Colonel’s duties are to assist the Colonel at all Unit Meeting and functions.  He will observe the same duties and responsibilities as the Colonel, in the absence of the Colonel.

          C)  Major: The duties of the Major of the Unit are to act as Secretary/Treasurer, and keep the records of the Unit.  He shall record the minutes of all meetings and shall properly forward a copy of said minutes to the Recorders Office of Araba Temple, as well as every member of the Unit.

          He shall keep the financial records of the Unit, as well as receive all monies and deposit into the Unit’s account.  He shall render at each meeting a report of all transactions for the interim between meetings as well as an annual report at the annual meeting

It shall also be the responsibility of the Major to comply with any and all request of the Recorder’s Office of the Araba Temple, in a timely fashion, to submit any and all reports that they may request.

          D)  Captain:  The rank of Captain as held with in the Unit, signifies the Noble is an active regular member.

          E)  Drill Captain:  It shall be the responsibility of the Drill Captain to designate the time and place of all drill, practices and rehearsals.  To insure that all applicable equipment is in proper mechanical order.  It shall further be his responsibility to insure that all proper care and maintenance are scheduled so as not to jeopardize the Temple, the Unit or the general public and the Units readiness or ability to perform. 

          F)  Lieutenant:  The rank of Lieutenant, as held within the Unit, signifies that the Noble is an associate member.

ARTICLE VIII

          ELECTIONS:  All elections shall be completed by a secret ballot. To be eligible for election for office within the Unit, the nominated Noble must be a Regular Member of ARABA Temple and the Motor Escort Patrol and not an Associate Member of either. He must currently be active with either the parade or competition team.

          Each officer must be nominated from the floor and elected by a 2/3rds majority vote of the active voting members present.

          Election of the officers of the Unit shall take place at the Units annual meeting each year, just before the Temple’s annual meeting.

          In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of Colonel, due to any reason, the Lieutenant Colonel shall immediately assume the office of Colonel and shall be subject to the approval of the Potentate of Araba Temple.

          In the event of a vacancy in any other office, due to any reason, the Colonel shall have the power to appoint any officer of the rank of Captain and above, to fill such vacancy.

          All the forgoing rules pertaining to the election of officers are subject to the approval of the Potentate of Araba Temple.

ARTICLE IX

          MEETINGS:  The regular business meetings of the Unit shall be held each month on the date designated by the Colonel, and at the time and place designated by the Colonel.

          One third (1/3) of the regular members of the Unit shall constitute

a quorum for the transaction of business at regular or special meeting.  For the purpose of identification, (in this instance) regular is intended to mean all members of the Unit.

          It shall be the duty of each member to attend all drills, rehearsals, business meeting and other official activities of the Unit.

          The presiding officer shall have the authority to excuse, for proper cause, the attendance of any member upon request of said member.

          Failure to attend by any member without proper notice of absence may result in disciplinary action or suspension of said member.  This may be done only by a 2/3rds vote of the regular membership and at the earliest possible date.

          Special meetings may be called by the Colonel of the Unit, upon request with a response in writing or email from 51% of the membership.  Said response must set forth the purpose for which the meeting is called, the time and place of holding such meeting thereof.  Due notice shall be given to each member, both regular and associate and no other business shall be transacted there at.

ARTICLE X

GENERAL CONDITIONS

          (A)  The voting power of the Unit shall be vested in the regular membership only.  Associate members may vote only in the acceptance or rejection of a new applicant’s petition.

(B)  Any member resigning or expelled from the Unit shall be required to remove all Unit insignias from their clothing and their Fez, and shall not dress as a Unit member thereafter, and such member shall return to the Unit all property of the Unit. 

C)  For the protection of all concerned, offenses and subsequent disciplinary action, either major or minor, are not to be discussed among the general nobility.

D)  Should the Noble of the Unit commit an offense requiring disciplinary action, the same shall be presented to the Colonel in written form and if need be, discussed with the Executive Committee to help him decide what disciplinary action to take and/or to decide if it should be presented by the Colonel in writing to the Potentate.

E)  The final authority for all disciplinary action, especially for offenses of a more serious nature, rest with the Potentate of Araba Temple.

F)  Any member of the Unit whose attitude or conduct at parades, ceremonials, conventions or any other Shrine function, as such, tends to bring criticism disharmony or unfavorable publicity to the Unit, shall be required to appear before the Executive Committee of the Unit.  The Executive Committee of the Unit, along with the Colonel shall take necessary action and reprimand or recommend the expulsion of said member.  The action taken shall be after presented to and approved by the Potentate of Araba Temple.

G)  Charges of impeachment or reprimand to any officer for improper conduct may be placed in the record by the majority vote of the Unit at any regular business meeting.  Their charges shall lay over till the next regular meeting, during which time all Unit members shall be notified in writing.  At that time the officer so charged shall have the right to defend himself. Removal from office may be ordered by a minimum of 2/3 votes of the regular members present.  Such removal is subject to the revue of the Potentate of Araba Temple.

