ARTICLE I
The name of this Association shall be the Pennsylvania Fire Police Association, chartered December 30, 1949 in the Lancaster County Courts, as a non-Profit Corporation.
ARTICLE II
OBJECT
The purposes of this Association are:
(a) To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and to perpetuate and foster 100% Americanism.
(b) For the mutual benefit and protection to its members. (c) For benevolence and assistance to its members. (d) To advance the status of Volunteer Fire Police in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by holding meetings for the presentation and discussion of problems affecting Volunteer Fire Police, publishing papers, reports, and disseminating knowledge and experience of value in Volunteer Fire Police. (e) To seek at all times, proper legislation for the betterment of the Fire Police services in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
There shall be four types of membership in this Association: County Association Membership, Individual Membership, Honorary Membership (includes Charter Members), and Life Membership.
ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP: Association membership shall be open to any County that has a Fire Police Association. The election of any County Fire Police Association shall not qualify any individual member of said County Fire Police Association to membership in the State Association.
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP: Individual membership in this Association shall be open to any person who is a member in good standing of their respective County Fire Police Association and has been sworn into office under the Fire Police Laws of the Commonwealth. In counties in which a County Fire Police Association has not been organized, an individual who has been sworn into office may become an individual member of an adjoining County of this Association until such time as a County Fire Police Association has been duly organized in the county of their residence. Individual members must be 18 years of age and a citizen of the United States.
Fire police officers who are a member of a Pennsylvania Volunteer Fire Company but who are residents of another State and who are members of that County Fire Police Association are eligible for membership in this Association.
Individual members may remain in the Pennsylvania Fire Police Association for no more than three (3) years. At that time, they must form and be a member of their own County Fire Police Association to remain a member of the Pennsylvania Fire Police Association. Only one application for membership will be accepted per member whether or not that individual belongs to more than one unit. Death benefit will be paid for one application only.
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP: An individual, who has performed outstanding services for the betterment of this Association and Fire Police Service, shall be eligible for election to Honorary Membership of this Association. A majority vote of the Executive Board of this Association shall be required to elect an individual member to Honorary Membership. Honorary Members shall not be required to pay annual dues to this Association.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP: An individual member of this Association who has been elected to or appointed, and who has served two consecutive years as an officer of this Association. A majority vote of the Executive Board of this Association shall be required to elect an eligible member to Life Membership. Life Members shall not be required to pay annual dues to this Association. They shall be required to pay Accident Insurance premiums.
Application for membership will NOT be accepted after November 1 of the existing year.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 1 (a): The Officers of this Association shall consist of a President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Recording-Corresponding Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Chaplain, Assistant Chaplain, Commissioner, and Delegate and Alternate Delegate to the Firemen's Association of Pennsylvania. All of the above shall be duly elected. No member shall serve as President for more than two (2) years. No member can serve in more than one elective office.
Section 1 (b): The President, First and Second Vice Presidents, Delegate and Alternate Delegate to the Firemen's Association of Pennsylvania shall be elected for a term of two (2) years. The new Second Vice President, Delegate and Alternate Delegate to the Firemen's Association of Pennsylvania shall be elected every two (2) years beginning in 1993. The First and Second Vice Presidents shall step up the ladder each two years until becoming President.
Section 1 (C): The Recording-Corresponding Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Commissioner, Chaplain and Assistant Chaplain, shall be elected for a term of three (3) years.
Section 2: Executive Board of this Association shall consist of all officers described in Article IV, Section 1, and in addition, all past presidents. All elected officers shall have one vote except the President who shall vote only in case of a tie. In the absence of Delegate or Alternate Delegate, any member so designated may vote in their place. A letter must be received before the meeting. Any delegate who is elected to be an Officer must give up his/her position as a County Delegate. See Article VIII.
Section 3: Any elected officer not performing their duties faithfully or neglecting their duties or any officer who commits any malfeasance of office, shall be relieved of office upon a recommendation of the Executive Board and of a conviction by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Delegates present at a bi-monthly meeting.
