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    "Ontario Good Sam Club" charter.

  

        The rules and guidelines that this chapter lives by.





Ontario Good Sam Club©®

 

Constitution & By-Laws as submitted to the Good Sam Club

 

PREAMBLE
With the object in view of stimulating a greater interest and development of the principles
of good camping, ecological awareness, decency, harmony through the club, fellowship among the campers, reverence for the woodlands, forests and wilderness areas that are our heritage, aid to fellow campers in any emergency situation no matter how small or how serious, safety in all situations, kindness for our fellow human beings and all
wildlife, throughout the world, and with the avid desire of creating an enthusiasm which
by reason of example, will serve to awaken a spirit of emulation, and cooperation to the
same end throughout the camping world, we hereby form ourselves into the Ontario
Provincial Good Sam Recreational Vehicle Club adhering to the following principles:

            I will stop and give aid to fellow campers where safety and traffic conditions permit. I will not attempt to stop and give aid on turnpikes, freeways or expressways, but
instead will give three short blasts on my horn to indicate that I am reporting the breakdown to the nearest patrol, toll gate, or police.

           If I am broken down on the expressway, I will raise my hood of my vehicle to indicate I am in need of assistance, and will stay with the vehicle until help arrives.

           I will keep my recreational vehicle in safe running condition at all times and give special attention to brakes, tires and running lights.

           I will drive within the law and with consideration for others.

           I will watch following traffic on upgrades and pull off the road as soon as possible whenever I am causing a slow down.

           I agree to observe, and cause to be observed all posted rules and regulations for
the betterment of the enjoyment of outdoor recreational facilities.

           I will leave my campsite in better condition than I found it.

           I will try to wear a smile (like Good Sam’s) and promote the objectives of Good Sam whenever I meet other recreational vehicles. Consonant with the most liberal spirit of intolerance in the achievement of our purpose, we further agree that in its vigorous pursuit, this organization shall at all times during the span of its existence, maintain an attitude strictly non-sectarian, non-partisan, non sectional and non-racial, nor shall it, as an organization, take part in political issues, or the affairs of the Provincial with the sole exception of those which exclusively affect the
positive attitude of the futures of camping in respect to our defined ideals.


 CONSTITUTION ARTICLE I – NAME

Name: This organization shall be known as the Ontario Provincial Good Sam Club within the
Organization of the International Good Sam Recreational Vehicle Club. The Provincial Organization shall recognize the International Good Sam Club’s Constitution and By-Laws as their ultimate governing authority.
 

Definition:

 a. The term “Provincial Organization” shall be construed to mean the Ontario Provincial Good Sam Club, Organization.

 b. The term “Club” shall be construed to the International Good Sam Recreational Vehicle Club.

c. The term “Chapter” shall be construed to mean a duly chartered Chapter of the Club.
 

Promotion:

The Provincial Organization will only use the Club’s name and logo in good taste, and to
promote the Club’s pledge and the Provincial Organization’s activities in a manner
consistent with the Club Constitution, By-Laws and General Policies.

 

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

It is the purpose of this Provincial Organization to promote the use and enjoyment of recreational vehicles and outdoor fellowship among its members through trips and group activities. This Provincial Organization shall maintain an attitude which is strictly non sectarian, non-partisan, non-sectional and non-racial, and shall be dedicated to bringing together people interested in the ideals and principals of the Club.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

 
Section 1.

Membership in this Provincial Organization is limited to those individuals who are members in good standing with both the Club and the Provincial Organization. (i.e. have paid Club and Provincial membership dues, when applicable.)

 
Section 2.

Each membership includes one couple or single and any dependent children living with
them.
 

Section 3.

Members of the Provincial Organization will be classified as either Chapter members or Provincial members-at-large.

 

Section 4.

Provincial members-at-large will be defined as those members of the Club who do not belong to a Chapter, but who have voluntarily decided to be members of the Provincial Organization and meet all the necessary membership requirements thereof.

 

ARTICLE IV – PROVINCIAL OFFICERS

 

Section 1. Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible to be an officer of the Provincial Organization you must be a member in good standing and must reside in the Province of Ontario, unless a special exclusion of residency requirement is approved of the executive director. No Provincial Officer may hold any other post or position within the Club, Region, Provincial, or Chapter, unless special approval is given by the Club’s Executive Director.


