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A formal hard copy of the Constitution & By-Laws may be requested from the fire company - This online version is for reference only.

COMMUNITY FIRE COMPANY

of

NEW TRIPOLI, PA

Incorporated May 24, 1945

Constitution

Article 1

Name and Title

The name of this organization shall be the Community Fire Company of New Tripoli, and the place of business of this organization shall be at New Tripoli, Lynn Township, County of Lehigh and State of Pennsylvania.

Article 2

Object

The object of this organization is to create interest in the welfare and protection of our citizens in the event of fire and other emergency.  To train our citizens in those fundamentals pertaining to fighting of fires, providing assistance in other emergencies whenever possible, the organization shall continue to operate exclusively for the purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.

Article 3

Membership

Sec. 1

The membership of this organization shall consist of all dues paying members in good standing and life members

Sec. 2

Any person 16 to 18 years of age shall be considered a junior member, and at 18 years of age becomes a regular (dues paying) member.

Sec. 3

Any person paying or donating the sum of $150.00 shall be granted a Life Membership and in the event a Life Member dies, the life membership will automatically be transferred to his or her spouse.

Sec. 4

It shall be the duty of the members to obey the Constitution and By-Laws of this organization in order to remain a member in good standing.

Article 4

Auxiliary

This organization may have a Ladies Auxiliary as an integrated and subordinate organization.  Such Auxiliary is to be governed by Rules, Regulations and By-Laws of their own organization.  Privileges of this organization may be granted to members of the Ladies Auxiliary, providing they do not conflict with the proper management of this organization, nor with any State Laws or Regulations affecting our organization.

Article 5

Officers

The Officers of this organization shall consist of a President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Board of Directors consisting of seven members, A Fire Chief, and a Board of Governors consisting of five members.

Article 6

Nominations and Elections

Sec. 1

The President shall appoint a nominating committee at the regular September meeting.  A nominating committee report shall be made at the October meeting.  Thereafter, nominations can be made from the floor until closed.  Nominations shall be closed that same evening.  None but members in good standing shall be eligible for office in this organization.

Elections shall be held at the November meeting.

Elected officers shall take the oath of office at the December meeting and shall assume the duties of their office as of January 1 following.

Only members in good standing and who have attended three or more meetings during the year in which an election is held shall be eligible to vote for election of officers.

Sec. 2

In the case of a vacancy in any office, the Board of Directors shall appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term. The officer so appointed shall enter upon the discharge of the duties immediately after his or her appointment.

Sec. 3

The regular term of office is to commence on the first day of January of each year and continue for one year, except in the case of the Directors, who shall be elected as prescribed in the By-Laws.

Sec. 4

All elections for officers shall be made by ballot, the candidate receiving the majority of all votes cast shall be declared duly elected.  When there is no opposition, a vote by acclamation may be taken.

Sec. 5

In the case there shall be more than two candidates for any office, and neither shall have received a majority of all votes cast upon the first ballot, then the names of all candidates except the two having received the highest of votes on the first ballot shall be dropped or withdrawn as candidates and the second ballot taken, when the one receiving the majority of votes shall be duly elected.

Article 7

Meetings

Sec. 1

The stated meetings of this organization shall be at least once a month, at such time as the By-Laws shall prescribe.

Sec. 2

At the request in writing of ten (10) members in good standing, who shall set forth the object of said meeting in their request, the President shall call a special meeting, authorizing the Recording Secretary to notify all members in good standing of said meeting.

Sec. 3

No other business shall be transacted except that for which the said meeting was especially called for.

Article 8

Quorum

Twelve members in good standing shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Article 9

Amendments

A motion for amending this Constitution and By-Laws shall be made in writing and signed by at least ten (10) members in good standing.  The motion shall be presented at a stated meeting of this organization and shall not be acted upon until the first or subsequent stated meeting thereafter.  Notice for action on said proposed amendment shall be given in writing to all members in good standing, at least twenty days prior to the stated meeting.  If two-thirds of all the members present at such meeting shall approve of the amendment, it shall be deemed a part of this Constitution and By-Laws and become effective at once.  Motions for amendments may be made at three month intervals only.

Amendment 1

In the event of sale or dissolution of the Fire Company, no excess funds shall be used for private inurement to any person.

 - Passed at the Oct 9, 2000 regular meeting.

