TABLE OF CONTENTS

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1. Acquire and employ rules of parliamentary procedure including a thorough understanding of the         Constitution and By-Laws.

2. Decide all questions of order.

3. Certify the results of all elections.

4. Appoint all committees, subject to the approval of the Board, and serve as an ex-officio member.

5. Entitled to vote when the vote is by ballot and in all cases where the vote would change the result.  It is also the Presidents privilege to not cast the deciding vote, if they so choose.

6. Be authorized by the Board to co-sign the Corporation checks and to sign Credit Union loans to which the Corporation serves as co-maker and has approval of the Board.

7. Perform all duties necessary to promote the efficient functioning of the Corporation; to achieve its stated objectives and to benefit the membership.

8. Initiate matters of policy and procedures provided that any conclusive action has prior approval of the Board.

 

Section 2

VICE-PRESIDENT - The Vice-President shall assist the President and act in his absence.  Should the office of President be vacated, the Vice-President may serve as President for the remainder of the term with the approval of the Board.  The Vice-President's responsibilities shall include the following:

1. Co-sign Corporation checks and to co-sign Credit Union loans to which the Corporation serves as co-maker and has approval of the Board.

2. Serve as chairperson of the Special Events Committee.  This shall include the responsibility of collecting and disbursing all funds with regard to special events.

3. Perform any other duties assigned by the President.

 

Section 3

SECRETARY - The Secretary shall keep and accurate record of the minutes of all Board meetings.  The Secretary's responsibilities shall also include the following:

1. Prepare, in advance, an agenda for the Presidents use for all regularly scheduled Board meetings.

2. Be responsible for maintaining an accurate filing system for all correspondence and records.

3. Inform all candidates of the outcome of elections in a timely manner.

4. Co-sign Corporation checks and Credit Union loans to which the Corporation serves a co-maker and has approval of the Board.

Section 4

TREASURER - The Treasurer shall have general charge of Corporation financial matters and funds.  The Treasurer's responsibilities shall also include the following:

1. Disburse funds in accordance with the established objectives of the Corporation, upon approval by the Board.

2. Have custody of the Corporation's funds and deposit such in a bank/banks and/or savings institution with the approval of the Board.

3. May co-sign all Corporation checks and Credit Union loans to which the Corporation serves a co-maker and has been approved by the Board.

4. Furnish a written monthly "Treasurer's Report" for Board approval.

5. Perform any other duties as assigned by the President.

Section 5

DIRECTOR - Each Director shall be responsible for conducting the affairs of the Corporation within their particular battalion or section.  Where necessary each Director shall:

1. Investigate all hardship cases in their jurisdiction; assist the member in preparing "Application for Aid" forms and report in full on each case to the Board.

2. Be ready at all times to assist fellow members and other Directors in promoting the business of the Corporation and the welfare of its members.

3. Distribute discount cards and coupons and provide tickets for special events as they become available in accordance with guidelines set forth by the Board.

4. Report to the Board at each monthly meeting the names of those members in their battalion or section who are ill or disabled, their condition and their needs.

5. Check on all retirements within their battalion or section and offer assistance for all such ceremonies.

6. Pick up and deliver, or cause to be picked up and delivered, all Corporation medical equipment requested.  At each regular meeting of the Board, report the status of all equipment.  Be responsible for forwarding the required forms covering each equipment transfer and for maintaining an accurate check on all equipment loaned in their jurisdiction.

7. Attend each regularly scheduled Board meeting and, if unable, to see that their Alternate attends.

8. Notify the Publication Editor monthly on whether an article concerning their battalion or section shall appear in Straight Streams.  The article shall comply with the guidelines established by the Publication Editor.  Failing to submit an article and/or notify the Editor for two (2) consecutive months, the Editor has the authority to discontinue that Battalions article.

9. To adhere to and follow the outlined "Guidelines for Straight Streams Articles and Photos"

Section 6

ALTERNATE DIRECTOR - Shall cooperate with the Director and assist them as needed and serve in their absence.  The Alternate Director's responsibilities shall also include the following:

1. Attend all Board meetings in the absence of the Director.  Alternate Directors may attend any regularly scheduled Board meeting, however there shall be only one (1) vote for each battalion or section.

