If you are just going to hang out together you don't need much. Just some simple rules, like "no rice burners." But if money is involved, dues, etc it can become more complicated. If you want the treasurer to keep the club's money in a fruit jar and pay for everything in cash you don't need to get to formal. Just a rule like "Mongole, if you run off with the cash we will catch your ass and kick the s##t out of you. Dig?" But if you see your club growing and sponsoring shows and other events you will need to go formal. Early in the process you will need a non-profit Federal Tax ID and you need it before you set up your checking account. (Don't use a members SSAN. It can screw up his Federal taxes if you do.) To get the tax number you will need a constitution that sets up your goals and objectives within acceptable non-profit peramiters. There are special tax rulles for small non-profit organizations. You are limited to the amount of cash you can have. $3,000 is the number I recall. You can have more if your club minutes show that the money is obligated, i.e., for show trophies. It is also good to affiliate with one of the national organizations. This will give you access to services and should also include some liability insurance. If you know a lawyer it would be smart to discuss liability with him or her. In some cases, the organization and all of its members can be sued if someone is hurt at a club sponsored event. If there is a car club in your area ask them for a copy of their constitution. Most are structured along the same lines and it will help you get going. Most clubs start out with simple rules and Mongole holding the cash. Some never get any more involved than that. Others go on to the big time. Hope this helps.