We are a subchapter under the Electric Auto Association which is a 503(g) non profit organization. 
As such, we are subject to the bylaws of our parent organization.  A copy of the EAA Bylaws and
organizational structure can be found at: http://www.eaaev.org/eaaboard.html   A copy of the EAA Chapter 
Handbook can be found at: http://www.eaaev.org/Forms-Docs/EAA-ChapterHandbook.pdf.

The EAA requires a minimum of three officers and a total of 5 members to form a chapter.  After a chapter
is formed, it is up to the members to build up the chapter.  This is what we are endevouring to do.  Below
is a developing structure that we are implementing.  Your participation is welcomed.

Purpose

To act as a source of information for the membership, other organizations and the public, on the current state of electric vehicle technology worldwide.

To encourage experimentation in the building of electric vehicles, particularly to improve energy and resource efficiency, reduce emissions and improve vehicle safety.

To promote and organize public exhibits of electric vehicles built by members and others for the purpose of informing the public on the progress of electric vehicle technology and conducting public opinion polls.

To use all media, such as newsletters, web sites, information packages, and other paper and electronic media designed to inform the public and promote the cause of electric vehicles.

Organization

We are a non-profit organization organized under the auspices of the EAA as noted above.  Their Bylaws govern our activities in general and form the umbrella under which we operate.

The minimum structure of the TEAA is permanently set with a minimum of three officers: President, Vice President and Treasurer/Secretary with a minimum of three EAA dues paying members.  This structure can be expanded and modified by the officers with the general approval by the membership at a normal meeting of the membership (e.g. Project Saturday, not Festival for the Eno, etc.).  An interested party and/or supporter is not considered a voting member but is recognized as a potential contributor to our goals and may be invited to have a voice in specific events or decisions.

 
Goals:

ü       Provide members with accurate and beneficial information on the construction, conversion, use, and care of EVs.

ü       Provide a forum of creative and scientific thinking to improve EV operation and design.

ü       Provide opportunities to build a community of mutual support between mutually dedicated EV’ers.

ü       Provide opportunities for the general public to learn about EVs and their benefits, limitations, and value of organizations like the TEAA.

ü       Build a cooperative relationship between other communal organizations based upon mutuality, ethical conduct, and the generation of information and ideas.

ü       To hold ourselves and sister organizations to a high level of ethical behavior and accountability for both activities and the information disseminated about EVs and related alternated fuel and community betterment activities.

ü       To provide a politically neutral forum for discussion, debate, and analysis of information for the betterment of creative thinking and uninfluenced activities.

ü       To not discriminate or inhibit the participation of anyone, not limit the opportunity of contribution of anyone who respects the goals and mission of the TEAA and abides by her standards and contributes to her welfare.

ü       To honestly appraise information without influence of political, social, or other reward that would color a scientific and impartial analysis of the information.

ü       To promote the awareness of and accurate understanding of EV technology.

TEAA member status structure:

Members who serve in a leadership role, providing support and assistance throughout a calendar year. Executive status does not pay dues, exchanging time and effort instead, yet enjoy full member benefits as active members.

Executive benefits include:

• Voting privileges
• Access to all meetings without paying admission
• Access to any member discounts for paid educational events or seminars
• Email notification of events and local opportunities.
• Web access

Duties to retain privileges include:

• Attendance at 10 out of 12+ calendar events
• Serving a full calendar year in the office to avoid dropping to active status.
• Annual evaluations by direct supervisors
• Access to club equipment or material within a prescribed time limit

Members who are active in participation and pay dues. To qualify for status, members must be sponsored for membership by a senior staff member or two active members and be voted in at a member vote, after having attended a minimum of two meetings.

Member benefits include:

• Voting privileges
• Access to all meetings without paying admission
• Access to any member discounts for paid educational events or seminars
• Email notification of events and local opportunities.
• Web access

Duties to retain privileges include:

• Attendance at 8 out of 12+ calendar events
• Paying yearly dues
• Access to club equipment or material within a prescribed time limit
• Quarterly evaluations by direct supervisors

Members who attend on a meeting by meeting basis. To qualify for status, members must be invited to continue attending after two meetings.