BY-LAWS

Article 1

Order of Business

The order of business at the regular meeting of this company shall be as follows:

1. Roll Call

2. Reading of minutes of previous meeting and approval

3. Proposition for membership

4. Election of new members

5. Communications and Bills

6. Report of Officers

7. Report of Chief

8. Report of Committees

9. Report of Directors

10. Unfinished Business

11. New Business

12. Report of Financial Secretary

13. Report of Treasurer

14. Remarks for the good of the company

15. Adjournment

Article 2

Meetings

The regular stated meetings of the company shall be held on the second Monday of each month.  The time of meeting shall be 8:00 p.m. prevailing time.

Article 3

Dues

The membership fee and dues shall be set annually by the Board of Directors.  Dues are payable January 1 of each year and members failing to pay all dues within six months will become delinquent and lose all membership rights and privileges.

Article 4

Duties of Officers

Sec. 1

Duties of the President - The President shall preside at all meetings, shall preserve strict order and decorum, and enforce the By-Laws.  He/She shall decide on all questions of order, subject to appeal.  He/She shall cast the deciding vote on all questions when both sides are equally divided, expect in case of an election of officers.  He/She shall sign all notices and certificates that require a signature to authenticate them.  He/She shall appoint all committees, shall be an ex-officio member of all committees, shall instruct the Recording Secretary to call a special meeting when requested to by a majority of the Directors in writing, or by the petition of ten (10) members in good standing in writing, or when in his/her judgment the welfare of the organization demands it.  Except in emergency situations, when calling a Board of Directors meeting, He/She shall instruct the Recording Secretary to notify the Directors in writing at least five (5) days in advance of such meeting.  He/She shall perform such duties as may from time to time be enjoined upon him/her by the By-Laws.

Sec. 2

Duties of the Vice President - In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall perform the duties of that office.  Also, at the request of the President, He/She shall assist in preserving order and decorum, and in the case the President desires the right of membership, the Vice President shall take the chair at any meeting.

Sec. 3

Duties of the Recording Secretary - The Recording Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of the proceedings of all meetings of this organization in a book provided for this purpose. He/She shall answer all communications addressed to the company and perform such other duties as may from time to time be enjoined upon him/her by this organization.  He/She shall preserve all records and papers relating to this office, and carefully guard the same and allow none to be taken from his/her keeping without a formal vote of this company.  His/Her books shall at all times be open for examination by the members of this organization, and at the expiration of his/her official term, shall hand over the books and papers in his/her possession, belonging to this organization, to his/her successor in office.  He/She shall be custodian of the seal and shall affix the common seal of this corporation to all instruments of writing for the validity of which the same shall be necessary.

Sec. 4

Duties of the Financial Secretary - The Financial Secretary all moneys due this organization an shall keep correct account thereof, and shall pay the same over to the treasurer, before the next stated meeting and accept a receipt for same.  He/She shall keep the membership records of this organization, and notify all delinquents of their status at least semi-annually and shall prepare a list of all such members.  He/She shall submit a report at each stated meeting of the moneys received and paid over to the Treasurer.  At the expiration of his/her official term, he/she shall hand over the books and papers in his/her possession, belonging to this organization, to his/her successor in office.  He/She shall, before entering upon the duties, give bond from a bonding company in a sum satisfactory to the members, said fee to be paid by this organization.

Sec. 5

Duties of the Treasurer - The Treasurer shall receive from the Financial Secretary all moneys for the use of this organization, give his/her receipt for the same.  He and the President shall sign all checks.  He/She shall be entrusted with the custody of the charter and all other important papers and documents belonging to this organization, which he/she shall carefully preserve, and allow no one to remove them from possession without a formal vote of this organization.  He/She shall have his account books at the stated meetings of this organization, posted and open for inspection by the members.  He/She shall have the accounts ready for the settlement and audit on the night of the annual election of officers. He/She shall deliver all books and papers and whatever funds there may be in his/her keeping to the next successor in office.  He/She shall before entering upon his/her duties of the office, give bond from a bonding company in a sum satisfactory to the members, said fee to be paid by this organization.

