THE CONNECTICUT FIRE MARSHALS’ ASSOCIATION,
INC.
BY-LAWS
Effective Date
January 1, 2006
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Article I
Purpose and Intent
Section 1: To unite for the mutual benefit and professionalism of all Certified Fire Marshals, their Deputies and Inspectors of the State of Connecticut and all other persons engaged in the prevention of fire and protection of life and property, engaged in investigation of fire and explosion for origin and cause.
Section 2: To act as a central resource for exchange of professional knowledge among its members for the purpose of assisting one another in the performance of their duties.
Section 3: To assist Fire Marshals, Deputy Fire Marshals and Inspectors in the conduct of their professional activities and to correlate these activities in their efforts to reduce fire loss.
Section 4: To promote education and training, research, legislation and regulations for improving fire safety and prevention. To foster a collaborative relationship between fire service professionals and academics from institutions of higher learing including students of fire science technology, fire science investigation, fire science administration, fire engineering, and forensics.
Article II
Officers and Their Duties
Section 1: The officers of this Association shall be President, Vice President, Second Vice President, Recording Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 2: The president shall be the presiding officer at all meetings, and shall have the powers, privileges and prerogatives belonging to the office. He/she shall call special or committee meetings whenever he/she deems it necessary and must call a special meeting upon signed written request of (25) twenty-five certified members in good standing prior to the next scheduled meeting. He/she shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors and all committees. He/she shall be elected annually, and if nominated and elected by the membership may serve a second consecutive one-year term and thereafter shall not be eligible to hold the office of president for a period of four years.
The President shall discharge on behalf the Association such duties as may be imposed upon himself / herself by applicable laws including the execution and filing of any reports to Federal and State authorities, and shall cause to be maintained by the Association such records as the law requires to be kept.
Section 3: The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President, assume all of the duties, powers, privileges and prerogatives of the office. He/she shall be elected annually, and if nominated and elected by the membership may serve a second consecutive one-year term.
Section 4: The second Vice President shall, in the absence of the Vice President, assume all of the duties, powers, privileges and prerogatives of the office. In the event the office of the Vice President becomes vacant; the Second Vice President shall succeed to that office. He/she shall be elected annually, and if nominated and elected by the membership may serve a second consecutive one-year term.
Section 5: The recording Secretary shall faithfully perform all usual duties of the office. He/she shall receive and transmit all communications to and from the Association and shall keep records of all meetings. He/she shall receive an annual remuneration in an amount to be determined by the membership per Article III Section 11. He/she shall be elected annually and may be re-elected annually.
The recording Secretary shall discharge on behalf of the Association such duties as may be imposed upon him / her by applicable laws including the execution and filing of any reports to Federal and State Authorities, and shall cause to be maintained by the Association such records as the law requires.
Section 6: The Treasurer shall be the Financial Officer of the Association. He/she shall maintain a record of membership and shall issue membership cards. He/she shall receive all monies derived from dues and other payments to the Association make all authorized disbursements and maintain all financial records. He/she shall deposit all monies received in a bank of his/her choice. He/she shall submit a written financial report at each regular meeting. He/she shall receive annual remuneration in an amount determined by the membership per Article III Section 11. He/she shall be elected annually and may be re-elected annually.
The Treasurer shall discharge on behalf of the Association such duties as may be imposed upon him / her by applicable laws including the execution of any reports to Federal and State authorities, and shall cause to be maintained by the Association such records as the law requires.
The Association shall require that the Treasurer be bonded by a reliable bonding company. The Association shall fund all costs associated with the bonding process. If the Treasurer can not be bonded, he/she shall forfeit the position and nominations for another person to fill the position shall take place at the next regular meeting.
Article III
Board of Directors
Section 1: The Board of Directors shall consist of the following active certified members: Immediate Past President; one from the Office of State Fire Marshal; and one from each of the eight counties elected by the county associations. The President shall be an ex-officio member, empowered to vote only to break tie votes.
Section 2: Each County Association shall select an alternate representative. In the absence of the Director, the alternate shall assume all duties of the Director.
Section 3: The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of the Association. It shall provide feedback to the membership, the Office of State Fire Marshal and the association committees or other bodies in matters pertaining to existing or proposed legislation and regulations.
Section 4: The terms of the President and immediate past president shall be on a replacement basis.
Section 5: The board shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson by majority vote of the Board. Election of the chairperson and vice chairperson shall take place at the first meeting following the annual meeting.
Section 6: Each Director shall inform the Boards of any problems or suggestions, which may originate in the County Association he/she represents.
