ARTICLE I: Club Name:

The name of this club shall be "Frozen Axles" offroad organization.  (Abbreviated as: FAO)

ARTICLE II: Club Purpose:

This club is organized with the Primary purpose of responsible offroad trail riding with 4wd vehicles utilizing Tread Lightly! Principles and maintaining a family oriented posture.

ARTICLE III: Membership:

Section 1. Applicants for membership must fulfill the following requirements:

      -Own or co-own a 4WD vehicle used for trail use.

      -Possess a valid driver’s license.

      -Maintain state minimum insurance.

-Pay $10 to the club Treasurer for Recruit status dues

      -Attend 1 (one) club meetings during the 6 (six) months prior to application. Meetings will be held every month.

      -Drive a 4wd vehicle in at least 1 club run within the same 6 (six) month period as above.

- Recruits who do not meet membership requirements will be removed from the recruit roster when their recruit period is up unless extenuating circumstances are the cause and approved by 2/3s of club membership. Previously removed recruits can be reinstated to recruit status after 6 months with the approval of 2/3s of the senior membership. Reinstatement is not a given and will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Section 2. Vehicle Inspections will be performed by at least 2 officers or other competent members appointed by the Senior Membership on first time vehicles and periodically on membership vehicles to ensure that all required equipment is on board and functioning properly. Any vehicle found lacking any of the required equipment from Article VII Section 3 may be refused participation in any club run until such items are acquired.  

Section 3. Recruits must be approved by 2/3rds of the voting members at the regular meeting or a special meeting called by one of the founders. Only members who have wheeled with the Recruit are eligible to vote.

Section 4. When accepted, the new member has until the next regular meeting to pay any unpaid membership dues in cash.

Section 5. Anyone seeking club supporter status must be voted on by majority vote of the club founding membership.

Section 6. Members whose dues are not paid in full shall have no rights and privileges as provided by being a member of this club.  If a members’ dues are not paid 30 days after renewal date the member shall be removed from the club roster.

Section 7. Members with extenuating circumstances as determined by the senior membership shall be excused from the requirements of Article III to be considered a member in good standing.

Section 8. . Members who have been removed from the club roster due to no vehicle, inactivity or unpaid dues as described in Article III Section 4 or 5, wishing to be reinstated in the club shall be held to the application process of a new member.

Section 9. There are four classifications of membership and voting. Member must be present to vote, except as stated in Section X, no proxy voting is allowed.

-Family Memberships, up to three votes. Member, Spouse, and sibling between the ages of 16 and 18, 1 vote each. All must be present to vote.

-Individual Membership, 1 vote.  

-Retired Membership, no voting privileges

-Club Supporter, no voting privileges

Section 10. If a member is in good standing when said member moves out of the area, then that member's status changes from member to retired member when their current dues run out. Retired members that return to the area are automatically returned to member status upon payment of dues.

Section 11. All members are subject to a “retain membership” vote at the December meeting. Members will consider how active the member to be voted on was during the last calendar year when voting. A 2/3 membership vote is required to remove a member from the ranks. All members retained during the December meeting have until January 31^st to pay the next calendar years dues. Members not retained may ask to be considered for Recruit status which must be approved by a 2/3 membership vote.

ARTICLE IV: Dues

Section 1. Dues will be $10 for Recruit membership, $20 for individual membership, or $30.00 for family membership per year.  Vendors Dues will be $40 per year, retired membership and club supporters will pay $5 per year guaranteeing their access to Frozen Axle forums and picture galleries. There will be no refund for dues moneys paid.

Section 2. Dues are to include a 1 year membership in Frozen Axles offroad organization

Section 3. All memberships will be January to January.

ARTICLE V: Code of Conduct and Trip Rules

Section 1. All members must conduct themselves in a respectable and orderly manner. Prior to attending an Frozen Axles Offroad trail ride the member must have attended 1 (one) club meeting or function to introduce him or herself to the club. Any member disgracing the club will be subject to dismissal. Formal charges, in writing, may be brought against such a member, and the general membership will be advised of the reason for dismissal. A 2/3's (two-thirds) vote from the senior membership present at a regular or special meeting, will sustain dismissal. If a special meeting is called for this purpose, members will be advised at least 1 week in advance. Any member with formal charges brought against them may not participate in any sanctioned club run or activity unless the charges have been addressed and dismissed. All participants of Frozen Axles offroad will have a hold harmless agreement signed and on file prior to being allowed on a club sanctioned event. Exception to policy: Any misbehavior on club forums garner the same disciplinary action as misbehavior on trail rides, meetings, and events.

Section 2. Members will be responsible for their guests, and families.

Section 3. All decals and insignias referring to membership in 'Frozen Axles' or similar depiction of Frozen Axles offroad organization are the sole property of said club.

Section 4. A dismissed member will be required to remove any and all decals and insignias referring to membership in Frozen Axles.

Section 5. Trip rules will be adhered to at all times:

       -IF YOU HAUL IT IN, YOU HAUL IT OUT.

       -Don't throw away litter or bury trash.

       -Use extreme care with cigarettes and matches.

       -No motorcycles/ATV`s allowed in immediate camp area.

       -Drinking of alcoholic beverages while driving on or off road will not be condoned. As well as driving for any distance after such drinking has begun. All members are subject to immediate dismissal from the club, no questions asked.

       -Pets must be controlled by their owners at all times.

