|
|
Following is the Annual Charter for H.O.G.
Chapters, the official document that defines the relationships
between the local chapter, the sponsoring dealer, and Harley
Owners Group®. The articles in the Charter are binding;
that is, you can count on the Charter as the "final
word" for any question you might have.
Remember: It is the responsibility of
sponsoring dealers/retailers to ensure that their chapter
meets the requirements set by H.O.G. in the Charter. The
director and other officers are to uphold the Annual Charter
for H.O.G. Chapters in all chapter business and activities.
Annual Charter for
H.O.G. Chapters
Articles:
I - Purpose
II - Sponsorship
III - Application and Term of Relationship
IV - Name and Affiliation
V - Officers
VI - Membership
VII - Dues
VIII - Activities
IX - Chapter Publications
X - Trademark License
XI - By-Laws
XII - Amendments
XIII - Disbursement of Funds
XIV - Disclaimer
XV - National, State, Local Laws
XVI - Operating Policies (U.S. Chapters
only)
Preamble
The Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) is an organization founded
and sponsored by Harley-Davidson Motor Company. The group
was established to offer motorcycling benefits and services
to Harley-Davidson enthusiasts throughout the world, and
to develop a close relationship between the Harley-Davidson
rider, the Harley-Davidson dealer and Harley-Davidson Motor
Company.
The opportunity to start an independent chapter affiliated
with the Harley Owners Group is offered to bring members
together for the common interest of promoting motorcycling
activities. The goal of each chapter is to generate an increased
level of enthusiasm for riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
The chapter shall be a family-oriented and a nonpolitical
organization.
Article
I Purpose
- The purpose of the local chapter shall
be to promote responsible motorcycling activities for
Harley Owners Group members by conducting chapter activities
and encouraging participation in other H.O.G. events.
- Chapter activities and operations shall
be conducted in a manner consistent with a family-oriented,
nonpolitical philosophy.
Back to top
Article II Sponsorship
- Each chapter must be sponsored by an
authorized Harley-Davidson dealership. The decision to
sponsor a chapter shall be undertaken solely at the dealer's
discretion.
- An authorized Harley-Davidson dealership
may sponsor only one H.O.G. chapter.
- The sponsoring dealership shall have
absolute authority to require that the sponsored chapter
conducts its operations and activities in accordance with
the sponsoring dealership's standards. The sponsoring
dealership shall require the chapter to operate and conduct
activities in accordance with this charter and H.O.G.
operating policies.
- The sponsoring dealership shall have
authority over, and approval rights regarding, the content
of all chapter publications.
- The sponsoring dealership shall have
authority over any and all matters pertaining to chapter
membership.
- The sponsoring dealership may establish
chapter dues, which dues shall be used solely to pay or
defray the cost of chapter administration.
Back to top
Article III Application and Term
of Relationship
Chapter affiliation with H.O.G. shall be for a one year term
and shall be subject to annual application and acceptance
by H.O.G.
Back to top
Article IV Name and Affiliation
- The Harley Owners Group, a division
of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, is the governing body
for all H.O.G. chapters. Each chapter affiliated with
the Harley Owners Group shall be a separate and independent
organization providing services to its chapter members
on a "not-for-profit" basis.
- Each affiliated chapter must adhere
to this Charter and to H.O.G. Operating Policies.
- Affiliated chapters shall be named
after the respective city or locale of the sponsoring
dealership. H.O.G. shall have the right to approve chapter
names.
- Should H.O.G. determine, in its sole
discretion, that a chapter is not adhering to this Charter,
H.O.G. may rescind its recognition of the chapter as a
H.O.G. affiliated organization. Dealerships may likewise
rescind sponsorship of their chapter at any time, at which
time the chapter's H.O.G. affiliation shall also cease.
Back to top
Article V Officers
- Affiliated chapters shall have the
following primary officers: Director, Assistant Director,
Treasurer and Secretary. Other discretionary officers
may be appointed as needed.
