By-Laws

CLUB BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I – PURPOSE

SECTION 1. The Northern Virginia JDM Enthusiasts, Inc. as an incorporated, nonprofit society, and hereafter called the “NOVA JDM”, is an association of Japanese car enthusiasts that have joined together for the following reasons.

  1. Provide a social organization for all those interested in the restoration, modification, and promotion of Japanese tuner vehicles.
  2. To encourage interest in said vehicles to the public and bring together all those with similar interests.
  3. To promote safety and a good public image for the hobby.
  4. To encourage family participation in such sport. To promote friendship and support organization functions held by NOVA JDM, as well as others who have such interest.

Raise funds for charitable purposes. Such funds shall be raised by, but not limited to, car shows, car cruises, toy runs, etc.

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1.  Membership Classification is to read as follows:

Full Member: Members paying the full membership rate and are of legal age (18).

Family Member: Spouse or Significant Other of a Full member and all children under the age of 18 that reside in the same household of said member.

Associate Member: Consist of any individual and/or business showing a sincere interest in the purpose of the NOVA JDM and wishing to help promote the hobby.

SECTION 2. Membership Type Vehicles: In order to facilitate NOVA JDM’s purpose, membership shall consist of any owner of a Japanese based car or truck interested in the purpose of the NOVA JDM regardless of Year, Make or Model. The NOVA JDM will accept membership from individuals. Businesses interested in the NOVA JDM purpose can join as Associate Members.

  1. Membership is open to all individuals 18 years of age and older that are interested in promoting the purposes of NOVA JDM.
  2. Membership is voluntary, and a member may withdraw at any time.
  3. Membership to NOVA JDM is subject to approval by the voting membership.

SECTION 3.  Membership shall not be denied anyone based upon race, creed, sex, or national origin.

SECTION 4.  Application for club membership is as follows:

  1. Any car or truck owner as outlined above desiring to become a member of NOVA JDM must complete an online membership application. During the application process the owner will also have an opportunity to purchase a dues base subscription:
    1. Inaugural Membership: This tier will only be offered during the first year of the clubs formation and include additional perks as outlined on our Membership Benefits page. This membership costs $250.00 annually, and will revert to the Ambassador level membership starting on Jan 1, 2023.
    2. Ambassador Membership: This is our standard tier membership and costs $100.00 annually.
    3. Spectator: We offer a free membership which does not include voting rights
  2. Any car or truck owner as outlined above desiring to become a member of NOVA JDM must complete an online membership application and submit it along with the appropriate dues based on the membership they wish to purchase.

    The NOVA JDM Officers will verify that the application is complete, verify the information provided (if deemed necessary) and present the application (along with their recommendation) to the general membership for approval/denial at the earliest opportunity.

SECTION 5. Application for Associate Membership is as follow:

  1. Any individual or business may apply for associate membership in the NOVA JDM by completing a membership application and submitting it along with $250.00 dues to the NOVA JDM Officers. The officers will verify that the application is complete, verify the information provided (if deemed necessary) and present the application (along with their recommendation) to the general membership for approval/denial at the earliest opportunity.

SECTION 6. Conduct during activities and other events, members shall:

  1. Conduct themselves in a manner that promotes cooperation among members.
  2. Respect each other’s opinions during meetings and allow each member the opportunity to present his/her views.
  3. Refrain from making personal attacks and leave personal disputes outside of The Club’s activities.
  4. Conduct themselves in a manner which promotes a favorable public opinion of NOVA JDM and its activities/events.
  5. Not make commitments on behalf of NOVA JDM without the vote of approval of the Executive Board.

SECTION 7. Expulsion or Cancellation of Membership shall occur if the Officers and Delegates of NOVA JDM agree, by a majority vote of 2/3, that a Club Member, Delegate, Officer, or Associate Member should be expelled for valid reasons. This expulsion becomes immediately effective upon taking such a vote. This vote can only take place at a regularly scheduled membership meeting and only after every Club Member, NOVA JDM Officer and the party in question have received notice of this special proposed action at least two weeks in advance of the meeting. The term “valid reasons” is to denote actions contrary to the purpose of NOVA JDM and actions deemed hostile to the car hobby. At this meeting the party in question will have the opportunity to defend their actions/position after the accusations are stated and before the vote. Those expelled will not have guest privileges and will not be eligible for future membership.

ARTICLE III – PERSONAL LIABILITY

SECTION 1. Neither the members or officers of the NOVA JDM, present or future, shall be held personally liable for any claims, damage, or debt against the NOVA JDM or its members.

SECTION 2.  No officer or member of this nonprofit corporation shall have the right to individual proceeds of the assets or property.

ARTICLE IV – DUES

SECTION 1. Annual dues are broken into three (3) tiers:

  • Inaugural Membership: Membership dues are 250.00 per member, per calendar year and includes all family members living at the same physical address. This membership will only be offered during the first year of the club’s creation. Voting membership.
  • Ambassador Membership: Membership dues are $100.00 per member and covers all family members living at the same physical location. Voting membership.
  • Spectator Membership: This membership tier is free. Non-voting membership

Dues are due by January 31st. If dues are not received by March 1st, the club member is considered in arrears and not in good standing and therefore not entitled to vote on any matters, or enjoy any other benefits of membership, until dues are paid.

SECTION 2. Annual dues for Associate Members are $250.00 per business. Dues are due by January 31st.  If dues are not received by March 1st, the member is considered as in arrears and will not be eligible for membership benefits, including the newsletter, until the dues are paid.

ARTICLE V – VOTING ON ALL MATTERS

SECTION 1. At any meeting of NOVA JDM each dues paying member in attendance will have one vote. At the beginning of each meeting the President will ask that “Voting Delegates” identify themselves, if unknown, to the general membership. A delegate can only represent one club member.

