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CENTRAL SAVANNAH RIVER AREA (CSRA) CHAPTER OFTHE SOCIETY OF FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERS (SFPE)
As amended September 14, 2023
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
ARTICLE I NAME
Section I-1 The name of the organization is the CSRA Chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and is herein referred to as the “Chapter”. The Chapter is chartered by The Society of Fire Protection Engineers, a not-for-profit corporation, herein referred to as the “Society” or “SFPE”.
ARTICLE II ORGANIZATION
Section II-1 The Chapter may receive, own, and maintain funds, real property or personal property and use or apply the whole or any part of the income there from and the principal thereof, as necessary in the accomplishment of the purpose of the Chapter.
Section II-2 Federal Taxes: The Chapter is an individually exempt 501 (c) 6 not-for-profit trade and professional association which files an annual information return.
Section II-3 State Taxes: The Chapter is an individually exempt 501 (c) 6 not-for-profit trade and professional association.
Section II-4 The Chapter holds an individual Employer Identification Number (EIN).
Section II-5 No income or assets of the Chapter may be used by or for the personal profit of any individual, institution, or corporation.
Section II-6 The affairs of the Chapter shall be directed by the duly elected Officers.
Section II-7 Upon dissolution of the Chapter, no member shall be entitled to distribution or division of its remaining property or its proceeds, and the balance of money and other property received by the Chapter from any source, including its operations, after the payment of all debts and obligations of the Chapter of whatsoever kind and nature, shall be paid over to the SFPE Educational and Scientific Foundation, a Massachusetts corporation, organized and operated exclusively for the purposes which are scientific, educational and charitable within the intendment of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue code of 1986, as may be amended from time to time.
Section II-8 The Membership Year or year of operations exists from August 1st through July 31st. The membership regularly scheduled meetings generally occur from September though May of each Membership Year, while the Executive Board and planning committees may use the time remaining.
ARTICLE III PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
Section III-1 The purpose and objectives of the Chapter shall be to advance the science and practice of fire protection engineering and its allied fields, to maintain a high ethical standard among its members, and to foster fire protection engineering education in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) of Georgia and South Carolina.
Section III-2 The Chapter shall not speak for the Society on local or national matters without specific written authorization of the Society.
Section III-3 The Chapter shall not engage in political or other activities inconsistent with the governing documents of the Society.
Section III-4 The Chapter shall abide by the Constitution and Bylaws herein and of the Society at large.
ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP
Section IV-1 Membership in the Chapter shall be open to individuals who are interested in the field or science of fire protection.
Section IV-2 All applications for Chapter membership shall be submitted to the Membership Chairman. The applicant shall be notified in an appropriate manner of the Chapter membership and shall be recorded by the Secretary upon payment of applicant dues for the membership to the Chapter Treasurer or though the Chapter website.
Section IV-3 Except for Student Members, all members shall have voting privileges. Each member shall be entitled to one vote in the affairs of the Chapter and may hold elective office in the Chapter. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted.
Section IV-4 Chapter members who fail to pay their dues when payable or within sixty days thereof shall be forthwith suspended but shall be automatically reinstated if within six months of such suspension, they remedy the condition for which they were suspended.
Section IV-5 Membership Termination. By action of the Membership Chairman, after due notice, and a hearing if requested by the Chapter member, the membership of the Chapter member may be suspended or terminated if the Executive Board finds the member guilty of unethical professional conduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the Chapter, or of falsification of membership application. Such an action shall require a majority vote of the Executive Board.
Section IV-6 Any individual whose Chapter membership has been suspended or terminated may apply for reinstatement and the Executive Board shall in any such case specify the procedure to be followed.
Section IV-7 There are four types of membership for the Chapter as follows, with each expiring annually on September 1st, unless renewed:
Section IV-8 Individual Member. An Individual Member shall be a person who supports the goals and objectives of the Chapter and does not qualify for another membership type described by the Chapter.
Section IV-9 Corporate or Individual Supporter Member. A Corporate or Individual Supporter Member shall be a representative of the supporter Corporation or Business or an individual person who supports the goals and objectives of the Chapter and qualify for one advertisement in each Chapter Newsletter for the membership year.
Section IV-10 Corporate Sponsor Member. A Corporate Sponsor Member shall be a representative of the sponsor Corporation or Business who supports the goals and objectives of the Chapter and qualify for one additional Corporate Sponsor 2nd Membership, a Corporate Sponsor website link on the Chapter home page, and one advertisement in each Chapter Newsletter for the membership year.
Section IV-11 Student Member. [RESERVED]
Section IV-12 The Chapter recognizes the need to maintain a liaison with individuals in fire-related fields of endeavors and interests who are not members of the Chapter. The Chapter encourages and accepts the support and participation of these individuals in Chapter activities. The Chapter will accord them the courtesies of regular Chapter publication and participation in meeting and other events upon payment of an annual handling and mailing fee.
Section IV-13 Upon receipt of annual handling and mailing fees, the Treasurer shall notify the Secretary who shall confirm receipt of fees to the applicants and formally enter their names on the Chapter mailing and electronic distribution lists.
ARTICLE V CHAPTER LEADERSHIP
Section V-1 Officers of the Chapter shall be President, Vice President, Immediate Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer. With the exception of the Immediate Past President, officers shall be elected by the members and hold office for one year or until their successors are elected and qualified. All officers shall serve without salary.
