Augusta Township Mounted Patrol Articles of Incorporation

  <>Article I: Name of Organization

This organization is known as Augusta Township Mounted Patrol Inc. (which shall be referred to as ATMP through out the rest of the Augusta Township Mounted Patrol Articles of Incorporation document)

 The mailing address is 12635 Bunton  Rd, Willis MI 48191-9755.

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Article II: Purpose

The ATMP works as a neighborhood watch group on horse back. The sole purpose of this organization is to act as eyes and ears, to focus specifically on reporting suspicious persons and situations that appear to be related to criminal activity.

Article III: Type of Organization

3.01 This organization is financed by donations from generous, concerned citizens of the community and members of ATMP. The Augusta Township mounted Patrol is a non-stock/non-profit organization.

3.02 The previous statement does not negate the fact that we are actively seeking tax exempt status from the IRS.

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Article IV: Officers

<>4.01 The officers of the ATMP will also be known as the Board of Directors. 

<>4.02:  Coordinator – Responsibilities are to implement the ATMP, its officers and members. To act as a liaison between the ATMP and the contact persons of other organizations.

           Assistant Coordinator – Assist coordinator as liaison between the ATMP and the contact, helps with public relations and fills in when the coordinator is absent.

  <>           Secretary – Responsibilities include taking minutes at each meeting and to present then to the members before the next meeting. To organize written material. Handles registrations for parades and other public events. All equipment belonging to the patrol is to be kept by the secretary and can be checked out be members. Donations are to be given to the secretary who will log the donations and turn them over to the treasurer.  <>

           Treasurer – responsibilities are to keep accurate records of any funds donated to, or raised by the ATMP. Will keep accurate records of expenses and present a report at the monthly meetings. A yearly report published for the membership. The treasurer will establish a bank account which requires 2 signatures for the writing of any checks. A minimum of 3 officer's signatures shall be on record at the bank.  The signatures are that of the treasurer, secretary and the coordinator.  <>

            Media Coordinator – Person knowledgeable of the history of the ATMP and can efficiently handle all press personnel.

            Training coordinator – Responsible to organize & direct the set up of obstacle trainings.

 

4.03 Elections of officers shall occur once a year with elections being held during the September meeting. The new officers will take office at the December meeting (r.11.96). If an officer resigns during the year a member will be elected at the next meeting to fill the open position until the next annual election is held (r.9.96).

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Article V: General Membership – Rules of Operation  <>

5.01 Minimum age: 16 years to ride with ATMP without a parent in attendance (the youth must behave in a responsible fashion or he/she will not be allowed to ride with patrol). Must be 13 to ride with ATMP with parent in attendance. Members must be 18 to ride in parades and will follow the guidelines as set in  the ATMP articles of Incorporation (r.3.96).  <>

5.02 A person wishing to become a member shall approach a member in good standing as a sponsor. An application and letter of referral will be presented to the board by the sponsor. The board will request that the local police liaison officer conduct a criminal history background check of the applicant. Negative considerations are felony and high misdemeanors. Members will be informed about the applicant by monthly minutes and may contact board members concerning endorsements or any other information pertaining to the applicant. When accepted by the board the application is then brought before the general membership for a vote. If the applicant is rejected by the board a letter will be sent to the applicant explaining the rejection.  <>

5.03 The training coordinator and at least one other board member will evaluate the applicant's suitability for mounted position with the ATMP as directed by board members.

5.04 A person wishing to appeal their rejection can have their sponsor bring a letter of appeal to the board. The applicant may plead his/her case to the board. A letter will be sent to the sponsor with the board's decision.

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5.05 If the general membership votes an applicant down he/she may appeal to the board. If the board thinks he/she as a valid case they can let the applicant appear before the members and state their case.  <>

5.06 After acceptance the applicant must serve a probationary period of 1 year from the date of acceptance. During this time the probationary member must attend 2 obstacle trainings and meet all of the required training of the ATMP. He/she must attend 60% of all meetings and public functions. He/she will be allowed to have a vote on any issues brought up at the general meetings.

