ELLIS COUNTY FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION, INC.

CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
NAME
Section 1

This organization shall be known as the Ellis County Fire Chiefs Association
hereinafter referred to as the Association.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE

Section 1

The purpose of the Association is to enhance the protection of life and property
threatened by fire, natural and man-made disaster, and other emergencies by
promoting cooperation and coordination of fire, emergency medical, and other
specialized emergency response capabilities throughout Ellis County. To this end,
the Association shall:
A. Serve as an organization in Ellis County for the exchange and planning of
ideas, information, knowledge and experience in areas affecting the
safety of life and the protection of property.
B. Plan and coordinate training programs, and promote public education in fire
prevention and safety.
C. Support and coordinate the delivery of pre-hospital emergency medical
services by the countywide fire services.
D. Cooperate with other organizations to promote programs that further the
goals and objectives of the fire service in the interest of Ellis County.
E. Support State and Federal Government/Commissions in the interest that is
best for Ellis Countys Fire and EMS protection.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS

Section 1

The elected officers of the Association shall consist of the President, Vice
President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The President, Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer will also hold the office of Board Member. The President shall appoint
other officers as needed.

Section 2

Any Member of the Association seeking election to any of the elective offices
specified in Section 2.1 above shall be the Fire Chief of a fire department in Ellis
County and an active member in good standing in the Association. The office of
Secretary may be held by an associate member.

Section 3

Officers shall be elected by ballot, except when there is only one nomination for
each office, election may then be by voice vote on the meeting night in November
and shall have a term of office for one (2) years. The new officers will take office
the first of January of the new year after they are sworn in.

Section 4

Any vacancy occurring among the offices will be filled by election by ballot at the
first meeting thereafter, or at a special meeting called for that purpose by the
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President or next higher ranking officer.

ARTICLE IV
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1

The President shall be the official representative and spokesman for the
Association, preside at meetings, appoint assistant officers, approve the agenda
and The Order of Business and appoint committees. Roberts Rules of Order,
Revised shall govern all meetings of the Association.

Section 2

The Vice President shall assist the President in conducting the business and
carrying out the policies of the Association. In the absence or temporary inability
of the President to perform all the duties of the office, the Vice President shall
assume the duties of the President.

Section 3

The Secretary shall be responsible for:

A. The conduct and administration of all business, except financial, of the
Association, subject to established policies.
B. Keeping complete and accurate minutes of meetings and present
minutes of the previous meeting at the next meeting.
C. Make the approved agenda for the meetings.

Section 4

The Treasurer shall be responsible for:

A. Preparing an annual budget.

B. Supervising the use of all the assets of the Association with the advice
and approval of the membership.
C. Determining that all monies of the Association are deposited in proper
accounts, and when applicable, draw the highest rate of interest return
consistent with the greatest safety for Association funds.
D. Determining that all funds are collected, recorded and disbursed in
accordance with the policies of the Association.
E. Reporting at each business meeting the financial condition of the
Association, including a summary of all revenues and disbursements.
ARTICLE V
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1

The Fire Chief of any duly organized governmental fire department that serves in
Ellis County is eligible to become a member of the Association.

Section 2

Each regular member shall be entitled to one vote except as set forth in Section 3
below.

Section 3

All other chief officers who are members of fire departments or other such friends
of the fire service as may be approved by membership may become Associate
Members. Associate Members will not pay dues and shall be without voting
privileges except when authorized by the fire chief representing their fire
department in his/her absence. Past fire chiefs and retired members may be
associate members without vote. Only one vote per fire department may be cast.
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Section 4

Annual dues shall be established by a majority vote of the regular members

present and voting in the December meeting. Dues shall be payable by the end
of February each year. Dues not received within 60 days shall be delinquent and
shall cause loss of all privileges afforded the member.
ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS

Section 1

The frequency and dates of formal meetings of the members of the Association
shall be as established by a majority vote of the members present and voting.

Section 2

The President shall have authority to call special meetings of the Association
whenever urgent business or professional considerations warrant.
ARTICLE VII
QUORAM

Section 1

25% of the members (Fire Chiefs) plus two members of the Executive Board who
are Fire Chiefs shall constitute a quorum at all meetings. Compliance with this
requirement shall legalize all business transactions and questions.
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Section 1

If in the event an Active member is suspended from the rolls, as set forth in the
By-Laws, this action shall not cancel any indebtedness to the association.