Section V-2 There shall be an Executive Board consisting of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President. Officers shall assume their position no later than August 1st after they are elected.
Section V-3 The President and at least two other members of the Executive Board shall hold the grade of Fellow (FSFPE), Professional Member (PMSFPE), or Member (MSFPE) in the Society.
Section V-4 Officers shall serve for a term of one year or until their successors are elected.
Section V-5 In case of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice-President shall assume the office of President for the unexpired term.
SectionV-5 Vacancies in office may be filled, until the next election, by majority vote of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VI DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section VI-1 It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings and to perform other duties usual to the office and as described by the Leadership manuals and documents of the Society. The President shall call meetings of the Executive Board as considered necessary or by request of three or more members of the Board. The President may appoint special or standing committees as occasion may require, subject to majority approval of the Executive Board. If, for any reason, the President is not available, the Vice President shall have the powers and prerogatives of the President and communicate actions and decisions exercised to the President in a reasonable timeframe.
Section VI-2 It shall be the duty of the Secretary to record all official actions of the Chapter and to perform the duties usual to the office of Secretary and as described by the Leadership manuals and documents of the Society. The Secretary shall issue all notices of meetings and keep a register of the members of the Chapter. The Secretary shall submit, at least annually, a membership list, minutes of the meetings, and other pertinent information to the Society.
Section VI-3 It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to maintain all financial records of the Chapter, to collect dues, to dispense checks for expenses to prepare an annual budget, to prepare a current financial statement for each regularly scheduled Chapter meeting, and to perform other duties usual to the office of Treasurer and as described by the Leadership manuals and documents of the Society.
Section VI-4 The President and Vice-President shall be the Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively of the Executive Board.
Section VI-5 The Executive Board shall meet at least annually but may meet as often as necessary or desirable at the discretion of the Chairman.
Section VI-6 A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Executive Board.
Section VI-7 It shall be a specific duty of the Executive Board to pass upon the desirability of any action submitted to the Chapter for its consideration with respect to basic policy. Negative or advisory results will be reported immediately to the Chapter for further action.
Section VI-8 At the discretion of the Executive Board, programs may be established to further the aims of the Chapter and particular groups with common interest.
ARTICLE VII EXPENDITURES AND APPROPRIATIONS
Section VII-l The Executive Board may authorize expenditures up to and including 25% of the Chapter's current available monies. All others shall be approved by vote of the membership at a scheduled or a called meeting. Necessary expenditure required by the Secretary and the Treasurer for stationery, postage, and incidentals, not exceeding $100.00, are exempt from a membership vote. The Treasurer may pay meeting costs (e.g. Meals, Room rental, etc.) that are covered by meeting receipts.
Section VII-2 The Chapter shall not incur financial or contractual obligations for which the Society may be responsible without written approval of the Board of Directors of the Society.
Section VII-3 An audit committee, appointed by the President, shall complete an audit of the previous fiscal year before September 1 or as directed by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VIII MEETINGS
Section VIII-1 A minimum of eight monthly meetings shall be held each membership year. In case of a special meeting, at least 10 days written notice will be given to those individuals on the Chapter mailing and electronic distribution lists.
Section VIII-2 At the Annual Business Meeting of the final meeting for the membership year, the retiring President shall present an Annual Report reviewing the activities of the Chapter during the past twelve months and recommending future activities. The Treasurer shall present a report showing receipts and disbursements for the past twelve months, and a statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth at the close of the elected term.
Section VIII-3 In order to transact business at any meeting of the Chapter there shall be a minimum of 8 members.
Section VIII-4 Parliamentary Authority. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with this document and any special rules of order the Chapter may adopt.
Section VIII-5 A nominating committee shall be appointed and shall report in writing to the members, at least 30 days preceding the final Annual Business Meeting, a list of nominations for all officers and vacancies on the Executive Board to be voted on. This shall not preclude additional nominations from the floor preceding the voting at the annual meeting.
Section VIII-6 Elections of officers shall occur on or before the last meeting of the membership year.
ARTICLE IX DUES
Section IX-1 The annual dues of each member shall be determined by a vote of the Chapter membership.
Section IX-2 Dues shall be payable upon acceptance of application for new members and on or before September 1st of each year thereafter.
Section IX-3 Members who have not paid their dues will be charged non-Member prices for meals at meetings.
Section IX-4 Members who fail to pay dues after six months shall be suspended after due notice in writing is given to said individuals of their delinquency.
Section IX-5 Processing of annual handling and mailing fees for those individuals and organizations who receive chapter publications but are not members of the Society will be equivalent to Chapter dues. This includes the amount, payment, due date, and actions regarding nonpayment of such fees.
Section IX-6 The Chapter’s fiscal year shall be from August 1 to July 31.
ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS
Section X-1 These articles may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present.
Section X-2 Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary or shall be proposed by action of the Executive Board.
Section X-3 Proposals shall be distributed in writing to the membership and read at the meeting immediately preceding that at which the amendments are to be voted upon.
Section X-4 The waiting period may be waived upon approval of the Executive Board and majority of members of the Chapter present at the time of proposal at the meeting.
Section X-5 The adoption of the approved amendment shall take effect at the time the results of the vote are certified. The Secretary shall notify all members as soon as possible of the results.