Section 7: The Board of Directors shall meet at least once each quarter on a date established by the Board. Special meetings shall be called by the Chairperson or by written request of at least three (3) board members in good standing. Special meetings shall be held within two weeks of the date of receipt of the written request.
Section 8: A quorum for each meeting shall consist of four members eligible to vote.
Section 9: The Board shall take action or make recommendations to the membership on all matters brought before it by any Director, group or individual.
Section 10: No incumbent officer shall serve as a county representative.
Section 11: Prior to the annual Meeting, the Board of Directors shall review the performance of the recording Secretary and Treasurer and, based on its findings, may recommend to the membership payment of remuneration to each of these officers, provided funds are available in the Treasury. Amount of the remuneration shall be recommended by the Board of Directors and voted upon by the membership at the annual meeting.
Section 12: Each year the Board of Directors shall recommend a slate of members to serve on each statutorily established council, commission or committee on which the association is entitled to representation. The term of each association representative shall be as prescribed by the statutes which apply to the respective councils, commissions or committees. Election of association representatives shall be held not later than the association's June meeting.
Section 13: Any member of the Board who fails to attend three (3) Consecutive meetings of the Board or fifty percent (50%) of all meetings during a calendar year shall forfeit his/her right to hold office if deemed negligent by the Board of Directors.
Article IV
Membership
Section 1: Membership of this Association shall be comprised of the following categories: Certified, Associate, Life, Honorary and Student.
Section 2: Certified Members of this Association shall be open to all certified or eligible to be certified (per directives of the Office of State Fire Marshal) Connecticut Fire Marshals, Deputy Fire Marshals, Fire Inspectors, and all other classification by the Office of State Fire Marshal.
Section 3: Associate Membership in the this Association shall be open to anyone interested in fire investigation, fire prevention, involved in fire prevention education, a person in a firm, company or corporation having an interest in furthering the objectives and purpose of the “CFMA.” Such a member shall not hold an elected office. An Associate Member has no voting rights.
Section 4: Life Membership may be conferred on Certified and Associate Members upon their retirement or move from the State provided they have been a member in good standing for at least ten (10) years . Upon written request, they may be granted life membership at any regularly scheduled meeting of the association by majority vote of those present and eligible to vote. Life members may not hold an elected office and shall have the same voting privileges as previously held. Life Members shall be exempt from paying dues.
Section 5: Honorary Membership in this Association shall be open to anyone who has contributed to the professional growth of the Association. Honorary members may not hold an elected office or vote and shall be exempt from paying dues
Section 6: Student Membership in this association shall be open to any full time student currently studying the field of Fire Science Administration, Fire Investigation, Fire Science Engineering, Fire Science Technology and Forensics. Such member shall not hold an elected office or vote
Section 7: Application for membership
• Certified: Application for membership shall be presented to the Recording Secretary on a form furnished by the Association. Initial dues must accompany each application.
B) Associate: Application for membership shall be presented to the Recording Secretary
on a form furnished by the Association. Initial dues must accompany each application.
• Life: Application for membership shall be presented to the Recording Secretary in writing.
• Honorary: Nominations for Honorary Members shall be submitted to the Board of Directors in writing at least thirty days prior to any regularly scheduled meeting. A favorable report by the Board of Directors and a majority vote of the Association Membership shall be necessary to elect.
• Student: Application for membership shall be presented to the Recording Secretary on a form furnished by the Association. Initial dues must accompany each application.
Section 8: The Recording Secretary shall announce all applications at the earliest meeting following their receipt and shall refer them to the Treasurer to verify initial payment of dues. The Treasurer will then forward the application to the membership committee for investigation. In addition, the certification of applicants for Certified Membership shall be verified by the Office of State Fire Marshal. The Membership Committee shall present its report at the next regular meeting, and a vote will be taken by the membership present.
Section 9: Election to membership shall require a majority vote of members present and eligible to vote provided a quorum has been established.
Article V
Voting
Section 1: Voting shall be in accordance with the most current edition of Roberts Rules of Order.
Article VI
Election of Officers
Section 1: Nominations of officers shall be conducted under new business at the March meeting. Any member not present at nominations who receives a nomination for a office will be notified by the secretary within 48 hours, if that member accepts or declines the nomination for office they shall notify the secretary in writing within seven (7) days of the notification .
Section 2: Election of Officers shall be conducted as the first item under new business at the May meeting.
Section 3: The following offices / Executive Board shall be filled by the election process:
President
Vice President
Second Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Section 4: Eligibility for Office: any certified member per Article IV, section 2 in good standing shall be eligible to be a candidate for office. No member may hold more than one elected position. If a member accepts a nomination for a different office, their current office will be opened for nominations.
