Siklista Houston Club by Laws

Article I. Name

The name of the organization shall be the Siklista-Houston Cycling Team, hereinafter referred to as the “Club.”

Article II. Mission Statement

The Siklista – Houston Cycling Team is an organization dedicated to promote the fun, fitness, and the passion of cycling along with other cycling related activities.

Article III. Membership & Dues

Membership is open to all cyclists who express a desire to join the club, pay a modest annual membership fee, and willing to abide to all Club by laws. Being a member of the Siklista gives the cyclist a number of benefits that includes but not limited to; the ability to purchase an exclusive club jersey; a significant discount on sales and services from our club sponsors and a voting privilege to the Club general elections. All members are expected to observe proper cycling etiquette and common sense when participating in all club rides and other organized events.

Members shall pay dues in an amount determined by the Executive Committee. Membership dues shall be payable annually on the membership anniversary date.

Membership shall be suspended for failure to renew if annual dues have not been received within 90 days of the membership anniversary date, but promptly reinstated retroactively to the membership anniversary date upon payment of any delinquency.

Membership may be terminated at any time for good cause as determined by a 2/3 vote of censure by the Executive Committee. Written notice of termination of membership shall be forwarded by the Secretary to the former member by certified mail within 10 days of the action of the Executive Committee. Within 10 days of receipt of such notice any member whose membership has been terminated shall advise the Secretary by return certified mail of his/her protest of the termination and the Secretary shall place on the agenda of the next general membership meeting to be held at least 15 days from the filing of the protest, the issue of restoration of membership. Membership shall be restored upon majority vote of the membership at the meeting, provided that a quorum is present.

Article IV.  Meetings & Events

Membership meetings shall be held on the quarterly and the time and location determined by the Executive Committee. Meetings shall be announced in the E-Newsletter and other Club communications.

A quorum shall consist of fifteen (15) dues paying regular members.

The membership meeting for the month of December shall be known as the Annual Meeting, the purpose of which shall be the Election of Officers, the filing by the President of the Report of Club Activities, the filing by the Treasurer of a financial report and the Presentation of Awards by responsible officers. Notice of the Annual Meeting shall be published in the E-Newsletter at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting.

Article V. Club Officers

The Siklista – Houston Cycling Team is governed by a group of officers who are responsible in steering the club towards its goals and purpose. The officers serve as ambassadors of the organization and cycling advocates to the general public. The roles and responsibilities of these officers are outlined below. 

Club Director

The Club Director (CD) is responsible in the overall direction of all club activities. The director acts a custodian towards the greater goal of the Siklista’s and the member’s best interests. Among the Club Director’s specific duties shall be to preside at all Club and Executive Committee meetings; select members to appointed official positions; call an emergency Executive Committee or general membership meeting; and select the recipients of any awards as approved by the Executive Committee. The Club Director is an elected position by the general members. The club director will serve a term of two calendar years (January to December). Elections will be held at the Annual Club Christmas party.

Qualifications of the Club Director

1.      Must be a bona fide member of the Siklista- Houston Cycling Team

2.      Must be an active member of the club for at least three years

3.      Must possess good moral character, broad vision, and willing to take on the responsibilities as director.

Assistant Club Director

The assistant club director (ACD) serves as the deputy for the club director. The ACD will direct all the touring and weekend club rides and have principle responsibility for the quality, variety and safety of the Club’s tours. Among his/her specific duties shall include recruitment, orientation and training of ride captains; publication of a ride schedule to the membership and the general public. The ACD is expected to help the Club Director in making decisions that serve the club member’s best interests. The ACD is an elected position by the general members. The ACD must be ready to assume duties of the CD in the event that the CD is incapacitated or have chosen to resign from his/her position. The ACD will assume office the following year after the CD’s term expires.

Qualifications of the Assistant Club Director

1.      Must be a bona fide member of the Siklista

2.      Must be an active member of the club for at least three years

3.      Must possess good moral character, broad vision, and willing to take on the responsibilities as assistant club director

Club Secretary

The Secretary shall keep a full and complete record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Club, the Executive Committee and shall preserve all documents, correspondence, reports and communications of the Club. Among his/her specific duties shall include maintaining the official membership roster, summarizing meeting minutes for publication in the Newsletter; giving all notices required by law or these By-Laws; and maintaining these By-Laws and any amendments thereto.

Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Club and shall be responsible for the security of the Club’s funds and other assets. The Treasurer is an appointed position by the Club Director. The treasurer must possess a sound mind and good moral character. The treasurer shall publish an annual financial report to the general members during the annual meeting (December Christmas Party). Among his/her specific duties shall include receiving, depositing, accounting for and disbursing all Club funds, or authorizing others to do so, as provided for by these By-Laws and the Executive Committee; maintaining all financial records; making all legally-required filings; notifying the membership when dues payments are due and collection of same; presenting a brief financial report at each Executive Committee meeting; and filing with the Executive Committee a written Annual Financial Report for each fiscal year outlining the financial condition of the Club and summarizing the previous year’s transactions and events, said Annual Financial Report to be published in the Newsletter.

