What We Are

A 4WD club founded in June of 1997 by a group of Douglas County off road enthusiasts.

A 4WD club that organizes a number of trail rides, voluntary clean-ups, and charitable events.

A 4WD club that is family orientated, where the consumption of alcohol at club functions is not encouraged. We must remember that the State Vehicle laws that cover driving on pavement also govern driving off road.

A 4WD club dedicated to the preservation of off highway recreation.

A 4WD club where any make or model of 4WD is welcome.

What Our Rules Are

The Welfare of the group, and the individuals in the group, come first. Safety and safe rigs are our first priority.

Every rig that goes on a club run will come back from the run. No rig will be left behind (if at all possible).

We will not litter on the trails – pack it in, pack more out.

Every member shall pay their dues on time.

We adhere to the Tread Lightly policy.

What Our By-Laws Are

Article I - Name and Purpose

The name of this organization shall be: X-Treme Offroaders 4x4 Club. Our purposes are: the promotion of safe and responsible 4x4 recreation; the conservation of our natural resources; the preservation of four-wheel drive roads throughout the United States; teaching newcomers the proper use of a 4WD sport utility vehicle; and promoting team work on runs, meetings and special events.

Article II – Membership

To be a voting club member you shall be: 16 years of age or older; have a current, valid drivers license; have the minimum vehicle insurance as required by Oregon law; must have completed a club membership request form; must have attended at least four club functions (meeting, club run, or special event) prior to being voted on by club members (secret ballot, simple majority) and pay the prorated dues within 30 days of being voted in as a member. Upon request for membership, the prospective member will have our by-laws reviewed with a club officer. Upon being voted in as a member they will be given a copy of club rules and by-laws and asked to sign their membership request form showing receipt of same.

To maintain active status as a voting club member your dues must be current, and you must attend at least five functions in a calendar year. Members’ behavior, on runs or away from the club, shall reflect favorably on all members. Inappropriate behavior can be reason for removal from the club. Should a member’s conduct become an issue, it will be investigated and discussed with the offending member by the President and/or the Vice- President. If, in the opinion of the President and/or Vice-President, the member’s conduct warrants it, that person’s membership may be brought to a secret majority vote (one-half plus one) at the next meeting. Membership can be individual or family except any family member age 18 or over who owns their own 4WD rig must complete their own membership request form and pay their own dues.

Article III – Dues

Dues (for individual or family) will be determined annually at the September meeting, and will be voted on and approved by a simple majority vote during the September meeting.

Dues are expected to be paid in full by the regular October club meeting, but must be paid no later than the regular November club meeting. Any member who has not paid by the beginning of the November meeting will be placed in a non-voting/probation status. A non-voting/probation status means they may not vote on any item at a club meeting and they may not participate in club functions. They may regain full membership by paying the total dues amount plus a $5 late charge. Any member who remains in a non-voting/probation status for two months or more shall be dropped from club membership by a vote of the club officers. Any member removed from the club may rejoin by following the procedures for new members.

Article IV – Meetings

Meetings will be held once a month at a time and place as determined by club members. Special meetings may only be called by the Club President and only with the concurrence of the Vice-President. There must be at least one week’s notice given to all club members prior to any special meeting. There must be at least five members (two of which shall be officers) present at any meeting for that meeting to be an official meeting.

Article V – Club Officers and Duties

The elected officers of the club shall be: President; Vice-President; Secretary; and Treasurer. Each officer shall be elected to a one-year term beginning in January. The duties of each office shall be as follows:

• President – presides at all meetings, appoints all committee members, is responsible for club communications, and signs checks prior to the disbursement of club funds.
• Vice-President – presides at meetings in the event of the President’s absence, and is responsible for all club runs.
• Secretary – maintains membership records, sends out meeting notices, and keeps the minutes of all club meetings.
• Treasurer – maintains the accounting of all club funds and reports the same at each meeting, maintains membership dues records, and signs checks (along with President) prior to the disbursement of club funds. Presides at meetings in the event of the President and Vice-President’s absence.

Nominations for officers shall be made at the regular November club meeting. Additional nominations may be made at the regular December meeting prior to a vote of the membership for the officers for the next calendar year. Officers voted in at the December meeting will assume office at the next regular club meeting. Officer Vacancy – Any vacancy in an officer position that has 6 months or more time left (at the time of the vacancy) shall require a special election. Nominations from the floor shall be received at the next regular club meeting (subsequent to the vacancy notice or knowledge thereof) and a vote taken after nominations are closed. The officer shall be installed upon majority vote at same meeting. The length of the term of office shall be the remainder of the term of the vacancy.

Any vacancy in an officer position that has less than 6 months of time left (at the time of the vacancy) shall require the remaining officers to appoint a member in good standing to complete the term of office. The appointment and installation of the new officer shall be accomplished at the next regular club meeting (subsequent to the vacancy notice or knowledge thereof).

Article VI – Amendments to By-laws

Any voting member in good standing may submit a written by-law change proposal to the President. This will be discussed and voted on at the next regular club meeting and will require a majority vote (one-half plus one) of voting members present for ratification.

Article VII – Insignia and Decals

Any member in good standing may purchase any insignia and/or decal that is available. The insignia and/or decal must be removed whenever a member is no longer in good standing, is no longer a club member or whenever a member sells a vehicle with an insignia or decal on it. Any member who leaves the club and refuses to remove the insignia and/or decal will not be allowed to rejoin the club at a later date.

Article VIII – Run Guidelines

Club members are responsible for insuring that their rig is in a safe and sound mechanical operating condition when taken on club runs. As club members who ascribe to Tread Lightly, we will conduct ourselves in a safe and responsible manner. Recklessness and disregard for our safety will not be tolerated. All occupants will use seatbelts as per State Vehicle law.

An informal “safety check” of any vehicle may be done prior to any club run. If it is the consensus of the club members present that a rig is not in a condition that is “trail ready,” that rig will not be allowed to participate in that run.

Club members must have the following items to be able to go on a club run

• Tow hooks, D rings or similar items for the attachment of a tow line to the front and rear of the rig.
• A fully charged and functional fire extinguisher.
• A CB radio in working order.

Club members are strongly encouraged to equip their vehicle with the following items when on club runs

• A vehicle jack, lug wrench and spare tire.
• Basic repair tools and a shovel.
• Basic first aid supplies and a flashlight.
• A tree strap (if vehicle has a winch).
• A gallon of water (for drinking, washing or radiator fill).

During club runs, each driver is responsible to maintain visual contact with the rig in front and with the rig behind. This is for the safety of each rig and to prevent members of the group from getting lost.

Club members should always feel free to share information and ideas with other club members. An informal run can be called by any member at any time and may involve as few or as many as care to go. All Club-Sponsored runs will be scheduled during regular meetings and, time permitting, will be published in the club newsletter.

Article IX – Club Dissolution

Should X-Treme Offroaders 4x4 Club be dissolved, all debts will be liquidated using club funds. Any remaining club funds/assets will be donated to the Blue Ribbon Coalition.

• Tread Lightly
• Travel only where permitted
• Respect the rights of others
• Educate yourself
• Avoid streams and meadows
• Drive responsibly
• LIGHTLY

Adopted and effective January 3, 2002, amended May 9, 2002, October 10, 2002.