Revised Constitution and By-Laws of the

ELLIS COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION

As proposed by the Executive Board
& voted on by the membership
January 8. 2015

ARTICLE I

NAME:
The association of the organization shall be the ELLIS COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this organization is to foster and perpetuate one hundred percent fire
prevention, emergency medical services and fire fighting efficiency. The organization is
absolutely nonpartisan and shall never be used for the promotion or retardation of
partisan propaganda or the promotion of any persons candidacy for public office.
ARTICLE III
Membership:
Section 1: REGULAR MEMBERSHIP:
Any regular fire department: either paid, partially paid, volunteer, or any other
authorized agency whose sole function is that of fire prevention, emergency medical
services and fire fighting in Ellis County shall be eligible for membership in this
Association upon payment of dues to the Secretary/Treasurer and shall be entitled to
vote on all matters.
Section 2: ASSOCIATED MEMBERSHIP:
Associate members shall be limited to the manufacturers, distributors, and/or sales
personnel of fire apparatus, equipment and accessories and companies displaying
genuine interests in the betterment of the fire service of Ellis County. Individuals who
display a genuine interest in the betterment of the fire service and emergency medical
service of Ellis County may also be granted membership upon payment of dues to the
Secretary/Treasurer and approval by a majority vote by the Executive Committee.
Associate members shall not be entitled to vote.
Section 3: LIFE MEMBERSHIP:
Life membership shall be granted to all past presidents. Other persons the Association
wishes to honor for distinguished or meritorious or long faithful service to this
Association may be granted life membership upon a majority vote at a regular meeting
and they shall be entitled to vote upon all matters.
Section 4: RETIREE MEMBERSHIP:
Fire department retirees shall be eligible for membership in this Association upon
payment of dues to the Secretary/Treasurer and shall be entitled to vote on all matters
and shall be eligible to hold elective office.

ARTICLE IV

DUES:
Each member department and associate shall be required to pay $25 annually to the
Secretary/Treasurer, payable on or before the first meeting of the year. Retirees shall not
be assessed an annual dues if the retirees former department pays the departments
annual dues.
If the retirees former department does not pay the annual dues, then the retiree shall pay
his/her own dues in the amount of $5.00. Life members shall not be assessed annual
dues.

ARTICLE V
OFFICERS:
The officers of this Association shall consist of a PRESIDENT, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT,
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT, SECRTARY/TREASURER, ASSISTANT TREASURER
and CHAPLIN to be elected at the first meeting of every second year for a term of two
years, to serve until their successor has been duly elected and installed.
The Executive committee shall be composed of: PRESIDENT, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT,
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT, SECRTARY/TREASURER, ASSISTANT TREASURER,
CHAPLIN, and IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT. All elected officers shall be members
of a member department and must remain a member of a department in good standing
during their tenure in office, a retiree member, or a life member of this Association.
ARTICLE VI
DUTIES OF OFFICERS:
Section 1: President
All meetings shall be conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order. The President shall
preside at all meeting of the Association and Executive Committee, sign all papers
requiring his/her signature and perform other such duties as are regularly by the President
of similar organizations. He/she may appoint committees and assign duties to the Vice
Presidents and he/she deems necessary. He/she shall appoint a nominating committee for
officers for the bi-annual election and this committee shall be appointed in August. He/she
shall also instruct the Secretary/ Treasurer to furnish all required financial reports to the
Certified Public Accountant employed by the Association by February 1 st of each year or
as required by Federal, State or Local laws.
Section 2: Vice President
The Vice President shall in regular order of their rank, in the absence, resignation or death
of the President preside and perform the duties of the Presidents office. They shall
perform such duties as have been assigned to them by the President. Specific duties of the
Vice Presidents shall be as follows:
First VP: Shall be in charge of the planning of the quarterly meeting and shall be in
charge of the programs presented at the meetings.
Second VP: Shall be in charge of any fundraising projects and serve as chairperson for
any special committees.

Section 3: Secretary/Treasurer
The Secretary/Treasurer shall record and keep a record of all meeting of the Association
and Executive Committee and shall give a report of such meetings to all membership at all
regular Association meetings and as requested by the President or Executive Committee.
He/she shall keep a current roster of all regular, associate and life memberships of the
Association. He/she shall provide other reports or documents as requested by the
President or Executive Committee. The Secretary/Treasurer shall receive all monies due
the Association from any source, giving receipt thereof and shall pay all bills die by the
Association. He/she shall keep all financial records current and shall file all necessary
financial reports as required. He/she shall make an annual report and such other reports as
directed by the President and/or the Executive Committee.
Section 4: Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
The Assistant Secretary/Treasurer shall assist the Secretary/Treasurer as necessary. He/she
shall perform the duties of the Secretary/Treasurer in his/her absence.
Section 5: Chaplin
The Chaplin shall be charged with the spiritual guidance and welfare of the Association.
They shall attend all meetings which shall be opened and closed with Divine, but nonsectarian prayer. He/she shall perform such other duties as may be assigned him/her by the
President.
Section 6: Immediate Past President
The Immediate Past President shall advise and assist the Executive Committee as
necessary and will have voting privileges.
Section 7: Executive Committee
a)

The Executive Committee shall pass on all bills and expenditures of the
Association in excess of $200.00 and attend to such business of the Association as
may properly be handled by such Committee, keeping at all times within the
Constitution and By-Laws of the Association. They shall also arrange for all
programs and set the time and place of all meetings.

b) A quorum of the Executive Committee at any meeting shall consist of any five (5) members of
the executive Committee present, providing that all members of the Executive Committee have
been notified of such a meeting.
c) A meeting of the Executive Committee may be called to order by the President or upon call,
being duly drawn signed by a majority of the committee upon receipt of which the President
shall immediately call a meeting of the said committee.
d) All meeting of the Executive Committee shall be open, at all times to any member of the
Association and full minutes shall be furnished to any department or member upon request of
such request.

ARTICLE VII

ASSOCIATION MEETINGS:
Section 1: Meeting Dates
The Association shall meet on the second Thursday of January, April, July and October
or as near to these dates as possible as determined by the Executive Committee. The
first regular meeting held in any year shall be considered as the annual meeting at
which time election for officers shall be held if necessary.
Business may be conducted at any regular meeting during the year. The
Secretary/Treasurer shall send emails & other electronic notification to all association
members not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting date.
ARTICLE VIII
CHANGES TO CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS:
Any proposed changes to the Constitution and By-Laws shall be presented to the
Secretary/Treasurer not less than 45 days prior to any regular meeting. The association
Secretary/Treasurer shall notify membership by email or other electronic media of any
proposed changes not less than twenty (20) days prior to the meeting.
ARTICLE VIIX
VOTING AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
In all matters voted on by the roll call or ballot, each member department present shall
have one (1) vote which shall be cast by one delegate chosen by their department. Each
life membership shall have one (1) vote. In all matters voted on by voice or other sign, all
present who are regular members of any member department shall have a vote.
In the election of officers, when there is more than one candidate for any office, voting
shall be by ballot. Any member department present may call for a roll call ballot on any
matter before the Association, either before the vote has been taken, or after the vote have
been taken, if not satisfied with the decision of the President regarding the count. A
majority of votes shall decide all matters expecting that a two-thirds (2/3) majority of
votes shall be required to amend the Constitution and By-Laws.

Revisions
2015 Approved at January 8, 2015 meeting
-Changed officer term from 1 year to 2 years.
- Removed Sergeant at Arms position.
- Removed Texas A&M Scholarship award (old section X)
- Changed meeting months from February, May, August & November to January, April, July and October.