Section 4: In case of a vacancy in the office of President by death or any cause, the First Vice President will move up and fill the remainder of the President's term and then will fill the office of President for his/her two (2) year term. In case of the First Vice President finishing a President's term, the Second Vice President will automatically move up to First Vice President and the office of Second Vice President will remain vacant until the next election of officers.
ARTICLE V
BI-MONTHLY MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS
Section 1: The Pennsylvania Fire Police Association will hold their bi-monthly meetings in the months of March, May, July, September and November starting at 1:00 PM. Election of officers will take place at the September meeting with installation being held in November. A Quorum shall consist of Delegates representing seven (7) counties and at least one (1) elected officer. The May meeting shall be the Annual Convention and will be a two (2) day session.
Section 2: Behavior at Meetings: Any member, executive board member, or delegate in attendance at any meeting or session of the Pennsylvania Fire Police Association who is unruly, disorderly, or is under the influence of intoxicants, shall be ejected from the meeting by the Sergeant-At-Arms and his aides. He/she shall not be allowed to re-enter for the remainder of the session.
Section 3: A registration fee of two dollars ($2.00) may be charged at all regular meetings for each person over twelve (12) years of age. These fees will be collected by the Host County to help defray expenses of the meeting. This Association will guarantee seven hundred and fifty dollars ($750.00). A registration fee of two dollars ($2.00) will be charged at the Convention Meeting for all persons in attendance over twelve (12) years of age. This Association will guarantee to the Host County of the Convention site as per Article XIII.
Section 4: Special Meetings of the Executive Board may be called at any time by the President or at the request of at least three (3) Officers representing three (3) different Counties.
Section 5: Executive Board meetings shall be held on the third (3rd) Sunday of January, April, August and October, except when falling on Palm Sunday or Easter. The June meeting shall be held on the fourth (4th) Sunday so as not to interfere with Father's Day. Meetings will begin at 1:00 PM and may be changed by mutual agreement of the Association.
ARTICLE VI
NOMINATION AND ELECTION
Section 1: Nomination for office shall be made from the floor at the July meeting ONLY.
Section 2: Election shall be conducted at the September meeting by a Judge and two (2) Tellers, Appointed by the President from members present and not nominated for any position. A majority of votes cast she'll determine who is elected. In case of ties, the President will vote to break the tie. All ballots from the election shall be destroyed by the Recording-Corresponding Secretary directly following the meeting (if there has not been an appeal made from the floor).
Section 2 (a): If an individual is running for two (2) elected offices and he/she is elected to both Offices, he/she must decline one and the President shall call for a revote to fill the declined office.
Section 3: Installation of Officers shall be held at the November meeting
ARTICLE VII
Section 1: The President shall preside at all meetings. At the first meeting of each year, the Incoming President shall name all appointive officers and committees. The President shall, in Case of vacancy in any office, appoint a successor to fill the unexpired tern of such elective office. The President shall be reimbursed for a minimum of three hundred fifty dollars ($ 350.00) per annum and any additional expenses for performing his/her duties.
Section 2: The First or Second Vice President shall perform all of the duties of the President In his/her absence and all such other duties as may be assigned to either of them by the President, or the Executive Board In the event of absence of the President, First Vice President, and Second Vice President, the majority of members present shall select a Chairman for that meeting
Section 3: The Recording-Corresponding Secretary shall keep an accurate record of this Association's business and meetings. He/she, together with the President, shall sign all vouchers calling for payment of any bills of this Association. Such vouchers shall be signed when bills have been ordered paid by the Executive Board. He/she shall receive all communication to this Association regardless of its nature, sorting and forwarding same to proper departments. The Recording-Corresponding Secretary shall have sole custody of the Seal of this Association. The Recording-Corresponding Secretary shall turn over to his/her successor in office, all property in his/her possession belonging to his Association The Recording-Corresponding Secretary shall Be reimbursed for a minimum of six hundred dollars ($600.00) per annum and any additional Expenses for performing his/her duties,
Section 4: The Financial Secretary shall make a report of his/her accounts at each meeting and shall submit his/her records to be audited at the end of each year by an accountant or by a Committee appointed by the President. He/she shall also conduct the sale of training manuals, badges, emblems, has and all related items, along with the sale of convention tickets. All monies received from dues, insurance, sale of supplies, etc., shall be turned over to the Treasurer for deposit If any bills from his/her office accrue, they shall be turned over to the Treasurer to be paid. The Financial Secretary shall be reimbursed four hundred dollars ($ 400.00) per annum and for any other expenses incurred in performing his/her duties.
