Charter of Fire Service Steering Committee CHARTER OF FIRE SERVICE STEERING COMMITTEE
We, the undersigned, hereby associate ourselves together for the purpose
of becoming incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida,
applicable to corporations not for profit, under the following proposed
charter:
ARTICLE I
NAME AND ADDRESS
SECTION 1.
The name of corporation shall be the Fire Service Steering Committee.
SECTION 2.
The principal office of this corporation shall be located as directed by
the Executive Board of Directors. (Hereinafter referred to as the
Executive Board.)
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
SECTION 1.
The purpose and objectives of this association are to bring together, at
least once a year, persons interested in the saving of life, protection of
properties, preventing and extinguishing of fires; to discuss ways and
means for the betterment of the fire service, the reduction of the
unnecessary loss - life and property, and the promotion of legislation for
same; conducting fire research, making fire safety surveys, cooperating
with governmental agencies, and for the development of the fire service
through a year-round education program in an accountable cost effective
manner.
SECTION 2.
Power - The corporation will have the power to set dues, accept
contributions and participate in all activities permitted by State
Statutes for non-profit organizations.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1.
Active Members - Active members will consist of Fire Commissioners,
advisory board members and administrative fire chiefs or designee.
SECTION 2.
Associate Members - Associate membership may be conferred upon any
individual (professional and trade persons, etc.) who has rendered
commendable service in fire protection or assisted members in this
Corporation in this activity when proposed by a member and approved by
the Executive Board.
SECTION 3.
Dues - Dues for membership will be those set forth in the By-Laws.
SECTION 4.
Membership Suspension - Any member may be suspended by the
membership when in their opinion the conduct of the individual is not
complimentary to the Corporation.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
SECTION 1.
Officers - The Officers of this Corporation shall consist of a President, a
Vice-President and a Secretary-Treasurer.
SECTION 2.
Other Officers - The membership may at its discretion add such
other offices as it might deem necessary.
SECTION 3.
Executive Board of Directors - The Executive Board shall consist of the
President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer and one representative
from each organized Fire Department. The Executive Board shall conduct
and supervise all duties prescribed by charter and by-laws and regular
activities of the Corporation. A majority will constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE V
MEETINGS
SECTION 1.
Regular Meetings will be held at said place, date and item as selected by
the Executive Board.
A failure to hold any annual meeting at the time designated shall in no
way make a dissolution of the Corporation.
SECTION 2.
Special Meetings - Special meetings may be called by the President.
SECTION 3.
Meetings Requested by Executive Board - Special meeting shall be called
by the President when requested in writing by a majority of the Executive
Board.
ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1.
Charter - The Charter may be amended only upon approval of two thirds of
the membership present and voting. In either case, a written notice
thereof shall be mailed to all members of the organization in good
standing at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of such meeting, and
such notice shall contain a statement that an amendment or change to
this Charter will be discussed and voted upon and the proposed change or
amendment ent shallrrbe set forth ins full in said notice iv-el S 413a'v
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SECTION 2.
By-Laws - The By-Laws may be altered, amended, or rescinded in the
manner and at such time under such circumstances as may be provided in
the By-Laws.
This Charter signed on this day of 1990.
President
Secretary-Treasurer
BY LAWS
FIRE SERVICE STEERING COMMITTEE
The purpose and objectives this Corporation are to bring together, at
least once a year, persons interested in the saving of life, protection of
properties, preventing and extinguishing of fires; to discuss ways and
means for the betterment of the fire service, the reduction of the
unnecessary loss of life and property, and the promotion of legislation
for same; conducting fire research, making fire safety surveys,
cooperating with governmental agencies, and for the development of the
fire service through a year-round education program in an accountable
cost effective manner.
ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1.
Active Members - Active members will consist of fire chiefs or designee,
fire commissioners or advisory board members. Each active member in
good standing shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of membership.
SECTION 2.
Associate Member - Associate membership may be conferred upon any
individual (professional and trade persons, etc.) who has rendered
commendable service in fire protection or assisted members in this
Corporation in this activity when proposed by a member and approved by
the Executive Board.
Associate members shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of
membership except to vote and hold elected office.
ARTICLE II
OFFICERS
SECTION 1.
The elected officers of the Corporation shall consist of a President,
Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected by
ballot.They shall hold office for one year or until their successors are
elected.
ARTICLE III
DUTIES
SECTION 1.
