Brazen Dropouts Values

As a member of the Brazen Dropouts, we expect that you value:

Equity. All members are to be given fair and equal access to the club’s resources, regardless of race category, skill level, preferred cycling discipline, age, race, gender, or ethnicity.
Camaraderie. Sportsmanship and friendship are valued higher than anyone’s abilities on a bicycle.
Balance. Cycling plays many roles in the lives of our team members. Members are encouraged, but not required, to race and to participate in team activities.
Investment. Our team is built by and for its members. To function successfully, we require a small investment of members’ time back into the team.
Responsibility. Team members must represent our sponsors and affiliates responsibly and respectfully, as role models and ambassadors for bicycles in our community.

Team Member Expectations

As a member of the Brazen Dropouts, we expect that you:

Foster the team culture by acting in alignment with our values.
Be a good ambassador for the sport of cycling in our community.
Follow the rules of the road, especially by wearing a helmet.
Contribute to the growth of your teammates by sharing knowledge and experiences.
Use team sponsorship discounts responsibly (not for non-members, not for resale).
Volunteer for at least 50% of team-hosted events (e.g., races) and at the Brazen Dropouts Bike Swap each January.
If you race, represent the Brazen Dropouts at cycling races (wear the kit).
Attend and participate in team meetings whenever possible.

Bylaws

ARTICLE I: Name

This organization shall be known as the "Brazen Dropouts Bicycle Racing Club", commonly known as the Brazen Dropouts.

ARTICLE II: Mission

The mission of the Brazen Dropouts is to promote and grow the sport of cycling in our community. We will commit our resources to enhancing accessibility to the sport of cycling equally across ages, genders, races, ethnicities, ability levels, and cycling disciplines to promote the betterment of our members and our cycling community.

ARTICLE III: Membership

Membership is open to all persons.
1. In applying for membership, persons absolve the Brazen Dropouts, its officers and members, of any responsibility for loss, damage or injury as a result of participation in activities sponsored by the Brazen Dropouts. It is imperative that every member read and sign the release of liability and waiver during the member registration process. This document shall remain indefinitely on record regardless of membership status, and requires agreement and signing each year membership is renewed. Parents or legal guardians of persons under the age of 18 must sign a waiver absolving the Brazen Dropouts of any liability for junior members.
A member in good standing is defined as a person who complies with all team member expectations outlined above. Remaining in good standing is required in order to:
1. Hold an executive or other committee role, and/or
2. Participate in team sponsorship offerings, and
3. Be eligible for the race payback system.
  1. New members, in good standing, who join after the Bike Swap can become eligible for race paybacks by volunteering at the following year’s Swap.
4. Exceptions to the volunteer requirements may be presented to the executive committee and decided by a majority of the executive committee on a case-by-case basis.
An annual membership dues payment grants a person access to all benefits of membership.
1. Membership dues for a given calendar year will be determined by the executive committee based on the next year’s anticipated income and expenses prior to the member enrollment period.
2. As part of this process, membership ‘categories’ with different dues and benefits may be formed as determined by the executive committee in order to financially aid or promote the growth of certain groups of cyclists.
  1. For example, first-year women, collegiate riders, Juniors, etc.
Proceeds from membership dues are to be allocated to costs associated with:
1. Maintaining membership and licensing with regional and national cycling governing bodies,
2. Allowing discounted membership and other financial credits to groups outlined in Article III.3,
3. Hosting the annual Brazen Dropouts Bike Swap,
4. Permitting and hosting cycling races in the community,
5. Funding race the payback system, and
6. Other costs deemed appropriate by the executive committee.
Failure to comply with team member expectations may result in actions taken by the executive committee. In order of severity:
1. Warning/conversation about the incident or breach in expectation/values.
2. Temporary suspension from the team, member benefits, and/or team activities.
  1. Terms of member suspensions are voted on privately by a majority of the executive committee.
3. Removal from the team, after an additional verbal warning is given.
  1. Terms of removal are voted on privately by a majority of the executive committee.
  2. A removed member may re-apply for membership after a period of time, to be granted if a majority of the executive committee votes in favor.

ARTICLE IV: Race Reimbursement System

Though racing is not a required part of Brazen Dropouts membership, it is encouraged and incentivized by the race payback system. Race paybacks help offset costs to the individual for traveling to and racing in local/regional events.
Paybacks are available only to dues-paying members in good standing for races in which the member represents Brazen Dropouts by wearing a team kit.
1. Exceptions to the kit rule and to volunteering requirements can be made on a case-by-case basis, as determined by the executive board.
Race reimbursements for a given calendar year will be determined annually by the executive committee prior to the member enrollment period.
1. The race reimbursement structure shall be fiscally responsible and consider the team’s financial position.
The executive committee may subsequently amend the current year’s race reimbursement structure should the team’s financial condition change.
Race reimbursements will be tabulated at the end of each calendar year, managed by the team Treasurer.
Paybacks will be distributed in January the following year.

