STANDING RULES 
(Revised November 29, 2000)

1. The Chapter Executive Board shall have one (1) Member-at-Large.

2. The Chili Chapter shall have (at least) two Rallies per year.  The president and the vice-president shall be elected at the Fall Rally business meeting.  The secretary, treasurer, and member-at-large shall be elected at the Spring Rally business meeting.

3. The Chapter Executive Boards shall appoint a Wagon Master, a Membership Chairman, and an Editor.  The Wagon Master, Membership Chairman, and the Editor are ex officio members of the Executive Board and will be invited to all Board meetings.  They may be heard, however they will have no votes.

4. In the event a scheduled Spring Rally meeting or Fall Rally meeting is not held, a business meeting will be called within 45 days of the original meeting date, in order to elect officers and conduct the Chapter's business.

5. The Fiscal Year of Chapter #23 is January 1 through December 31.  dues will be $6.00 for one year or less.  New members paying dues at or after the Fall Escapade or at or after the Fall Rally will be deemed current through December 31 of the following year.  At the business meeting on March 19, 2008, dues were reduced to $5 beginning 1/1/09.

6. The Chapter Executive Board will select a Chapter member, from written volunteer statements, as a representative to each SKP National Escapade or Fun Days, prior to the cut-off date established by Escapees National Headquarters.

7. At the business meeting following the death of a member, consideration will be given to a donation in their name being made to CARE.

8. Any member whose spouse dies while the membership is in effect will be carried on the Chapter rolls as a "Life Member," with no dues charged, until that member remarries, or requests that the life-membership be canceled, or drops Escapees Membership.  The four founding members are accorded life memberships.

9. A "Rally Fee" will be determined and advertised in the Escapees Magazine and the Chili Chatter.  This fee will be separate from all other fees, and will not be refunded.

10. Upon joining, new members will be given copies of the By-Laws and Standing Rules, a Chapter Decal*, and a membership card* (* if available).

BY-LAWS 
(Revised December 31, 1997)

ARTICLE I: NAME, LOCATION, AND RECORDS

    Section 1.  The name of Chapter #23 is the Chili Chapter.

    Section 2.  The general geographical area is loosely defined as the State of New Mexico.

    Section 3.  Chili Chapter records shall be kept in triplicate, with one copy in possession of the secretary, one copy i the possession of the president, and one copy sent to the National Escapees Club.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

    The Chili Chapter was organized on May 1, 1990 to provide a framework for Escapees Club members to make new friends through organized rallies and other announced social activities.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

    Membership in the Chili Chapter is open to all current members of the Escapees Club.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS AND DUTIES

    Section 1.  The elected officers of the Chili Chapter shall be a PRESIDENT, a VICE PRESIDENT, a SECRETARY, a TREASURER, and MEMBERS(s)-AT-LARGE.  These officers shall constitute the EXECUTIVE BOARD.

    Section 2.  The term of office for each elected officer shall be one year; however, each officer shall serve until replaced.  Terms will be staggered.  Officers may serve more than one term.

    Section 3.  In the event the Chapter is unable to fill the position of vice president, or the position of member(s)-at-large, it shall not constitute a violation of these bylaws.

    Section 4.  Duties of officers shall be as described in the Chapter Officer's Handbook provided by the National Escapees Club, unless amended by the Chili Chapter Standing Rules.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

    Section 1.  This Chapter shall conduct business in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order unless such are in conflict with the Chapter's bylaws or rules, or Escapees Club directives.

    Section 2.  A quorum of ten percent of paid members, including one elected officer, shall be required for conducting Chapter business.  A majority vote of members present is required.

    Section 3.  A meeting shall be held at each rally where a quorum is present.  A minimum of one rally each year shall be held.  All members shall be notified in writing as to date, place, and time of all meetings.  Such notification requirements will be satisfied by any mailing at least 30 days prior to the event, including, but not limited to, the Chapter letter and/or Escapees Magazine.

    Section 4.  Executive Board meetings shall be held at the call of the president, or at the request of any other two elected officers.

    Section 5.  Accurate minutes will be the only legal record of all meetings.  Votes at all meetings will be recorded.  Votes at Executive Board meetings will be recorded by name.  

ARTICLE VI: ELECTIONS

    Section 1.  Executive Board members shall be elected at the meeting proscribed in the Standing Rules.

    Section 2.  Nominations: the president shall appoint a nominating committee at least two months prior to the month of election.  The nominating committee shall obtain at least one nominee for each office.  Other members may mail in nominations for any office.  All nominees must give written consent to be considered.  All nominations for each office shall be published in the Chapter letter prior to the election meeting.  Exception:  Additional nominations, with the consent of the nominee, may be taken from the floor of a regular meeting.

    Section 3.  Voting shall be by ballot.  A majority of votes cast is required to elect each officer.

    Section 4.  New officers will assume their respective officer on the day following their election.

ARTICLE VII: DUES

    The dues will be no more than $20.00 annually, due on January 1 of each year.  Any members whose dues are not paid by May 1 will be dropped from the Chapter's rolls.  The amount of dues shall be as set forth in the Chili Chapter Standing Rules.

ARTICLE VIII: EMERGENCY ACTION

    In the event that the required action cannot be completed as set forth in these bylaws, the Executive Board may take emergency action for the benefit of the Chapter, which emergency action must be submitted to the membership for ratification by ballot, at the next meeting.

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

    These bylaws may be revised only after written approval of the Escapees Club.  All members must be notified of proposed amendments and furnished with a ballot to be returned.  Approval of two/thirds of the ballots received is required for an amendment to carry.

ARTICLE X: STANDING RULES

    The Chapter will adopt a set of Standing Rules to cover activities and/or situations not specified in the bylaws.  These Standing Rules may not conflict with, or supersede, the bylaws.  These Standing Rules may be adopted, amended, revised, or repealed at any publicized meeting upon approval of two/thirds of the members present

ARTICLE XI: INDEMNIFICATION

    Each officer and committee member, while serving as such, shall be indemnified against any and all claims and liabilities to which (s)he may be subjected because of service, or by any act or omission alleged to have been committed by such officer or member, unless such act is the results of a willful or grossly negligent act or omission on the part of the officer or committee member.

ARTICLE XII: FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

    Any officer, Chapter member, or guest who is handling any type of funds for the Chapter shall keep an accurate account of such funds, including receipts and payments; and shall turn over said funds, with a written accounting, to the Treasurer in an expeditious manner

ARTICLE XIII: DISSOLUTION

    in the event of the dissolution of the Chili Chapter all obligations shall be paid and any remaining assets shall be sent to the Escapees Club.  Escapees, Inc. shall not be liable for any debts incurred by the Chili Chapter.