- The sponsoring dealer may assume any,
or all, officer position(s) including their respective
responsibilities and may remove any officer from office
in the dealer's sole discretion. The sponsoring dealer
may determine how chapter officers are selected and the
length of their terms in office.
- The sponsoring dealer has the authority
to require the chapter to perform to the sponsoring dealer's
standards and is to assure H.O.G. that the chapter abides
by this Charter and the Operating Policies.
- The duties and responsibilities of
the primary (required) chapter officers shall be as follows:
- Director: The Director shall
uphold this Charter and the chapter by-laws, conduct
chapter meetings and coordinate chapter officer responsibilities.
- Assistant Director: The
Assistant Director shall assist the Director in carrying
out the Director's duties. The Assistant Director
shall also be responsible for promoting membership,
membership orientation, membership retention, and
keeping the chapter members informed of H.O.G. programs.
- Treasurer: The Treasurer
shall be responsible for the collection and disbursement
of chapter funds, reporting the financial transactions
to the membership on a monthly basis, submitting an
annual financial report to H.O.G., compliance with
all revenue recording and reporting requirements.
- Secretary: The Secretary
shall be responsible for the administrative needs
of the chapter, keeping the minutes of chapter annual
business meetings and general meetings, oversees the
position of membership officer if it exists, ensuring
that all chapter members are current H.O.G. members,
having on file a signed copy of the Annual Chapter
Membership Enrollment Form and Release of each member
as signed on an annual basis, and submitting to H.O.G.
the H.O.G. Chapter Charter Application and any other
reports as required by H.O.G. Further, the Secretary
shall ensure that all insurance requirements are met
(including participant signatures to required release
forms), shall ensure preparation of injury report
forms, timely submission of injury report forms to
the appropriate insurance company and shall be responsible
for the maintenance and storage of release forms and
injury reports.
- The duties and responsibilities of
the discretionary (optional) chapter officers shall be:
- Activities Officer: The
Activities Officer shall be responsible for the administration
of chapter events.
- Ladies of Harley Officer:
The LOH Officer shall be responsible for encouraging
women members to take an active part in chapter activities.
- Road Captain: The Road Captain(s)
shall be responsible for assisting in the planning
of routes for chapter rides and keeping the Chapter
informed of all H.O.G. programs.
- Editor: The Editor shall
be responsible for assembling and organizing written,
oral (broadcast) and electronic material for chapter
publications, e.g., newsletters, press releases. All
chapter publications, whether written, oral (broadcast)
or electronic, shall be subject to approval by the
sponsoring dealer prior to publication.
- Safety Officer: The Safety
Officer shall be responsible for providing chapter
members with information relating to the availability
of rider training.
- Photographer: The Photographer
shall be responsible for obtaining and organizing
chapter photographs for use in chapter publications
and chapter history albums.
- Historian: The Historian
shall be responsible for the preparation and maintenance
of a written account of the history of the chapter,
to include officer positions, chapter activities and
membership levels.
- Membership Officer: The
Membership Officer shall be responsible for ensuring
that all chapter members are current H.O.G. members,
having on file a signed copy of the Annual Chapter
Membership Enrollment Form & Release of each member
as signed on an annual basis; maintains chapter membership
report, providing quarterly updates to the H.O.G.
office or maintaining on the Chapter Business site
of members.hog.com.
- Webmaster: The Webmaster
shall be responsible for assembling and organizing
material for the Chapter Website and seeking approval
from the sponsoring dealer prior to publication.
Back to top
Article VI
Membership
- All Harley Owners Group members may
join any affiliated chapter. An expired membership in
H.O.G. automatically terminates local chapter membership.
It shall be the responsibility of each local chapter to
ensure that chapter members are current H.O.G. members
and to maintain on file in the chapter records a signed
copy of the annual Chapter Membership Enrollment Form
and Release of each chapter member. It shall be the responsibility
of any person applying for, or renewing, membership in
a local chapter to provide proof of his or her National
membership as a condition of eligibility for membership.
- The sponsoring dealer may suspend or
terminate a person's membership in the sponsored chapter
if the sponsoring dealer, in the sponsoring dealer's sole
discretion, determines that a member's conduct is undesirable
or contrary to the sponsoring dealer's interests.