Section 2. Provincial Officers:

 

Officers of this Provincial Organization shall be the Provincial Director, Assistant Provincial Directors, Secretary, Treasurer, Wagonmaster, Legislative Representative and such additional officers as deemed necessary by the Provincial Organization.
The Provincial Board is comprised of all Provincial Officers listed above.

 

Section 3. Term:

a. The Provincial Director shall be appointed by the Club’s Executive Director for a term of two years. The Provincial Director shall be appointed in the even numbered years.
 

b. The Treasurer shall be elected by the Provincial Committee for a term of two years.
The Treasurer shall be elected in the odd numbered years.

c. The Secretary, Wagonmaster, Legislative Representative, and Assistant Provincial
Directors shall be appointed by the Provincial Director and will hold office for a period
designated by the Provincial Director, but not to exceed the Provincial Director’s term of
office.
 
 

ARTICLE V – PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE

The Provincial is authorized to form a Provincial Committee composed of the Chapter
President, or the president’s appointed delegate, from each Chapter within the Provincial, as specified in the Constitution and By-Laws of the Club.

 

ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENTS

1.         Proposed amendments to this Constitution must be submitted to the Provincial Director by a Provincial Committee member, in writing, at least thirty (30) days prior to the Provincial Committee meeting to be included in the agenda of the next Provincial

Committee meeting.

 2.         The proposed amendment(s) in their final form shall be sent to each member of
the Provincial Committee ten (10) days prior to the Provincial Committee meeting at which
the amendment(s) would be voted upon.

 
3.         Such proposed amendment(s) shall automatically be an item on the subsequent
Agendas until disposed of by a vote of the Provincial Committee membership.

 
4.         The amendment(s) shall be approved with an affirmative vote of three-fourths of
The eligible voting members present.

 
5.         All approved amendments shall become effective January 1st of the next calendar year, unless otherwise Provincial in the proposal.

 

ARTICLE VII – INDEMNIFICATION

 
Officers, Directors, Provincial Committee Members and other authorized volunteers,
employees or agents shall be indemnified against claims for personal and individual
liability arising in connection with their positions or service on behalf of the Provincial
Organization to the full extent permitted by law.
 
BY-LAWS

 
ARTICLE I – MEMBERSHIP

 Membership is composed of individuals who make application and pay the appropriate dues. They must provide proof of membership in the Club. The membership is in effect from January 1 through December 31.


ARTICLE II – DUES

Section 1.

Annual Provincial Organization dues of $5.00 per year for Chapter members must be paid to the Provincial Organization Treasurer. Members-at-large will pay $3.00 annually. N.B. This annual Provincial assessment fee is approved annually by the elected Chapter
Presidents. This annual Provincial assessment maybe waived by the Provincial Executive;
if a 75% membership voted agrees to the suspension on the annual dues.

 

Section 2.

If dues are applicable, then the Provincial dues are due on January 1st and are overdue April 1st. If dues are not paid by April 1st, the member in default will have his/her Provincial Membership is suspended.

 

Section 3.

Provincial Organization dues paying members will receive a discount on Provincial Samboree
fee providing dues were paid by the due date. Amount of discount will be determined by the Provincial Committee at the time the fee for the Provincial Samboree is determined.


Section 4.

New Chapters formed after October 1st will have their dues credited for the following year.

ARTICLE III - DUTIES OF OFFICERS:

 
Provincial Director:

1. Is the highest Club Officer in the Provincial.

2. Represents the Provincial Organization membership to the Club.

3. Represents and upholds the Club Constitution, By-Laws and General Policies to the membership.

4. Acts as advisor in the administration of the Provincial Organization and Chapter business.

5. Acts as an advisor at Provincial Committee meetings, officiates at Provincial committee meetings and can only vote in the event of a tie.

6. Administers the formation of new Good Sam Chapters.

7. Officiates at Provincial Samborees.

8. Appoints Assistant Provincial Directors and notifies all Chapters who their liaison is to the Provincial Director.

9. Presents an annual budget for the upcoming fiscal year to the Provincial Committee at the annual Fall meeting.

10. Provides an agenda to the members of the Provincial Committee thirty (30) days prior to the meeting. Standing committee reports shall be listed as an agenda item.