       -Always keep the vehicle both ahead and behind in sight. If the vehicle behind you stops, stop and assist him/her, except on a freeway, then proceed to the next off ramp and let the Tail Gunner stop and assist.

       -Don't drive over plants or soft meadows or anywhere damage to the terrain may occur. Avoid “spidering” or “wallowing” trails. Remember the property we use usually belongs to someone else. In other words TREAD LIGHTLY!

       -The Trail Boss is in charge of the run. Cooperate with him/her and obey their orders. The Trail Boss and/or senior membership have the ultimate authority on all runs, and will report attendance to the Secretary for record keeping.

       -The trail boss and Tail Gunner will remain in constant radio contact. If, at any time, this terminates, the Trail Boss will take necessary action to reinstate contact and dissolve any issues that have arose.

       -If you must leave the caravan for any reason, notify the Trail Boss immediately.

       -Keep in mind that we are a family offroad club, therefore keep in mind male/female separation for bathroom breaks on trails and the use of profane language should be limited and used with discretion.

ARTICLE VI: Vehicle Equipment:

Section 1. The following equipment is required for all vehicles on all runs. It is the Trail Boss’ job to spot check vehicles prior to the start of the run. All personnel in any Frozen Axles sanctioned event will have appropriate winter and inclement weather gear for the day, to be checked by the trail boss.

Headlights.

       Tail Lights/Brake lights.

A full size spare tire, Jack, and Lug Wrench. A tire repair kit will suffice if you have the means to repair your own flat and both axles are unlocked (or) you have selectable lockers

State minimum Insurance.

Fire Extinguisher.

Roll Bar. (Exceptions to this requirement are those vehicles having a steel utilized structure).

First Aid Kit.

       Tow Rope or Winch

Safety Belts, one for each person traveling in the vehicle.

       Tow Hook or Strap Attachment Point (front and rear)

       Source of communication, FRS or CB

       Emergency brake

       Secured battery

Section 2. Recommended

       Shovel

       Axe Saw, or Hatchet.

       Highway Flares.

One-Gallon Bucket.

Pair of hip or chest waders.

Pair of leather heavy work gloves.

Winter gear appropriate for trail and season conditions

ARTICLE VII: Officers and their duties

Section 1. President

Shall exercise general supervision of the club.

Shall conduct membership and Board of Directors Meetings.

       Appoint all committees and the committees are responsible to the President.

Other work as required.

Section 2. Vice-President

       Shall organize and promote all club events.

       Act as President in the absence of the President.

Other work as required.

Section 3 Treasurer

Handles all club finances, using a financial ledger.

Notifies members if dues payments are past due.

Other work as required.

Section 3. Secretary

Handles club correspondence.

       Shall maintain meeting composure and structure during meetings

       Petitions for and records all club votes

       Records club attendance records.

       Shall except and record all membership applications, and keep Membership roster up to date.  Roster to include members mailing addresses, phone numbers (cells and home if applicable), email addresses, and dues payments.

       Maintain a list of emergency contacts.

Other work as required.

Section 5. In the event of a vacancy in a club office, the vacancy will be filled by appointed and a majority vote by the Senior Membership.

ARTICLE VIII: Senior Membership

The Senior Membership consists of the three founders of the club. They shall handle, monitor, and advise on all club business.

ARTICLE IX: Meetings

Section 1. Meetings will be held bimonthly.

Section 2. Senior Membership meetings will be called at the request of any senior member and can, but not necessarily will, dictate the attendance of the President or other Officers.

Section 3. Under extraordinary circumstances, a ‘Special Meeting’ of the membership may be called by the President.

ARTICLE X: Elections

Section 1: Candidates who would like to run for an officer position shall present themselves at the November meeting.

Section 2:  All officer positions will be elected at the December meeting.

Section 3: New Officers will take over at the end of the December meeting.

Section 4: Current Members, for good cause (as determined by the senior members) may issue proxy votes for Officer Elections and other pertinent votes as decided by the senior membership or the officers

ARTICLE XI: Recall

Section 1: Officer Recalls will be initiated in writing and presented at a club meeting. A special meeting may be convened for this purpose. A 2/3 vote by present members is required to recall any officer.

Section 2: Officer Recalls approved by the general membership will be submitted to the senior membership for final approval.

Section 3: Senior membership will approve all officer recalls by a vote of 2/3’s. Senior membership may also issue a recall by unanimous decision with that vote being the final authority.

ARTICLE XII: By-Law Changes

Section 1. By-Law change proposals must be submitted in writing to the Secretary.

Section 2. By-Law changes will be presented to the membership at the next club meeting.

Section 3. By-Laws can be changed by a 2/3's (two-thirds) vote of all members present at a meeting.

Section 4: Once approved, the final vote will go to the senior membership for approval and posting. A 2/3’s vote by senior membership is required for all bylaw changes.

Section 5. By-Law changes become effective immediately following approval by the senior membership.  

ARTICLE XIII: Club Funds

In the event of disbandment of the ‘Frozen Axles’ all Club money’s shall be donated to Tread Lightly!

FINAL BY-LAW:

Drive at your own risk. Frozen Axle Offroad Organization is not responsible for ANY damage to you, your passengers or your vehicle. In the event you need to be extracted from a trail, Club members are responsible for their own vehicle and properties. In the event that you receive damage to your vehicle while on a Club trip, you are solely responsible for that damage.  Two-party accident: The two-parties involved will handle vehicle-to-vehicle damage. These Bylaws are to be used as guidance not point of law or rule.