Constitution And By Laws

California State Club Winnebago International Travelers

Chartered January 1975

CONSTITUTION

            This constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the members present at a regular meeting of the Club provided a quorum is present and provided the intention to amend the constitution shall have been previously communicated in writing by any Club officer or any member of the Executive Board and that the officer of Board member has communicated the proposed amendment to all members at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the meeting.

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I — NAME

            The name of this organization shall be the California State Club of the Winnebago International Travelers CALWIT. It was charted on 1 January 1975. For the purpose of brevity, the California State Club shall be hereafter referred to in this document as the Club, and the Winnebago International Travelers shall be referred to as WIT. Recreational vehicle will be referred to as RV.

ARTICLE II — OFFICE

            The office of the Club will be considered as the current Club President’s address, and that address shall be utilized for all business purposes except for direct correspondence with the office of the Club Secretary and the Club Treasurer when expedience is required.

ARTICLE III — EMBLEM

            The Club emblem is oval in shape with the map of California in gold, the border red, and the background blue. The red, blue, and gold colors are to be the official Club colors. The oval will be shown vertically with the top pointed and the bottom rounded (teardrop style), and is inscribed: “WIT California State Club.” “Charter Member” is to be part thereof for those people who became members prior to November 2, 1975, and those Itasca members who joined during the period between the 1980 state rally and the closing of the 1981 state rally.

ARTICLE IV — PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

  1. Basic Purpose            To promote fellowship, friendship, fun, and cooperation among all members of WIT; to foster and develop recreational,, social, and travel opportunities for the enjoyment, pleasure, and use of WIT members; to provide a means for frequent interchange of travel ideas and to take part in educational programs that improve the public knowledge of recreational vehicle travel; and to encourage gatherings and outings on local, state, national/provincial, and international levels.
  1. Objectives             To assist in protecting members’ rights as a private RV owner; to support WIT on caravans, rallies, etc; to promote traveling safety; to recommend improvements in travel facilities where the need exists; to bring these recommendations before the proper state or national agencies; to press for action until improvements have been made; to cooperate with all other organizations that are working toward the conservation of our natural resources; to serve as a feedback mechanism to Winnebago Industries; and to assist in the formation and maintenance of local chapters, state club, and national and international clubs.

ARTICLE V — MEMBERSHIP AND FEES

  1. Definition             The Club was formed as part of the Winnebago International Travelers, which is an organization of travelers who love the outdoors and open roads. The term “member” as used herein is defined as a person or persons who singly or jointly own a Winnebago Industries RV, who have been accepted for membership, and whose dues are paid. Any person or family in the general area of California who is a member in good standing of WIT is eligible for membership in the Club. Applicants for membership, by virtue of applying for membership, agree that they accept and shall abide by the provisions of the Bylaws of WIT and the Club.
  1. Nonprofit Statement             The Club does not contemplate pecuniary gain or profit to its members and is organized for nonprofit purposes. The Club will be operated as an unincorporated nonprofit WIT-affiliated RV club. Individual members are prohibited from seeking monetary rewards for expenses that will become a profit to them or for the Club.
  1. Membership
    A.     Non-WIT Club member owners of a Winnebago Industries RV may be guests of the Club or chapter for a maximum of two times without becoming a member. 
    B.     Membership annual dues and an initiation fee when joining will be established by the Club’s Standing Rules. The dues may be changed without amending the Bylaws provided notice of such change is read in an open meeting six (6) months before the effective change. When voted in, such dues will be effective immediately.
    C.     Each member will be advised by the Club Secretary in the newsletter announcing the January outing that dues are payable for the new year if not previously paid.
    D    . Annually, a new roster of members and members-at-large will be prepared following the January outing. This new roster will be provided each member and member-at-large on or before February 28. This roster will be used for all mailings.
    E.     Honorary membership will be granted by the Club providing the following conditions are met. The candidate: (1) has been a member in good standing of the Club for five (5) years; (2) has rendered  some service or made some contributions of time or talent to the Club; (3) has been nominated in  writing by a member in good standing or by a local chapter; (4) has been approved by a majority vote  of the Club Executive Board; (5) has been approved by a majority vote at a Club general meeting; and (6) does not own or regularly use an RV that was manufactured by other than Winnebago Industries. Honorary members may not vote and may not hold office. Names must be reported to the WIT Club office for approval by the Consumer Engagement Manager to receive an honorary certificate and card.  The certificate will be dated as to when honorary membership will start. With this membership, the  member will receive the WIT Club News magazine at no charge for 24 months. After the 24 months,  the member may continue receiving the WIT Club News at a rate of $20.00 per year. Honorary members may attend Club meetings, chapter outings, and the Grand National Rally. Honorary members will be required to pay event fees.