ARTICLE V: Executive Committee and Duties

Brazen Dropouts is led by a committee of volunteers, elected by the team membership annually. The recommended composition and duties of the executive committee are as follows:
1. President - Is a spokesperson for and represents the Brazen Dropouts when dealing with other organizations, schedules and presides over meetings. Core responsibilities include:
  1. Schedule and lead monthly executive committee meetings.
    1. Discuss progress on current team projects/tasks.
    2. Delegate projects/tasks.
    3. Record meeting minutes.
  2. Schedule and lead team meetings/gatherings every month or every other month.
    1. Details outlined in Article VII.
  3. Maintain USAC licensing and insurance, WCA communications, and handle any other organization-related tasks.
  4. Perform or clearly delegate:
    1. Swap Director duties.
    2. Race Director duties per race.
    3. Role of keeping the team website and social media up to date.
2. Vice President - Leads efforts to encourage group riding as a team and in the community. Assumes the duties of the President if he/she is unable/unavailable. Core responsibilities include:
  1. Create and manage a team ride schedule, consisting of team and community opportunities. This includes communicating with team sponsors and their scheduled rides.
  2. Schedule a once monthly all-team ride.
  3. Perform or delegate the job of leading effort to encourage racing.
  4. Perform or delegate job of organizing team racing communications/travel/etc.
3. Treasurer - Manages all financials for the team. Core responsibilities include:
  1. Maintain financial records for the team.
  2. Preparation and submission of the team’s annual tax-related filing requirements.
  3. Preparation and submission of the team’s annual corporate filing requirements with the State of Wisconsin.
  4. Assist Race Directors with costs related to hosting races.
  5. Assist Swap Director with costs related to hosting the Swap.
  6. Assist Merchandise Coordinator with arranging payments for clothing and other team gear and merchandise orders.
  7. Ensure membership payments are gathered and correct.
  8. Manage race reimbursement process at the end of the calendar year.
4. Sponsorship & Merchandise Coordinator - Point person for maintaining existing sponsorships and recruiting new ones. Core responsibilities include:
  1. Manage team kit orders and distribution twice yearly.
    1. In time for spring and fall riding.
    2. Ensure sponsor graphics are up to date on team kits.
  2. Manage team merchandise (clothing, gear and other) orders and distribution.
  3. Communicate with team sponsors at season start, renew contracts, negotiate adjustments as needed.
  4. Keep records of sponsor communications and contacts at each business.
  5. Bring in new sponsors or act on marketing opportunities as needed, provided they align with team values and do not infringe on existing contracts.
5. Membership Coordinator - Responsible for onboarding new members and recruiting as needed. Core responsibilities include:
  1. Maintain contact list of current and prospective members.
  2. Handle onboarding of new members, keep track of and circle back to those on try-out periods.
  3. Hosts monthly New Member rides with social focus.
  4. Maintains record of team conduct and members in good standing.
The executive committee is elected annually by a majority of team members present at a team meeting, or by online voting.
1. Elections are to be held annually between October 1st and December 31st.
2. The executive committee will serve a year-long term, beginning February 1st or the first month beginning after completion of the Bike Swap, whichever is earlier .
3. There is no limit to the number of terms an officer may serve.
4. If an executive committee member is unable to complete his/her term, the executive committee shall appoint an interim officer to fill the empty position until the next member meeting, at which team members will vote by majority to confirm the interim officer or elect a new officer to the position.
In addition to performing outlined duties above, executive committee members are expected to comply with actions listed below, or face disciplinary action outlined in Article V.4a-c.:
1. Remain in good standing as per team expectations.
2. Make decisions in the best interests of the team.
3. Never direct the team or team funds with the intent of personal gain.
If an executive committee member fails to to fulfill his/her duties outlined in Article V.1 and/or fails to comply with actions listed in Article V.3, disciplinary actions may be taken by the remaining executive officer members, outlined here:
1. Verbal warning/conversation between the executive committee member in question and the remaining committee members to address the issue.
2. If problems persist the executive committee member can be placed on probation under terms decided by a majority of the remaining committee members.
3. Upon third or egregious offense, the executive committee member can be removed from office, decided by a majority vote by the remaining committee members. Under this circumstance, the empty position will be filled as in Article V.2.d.