Back to top
Article VII Dues
- Chapters are to be not-for-profit organizations.
The sponsoring dealer may, in the sponsoring dealer's
sole discretion, establish chapter dues to be utilized
solely to pay or defray the cost of chapter administration.
- Chapters may conduct legitimate fund-raising
activities to assist in paying or defraying chapter operating
expenses or to raise funds for charitable purposes. All
such fund-raising activity shall be subject to approval
by the sponsoring dealer.
Back to top
Article VIII
Activities
Chapter events and activities are the sole responsibility
of the local chapter. These events and activities may include
any family-oriented, safe activities that promote a positive
image of the sport of motorcycling and that appeal to the
chapter membership.
Back to top
Article IX Chapter Publications
All material published by the chapter must include the official
chapter name and number. All chapter publications, whether
written, oral (broadcast), or electronic must be approved
by the sponsoring dealer. If, at any time, H.O.G. determines
in its sole discretion that a chapter publication is incompatible
with the family-oriented, nonpolitical philosophies and/or
objectives of H.O.G., the chapter recognition as a H.O.G.
affiliated organization may be terminated. A copy of all
chapter publications of any type must be sent to the H.O.G.
office.
Back to top
Article X Trademark License
- The trademarks H.O.G.®, HOG®,
HARLEY OWNERS GROUP®, L.O.H.®, LADIES OF HARLEY®
and the following H.O.G. logos (the "H.O.G. Trademarks")
are among the many trademarks of Harley-Davidson Motor
Company. These H.O.G. Trademarks may not be altered
in any way and cannot be used in combination with any
other words or graphics.
- The issuance or renewal of this Annual
Charter for H.O.G. Chapters shall constitute a limited
license to use the H.O.G. Trademarks for the term
of this Annual Charter for H.O.G. Chapters.
- The Chartered H.O.G. Chapter's license
to use the H.O.G. Trademarks is limited to use
in conjunction with the official chapter name and use
in conjunction with material relating to chapter activities.
- The current H.O.G. eagle logo shall
be displayed only with the official chapter name, which
official chapter name shall be displayed above the H.O.G.
eagle logo and within the official H.O.G. chapter chevron
as depicted below.
- Chapters must obtain approval from
H.O.G. prior to using H.O.G. Trademarks on any
material other than chapter publications. T-shirts, pins
and all other items are only to be produced by authorized
licensees of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and shall likewise
be subject to prior approval by H.O.G.
- Chapter use of the H.O.G. Trademarks
may continue only so long as this Annual Charter is in
effect between H.O.G. and the chartered chapter and the
chapter operates in accordance with this Annual Charter
and H.O.G. Operating Policies. H.O.G. may, at its sole
discretion, terminate the chapter's limited license to
use the H.O.G. Trademarks at any time upon thirty (30)
days' notice in writing, and the chapter will immediately
terminate all use of the marks when the notice becomes
effective.
- The chapter shall provide such assistance
as may reasonably be requested by Harley-Davidson Motor
Company to protect the H.O.G. Trademarks in the locality
of the chapter's operations.
Back to top
Article XI
By-Laws
- This Charter shall be adopted and serve
as operating policy for H.O.G. chapters and must be available
to all chapter members.
- Chapter by-laws, if needed, may not
replace, supersede or conflict with this Charter and H.O.G.
Operating Policies. The sponsoring dealer and the H.O.G.
office must approve chapter by-laws prior to publication
or implementation. Once adopted, a copy of the chapter
by-laws must be furnished to the sponsoring dealer and
H.O.G. office and must be available to all chapter members.
Back to top
Article XII
Amendments
H.O.G. may amend this Charter at any time at its sole discretion
based upon H.O.G.'s review of chapter developments and needs
or because of conflicts with national, state, or local laws.
