CVMA® NY 19-2 - Membership Information

We meet at the VFW in Carthage, NY every third Tuesday of the Month

Contact The Commander or XO for an application and for transfers.

NOTE: Please read the Prerequisites for each member type to ensure you meet all of the requirements

General Requirements:

General Conditions and Qualifications to Apply and to Remain a Member:

(a) General Requirements To be approved for membership of any class, or to remain a member, a person must:

(i) Submit a completed application form together with all supporting records and information as may be requested during the application process and pay any application fees as may be required. The NBOD shall make the application form available upon request, and the form may be revised from time to time and require information that the NBOD, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or appropriate.

(ii) Be of good character.

(iii) Agree to be bound by and comply with these bylaws and the written policies of the organization.

(iv) Be aware of and comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to fundraising by a charitable organization.

(v) Upon admittance to the organization, a member will receive a patch commensurate with their class of membership as set forth in these bylaws. Prior to receiving their patch, the member must complete and sign a patch agreement. The substance and terms of the patch agreement may be amended from time to time at the discretion of the NBOD but must require that the respective member/applicant expressly acknowledge that the patch is the physical property of CVMA and must be returned in good condition (less normal wear) to the organization upon leaving CVMA or membership termination. The NBOD may issue policies from time to time directing the proper care and display of the patch, which shall be applicable to all members regardless of the specific language of their respective patch agreement.

(vi) Conduct themselves in a manner that is not an embarrassment to themselves, the CVMA, or the United States of America.

(vii) Must not represent to anyone that the CVMA or any of its Chapters is a motorcycle club, must not prospect nor represent that CVMA or any of its Chapters engages in prospecting.

(viii) Not take any action to infringe upon the logo, seal, or emblem of CVMA, or otherwise use, display, or publish the logo, seal, or emblem or any intellectual property of CVMA without the express authorization of the NBOD.

(ix) Must not bring dishonor upon CVMA in action, word(s), or deeds.

(x) Must attend a minimum of at least one (1) event hosted by the CVMA within the CVMA dues year. This requirement may be met by attending any one (1) of the following:

(a) National, Region, or State sanctioned CVMA event; or

(b) any Chapter CVMA function that includes the sponsoring CEB participation.

Chapter Officers are obligated to notify each of their members of this requirement, and to take steps to help each of their members meet this requirement. Any member that was deployed at any time during the reporting year is exempt from meeting this requirement. Medically exempted members are exempt from this requirement. Members not in compliance will have their status annotated as “Not in Good Standing.”

(xi) Timely pay all applicable dues or fees.

Full Member:

A person may apply for and be granted membership as a Full Member only if that person meets all the qualification requirements of Section 3.01 AND was/is a member of the United States Armed Services, and only if that person is a Veteran of a Foreign War, “combat” as verified by that person’s DD214/215 with Honorable Discharge, Official Military Personnel File or officer/enlisted record, which must be provided to the NBOD for verification. At the NBOD’s sole discretion, applicants with other than specifically ‘Honorable’ discharges may apply with additional explanatory forms.

(i) Dues Annual dues of $20.00 shall be sent to the National Treasurer, and such payment is non-refundable.

(ii) Voting Each Full Member in good standing is entitled to one vote on all matters coming before the national body of Full Members for a vote. Members may not vote by proxy, unless specifically authorized by these bylaws. Votes must be cast in person at the National Meeting or in the manner prescribed for voting in a special meeting. Failure to attend the National Meeting for any reason is an abandonment of the member’s voting rights on all matters that come up for a vote at that National Meeting.

(iii) Full Member- Life Membership A Full Member may apply to be a Life Member, which shall be granted if the Life Member applicant meets all of the following requirements:

(a) be a Full Member in continuous good standing for the entire 36-month period prior to the date of application, and

(b) participate in a minimum of one sanctioned event in each of the three (3) twelve (12) month periods prior to the date of application, one of which must be a National Meeting, as reflected in the member’s official records.

Cost for life membership is ten (10) times the amount of the annual dues determined as of the date of the application of the life membership. If a Life Member quits for any reason or the member is removed from the CVMA rolls for any reason, no refunds will be made.

(iv) Motorcycle Requirements Full Members must own and operate a motorcycle of 500cc or above. All Full Members must possess a valid operator’s license with a motorcycle endorsement if applicable. All members must maintain valid registration and insurance sufficient to meet the minimum state requirements of their state of residence to operate a motorcycle.

(v) Resignation Should a Full Member resign, they will be given a 5-day grace period to rescind their resignation with no repercussions. After the 5-day grace period, a member must re-apply for membership as a new member and will require NBOD approval. A Life Member that resigns from the CVMA and applies to come back after the grace period will start over as a new member. Membership records from their prior activities will be made a part of the new member record.

Support members:

A person may apply for and be granted membership as a Support Member only if that person meets all of the qualification requirements of Section 3.01(a) AND is or was a member of the United States Armed Services who successfully completed both basic military training and advanced initial (technical) military training and received an Honorable discharge verified by that person’s DD214/215 with Honorable Discharge, Official Military Personnel File or officer/enlisted record, which must be provided to the NBOD for verification. Applicants with other than specifically ‘Honorable’ discharges may apply with additional explanatory forms. Support Members are required to submit their application with proof of military service as outlined in Section 3.01(a)(i).

