By-Laws
Monday, 14 December 2009 21:10 | 
Written by Tristin Sinclair | 
FORT WAINWRIGHT FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE 1 – DUTIES OF OFFICERS
SECTION 1) GENERAL:
1) All officers of the Fort Wainwright Firefighters Association (FWFA) Council must be elected by a majority vote (50% + 1) of the members present. Term of office will be 1 year, except in cases of extenuating circumstances that result in the permanent absence of an Officer.
SECTION 2) PRESIDENT:
1) The President will have the right to:
a) Preside over all meetings, maintain order, and guide the proceedings from the beginning to the end.
b) Present the FWFA recommendations and comments, when appropriate, to the General Membership.
c) Coordinate with Council Officers, and General Members to ensure the FWFA is functioning in an effective manner.
d) Establish committees to carry out functions and events on an as needed basis.
e) May co-sign checks.
f) May act as Treasurer in his or her absence.
2) The President will vote on matters of concern to the Council, only when necessary, to break a tie.
3) The President will serve no more than two consecutive one-year terms at which time a new incumbent will be elected by the General Membership.
SECTION 3) VICE PRESIDENT:
1) The Vice President shall preside in the absence of the President or until a new President can be elected in cases of permanent absences.
2) Assist the President in any way deemed appropriate.
3) Vice President will serve no more than two consecutive one-year terms at which time a new incumbent will be elected by the General Membership.
4) Monitors the progress of all committees.
5) Shall oversee the conducting of elections.
6) May co-sign checks
SECTION 4) TREASURER:
1) Receives and disburses funds belonging to the FWFA as directed by the General Membership and/or the Council.
2) Maintains accurate records of all income and expenses.
3) May develop and lead a Budget Committee, as approved by the General Membership.
4) Will develop an annual budget for Council review by Jan 15th of every year. This budget will outline the necessary funds needed to operate and complete any functions decided upon by the Council.
5) Provides a financial report to the General Membership at each meeting and provides a status of funds report to the Council quarterly.
6) Includes an itemized list of financial transactions conducted between General Membership meetings in the Minutes.
7) May co-sign checks.
SECTION 5) SECRETARY:
1) Schedules and announces meetings.
2) Solicits items from the General Members to be presented to the Council for discussion.
3) Maintains accurate records of the proceedings of each meeting.
4) Provides the minutes to the General Members for review. Minutes will be completed and distributed as early as possible, but not later 5 days after an FWFA meeting. This may be accomplished in electronic or hardcopy form as decided upon by the Secretary.
5) Reviews minutes of previous meeting during the current meeting.
6) Maintains and updates the FWFA Constitution and By-Laws as approved by the General Membership and Council.
7) Maintains FWFA membership lists with records of attendance, participation, and dues.
SECTION 6) PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER:
1) Serves as the source of information and coordination to the media and outside agencies or organizations.
2) Works in conjunction with Council Officers to promote and announce General Membership meetings, votes, and special events.
SECTION 7) SERGEANT AT ARMS
1) Applies Robert’s Rules of Order as parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by these By-Laws. Specifically, the Sergeant at Arms will ensure efficient use of time during General Membership meetings.
2) Shall be appointed by the Council.
3) Will be a non-voting Officer.
ARTICLE 2 – ELECTION AND VOTING
SECTION 1) GENERAL:
1) All Officers of the Council will be elected by the majority (50 % +1) of members present. Terms of office will be one year.
SECTION 2) PROCEDURES:
1) At the November General Membership meeting, the Election Committee will be established and will develop a method to receive nominations for all elected positions. The committee will develop a ballot for annual Council elections, which will be held during the December General Membership meeting.
3) Only members who hold the rank of Captain and below will be eligible to hold a Council position.
4) All prospective candidates will be asked their willingness to serve in the position if elected. If the individual does not desire to serve in the capacity recommended by the committee, they may volunteer to bow out.
5) Voting will be completed during the December General Membership meeting. The results of the election will be announced before the conclusion of the December meeting.
SECTION 3) NOMINATIONS:
1) Nominations will be made at General Membership meetings.
2) Nominees must give consent in person or in writing, of willingness to serve if elected before elections may be held.
