WE ARE NOT A MOTORCYCLE CLUB
general membership information:
1. Eligibility: Membership in Rolling Thunder® is open to anyone with an interest in educating the public regarding the Prisoner-of-War, and Missing-in-Action (POW*MIA) issue, regardless of race, color, creed, sex, or other classification protected by law. All persons must be eighteen (18) years of age or older for Regular Membership, or under the age of 18 for Junior Membership. Membership applications can be picked up in person at one of our Chapter monthly meetings. We do not mail out membership applications.
2. Membership Dues: Dues are $40.00 per year per member, of which $30.00 goes to National. Anyone who was a Prisoner of War or a spouse of a Prisoner of War, all Gold Star Mothers, and all Medal of Honor (C.M.H.) recipients will have a free membership in Rolling Thunder®, provided they present legal documentation of their status.
3. Membership Rights: Every member of the organization in good standing shall be entitled to one vote on matters to be decided by a vote. No absentee ballots will be accepted.
4. Military Veteran Members: Any Rolling Thunder® member who is a United States Military Veteran is required to provide to their Chapter a copy of his or her DD-214 (notice of separation). The DD-214 will be kept on file with the Chapter for the duration of their membership. In case of transfer between Chapters, it will be sent to the new Chapter. The DD-214 will not be copied, shared, or scanned into an electronic file Any United States Military Veteran who does not turn over a copy of his/her DD-214 to their Chapter will not be permitted to display any pins or patches on their Rolling Thunder® vest or jacket indicating that he/she is a Veteran. The pins/patches are to include but are not limited to, military awards, decorations, unit patches, and armed forces insignia.
5. Our members include men, women, veterans, non-veterans, motorcycle riders, bicycle riders, and non-riders. You do not need a motorcycle to join us, because we are not a motorcycle 'club' (MC) - but many members do ride.
2. Membership Dues: Dues are $40.00 per year per member, of which $30.00 goes to National. Anyone who was a Prisoner of War or a spouse of a Prisoner of War, all Gold Star Mothers, and all Medal of Honor (C.M.H.) recipients will have a free membership in Rolling Thunder®, provided they present legal documentation of their status.
- Membership Dues are renewed annually during the month of February. If not collected within thirty (30) days after the February meeting, the Chapter may terminate that member.
- Dues can be paid through PayPal, in person with cash, or by personal check.
3. Membership Rights: Every member of the organization in good standing shall be entitled to one vote on matters to be decided by a vote. No absentee ballots will be accepted.
- Upon request of any member or officer at any meeting, all non-confidential corporate documents and financial books must be made available at the next meeting. Minutes of confidential meetings (i.e. Chapter Board meetings) and confidential disciplinary actions or proceedings are not to be made available, except upon the express written prior approval of National.
- To remain a member in good-standing, Members-at-Large will also be required to attend at least three (3) Veteran related events per year or perform Veteran related services (i.e. visit local VA Hospitals, etc.) each year. The member must supply National with proof of these visits.
4. Military Veteran Members: Any Rolling Thunder® member who is a United States Military Veteran is required to provide to their Chapter a copy of his or her DD-214 (notice of separation). The DD-214 will be kept on file with the Chapter for the duration of their membership. In case of transfer between Chapters, it will be sent to the new Chapter. The DD-214 will not be copied, shared, or scanned into an electronic file Any United States Military Veteran who does not turn over a copy of his/her DD-214 to their Chapter will not be permitted to display any pins or patches on their Rolling Thunder® vest or jacket indicating that he/she is a Veteran. The pins/patches are to include but are not limited to, military awards, decorations, unit patches, and armed forces insignia.
- Non-veteran members may not display aforementioned medals, ribbons, military awards, pins, or patches.
5. Our members include men, women, veterans, non-veterans, motorcycle riders, bicycle riders, and non-riders. You do not need a motorcycle to join us, because we are not a motorcycle 'club' (MC) - but many members do ride.
Membership Patches and Obligations:
1. Every prospective member must complete an application.
2. There is a 120 day probationary period for all NEW members.
3. New members MAY receive a Rolling Thunder® Membership Boot Patch (from the Chapter) when they become a full member at the end of the 120-day period. If a member meets his/her obligations before the 120 days, they are entitled to receive their Boot patch no earlier than 90 days, provided they meet all other (loyalty and conduct) requirements.