Section 5: The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of all monies received and disbursed by him/her, showing especially for what account collected or what purpose expended. The Treasurer shall not pay out any monies of this Association except upon receipt of a voucher approved by the Executive Board and signed by the President and the Recording-Corresponding Secretary. The Treasurer shall deliver to his/her successor in office all the monies and records in his/her charge. His/her books and records shall be audited at the end of each year by an accountant, or by a Committee appointed by the President The Treasurer shall be reimbursed for a minimum of Six hundred dollars ($ 600.00) per annum and any additional expenses for performing his/her Duties.
Section 6: The Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and any other persons handling Funds of this Association shall be bonded in such an amount as shall be determined by the Executive Board.
Section 7: the Executive Board shall perform such duties as are usual and incidental to their Office.
Section 8: The First Vice President, Second Vice President, Assistant Treasurer, Chaplain, Assistant Chaplain and Fire Police Commissioner, shall be reimbursed for a minimum of two hundred dollars ($ 200.00) per annum and any additional expenses for performing their duties.
Section 9: All officers shall wear at Bi-monthly and Convention meetings, jacket and ties. Lady Officers shall dress appropriately. The officers include President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Recording-Corresponding Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Chaplain, Assistant Chaplain, Commissioner, Delegate and Alternate Delegate to State Firemen's Association.
Section 10: The office of the Pennsylvania Fire Police Association shall keep a record of all Memberships, County, Individual and Insured in this Association The office of the Pennsylvania Fire Police Association shall receive a monthly fee for maintaining all records and correspondence And providing a meeting place for the Executive Board meetings, and shall be reimbursed for any other expenses incurred in maintaining the Office. The Executive Board will determine the fee for maintaining the office annually. He/she shall have a supply of training manuals, badges, Emblems, hats, etc. at the office at all times.
Section 11: Reimbursements to Elected Officers shall be broken down into three payments to be made in the months of March, July, and November.
Section 12: This Association holds five (5) Bi-monthly meetings and five (5) Executive Board Meetings per year. Roll call shall be taken at each meeting. If an elected officer misses three (3) consecutive meetings or four (4) meetings in one (1) calendar year without a valid reason, (working, illness, etc.), he /she shall be dismissed from that office, the position declared vacant, and the President shall appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term of such office.
ARTICLE VIII
DELEGATES AND COMMITTEES
Section 1: Each county Association which is a member of this Association shall name its Two (2) Delegates and two (2) Alternate Delegates to this Association at the first meeting Of the (COUNTY'S) fiscal year, and submit in writing to the Office of the Association Delegates and Alternate Delegates must reside in the County they represent and must be a Member of the County Association.
Section 1(a): In the absence of the Delegate or the Alternate Delegate any member of the Association from the county where the designated Delegate or Alternate Delegate reside may vote in their Place, only if a letter is received one hour prior to the meeting stating the member's name and County and who he/she is replacing The letter shall also be signed by the President of said County Association. In no case shall a county have more that two (2) votes on any Association business.
Section 2: All Committees and appointed officers shall be nominated by the President and Approved by the Executive Board. A majority of any Committee shall constitute a quorum. The President and Recording-Corresponding Secretary shall serve as Ex-Officio members of all Committees. No committee shall be discharged until their reports are properly passed upon or accepted by the Executive Board of this Association.
Section 3: The books of the Financial Secretary, Treasurer and any Committee or other Officer handling funds of this Association, shall be audited each year by an accountant or by a committee appointed by the President and the full report shall be presented at the March meeting of each year.
