Georgia Fire Investigator's Association

Constitution and By-Laws

 

ARTICLE I

NAME AND OBJECT

 

Section 1. Name. This organization shall be known as the "Georgia Fire Investigator's Association" (hereinafter the "Association"). The corporate designation of the Association is Chapter 8 of the International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc. The name of the Association shall not be used publicly by any member other that by the use of his 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 purpose of the Association.

 

Section 2. Object. The objectives and purposes of this Association shall be:

  1. To unite for mutual benefit those public officials and private persons engaged in the control of arson and kindred crimes.

  2. To provide for exchange of technical information and developments.

  3. To cooperate with other law enforcement agencies and associations to further fire prevention and the suppression of crime.

  4. To encourage professional standards of conduct among arson investigators and to continually strive to eliminate all factors which interfere with administration of crime suppression.

The Association shall not be operated for profit and its funds may not be used in an attempt to influence legislation.

 

Section 3. District Chapters. In order to meet the objectives and purposes stated above, the State of Georgia shall be divided into districts with a District Vice President to govern each district. Within each district, a district Chapter may be organized. The members residing within each district shall nominate and elect a District Vice President for that district who shall serve on the Board of Director the Georgia Fire Investigator’s Association. Should a district fail to nominate and select a District Vice President for that district, the President of the Association shall appoint a District Vice President, who is a resident of that district with the advice and consent of the other elected officers of the Association.

 

Section 4. Construction. The language used in this Constitution is gender neutral. Any masculine form includes the feminine form includes the masculine.

 

Article I Section 3 above represents the amendment voted on and approved by the General Membership on March 11, 1999 in Athens, Georgia.

 

 

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

 

 

Section 1. Active Membership. Any person who meets the following qualifications shall be eligible for membership with the Association:

  1. Is a Georgia resident; and

  2. Holds a current Active Membership card of the International Association of Arson Investigators.

Additionally, any representative of government or of a government agency and any representative of a business or industrial concern who is actively engaged in some phase of the suppression of arson or administration of justice at the time he makes application shall be eligible for active membership or application, provided such person possesses the other qualifications for membership within the sound discretion of the Membership Committee and provided such person is not less than eighteen (18) years of age at the time he makes application. Applications of persons denied membership by reason of lack of eligibility shall be placed before the Board of Directors, (hereinafter the "Board") for final determination at the next regularly called meeting of the Directors.

 

Section 2. Associate Membership. Only those persons who reside in Georgia and who meet the same qualifications as an active member, but do not hold a current membership card with the International Association of Arson Investigators shall be eligible for associate membership with the Association. An associate member shall have all the privileges of an active member, except the right to hold office.

 

Section 3. Non-Resident Membership. Those persons who do not reside in the State of Georgia, but who otherwise qualify for membership according to Sections 1 and 2 above, shall be eligible for non-resident membership. Non-resident members shall have all privileges accorded active members except for the right to hold office or vote by proxy or absentee ballot.

 

Section 4. Honorary Life Membership. The Association may, by a majority vote of members present at either of the semiannual meetings, confer honorary life membership upon any person qualified for membership who has rendered distinctive service to the Association or its purposes. An honorary life member shall have all the rights and privileges of an active member, but shall not be required to pay dues. Nominations for honorary life membership shall be made to the Board at least sixty (60) days prior to voting thereon; no more than two (2) nominations for such membership may be approved in any year.

 

Section 5. Sustaining Membership. Individuals or organizations interested in carrying out the purposes of the Association shall be granted sustaining membership upon the contribution of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) annually. All such funds shall be devoted to the educational functions of the Association.

 

Section 6. Election. Applications for membership shall be made to the Chairman of the Membership Committee upon the recommendation of any member of the Association. The Membership Committee, after considering the personal qualifications of an applicant, shall make a recommendation to the Board regarding such applicant's personal qualifications. Admission shall be by vote of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 7. Personal Qualifications. Prior to making a recommendation to the Board upon each application for membership, the Membership Committee shall give due consideration to the following, among other qualifications it deems applicable, to wit: (1) the personal character of the applicant; (2) the character and reputation of the applicant's employer and associates; and (3) the general nature and character of the principle place of business of the employer and associates. No person shall be eligible for any class of membership if he had been a member, is presently a member, or becomes a member of any subversive organization or of any organization whose objectives and operations are inconsistent with the purposes of the Association.

 

Section 8. Termination. The Board, either upon its own initiative or recommendation of the Membership Committee, may order the termination of any membership in the event that (1) it is determined that such member made any misrepresentations or false statements in his application for membership; (2) such member is in arrears in the payment of dues or any other obligation to the Association; (3) the Board in its discretion determines that such member has conducted himself in such a manner as is prejudicial to the good name or best interest of the Association; or (4) such member has exhibited traits or character or conduct inconsistent with the qualifications for Membership in the Association. A majority approval of the entire membership of the Board shall be sufficient to cause termination of membership for any reason specified in this Section.

 

Section 9. Reinstatements. Any former member may be reinstated in the Association by the consent of a majority of the Board. However, if such former member shall have been in arrears in the payment of dues or other financial obligation to the Association at the time of his separation, he shall be required to pay to the Association any such arrearage as a condition to his reinstatement, Unless the Board, by majority vote and for good cause shown, shall waive the payment thereof.

 

Article II Section 3 above represents the amendment voted on and approved by the General Membership on March 11, 1999 in Athens, Georgia.

 

 

ARTICLE III

ELECTION, TERM & OFFICERS

 

 

Section 1. Officers. The officers of the Association shall be a president, a senior vice president, a 2nd vice president, a secretary and a treasurer, all of whom are and have been active members of the Association for at least three (3) years prior to their election to office.

 

Section 2. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be comprised of the five (5) elected officers, the four (4) immediate past presidents and the seven (7) district presidents, all of whom must be active members of Association.

 

Section 3. Term of Office. The Officers shall hold office following their election to advancement to office and installation at the annual meeting of the Association until the next following annual meeting of the Association.

 

Section 4. Nominating Process. Any person who has been an active member for three (3) consecutive years prior to the annual meeting may be nominated by another active member for the office of 2nd Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer (or 1st Vice President, should a vacancy exist). All nominations must be in writing and received by the nominating committee at least sixty (60) days prior to the annual election. All nominees must be seconded. The chairman of the nominating committee shall publish the committee's slate of nominees as well as all other qualified nominees in the third quarterly publication of the "Fire Trailer News," which shall be communicated to all current GFIA members by electronic mail, web page posting, or otherwise.

 

Section 5. Nominating Committee. The nominating committee shall be appointed by the incoming president and their names published in the first quarterly issue of the "Fire Trailer News," or announced by special letter, electronic mail, or web page posting at least thirty (30) days prior to publication of the second quarterly issue of the "Fire Trailer News."

 

The committee shall consist of five (5) members who are representatives of the insurance industry, civil authorities, the legal community and the private investigator profession.

 

Section 6. Election and Advancement to Office. The senior and 2nd vice presidents shall advance to the next vacancy until reaching the office of the president unless removed for cause by the Board. The 2nd vice president, secretary, and treasurer-to-be shall be elected at the annual meeting by the vote of the active and associate members, either by voting in person at the annual meeting or by mail-in ballot. The third quarterly "Fire Trailer News" shall contain a mail-in ballot for use in the next election. Mail-in ballots must be received by the Nominating Committee not less that five (5) calendar days prior to the announced election date. Only the original ballot form sent to the membership will be accepted.

 

Section 7. Vacancies. In the event of a vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors between the 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 8. Removal from Office. Any officer or member of the Board may be removed from office for cause by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Board present at a regular or special meeting only after thirty (30) days written notice to all board members stating such action will be proposed. A motion for removal must be in writing, outlining all reasons for removal and signed by at least five (5) Board members.

 

Section 9. Installation of Officers. Although officers' duties and responsibilities begin on the 1st day of January following their advancement or election to office, the formal ceremony of the installation to office shall be done at a special meeting with the immediate past president acting as master of ceremonies.

 

Article III Section 3 and Section 4 and Section 5 above represents the Amendments voted on and approved by the General Membership on March 14, 2002 in Fayetteville, GA.

 

 

ARTICLE IV

GOVERNMENT

 

 

Section 1. Board of Directors. The Government of this Association shall be vested in the Board of Directors. Five (5) 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 purposes. The Board shall determine the date and location of the annual meeting and shall outline the program of activities during such meeting. The Board shall annually appoint a legal advisor for the Association and an Editor for the "Fire Trailer News." The "Fire Trailer News" shall be the official organization organ and newsletter of the organization, which shall be published quarterly or at such other times as the board shall direct and shall be made available to all members by web page posting, electronic mail, U.S. Mail, or such other means as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, permit. The Board shall have general powers to direct, control, and supervise the affairs of the Association.

