Below is a draft of the proposed by-laws changes to be presented at the annual meeting of the NHSFA in November. These changes are essentially clean up of language and process changes. Any current bylaw to be changed is strike through text and bold is the change. The changes will be read and voted on at the annual meeting in November. This notification serves as written notification to members of the proposed bylaws changes.
Mission Statement
It is the mission of the NHSFA to provide for the well being of its members and families in their time of need. The NHSFA is committed to cultivating educational, legislative, safety and fellowship opportunities for the NH fire Service.
“The NHSFA is committed to cultivating educational, legislative, safety and fellowship opportunities for the NH fire Service. It is the mission of the NHSFA to provide a voice for the NH Fire Service and provide for the well being of its members and families in their time of need.”
CONSTITUTION
The following By-Laws and Constitution of the New Hampshire State Firemen’s Association were passed by Convention vote on, October 19, 2013 in Bartlett, New Hampshire, and will become effective as of October 19, 2013, (insert date to be determined once passed) as recorded in the minutes of the Annual Convention business meeting.
ARTICLE I
Name
This Association shall be known as the New Hampshire State Firemen’s Association. New Hampshire State Firemen’s Association is maintained as our traditional and historical name. The firefighters who are the members of this Association maintain this historical name without any bias or discrimination based upon race, creed, color, sex or any other aspect of cultural diversity.
ARTICLE II
Officers
Section 1. The officers shall be members of this association and shall consist of the following positions and terms
President 3-year term
1st Vice president 2- year term
2nd vice president 2-year term
Secretary 3-year term
Treasure 3-year term
Public relations Officer 2- year term
Sergeant-at-arms 1-year term
10 county representatives (1 from each county) 3-year term
Election of Officers shall take place at each annual meeting of the Association, by ballots. The Election shall be by majority vote.
The county representatives must be a member or retired member of a fire department in said county. The term of the 1st vice president and secretary would be up for vote in the even years (example 2008) and the term of the 2nd vice president and treasurer would be up for vote in the odd years (example 2009). The term of the county representatives would be every year as there would be 3 or 4 positions up for vote.
In the event that no member from a given county runs for that county representative position the Executive Committee Executive Board shall have the authority to appoint any member in good standing to that position to fill the remainder of the term.
The vice presidents shall have voting rights. The president would be the tie-breaking vote.
Election of Officers shall take place at the annual meeting of the Association, by ballot. The election shall be by majority vote.
ARTICLE III
Duties of Officers
Section 1. The President shall be ex-officious, a member and chairman of the Executive Committee . Executive Board It shall be the duty of the President to preside over all meetings of the Association, sign all orders drawn on the Treasurer and call special meetings when requested by a majority of the Executive Committee Executive Board , or when the President deems a call of the Association necessary, at such times as the President or the committee Board shall direct. The president shall be responsible for coordination and representation of legislative matters.
The President shall respond to and coordinate the directives of a majority of the Executive Committee Executive Board
Section 2. The First Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in the President’s absence and shall countersign all checks issued by the Treasurer. The First Vice- President shall perform additional duties as assigned by the president.
Section 3. The Second Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President or First Vice-President in their absence as well as additional duties as assigned by the President.
Section 4. The Secretary shall act as Secretary of the Executive Committee Executive Board , without voice in the proceedings. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a complete record of the proceedings of the Association and of the Executive Committee Executive Board , to receive and answer all communications pertaining to the Association; to collect all monies due the Association and turn same over to the Treasurer prior to the end of the fiscal year (July 31); to make a full report at the annual meeting of the Association of its conditions; and shall execute a bond to the President in the sum of $3,000.00 to be approved by a majority of the Executive Committee Executive Board . The books of the Association shall be closed at the end of the fiscal year (July 31 of each year). The Secretary shall perform other duties as assigned by the President with approval of the Executive Committee . Executive Board The salary of the Secretary shall be $4,000.00 per annum.
Section 5. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive all monies belonging to the Association from the Secretary; to make a full report at the annual meeting of the Association of all monies received and disbursed; shall execute a bond to the President in the amount equal to the monies in the Treasury at the beginning of each fiscal year (August 1) to be approved by a majority of the Executive Committee Executive Board . The books of the Association shall be closed at the end of the fiscal year (July 31 of each year). The Treasurer shall perform other duties as assigned by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee Executive Board . The salary of the Treasurer shall be $1,000.00 per annum.
Section 6. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee Executive Board representatives to be the face of the association and to be the primary contact and to decimate information to the member departments of their respective county. Authorize the contracting of all debts and provide means for their payment; to audit all bills against the Association; to fill all vacancies in any office; to name the location of the annual convention; and they shall have the power to instruct the President to call special meetings and to bring forward other business for the association to the President. A majority of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
It shall be the primary duty of the Executive Committee Executive Board representative to visit each member department in their county at least twice during their three-year term of office with annually being preferred. Also, they shall visit at least two non-member departments in their county during their three-year term of office to encourage membership in the Association.