ARTICLE VI — APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

            Applicants for regular membership, by virtue of applying for membership, agree that they accept and shall abide by the provisions of the Bylaws of WIT and the Bylaws of the Club. If the applicant is eligible and the correct amount of funds is remitted, membership in the Club shall be granted. Subsequent to acceptance for membership, a membership card will be provided to each member. A copy of the Bylaws shall be provided upon request.

  1. Admission to the Club shall not be denied because of gender, race, religion, marital status, color, or  nationality.
  2. Owners of non-Winnebago Industries RVs may not attend Club functions as a guest except at a         Friendship Rally.
  3. Any member of the Club who has resigned or whose membership has lapsed shall be eligible for       membership again, providing they own a Winnebago Industries RV and upon payment of dues.
  4. Membership rosters shall not be distributed outside of the WIT organization.

ARTICLE VII — CLUB OFFICERS 

  1.   The Club shall be governed by an Executive Board of Directors consisting of the Club President, who is designated the Chairman of the Board; the other elected state officers, including the 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents, the Secretary, and the Treasurer; the Immediate Past President; and the President of each local chapter or a designated member of said chapter who is a member of the Club; and one member-at-large on the basis of 1 for each 25 members-at-large or major fraction thereof. The member(s)-at-large are to be appointed by the Club President subject to the approval of the other board members.
  1.   The offices of the Club shall be a President, a 1st Vice President, a 2nd Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and the Immediate Past President, all of whom shall perform the duties that usually pertain to the respective offices and as listed in following paragraphs.
  1.   The President shall not hold more than five consecutive 1-year terms. A partial term shall not count as a term served. Upon fulfilling a term as President, the member will receive a complimentary 1-year extension of his/her national membership if the Club has received the Club of Excellence status for that current year. If the Club did not receive Excellence status, the member will receive a 6-month membership extension as a thank you from the WIT Club for the time of service. Complimentary memberships will not be refunded.

The office of Vice President may be exempted from the above term limit requirement. Upon fulfilling a 1-year term, if the Club receives Excellence status, the member will receive a complimentary 6-month extension of his/her national membership if the Club has received the Club of Excellence status for the current year. If Excellence status is not received by the Club, there is no extension.

The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be exempted from the above term limit requirements. Upon fulfilling a 1-year term, if the Club receives Excellence status, the member will receive a complimentary 6-month extension of his/her national membership if the Club has received the Club of Excellence status for that current year. If Excellence status is not received by the Club, there is no extension. 

  1. The annual election of officers shall be held during the October rally from a slate presented by the nominating committee and/or nominations from the floor. Newly elected officers shall be installed on Saturday of the annual rally and shall take office immediately. Records are to be audited on Saturday and given to the new officers Sunday.
  1. If any vacancy other than the President occurs during the year, as provided for in the Bylaws, the President shall appoint a successor or successors who shall hold office for the unexpired term. In case of a vacancy in the office of the President, the 1st Vice President shall fill the office for the unexpired term, and the 2nd Vice president shall then fill the office of 1st Vice President in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 2 of this Article.

