ARTICLE 1
Name
Section 1. The number and name of this organization shall be Local Number: 3990
Name: Professional Firefighters of
Lake
International Association of Fire Fighters.
Section 2. References in this Constitution and By-Laws to “local” or “Local union” shall refer to the Local as set forth in Section 1 above, and references to “Association” or International” shall refer to the International Association of Fire Fighters.
Section 3. This Local Union, its officers, representatives and members, shall recognize, observe and be bound by the provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws of the International Association when made in conformity with the authority granted by the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association, and the resolutions adopted and policies e4stablished by the delegates at conventions. Article 13 of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association is recognized as providing the basic rules governing this local.
Jurisdiction
“Jurisdiction shall be as follows; All full-time, paid employees engaged in fire fighting or related services within
To include the following;
1.Fire fighter
2.Fire fighter/Emt
3.Fire fighter/Engineer
4.Fire fighter/Paramedic
5.Fire fighter/Mechanic
6.Lt./Emt
7.Lt./Paramedic
Membership
Section 1. Active----Any person of good moral character who at the time of making application is engaged in service within the jurisdiction of this local, as given in Article 2, will be eligible for active membership.
Anyone eligible for membership in this local shall not be refused membership or, upon acceptance, be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, creed, national origin or political affiliation
Section 2. Honorary---- For meritorious service to this Local or for distinguished public service, persons may be elected honorary members by majority vote.
Honorary members shall not pay initiation fees, dues or other charges and shall have no voice or vote in the Local. Such membership may be revoked for cause.
Section 3. Maintenance of Good Standing---Membership in good standing includes any person who has fulfilled the requirements for membership in this Local and who has not voluntarily withdrawn, become ineligible for continued membership, or been suspended or expelled as provided in the Constitution and By-Laws of the International Association of Fire Fighters or the Constitution of this Local.
Section 4. Separation ---- When any member in good standing becomes separated from the fire service, the local union may allow said member to retain his active membership or, in lie thereof, upon request of said member shall issue him a withdrawal card; provided, however, that a member who is duly elected as an officer of the International Association of Fire Fighters, or elected or appointed as a representative of or to an affiliated labor organization, shall retain his active membership in this local.
Section 5. Delinquent Members----Members who fail to pay their monthly dues or assessments by the fifteenth (15th) day following the month such dues are payable, shall be notified by the Local officer whose duty it is, that they are delinquent and will be automatically suspended and lose their good standing if payment is not made within sixty (60) days following such notification. Delinquent and suspended members are not entitled to voice or vote in the Local or in the affairs of the International.
Meetings
Section 1. Regular meetings of this Local shall be held on the third Tuesday of each month at Local 3990 Union hall located at 10045 SR 44 Leesburg Florida, 34788.
Section 2. Special meetings may be called by vote of a majority of the Executive Board. All members in good standing shall be notified in writing of such special meetings at least seven days prior to the same. The notice shall state the business to be considered at such meeting, and no other business than that stated shall be in order at such meeting.
Section 3. Quorum. The quorum for any meeting of this Local, either regular or special, shall be 10 members in good standing.
Section 4. Rights of members. Every member in good standing shall have the right to attend any meeting and to participate in such meeting in accordance with the recognized rules as set forth in the manual of parliamentary procedure adopted by this Local. Members shall conduct themselves in such a manner as not to interfere with the legal or contractual obligations of the International or of this Local.
Section 5. Rules for meetings. The rules contained in Robert’s Rules for Meetings shall govern the meetings of this Local in all cases not in conflict with this Constitution and By-Laws, or the Constitution and By-Laws of the International, or interpretations of these documents.
1. Executive board members will be present when the hall is occupied, and will be combination holders.
2. There will be no smoking inside the hall.
3. No personal use unless approved by the body.
4. No alcoholic beverages will be consumed before or during business meetings.
5. Union hall must be cleaned after each use.
ARTICLE 5
Officers and Elections
Section 1. The officers of this Local shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer. Members of the Executive Board shall hold office for 2 years, and until the election and installation of their successors unless removed from office as provided in the Constitution and By-Laws of the International or this Constitution and By-Laws. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by the same individual.