4. A new member must make three (3) meetings or events, or a combination thereof, during the 120-day trial period to become a full member. Anyone who joins and does not meet his/her obligation will be terminated from this organization.
6. All membership patches come from National.
1. Every prospective member must complete an application.
- All applicants must include their actual physical home address on their application, particularly if a P.O. Box is used for mail. This address must be updated whenever the member changes his/her residence.
- All applicants will provide their Social Security Number (SSN) as security for Rolling Thunder® National's organizational patch's, which are currently $50 for each patch. The Eagle and Rocker is a set ($100), and the Boot is $50.
2. There is a 120 day probationary period for all NEW members.
3. New members MAY receive a Rolling Thunder® Membership Boot Patch (from the Chapter) when they become a full member at the end of the 120-day period. If a member meets his/her obligations before the 120 days, they are entitled to receive their Boot patch no earlier than 90 days, provided they meet all other (loyalty and conduct) requirements.
4. A new member must make three (3) meetings or events, or a combination thereof, during the 120-day trial period to become a full member. Anyone who joins and does not meet his/her obligation will be terminated from this organization.
- After a member completes his/her first year (from the day they receive their boot patch) as a member in good standing, then they will be issued the Eagle & Rocker.
- All members who receive their patches - Boot, Rocker & Eagle - will place them on their vest or jacket as described in the New Member Package.
6. All membership patches come from National.
meetings:
All general membership meetings are held at the Veterans Memorial Center and Museum, 400 S. Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island, the 4th Sunday of every month except May, at 2PM.
In accordance with our National Constitution, transcribed copies of all Rolling Thunder® meetings are digitally recorded and kept on file for a minimum of eighteen months. Board of Director meeting minutes are confidential, and are not posted on this website.
The custodian of all of our minutes is the Chapter Secretary.
It is our policy to publish a 'draft' of the membership meeting minutes so members can view them and request a change or clarification if necessary. Only the current draft is available for comment. When the minutes of the previous meeting are read at the next scheduled membership meeting and voted on to accept, or modify, the draft will then become the final minutes, as originally drafted, or after any approved changes have been made.
Draft and Final meeting minutes are available in the members only secure area. You will need the password to view these documents. Please note: you only need to enter your password once to view all secure area documents.
In accordance with our National Constitution, transcribed copies of all Rolling Thunder® meetings are digitally recorded and kept on file for a minimum of eighteen months. Board of Director meeting minutes are confidential, and are not posted on this website.
The custodian of all of our minutes is the Chapter Secretary.
It is our policy to publish a 'draft' of the membership meeting minutes so members can view them and request a change or clarification if necessary. Only the current draft is available for comment. When the minutes of the previous meeting are read at the next scheduled membership meeting and voted on to accept, or modify, the draft will then become the final minutes, as originally drafted, or after any approved changes have been made.
Draft and Final meeting minutes are available in the members only secure area. You will need the password to view these documents. Please note: you only need to enter your password once to view all secure area documents.
new member information packet:
A new member information packet, which contains information about the Chapter, is located in the secure area of the website. You will need the password that was provided to you. Please click HERE to review these documents. If you have any questions about membership, please contact any Board Member, or the Membership Chairman, Walt Marshall at [email protected]
Membership roster:
The membership Chairman maintains the member roster, which is updated every 30 days. The current roster is only available in the secure area of the website. You will need your password to view the file. Members are encouraged to review the roster and notify the Membership Chairman of any changes.
national constitution:
Nationwide, each Chapter of Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is regulated by our National Constitution, produced by the National Chapter each November. Every member needs to be familiar with the contents of the constitution.
Chapter 1 Florida also publishes a Standard Operating Procedure that is used in conjunction with the Constitution.
To view the document, just click on 'Download File' below. You can save the document if you want. You will need to have Adobe® Acrobat Reader installed on your computer in order to read the file.
Chapter 1 Florida also publishes a Standard Operating Procedure that is used in conjunction with the Constitution.
To view the document, just click on 'Download File' below. You can save the document if you want. You will need to have Adobe® Acrobat Reader installed on your computer in order to read the file.
| rt_constitution__final_23_may_2023.pdf |