A.   Duties of the President

  1. Responsible to membership to lead and coordinate affairs and events.
  2. Presides over meetings. Offers recommendations and suggestions for the members’ consideration. In case of a tie vote, casts the deciding vote.
  3. Appoints committees as needed. Shall serve as ex officio member of all appointed committees, except the nominating committee. Committee members serve at the pleasure of the President and may be excused without cause.
  4. Ensures that all provisions of the WIT Club Bylaws are followed.
  5. Notifies the WIT Club office immediately of any accident or injury that occurs during any outing,         meeting, or rally.
  6. Recruits new members for WIT, the Club, or local chapters.
  7. Talks to dealers and coordinates WIT Show-and-Tell programs.
  8. Attends outings of local chapters as often as possible.
  9. Encourages members to participate in Club and local chapter functions.
  10. Works with the WIT Western Area Representatives.
  11. Requests Certificates of Insurance from the WIT Club office if required by campgrounds, fairgrounds, or other meeting site.
  12. Follows up with each officer to be sure all duties are being performed.

B.   Duties of the 1st Vice President

  1. Presides over meetings if the President is absent.
  2. Carries out duties assigned by the Club Bylaws.
  3. Assists the President in coordinating affairs and events.
  4. Locates and contracts for sites for meetings and the rally for the following year. Meeting shall be sited  so that one is in the northern, one is in the center, and one is in the southern region of the state.

C.  Duties of the 2nd Vice President

  1. Assumes the duties of the 1st Vice President if he or she is absent.
  2. Carries out duties assigned by Club Bylaws.
  3. Assists the President in coordinating affairs and events.

D.   Duties of the Secretary

  1. Keeps accurate and up-to-date records of Club memberships.
  2. Records the proceedings of all meeting of Club membership and Executive Board.
  3. Forwards a roster of complete membership to the WIT Club office, including a list of officers,             immediately following the election of officers. (A new list must be sent at least once a year.)
  4. Submits information on Club outings and “Who’s Inviting Travelers” to the WIT office.
  5. Handles all Club correspondence.
  6. Requests year patch or birthday patches for the Club’s 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25th birthdays. Submits a letter of request and a current roster to the WIT Club office requesting Club birthday patches 

E.    Duties of the Treasurer

  1. Receives, safeguards, and holds all Club funds in the name of the Club.
  2. Keeps accurate accounts of all Club funds in the name of the Club.
  3. Submits written reports on funds to each officer at each meeting of the Club. Gives oral report to the  membership at the general meeting.
  4. Disburses funds only for authorized purposes and only in accordance with Club Bylaws.
  5. Verifies that all members and all applicants for membership are members of the WIT Club.
  6. Distributes patches, logos, and other related material.

F.    Duties of the Immediate Past President
       1. Serves as an advisor to the President.
       2. Is a member of the Executive Board.  

G .   Other offices may be elected by the Club pursuant to the members’ desires and interests. Possible officers include wagon master, director, chaplain, youth coordinator, and additional vice presidents.

ARTICLE VIII — MANAGEMENT OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE CLUB   
         The Club is chartered as a Club of the Winnebago International Travelers, a department within Winnebago Industries, Inc., Forest City, Iowa.
  1. Club Staff                                                                                                                                                               
    A.     The President is responsible for management of the Club                                                                           
    B    . The 1st Vice President, the 2nd Vice President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer will assist the            President in all areas of administration of Club business.                           
    C.     Committees may be appointed by the President to assist in administering any task as may be deemed necessary for orderly operation of the Club.
 
 

ARTICLE IX — COMMITTEES

 1.  The Rally Committee shall consist of at least three (3) members appointed by the President; the  committee shall be responsible for and arranging for rallies subject to the approval of the  President.  

2.  The Nominating Committee shall consist of at least three (3) members selected from the Board of Directors or past state officers, appointed by the President at the April meeting. The committee shall place in nomination candidates for all offices. At the meeting when this report is made, other nominations may be made from the floor. The committee shall be dismissed upon election of new officers. 

3. Prior to the election of new officers, the outgoing president shall appoint an audit committee consisting of no more than three (3) members to audit the finances for the previous year. The audit committee is expected to complete its work during the rally before the new officers are installed. The audit committee’s report will be made part of the record of the Club. 

4.  Other committees may be appointed by the President and shall act for the duration of their assigned task(s) or until the end of the Club year.

ARTICLE X — AMENDMENTS

            These Bylaws and Standing Rules may be amended at any regular meeting by a majority vote, provided a quorum is present. Bylaws and/or amendments thereto shall be submitted in writing to the whole membership not less than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the will be voted upon.