Section 2. Eligibility for Office. Any member in good standing shall be eligible to be a candidate for office in this Local.
Section 3. Rights of Candidates. Every candidate for office shall have the right to request distribution of campaign literature, by mail or otherwise, to all members in good standing, at the candidates’ own personal expense. “ A candidate for office “ includes a candidate for membership on the Executive Board. There shall be no discrimination in favor of or against any candidate with regard to the use of membership lists.
Section 4. Use of funds Prohibited in Elections. No funds received by this Local through initiation fees, dues or assessments or otherwise, shall be contributed or applied to promote the candidacy of any person in election of officers.
This section does not prevent the expenditure from Local funds for notices, factual statements of issues and other necessary expenses to conduct elections so long as they do not involve promotion of any candidate.
Section 5. Method of Nomination and Election. All members in good standing shall be given at least fifteen days advance notice, in writing, of the date, time and place at which nominations shall be made, and the date, time and place at which elections shall be held. Any member in good standing may nominate eligible members for office. Election shall be by secret ballot. Write-in voting shall be permitted .All writ-in ballots must be received by the voting deadline and are the responsibility of that member to deliver to the election committee. All write-in ballots must be sealed upon delivery. The election committee shall provide blank write-in ballots to any member in good standing and must be signed for. The write-in ballots will be numbered and marked for authenticity, listing all of the positions and candidates. If there is only one candidate for a given office, such candidate shall be declared elected. There shall be no voting by proxy in the election of Local officers. The candidate receiving a majority of the ballots cast shall be declared elected. If no candidate receives a majority of the ballots cast, there shall be a run-off election between the two candidates who received the most votes.
Section 6. Elections Committee. The President shall appoint an Elections Committee, which shall be responsible for distributing and tabulating the ballots. Each candidate for office shall be entitled to appoint one observer who shall be permitted to witness the manner of distribution and casting of ballots and attend the meetings of the Elections Committee at which the voted are tabulated.
Section 7. Ballots preserved. The ballots and all other records of an election shall be preserved by the Secretary for one year following such election.
Section 8. Vacancies in Office. When an office becomes vacant by reason of the death, resignation, or removal of the incumbent, the body of members shall elect a successor by majority vote, no later than thirty days from the date the office is vacated.
Section 9. Local Union Stewards shall be elected by total majority of quorum at two regular meetings. Local stewards are not members of the Executive Board and cannot act in their behalf at any meetings, as the body majority does not elect them.
Duties of Officers
Section 1. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Local and at meetings of the Executive Board. He shall be the executive head of the Local. He shall be a member ex-officio of all committees. He shall appoint such committees as many are provided for in this Constitution and By-Laws and such special committees as may be authorized by the Local. Together with the Treasurer, he shall sign all orders and checks lawfully and properly drawn. He shall enforce strict observance of the Constitution and By-Laws of the International as this document relates to the Local, and the Constitution and By-Laws of the Local. He shall have general supervision of the activities of the other officers and chairman of committees. The President shall discharge on behalf of the Local such duties as may be imposed upon him by applicable law including the execution and filing of any reports to Federal or State authorities, and he shall cause to be maintained by the Local such records as the law requires to be kept in support of report filed by it.
The President, by virtue of his election, shall be a delegate of this local to the convention of the International.
Section 2. The Vice-President shall assist the President in such a manner as the President may determine. In the absence of the President, he shall preside at meetings of the Local and of the Executive Board. If the office of President becomes vacant, the Vice-President shall be acting President until the office of President is filled by election by the Executive Board.
Section 3. The Secretary shall have custody of all documents, records, books and papers belonging to the local, except as may be otherwise provided by this Constitution and By-Laws. He shall keep an accurate record of the meetings of the local and the Executive Board, of which he shall be the Secretary. He shall attest all official documents with his signature and the seal of the Local. He shall conduct the correspondence of the Local Promptly. He shall maintain the official list of members in good standing, which shall be kept accurately and on a current basis. The Secretary shall discharge on behalf of the Local such duties as may be imposed upon him by applicable law including the execution and filing of any reports to Federal or State authorities, and he shall cause to be maintained by the Local such records as the law requires to be kept in support of reports filed by it.