Back to top
Article XIII Disbursement of
Funds
In the event of dissolution or final liquidation of the
Chapter, all of the remaining funds and property of the
Chapter shall, after paying or making provision for the
payment of all of the liabilities and obligations of the
Chapter and for necessary expenses thereof, be distributed
to such organization or organizations as are organized and
operated exclusively for charitable purposes and which qualify
as an exempt organization or organizations under Section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. In no event shall
any of such assets or property be distributed to any director,
officer or private individual.
Back to top
Article XIV Disclaimer
While the chapter may be affiliated with H.O.G., it remains
a separate, independent entity responsible for its actions.
All Harley Owners Group members and their guest(s) participate
voluntarily and at their own risk in H.O.G. and H.O.G. chapter
activities. The sponsoring dealer, H.O.G. and Harley-Davidson
Motor Company, its subsidiaries and distributors and local
chapter officers are and shall be released and held harmless
by the member/guest for any injury or loss to the member/guest
or to his or her property which may result from participation
in H.O.G. and H.O.G. chapter activities. This means that
each and every member of the local chapter and their guest(s)
have no ground for legal action against the sponsoring dealer,
H.O.G., Harley-Davidson Motor Company, its distributors
and its subsidiaries, the local chapters and their respective
agents and employees for any injury resulting to them or
their property.
Back to top
Article XV National, State, Local
Laws
If any part of this Charter should be invalid for any reason
whatsoever under any national, state or local laws having
jurisdiction over the subject matter of this Charter, then
that part shall be considered deleted from this Charter
and the rest of this Charter shall remain valid and in full
force and effect.
Back to top
Article XVI Operating Policies
(U.S. Chapters Only)
- Recision and Termination of Sponsorship:
In the event a sponsoring dealer decides to terminate
or rescind sponsorship of a chartered chapter:
- The sponsoring dealer shall inform
the appropriate H.O.G. Regional Manager of the sponsoring
dealer's intent to cancel or terminate sponsorship
fifteen days prior to providing the chapter with written
notice of termination or recision of sponsorship.
Such notice shall be afforded by telephone or facsimile
transmission.
- The sponsoring dealer shall provide
the chapter with written notice that sponsorship is
terminated or rescinded, setting forth the reasons
for termination or cancellation. Said notice shall
be effective fifteen days subsequent to date of delivery
of the notice. A copy of the sponsoring dealer's written
notice to the chapter membership shall be sent to
the Regional Manager.
- Any subsequent application for
charter by a group proposed to be sponsored by the
former sponsoring dealer shall not be considered for
acceptance for a minimum period of three months following
the sponsoring dealer's termination or recision of
the dealer's sponsorship of the former chartered chapter.
- Assistant Director Duties: The
assistant director shall also act as H.O.G. State Rally
liaison and shall ensure that information regarding H.O.G.
State Rallies is communicated to the chapter membership.
- Treasurer's Duties: The chapter
treasurer shall also be responsible for administering
any and all federal, state and local revenue reporting
and taxation requirements.
- Dues: Annual chapter membership
dues may not exceed twenty four dollars ($24.00).
- Chapter Activities:
- Chapters must hold a minimum of
four closed events per year.
- Closed events are those
chapter events which are open to chapter members and
one guest per member.
- Member events are events
that are open only to H.O.G. members.
- Open events are those chapter
events which are open to chapter members, national
H.O.G. members and other guests as desired.
- Membership: In order to suspend
or revoke a membership in the chapter, the sponsoring
dealer must do the following:
- Notify the member in writing of
the cancellation of his chapter membership. Give the
reason for the cancellation in clear, concise terms.
- Refund the member's chapter dues
for the year.
- Send a copy of the cancellation
letter to the appropriate Regional Manager.
- Newsletters: Chapters must publish
a minimum of six newsletters per year to be eligible to
maintain H.O.G. affiliation. Newsletters can consist of
any printed material informing the membership of activities,
i.e. post cards, flyers, multi-page publications, etc.
Activities listed in the newsletter must indicate whether
it is an open event, H.O.G. member event or closed event.
- Chapter Status: Any chapter
which fails to conduct any events or fails to publish
six newsletters in one year, shall have their chapter
recognition as a H.O.G. affiliated organization rescinded.
Back to top
|