 

Section 3. President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association, and it shall be his responsibility to supervise and coordinate the activities of the Association and to preside at meetings of the Association and the Board. He 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 4. Senior Vice President. In the absence of the President, the Senior Vice President shall be the chief executive officer and shall act as such. He shall also act as chairman of the Finance Committee.

 

Section 5. Second Vice President. In the absence of the President and Senior Vice President, the 2nd Vice President shall perform the duties of the president. He shall also be the liaison between the president and committee chairmen and responsible for the establishment and upkeep of standard operating procedures for each committee.

 

Section 6. District Vice President. A District Vice President shall be the presiding officer at his district meeting, and serve on the Board of Directors of the Association.

 

Section 7. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the records and minutes of the organization and shall maintain a current roll of members, the Association constitution, and all other documents of value to the Association. It shall be his duty to receive and acknowledge all communications of the Association addressed to him or that may be submitted to him by officers of the Association. Additionally, he shall perform such duties as are assigned by the President.

 

Section 8. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the custodian and sole depositor of the funds of the Association and shall disburse such funds by check as herein authorized or upon approval of the Board of Directors for purposes which promote the welfare and objects of the Association. He shall render a complete accounting of all income, disbursements, and balances whenever requested by the Board and to the members at each regular meeting. A written copy of this report shall be made available to any member upon request. The Treasurer shall furnish a bond to the Association in such from and amount as designated by the Board, the cost thereof to be paid by the Association.

 

Section 9. Standing Committees. The Board of Directors shall annually appoint chairmen and members to comprise the following regular standing committees of the Association: Finance Committee, Ethics and Grievance Committee, Education and Training Committee, Certification Committee, Membership Committee, and Nominating Committee.

 

Article IV Section 1 above represents the amendment voted on and approved by the general membership on March 11, 1999 in Athens, GA.

 

Article IV Section 2 above represents the amendment voted on and approved by the general membership on March 14, 2002 in Fayetteville, GA.

 

 

ARTICLE V

MEETINGS

 

 

Section 1. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of the Association will be held during the last six months of the calendar year, with time and place to be announced at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting. The election of officers will take place at the meeting. Officers will take office January 1 of the following year.

 

Section 2. Special Meeting. A special meeting will be held for the installation of officers during the month of January. Time and place to be announced at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

 

Section 3. Semi Annual Meeting. The semi annual meeting of the Association will be held at the Spring Seminar with time and place to be announced at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

 

Section 4. General Meetings. General membership meetings will be held with time and place to be announced at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

 

Section 5. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall meet at any time or place when scheduled by the President or by any five (5) members of the Board.

 

Section 6. Annual Report. The annual report to the International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc. must be completed and submitted to the International Association no later than thirty (30) days after the annual meeting.

 

All officers and committees should submit written reports at the annual or no later than fifteen (15) days following the annual meeting.

 

 

ARTICLE VI

FINANCES

 

 

Section 1. Fees & Dues. Dues for membership in the Association shall be fixed by a majority vote of the active and associate members at the Annual Meeting, either by voting in person at the meeting or by mail-in ballot, and shall be payable in advance from January 1st in the manner prescribed by the treasurer. Each prospective member shall submit dues by January 1st following the approval of this application.

 

Section 2. Penalty for Nonpayment of Dues. The failure to pay membership dues within ninety (90) days of the due date shall result in a forfeiture of membership in the Association. Reinstatements are conditioned on the approval of the Board and a payment of all arrearage. There shall be no other fees or assessments except as provided by amendment to these articles.

 

Section 3. Audit. The Finance Committee shall make an audit of the accounts of the Treasurer at each annual meeting and shall verify all assets and liabilities of this Association.

 

 

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENTS

 

 

Section 1. Requirements. The Constitution may be amended at either of the semi-annual meetings by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the active and associate members, either by voting in person at the meeting or by mail-in ballot. Notice of any proposed Constitution/By-Laws amendments shall be sent to all members at least thirty (30) days prior to the semi-annual meeting at which such amendment shall be voted upon.

 

Constitution & By-Laws

Georgia Fire Investigator's Association

As of March 2002 Spring Seminar; Fayetteville, Georgia

Date Printed: 9/16/02

 

Click here to print a PDF version of the GFIA By-Laws

 

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