ARTICLE XI — ENFORCEMENT OF BYLAWS
  1. The WIT Consumer Engagement Manager, with the recommendation of the Western Area Representatives, may suspend or revoke the charter of any club or chapter found to be violating the provisions of the Bylaws. The above persons These people may also place the club or chapter under trusteeship and reorganize the club or chapter. The Executive Board of the club or chapter may petition for reactivation subsequent to the time the offenses have been remedied.
  1. Expulsion/Reinstatement of Club Members                                                                                           
     A.       A member may submit a petition with the support of the two-thirds majority of the Club members  through the President to the Executive Board for confirmation of denial of the petition. The Executive  Board’s decision should concur with the majority of the members.                                 
    B.      A member may submit a request for expulsion through the President to the Executive Board. The   Executive Board should review the request and make a recommendation to the membership. To  approve the recommendation, the majority of the membership must vote in its support.         
     C.       The person named in the petition or request has the right to reply to the charges in writing prior to action being taken.                                                                                                                                       
    D.      In either case, the expulsion and/or reinstatement of a member is based on two-thirds majority support of the Club membership. The Executive Board does not have the sole power to expel or reinstate a  member.                                                                                                                                                   
    E.       In either process, the Executive Board should not vote against the wises of the majority of the       membership.                                                                                                                                                                   
    F.      After the process is complete, documentation should be sent to the office of the National WIT Club  organization in Forest City, Iowa.                                                                                                                   
    G.      The above statements (Article XI, Section 2) are strictly a suggested guideline when the Club cannot  come to an agreement.

ARTICLE XII — FISCAL YEAR

  1. The fiscal year shall coincide with the taking of the office by the newly elected officers and shall be from the taking of office at the annual October rally to the installation of the new officers at the annual October rally the following year.
  2. Prior to accepting the fiscal-year report, the outgoing President shall appoint an audit committee as described in Article IX, “Committees,” section 3.
  3. At the beginning of the fiscal year, the WIT Club office will be furnished with a list of new officers and a roster of membership.

ARTICLE XIII — BUDGET

            The officers, including the Immediate Past President, shall determine the budget for the fiscal year early in their term of office. Checking account balances should be at the minimum considered necessary to operate the Club during the year. Rally profits should also be minimal. Any amount in excess of expenses should be applied toward the next year’s rally. Rally participants should be finance Club yearly programs. The budget should be filed with the Club documents. The budget should be presented to the Club membership and approved by the conclusion of the January meeting.

ARTICLE IX — AUTHORITY OF THE CLUB

  1. The sole authority of the Club for its internal government rests in the Club membership.
  2. The Club authority derives from Bylaws, Standing Rules, and operating policies duly adopted by vote of the Club membership. Such voting may take place in a duly called meeting or by mail/email ballot. Proxy voting may not be used. In any voting at Club meetings, all adult persons constituting a member have a right to vote. There shall be one (1) vote for each adult member of the Club. A dealer membership is permitted one (1) vote.
  3. The Bylaws adopted by this Club must be submitted for approval to the WIT Consumer Engagement Manager and must conform to the WIT Club Bylaws set forth in the current version thereto.
  4. The Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules may be amended by a majority vote of the Club members present at a regular meeting of the Club provided a quorum is present and provided the intention to amend the Constitution shall have been previously communicated in writing by any officer or member of the Board and that the officer or Board member has communicated the proposed amendment to all members at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the meeting. A quorum of the Club shall consist of ten percent (10%) of the current membership.