2. In the absence of the Director, shall vote on all matters before the Board.

3. All duties assigned to the Director are also the responsibility of the Alternate Director.

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CONSTITUTION  -  ARTICLE VIII

MEETINGS

Section 1

A Board of Directors meeting shall be held monthly, at a time and place designated by the Board, to conduct the business of the corporation.

Section 2

A special meeting may be called by the President and/or a simple majority of the Board of Directors.  Upon such a request by the Board, the President shall schedule a special meeting within ten (10) days of the request.  All Directors and their Alternates shall be notified in writing of such meetings by the Secretary.

Section 3

The order of business at a regularly scheduled meeting shall be as follows:

1. Roll call of Officers and Directors

2. Illness and Injury report

3. Equipment report

4. Editor's report

5. Secretary's report

6. Vice-President's report

7. President's report

8. Hardship cases

9. Treasurer's report

10. Old business

11. New business

12. Approval of monthly minutes

13. Approval of Treasurer's report

14. Announcement of next meeting

15. Adjournment

Section 4

The order of business may be transposed at any time by a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors at any regularly scheduled meeting.

Section 5

In absence of other authority (including this Constitution and By-laws) the deliberations of this body shall be governed by "Roberts Rules of Order" revised edition.

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CONSTITUTION  -  ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

Section 1

This Constitution may be amended or revised by a resolution, in writing, made at a regular meeting and acted upon at a subsequent meeting by a favorable vote of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the entire Board of Directors.

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CONSTITUTION  -  ARTICLE X

RATIFICATION

Section 1

This Constitution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon adoption by the Board of Directors, and shall supersede and render null and void any existing Constitution of this Corporation.

Section 2

Any amendment of this Constitution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon adoption by the Board.

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BY-LAWS

 

BY-LAWS   -   ARTICLE I   FUNDS

Section 1

This corporation does not contemplate the distribution of gains, profits, or dividends to any of its members and is formed for charitable, social and recreational purposes.

 

Section 2

The principal source of revenue for this corporation shall be derived from the membership dues.  Membership dues are secured from voluntary salary deductions from those eligible employees of the County of Los Angeles Fire Department.  Revenue may also be secured by other lawful means with the approval of the Board of Directors or by any of the following:

1. By receiving property by devise or bequest, subject to the laws regulating the transfer of property by will or trust and to acquire and hold by purchase, gift, lease or otherwise, property of any kind, real or personal, including shares, bonds and securities of other corporations.

2. To acquire, hold, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of, real and personal property within the State of California.

3. To convey, exchange, lease, mortgage, encumber, transfer in trust or otherwise dispose of any or all of its property.

4. To borrow money, contract debts and issue bonds, notes, debentures and other evidence of indebtedness to secure the same.

5. In general, to do all things authorized by the laws regulating and relating to a non-profit organization within the State of California, whether or not specifically set forth in these articles, and to do all acts necessary or expedient for the administration of its affairs.

Section 3

Voluntary salary deductions to the corporation shall be divided between the WELFARE FUND and the BENEFIT AND WELFARE FUND as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.  All other sources of income shall be deposited into the BENEFIT AND WELFARE FUND.

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BY-LAWS   -   ARTICLE II     OBJECTIVES AND METHODS      BENEFIT FUND

Section 1

This corporation shall maintain a fund to be known as the County of Los Angeles Firemen's Benefit Fund.  The purpose being to support social and recreational activities for the membership and their families.  The corporations shall operate this fund in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code.  The Board of Directors is authorized to make expenditures, which in their opinion are in the best interest of the corporation.

Section 2

Upon dissolution of said fund all net assets shall be distributed to a legally recognized charitable organization(s)  pursuant to existing Federal, State and County laws.

Section 3

No monies from this fund may be used for or contributed to any political activity or be used in any manner than to accomplish the objectives as stated in the preceding sections.