Section 7. It shall be the duty of the Sergeant-At-Arms to prevent anybody other than special guests or members in good standing from occupying seats at the convention and to check the credentials of members. The Sergeant-At-Arms can appoint his assistants, subject to the approval of the President. The Sergeant-at arms shall perform other duties as assigned by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee . Executive Board
Section 8. The Public Relations Officer is responsible for public relations of the Association and other duties as assigned by the President with approval of the Executive Committee Executive Board
Section 9. Elected or appointed officers or committee members shall be subject to impeachment in the event of negligence of their duties, violation of the by-laws, or violation of State or Federal laws. Impeachment will occur by a majority vote of the Executive Committee Executive Board .
ARTICLE IV
Meetings
Section 1. The annual meeting of the Association shall be held on a date to be named by the Executive Committee Executive Board at such place as the Executive Committee Executive Board may designate.
Section 2. The Executive Committee Executive Board shall meet at such time and place as they may decide, on a call of the majority of the members, or of the President. (Add) A quorum shall consist of a simple majority plus 1 notwithstanding vacant positions.
Section 3. The President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant-At-Arms, Executive Committee Executive Board members, Public Relations Officer, Representative to the New Hampshire Fire Standards and Training Commission, representatives to the Length of Service Awards Program and any other committee appointee as approved by the Executive Committee Executive Board shall be paid $20.00 per day and expenses, when attending meetings or on Association business. They shall be reimbursed at the rate allowed by the Internal Revenue Service, to and from the place of the meetings.
Section 4. That a registration fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) be assessed to all members of the Association and their guests(s) attending the annual convention; the monies received from the registration fee shall be applied toward the convention expenses. Pr-registration shall be required. A separate fee shall be charged for all meals held at the annual convention.
Section 5. That all reasonable expenses incurred pertaining to the convention (subject to the approval of the Executive Committee Executive Board ) shall be paid by this Association; that a two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) advance be forwarded to the appropriate authority hosting the convention to be applied toward the expenses. The host community shall provide a documented accounting of the convention to the Association Treasurer by October 31.
Section 6. Section 4.This Association shall have full power at any annual meeting to alter or revise the Constitution and By-Laws by two thirds (2/3) vote of the members vote cast, notice having been served to the Secretary of such intended action not less than ninety (90) sixty (60) days previous to holding of the annual meeting.
That the Secretary will forward each Member a copy of the Proposed changes which are to be presented for vote at the annual convention. The Secretary shall forward notification of these proposed changes at least sixty (60) thirty (30) days before annual meeting date.
ARTICLE V
Membership
Section 1. Association Members shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
Section 2. The membership of this Association shall consist of any member or retired member of a fire department in any of the counties in New Hampshire. Membership in the Association requires the Member to have paid the annual dues and to be listed on the Official Roll. Each fire department is responsible to fill out and return the official roll to the secretary on or before August 1st each year. Ex-members may become member by paying annual dues and sending their names to the Secretary. Any firefighter who has been a member of this Association and who has been retired from their department shall be entitled to remain an active member by payment of the annual dues and shall be entitled to hold office in the Association. All elected Officers shall be entitled to claim benefits, if injured while in the performance of their elected duties.
Section 3. All members in good standing (dues paid up to date) shall have voting privileges at the annual meeting.
Section 4. That any retired retiring member with at least fifteen (15) years of service membership be given an honorary life membership card; honorary members shall not hold office nor acquire the right of voting.
Section 5. Members in good standing called to military duty shall have dues waived during their activation and remain on the official roll as members. Upon return to fire service duty, the members shall not be required to pay dues until the next fiscal year of the Association, but will be eligible for full benefits of the Association upon return to duty.”
Section 6. Membership shall be offered to individuals or entities that support the objectives of the New Hampshire State Firemen’s Association. Any advocate member must be approved by the Executive Board. Advocate members shall have all the rights and privileges of floor discussion, and to make suggestions. They shall not hold any elected office or appointed position. They may, however, due to their expertise, be asked to serve as a technical consultant or advisor to any committee or elected or appointed official. They shall not have the right to vote or to make motions or seconds to motion.
ARTICLE VI
Dues
Section 1: The annual dues of the association shall be twenty dollars ($20.00) per member per member shall be determined by the Executive Board and announced at the annual meeting. due Dues will be due August 1 August 31 each year. This payment shall be submitted with the Official Roll listing the paid Members. Annual dues must be paid by August 31. Members not paid as of August 31 shall be removed from the Official Roll.
New Members requesting to be added to the Official Roll outside of the billing cycle shall have dues prorated to the nearest calendar quarter. Five Dollars ($5.00) for each quarter. This shall not apply to members who were on the Official Roll for the previous year.
Section 2: No Claim shall be considered if the dues are not paid
Section 3. The annual dues to the NH State Firemen’s Association for an Advocate Member will be one hundred twenty five dollars ($125) per year. Be determined by the Executive Board and announced at the annual meeting.
BY-LAWS
- The presiding Officer shall preserve order and decorum. The President Presiding Officer shall decide all questions of order.
- No member shall vote on any question in which they have a direct pecuniary interest.
- The President shall not vote unless in case of a tie vote.
- If any member demands it, the ayes and nays shall be taken and entered upon the minutes of the convention meeting any meeting.
- All business not provided for in these By-Laws and Constitution shall be transacted according to the Roberts Manual.