Firefighters
Association
Constitution and By Laws
CONSTITUTION
Article I
The corporate name of this organization shall be: The Indiana Firefighters' Association, Inc.
Article II
The objects of this organization are not political, sectarian, or for labor issues. Its objectives are and shall be to maintain and
promote fraternal regard and good fellowship between themembers and to gather and disseminate information and knowledge of benefit to the firefighter's craft.
Article III
The business of this organization shall be managed by a board of fifteen (15) directors. The power to amend the Constitution
is granted to Board of Directors only. The Board of Directors will consist of the President, Secretary-Treasurer, six area Vice-Presidents, four Directors, Immediate Past President/Chairman of the Board, two Chaplains.
Article IV
This organization shall have a corporate seal which shall be circular in form with the name of The Indiana Firefighters' Association, Inc. inscribed near the outer edge of the circle thereof.
BY-LAWS
Article I
Section 1
This organization shall be known as The Indiana Firefighters' Association, Inc. Hereafter referred to as the IFA in this document.
Section 2
The primary object of this organization is to gather and disseminate information and knowledge of benefit to all Indiana
firefighters. Other objectives are to promote and maintain fraternal regard and good fellowship between and among all Indi
ana firefighters and certified Emergency Medical Personnel. To accomplish the foregoing, IFA shall provide a fund by dues
or assessments from which it may be paid the expenses of its educational activities and all other necessary expenses or in
directly related thereto. IFA shall provide a certificate of membership to all members in good standing.
ARTICLE II
Section 1
The membership of IFA shall be divided as follows: Active, Retired Active, Associate, Honorary, Life, and Corporate. i
Section 2
Any person wishing to join this organization must be of good moral character at the time of his or her application for membership.
A person who is engaged in the fire service or emergency medical service (career or volunteer) in the State of Indiana is
eligible for Active membership in the IFA. Those who have retired from fire or emergency medical serv
ices shall be eligible for Retired Active membership. Those related to Active members (spouse, widow, etc.) and in
dividuals interested in promoting the fire and emergency medical services are eligible for Associate membership.
Any companies or agencies that support the IFA are eligible for Corporate membership.
Section 3
The amount for dues for each category are to be established by the Board and reviewed regularly. IFA shall not accept
membership dues from or permit membership of any person whose activities tend to place this organization in an untenable
position, unfavorable light, or bring this organization into disrepute.
Section 4
Life members are those individuals who have been so elected to such status at any meeting of the Board of Directors. After
election to such status, a life member will not be subject to any further dues or assessments. Nomination of Life members
may be made only by the Executive Board which consists of the President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Chairman of the Board.
Section 5
Honorary members are those individuals who because of their position in government, industry, another organization, or who
have benefited IFA should be recognized by this organization.Honorary members shall not be required to pay annual dues
but such shall not prevent them from making voluntary contributions this organization. The President, Chairman of the
Board of Directors, and the Secretary shall constitute a committee to determine who shall be honorary members of IFA
An honorary member may attend the annual conference at his/her own expense but shall have no vote. He may address
the conference only with the consent of the President.
Section 6
The annual dues of this organization shall be set forth by the Board of Directors and voted on at the annual conference.
The annual dues shall be payable following the annual conference for the next calendar year. It shall be and is hereby made the duty of each active member of IFA to promptly remit the amount of dues and assessment to the Secretary or Vice-President of this organization, in exchange for an official receipt. Any dues paying member who fails to remit or pay said dues or assessments shall cease to be a member and will not be entitled to any of the privileges or benefits of IFA until such time as he/she has been properly reinstated. Section 8 Upon the death of any Active, Retired Active, or Life member of the IFA the spouse or nearest relative shall be offered a memorial keepsake by the IFA as a token of our appreciation for their service to their communities and for their membership in the IFA. Article III Section 1 The State of Indiana shall be divided into six (6) regions. The President shall designate the area included in each region. This shall be approved by the Board of Directors. Section 2 There shall be a Regional Vice-President for each of the regions designated in Section 1 of this Article. Each Regional Vice-President shall be elected by the IFA members from their respective region at the annual conference.
