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TENNESSEE CHAPTER
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ARSON
INVESTIGATORS
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
THE TENNESSEE CHAPTER
OF
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ARSON
INVESTIGATORS, INC.
ARTICLE 1
NAME AND OBJECT
Section 1: Name
This organization shall be known as “The Tennessee Chapter” of the “International Association of Arson Investigators,” and is hereinafter referred to as The Tennessee Chapter. The name of the Tennessee Chapter shall not be used publicly by any members other then 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 Tennessee Chapter in the use of the name to carry out the purpose of the Tennessee Chapter.
Section 2: Object
The objectives and purposes of the Tennessee Chapter shall be:
a. To unite for mutual benefit those public officials and private persons engaged in the control of arson and kindred crimes.
b. To provide for exchange of technical information and developments
c. To cooperate with other law enforcement agencies and associations to further fire prevention and the suppression of crime.
d. To encourage high professional standards of conduct among arson investigators and to continually strive to eliminate all factors which interfere with administration of crime suppression.
The Tennessee Chapter shall not be operated for profit and its funds may not be used in an attempt to influence legislation.
ARTICLE 2
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Active Membership
Any member in good standing of the International Association of Arson Investigators shall be eligible for membership in the Tennessee Chapter.
Section 2: Associate Membership
Persons not qualified for active membership may become Associate Members after determination of their qualifications by the Membership Committee. Any Associate Member in good standing of the International Association of Arson Investigators shall be eligible for membershipin the Tennessee Chapter. Associate Members shall have the same privileges of an Active Member, except, voting and holding office. The Tennessee Chapter may, by majority vote of active members present, exclude Associate Members from any particular business meeting.
Section 3: Honorary Life Membership
Any member with a minimum of Ten (10) years of Active Service and in good standing with the Tennessee Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, herein referred to as the “Chapter”, may be nominated for Honorary Life Membership (LTM) by any active member in good standing with the Chapter and has a minimum of Five (5) Years service to the Chapter.
An application for LTM may be obtained by mail from the Chapter’s President or Secretary. The application and supporting documentation must be submitted to the Chapter’s President within Sixty (60) days of a regular scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors, herein referred to as the “Board”. After reviewing the application, the Chapter’s President will then present the Application to the Board. A majority vote of the Board present must confer LTM upon any applicant who has rendered distinguished service.
An LTM shall have all rights and privileges of an active member. The Chapter will be responsible for paying the LTM’s annual seminar and membership dues. No more than Two (2) nominations for such membership may be approved in any year.
Section 4: Sustaining Membership
Individuals or organizations interested in carrying out the purpose of the Tennessee Chapter shall be granted Sustaining Membership upon the contribution of not less than Fifty dollars ($50) annually, or upon any Sustaining Membership in the national organization which designates at least Fifty dollars ($50) of its annual contribution to be used by the Tennessee Chapter. All such funds shall be devoted to the educational functions of the Tennessee Chapter.
Section 5: Chapter Membership
An individual may make application solely in the Tennessee Chapter, provided such individual is not less than Eighteen (18) years of age at the time he/she makes application. The application must be filed with the Secretary/Treasurer of the Tennessee Chapter along with the required fees. A chapter member shall have the same privileges of an active member except hold office or vote on International issues.
ARTICLE 3
Section 1: Officers
The officers of the Tennessee Chapter shall be a President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, and a Secretary/Treasurer.
Section 2: Board of Directors
The officers and nine (9) other members of the Tennessee Chapter duly elected and the immediate past President shall constitute the Board of Directors.
The officers of the national association shall be ex-officio members of the Board of Directors.
Section 3: Terms of Office
The officers shall hold office from the time of their election and qualification for terms of one (1) or two (2) years, or until the election and qualification of their respective successors. Other members of the Board shall hold office from the time of their election and qualification for terms of three (3) Years. Their terms shall be so arranged that two (2) retire each year.
Section 4: Vacancies
In the event of a vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors between annual meetings, the vacancy or vacancies shall be filled by the President and the newly appointed member or members of the Board shall hold office only until the next annual meeting.
Section 5: Election
Officers and other members of the Board shall be elected at the annual meeting.
