By Laws

FRBCH Bylaws 2025 March 25

FRONT RANGE BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN

BYLAWS

April 18, 1996

Amended August 14, 1996, February 20, 1997, March 19, 1998

October 1, 2011, April 24, 2018, and March 2025.

ARTICLE I

Name and Purpose

1. Name of the organization is Front Range Back Country Horsemen (FRBCH) with the mailing address to be the post office box or that of the current President or treasurer. FRBCH is an affiliate chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Colorado (BCHCO) and Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA)

2. FRBCH shall adopt the purpose of and through its own efforts support the mission and efforts of BCHCO and BCHA to:

a. Perpetuate the commonsense use and enjoyment of horses in America’s back country and Wilderness areas.

b. Work to ensure that public lands remain open to recreational stock use.

c. Assist the various government and private agencies in their maintenance and management of said resources.

d. Educate, encourage and solicit active participation in the wise and sustaining use of the back country resource by horsemen and the general public commensurate with our heritage.

e. Foster and encourage the formation of new Back Country Horsemen Chapters within Colorado.

ARTICLE II

Membership

1. Membership shall be composed of any individual (18 years of age or older and in good standing) or family (principal member 18 years or older and in good standing) interested in promoting the purpose.

2. Members are considered to be in good standing when:

a. Completed annual membership application and payment are received by an Officer/Director of FRBCH

b. The member is current in payment of dues and/or other debts to FRBCH.

c. Membership has not been revoked (Revocation requires a majority vote of the Board of Directors and may be due to conduct that adversely affects or reflects on the integrity of FRBCH, BCHCO or BCHA or is contrary to the purpose.)

ARTICLE III

Voting

1. Each individual member 18 years of age or older and in good standing shall be entitled to one (1) vote on all matters voted on during a regular or a special meeting.

2. Each family membership in good standing is entitled to two (2) votes by family members 18 years or older on all matters voted on during a regular or a special meeting.

3. A simple majority vote is required to conduct business at a regular or special meeting providing a quorum is present.

4. A quorum for the transaction of business at any regular or special meeting shall be at least five (5) members in good standing.

ARTICLE IV

Meetings

1. Regular meetings shall be at least quarterly but may be more frequent if needed.

2. Special meetings may be called by the Officers/Directors if agreed upon by any three (3) board members or by any (10) voting members in good standing. Five (5) days notice shall be given of special meetings.

3. The Board shall meet as needed at a time and place convenient for the officers and directors or, alternatively, may be by conference call or email.

4. Any member in good standing not currently on the board may attend a board meeting but shall have no vote. If a member wishes to discuss a topic not currently on the agenda, they must notify a board member at least 48 hours in advance.

ARTICLE V

Officers and Directors

1. The FRBCH Board is comprised of Officers and Directors. Officers of FRBCH shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer.

2. Each Officer/Director serves for a term of three (3) years and may serve for up to two (2) consecutive terms, regardless of which office is held. Each Officer/Director must remain off the Board for at least one (1) year before serving again.

3. There may be up to three (3) Directors on the Board. One Director shall be elected each year, so that their terms are staggered.

4. FRBCH will support BCHCO and BCHA by appointing two (2) Representatives and one (1) alternate to the BCHCO Board.

ARTICLE VI

Duties of Officers and Directors

1. The authority of this organization is the general membership. A simple majority of the Board has the authority to manage and execute the affairs of FRBCH when not in session.

2. President shall preside at all regular, special and Board meetings, shall appoint BCHCO representatives and may have signature authority to disburse funds.

3. If the president is unable to attend a meeting, then the Vice President will preside, or an alternate board member will be asked to preside for that meeting.

4. Secretary shall record and keep the minutes of all regular, Board and special meetings.

5. Treasurer shall maintain the financial records and provide records and reports as needed for annual audits and regular meetings. The Treasurer has signature authority to disburse funds.

ARTICLE VII

Elections

1. Officers and Directors shall be elected in December and will assume office on January 1st. If the December meeting is cancelled, elections will be held in January.

2. Vacancies in Officer or Director positions shall be filled by a special election at a regular monthly meeting.

3. Methods of Voting: Officers and Directors shall be elected by postal mail and email in addition to the in-person votes. Email and postal votes shall be returned to the secretary before the date and time of the December meeting. At the December meeting all votes will be counted to decide the election outcome.

ARTICLE VIII

Committees

1. Committees may be formed that are necessary for the function of the organization.

2. Committee Chairs will be volunteers or elected by the committee members and approved by the board.

ARTICLE IX

Amendments

1. These Bylaws may be amended by an affirmative vote of two thirds cast at any regular meeting at which a quorum is present provided that notice of such amendment(s) shall be given at least 20 days prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendment(s) will be voted on.

ARTICLE X

Parliamentary Authority

Roberts’ Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the Parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically governed by these Bylaws, Standing Rules or other regulations the organization may adopt.

STANDING RULES

May be changed by majority vote of those in attendance at a regular meeting at which a quorum is present.

1. Membership dues shall be determined by the needs of BCHA, BCHCO, and FRBCH. A majority vote of members shall be required to increase or decrease dues after the Treasurer and board provide financial documentation in support of any change. Changes in dues will be documented in normal business meeting minutes. Multi-chapter membership dues shall be reduced by dues distributed to BCHCO and BCHA for the membership year. Other membership levels shall be set by the board as considered necessary. An annual membership begins on January 1 and expires on December 31.

2. Membership renewals, fees, forms and waivers are due by March 1.

3. For new members joining after November 1, the membership is good for the following calendar year.

4. A portion of FRBCH’s fund-raising revenue shall be donated to a worthy cause in keeping with our purpose.

5. All expenditures exceeding $200.00 up to $500.00 must be approved by a majority of the Board, over $500.00 must be approved by the general membership.

6. Dogs shall not be allowed at meetings or outings, unless specifically invited.

FRBCH TRAIL ETIQUETTE

1. Stay behind the trail boss/leader and in front of the designated drag rider. If there is a problem, call out for a stop. Don’t hesitate to speak up.

2. The use of a helmet is a personal safety choice of the rider.

3. You must have permission from the trail boss before bringing a dog or stallion. FRBCH does not allow dogs on trail working rides.

4. Most group rides are walk only, but as needed rides will be divided into the “Slow Group” which walks only and the “Fast Group” which may include gaited and endurance type horses. Ride in the group that fits your horse’s type and conditioning.

5. Please don’t crowd the horse in front of you. Try to leave a horse length of open space between horses, even at stops. Be sure to ask riders in front and back of you about their animal’s comfort level.

6. Call back trail obstacles, hazards and/or low branches to riders behind you.

7. Leave gates as you find them. When a rider dismounts to open a gate, wait until the rider has remounted before leaving.

8. When crossing water allow space for the first horse to drink. The group does not leave until all horses have been watered.

9. In difficult or steep terrain, allow more space and keep moving. If you need to stop for any reason wait until the trail leader finds a suitable place where all can safely stop.

10. Be courteous and friendly to other trail users. Passing safety for all parties is the priority. Greet other users to initiate a conversation so the horses can identify a non-threatening situation. If possible, a hiker or biker should step to the downhill side to provide safer passing for both hiker/biker and stock.

11. Stay on the trail, obey agency rules, respect private property.

o Tips for Lunch Breaks/Stops: Tie your horse safely to a live tree – not a dead tree. Loosen the cinch slightly during a long break.

o Be sure there is ample room for other users to pass safely by your stock. Be sure you are not blocking the trail.

Pack your trash out. Leave no trace!