11. Performs such other functions as specified in the General Policies of the Club.

12. Appoints committees as necessary.

13. Appoint a committee consisting of 3 members of the Provincial Committee to conduct an annual audit. The treasurer will act as an advisor to the Audit Committee.

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ARTICLE III DUTIES OF OFFICERS,
CONTINUED

Assistant Provincial Directors:

 1. Serves as the representative for specific chapters of the Provincial as the liaison to the Provincial Director.

2. Assists in organizing Chapters.

3. Acts as advisor to Chapters in the assigned area when requested.

4. Performs such other duties as designated by the Provincial Director.

 Provincial Secretary:

 1. Handles all correspondence as assigned by the Provincial Director.

2. Attends all regular and special meetings of the Provincial Board and the Provincial Committee. Records the minutes of all meetings noting the time and place of each meeting; how called or authorized; notice of meeting; record the roll call of all persons present; record motions/resolutions made with the
name of the person making the motion and the second; record action on motion/resolution. Read minutes from previous meeting(s); duplicate and distribute minutes to members.

3. Provides copies of the agenda for the presiding officer for all meetings.

4. Files minutes and committee reports.

5. Has a copy of Provincial Organizations Constitution and By-laws available at all Provincial Organization functions.

6. Sends notices of all Regional and special meetings of the Provincial Board and Provincial Committee at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the meeting.

7. Maintains membership records of all Chapter members and members-atlarge of the Provincial Organization.

 
Provincial Treasurer:   (The Provincial Treasurer can not be a member of the Provincial Director's immediate family.)

1. Shall have custody of all funds, securities and assets of the Provincial Organization. The treasurer shall receive all monies received by the Provincial
Organization from dues, Provincial Samborees or any other source.

2. Shall deposit Provincial Organization funds in a checking or savings account in the name of the Ontario Provincial Good Sam Organization, in a financial institution which must be federally insured or it equivalent, within an appropriate amount of time of receipt.

3. Keep a full and accurate account of all receipts and disbursements. Make a financial report, in writing, at all Provincial Committee meetings.

4. All expenditures of monies are those expenses approved by the Provincial Committee. No monies shall be paid, for any purpose, which was not approved in the budget by the Provincial Committee or by special appropriation approved by the Provincial Committee.

6. All disbursements will be made by check. All disbursements and/or withdrawals must have two authorized signatures. There shall be (2) authorized signatures on file at the financial institution for the Provincial Organization bank accounts. They shall
be the Provincial Director and Provincial Treasurer.

7.  Prepare an itemized financial report to be distributed to the Provincial Board and Provincial Committee thirty (30) days prior to meetings.

8.  Act as an advisor to the Audit Committee.

9.  Act as Provincial Organization election chairperson.

 Provincial Wagon Master:

 1. Shall serve as chairman of the parking committee.

2. Perform such other duties as designated by the Provincial Director.

 

Legislative Representative:

 1. Shall keep track of all potential laws affecting RV owners within the Provincial.

2. Shall notify the Provincial Board and the Club of any change in the laws.

3. Shall perform such other duties as designated by the Provincial Director.

 

ARTICLE IV. DEATH/RESIGNATION, REMOVAL AND VACANCIES

 Section 1. Death/Resignation:

 Any member of the Provincial Board may resign by providing written notice of resignation to the Provincial Director or, in the case of the Provincial
Director, to the Executive Director.Upon the death/resignation of the Provincial Director, the Executive Director shall appoint a Provincial Director to serve out the balance of the term or request
that the Provincial Organization present another candidate for the position. Upon the death/resignation of the Provincial Treasurer, the Provincial Director shall conduct a special meeting of the Provincial committee as soon as possible for the purpose of electing another Provincial Treasurer.

Section 2. Removal for Ineligibility:

Any member of the Provincial Board who is no longer eligible to serve may be removed by two-thirds vote of the Provincial Committee.

 

ARTICLE V - PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE AND DUTIES

 1. The Provincial committee is composed of all Chapter Presidents within theProvincial or their appointed delegates.

2. Regular Meetings will be held three (3) times yearly. The Provincial Director may call 3 additional meetings, if the necessity should arise.

