Name And Objective

Section One - Name of Organization

This organization shall be known as the (South Carolina Fire & Life Safety Education Association), and is hereinafler referred to as the (Association). The name of the Association shall not be used publicly by any member other than by the use of his/her membership card for identification purposes, without express permission of the Board of Directors. This shall not restrict the officers or appointees or agents of the Association in the use of the name to carry out the purposes of the Association.

Section Two - Purpose & Objectives

The purpose and objectives of this Association shall be as follows:

Purpose

To promote fire & life safety education for the general public and to encourage fire & life safety organizations to be pro-active in the preventative measures in safety education, thereby reducing the number of injuries and/or deaths in our state.

Objectives:

• To network with all other safety organizations.
• To elevate safety awareness through the participation of other organizations, such as industry, business, and insurance agencies.
• Seek the involvement of any professional organization who is in agreement with the purpose stated under Section 2, above.
• To see a definite reduction in the number of fire related injuries, fatalities, as well as accidents causing injury in our state.

 

Membership

Section One - Eligibility

A governmental representative and any representative of private industry who is actively engaged in some phase of fire and life safety prevention, education, or those concerned with public fire and life safety as a whole. may be eligible for membership. All applications for membership will be reviewed by the membership committee.  There are three categories of membeship.  The first is a General Member.  This member shall reside in South Carolina and be affiliated with a fire, EMS or police agency.  The second is an Associate Member.  This member is an out-of-state member.  The third is a Business Member. 

Section Two - Acceptance

All applications for membership shall be made to the chairperson of the Membership Committee. Each application will be voted on and may be accepted or rejected by the committee members.

Section Three - Qualifications

Prior to voting upon each application, the Membership Committee shall give due consideration to the following;

• The personal character of the applicant
• The character and reputation of the applicant’s employer and associates.
• The general nature and character of the principal business of the employer and associates.
• No persons shall be permitted to maintain a membership if he/she is currently, or has been a member of a subversive organization or of any organization whose objectives and operations are inconsistent with the purposes of the Association.

Section Four - Termination

The association. either upon its own initiative or by the recommendation of the Membership Committee, may order termination of any membership for the following reasons:

• Such member falsified his/her application or makes any misrepresentation therein.
• Such member has conducted him/herself in such a matter as is prejudicial to the good name or best interest of the Association.
• Such member has exhibited traits of character or conduct inconsistent with the qualifications for membership of the Association. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to terminate any membership for any reason specified herein.

 

Election, Terms, And Office

Section One - Officer Positions

The officers of this Association shall be a President, a Vice President, Chairperson of the Membership Committee, and a Secretary/Treasurer.  These positions must hold the status of a General Member.

Section Two - Board Positions

The officers and two other members of the organization, duly-elected, shall constitute the Board of Directors.  A Board Member may be any member of the Association.

Section Three - Terms

The officers and board shall hold office for a period of two years.

Section Four - Vacancies

Any occurring vacancies shall be handled in an appropriate manner by the Board of Directors.

Section Five - Elections

All elections shall be made on an bi-annual basis. Any member or group of members may nominate any person or persons within the Association for election as an officer or member of the Board of Directors of this Association.

Section Six - Nominating Committee

The Board of Directors shall have the responsibility of designating a nominating committee to be utilized during the annual meeting for directors.

 

Government

Section One - Board of Directors

The Government of this Association shall be vested in the Board of Directors.  Four members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

Section Two - Duties & Power

The Board shall have full power to initiate and transact all kinds of business necessary to the existence of the organization and the observance of its purposes. The Board shall determine the date and location of the annual meeting and shall outline the program of activities during such meeting. They shall have general powers to direct, control, and supervise the affairs of the Association.

Section Three - The President

The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association, and it shall be his/her responsibility to supervise and coordinate the activities of the Association and to preside at meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors. He/she shall appoint appropriate committees for the conduct of the activities of the Association, and shall require reports at each annual meeting, and as otherwise desired from the committees so appointed and from the officers of the Association.

Section Four - The Vice President

The Vice President shall assist the President and acts on behalf of the President during his/her absence.

Section Five - The Secretary/Treasurer

The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep a complete record of all proceedings, a roster of all names and addresses of members and shall collect membership dues; receive all funds, keep accurate records, and make a full report of moneys handled as requested.

 

Meetings

Section One - Annual Meeting

The bi-annual meetings shall be held for elections and notification must be sent out to all membership well in advance. The location shall be specified by the Board of Directors.

Section Two - Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall meet at any time or place upon the call of the President or any four members of the Board. Attendance is expected at all regularly scheduled meetings. All officers shall be required to attend quarterly meetings.

 

Finance

Section One - Fees & Dues

All membership fees shall be paid by January 1st in the amount of $10.00.  Included in this fee is the right to represent your organization by having one vote per membership. A Business Membership is $25.00 for the Business which includes one membership.  Each additional membership will be $10.00.

Section Two - Failure to Pay

All members should remain in good standing with the Association. If dues are not paid, the privilege of voting will be suspended until payment has been received. Membership is not voided for failure to pay, however representatives from each organization will not be permitted to cast a vote.

Section Three - Audit

All accounts of the Treasurer shall be verifiable by having an audit done once a year. 

Amendment

Section One - Amendment Requirements

This Constitution may be amended at any regular or special meeting of this organization by a vote of two-thirds of the members present.

Section Two - Voting

A maximum of one vote for each membership will be permitted. Absentee balloting is also permitted upon request by the absentee.

 Definitions

Member -

Any individual or representative of a governmental or private industry organization whose fees have been satisfied.

Representative -

Any member acting on behalf of the Association.

Voting -

Each membership may have only one vote.