ARTICLE XV — MEETINGS

  1.  The quantity and times of the year for the Club meeting and an annual rally will be established by the Standing Rules.
  2. Special meetings of the membership may be called by the President or by three (3) members of the Club Board upon notification of all members of the Club.
  3. All regular and dealer members may attend open meetings of the Club.
  4. A Friendship Rally/Outing no more than once every 12 months to invite owners of non-Winnebago Industries RVs to further the spirit of fellowship and to invite owners of a Winnebago Industries RV to join the WIT Club and the state Club. The rally/outing must be authorized by the WIT Consumer Engagement Manager and preannounced in the WIT Club News. Requests for approval must arrive at the Consumer Engagement Manager’s office at least four (4) months prior to the event.
  5. It is highly recommended that Robert’s Rules of Order govern all proceedings in which they are applicable. The WIT Club Bylaws are a guideline to refer to when there is a discrepancy with the Club.
  6. The regular order of business at all meetings shall be as follows:                                                                             
    A.         Call to Order ­and Presentation of Colors                                                                                                         
    B.          Reading of Minutes of Previous Meeting by Secretary                                                                               
    C.          Treasurer’s Report                                                                                                                                       
    D.         1st Vice President’s Report                                                                                                                                 
    E.         2nd Vice President’s Report                                                                                                                             
    F.         Immediate Past President’s Report                                                                                                                 
    G.         Introduction of Guests                                                                                                                                        
    H.        New Business                                                                                                                                                          
    I.         Old Business                                                                                                                                               
    J.         Comments                                                                                                                          
    K.        Election of Officers  Rally                                                                                                                                       
    L.        Installation of New Officers (October Rally)                                                                                                     
    M.       Adjournment

ARTICLE XVI — EFFECTIVE DATE

            The effective date of these revised Bylaws shall be October 2, 2016, All local chapters must review their Bylaws to ensure compliance with the WIT Club Bylaws and these Club Bylaws. All amended Bylaws must be submitted to the Western Area Representatives for submittal to the Consumer Engagement Manager. A record of the revisions to these Bylaws will appear at the end of the Bylaws.

 

 

 

 

BYLAWS AND STANDING RULES REVISION HISTORY 
Revision 9:       January 26, 1991
Revision 10:     January 22, 1994, to conform to WIT Bylaws of January 1993
Revision 11:     April 23, 1994, to conform to revisions requested by WIT office
Revision 12:    August 24, 1996, to change dues date to April 1 and to eliminate $5.00 reinstatement fee
Revision 13:     April 25, `996, to conform to WIT revisions of January 1996. Rescind change of dues date in  Revision 12 to meet WIT roster requirement date of on or before February 28. Insert provisions for Standing Rules to cover items not pertinent to the Bylaws and subject to  change.
Revision 14:     October 6, 2001, change Standing Rule 2 to have three (not two) Club outings each year   plus an Annual rally, and add a new item to Article VII, Section 8, paragraph B, “Duties of the  1st Vice President.”
Revision 15:     August meeting was dropped as a regular California State Club of WIT meeting at the October 4, 2008 meeting, according to Article X, Amendments, Article XVI Meetings,   Section 1.
Revision 16:     October 2, 2016, to conform to WIT Club revisions of July 2016 as requested by the WIT Club  office.

STANDING RULES CALIFORNIA STATE CLUB OF WIT

The Standing Rules are an integral part of the California State Club Bylaws and can only be changed in accordance with Articles XV, Section 4, of the Bylaws. If the conditions specified in the referenced Bylaws are met, changes to these Standing Rules can be accomplished without revising the Bylaws.

1.  Membership annual dues will be $10.00 per unit per year with an initiation fee of $10.00. If a unit drops out of the Club, there will not be a reinstatement fee nor will there be a new initiation fee if they rejoin the Club, simply paying the dues reinstates a member unit. Paid-up dues cover membership from January 1 to January 1. If you become a member August 1 or thereafter, you are a member for the current year and the following year. If you join before August 1, you will be billed for the current year. Dues are payable by February 15th to correspond the WIT Club roster requirement date.

2.  There shall be two (2) State Club outings each year plus an annual rally. The business meetings, held in conjunction with the outings, shall be held on the fourth (4th) Saturday of January and April. The annual rally will be held in October. The business meeting held in conjunction with the rally shall be held on the Saturday of the rally. Meetings shall be sited to that one is in the north, one in the center, and one in the southern region of the state. (See Revision 15 above.)

3.  Any deceased California State Club president, past president, or their spouse shall be given a memoriam. The memoriam will not exceed $50.00. The money for these memoriums will come from the State Club treasury. It will be the responsibility of the State Club Board of Directors to ensure a memoriam is sent.                                                              
4.  California State Club of WIT will rent a golf cart each for the Grand National Rally (GNR) in Forest City, Iowa.