Section 2

Any member suspended from the membership roll of the association may make
application for reinstatement provided his/her application for reinstatement is
accompanied by a remittance of the total of all dues and assessments which were
delinquent at the time they were suspended.

Section 3

Any member may be suspended or expelled from the association for good and
just cause by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a regular or
special meeting following a recommendation of the Board of Directors.

Article IX

Committees
There shall be the following standing committees of the association, as well as
other committees deemed necessary by the Board of Directors:
Legislative
Training and Education
Fire Prevention
Emergency Management
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Mutual Aid
Section 1

All committees shall have a minimum of five (5) and a maximum of nine (9)
members. The President, upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors,
shall make all committee member appointments. Committee member terms shall
be for one (1) year.
Committee members may succeed themselves if reappointed by the President
upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors. In the case of a vacancy in
any committee, the President shall have the authority to fill the vacancy. Any
appointee who is unable to serve shall indicate the same promptly to the
President who shall then make a new appointment.

Section 2

All committee generated recommendations including requests to expend

association funds shall be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors for review
and recommendation prior to submission to the members for a vote.

Section 3

The Board of Directors shall create ad hoc committees when necessary to

address special concerns of the association.

Section 4

It shall be the duty of the Legislative committee to make a study of laws affecting
the fire service and keep the association informed of said laws. It shall also be the
duty of the Legislative Committee to endeavor to have laws enacted that the
association deems advisable for the betterment and advancement of the fire
service and the protection of life and property.

Section 5

It shall be the duty of the Training and Education Committee to gather and
disseminate all pertinent training information deemed beneficial for the
advancement of the fire service and the protection of life and property. It shall also
be the duty of the Training and Education Committee to discuss and promote
issues that are of common interest to all member departments in the area of fire
training.

Section 6

It shall be the duty of the Emergency Medical Services Committee to promote

cooperation between the various EMS providers, medical directors and hospitals
within Ellis County. It shall also be the duty of the Emergency Medical Services
Committee to discuss and promote issues that are of common interest to all
member departments in the area of emergency medical services. The EMS
Committee shall assist with recommendations, quality assurance and quality
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improvement programs with First Responders and EMS Providers.

Section 7

It shall be the duty of the Fire Prevention Committee to promote fire safety within
Ellis County and the jurisdictions participating in the Ellis County Mutual Aid
system, through public education and code enforcement using fire departments,
schools, media and all other resources available. It shall also be the duty of the
Fire Prevention Committee to discuss and promote issues that are of common
interest to all member departments in the area of Fire Prevention.

Section 8

It shall be the duty of Mutual Aid Committee to assure that the Ellis County mutual
aid response plan is maintained to fulfill the emergency coverage needs of all fire
service jurisdictions within Ellis County and the jurisdictions participating in the
Ellis County Mutual Aid system. It shall also be the duties of the Mutual Aid
Committee to discuss and promote issues that are of common interest to all
member departments in the area of mutual aid.
Article X
Political Candidate Endorsement
The association shall at no time endorse or recommend any candidate for any
political office, nor shall politics or political candidates be discussed at any
meetings.

Article XI
Parliamentary Rules
Section 1

The rules contained in Robert Rules of Order shall govern this association
where applicable and in which they are not in conflict or inconsistent with the ByLaws of the association.

Section 2

The order of the proceedings of meetings shall be as follows:

Invocation and Pledge
Calling meeting to order
Introduction of guest
Approval of minutes of previous meeting
Report of Secretary bills and communications
Report of Treasurer
Report of committees
Old or unfinished business
New business
The good of the association
Adjournment

Article XII
By-Law Amendments
Section 1

The By-Laws may be amended, added to, taken away from, modified or altered
by affirmation vote of a majority of the voting members present at a regular
meeting. No amendment shall be put to a vote unless written notice has been
mailed either electronically or by postal service to each voting member at least
two (2) weeks prior to the meeting at which the amendment is to be voted on with
the proposed amendment stated in said notice. All proposed amendments shall
be directed to the Board of Directors for review as to form and content, which will
forward its recommendation to the members for a vote within eight (8) weeks at a
special or regular meeting.

These By-Laws approved by majority vote of the Ellis County Fire Chiefs Association on the
____ day of _______, 20____.
Signature of Association President: