CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I

NAME AND AUTHORITY

Section 1) The name of this organization shall be the Fort Wainwright Firefighters Association (FWFA) and is established pursuant to the provisions of AR 210-22, and in accordance with all applicable civil and military laws and regulations.  Operation is contingent on compliance with the requirements and conditions of all applicable AR’s.

Section 2) This is a Type 3 organization and operates on Ft. Wainwright Army Post only with the written consent of the Post Commander.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

Section 1) The purpose of the Fort Wainwright Firefighters Association shall be to generate funds and support for the morale, welfare & esprit de corps of Fort Wainwright Firefighters and their families, while promoting the traditions and ideals of the fire service.

Section 2) This organization will conduct itself in a manner which is free of racial discrimination and provide equal opportunity and treatment for all members and prospective members regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, handicap, age, or national origin.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP AND VOTING

Section 1) Membership in the organization shall be open to all military and civilian Fort Wainwright Fire Department members.

Section 2) Membership in this organization will be terminated:

a) Upon request of the member concerned.

b) For any other reason when approved by the general membership.

ARTICLE IV

DUES AND FINANCES

Section 1) Dues will be paid by the members of this organization at the rate of $20.00 annually, which will come due at the first meeting of the calendar year.

Section 2) Income will also be obtained from fund-raising events and other activities as approved by the General Membership and the Post Commander.

Section 3) Money collected will be donated to the FWFA or to a charitable cause that has been authorized by the General Membership and the Post Commander.

Section 4) Income will not accrue to individual members of the FWFA.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS AND ADMINISTRATION

Section 1) Administration shall be conducted by a Council, constituted as follows: a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Information Officer, and Sergeant at Arms (non-voting).  These officers shall be responsible for the general operation of the organization.

Section 2) Term of office is one year.

Section 3) Nomination and election of Officers will be held during the month of December General Membership meeting each year.  Officers shall begin their term January 1^st.

Section 4) Duties and powers of the board shall be as follows:

a) The Council and General Membership shall meet the first Wednesday of each month, or at other times deemed necessary by the Council.

b) The Council shall recommend policies and procedures.  All policies and procedures must be approved by a majority (50% + 1) of the General Membership present.  The President shall vote only in the event of a tie.

c) Minutes shall be made available for review by any member of the FWFA.  A copy of each monthly meeting shall be kept by the Council.

d) The financial records and books of the Treasurer will be reviewed at least two weeks prior to termination of office.  The results of this review will reflect the new Treasurer's acceptance of the records and books.  A copy of the new Treasurer's acceptance statement will be forwarded to the FWFA Council within thirty days of transfer to office.

ARTICLE VI

INSURANCE

Section 1) FWFA will request a waiver of insurance requirements, and keep a copy of the approved letter on file.

ARTICLE VII

MEETINGS

Section 1) General Membership meetings will be held at least once monthly.  This will be on the first Wednesday of each month unless stated otherwise by the FWFA Council.

Section 2) A majority (50% + 1) vote of members present is required to pass a resolution, motion, or amendment.

ARTICLE VIII

DISSOLUTION

Section 1) In case of dissolution of the FWFA, any funds in the treasury after satisfaction of any outstanding debts, liabilities, or obligations will be donated to the Combined Federal Campaign to be dispersed at their discretion. Disposal of other assets shall be determined by the membership.  However, if upon dissolution, liabilities exceed assets, then the excess of liabilities over assets shall be paid by the membership on a pro rata basis.  For the purpose of this article, a member is defined as one whose name is carried on the role of the active and associate members as of the date of notification.  The membership is liable under the laws of Alaska for organizational debts in the event the organization's assets are insufficient to discharge liabilities.

Section 2) Distribution of residual funds and other assets will not accrue to the benefit of any individual member or the membership as a whole.

Section 3) In the event that a non-appropriated Fund Instrumentality fills the need for which the FWFA was established, this organization will be dissolved.  Under such circumstances, all financial transactions of dissolution will be concluded separately and apart from the operation of any activity established as a non-appropriated fund instrumentality.

Section 4) Upon determination to dissolve, written notice will be given to the Post Commander, and such dissolution shall be carried out only with his/her approval.

Section 5) The Post Commander has the authority to dissolve this organization in the event that there are no members present or in the best interest of the United States Army.

ARTICLE IX

BYLAWS

Section 1) Bylaws, if necessary, shall be established and maintained on a current basis as a guide to the administration of the FWFA and its activities.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS

Section 1) These articles may be amended on the approval of a majority of the membership (50% + 1) present.

Section 2) Conflicts of any provision of the constitution or bylaws with existing military directives will be changed administratively subject to the final review of the Post Commander.

ARTICLE XI

ADOPTION

This constitution was approved by a majority vote of the General Membership on ……. and is submitted for approval by the Post Commander, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.