President- It shall be the duty of the President to preside at meetings
of the Executive Board and all general meetings. He shall have general
supervision of the affairs of the Corporation and shall sign, as President,
all contracts and other instruments of writing. He shall appoint all
committees not otherwise provided for. He shall perform such other
duties as may be incidental to his office or which shall be required of
him by the membership.
SECTION 2.
VICE-PRESIDENT - He shall assist the President in conducting the
business of the Corporation and perform such other duties as may be
required of him. In the absence or inability of the President to perform
his duties, he shall perform all the duties of that office. Should a
vacancy occur in the office of President, he shall at once assume all
duties and responsibilities of that office.
SECTION 3.
SECRETARY-TREASURER - It shall be the duty of the Secretary-
Treasurer to keep a complete record of all proceedings of the
Corporation, to receive and answer all communications pertaining to the
Corporation, to keep a roster of all the individual names thereof, to
collect all monies and membership dues and to receive donations subject
to the approval of the Executive Board and to issue all warrants or
vouchers when countersigned by the President for the payment of all
monies expended by the Corporation. He shall execute a validity bond to
the Corporation for the security of all funds coming into his hands; said
bond shall not be less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) to be approved
by and filed with the President. Cost of said bond shall be born by the
Corporation. All funds, books and records in his hands are and shall
remain the property of the Corporation. He shall prepare and submit a
reviewed annual report to the Corporation. He shall serve as Secretary
to the Corporation in all of its board meetings.
In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of Secretary-Treasurer, the
Executive Board shall appoint an active member in good standing who will
serve until the office is filled thru the election process.
SECTION 4.
The Sergeant-at-Arms shall be appointed by the President, and his duties
shall be to keep order at all meetings as may be directed by the presiding
officer.
SECTION 5.
The Chaplain shall be appointed by the President and his duties shall be
that of the Chaplain as directed by the presiding officer.
SECTION 6.
At least two officers shall sign all checks or withdrawals with any
financial institution.
ARTICE IV
EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1.
Executive Board Directors - The Executive Board of Directors, herein
called the Executive Board, shall supervise the activities of the
Corporation. The Executive Board shall consist of the following:
President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer and at least one
representative from each organized fire department.
SECTION 2.
The President shall serve as Chairman of the Executive Board. The
Secretary-Treasurer shall serve as Secretary. A majority of the
Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICE V
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
SECTION 1.
The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee. The President shall
further designate one of these members to serve as Committee Chairman.
Appointment should be made not more than sixty (60) days or not less
than thirty (30) days before January 01 of each year. It shall be the duty
of the Nominating Committee to receive the approval of the candidate
before placing his/her name on this list of nominees. The President shall
call for further nominations from the floor. The election of officers
shall not take place the same day as the Nominating Committee report.
SECTION 2.
Where two or more candidates are nominated for the same office,
election shall be a secret ballot. The candidate receiving a plurality of all
votes cast shall be declared elected.
SECTION 3.
The regular term of office shall commence upon Administration of the
Oath of Office.
ARTICLE VI
DUES
SECTION 1.
Annual membership are payable on the first day of January each year as
per the following schedule:
Active Member Per Dept. .01% of ad valorem taxes minimum of
$100.00.
Associate Member $100.00
Annual dues may be changed on recommendation of the Executive Board
and approval by the membership assembled.
SECTION 2.
Any member allowing dues to remain unpaid beyond the first day of April
of any year shall be deemed delinquent and be classed in IN-ACTIVE and
shall not be entitled to any benefits or privileges of the Corporation
UNTIL SUCH DUES ARE PAID.
SECTION 3.
Eligible persons desiring membership in this Corporation must make
application to the Secretary-Treasurer. Application must contain the
endorsement of one (1) member in good standing and be accompanied by
the annual dues.
ARTICLE VII
BY LAWS
SECTION 1.
Amendments to these By-Laws may be offered by any member of the
Corporation proposing the same in writing and serving the President and
Secretary-Treasurer with a copy thereof. Said proposed amendment must
be read or distributed in writing in open session. Amendments may be
made to these By-Laws only upon approval of two-thirds of the members
present and voting. All amendments, alteration or revision of any part of
the By-Laws shall take effect upon their adoption.
ARTICLE VIII
RULES OF ORDER
SECTION 1.
In the event any question comes before the membership for which no
provision has been made in the Charter or By-Laws, the presiding officer
shall be guided in his decision by rules laid down in "Roberts Rules of
Order" revised.
ARTICLE IX
VOTING
SECTION 1.
Each department shall have one vote when it comes to official actions.
These By-Laws signed on this day of 1990.
President
Secretary-Treasurer