Section 7
Section 3
Each Regional Vice-President shall be in charge of obtaining and maintaining the membership in IFA in his/her region. All dues collected shall be remitted to the Secretary-Treasurer of this organization. Each Regional Vice-President shall have the overall responsibility for any educational activities pertaining to all areas of the fire and emergency medical services for his/her region. He shall perform such other functions and duties as the President may direct. In the accomplishment of the foregoing, each Regional Vice-President may seek the assistance and advice of an Assistant Vice-President. The Assis tant Vice-President of each district shall perform such functions and duties as may be assigned by the Regional Vice-President. The Regional Vice-Presidents shall be authorized by the President and Board of Directors to use funds of IFA in the accomplishment of educational activities. The elected officers of the IFA shall be a President, six (6) Regional Vice-Presidents, Secretary-Treasurer, two (2) Directors from career departments, two (2) Directors from volunteer departments, and the Immediate Past President. They will serve as the Board of Directors.
Article IV
Section 1
Section 2
At each annual conference/conference two (2) Directors shall be elected for a two-year term. Consideration should be given
to having representation from career firefighters, volunteer firefighters, Emergency Medical Services, Indiana Department
of Homeland Security/Emergency Management Agencies, and law enforcement among these Directors to broaden the view
of the Board.
Section 3
The President, three (3) Regional Vice-Presidents from the east side of the state, one (1) Director from a career depart
ment and one Director from a volunteer department shall be elected by secret ballot at the annual conference/conference
held in even numbered years for a two (2) year term. In odd numbered years three (3) Regional Vice-Presidents from the
west side of the state, the Secretary-Treasurer, two (2) Directors shall be elected for a two (2) year term.
Section 4
The President shall appoint a parliamentarian, historian, chaplains, and any other positions deemed necessary for the good
of this organization.
Section 5
In the election of the President, Regional Vice-Presidents, Secretary-Treasurer, the candidates receiving the majority of
votes cast for the respective offices shall be declared elected. The President shall fill vacancies and unexpired terms until the
next election.
Section 6
All officers and individuals shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in representing IFA on official business.
Per Diem and mileage are to be established by the Board of Directors.
Article V
Section 1
It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of IFA and its Board of Directors. The President shall vote at
the Board of Directors' meeting only in the event of a tie vote.
Section 2
The President shall be the legal representative of IFA upon who shall be served all notices of claims or suits against IFA.
Section 3
The immediate Past President shall automatically become Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Section 4
In the event of the absence, death, or inability of the President, the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall have all the powers and
functions and shall perform any and all duties of the President.
Section 5
Regional Vice-Presidents shall have the duties and responsibilities as set out in Section 3 of Article III of these By-laws.
Section 6
Two Chaplains shall be appointed by the President and attend all conferences, Board meetings, and perform all duties pertaining to
the affairs of IFA, and when requested, and if possible, officiate at the burial of firefighters in good standing in this organization.
Section 7
It shall be the duty of the Historian to prepare a narrative account of IFA activities during his/her time in office and present the same at
the conference/conference for approval after which the said narrative account will become a permanent part of this organization's of
ficial history. It shall be the further duty of the Historian to seek out and preserve the records of past activities of this organization and
do all that is reasonable and necessary to maintain any and all items, records, papers, etc. of historical value to this organization.
Section 8
It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer of IFA to keep full minutes of all meetings of this organization, and its Board
of Directors, prepare, and send all notices of meetings of this organizations and its Board of Directors, prepare, maintain
and preserve all other papers belonging to this organization.
Section 9
The Secretary-Treasurer shall collect all monies due IFA.
Section 10
The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep accurate account with all the members of IFA, report all delinquencies of members in
the payment of dues to the Board of Directors after he/she shall have discovered said delinquencies, pay all bills of this
organization by voucher as designated and agreed upon by the Board of Directors, collect all dues and assessments,
make a report at each meeting of this organization of all receipts and disbursements, and perform such other duties rela
tive to his/her office as may from time to time be authorized by the Board of Directors, and shall turn over all monies, books,
papers, and all other copies of this organization to his/her successor in office as soon as said successor shall have qualified
and the outgoing Secretary-Treasurer shall have been relieved by the Board of Directors.