Section 4. The Treasurer shall receive all money due the Local, from whatsoever source, and shall disburse the same only by voucher signed by the President in conformity with a vote of the Local. Such disbursement shall be by check, which shall also be signed by the President. He shall maintain and keep current a record of members with their dues payments, assessments and all financial transactions promptly and accurately entered. He shall be prepared to exhibit receipts and vouchers upon the audit of his books. He shall forward the annual audit of the Local to the International Secretary-Treasurer, over the seal of the Local.
Section 5. The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer It shall be the duty of the Executive Board to exercise general supervision and control of the invested funds and property of the Local. It shall have the authority to act in the name of the Local during intervals between meetings, such acts being subject to confirmation by the membership at the next regular meeting of the Local. It shall provide for an annual audit of the treasurer’s books. It shall meet at the call of the President or on call signed by a majority of its members. A majority shall constitute quorum.
Section 6. All officers and employees of the Local who handle funds or property of the Local shall be bonded in such amounts as may be required by the Board of Trustees and the International Secretary-Treasurer, in compliance with applicable law. The expense of the first $2,500 of Bond shall be borne by the International. If additional bond is necessary, the Local shall pay the additional premium.
Delegates and Alternates to International Conventions
Section 1. If, in accordance with Article 4, Section 2 of the International Constitution and By-Laws, this Local is entitled to Delegates in addition to the President, they shall be elected by open voting of majority quorum of the members in good standing at 2 consecutive regular meetings.
Section 2. Alternates to conventions shall be elected by the same method as Art.7 section 1.by the members in good standing. The delegates and alternates must adhere to this method of election.
Initiation Fees, Dues and Assessments
Section 1. Initiation fees shall be paid in the amount of $15.00.
Section 2. Dues shall be 2% of the base (starting) Firefighter/EMT salary.
Section 3. Assessments may be made only in the following manner: Each member in good standing shall be notified in writing at least thirty days in advanced of the date on which the vote for an assessments is to occur. The proposed assessment shall become effective upon a majority vote of the members in good standing, by secret ballot, at a regular or special meeting.
Section 4. Increases in rates of initiation fees, reinstatement fees, dues or assessments shall require notice of such proposed increase to be given to the members in good standing at least thirty days in advance of the date on which the vote for such increase is to occur. The proposed increased shall become effective upon a majority vote of the members in good standing, by secret ballot, at a regular or special meeting.
Section 5. Reinstatement fees shall be $100.00, plus all back dues and assessments.
Misconduct, Trials and Appeals
Section 1. Any member charged with misconduct as defined in Article XV of the International Constitution and By-Laws shall be served with written specific charges as required in Article XVI of the Association Constitution and be given a reasonable time to prepare his defense and afforded a hearing as provided in Article XVII of the Association Constitution.
Section 2. Appeals may be made in accordance with Article XVIII if the International Constitution and By-Laws, such appeal must be filed with the President of the Association within 30 days of the action to be appealed.
Audit
The books and accounts of this Local shall be audited annually, and the last such report of audit shall be forwarded to the International Secretary-Treasurer bearing the seal of the Local.
The total amount of cash reserve balance and total amount of expenditures to date must be available at every regular meeting. The list of all expenditure items and services from the end of one regular meeting to the next regular meeting will be available at that meeting. A list of all donations or funds collected from regular meeting to regular meeting shall be available at the latter
Amendments
Section 1. This Constitution and By-Laws made under its provisions, may be amended by a two-thirds vote, (except for changes in dues and assessments, and initiation and reinstatement fees, which shall require a majority vote, as provided in Article 8) at two consecutive regular meetings, provided that each member in good standing is notified in writing of the proposed amendment at least fifteen days in advance of the meeting at which the vote will be taken.
Section2. A proposed amendment to this Constitution, or any By-Laws made under provisions, shall be submitted for approval to the International President prior to its printing, or issuance, after it has first been adopted by the membership.