Section 4: Delegates to the Firemen's Association of Pennsylvania and the Firemen's
Legislative Federation of Pennsylvania shall be paid mileage determined by the Executive Board not to exceed twenty (20) cents per mile, plus receipted expense of attendance at the
Convention and/or meeting. If two or more delegates to the Firemen's Association ride together to a meeting, only the person driving may collect for mileage.
Section 5:.Any Executive Board meeting members or special committee persons shall be Paid mileage determined by the Executive Board not to exceed twenty (20) cents per mile For attending meetings other than the Bi-monthly meetings in March, May, July, September, and November. If two or mare Executive Board members ride together to a meeting, only the person driving may collect for mileage.
Section 5(a): For the Bi-monthly meetings in March, May, July, September, and November, all elected Officers and Past Presidents shall be paid mileage determined by the Executive Board not to exceed twenty (20) cents per mile plus one night's Lodging not to exceed sixty (60) dollars.
Section 6: All Delegates and Officers doing business for the Association may not exceed Seven dollars ($7.00) for breakfast, ten dollars ($10.00) for lunch and eighteen dollars ($18.00) for dinner, and sixty dollars ($60.00) per night for lodging. If expenses exceed these amounts, the exception may be made by approval of the Executive Board or at a regular stated meeting by approval of members present,
ARTICLE IX
DUES
Section 1: The annual dues per Individual member shall be determined each year at the Convention Meeting by the Executive Board for the following year. The Individual Membership year starts April 1 and expires March 31.
Section 2: Each county Association upon election to membership, shall pay a fee of Fifteen dollars ($15.00) and shall pay annual dues of fifteen ($15.00) each year thereafter. Dues are payable January 1 thru December 31. Any County Association whose dues are not paid by the end of March meeting will not have a vote on the future meetings until Dues are paid.
If dues are delinquent for one (1) year, said County Association must pay fifteen dollars ($15.00) application fee to be reinstated.
Section 3: Individual and County dues are payable upon election to membership.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
Section 1: Amendments to these By-Laws shall be presented to the Recording-Corresponding Secretary in writing, signed by at least three (3) members in good standing from at least three (3) different counties. The propose rd amendments shall be read at a regular meeting of this Association prior to the Convention. Thereafter, the copies of the proposed amendments shall be available to each Secretary of the member County Association. They shall be passed upon by the majority of the Delegates present at the Convention.
Section 2: All amendments to these By-Laws shall be submitted to the By-Law Committee for consideration and review.
Section 3: The name of this Association (Pennsylvania Fire Police Association) may not be used in connection with fund raising events by any unit that is a member of this Association without approval by the Association.
ARTICLE XI
ORDER OF BUSINESS
ARTI
CLE XII
DEATH BENEFITS
Section 1: PURPOSE
It shall be the purpose of this Article to provide a death benefit to all Association members, who are in good standing for the fiend membership year, prior to the bind membership year in which the benefit is paid. For the purpose of this Article, a fund membership year shall be defined as the one (1) year period from April 1 to the following March 31. After March 31, 1999, for all
New members, the age limit will be under fitly-five (55) due to insurance liability. This will not affect the present members.
Section 2; BENEFIT AMOUNT
The designated beneficiary or estate, as the case may be, of any Association member in good standing, as aforesaid, shall be paid a death benefit which is authorized by the Association. At the commencement of the implementation to this Article, the authorized death benefit may be adjusted by the Association As hereinafter provided. Death benefit checks will be made out only to beneficiary listed on the Application. If beneficiary is deceased, check will be drawn up to the estate of the deceased member.
After March 31, 1999, individual members that join this Association after reaching the age of fifty-five
(55) will receive a death benefit of thirty-.five dollars ($35.00) after the first membership Year period.
There will be a six (6) month limit to enter all claims for death benefits.
Section 3: BENEFIT FUNDING
A Death Benefit Fund shall be established with seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) from The Association's General Account. The sole and exclusive pin-pose of said Fund shall be for the accomplishment of the purpose of this Article. The Association's Executive Board shall have the authority to transfer funds, in excess of necessary operating expense, from the General Account to the Death Benefit Fund as they deem appropriate. Upon death of an officer or life member of
This Association or his/her spouse, a sum of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) will be authorized for
Flowers or to be donated to charity of the family's choice. Any elected officer who is in the hospital for at least three (3) days shall receive a check for twenty-five ($25.00) dollars from the Association, but only one time per year.