Member benefits include:

• Access to all meetings after paying admission ($10) for meetings and some educational events or seminars (fee passed upon the event specific charges)
• Email notification of events and local opportunities.
• Web access

Duties to retain privileges include:

• Attendance at events of their choice
• Paying meeting and event dues

Member who have

• Yet attended two meetings to qualify to request joining or have
• Members who have failed to attend the designated necessary number of meetings without excusal from the executive board.
• Members who have previously held active or associate status but have ceased attending and still have dues paid for the remaining calendar year.

Member benefits include:

• Access to all meetings after readmission through the senior staff vote.
• Email notification of events and local opportunities.
• Limited web access

Duties to regain privileges include:

Producing re-admittance letter after the executive staff has voted the re-admittance.

Persons who have not joined or are attending their first two complimentary meetings.

Member benefits include:

• Limited web access

Members who have served with distinction and are honored for their efforts in the development and promotion of the TEAA through their direct actions for this local organization, with a permanent active member status, but are not required to pay dues or engage in supportive activities. This is a special and rarely bestowed honor.

Persons in the community at large who are invited to specific meetings as guests, with specially provided privileges for the specific meeting in question.

Dues

The TEAA is a non-profit 501c(3) organization under the auspices of the EAA. Dues help us to defray costs for our modest operational capabilities. 

We realize that people are associated with us for various reasons.  With that in mind, we offer a tiered dues structure:

$5.00 per year– Interested party and/or supporter.  We will maintain your name on our emailing list to where you will be able to receive announcements of events, newsletters, and general EV related information, etc.  Names are not distributed to outside organizations.  We try to use BCC. Membership privileges are restricted to these club access levels only.

$10.00 per meeting– Associate member with access to our meetings on a meeting to meeting basis.  This includes the benefits of the interested party and/or supporter

$20.00 – full membership with access to all meetings throughout the year and any Active Member discounts on specialty events that are held. Active member Status also includes access to selected library materials, videos, listserv, and general advice, any available and prescheduled garage appointments with an automotive lift (provided we can maintain patronage of area garage(s), crimpers, jack stands, and other club tools and equipment, providing they are checked out per specific equipment restrictions.  This also includes the benefits of the other two preceding membership status privileges.

$40.00.- Full EAA membership, and privileges thereof, and TEAA Active status membership

Officers and Committee Heads who serve faithfully for a year are exempt from paying dues.

Dues may be reduced by for members contributing to the TEAA for special posts or positions as needed and generated by the TEAA Senior Staff.

Members may increase status at a reduced rate in some circumstances, when approved by the Senior Staff, but may have to pay full membership status improvement in many instances, given the limits of the club resources.

Severing membership or participation does not allow for any refund of previous payments prior to severance, under any circumstances.

Paying dues provides no guaranty of personal growth, success in EV related products, access to or influence over Senior members, ability to promote personal or professional products or agenda, future guaranty of membership or club access, protection from injury or defamation, or recognition for services or efforts rendered. Membership does not guaranty success, only the opportunity to explore your potential for succeeding in EV projects and education. Membership may be revoked at any time by the Senior Staff in the event that the participant violates or endangers the function or reputation of the TEAA; executive interpretation of the serious or nature of the violation is reserved to the TEAA.

Officer structure:

Executive Staff

Listed in no order of seniority:

Facilitates club member contact info

Facilitates interclub notification and communication

Monitors member status

Facilitates fundraising activities

Monitors Club fund status

Monitors club resources

Facilitates club communication mediums

Monitors external club contact information

Facilitates activities to generate club awareness

Facilitates club-member educational opportunities

Facilitates community educational events that are club sponsored or supported

Facilitates club social events

Last Modified Feb 17, 2009, by Peter Eckhoff