 H) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: The Executive Committee shall consist of the past five active Colonels. Each year the Sr. Past Colonel drops off and the current Past Colonel shall be added to this committee, all of which must be active. In the event of not having five concurrent, active past colonels, the unit shall revert back until they have the needed past five (5).

I)  Roberts Rules of Order, shall prevail in the absence of all or any items not covered in these bi-laws

  

ARTICLE XI

UNIFORMS:  dress or uniform of the Unit shall be approved by the Potentate of Araba Temple.

ARTICLE XII

          AMENDMENTS:  For revision of or addition to the rules, regulations and Bi-laws, all regular members of the Unit shall be notified, in writing, a least five (5) days prior to the meeting, of a resolution amending these rules and regulations.  After introduction of such resolution a regular meeting of the Unit, such resolution shall lay over until the next regular meeting, which time the resolution will be voted upon. 

Created by the 2008 Araba Motor Escort Patrol Executive Committee:       

Kendall Turner, Chairman

Harold Idleman

Roy Steigerwald

Robert E. Johnson

 

AMENDMENTS TO THE

BY-LAWS AND CONSTITUTION OF THE

MOTOR ESCORT PATROL PREAMBLE

AS WRITTEN AND APPROVED 8/5/2008

THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE MEMBERS ON OCTOBER 4, 2011:

ARTICLE II

          ELIGIBILITY: PARAGRAPH 4

Upon approval for regular member: There shall be a 90 Day probationary period. During this probationary period the member shall pay dues, enjoy limited privileges, have no voting rights or hold an office in the Unit.

During this probationary period the member shall also fulfill the mandatory requirements of participation in 50% of scheduled Unit events, displaying cordiality & good fellowship with general interest & concern for the Unit.

During this probationary period a regular member shall prove his ability to ride safely in Parades, within a group on the road and or within a competitive drill team.

ARTICLE III

                   Initiation Fee:  For a regular member             $250.00 

 

ARTICLE IV

          MEMBERSHIP: PARAGRAPH 4

There are only regular members in the unit. Each member shall also fulfill the mandatory requirements of participation in 50% of scheduled Unit events, displaying cordiality & good fellowship with general interest & concern for the Unit

ARTICLE V

          DUES:  PARAGRAPH 3

With all members considered equal, the dues are set at $5.00 annually.  In addition to regular dues there are special fees also expected to be paid on the same invoice. These special fees are FASMC, IASMC and Temple Insurance The invoice being due the last regular meeting of each year and consider late after the second regular meeting of the upcoming year

LIFE MEMBER:

This classification shall be conferred only on those members who have served 10 years minimum in his unit as an active participating member. Such Life members shall have all the privileges granted to active members. They shall not pay dues, and are expected to pay the special fees as in the Article V Paragraph 3 and shall retain this classification for life, unless expelled from ARABA TEMPLE on charges. A Life membership may also be conferred upon a past Unit leader or a member for meritorious service, upon approval of two thirds (2/3) vote of the unit.

ARTICLE VI

OFFICERS:  The officers to the Unit shall consist of the following:

1.  Colonel; Unit Leader

2.  Lieutenant Colonel; Assistant Unit Leader

3.  Major; Secretary-Treasurer

4.  Drill Captain

5.  Quartermaster:

6.  Captain:  All other regular members.

 

ARTICLE VIII

          ELECTIONS:  PARAGRAPH 1

All elections shall be completed by a secret ballot. To be eligible for election for office within the Unit, the nominated Noble must be a Regular Member of ARABA Temple and the Motor Escort Patrol.  He must currently be active with either the parade or competition team. The elected offices shall be that of Colonel, Lt. Colonel., Major –Secretary and Major- Treasurer. All Other offices are be appointment of the Colonel and agreed by regular voting procedures during a meeting

 

 

ARTICLE IX

          MEETINGS: 

Paragraph 2

One third (1/3) of the regular members of the Unit shall constitute

a quorum for the transaction of business at regular or special meeting.  For the purpose of identification, (in this instance) regular is intended to mean all members of the Unit. Two Thirds (2/3) of the members in attendance of a regular or special meeting shall be required to pass any items up for vote

Paragraph 5

Failure to attend by any member without proper notice of absence may result in disciplinary action or suspension of said member.  This may be done only by a 2/3rds vote of the regular membership present at a regular or special meeting and at the earliest possible date

 

ARTICLE X

GENERAL CONDITIONS

(A)     The voting power of the Unit shall be vested in the regular membership only. 

 

AMENDED AND ACCEPTED THIS ____ DAY OF ____________, 2011

Bobby Mimmo:                                           AL Little

Colonel of MEP Unit                                    Lt Colonel of MEP unit

 

Jim Wood                                               John Firmes

Potentate of Araba Temple                              Recorder of Araba Temple