American Motorcyclist Association Organizers Getting Started Which Charter is Right for Me?

Which Charter is Right for Me?

Charters are formal agreements between your organization and the AMA to uphold the AMA’s mission, as well as the AMA’s standards for operating an event. Learn more about the benefits of chartering with the AMA and discover the different types of charters available. 

Benefits of Chartering with the AMA

Benefit #1- AMA Affiliate Program
  • The AMA Affiliate Program allows for your organization to share the revenue for every AMA membership you sell.  
  • For every new member who signs through your organization, the AMA pays you $5. For each renewing member, the AMA will pay your organization $2.50.  
  • It’s free to utilize!  
Benefit #2- Event Insurance
  • Sanctioning organizations receive access to top-rated, comprehensive event liability at discounted rates.  
  • The AMA does not operate the insurance program, nor does it earn any money from insurance premiums that AMA organizers pay. 
  • Options for event insurance include $1 million, $2 million or $5 million public spectator and participant legal liability coverage.  
Benefit #3- Event Promotion
  • Sanctioning and charter organizations will be listed on the AMA website, and website visitors will be able to search for AMA-chartered organizations by city, state and name.  
  • AMA-sanctioned events will also receive additional promotion in the American Motorcyclist magazine, on AmericanMotorcyclist.com and in monthly email newsletters.  
  • Sanction applications must be submitted at least 90 days prior to the event to be listed in AMA’s monthly schedule of events on the website and in the magazine.  

What Type of Charter is Right for My Organization?

1. Event-Sanctioning Charters: For clubs or organizations that plan to host AMA-Sanctioned events. 

Promoter Charter: Commercial organizations that are not organized as clubs may become AMA-chartered promoters. AMA-chartered promoters are eligible to sanction AMA events.

  • Contact must be an AMA member 
  • $250 annual fee 
  • Two letters of recommendation 

Service Club (Sanctioning) Charter: Clubs, including service clubs, that want to sanction events. Service club charters are available for organizations that specifically fall under motorcyclist rights, military, first-responder or charity. They provide a service to the motorcycle community/others through their organization and plan to host AMA-sanctioned events.  

  • Minimum of 10 AMA members 
  • Constitution/Bylaws required 
  • $100 annual fee 
  • Two letters of recommendation

Service Promoter Charter: Service Promoter Charters are for commercial organizations who want to sanction events. Service charters are available for organizations that specifically fall under motorcyclist rights, military, first-responder or charity. They provide a service to the motorcycle community and others. 

  • 501(c)3 or USMCA certification 
  • Contact must be an AMA member 
  • $150 annual fee 
  • Two letters of recommendation  
2. Non-Sanctioning Charters: Clubs that do not plan to host AMA-Sanctioned events.
  • Social Club Charter: For enthusiasts who ride together, be it road or off-road, but don’t intend to host formal events for non-members. 
  • Historic Club Charter: These are clubs that believe in the principles of the AMA but do not have a large enough membership roll or are no longer active enough to maintain a promoting charter.  
  • Service Club (Non-Sanctioning) Charter: An AMA service charter is available for organizations that specifically fall under motorcyclist rights, military, first-responder or charity. These groups provide a service to the motorcycle community and others through their organization. 

Requirements:  

    • Minimum of 5 AMA members 
    • $50 annual fee 
    • * Cannot sanction events