Section 5: The procedure for nominations of officers shall be as follows, the President shall select three certified members in good standing to serve as the nominating committee. At the conclusion of normal business at the March meeting, The nominating committee shall present their recommended slate of officers. The opening of nominations from the floor for the office of President will be opened, a member may nominate a member in good standing for this office, and a second must be made. Hearing no more nominations for president, nominations will then be closed for this position. The same procedure shall be followed for nominations for the office of Vice President, second Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Any member who will not be able to attend the April meeting may nominate a member for office provided they submit a letter to the Nominating Committee prior to the March meeting. In the event that a member declines a nomination between the March and May meeting's thus leaving this office without a nominee, nominations for that office only may be reopened at the May meeting prior to the elections. In the event that and office goes unopposed at the time of elections, the secretary shall cast one ballot for those going unopposed.
Section 6: Duration of Office: The term of each office shall be 1 year, terms for newly elected officers shall commence at the next Association or Board of Directors meeting which ever comes first after the elections.
Article VII
Meetings
Section 1: Conduct of all meetings shall be in accordance with these by-laws. Where these by-laws are silent “Roberts Rules of Order” shall prevail.
Section 2: Regular meetings of this Association shall be held as deemed necessary.
Section 3: The annual meeting shall be held in May for the purpose of electing officers for the ensuing year, and to conduct such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
Section 4: Twenty-five (25) certified members present shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meeting.
Article VIII
Dues
Section 1: Annual dues shall be established by the Board of Directors and voted on by the membership at the annual meeting and shall be payable on May 1.
Section 2: Any member whose dues have not been paid on or before the first meeting of September, loses membership rights, and if after notice by the Treasurer, he/she fails to pay his/her dues within two (2) years, his/her name shall be referred to the Board of Directors which shall recommend to the membership that such member be stricken from the record of the Association. Any member so removed may reapply for membership by complying with the provisions of Article IV Section 7 & 8.
Section 3: Any ‘new member” joining in the last quarter of the fiscal year shall have their membership extended through the next fiscal year. (“ new member ” meaning never having belonged to the Association before.)
Section 4: No member shall utilize the Association name for private gain or without permission form the Board of Directors.
Section 5: Any person may resign from the Association by giving written notice. Withdrawal or resignation from the Association shall be deemed to waive the liability for the payment of any dues or other amount owing this Association at the effective date of such withdrawal or resignation. Any past member who wishes to reapply for membership shall be allowed to do so once all dues from previous membership have been paid in full.
Section 6: A member may request a leave of absence of their membership for up to two years, with the approval of the Board of Directors, and shall lose all membership rights until re-instated. Dues shall be paid upon re-instatement.
Article IX
Committees
Section 1: At the first regular meeting following his/her election, the President shall appoint membership to the following standing committees:
• Legislative
• Public Relations
• Membership
• Education
• Finance
• 541
• Nominating
Section 2: The President may, as need arises, establish other committees.
Section 3: The Recording Secretary shall maintain written record of all committees and their members.
Article X
Vacancies
Section 1: In the event of a vacancy for President or Vice President the position shall be filled in accordance with Article II Section 3 and 4. In the event of a vacancy to the Second Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary the Board of Directors shall recommend to the membership for their approval to fill the unexpired term.
Article XI
Dissolution of the Corporation
Section 1: Property and Assets. In the event of the dissolution of the CONNECTICUT FIRE MARSHALS'S ASSOCIATION, INC., all property and assets of the Corporation remaining after satisfaction of all financial obligations shall be turned over to the United States of America or the State of Connecticut as their respective interests equitably require or shall be disposed of as provided for by any instrument which originally conveyed such property or assets to the Corporation or shall be disposed of in such manner as the membership decide will most nearly carry out the purpose of the Corporation.
Section 2: Cash distribution. Any cash distribution of assets shall be for one or more of the exempt purposes specified in Section 501 ( c ) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code as may from time to time be amended.
Article XII
Amendments
Section 1: The by-laws of this Association may be amended or repealed at any regularly scheduled meeting by a two-thirds vote of members present and eligible to vote, provided, however, that any such proposed amendment or repeal has been provided, via 1 st class USA mail or email, to all voting members at least 30 days prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendments will be considered.
Article XIII
Precedence
Section 1: Upon adoption, these by-laws shall supersede all previously adopted by-laws and all previously adopted policies, which may conflict with these by-laws.
Section 2: These by-laws shall be reviewed bi-annually for additions, deletions and revisions.
Section 3: These by-laws shall take effect on January 1, 2006
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