IT Manager

The IT officer is in charge of managing Siklista – Houston website. The IT officer shall be responsible in maintaining and updating the club website. The IT manager shall have the responsibility to grant or deny (with due cause) access to members that will use the internet site. The IT manager has the discretion of forming a “team” that will assist him/her in certain tasks and responsibilities. The IT Manager is an appointed position by the Club Director.

Team Mechanic & Ride Safety Officer

The Team’s official mechanic is Blann Caguiao. Blann has been a bike mechanic since the creation of the Club. Blann has an appointment for life. Should he choose to resign, then the Club Director will have to look for another member with similar skills. In addition to being the bike mechanic, Blann is also the Ride Safety Officer who is responsible for the safety of all riders in all club events. Blann is also the official Club Statistician – responsible for keeping records of all rides and activities.

Event Coordinator

The event coordinator (EC) is responsible taking a lead role in organizing all special events for the club. These events include but not limited to, quarterly meetings, special rides, club races, and fundraising drives. The Event Coordinator is an appointed position.  The EC has the discretion of forming a team composed of club members to assist her/him in fulfilling the duties for the club. The EC will also be responsible in generating announcements to all members.

Advisory Board

The advisory board is composed of five “legacy” members of the Siklista – Houston Cycling Team. These board members are appointed by the Club Director. The board is the primary source of recommendations for decisions that the Club Director has to take regarding club matters. The board must have representation from both male and female cyclists. Board members have to be club members for at least 5 years or one of the founding members of the original Siklista Houston Cycling Team. The term limits of these members will be discussed below. Each of the board members is required to attend the minimum of at least three of the four quarterly club meetings. Recommendations of the board can be done either as individual or collective opinion and presented to the club director.

Article VI. The Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of all current officers, the immediate past Club Director and, for the period ending December 31^st following expiration of their terms, all other immediate past officers. It shall be the governing body of the Club and shall make operational and policy decisions for the Club and act by majority vote, except as otherwise provided herein. The Executive Committee shall insure that the legal affairs of the Club are attended to. The Executive Committee shall not make expenditures or commit the Club’s assets for any capital investment or project exceeding $1000 without the approval of the general members at a membership meeting properly constituted under Article III.

The Executive Committee shall prepare an Annual Report for presentation by the President at the Annual Meeting of the highlights of Club’s activities for the year, including Club membership and trends. It shall also report on its activities throughout the year in the Newsletter and at regular membership meetings.

The Executive Committee shall meet at least quarterly at such time and place as it determines and at such other times as the President may from time-to-time advice. In the absence of the President an officer designated by the President shall preside.

The Executive Committee must approve Project Groups recommended by any officer and concur in the appointment of lead persons of same, approve establishing separate committee or project accounts, including designation of signatory authority as required.

Upon approval by 2/3 of the Executive Committee a motion to dissolve the Club shall be put to a vote by the membership, a majority of whom must approve, provided however, that at least 10% of the membership must participate in the voting, provided further, that if at the time the Executive Committee approves such a motion, the membership of the Club stands at less than 100, the motion may be approved at any membership meeting at which a quorum is present. If dissolved by the membership, all Club assets shall be rendered in cash which, after settling any Club debts or obligations, shall be contributed to tax exempt cycling organizations identified and in amounts determined by the Executive Committee

Club Officers are required to attend at least three (3) out of four (4) quarterly meetings to discuss a variety of matters in the organization. There will be an annual general club meeting and election in December during the Christmas Party.

Article VII. Organizational Chart

Article VII. Election of officers & Term Limits

The club terms of service are discussed in detail below. General elections are held on the Annual Club Meeting & Christmas Party held in December.

Club Director & Assistant Club Director

The term limit of the Club Director is limited to two (2) calendar years from January 1^st to December 31^st with an option to run for reelection for a second term (another two calendar years). As the Club Director term expires, the Assistant Club Director will then assume duties as the new club director. During that event, (the annual Christmas Party) a new Assistant Club Director will be elected.

Advisory Board Members

Advisory Board Members are appointed positions for a term of four (4) calendar years. Board members can be reappointed once by the club director to a total two terms (or eight calendar years).

Treasurer, Event Coordinator, and IT Manager

These positions are appointed by the club director. The incoming club director has the discretion of keeping existing officers (if the said officer is willing to stay on) or appointing new ones.

Team Mechanic and Ride Safety Officer

This position is an appointed position with no term limit (for life). However, Blann may choose to resign if he chooses to do so. In that event, a new TM & RSO will be appointed by the existing club director.

Any officer may be removed by a 2/3 majority vote of the membership at any membership meeting at which a quorum is present. The unexcused absence of any officer from three (3) consecutive Executive Committee meetings shall be deemed a resignation. Any office vacated during the year shall be filled by appointment as determined by a majority of the Executive Committee.

Article IX. Amendments

These By-Laws may be amended by a majority of the membership at any membership meeting at which a quorum is present, provided that written notice of the proposed amendment is given at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting.

All amendments will be published in the next edition of the E-Newsletter.