Section 11
The Secretary-Treasurer shall provide a bond for the faithful performance of his/her duties, the amount to be determined by
the Board of Directors and paid by this organization. He shall receive compensation with the exact amount set by the Board
of Directors for the forthcoming year after each annual conference. In addition, he/she shall be reimbursed for all neces
sary funds expended by him/her on behalf of the organization and for all travel and other expenses in connection with the
business of the organization.
Section 12
The Secretary-Treasurer shall receive all monies paid to IFA, giving a receipt therefore, and all approved vouchers shall be
paid by check signed by the Secretary-Treasurer and/or other designated person
Section 13
The Secretary-Treasurer shall make at each meeting of IFA an itemized report of the finances of the organization and also
to the Board of Directors when requested to do so and upon retiring from office he/she shall transmit all monies in his/her
hands to his/her successor.
Section 14
The Board of Directors shall have general management and control of all of the business of IFA. They shall fix the amount
of bonds and the compensation of officers and employees. They may at any time demand of any officer or employee, for
inspection, any book, paper, or other article pertaining to the business of the organization, and in the case of death, resig
nation, or dismissal of any officer of the organization, the President shall fill the position of said officer with a majority vote of
the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall approve the depositories used by the Secretary-Treasurer for the orga
nization's funds. They shall require that an annual audit be made of the Secretary-Treasurer by an audit committee of the
organization. Such audit shall be made and certified to the Board of Directors on or before the annual conference/conference.
Section 15
The Board of Directors shall hold two (2) regular meetings each year to consider such business as may come before them. They shall hold such other meetings as the interest of this organization may require. Any such special meeting may
be called by the President, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or upon petition by the majority of the Board of Direc- -
tors. Notice to Board members shall be given to them at least five (5) days in advance of any special meeting by the Secretary- Treasurer.
Section 16
The President shall have the authority to hire an attorney to represent the legal affairs of this organization, subject to the
confirmation of the Board of Directors.
Section 17
There shall be an official publication of IFA which shall be published up to four times a year.
Section 18
All elected and appointed officers of IFA, including Life Members and Past Presidents, by virtue of their office shall have
recognition of the floor and the power to vote at the annual conference.
Section 19
A legal committee shall be appointed by the President and this committee shall have five (5) members, composed as follows:
the President of IFA shall be the Chairman; one member of the Board of Directors; one member from a career depart
ment; one member from a volunteer department; and the attorney. The duties of this committee shall be to pass on all
legal activities of this organization. The creation of this committee shall not limit the right of the conference/conference to
create standing or special committees.
Section 20
The President shall appoint the members of all committees,
unless otherwise specified.
Article VI
Section 1
The power and authority to amend, repeal, or add By-laws of this organization are granted to the Board of Directors.
Section 2
The By-laws of this organization shall be studied for possible revision each four (4) year period beginning with the year 1999.
Section 3
Roberts Rules of Order, newly revised, shall be taken as authority on all questions of parliamentary law in this organization.
Section 4
The order of business at the annual conference shall be as follows:
Call to order
Report of Credentials Committee
Report of By-law Committee for standing rules of the conference
Roll call
Reading of the minutes
Appointment of committees
Order of business continued:
Communications
Report of officers
Report of committees
Unfinished business
New business
Election of officers
Oath of Office for new officers
Good of the organization
Suggested Oath of Office:
"I, , hereby swear that I will support the Constitution and By-laws and at all times bear true allegiance to the goals and purposes of The Indiana Firefighters' Association, Inc. I further swear to perform the duties and responsibilities of my office, and I will deliver to my successor all the records of said office. So help me God."
Section 5
An annual golf tournament may be designated as the Kenneth "Eli" Lilly Memorial Golf Tournament.
Section 6
An annual luncheon may be designated as the "Memorial Luncheon for Past Officers."