SECTION 4) THE ELECTION:
1) The election for Council positions will be held during the December General Membership meeting.
2) All members in good standing as defined by the FWFA Constitution will be given the opportunity to vote. Members must be present to vote. Absentee ballots will be allowed for members who are ill, TDY, or on leave. Absentee ballots must be received by the Election committee before the Council Election.
3) Nominations may be accepted from the floor for any additional candidates for each position.
4) The individual receiving the greatest number of votes (50% + 1) will be the election winner.
5) In case of a tie vote, an immediate run-off will be conducted by the General Membership present at the meeting. The Incumbent Council Officers will decide a subsequent deadlocked vote.
SECTION 5) TAKING OFFICE:
1) Newly elected officers will take office January 1st.
2) During the interim, after the election and before taking office, the President elected will coordinate with the outgoing President to obtain possession of all material associated with the Presidency, prepare the agenda for the next meeting, and perform any other administrative tasks deemed necessary.
3) During the interim, after the election and before taking office, the Vice President will coordinate with the outgoing Vice President to obtain possession of all material associated with the Vice President and also coordinate appropriately with any standing Committees.
4) During the interim, after the election and before taking office, the Treasurer will coordinate with the outgoing Treasurer to obtain possession of all material associated with the FWFA finances and the position and insure all incoming Council Officers are registered as Co-signers on the FWFA bank account . The Treasurer will review the previous year’s financial records. If the finances are found to be acceptable, an acceptance letter will be forwarded to the Council within 30 days.
5) During the interim, after the election and before taking office, the Secretary will coordinate with the outgoing Secretary to obtain possession of all material associated with the position to include the most current Constitution, By Laws, membership lists, and previous General Membership meeting minutes.
6) During the interim, after the election and before taking office, the PIO will coordinate with the outgoing PIO to obtain possession of all material associated with the position.
SECTION 6) TEMPORARY APPOINTMENTS:
1) The President may appoint any individual to serve in any capacity on a temporary basis.
2) Except for a Presidential vacancy, special elections will be held at the next possible meeting to fill any unexpected Officer positions.
3) The Vice President will assume the position of President and Vice President if an unexpected vacancy occurs within the Presidential position until a special election can be held.
SECTION 7) TERMS OF OFFICE:
1) The President and Vice President may serve only two consecutive terms of office as defined in Section 1 of this document.
2) Any other Officer may serve any number of terms if elected by the General Membership.
SECTION 8) TERMINATION OF OFFICERS:
1) Officers may be removed from office for improperly discharging duties and responsibilities or for actions that discredit the FWFA. A two-thirds vote of the present General Membership shall be required to remove an Officer. Officers being considered for removal will be allowed the opportunity to address the General Membership prior to the vote.
2) Officers may resign by submitting their resignation in writing to the Council. The resignation will be effective 30 days later.
3) Officer Terms are automatically terminated 30 days prior to leaving the FWFA for PCS moves.
4) Officers who will be TDY longer than 90 days may be required to resign from they’re position. These occurrences will be presented on a case-by-case basis to the General Membership for determination.
ARTICLE 3 – STANDING COMMITTEES
SECTION 1) GENERAL:
1) Committees will be formed to plan, organize, and execute functions and events as approved by the Council.
2) Each Committee shall have a Chairperson designated by the President.
3) The Term of office for Committee members will be for the duration of the special project undertaken, or as the Council deems appropriate.
4) All Committee projects are subject to approval by the General Membership.
5) Committee Chairpersons may solicit additional personnel to serve on they’re respective Committees as approved by the Council. Additional Personnel are not required to be FWFA members.
6) Committee Chairpersons will coordinate with the Vice President on progress and the Public Information Officer regarding event promotions.
ARTICLE 4 – INSURANCE
The normal activities of the FWFA are administrative in nature and would not normally involve a great degree of risk. The Post Commander has approved an insurance waiver. Special events may arise which greatly increase the insurable risk, and for such events, insurance protection shall be obtained. This insurance is the responsibility of the President.
ARTICLE 5 - ADOPTION
This constitution was approved by a majority of the general members of this organization on DATE HERE