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BY-LAWS   -   ARTICLE III   OBJECTIVES AND METHODS   BENEFIT AND WELFARE FUND

Section 1

This corporation shall maintain a fund to be known as the County of Los Angeles Firemen's Benefit and Welfare Fund.  The purpose to include the following:

1. Give direct financial aid to members, upon approval of the Board of Directors.  Request must originate from said member, and guidelines set forth by the Board must be followed.  At the discretion of the area Director, an emergency check of not more than $100 may be furnished to members in need.

2. Aid members in financial need by serving as a co-maker for loans which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, are justified and where such applicants are not eligible for additional loans from the F&A Credit Union.

3. Maintain a supply of home medical equipment for use by the members and their dependents when insurance fails to cover a needed item.  The equipment is considered a loan and shall be returned when the equipment is no longer needed.

4. Furnish sick and death remembrances (ie: flowers) to members or their families.

5. Foster projects and make expenditures which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, are in the best interest of the organization.

Section 2

The Board of Directors shall be kept informed as to the needs of the membership by requiring the Directors and Alternate Directors to report at each regularly scheduled meeting, all cases where assistance may be needed.  It is essential that the Directors cooperated with the Department Chaplains, Officers and the membership in carrying out this task.

Section 3

As a matter of policy, no monies from the Benefit and Welfare Fund may be used for or contributed to any political function or be used in any manner other than to accomplish the objectives as stated in this Article.

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BY-LAWS   -   ARTICLE IV   COMMITTEES

Section 1

Regular Standing Committees, whose members are appointed by the President, shall include the following:

1. Equipment

2. Finance

3. Special Events

4. Publications

5. Constitution and By-laws

6. Recreation

Section 2

Additional committees may be appointed by the President at their discretion with the approval of the Board of Directors.

Section 3

The President, at the beginning of their term, shall appoint a member of the Constitution and By-Laws Committee, to serve as Parliamentarian.  This member shall act in accordance with this Constitution and By-laws and with "Robert's Rules of Order," revised edition.

Section 4

Officers of this corporation shall not be assigned to committees except as an ex-officio member.

Section 5

Directors, Alternate Directors or Members may be assigned to committees.  No Director, Alternate Director or Member may be assigned to more than one committee concurrently.

Section 6

The Finance Committee shall be responsible for an annual audit of all financial activities for the calendar year.  The audit shall be presented to the Board for approval, not later than July of the following year.  The Finance Committee may have the annual audit conducted by a Certified Public Accountant, the cost of which is paid by the corporation.

Section 7

A member of the Finance Committee may be appointed to serve as a special event treasurer and shall be responsible for, and provide a written accounting of, all funds expended for that event.

Section 8

A member of the Publication Committee shall be appointed to the position of Publication Editor.  The Publication Editor's responsibilities shall be to perform all functions necessary to publication and distribution of the monthly magazine called "Straight Streams."

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BY-LAWS   -   ARTICLE V    MILEAGE AND EXPENSES

Section 1

Officers, Directors and Alternate Directors, when engaged strictly on corporation business, shall be paid a mileage allowance in accordance with the current County mileage scale.  Such claims are to be submitted to the Treasurer on the approved expense voucher, listing the reason or event, the starting point, the destination and the mileage total.

Section 2

All expense claims must be submitted within sixty (60) days of occurrence.  Any expense in excess of $50.00 must be approved by the Board.

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BY-LAWS   -   ARTICLE VI   QUORUM

Section 1

A quorum shall consist of eight (8) Directors (or their Alternate if the Director is excused.)  At least two (2) of the quorum shall be Officers.  A quorum shall be present to transact any official business of the corporation.

Section 2

The President shall be present at all meeting to transact official business of the corporation.  Should the President not be able to attend a meeting the Vice-President may act as President upon approval of the Board of Directors.

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BY-LAWS   -   ARTICLE VII   AMENDMENTS

Section 1

These By-Laws may be amended or revised by a resolution in writing, made at a regularly scheduled meeting and acted upon at a subsequent meeting by a favorable two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the entire Board of Directors.

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BY-LAWS   -   ARTICLE VIII    RATIFICATION

Section 1

These By-Laws shall be in full force and effect immediately upon adoption by the Board of Directors, and shall supersede and render null and void any existing By-Laws of this organization.

Section 2

Any amendment of these By-Laws shall be in full force and effect immediately upon adoption by the Board of Directors.

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