The purpose of the bylaws is to provide a defined structure on how the organization is to conduct its meetings and operations.  Bylaws should be written at a high enough level that they provide sufficient flexibility for the organizations management decisions such that the bylaws rarely have to be modified in the normal course of business and day-today operations.  The bylaws below were unanimously approved by the members on April, 18th, 2019.

Chapter Bylaws

Villages Rovers Chapter

Article I – Chapter Name

The name of this not-for-profit organization shall be the Villages RoVers chapter (hereinafter referred to as “chapter”) of the Family Recreational Vehicle Association, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “FRVA”).

Article II – Object

1. Purpose:  This chapter exists to promote social, recreational, and
   informational exchange activities that provide for the enjoyment and
   pleasurable use of family member recreational vehicles (RVs).
2. Area:  This chapter shall be authorized to function in the Southeast Area.
3. Scope: This chapter will have members with a mutual interest in the RV
   lifestyle and will be drawn from The Villages community in Florida.

Article III – Members

1. Eligibility
   • To be eligible for and to maintain membership in the chapter, a person must be in good standing with FRVA, and meet the dues requirement and provisions set forth in the bylaws of this chapter.
   • Membership in this chapter shall be open to any family unit or individual regardless of race, age, gender, national origin, religion, marital status or disability.
   • This chapter is open to FRVA members who are residents of The Villages community located in central Florida who reside in The Villages a minimum of 4 months per year and posses a valid Villages identification card.
2. Definitions
   • The term “family unit,” is defined as a person; his or her spouse, or partner; dependents of each, regardless of age; non-dependent grandchildren and great-grandchildren aged 18 and under.
   • The term “membership,” is defined as either a family unit or an individual or individuals owning a qualifying recreational vehicle (RV) who share a membership number.
   • The term “member,” is defined as each adult who, jointly or individually, constitutes a membership. The rights of each member are defined in the description of each category contained in Article III (3) of the FRVA Bylaws.
   • The term qualifying recreational vehicle (RV) is defined as “a self-contained wheeled vehicle that includes permanently installed cooking, sleeping, and sanitary facilities.”
3. Voting and Holding Office: A member must own a qualifying recreational vehicle (RV) or at least 1/3 interest in a qualifying recreational vehicle (RV) in order to vote or hold office in this chapter.
4. Dues and Fees
   • ANNUAL DUES: Annual payment of chapter and national dues enables persons to become active members and entitled to all rights and privileges of the chapter and FRVA. The annual dues for membership in the chapter shall be an amount as the membership shall establish.
   • RENEWAL: Renewal dues from chapter members become due and payable January 1st of each calendar year.
   • INITIAL APPLICATION: Application for new membership shall be accompanied by payment of annual chapter and national dues (unless already an FRVA member). If an initial application is accepted after October 31st, the dues shall be regarded as covering the next membership year.
   • INITIATION FEE: New and reinstated members may be required to pay an initiation fee in an amount to be established by the chapter membership.
   • ARREARS: Any member whose dues remain unpaid for more than 30 days after becoming due shall be considered delinquent; after 90 days membership is canceled.

Article IV – Officers

1. Duties of Officers: The duties of elected officers shall be as defined in the Member and Volunteer Handbook.
2. Terms of Office: The elected officers of this chapter shall serve a two year term of office, or until their successors are elected.
3. Rights and Limitations:
   • An individual FRVA member may hold either a single office in each of two chapters or two offices in one chapter. A member may hold the office of national director or alternate national director in only one chapter.
   • Any member in good standing and eligible to hold office may be nominated from the floor for any elective office.
   • No official or member shall become vested of any right, title to, or interest in any chapter property, except as required by law.
4. Executive Board:
   • The officers of the chapter shall constitute the Executive Board.
   • The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the chapter between its business meetings. The Board shall be subject to the orders of the chapter, and none of its acts shall be in conflict with the chapter or FRVA.

Article V – Committees

1. Appointment: Committee members and chairperson (except Nominating Committee) shall be appointed by the president.
2. Duties: All committees shall function within the policies of the chapter and (except Nominating Committee) under the direction of the president.
3. Quorum: A committee quorum shall be a simple majority of committee members.

