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Revised: 03/2000

ARTICLE 1--NAME

Section 1. The number and name of this organization shall be; 

Section 2. References in this Constitution and By-Laws to "local union" or "local" 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  Firefighters.

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 and the interpretations rendered by the General president, the resolutions, decisions and directives of the Executive Board or officers of the Association when made in conformity with the authority granted by the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association, and the resolutions adopted and policies established 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.

ARTICLE 2--JURISDICTION

Section 1. Jurisdiction is as follows: All persons engaged in dispatching, firefighting, fire prevention or emergency medical services who are permanent and paid employees of the fire division.

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 by reason of disability. 

Section 2. Honorary. For meritorious service to this Local or for distinguishing
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not voluntarily withdrawn, become ineligible for continued membership, or been suspended 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 Firefighters or the Constitution of this Local.

Section 4. Separation. When any member in good standing is separated from 
the fire service, the local union may allow said member to retain his active
membership or, in lieu thereof, upon request of said member shall issue him a
withdrawal card; This Local union may issue withdrawal cards only to those members who leave the fire service or EMS in good standing or who are precluded by law or local ordinance or contractually from maintaining union membership by virtue of their fire department position. A former member holding a valid withdrawal card will not be charged a reinstatement fee upon reentry into the organization. A member who is duly elected as an officer of the International Association of Firefighters, or elected or appointed as a representative of or to an affiliated labor organization, shall retain his/her active membership in this Local.
Upon separation from the fire service, it is the policy of this Local union
to allow members to continue their active membership.

Section 5. Delinquent members. Members who fail to pay their monthly dues,
or assessments by the Fifteenth day following the months 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.

Section 1. Regular meetings of this Local shall be held on the third Tuesday
of each month at 5:30 P.M. Regular meetings will not be held in July and December.

Section 2. Special meetings may be called by vote of a majority of the
Executive Board. All members in good standing shall be notified at least 7 days
in advance of such special meetings. 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 one-fourth of the members in good standing, rounded to the larger whole number.

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 this Local.

Section 5. Any member that intends to request union monies should first make the request in writing to a member of the Executive Board ten days before the scheduled meeting. This is so the request can be added to the meeting agenda so that all members can be informed of a vote on union monies. A request for funds may be made at any meeting however voting will take place at the next scheduled meeting so that members can be notified of a vote on union monies. 

Section 6. Rules for Meetings. The rules contained in Atwood'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.

Section 7. Standing Rules. The daily and routine operations of the Local will be governed by standing rules which may be deleted, amended or added by a majority vote of the members present at a meeting.

Section 1. The officers of this Local shall consist of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and two stewards. This group shall make up the Executive Board. All Board members shall hold office for a term of two years 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


Section 2. Eligibility for office. Any active member in good standing shall be eligible to be a candidate for office in this Local. No elective officer of the Local shall be entitled to hold more than one office at the same time.


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 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 witch elections shall be held. Any member in good standing may nominate eligible members for office. Elections shall be made by secret ballot, even though only one candidate is nominated for a given office. 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, the balloting shall continue until there is a majority vote.

Section 6. Elections committee. The president shall appoint an Elections Committee which shall be responsible for distribution 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 meeting of the Elections Committee at witch the votes 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 Executive Board shall elect a successor by majority vote, no later than thirty days from the date the office is vacated. 

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 executive head of the Local. He shall be a member ex officio of all committees. He shall appoint such committees as may be provided for in this Constitution and By-Laws, and such special committees as may be authorized by the Local. 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 laws 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.
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 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 be signed by the treasurer. 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 General Secretary-Treasurer, over the seal of the Local, not later than June 1st of each year.

Section 5. Union stewards shall assist with Executive Board duties in a manner as the president may determine. Stewards shall be equal voting members of the Executive Board.

Section 6. The Executive Board shall consist of the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and two stewards. It shall be the duty of the Executive Board to exercise general supervision and control of the invested funds and property of the Local. The Board 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 meet at the call of the president or on call of the majority of its members. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

Section 7. 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 General Secretary-Treasurer, in compliance with applicable law. The IAFF covers the expense of the first $2500 of bond. If additional bond is necessary the Local shall pay the additional premium. The Local shall have sufficient bond to cover at least ten percent of its current liquid assets.

ARTICLE 8--INITIATION FEES, DUES, AND ASSESSMENTS

Section 1. Initiation fees shall be paid in the amount of ten dollars($10.00)

Section 2. Dues shall be 1 percent of the members' annual gross salary, divided into 24 equal payments.

Section 3. No member shall be assessed dues in an amount greater than a top step firefighter.

Section 4. Assessments may be made only in the following manner: Each member in good standing shall be notified in writing at least thirty days in advance of the date on which the vote for an assessment 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 5. 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 increase shall become effective upon a majority vote of the members in good standing, by secret ballot, at a regular or special meeting.

Section 6. Reinstatement fees shall be ten dollars ($10.00).

Section 7. The Local shall pay the monthly International and State Association dues for active retired members for 3 months after retirement.

Section 1. Misconduct and Trials - 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 by Article XVI of the International Constitution and be given a reasonable time to prepare his/her defense and afforded a hearing as provided in Article XVII of the International Constitution.

Section 2. Appeals - Appeals may be made in accordance with Article XVIII of the International Constitution and By-Laws. Such appeal must be filed with the International General President of this Association within thirty (30) days of the action to be appealed.

Section 1. 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 over the seal of the Local not later than the first of June annually.

Section 1. This Constitution and By-Laws made under its provisions, may be amended by two-thirds vote, of members present at a regular or special meeting, provided that each member in good standing is notified in writing of the proposed amendments at least fifteen (15) days in advance of the meeting at which the vote will be taken.

Section 2. A proposed amendment to this Constitution, or any By-Laws made under its provisions, shall be submitted for approval to the International President prior to its printing, issuance, or effectiveness, after it has been adopted by the membership. 

1. Flowers will be purchased for hospital stays greater than one day or upon the death of a union member, the members spouse, the members parents and the members spouses parents. Cost of the flowers will not exceed ($30.00) for hospital stays, or ($60.00) for funeral arrangements. Upon the death of an active member, the Local can spend up to ($260.00) for a flower arrangement, not including delivery fees and taxes.

2. The union authorizes the officers of the union to spend up to a maximum of ($15.00) per union officer per month without prior approval of the membership. The union further authorizes the president of the union to spend ($150.00) with the approval of a majority of the executive committee. Such expenditures will normally be for routine supplies or for emergencies.

3. Voting on elections and contractual issues shall be by secret ballot All other issues may be decided by a vote of voice or a show of hands, as determined by the Board member presiding over the meeting. In the event that members are called away from the meeting by an alarm if their vote may change the outcome of the vote then voting shall be suspended until their return or their vote is called in. Call in voting will not be used for secret ballot issues.

4. Alcoholic beverages will not be consumed during the meeting. Those individuals wanting to drink alcoholic beverages must do so before or after the meeting.

5. Social functions will be rotated so that no crew will be continually affected.

6. Honorary and retired members will be invited to all social functions and will not be charged admission or other fees for attendance.