Associate Members

Typically, VRA Chapters allow riders of other makes and models to join as an associate member but ultimately, this decision is left to the discetion of each chapter.

Per the bylaws, an Associate Member cannot be nominated for an elected office, cannot nominate someone for an office, and cannot vote during officer elections. Beyond that, each chapter must decide if Associate Members have a vote in other club issues.

Benefits

Typical benefits for an Associate Member include the following::

  • Listed on the website's member directory as an Associate Member
  • Added to mailing list for all correspondence
    • Newsletter
    • Minutes
    • Invitations to rides and events
    • General Announcements
  • Access to online forum
  • Can attend member-only events (e.g. Christmas party, Summer picnic, etc)

Considerations

  • Can Associate members vote? (besides elections)
  • Are their dues lower since they do not receive equal membership benefits?
  • Will they receive a club patch, T-shirt or pin when they join?
  • Can they wear a patch? A T-shirt with logo?
  • Do they receive the same discounts that are available to Full Members?
  • Who can join as an Associate Member? (more below) 

Eligibility

A simple vote to allow Associate Members implies that anyone is eligible to join. How would your members feel if someone arrived uninvited to a meeting on a sportbike and paid the required dues to join? What if they arrived on a Harley? A scooter? What if they didn't ride a motorcycle? Addressing these issues earlier, rather than later, might help to avoid an awkward situation.  

To help clarify eligibility, discuss the following questions with your members:

  • Do they have to own and ride a motorcycle?
  • Are any types of bike not permissible? (i.e. sport bikes, 50CC scooters, custom bikes (Big Dogs), trikes, etc).
  • Can an applicant be a complete stranger or do they have to be a friend of an existing member?
  • Can someone ask to join or must they be invited?
  • Does the applicant have to meet certain requirements to be accepted (e.g. applicant has attended a minimum number of rides or events first)?

NOTE: To avoid issues of discrimination, membership eligibility should never be put to a vote on a case-by-case basis.