Revised Constitution and By-Laws of the
ELLIS COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION
As proposed by the Executive Board
& voted on by the membership
January 8. 2015
ARTICLE I
NAME:
The association of the organization shall be the ELLIS COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION. ARTICLE II
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this organization is to foster and perpetuate one hundred percent fire prevention, emerg
ency medical services and fire fighting efficiency. The organization is absolutely nonpartisan and shall never be used for the promotion or retardation of partisan propaganda or the promotion of any person’s candidacy for public office. ARTICLE III
Membership:
Section 1: REGULAR MEMBERSHIP:
Any regular fire department: either paid, partially paid, volunteer, or any other authorized agency whose sole function is that of fire prevention, emergency medical services and fire fighting in Ellis County shall be eligible for membership in this Association upon payment of dues to the Secretary/Treasurer and shall be entitled to vote on all matters. Section 2: ASSOCIATED MEMBERSHIP:
Associate members shall be limited to the manufacturers, distributors, and/or sales personnel of fire apparatus, equipment and accessories and companies displaying genuine interests in the betterment of the fire service of Ellis County. Individuals who display a genuine interest in the betterment of the fire service and emergency medical service of Ellis County may also be granted membership upon payment of dues to the Secretary/Treasurer and approval by a majority vote by the Executive Committee. Section 3: LIFE MEMBERSHIP:
Life membership shall be granted to all past presidents. Other persons the Association wishes to honor for distinguished or meritorious or long faithful service to this Association may be granted life membership upon a majority vote at a regular meeting and they shall be entitled to vote upon all matters. Section 4: RETIREE MEMBERSHIP:
Fire department retirees shall be eligible for membership in this Association upon payment of dues to the Secretary/Treasurer and shall be entitled to vote on all matters and shall be eligible to hold elective office. ARTICLE IV
DUES:
Each member department and associate shall be required to pay $25 annually to the Secretary/Treasurer, payable on or before the first meeting of the year. Retirees shall not be assessed an annual dues if the retirees former department pays the department’s annual dues. If the retiree’s former department does not pay the annual dues, then the retiree shall pay his/her own dues in the amount of $5.00. ARTICLE V
OFFICERS:
The officers of this Association shall consist of a PRESIDENT, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT, SECOND VICE PRESIDENT, SECRTARY/TREASURER, ASSISTANT TREASURER and CHAPLIN to be elected at the first meeting of every second year for a term of two years, to serve until their successor has been duly elected and installed. The Executive committee shall be composed of: PRESIDENT, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT, SECOND VICE PRESIDENT, SECRTARY/TREASURER, ASSISTANT TREASURER, CHAPLIN, and IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT. All elected officers shall be members of a member department and must remain a member of a department in good standing during their tenure in office, a retiree member, or a life member of this Association. ARTICLE VI
DUTIES OF OFFICERS:
Section 1: President
All meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order. The President shall preside at all meeting of the Association and Executive Committee, sign all papers requiring his/her signature and perform other such duties as are regularly by the President of similar organizations. He/she may appoint committees and assign duties to the Vice Presidents and he/she deems necessary. He/she shall appoint a nominating committee for officers for the bi-annual election and this committee shall be appointed in August. He/she shall also instruct the Secretary/ Treasurer to furnish all required financial reports to the Certified Public Accountant employed by the Association by February 1st of each year or as required by Federal, State or Local laws. Section 2: Vice President
The Vice President shall in regular order of their rank, in the absence, resignation or death of the President preside and perform the duties of the President’s office. They shall perform such duties as have been assigned to them by the President. Specific duties of the Vice Presidents shall be as follows:
First VP: Shall be in charge of the planning of the quarterly meeting and shall be in charge of the programs presented at the meetings. Second VP: Shall be in charge of any fundraising projects and serve as chairperson for any special committees. Section 3: Secretary/Treasurer
The Secretary/Treasurer shall record and keep a record of all meeting of the Association and Executive Committee and shall give a report of such meetings to all membership at all regular Association meetings and as requested by the President or Executive Committee. He/she shall keep a current roster of all regular, associate and life memberships of the Association. He/she shall provide other reports or documents as requested by the President or Executive Committee. The Secretary/Treasurer shall receive all monies due the Association from any source, giving receipt thereof and shall pay all bills die by the Association. He/she shall keep all financial records current and shall file all necessary financial reports as required. He/she shall make an annual report and such other reports as directed by the President and/or the Executive Committee. Section 4: Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
The Assistant Secretary/Treasurer shall assist the Secretary/Treasurer as necessary. He/she shall perform the duties of the Secretary/Treasurer in his/her absence. Section 5: Chaplin
The Chaplin shall be charged with the spiritual guidance and welfare of the Association. They shall attend all meetings which shall be opened and closed with Divine, but non-sectarian prayer. He/she shall perform such other duties as may be assigned him/her by the President. Section 6: Immediate Past President
The Immediate Past President shall advise and assist the Executive Committee as necessary and will have voting privileges. Section 7: Executive Committee
a) The Executive Committee shall pass on all bills and expenditures of the Association in excess of $200.00 and attend to such business of the Association as may properly be handled by such Committee, keeping at all times within the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association. They shall also arrange for all programs and set the time and place of all meetings. b) A quorum of the Executive Committee at any meeting shall consist of any five (5) members of the executive Committee present, providing that all members of the Executive Committee have been notified of such a meeting. c) A meeting of the Executive Committee may be called to order by the President or upon call, being duly drawn signed by a majority of the committee upon receipt of which the President shall immediately call a meeting of the said committee. d) All meeting of the Executive Committee shall be open, at all times to any member of the Association and full minutes shall be furnished to any department or member upon request of such request. ARTICLE VII
ASSOCIATION MEETINGS:
Section 1: Meeting Dates
The Association shall meet on the second Thursday of January, April, July and October or as near to these dates as possible as determined by the Executive Committee. The first regular meeting held in any year shall be considered as the annual meeting at which time election for officers shall be held if necessary. Business may be conducted at any regular meeting during the year. The Secretary/Treasurer shall send emails & other electronic notification to all association members not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting date. ARTICLE VIII
CHANGES TO CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS:
Any proposed changes to the Constitution and By-Laws shall be presented to the Secretary/Treasurer not less than 45 days prior to any regular meeting. The association Secretary/Treasurer shall notify membership by email or other electronic media of any proposed changes not less than twenty (20) days prior to the meeting. ARTICLE VIIX
VOTING AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
In all matters voted on by the roll call or ballot, each member department present shall have one (1) vote which shall be cast by one delegate chosen by their department. Each life membership shall have one (1) vote. In all matters voted on by voice or other sign, all present who are regular members of any member department shall have a vote. In the election of officers, when there is more than one candidate for any office, voting shall be by ballot. Any member department present may call for a roll call ballot on any matter before the Association, either before the vote has been taken, or after the vote have been taken, if not satisfied with the decision of the President regarding the count. A majority of votes shall decide all matters expecting that a two-thirds (2/3) majority of votes shall be required to amend the Constitution and By-Laws. Revisions
2015 – Approved at January 8, 2015 meeting
-Changed officer term from 1 year to 2 years.
- Removed Sergeant at Arms position.
- Removed Texas A&M Scholarship award (old section X)
- Changed meeting months from February, May, August & November to January, April, July and October.