Section 6: Nominating Committee
On the first day of the annual meeting the President shall announce the membership of the Nominating Committee, which shall nominate Officers and the appropriate number of members of the Board to hold office for the ensuing term of office. This committee shall consist of five (5) members and the majority of whom shall not be holders of any elective office.
Section 7: Attendance
Officers and Board of Directors shall make every effort to attend all meetings. If unable to attend, a notification must be forwarded to a Chapter Officer as soon a possible.
Section 8: Removal
The Board and Officers may for just cause remove any officer or Board member by a 2/3rd majority of all Officers and Board members.
ARTICLE 4
GOVERNMENT
Section 1: Board of Directors
The Government of The Tennessee Chapter shall be vested in the Board of Directors. Six (6) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2: Duties and Powers
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 purpose. The Board shall determine the date and location of the annual meeting and shall have powers to direct, control and supervise the affairs of The Tennessee Chapter.
Section 3: President
The President shall be the chief executive officer of The Tennessee Chapter and it shall be his/her responsibility to supervise and coordinate the activities of the Tennessee Chapter and to preside at meetings of the Tennessee Chapter and of the Board of Directors. He/She shall appoint appropriate committees for the conduct of the activities of the Tennessee Chapter and shall require reports at each annual meeting and as otherwise desired from the committees so appointed and from the officers of the Tennessee Chapter.
Section 4: First Vice President
In the absence of the President, the First Vice President shall be the chief executive officer and shall act as such. He/she shall also act as Chairman of the Finance Committee.
Section 5: Second Vice President
In the absence of the President and the First Vice President, the Second Vice President shall perform the duties of the President.
Section 6: Secretary/Treasurer
The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep the records and minutes of the Tennessee Chapter and shall maintain currently the roll of members, the Constitution and all other documents of value. It shall be his/her duty to receive and acknowledge all communications of the Chapter addressed to him/her, or that may be submitted to him/her by officers of the Tennessee Chapter and perform such duties as assigned by the President. He/she shall be the custodian and sole depositor of the funds of the organization and shall disburse such funds by check upon approval of the Board of Directors for purposes which promote the welfare and objectives of this organization. He/she shall render a complete summary of all income, disbursements and balances when ever requested by the Board and to make available to the members at each regular meeting. A written copy of this report shall be made available to any member upon request. He/she shall furnish bond to the Tennessee Chapter in the form and amount as designated by the Board, the cost thereof to be paid by the Tennessee Chapter.
Section 8: Ex-Officio Members
All Ex-Officio Members shall have the privilege of attending and participating in all meetings of the Board, but shall not have voting power in such meetings.
Section 9: Sergeant at Arms
The Sergeant at Arms will insure orderly conduct during the Annual Training Conference and General Members Meeting for the welfare of the organization. The Sergeant at Arms will validate the attendance of members during classes and members meetings. And other duties as specified by the job description.
ARTICLE 5
MEETINGS
Section 1: Annual
The annual meeting shall be held at such time and place as may be fixed by the Board of Directors. Notice hereof shall be mailed sent to each member at his/her last known fixed or electronic address, not less than thirty (30) days in advance. Election shall occur and other business may be presented at the annual meeting. When any question comes before the meeting not specifically provided for herein the presiding officer shall be governed in his/her decision by the rules laid down in “Robert Rules of Order”, as revised.
Section 2: Special
Special meetings may be called by order of the Board of Directors at such place and time as fixed by the Board, giving notice thereof to all members at least fifteen (15) days in advance.
Section 3: Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall meet at any time and place upon call of the President or of any six (6) (7) members of the Board.
ARTICLE 6
FINANCE
Section 1: Fees and Dues
Payment of dues for Active and Associate Membership in the national Association entitles a person to membership in the Tennessee Chapter.
The Tennessee Chapter may also asses annual dues at a rate set by the membership. The Board of Directors shall determine the registration fee for conducting the annual seminar.
Section 2: Audit
The Finance Committee shall make an audit of the accounts of the Secretary/Treasurer at each annual meeting and shall verify all assets and liabilities of the Tennessee Chapter.
ARTICLE 7
AMENDMENT
Section 1:
The Constitution may be amended at any annual meeting of the Tennessee Chapter by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present.
Adopted at a special meeting in Jackson, Tennessee June 10, 1965.
Amendments adopted August 23, 1995.
Amendments adopted August 23, 1996.
Amendments adopted August ??, 2007.
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