Member By LawsASSOCIATION BYLAWS ARTICLE I – NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1 – Name The name of this organization shall be the “Florida Automatic Fire Alarm Association, Incorporated”, hereinafter referred to as the “Association”. Section 2 – Purpose The purpose of the organization is to foster and improve relationships both within the fire alarm industry and among associated industries, including electrical, security, and emergency notification, etc., among manufacturers, distributors, users, authorities having jurisdiction, and others through education, research, and development of codes and standards. Section 3 -- Fiscal Year The fiscal year of the Association shall be from June 1 to May 31.
ARTICLE II – MEMBERS
Section 1 – Classes There shall be several classifications of membership. Such classifications are to be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors from time to time. Section 2 - Dues The dues structure for each classification of membership shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors from time to time. Prior to taking effect, dues resolutions shall be ratified by the membership at an annual meeting. Section 3 – Election of Members Application for membership shall be in writing. Applications shall be reviewed by staff and voted on by the Board of Directors. Section 4 – Transfer of Membership Membership in the Association is not transferable or assignable. Section 5 – Voting Rights Each voting member shall have one (1) vote in any election of the Association. Section 6 – Termination of Membership The membership of any member may be terminated for any of the following reasons: (a) Cessation of industry related business activity. (b) Written resignation sent to the Board of Directors to be effective not sooner than ten (10) days after receipt and upon payment of any delinquent dues, assessments or other obligations to the Association. (c) Non-payment of dues, assessments or other obligations to the Association for a period of forty-five (45) days from the date upon which payment was due. (d) By the vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Board of Directors present at a Board of Directors meeting for actions detrimental to the Association. A member so charged shall be given an opportunity to be heard by the Board of Directors and may appeal the Board's decision to the full membership. (e) Reciprocal Memberships may be terminated without cause by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE III – BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 1 – General The Board of Directors shall consist of five (5) directors, three (3) of which shall be elected for two (2) year terms and two (2) of which shall be elected for a one (1) year term. After the first election, all five (5) directors shall be elected for two (2) year terms.
Section 2 – Removal for Cause An Officer or Director may be removed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors and notice to such Officer or Director for failure to attend meetings, inadequate participation in the Association affairs, or whenever, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, the best interests of the Association will be served thereby. Section 3 – Election of Directors The initial Directors have been appointed by the Executive Director of AFAA-National. Subsequent Directors shall be elected by members in good standing from among the slate presented to the Board of Directors. Nominations for Directors shall be presented to the membership with the agenda for the Annual Meeting. Vote tallies shall include proxy votes received in accordance with these Bylaws. Section 4 – Compensation of Directors All Directors shall serve without compensation.
Section 5 – Attendance at Board Meetings The attendance of Directors at all meetings is necessary for the welfare of the organization. It is specifically recognized that valid reasons may result in failure to attend. Nevertheless, if for any reason it becomes necessary for a Director to miss two (2) regular meetings or three (3) meetings in total (both regular and special) during a fiscal year, he or she may be removed for cause.
The Treasurer of the Association shall be selected by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer and the Secretary may be the same individual. The duties of the Treasurer shall be as follows: (a) Be custodian of all association funds; (b) Receive all monies and disburse funds only upon the sanction of the Board of Directors or the membership; (c) Be responsible for maintaining accurate records; (d) Submit written reports at each regular meeting; (e) Submit books and records for audit when required; (f) File any and all tax forms required; (g) Ensure that a member of the Board, or other qualified individual approved by the Board, conduct a yearly internal audit to verify activities and the accuracy of financial records and reports, with a report to the Board and the Association; and (h) Perform other duties as may be assigned by the President from time to time. The Treasurer may be elected to consecutive terms. Section 8 – President The President of the Association shall be selected by the Board of Directors. The duties of the President shall be enumerated in a Job Description approved by the Board of Directors. Section 9 – Vice President The Vice President of the Association shall be selected by the Board of Directors. The duties of the Vice-President shall be to serve as President Pro Tem in the absence of the President. In addition, the Vice-President shall be responsible for other duties as may be assigned by the President from time to time.
Section 10 – Immediate Past President
The Immediate Past President shall automatically become a member of the Board of Directors for a period of two years immediately after his/her term of office has expired. The Immediate Past President position is not an elected position, but shall have all voting rights of the Board of Directors.
Section 11 – Vacancies A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal or otherwise, shall be filled by a majority vote of the Board of Directors for the unexpired term. If the vacancy is in a Directorship it shall be filled with a member of the same class of membership. Section 12 – Standing Committees (a) General: All committee members shall serve for one-year terms. Members may serve multiple terms.
(b) Executive Committee: The President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Immediate Past President (if applicable) shall serve as the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will be responsible for the day to day operation of the Association through the President and will meet monthly or as the needs of the Association require.
(c) By Laws Committee: The By-Laws Committee shall consist of at least three members appointed by the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the By-Laws Committee shall be a member of the Board of Directors. The duties of the By-Laws Committee are to maintain the By-Laws and Board Resolutions up to date. The Chairman of the By-Laws Committee shall serve as Parliamentarian to the Board and the Association.
(d) Nominating Committee: A Nominating Committee will be considered during the first term of the Board of Directors. If implemented, The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members. The Immediate Past President shall chair the committee and the two other members shall be elected by the membership at the annual meeting. The duties of the Nominating Committee are to develop a slate of nominees for election as specified in these By-Laws.
(e) Membership Committee: The Membership Committee shall consist of at least three members who shall be appointed by the Board of Directors. The duties of the Membership Committee include, but are not limited to, membership development and member benefits and services.
Section 1 – Annual Association Meeting The location and dates of the Annual Meeting shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Notice shall be made to the members at least eight (8) weeks in advance of the meeting. Agenda items shall be made available to the members at least four (4) weeks in advance of the meeting. Section 2 – Special Association Meetings A Special Meeting of the Association may be called by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The location and dates shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Notice shall be made to the members at least four (4) weeks in advance of the meeting. Agenda items shall be made available to the members at least four (4) weeks in advance of the meeting. Section 3 – Board of Directors Meetings Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called at least four (4) times per year, at times and places to be determined by the Board of Directors. Notice of Board Meetings shall be made to members of the board at least four (4) weeks in advance of the meeting. Board meetings may be physical meetings or electronic meetings, as determined by the Board of Directors. Board meetings shall be open to all members of the Association. Section 4 - Proxies Proxy votes shall be accepted for voting at any membership meeting, but must be in writing and received at least two weeks (2) prior to the meeting. Section 5 – Quorums The quorum at any Annual or Special Meeting shall be the members present and in good standing. The quorum at a Board of Directors meeting shall be a simple majority of the members or the Board of Directors. Section 6 – Meeting Administration Unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws, all meetings shall be administered in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order or The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure and policies adopted by the Board of Directors. Section 7 – Voting at Membership Meetings Any vote at an Annual or Special Meeting shall require a simple majority of members present. Section 8 – Voting at Meetings of the Board of Directors Any vote at any Board of Directors meeting shall require a simple majority of members present unless otherwise specified in these By Laws.
ARTICLE V – AMENDMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION Section 1 – Amendments These Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed only by a majority vote of the eligible voters present at a regular or special membership meeting duly called in accordance with these Bylaws. Section 2 – Waiver of Notice Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the Non-Profit Corporation requirements of the State of Incorporation or under the provisions of these Bylaws or of the Articles of Incorporation of this Association, a waiver thereof, in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated herein, it shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Approved by the Board of Directors, 12/9/2010, in Clearwater, FL. |