(i) Sponsor Required for Support Members In addition to the military service requirements, the Support Member must also obtain initial sponsorship from a Full Member who has held a membership in good standing for more than one full year. Support Members are required to have either ridden a minimum of 3,000 miles with their sponsor, attended three CVMA events, or be known by their sponsor for a minimum of 6 months, and may not be admitted to a state with more than 10% Support Members relative to the number of Full Members for that state. A Full Member who sponsors the application of a Support Member shall verify the applicant meets the above criteria. The individual’s support membership is tied to the membership status of their Full Member sponsor until the Support Member has attained Life Membership status (as indicated in the “Support Member-Life Membership” section below). If the sponsor is suspended, resigns, or is terminated, or if the Support Member loses the sponsorship for any other reason, or if the Support Member changes their residence and gets reassigned to a Chapter in a different state, or if the Full Member sponsor gets reassigned to a Chapter in a different state, the Support Member must, within ninety (90) days, obtain the sponsorship of a different Full Member who is in good standing. The Support Member and new Full Member sponsor shall submit a written request for approval of the sponsorship to their local chain of command. Support Members that are unable to secure a new Full Member sponsor within ninety (90) days will be suspended from the CVMA in good standing. In such an event, if the Support Member subsequently secures a sponsor, they may submit an application and be reinstated. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Active-Duty Support Members whose residence changes as a result of military orders will be allowed nine (9) months to secure the sponsorship of a Full Member. Should a Support Member move into a state where there are no available Support Member positions available, they will be suspended from the CVMA in good standing. Once a position becomes available and a sponsor is secured, the Support Member may submit an application and be reinstated. A Full Member sponsor may remove their sponsorship of a Support Member at any time and shall notify their Chapter Commander, who shall then notify the State Representative.

(ii) Dues. Annual Dues of $10.00 shall be sent to the National Treasurer, and such payment shall be non-refundable.

(iii) Limitations. The following limitations apply to Support Members: A. Maximum number of Support Members allowed within any state will not exceed 10% of total CVMA full memberships for that state. B. Support Members will have no vote in National, Region, or state business, but may vote in Chapter CVMA business if it is allowed in the Chapter bylaws. C. Support Members in good standing may wear a small CVMA support patch on the front of their vest or jacket which will be supplied by their sponsor. Support Members may also wear the 10-inch support back patch which will be supplied by their sponsor.

(iv) Support Member - Life Membership A Support Member may apply to be a Life Member, which shall be granted if the Life Member applicant meets all of the following requirements: (a) be a Support Member in continuous good standing for the entire 36-month period prior to the application, and (b) participate in a minimum of one sanctioned event in each of the three (3) twelve (12) month periods prior to the date of application, one of which must be a National Meeting, as reflected in the member’s official records. Cost for life membership is ten (10) times the amount of the annual dues determined as of the date of the application for the life membership. If a Life Member quits for any reason or the member is removed from the CVMA rolls for any reason, no refunds will be made. Once a Support Member has been approved for Life Membership status in the CVMA, they no longer require a Full Member sponsor. (Note: Support Member Life Members are still obligated to every other provision or condition, as defined for Support Members.

(v) Motorcycle Requirements Support Members must own and operate a motorcycle of 500cc or above. All Support Members must possess a valid operator’s license with a motorcycle endorsement if applicable. All members must maintain valid registration and insurance sufficient to meet the minimum state requirements of their state of residence to operate a motorcycle.

(vi) Resignation Should a Support Member resign, they will be given a 5-day grace period to rescind their resignation with no repercussions. After the 5-day grace period, the member must re-apply for membership as a new member and will require NBOD approval. A Life Member who resigns from the CVMA and applies to come back after the grace period will start over as a new member. Membership records from their prior activities will be made a part of the new member record.

Auxiliary Members:

A person may apply for and be granted membership as an Auxiliary Member only if that person meets all the qualification requirements of Section 3.01 and is a spouse of a Full Member or Support Member. Auxiliary Members are required to submit their application with proof of marriage on a form acceptable to the NBOD. The auxiliary membership is tied to their spouse’s membership. The cost of auxiliary membership is found in the National Auxiliary Bylaws. If the Full Member or Support Member resigns or is suspended or terminated, the auxiliary membership will also be resigned, suspended, or terminated. If the marriage is dissolved by a judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, the auxiliary membership shall be terminated. If the Auxiliary Member’s spouse dies, the Auxiliary Member shall retain their membership status, provided all other membership criteria are satisfied.

(i) Limitations. The following limitations apply to Auxiliary Members: A. Will have no vote in CVMA business. B. Auxiliary Members in good standing may wear a small CVMA auxiliary patch on the front of their vest or jacket, which will be supplied by their sponsor. Auxiliary Members may also wear the 10-inch auxiliary back patch which will be supplied by their sponsor. C. Auxiliary Members shall be a member of the Auxiliary Unit and may vote in Auxiliary Unit business or as otherwise allowed by these bylaws or the Auxiliary Unit’s bylaws.

(ii) Dues. The annual dues are set forth in the Auxiliary National Bylaws.

(iii) Auxiliary Unit Auxiliary Members shall be a part of and make up the Auxiliary Unit. The Auxiliary Unit shall have such authority, rights, and obligations as more fully set out in Article VI.

(iv) Auxiliary Member – Life Membership An Auxiliary Member may apply to be a Life Member, which shall be granted if the Auxiliary Member applicant meets all of the following requirements:

(a) be married to or a widow of a Full Life Member or a Support Life Member,

(b) be an Auxiliary Member in continuous good standing for the entire 36 month period prior to their application, and

(c) participate in a minimum of one sanctioned event in each of the three (3) twelve (12) month periods prior to the date of application, one of which must be a National Meeting, as reflected in the member’s official records.

Cost for life membership is ten (10) times the amount of the annual dues determined as of the date of the application for the life membership. If an Auxiliary Life Member quits for any reason or the member is removed from the CVMA rolls for any reason, no refunds will be made.

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