5.07 The probationary members conduct shall at all times be in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth by the ATMP articles of incorporation.

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5.08 Upon completion of the required training and display of satisfactory conduct, the general membership shall vote to install the probationary member as a full member by majority in attendance at a general membership meeting.  <>

Article VI: Duties and Responsibilities of the General Membership  <>

6.01 Members are not vested with police powers of arrest and shall not take action in the enforcement of the law.  <>

6.02 Members shall present a positive and professional image to the public. Swearing and consumption of alcohol while participating in public events and while on patrol is prohibited. Members shall respect the property of others in both private and public sectors.  <>

6.03 Members shall respect the confidential nature of any information learned through working with this program.  <>

6.04 Members will be law abiding citizens.  <>

6.05 Members shall use proper courtesy at all times. Passing other horses at a run or conduct that could cause injury to other members, horses or property will not be tolerated.

6.06 Members will conduct themselves in a professional  and courteous manner, using good judgment with particular regard for public safety, while on patrol and when participating in public events.

<>6.07 Members will be on time for any events or trainings that have been scheduled. Members will arrive early enough to allow sufficient time to ready their horses as well as themselves. Rides start on time.  <>

6.08 Members wishing to participate in public events while mounted will meet all the following criteria: <>      
1)     Only members will be allowed to ride in any public function. This rule must be enforced for ATMP
        insurance purposes (r.2.97)  <>
2)     Horse and rider must successfully complete 3 obstacle trainings and be able to ride in formation with the
      group before any public event participation while mounted.
3)     The training coordinator and 2 other officers will decide if the horse and rider are ready for any public event.
4)     Riders will have their horse under control at all times.
5)     Riders will be responsible for providing their own transportation to and from events.  <>

Article VII: Code of Conduct  <>

7.01 Members shall obey and follow all rules and regulations set by the ATMP. They shall remain in good standing with the ATMP and all other organizations the ATMP is involved with.  <>

7.02 Members shall adhere to the rules and regulations se set forth by the ATMP in the Articles of Incorporation. 

7.03 The board determines if there has been a violation or infraction of the ATMP Articles. The board decided what action shall be taken to resolve the matter.

<>7.04 The appeal process is set forth by the board.  <>

Article VIII: Insurance

8.01 The ATMP will maintain at all times a minimum care custody and control liability insurance policy. The dollar value shall be determined by the board for that calendar year.

8.02 It is strongly recommended that all ATMP members carry their own  liability and personal injury insurance apart fro that which covers the ATMP for public events.

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8.03 Members will assume all responsibility and liability for any damages incurred by their actions and will hold harmless the ATMP for any civil litigation brought against them stemming from any accident.

Article IX: Uniforms and Equipment

<><>9.01 Members must maintain all of their patrol equipment in a neat, clean and serviceable condition at all times.  <>9.02 Members participating in public events will wear proper ATMP parade attire which consists of the ATMP yellow polo shirt, black pants, black hat with yellow cavalry hat band and if needed the yellow ATMP jacket, 

<>9.03 When on patrol embers will ride in pairs, if at all possible, wearing the ATMP shirt or ATMP jacket.  <>Article X: Health Requirements for the Horse 

<>10.01 Members shall provide his/her horse with proper maintenance and care.  <>

10.02 Patrol horses must be up to date on all vaccinations and have a negative coggins test. Proofs of said health requirements are required on or before June 1 of each year. Copies will be given to and held by the secretary. Failure to provide proof of negative Coggins and vaccinations will result in exclusion from any riding event.  <>

Article XI: Event Evaluation 

The board of directors shall receive all requests of invitations for the ATMP to participate and determine the feasibility of the request and forward it to the general membership for a formal vote. No member shall accept in part or full a request for participation of the ATMP without consent from the board.

<>Article XII: Installment and Revision  <>

10.01 General membership shall vote to install and Articles of Incorporation as such and or any revisions. 

10.02 Additions and revisions of these articles shall be done by the board of directors and 5 general members selected by the general membership. These articles shall conform to Section 12.01.

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