Sec. 6

Duties of the Directors - The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of this organization.  The Directors shall have charge and preserve the property and apparatus of this organization, shall supervise all employees, shall enforce all House Rules, and they are to attend to all insurance on the property, repair furnishings and necessary supplies.  They shall invest all sums of money that may be placed in their hands, by vote of the organization for that purpose, in bonds, mortgages or other first class securities, and when so directed, call in any investments and deliver the same to the Treasurer of the company taking receipt thereof.  In addition to approving the Fire Chief's Budget, they shall be authorized to expend moneys for necessities/emergencies not to exceed $3,000.00.

Sec. 7

Duties of the Fire Chief - It shall be the duty of the Fire Chief to keep a record of all expenses, fires, the place, time and if possible, cause of origin, and report in writing at the regular stated meeting.  The Fire Chief shall submit annually a budget for equipment, maintenance, and other necessary expenses pertaining to fire fighting to the Board of Directors.  He/She shall submit at each regular meeting a financial statement.  All rules and regulations pertaining to the fire apparatus, hose, equipment, and personnel shall be formulated and enforced by the Fire Chief  It shall further be the duty of the Chief to make such appointments as he/she deems necessary.  The Fire Chief shall be accountable to the Board of Directors.

Sec. 8

Duties of the Assistant Chiefs - The Assistant Chiefs shall assist the Chief in his/her duties, and in the absence of the Fire Chief, they shall take command of the apparatus with the same duties and powers as the Fire Chief.

Sec. 9

Duties of the Board of Governors - The Board of Governors shall have charge of all public and social functions of the Organization, shall have full power to employ or discharge such help as may seem necessary to properly conduct and maintain the public functions of this organization, to formulate all rules and regulations to govern the operations of the public functions and the conduct of the members of the company.  They shall represent the company on occasion of visits by non-members, public officials or other dignitaries.  The Board of Governors shall be subordinate to and fully accountable to the Board of Directors for all activities.

Sec. 10

No officer shall have the power to commit any act on the behalf of the organization which would serve to jeopardize its status as an exempt organization with the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as amended, any attempt to commit such an act being void.

Article 5

All committees shall be composed of at least three members unless otherwise ordered.

Article 6

All committees appointed shall report at each meeting, and no committee shall be discharged until all debts contracted by it have been paid and the receipts deposited with the Treasurer of the Company.

Article 7

Seven Directors shall be elected the first year, (3) for a term of two years, (2) for a term of four years and (2) for a term of six years.  Thereafter, (3) shall be elected every six years, or as the term of the second and third group expires.

Article 8

Any officer violating any of the provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws relating to their office is subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors.

Article 9

House Rules

House Rules shall govern the conduct of members of this organization and their guests in and about the premises of the organization.  House Rules and penalties to be imposed for violation of such House Rules shall be proposed in writing at any stated meeting of this organization.  If approved by a majority of the members in good standing present at such meeting, they shall become effective immediately.  The Directors shall be responsible for the adoption and enforcement of approved House Rules.  Their decision on the violation, by a member, of any House Rules and assessment of the attendant fine shall be binding.  All proper officers shall perform their respective duties in enforcing a decision of the Board.

Article 10

The Rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order (Revised Edition) shall govern this organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Constitution and By-Laws or House Rules of this organization.

COMMUNITY FIRE COMPANY

of

NEW TRIPOLI, PA

Volunteer Firemen's Relief Association

Article 1: Purpose

Sec. 1

The association shall be known as the Community Fire Company of New Tripoli Volunteer Firemen's Relief Association.  It has been established for the purpose of providing volunteer firemen with protection from misfortune suffered as a result of their participation in the fire service.

Sec. 2

The membership of this association shall consist of any person who is a member, in good standing, of the Community Fire Company of New Tripoli.  They shall have voting privileges concerning the business of the Community Fire Company of New Tripoli Volunteer Firemen's Relief Association.

Article II: Meetings

Sec. 1

Regular meetings of this association shall be held as required, immediately following the regular meetings of the Community Fire Company of New Tripoli.  Seven members shall constitute a quorum.

Sec. 2

Special meetings may be called by the President, or the President shall call such meetings at the written request of ten members of the Association. All members must receive ample notification of special meetings which are called.  Seven members shall constitute a quorum at special meetings.