SECTION 2. Associate Members will not have voting rights on matters before the NOVA JDM.
SECTION 3. A simple majority will constitute a quorum for the voting at any membership meeting.

ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS

SECTION 1. The elected Officers of NOVA JDM will consist of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary.

SECTION 2. Term of office for Officers will be one year from January to January. Officers can serve for more than one term, if elected by the membership.

SECTION 3. Nominations for office will take place in April of each year with elections being held in October. A “Nominating Committee” will be established each year by the President to ensure that there is a qualified candidate for each position. Additional nominations may be made from the floor.

SECTION 4. Elections of Officers will take place at the regular October NOVA JDM Membership meeting. Election will be by ballot unless a candidate runs unopposed.

SECTION 5. In the event that the death or incapacitation of the President and Vice-president, the following succession to the Presidency shall be the Treasurer and then the Secretary.

SECTION 6. In the event that any Officer (other than the President) resigns or is unable/unwilling to perform the duties of the position, the membership may vote to name a replacement at the next general meeting of the NOVA JDM Membership.

SECTION 8. If any Officer fails to discharge the duties of his/her office for two (2) consecutive meetings without presenting a valid reason, the remaining Officers and the Board of Directors may declare the office vacated and request the membership to fill the vacancy.

ARTICLE VII – OFFICER DUTIES

SECTION 1. Duties of the President shall include, but not be limited:

  1. To conduct all official meetings and preside over any NOVA JDM business.
  2. To be chief spokesman for NOVA JDM
  3. To enforce the NOVA JDM By-laws
  4. To create necessary committees and appoint committee chairpersons for each.
  5. To schedule all meetings of the officers as needed.
  6. To cast the deciding vote in a tie.
  7. To act as an ex-officio member of all committees with the exception of the nominating committee.
  8. To place the President’s signature in conjunction with the Secretary’s on all official documents that are adopted by the NOVA JDM.
  9. To lead by example.

 SECTION 2.  Duties of the Vice-president shall include but not be limited:

  1. To assume the duties of the President in his/her absence and attend all business meetings, or when requested by the President. Replaces the President if the President resigns or is unable/unwilling to perform the duties of the position.
  2. To attend all committee meetings.                                           
  3. To serve in such a capacity as directed by the President.

SECTION 3. Duties of the Treasurer shall include but not be limited:

  1. To keep all financial records and report to the Officers and membership as requested.
  2. To collect all dues and make deposits for safe keeping to the NOVA JDM account.
  3. To pay all bills.
  4. To maintain the Roster of paid NOVA JDM Members and keep the “Publications Committee” up to date regarding all current members.
  5. To prepare a monthly report of the status of all accounts and funds of the NOVA JDM, showing all financial business for the month. The report to be delivered on the first meeting following the month reported orally to the membership, with a written report furnished to the Secretary to be entered within minutes.
  6. To Prepare books and financial statements to be audited whenever a new Treasurer is elected and present findings to the NOVA JDM at the next regular meeting.
  7. To coordinate with the Secretary for renewal of corporation papers thirty (30) days prior to the due date.
  8. To prepare a year-end financial report and prepare a statement to be made available for filing and public review, if requested.

 SECTION 4. Duties of the Secretary shall include but not be limited:

  1. To keep the minutes of all meetings and report to the Officers and membership as requested.
  2. To mail and inform all member clubs (EX: their delegates), and Officers of upcoming meetings and events.
  3. To handle and maintain all correspondence deemed by the President.
  4. To be the custodian of all records
  5. To sign the Secretary’s signature in conjunction with the President’s on all official documents that are adopted by the NOVA JDM. 
  6. To coordinate with the Treasurer for renewal of the corporation papers thirty (30) days prior to the due date.
ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS

SECTION 1. The NOVA JDM will meet as follows:

  1. Leadership Meetings will be held on the last Monday of January, April, August, and October at 7:00 PM. Location of said meeting will be announced to club officers.
  2. Club Meetings will be held on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 PM. Location of said meeting will be announced to the general membership.

SECTION 2. The President may call a special meeting:

  1. A special meeting of the members may be called at any time upon seven days written notice to the members, at the direction of the President, or upon request of 10 percent of the members.
  2. A quorum shall consist of those members present at any regular or special meeting.
ARTICLE IX – DISBURSEMENT OF NOVA JDM FUNDS

SECTION 1. The President may authorize the expenditures of funds up to $250.00.

SECTION 2. Expenditures over $250.00 may be authorized by the membership at a regular membership meeting.

SECTION 3.  The withdrawal of any funds will require the signature of the Treasurer, or the President.

SECTION 4.  In the event the NOVA JDM is disbanded, all Monies on hand shall be donated to a local charity as recommended by the Officers of NOVA JDM and approved by a majority vote of the Membership at a membership meeting. If the NOVA JDM has any property, it will be sold at public auction with the funds being disbursed as in the case of Monies on hand.

ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENT TO BY-LAWS

SECTION 1. By-laws can be amended at a regular membership meeting after written notice of the proposed change, including proposed language, has been given to all Delegates and Officers at least 30 days in advance of the meeting. Proposed changes must be first introduced at a regular membership meeting.

SECTION 2. A majority approval of the voting members at a general membership meeting will be required to carry an amendment to the existing By-laws.

SECTION 3.  Upon the adoption of an amendment, the Secretary will furnish each member with a copy of the amendment, and it is the responsibility of each member to see that the amendment is placed in the proper location of his or her existing By-laws.

SECTION 4.  By-laws shall be brought up for review each year. Review and discussion may be done at any of the quarterly Directors meetings. Members should direct any concerns requiring an amendment to the Officers at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of a Board of Directors meeting.