4. The Provincial committee has the voting power to reconcile serious disputeswithin the Provincial Organization and in any Chapter within the Provincial.
The Provincial Board shall be allowed voice only at the Provincial Committee meetings as an advisory body. They have no voting power. The Provincial Committee has the authority to levy a reasonable fee to be paid by all Chapter members within the Provincial to be placed in the Provincial Organizations financial account. Such levy shall be recommended by the Provincial Organization if there was an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the Chapter delegates attending the
meeting. The distribution of all such funds shall be at the discretion of the Provincial Committee.

 5. Provincial Committee members shall:

a. Attend all Provincial Committee meetings as the representative of their Chapter and report the proceedings of such meetings to the members of the
Chapter. If the president is unable to attend, the president shall appoint a delegate and notify the Provincial Director of the change.

b. Vote on such items as come before the Provincial Committee on behalf of the Chapter.

c.  Present to the Provincial Committee any proposed amendments to the Provincial Constitution and By-Laws deemed necessary by the Chapter

d. Serve on committees voluntarily, or by appointment, for the good of the Provincial Committee.

e. Review, comment, revise and adopt the annual Provincial budget.

6. No Provincial Organization officer, Chapter officer, Chapter member or individual member may make any financial commitment for the Provincial Organization without permission from the Provincial Committee.

 
ARTICLE VI – QUORUM

Fifty percent (50%) of the current Provincial Committee shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business at the Provincial Committee meetings.

 
ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS

1. Meetings will be held three (3) times yearly. The Provincial Director may call additional meetings, when necessary.

a. Provincial Committee meeting will be on Sunday forenoon of the weekend of the Provincial Samboree.

b. Fall meeting of the Provincial Committee will be held the last weekend of September.

c. Spring meeting of the Provincial Committee will be held the last Saturday of March.

2. Written support of twenty-five percent (25%) of the Provincial Committee membership is required to petition the Provincial Director to call a special meeting.

3. The most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order newly revised shall govern all meetings. The order of business shall be as follows:

a. Call to order

b. Pledge and invocation

c. Roll call

d. Introduction of guests

e. Minutes of last meeting

f. Provincial Director's report

g. Treasurer's Report

h. Legislative Representative

i. Correspondence

j. Committee Reports

k. Unfinished Business

l. New Business

m. Announcements

n. Adjournment

 

ARTICLE VIII - PROVINCIAL SAMBOREE

 The Provincial Samboree will be held annually at a place and date as set by the Provincial Committee and the Provincial Board at a meeting held at the preceding year's Samboree.

 
ARTICLE IX - CHAPTER BY-LAWS, MEMBERSHIP, DUES, ETC.

1. Each duly chartered Chapter must provide a copy of their Constitution and By-Laws to the Club and Provincial Director as required by the Club's Constitution and By-Laws, Article II, Section 3.

2. A Good Sam member may be a member of as many local Chapters as they wish, but can only hold office in one Chapter at a time.

3. Chapter emblem designs must be in accord with the Club policy and may be submitted directly to the Provincial Director for approval.

4. Teen Chapter members will not be required to pay Provincial Dues providing their parents are members of the Club and the Provincial Organization. Each Teen Chapter will have equal voting rights through their Chapter president or Chapter delegate at the Provincial Committee meetings.

 

ARTICLE X – AMENDMENTS

1. Proposed amendments to these By-Laws must be submitted to the Provincial Director by a Provincial Committee member, in writing, at least thirty (30) days prior to the Provincial Committee meeting to be included in the agenda of the next Provincial Committee meeting.

2. The proposed amendment(s) in their final form shall be sent to each member of the Provincial Committee ten (10) days prior to the Provincial Committee meeting at which the amendment(s) would be voted upon.

3. Such proposed amendment(s) shall automatically be an item on the subsequent Agenda’s until disposed of by a vote of the Provincial Committee membership.

4. The amendment(s) shall be approved with an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the eligible voting members present.

5. All approved amendments shall become effective January 1st of the next calendar year, unless otherwise Provincial in the proposal.

 

ARTICLE XI - STANDING RULES

1. Resolutions are those motions made and approved at the Provincial Committee meeting concerning the smooth day by day operation of the Provincial Organization, that in no way change the Provincial Organization Constitution and By-Laws.

2. Only members in good standing may address the Provincial Organization in matters of policy.

 ARTICLE XII - FISCAL YEAR

 The fiscal year of this Provincial Organization is January 1 through December 31.



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