ARTICLE VI: Ad Hoc Committees

The executive committee may delegate certain tasks or projects to additional committees on an ad hoc basis.
Ad hoc committees can be led by any member, and populated by:
1. Volunteer members of the team on a volunteer, first-come-first-served basis
2. Executive committee members may also participate in ad hoc committees.
Examples of ad hoc committees include:
1. Race Committee
  1. Manages all aspects of hosting a Brazen Dropouts race. Example committee members include race director, volunteer coordinator, race day material coordinator, and WCA/BikeReg coordinator.
2. Bike Swap Committee
  1. Manages all aspects of preparation for and operation of the Bike Swap. Example committee members include Swap director, venue coordinator, volunteer coordinator, Race Day Events coordinator (fencing for bike corral), social/marketing coordinator, vendor coordinator, and financial coordinator.
  2. It is recommended that the team President participate as Swap director, and the team Treasurer participate as financial coordinator.
3. Juniors (U18) Program Committee
  1. Manages recruitment/development of U18 racers. Responsible for communication with Juniors members and parents/guardians and for fundraising to remain a financially sustainable group within the Brazen Dropouts.Works closely with the designated BD juniors coach.
4. Women’s Leadership Committee
  1. Manages women-led activities within the Brazen Dropouts and for the community. This committee should be led by and for women, femme, trans, and non-binary riders to promote equity in the sport of cycling.
5. Other
  1. Additional ad hoc committees may be formed and defined as needed.
Activities of an ad hoc committee will be documented and shared with the executive committee.
1. Ad hoc committee members will provide progress updates to the executive committee as needed, and may attend executive committee meetings if necessary.
If an ad hoc committee member fails to act in the best interests of the team, disciplinary actions may be taken by the executive committee members, outlined here:
1. Verbal warning/conversation with an executive committee member to address the issue.
2. If problems persist the ad hoc committee member can be placed on probation under terms decided by a majority of the executive committee.
3. Upon third or egregious offense, the ad hoc committee member can be removed from the committee and/or stripped of team membership, decided by a majority vote by the executive committee members. The empty position will be filled by a volunteer team member.

ARTICLE VII: Team Meetings

The team president is responsible for scheduling team meetings:
1. Meetings shall be held quarterly, or as necessary for implementation of team business, and,
2. Ideally with two weeks notice given to the team membership,
  1. Notices should include an expected meeting agenda and provide opportunity for team members to submit items/topics to be added to the agenda.
Team meetings are as much practical as they are social, and are an important part of Brazen Dropouts team culture. The purpose of team meetings is to:
1. Bring the team membership together,
2. Discuss upcoming events and opportunities,
3. Provide a space for questions/feedback to be given to the executive committee, or
4. Additional items brought to the attention of the executive committee.
For meetings at which a team vote occurs and requires a quorum of membership, a quorum is defined one-third of current membership or 20 members, whichever is less.

ARTICLE VIII: Finances

Team finances are managed by the team Treasurer.
The team is a tax exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(4) with a fiscal year beginning March 1st.
The team shall maintain its cash in a FDIC insured account.
1. Signatories on the account include the team’s Treasurer and President.
2. Additional signatories may be added or removed by the executive committee on an as-needed basis.
The team Treasurer will prepare an annual financial report, to include a summary of the team’s cash flows and balance in total and by categories, as determined useful.
1. Examples of categories include Bike Swap, races, member dues and benefits, and sponsorships.
The team budget will be assessed by the executive committee each year between January and March, after the Bike Swap.
1. Any necessary financial strategy changes may be made at any time by consensus from the executive committee without a team vote.
Team members who incur expenses related to authorized team events and with the approval of committee leaders (Swap Director, Race Director, executive committee, etc.) shall be reimbursed.

ARTICLE IX: Affiliations

The Brazen Dropouts Bicycle Racing Club is
1. an incorporated club, EIN: 26-1259026
2. will maintain membership as a recognized club within USA Cycling (USAC).
3. will maintain membership as a recognized club within Wisconsin Cycling Association (WCA).
The team president is responsible for maintaining proper licensing and documentation to keep team affiliations up to date.

ARTICLE X: Amendments

Means of amendment:
1. Amendments to the Bylaws can be proposed by any member of the team, provided they are in good standing according to the team expectations.
2. Proposed amendments will be distributed to the team membership to allow time for review prior to a vote, held at a team meeting or by online survey.
Approval:
1. Proposed amendments to the Bylaws will be put into effect immediately if passed by a majority vote of the executive committee and by a quorum of team members present at a team meeting or by online survey.

ARTICLE XI: Dissolution

The Brazen Dropouts Bicycle Racing Club can be dissolved by a two-thirds majority of the team members present at a membership meeting specifically scheduled for this purpose. If the Brazen Dropouts is dissolved, the executive committee will determine the remaining debt-free assets and donate these assets to the Wisconsin Cycling Association, a recognized 501(c)(3).