Mile High Hook and Ladder Bylaws
Adopted June 1, 2011
ARTICLE I: Name
The name of this organization shall be MILE HIGH HOOK & LADDER.
ARTICLE II: Purpose
1. To establish, develop, and maintain a nonprofit organization to be operated for public, educational, scientific, historic and fraternal purposes, including the development of an appreciation of the place of fire apparatus, firefighting equipment and memorabilia in the history of America. Said organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
2. To support the hobby of fire buffing in all its aspects, while maintaining the highest standards of conduct.
3. To acquire, own or lease such real and personal property as may be necessary and proper for carrying out any or all of the foregoing purposes and to enter into and execute such leases, contracts, agreement or other instruments as may be required in respect to such property.
4. No constitutional provision, by-law, or activity of this chapter is intended to be inconsistent or incompatible with the national organization’s constitution, by-laws, or policies.
ARTICLE III: Membership
Membership shall be divided into two categories: Individual and Family.
1. Individual membership: To maintain an individual membership, a member must:
A. Pay annual dues no later than the first meeting in March. New members pay dues within 90 days of joining.
B. Follow the rules of conduct as set forth in these by-laws.
C. Be sixteen years of age or older.
D. Individual members shall have the right to vote; to hold office; to receive the chapter newsletter, meeting minutes and meeting agendas; to have access to the member roster and member-only section of the chapter website; to be listed in the member handbook; and to be covered by insurance from SPAAMFAA at club sponsored events.
2. Family membership: To maintain a family membership, a member must:
A. Pay dues no later than the first meeting in March. New members pay dues within 90 days of joining.
B. Follow the rules of conduct as set forth in these by-laws.
C. A family membership will be assessed dues over that paid by an individual member at $5.00 annually. A family membership will entitle both adults to vote and hold office/s. Adults and children within the family with the same address will share all other benefits of membership.
ARTICLE IV: General Rules of Conduct
A. All members shall be treated with respect and courtesy at all times.
B. The club shall not discriminate against anyone because of race, gender, creed, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or physical disabilities.
C. Members shall not falsely misrepresent themselves as having official status of any kind in any jurisdiction.
D. Members are encouraged to wear a club or muster shirt to club sponsored public activities but this is not a condition of participation.
E. Members shall not physically, verbally, or sexually abuse or harass any club member or member of the public.
F. Members shall conduct themselves in a manner befitting their status as members of this organization.
G. Members can be eliminated from any membership anytime by a ballot of the majority of active members present at a regular or specially called business meeting. The rejected candidate may not be reconsidered for reapplication for twenty-four months following rejection.
ARTICLE V: Officers
All offices will be filled by election no later than the February business meeting. All officers will hold current membership in SPAAMFAA All terms of office are for one year. Any position vacated during the year will be filled by election at the next business or emergency meeting unless stated otherwise in these rules. Any officer may call an emergency meeting for the sole purpose of resolving a situation that cannot await a regular meeting.
