Mission Statement

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Mission Statement
The Vintage Kart Club of America (VKCA) is a group of vintage kart enthusiasts interested in promoting and preserving the appreciation, recognition and restoration of early-era vintage karts. These karts include those manufactured in the era from 1956 through 1975 and later karts that meet the following specifications:

    1. 1 1/4 inch maximum diameter rear axle.

    2. Fixed gear ratio (no shifter karts).

    3. No bodywork. No plastic bumpers (front or rear). No plastic side pods. Vintage Nassau panels allowed. If number panel used, may not exceed 7 X 9 inches. 

VKCA is a club where all like-minded vintage karters can meet, exchange ideas, and enjoy the sport with kart shows, swap meets, and on-track demonstrations.

Structure
The VKCA has been formed as a non-profit corporation. The leadership of the club is a board of directors comprised of the following member elected officers; President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Membership Director. There will be a variety of appointed board advisors that will not have voting privileges.

The five officers will serve a term of two years, with election dates staggered as follows:  VP, Secretary and Membership Director positions up for election in odd years, President and Treasurer positions will be up for election in even years. Member elections will be held annually to vote in the officers that are up for election in that year. The advisors shall be appointed by the Board and serve a term of one year.

Philosophy
The rules for this club have been formed for simplicity and enjoyment of the participant. Vintage kart track demonstrations are not intended to be a form of all-out competitive racing, but a means of celebrating the racing heritage of the karts while minimizing the risk to both karts and drivers.

The club intends to promote interest and activities for vintage karts by providing on and off-track events, open communication through regular newsletters and board participation in Web site forums, awards for member achievements( other than track performance), plus incentives and support for promoters to ensure their events will run smoothly and with the best opportunity to be financially viable.

VKCA events are for production race karts maintained as nearly as possible to their original specification for their era, and to be demonstrated in a sportsmanlike manner. VKCA demonstrations provide a margin which accepts the irreplaceable nature of a piece of racing history as taking precedence over the driver’s need to win. Driving manners and respect for others’ safety and equipment is paramount! Cooperation between fast and not-so-fast is mandatory. The veteran respects the beginner’s right to the track, and the beginner respects the veteran’s right to motor to the extent of his ability and good judgment. The participant, whose only purpose is winning, has no place at VKCA events.

By Laws
The following by laws are provided to establish a process which the board is required to follow. These by laws are procedures to insure consistent administration of the club Mission Statement and other administrative procedures in lieu of “Minute” actions. Minute actions act on issues such as adoption of an event fee, formal adoption of an event schedule, safety procedures and so on. 

The following by laws have been approved by the VKCA Board: 

     1. In the event that a board position becomes vacant and an existing board member assumes those duties and responsibilities, that board member is limited to one vote for the purpose of conducting board business. (September, 2017) 

    2. In the event that a board member resigns or cannot actively serve, the remaining board members may appoint a replacement to the remaining term of that position. Should a position not be filled by an election, the board may appoint an individual to the unfilled position. (September, 2017)
  
     2a. Anyone running for any Board position must be an active Club member for the most recent consecutive 2 years and be in good standing. (July, 2022)

    3. An amendment to the Mission Statement shall be presented to the membership by means of a formal ballot and shall be approved by 60 percent of the membership who vote on the measure. (September, 2017)

     4. Member conduct, defining infraction(s) and discipline:
An infraction shall be defined as aggressive behavior both on and off track. On track infractions shall include and not be limited to unsafe driving such as cutting off other drivers, unsafe passing, “dive bombing” or any maneuver considered to be reckless in nature. Off track infractions may include physical or verbal abuse. Infractions shall be immediately reported to V.K.C.A. officials or board members in attendance. Those board members shall gather together with the parties involved to investigate the incident(s) of reckless or aggressive behavior. If the infraction is determined severe enough, the board members in attendance shall have authority to render immediate disciplinary action.

Disciplinary action for infractions at V.K.C.A Major and Play Day Events by non member participant(s) will be immediate termination of participation, a refund of entry fee(s), and possible exclusion from future events.

In most cases disciplinary action for club members at V.K.C.A. Major and Play Day Events will be begin a 3 strikes penalty process defined as follows: 

     First infraction: the individual(s) are counseled (an intervention) with a formal letter from the board to follow.

    Second infraction: termination of participation by the individual(s) for that event, a refund of entry fee(s) and a formal letter from the board to follow.

    Third infraction: termination of participation by the individual(s) for that event, a refund of their entry and club membership fee(s), and prohibition from entering V.K.C.A. Major and Play Day events for the remainder of the year.

All infractions are cumulative over time. A dismissed member may petition the V.K.C.A. Board for a hearing to be reinstated. Reinstatement of a dismissed member requires a unanimous vote by the board. Possible exceptions to the 3 strikes process and grounds for immediate and permanent dismissal from V.K.C.A. include any club member who intentionally crashes into another karter or intentionally causes injury to another driver. Therefore if the infraction is deemed extraordinarily aggressive and reckless, the V.K.C.A board may permanently dismiss a member.