Wounded Warriors R.A. Structure

Generalized Structure of the Wounded Warriors R.A. & Auxiliary

National Level
The National Post will be located and maintained in the state of the National Commander.
The National Officers shall have the responsibility to achieve the purposes of the Association nationally. The National Executive Board (all State Commanders, National Commander, and National Vice Commander) will maintain and update all Amendments in the Constitution and By Laws for the organization.
The National Historian will record minutes of all Executive Board Meetings, but will have no voice or vote. The National Executive Board will mediate matters between Posts when requested, provide guidelines for the Posts, maintain control over the organizations name, logo, patches and insignias, as well as the distribution of these materials to Posts and Members. It will also call annual meetings of National Officers and State Officers, the locations and dates of the meetings to be determined by the National Post. All Amendments will be voted on at this meetings.

State Level
The State organizations officers responsibilities will be basically the same as the National Officers, but have more direct communication and authority over Posts within their state.
As with the National Officers, the State Officers will be appointed to their respective positions by their state’s Commander until initial elections are held. The location of the State Office will be located in the city of choice by the State Commander.
*Note: For initial organizational purposes, the Founding Post in each State will operate as the "State Post" until initial elections are held. Tentative dates for the first "offical" Post and State elections are: Nominations & Elections in November 2007, Assumption of Offices in January 2008.

Post Level
The Post is the lowest level of organization however, it is the most vital. The Post is the equivalent of a "Chapter"; and is established, organized, and controlled at the local level. This is where the REAL work gets done.
1). The initial formation of any new Post must be officially recognized, supported, and sponsored by the state in which it is located.
2). The proposed Wounded Warriors R.A. Post will have no less than five (5) members before consideration of a Post Charter by the National Organization.
3). Upon the official granting of a new Post’s Charter by the National Organization, current active Members of that Post will be recognized as “Founding Members”, and will be permitted to wear a Founding Member patch.
4). Posts must adhere to territorial agreements involving any other Riding or Motorcycle Club. Disabled Veterans of America: Wounded Warriors Riding Association is a non-profit/charity and non-territorial organization.
5). Posts will recruit members only from their area/region.
*Note: For initial organizational purposes, the Founding Post in each State will operate as the "State Post" until initial elections are held. Tentative dates for the first "offical" Post and State elections are: Nominations & Elections in November 2007, Assumption of Offices in January 2008.
For information on starting a Post in your area, please visit our "Contact Page" for information and forms required.
Membership Levels
1). All Members must belong to a Post within the state of their residence. If they are located on the border of two states, they will be Members of the closest local Post.
2). If a Member is transferred, or otherwise relocated to a state that has active Posts, he/she will exchange his/her previous Post Tag and become a member of the closest local Post.
3). Active Members are considered "Junior Members" for the first two (2) years of Membership, thereafter considered "Senior Members". Only Senior Members may sponsor a new (Trainee) Member.
4). If a Member is transferred, or otherwise relocated to a state that does not have an active Post, he/she can request membership in the National Post and exchange his/her Post Tag for a National Tag.

Positions of Authority

Elected
Commander (Required) - The Commander is first in the Association hierarchy, and is responsible for chairing (Post, State, or National) meetings, runs, and Association events. Other responsibilities include: handle day-to-day interface between Posts or States and the next level of Officers, and with other riding associations and clubs. Establish and maintain a file on all paid, active members in their Post, State or Nation and their representative status. To monitor all activities related to dues and the ordering of Association owned products.
Vice Commander (Required) - The Vice Commander is second in Associations hierarchy, and will act in the Commander’s behalf if the Commander is unavailable. The Vice Commander will also fulfill the duties of any other Officer’s position if vacated.
Historian (Required) - The Historian is responsible for recording minutes of Post, State, or National meetings, and preparing from the minutes, a logical and readable report. This report is sent to all Officers both above and below in the Associations hierarchy. The Historian is responsible for reading of the minutes from the previous meeting as well as any and all correspondence received.
Provost (Required) - The Provost is third in the Associations hierarchy and is responsible for security of the Association when engaged in Post, State, or National activities. The National Provost is responsible for advising State and Post Provost as to the correct methods of group security and control. The Provost at each level will maintain order at all Associations meetings (based upon Roberts Rules of Order), and is responsible for levying and collecting fines associated with violations of normal Association business and By-Laws.

Appointed
Treasurer (Required: can be combined with Historian) -The Treasurer is responsible for establishing and maintaining accurate recording of all monies received and keeping files and records showing all receipts for items purchased or expenses incurred. Every month the books will be balanced and closed on the last day of the month, and an income statement showing all financial transactions, debits, and credits must be prepared and transferred to the Commander. The Treasurer is responsible for 100% of all monies sent to him/her for Association business.
Road Captain (Optional at Post level) -The Road Captain is the logistics person for all runs at the Post, State, and/or National level. The Road Captain maps out the route to be taken, arranges for refueling, food, maintenance and rest stops. The Road Captain is also responsible for yearly safety inspections of all Members’ motorcycles, and will develop and/or implement a Pack Riding SOP.
Medic (Optional at Post level) -The Medic is responsible for any and all medical emergencies that occur on the road or during any Association meeting or event. The Medic should have adequate medical training (such as EMT certification).
Service Officer (Optional at Post level) -The Liaison/Public Relations/Service Officer is responsible for any and all advertisement of events sponsored by the organization, maintaining a calendar of events and functions for member participation, responsible for public perception of the organization and actively recruits new members. The Liaison/Public Relations/Service Officer will receive certification (with Association funds paying for training and/or tuition) from the Veterans Administration (VA) or other Veterans organization to initiate and process VA claims for qualified members. The Liaison/Public Relations/Service Officer also performs as the “contact person” for all Association business.
Chaplain (Optional at all levels) -The Chaplain will lead the Post, State, or National meetings in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at the opening of said meeting. The Chaplain may also preside during any ceremony (marriage, funeral, etc.) requiring his/her legal and/or spiritual assistance. The Chaplain must be ordained, or licensed to perform such ceremonies within the state of residence.
Adjutant (Optional at Post level) -The Adjutant is the Member’s internal legal representative. Should a Member be accused of violating the By Laws, the Adjutant will act in the Member’s behalf and perform the duties of the defense attorney.
Quartermaster (Optional at Post level) -The Quartermaster is responsible for the ordering and distribution of Association property. This includes, but is not limited to: all patches and pins assigned to Members, and products to be sold or made available to the general public.

Terms of Office & Limitations
1). Nominations and Elections for positions at the Post and State levels shall be held the first Sunday of November of the preceding year. New officers will assume office on January 1.
Nominations for National positions will take place during the August National Meeting, with the Election being held the first Sunday of November of the same year. New officers will assume office the following January 1.
*Note: Tentative dates for the first "offical" Post and State elections are: Nominations & Elections in November 2007, Assumption of Offices in January 2008. The first "official" National Election will be: Nominations in August 2007, Elections (by mail-in ballot) in November 2007, Assumption of Offices January 1, 2008.
2). All State and National elected officers will serve a term of two (2) years, Post officers will serve a term of one (1) year.
3). No Officer may serve more than three (3) consecutive terms in that position.

Eligibility for Nomination
To be eligible for nomination at the State and National level, the Member must have served at least one full term in that position, at the next lower level.

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