1. PRESIDENT: The duties of this office are as follows:
A. Overall head of organization
B. Preside over meetings.
C. Appoint committees.
D. Enforce bylaws.
E. Ensure that NPO and IRS paperwork is accurate and current.
2. VICE PRESIDENT: The duties of this office are as follows:
A. Assume the duties of president in his or her absence.
B. Head all committees as assigned by the president.
3. TREASURER: The duties of this office are as follows:
A. Insure all monies are collected and dispersed in a sound financial manner.
B. Keep accurate records, give a financial report at each business meeting.
C. Forward financial report to President or his representative when unable to attend meeting.
D. Pay all club bills in a timely manner.
E. With secretary, notify all members of pending dues collection.
F. Collect all dues.
G. Sign all checks under $500 and counter sign all checks over $500.
H. Complete duties as assigned.
4. Secretary: The duties of this office are as follows:
A. Take roll at all club functions.
B. Take minutes of all business meetings and distribute to members.
C. Maintain contact with national headquarters.
D. Provide national headquarters with the names of all chapter officers.
E. Prepare annual report for national headquarters.
F. Ensure payment of annual assessment to national headquarters.
G. Prepare and maintain a current roster of membership.
H. Maintain a call list of members.
I. Insure notification of all members of pending meetings and activities.
J. Maintain contact with new and prospective members.
K. Introduce and welcome new and prospective members.
L. Notify all members of pending dues collection.
M. Complete duties as assigned.
5. MUSTER CHAIRPERSON:
A. Direct and oversee the planning and execution of all phases of the fire muster.
B. Report the status of the fire muster to the membership at each business meeting.
C. Appoint committees for the muster and delegate duties as needed.
D. Conduct a critique of the muster within sixty days of completion.
E. Serve a second year as a muster consultant.
6. MUSTER VICE CHAIRPERSON/S:
A. Assist Muster chairperson in all aspects of the muster.
B. Assume duties of the chairperson in his or her absence.
C. Assume duties of the Chairperson in the event of a resignation, with less than ninety days left before the fire muster.
D. Serve with the intention of becoming muster chairperson in the following year.
7. CLUB SAFETY OFFICER
A. Provide a safe environment for participants and attendees of musters and special events as outlined in the muster safety rules.
B. The Muster Safety Officer or their designee shall have the authority to develop plans and guides for musters and or special events.
C. The Safety Officer shall have the authority to act on or enforce club or national association safety rules.
D. The Safety Officer will act on behalf of the chapter at sanctioned events to ensure that all associated safety rules and guidelines are adhered to by club members.
ARTICLE VI: Elections & Terms
1. ELECTION PROCESS
A. Election of officers shall take place during the first business meeting in February.
B. Nominations will be confined to members only.
C. All nominations must be with the full knowledge and acceptance of the nominee.
D. All nominations must have a second.
E. Elections may take place with a secret ballot.
F. Each office shall be filled by separate ballot.
G. All terms of office shall be for the period of one year.
H. Terms of office begin immediately after the election.
I. All financial books shall be reviewed prior to the new treasurer taking responsibility.
J. Financial books shall be reviewed by outgoing and incoming presidents and treasurers.
ARTICLE VII: Safety
The intent of this organization is that all members shall conduct themselves in a courteous manner at all club events and shall operate their equipment safely. No member shall ever be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, or consume same, at any time while operating apparatus.
1. APPARATUS SAFETY:
A. All safety equipment installed on unit (brakes, lights, turn signals, seatbelts, etc.) shall be maintained in an operable condition.
B. All units shall be equipped with an operating fire extinguisher of a minimum size of 2BC;front wheel chocks appropriate for the truck; and battery cut-off switch.
C. All operators shall be familiar with the operation and limitations of the unit including but not limited to steering, aerial equipment, pumps, and braking. Operators must remain aware that units not of modern design have special operating requirements, and must be used with the greatest care and caution.
D. Have proof of insurance certificate on the vehicle.
E. All operators shall follow national SPAAMFAA safety rules.
ARTICLE VIII: Amendments
These bylaws may be amended at any meeting by a two-thirds vote of the active members present, provided the proposed amendment shall have been submitted in writing at a previous meeting and notice then given when the same would be called up for action.
ARTICLE IX: Dissolution
This organization may be dissolved only on the affirmative vote of a two-thirds majority of the membership by written ballots. Dissolution cannot be effected without discussion at a minimum of three chapter meetings. In the event of dissolution, all outstanding indebtedness shall be paid in a manner to be determined by a two-thirds majority of members present. In the event assets, including real and personal property, shall remain after the payment of indebtedness as herein provided, said assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose in a manner to be determined by a two-thirds majority of members present. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Please of the country in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.in a manner to be determined by a two-thirds majority of members present.
Adopted June 1, 2011
Amended June 15, 2011