Article VI – Chapter Administration

1. Authority: This chapter shall be democratically self-governed, deriving its existence and authority from the consent of its membership.
2. Organizational Year: The fiscal and membership year of the chapter shall commence on January 1st and end on December 31st.
3. Chapter Meetings:
   • Types: The term “meeting” shall include RV rallies, campouts, dinner meetings, and any other gatherings suitable to the function of the chapter.
   • Business Meetings: In each fiscal year, a chapter shall hold at least one business meeting at which a quorum is present. The meeting can be a gathering in one area or where some or all of the members communicate with other members through electronic means such as the Internet or by telephone that allows all members the opportunity for simultaneous aural communication. Said meeting shall be duly announced in advance to the membership, including adequate description of how to participate.
   • Officer Election: The voting general membership is to elect chapter officers, including a president, one vice president, a secretary, a treasurer, a national director, and an alternate national director.
   • Quorum: A quorum for the transaction of business at any duly-called chapter meeting is 25% of the chapter family unit memberships or fifteen family unit memberships, whichever is less.
   • Voting: Except as specified elsewhere in these bylaws, a simple majority vote of members in good standing, eligible to vote and voting shall be required to approve or disapprove any matter. The chapter has established that voting will be one vote for each adult member. Voting may be conducted at a business meeting, or by mail, email or other electronic means. Voting shall be conducted by only one of the means selected for a particular vote.
   • Parliamentary Process: The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern this chapter’s proceedings to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of FRVA, and the bylaws of this chapter.
4. Maintaining Accreditation: This chapter must maintain a minimum of fifteen family unit memberships. The chapter secretary shall furnish to the national office of FRVA, no later than December 31st each year, a membership list, a list of chapter officers, and assurance that a business meeting was held.
5. Annual Audit: An annual audit of the chapter’s financial books and records shall be undertaken and reported to the membership. The audit committee shall be three individuals selected from the general membership who are not officers of the chapter.
6. Application of National Constitution and Bylaws: This chapter accepts and agrees that the chapter bylaws shall conform to any mandatory requirements stipulated in the FRVA Constitution, Bylaws and Member and Volunteer Handbook.

Article VII – Elections

1. Nominating Committee Composition:
   • The Nominating Committee shall consist of not less than three chapter members in good standing, nominated and elected every other year by the chapter membership.
   • Election of an individual to the Nominating Committee shall not prohibit that person from being nominated for elected office.
2. Nominating Committee Duties:
   • To select one of its members as Nominating Committee Chairman.
   • To nominate candidates for the chapter offices of president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, national director, and an alternate national director for the new term to be presented for voting by the chapter membership.
   • To obtain clear acceptance of the nominees to serve the chapter should they be elected.
   • To make certain that nominated candidates are members in good standing and qualified under applicable national and chapter bylaws.
   • To nominate candidates to fill vacancies that occur in elected chapter offices.

Article VIII – Amendment of Bylaws

1. FRVA National Bylaw and Member and Volunteer Handbook – Policy and Procedures amendments applicable to chapter operations are not subject to a vote by the chapter membership.
2. Amending Procedure: These bylaws may be amended by a 65% affirmative vote of the members present and voting at a duly-called meeting, providing that prior notice of at least 30 days has been given of the proposition(s) to amend. Any member of the chapter may propose amendments to the bylaws. Approved amendments to these bylaws become effective immediately upon their adoption, or at such time as specified in the amendment.
3. Distribution: Copies of changes, additions, amendments, or revisions to these bylaws shall be forwarded to the national office and to the National Area Vice President.

Article IX – Standing Rules

This chapter may adopt Standing Rules to provide guidelines and procedures by which the chapter may function and operate.

Article X – Liquidation and Dissolution

This chapter of FRVA may be dissolved by a majority vote of chapter members. All of the remaining assets of the chapter shall be contributed to the purpose(s) for which the chapter is organized, or to a qualified non-profit charity or charities.