By-Laws
For the Government of the Board of Directors
Section 1 The Board of Directors shall hold 6 or more meetings annually. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to
notify the Directors of the time and place of the meeting. A portion of each meeting shall be set aside for input
from the general membership unless voted otherwise by the Directors.
Section 2. Four (4) members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at
all meetings of the Board of Directors. The majority vote shall rule.
Section 3. If a member of the Board of Directors resigns or becomes disassociated with the Board, the respective
fire department shall be so notified and asked to elect a replacement.
Section 4. In the absence of the Secretary from any meeting of the Board, the presiding office shall appoint a
recording secretary PRO TEM who shall make a written return of the proceedings of such meeting, which report
shall be recorded by the Secretary.
Section 5. At every stated meeting the Secretary shall read the records of the preceding meeting of the Board of
Directors
Section 6. The By"Laws of the Association may be amended, enlarged or repealed in the same manner as the
Constitution.
South Kingstown Firefighters Relief Association Constitution
Name and Corporate Seal
Section 1. The name of this Association shall be "South Kingstown Firefighters Relief Association.."
Section 2. The Seal of this Association shall be as follows: "South Kingstown Firefighters Relief Association,
Rhode Island, Incorporated 1970."
ARTICLE I
Purpose of the Association
Section 1. The Purpose of the Association shall be to provide aid to members and their families.
ARTICLE II
Membership in the Association
Section 1. All fire departments in the town of South Kingstown shall be eligible to become members of this
Association and shall be entitled to all benefits administered by this Association
Section 2. Dues for membership in the Association shall be $100.00 per year for each station.
ARTICLE III
Directors and Officers
Section 1. The general supervision and control of the Association shall be vested in directors who have been
elected by their representative fire departments (one from each of the departments referred to in Article II, Section
1.)
Section 2. Directors shall be removed for just cause by the Association at a special meeting called for that
purpose.
Section 3. Officers: The Board of Directors shall elect from their own members a President, Vice-President,
Secretary and Treasurer one meeting prior to the annual meeting.
A. Duties of the President: The President shall preside at meetings of the Board of Directors and the
Association, preserve order ~d decorum during the meeting, decide all questions of order, and in the case
of a vote, shall case the deciding vote. He shall be in power to call special meetings of the Board of
Directors by an order to the secretary whenever he shall deem it expedient, or whenever requested to do so
by any three members of the Board of Directors. He shall appoint all committees and shall be, by virtue of
his office, a member of all committees, ex-officio.
B. Duties of the Vice-President: The Vice-President shall perform all the duties of the President in his
absence of disability.
C. Duties of the Secretary: The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and the
Association and keep an accurate record of all proceedings. He shall also keep an accurate record of all
members of the Association and report to the Treasurer all changes in membership rolls and shall
incorporate in the minutes of each meeting of the Board of Directors the na~e and date of all new members
who have been accepted in the organization.
D. Duties of the Treasurer: The Treasurer shall attend all meetings of the, Association and the Board of
Directors. He shall, at every regular meeting of the Board of Directors, make a report of the amount of all
money received by him and from what source it was received, the amount of money on hand at the last
meeting, the amount of money disbursed, and the balance on hand. The treasurer shall be the custodian of
all money and securities of the Association, and shall keep regular books of the account and balance the
same month~ He shall deposit in such bank or trust company as the Board of Directors may designate, all
money belonging to the Association and make all the investments in accordance with their instructions. He
shall keep an accurate account of all money received and deposited and all disbursements made. At each
monthly and annual meeting and at such other times as the Board of Directors may require, make a full
report of all business done by him and of the financial condition of the Association. He shall deliver to his
successor all money, property or evidence of property in his possession, belonging to the Association..
Checks or orders for the withdrawal of money deposited, investment, or parts thereof must bear the
signature of the Treasurer, the President or the Vice-President. The Treasurer shall be bonded in a sum
designated by the Directors by a surety company authorized to do business in Rhode Island and approved
by the Board of Directors. The Bard of Directors shall submit a financial statement of the Association for
review at the annual meeting and copies of said statement shall be made available to all stations.
ARTICLE IV
Meetings of the Association
Section 1. Annual Meeting: The annual meeting of the Association shall be held in South Kingstown, Rhode
Island on the second Tuesday of March, each year.
Section 2. Special Meetings: The President shall call special meetings whenever he deems it necessary or upon
the written request of at least five members of the Association.
Section 3. Notice of Meetings: It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary to notify each fire department, in
writing, at least thirty (30) days prior to the day of the annual meeting or any special meeting, and of the time,
place, and purpose of such meeting. Such notice shall also be placed in the local newspaper twice (two weeks and
one week prior to the meeting.)
Section 4. Quorum: Any seven (7) members of the Association shalf constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business at all meetings of the Association with the exception of By-Law changes which will require fifteen (15)
members.
ARTICLE V
Fiscal Year of the Association
Section 1. The fiscal year of the Association shall coincide with the calendar year.
ARTICLE VI
Decision of the Board of Directors Final
Section 1. The decision of the Board of Directors on all matters relating to the application for benefits,
processing of applications for benefits, and eligibility for benefits shall be final, provided however, that the Board
of Directors may, in its discretion, review and reconsider any decision rendered by the Board.
2..
ARTICLE VII
Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws
Section 1. Any amendment, enlargement or repeal of any provision of the Constitution or the By-Laws of this
Association shall be proposed in writing to the Board of Directors who shall give notice there of, together with the
time and place of the annual meeting. A majority vote of the members present shall be necessary for its adoption.
At ~he request often (10) members of the Association, made in writing and addressed to the secretary, or upon
vote of the Board of Directors, a special meeting of the Association shall be called to amend the Constitution or
By-Laws.
BENEFITS
1. Death Benefits If a member of the South Kingstown Firefighters Relief Association dies, his beneficiary will be given a
monetary amount of $500. However, if a member dies while responding to or returning from an alarm
sounded in South Kingstown or at a regularly scheduled drill, the amount will be $3,000. Also, if the
spouse of a member dies, the member will be given $350.
2. Injury Benefits -
Any member of the South Kingstown Firefighters Relief Association who is injured or otherwise
incapacitated while responding to, at, or returning from an alarm, or a regularly scheduled drill, and who,
(as a result) is unable to work for 48 hours will be awarded $100. If this member remains unable to work,
accompanied by a doctor's note an additional $100 will be awarded each week he remains unable to work
with a limit in total awards of $800 in total awards for each occurrence.
Rev. 4-22-04 |