Sec. 3

Order of business at meetings shall be:

1. Call to order

2. Roll Call of Officers and Members

3. Reading of Minutes of Previous Meeting

4. Treasurer's Report

5. Communications

6. Committee Reports

7. Old Business

8. New Business

9. Approval of Expenditure

10. Remarks for the good of the Association

11. Adjournment

Article III: Officers

 Sec. 1

The Officers of this association shall consist of a President, Vice President, Financial Secretary, Recording Secretary and Treasurer. The Officers shall be responsible for the management of association business upon direction received by the membership at association meetings.

Sec. 2

The above mentioned Officers of the Community Fire Company of New Tripoli Volunteer Firemen's Relief Association shall be the same persons as elected to hold those offices in the Community Fire Company of New Tripoli.

Sec. 3

Duties of the Officers shall be:

• President - The President shall preside at all meetings of the association, preserve and enforce the laws thereof and appoint committees as necessary.  He shall also countersign all checks issued by the Treasurer.

• Vice President - The Vice President shall have the full power of the President in his absence.

• Recording Secretary - The Recording Secretary shall keep a true record of the proceedings of every meeting in the minutes.  The minutes shall note authorization by the membership of all Association financial transactions and all other pertinent business discussed at meetings.  The Recording Secretary shall also maintain an updated copy of the Association bylaws and make it available for review by the membership. The Recording Secretary is responsible for providing representatives of the Department of Auditor General with the Association's minutes of meetings and bylaws in connection with their auditing duties.

• Financial Secretary - The Financial Secretary shall maintain records of the membership in this organization.

• Treasurer - The Treasurer shall keep account of all money belonging to the association, and he shall not expend monies or enter into investment transactions without authorization of the membership.  The Treasurer shall keep a ledger which details all financial transactions of the Association and shall maintain all documentation supporting the receipts and disbursements made by the association.  He shall also countersign all checks issued.  The Treasurer shall, at least on an annual basis, present to the membership a written financial statement summarizing the financial transactions of the Association.  The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining Relief Association financial records in a business like manner and for presenting, in an orderly fashion, all records requested by representatives of the Department of the Auditor General in connection with their auditing duties.

Article IV: Receipts

Sec. 1

All receipts of this association shall be deposited, by the Treasurer, in the name of The Community Fire Company of New Tripoli Firemen's Relief Association.  Deposits shall be made on a timely basis.

Sec. 2

All receipts shall be recorded in the Association's ledger and supporting documentation such as deposit slips, bank statements, etc. shall be maintained to verify the receipts.

Article V: Disbursements

Section 1

Funds of this Association shall not be expended for any purpose other than those authorized by the provisions of Act 84 and the Association bylaws.  All expenditures must be approved by a majority vote at an Association meeting and duly recorded in the minutes.

Section 2

All expenditures must be made through a Relief Association account and recorded, in detail, in the Association ledger.  Supporting documentation such as invoices, canceled checks, etc. shall be maintained to verify all disbursements.

Article VI: Investments

Section 1

Funds of this association may be invested in any security authorized by the provisions of Section 6 (c) of Act 84.  All purchases and sales of investments must be made in a prudent manner to insure maximum investment return and authorized by a majority vote at an association meeting.  The transactions must be duly recorded in the minutes.

Section 2

A detailed record shall be kept of all Association investment transactions in the ledger.  The association shall also keep a full accounting of all income derived from the investments.  Various investment documents must also be maintained to verify investment transactions.  All Association securities must be stored in a safe location.

Article VII: Miscellaneous

Section 1

The Association shall maintain an officer's bond on the Treasurer.  The amount of the bond shall be at least as great as the maximum cash balance in current funds of the Association at any time during the fiscal year.

Section 2

The President shall appoint three auditors at the regular meeting of the Association in January who shall audit the accounts of the Association and make a written report of the audit to the members of the Association within 60 days.

Section 3

All committees shall report at each regular meeting until discharged or otherwise ordered.

Article VIII: Amendments

Sec. 1

A motion for amending these By-Laws shall be made in writing at a stated meeting of this organization, and the same shall not be acted upon until the first or subsequent stated meeting thereafter.  Notice for action on said proposed amendment shall be given to all active members in writing, at least twenty days prior to the stated meeting.  If two-thirds of all the members present at such meeting shall approve of the amendment, it shall be deemed a part of the By-Laws, and become effective at once.  Motions for amendments may be made at three month intervals only.

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