Section 4: ANNUAL REPORT
The Executive Board shall report to the general membership once each year, at the annual convention, on the state of the Death Benefit Fund. The Board shall include in such report any observations or recommendations which they deem appropriate.
Section 5: MODIFICATION OF BENEFIT
At each annual convention, the general membership shall have the opportunity to vote on any proposed modification to the present death benefit. A simple majority vote of the general membership present at the annual convention shall be required for any such modification.
Section 6: FUND LIMITATIONS
The Death Benefit Fund assets cannot be transferred out of the Fund for any reason except the payment of an actual death benefit or upon termination of the Fund as hereinafter provided.
Section 7: FUND TERMINATION
In the event that the general membership, by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote, shall elect to terminate the Death Benefit Fund, any assets of said Fund shall be donated to any charitable purpose designated by the general membership.
Section 8: FUND ADMINISTRATION
The Executive Board may appoint a Fund Administrator to manage the Fund assets and may authorize reasonable payment for such administrator's services. The Fund Administrator shall report the status of the Fund to the Executive Board on a quarterly basis for one year.
ARTICLE XIII
AGREEMENT FOR ANNUAL CONVENTION
The Association will make all necessary arrangements for the publishing of the Annual Convention Program Book and for soliciting advertising.
Section 1: Host County will in no way contact business or professional individuals or companies for funds that would conflict with the sale of advertising. Host County will receive up to three thousand five hundred fifty ($3,550.00) dollars.
Section 2: The Association will print convention tickets and said tickets will be under the supervision of the Convention Committee. Tickets will be sold from the Association Office and the Host County. A complete list of tickets sold and the name of the purchasers will be forwarded to the Host County at the Convention. Host County will receive all monies from the sale of tickets. The price of tickets will be fifteen ($15.00) dollars, which will be both for the Saturday Night Banquet, Sunday Memorial Service and the Business Session. A surcharge of fifty ($50.00) dollars will be assessed if there is no P/A system.
Section 3: The Host County will make necessary arrangements for dinner on Saturday evening and a meal to be served following the Sunday business session. Host County will also make arrangements for entertainment on Saturday evening, and the Memorial Service on Sunday prior to the business meeting. Saturday convention dinner is to be served by platter or family style. Sunday dinner may be served buffet style.
Section 4: Any person attending only the Sunday session without a convention ticket stub will pay a two ($2.00) dollars registration fee, to be retained by the Host County. All other registration fees are included in the price of the convention tickets.
Section 5: All arrangements made by the Host County are to be approved by the Convention Committee. Host County will be permitted to sell 1 set of 50/50 door prize raffle tickets, not to exceed fifty ($.50) cents per ticket. Half of the 50/50 raffle money will be given away first, in five ($5.00) dollar increments followed by door prizes. The Association will also be selling 50/50 tickets to be split with the attendees and association. Tickets may only be sold until the start of the meeting,
Section 6: Any person receiving an award from the Association in connection with the fire police duties, must be a member in good standing of the Pennsylvania Fire Police Association.
Section 7: If alcoholic beverages are served by the Host Unit at meetings or conventions, this Association will not be held liable for any damages or incidents due to the serving of same.
ARTICLE XIV
PROCEEDINGS
Proceedings not regulated by the Constitution and By-Laws of this Association shall be conducted according to the Roberts Rules of Order Revised.
ARTICLE XV
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
I (your name), having been duly elected to the office of (your office), do solemnly swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America, the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Constitution and By-Laws of the Pennsylvania Fire Police Association, the office to which I have been elected, and will serve with Fidelity, and will report any infraction of which I have knowledge, SO HELP ME GOD.
TO THE PRESIDENT
MR PRESIDENT, I present you with the By-Laws of this Association. Read them and abide by them. I also present you with the gavel of your authority. Use it to the best of your ability, BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER, the Majority Rules and the Minority must be heard. CONGRATULATIONS!