ARTICLE I

NAME

Section 1: The name of this Association shall be the Nassau County Firefighters Association. Revised 05-28-98

ARTICLE II

MISSION STATEMENT

Section 1:
The mission statement of this Association shall be to protect and promote the interests and welfare of volunteer firefighters, fire departments, fire companies, and fire service organizations; and to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the volunteer fire service within the County of Nassau. Revised 05-16-12

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Section 1:
Any organization of active, exempt, benevolent or veteran volunteer firefighters in Nassau County, duly organized in accordance with the laws of the State of New York may become a member of this Association.

Section 2:
Every organization which is a member of this Association shall be entitled each year to choose two of its members as delegates to represent such organization at all meetings of the Association. Revised 10-17-2012

Section 3:
Any member of a volunteer fire department or fire company located in Nassau County, New York, may become an individual member of this Association upon presentation of certification of membership of such fire department or fire company for initial admission to membership, and upon the payment of the annual dues.

Section 4:
All individual member and delegates shall be entitled to the same privileges so long as their dues are paid, except as otherwise specified in Section 6 of this Article.

Section 5:
Every member who shall serve on full term as President of this Association shall, at the conclusion of his or her term of office, become a Life Member and shall have the privileges and duties of a member, but shall be forever exempt from the paying of dues.

Section 6:
New members, other than organizational delegates joining the Association, may not vote at the meeting at which they join. Delegates representing new organizations as allowed in Section 1 of this Article may not vote at the meeting at which their organization joins the Association.

Section 7:
The annual dues for Firematic organizations shall be determined, voted upon and approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board of Directors, present and voting. Revised October 16, 2013

Section 8:
The annual dues for individual members shall be determined, voted upon and approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board of Directors present and voting. Revised October 16, 2013

Section 9:
All dues shall be due on May first in each year and shall be payable in advance.

Section 10:
Any member or organization who is in arrears for more than two years dues shall be dropped from the rolls and may be reinstated by paying all arrears, together with the current year’s dues.

Section 11:
Any person who has rendered distinguished and meritorious service to or in behalf of the Association or of the volunteer fire service of the County of Nassau may be nominated as a Honorary Member at one meeting of the Association, and elected as such at the following meeting by a majority vote of the members and delegates present and voting. Honorary Members shall be exempt from dues and have all the privileges of members except the right to vote, hold office, or serve on committees. Revised 05-16-2012

Section 12:
An individual who is not a member of, or an organization which is not associated with, a fire company, fire department or benevolent association, may become a Sustaining Member of this Association upon application and the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Association Board of Directors. Such Sustaining Member may attend general membership meetings of the Association but shall not be a candidate for any office of this Association nor shall the Sustaining Member have the right to vote in membership affairs. The dues of such Sustaining Member shall be set by the Board of Directors. Added 05-21-2003

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 1:
The Officers of this Association shall consist of a:

  • President
  • First Vice President
  • Second Vice President
  • Sergeant-at-Arms
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • Financial Secretary
Article changed 05-16-2018

Section 2:
There shall be a Board of Directors which shall consist of all the officers named in Section 1 of this Article and all past presidents of this Association. Article Renumbered 05-28-98

Section 3:
The officers of this Association shall be divided into two (2) categories: Line Officers and Administrative Officers. The Line Officers shall consist of the President, First Vice President, and Second Vice President. The Administrative Officers shall consist of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Secretary, Treasurer, and Financial Secretary. Article added 05-16-2018

ARTICLE V

NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 1:
All officers shall be nominated and elected Biennially (every two (2) years), by ballot, by a majority vote of all eligible members and delegates present and voting at the Annual Meeting of the Association. The Association will not consider any person for any office who has never been an active firefighter or an active EMS member of a volunteer fire department or fire company in Nassau County. Revised 05-16-2018

Section 2:

  • The term of office for the elected officials as defined in Article IV, Section 1 shall be for a period of two (2) years from the date of the Annual Meeting at which they are elected or until successors are duly elected and duly installed. Revised on 05-16-2018
  • The Line Officers shall not serve more than two (2) consecutive two (2) year terms in each position. The Administrative Officers may serve multiple consecutive terms. Revised on 05-16-2018

Section 3:
Nominations for all officers shall be made at the biennially January quarterly meeting beginning in 2020. The Nominating Committee shall submit the names of candidates for each office to the membership. Additional candidates may be nominated from the floor at that meeting. A motion to close the nominations shall be made and no additional nominations shall be made. Revised 05-16-2018

Section 4:
A member must have three (3) years of prior active membership in order to serve as Sergeant-at-Arms. The nominee for President must have served at least one (1) year as Vice President prior to nomination. The Nominating Committee shall be responsible for determining the eligibility of any proposed candidate for election to office of the Association. Added on 07-18-2012

Section 5:
If requested a member or delegate must provide the election tellers with positive photographic identification prior to voting. No member whose dues are in arrears, nor delegate whose Association’s dues are in arrears, may be eligible to vote in any election of an officer of this Association. The election tellers shall make all determinations regarding a member’s or delegate’s eligibility. Added on 07-18-2012

ARTICLE VI

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1:
The President, or in his or her absence, one of the Vice Presidents in numerical order, shall preside at all meetings of this Association and of the Board of Directors. He or she shall appoint all committees, countersign all proper warrants for the payment of bills, have general charge of the business and interests of the Association between meetings of the Association and the Board of Directors, and perform such other duties as the Association or the Board of Directors may direct. The President shall firmly and impartially enforce the Constitution and By-laws of the Association.

Section 2:
Vice Presidents, in the order of their election, shall assume the duties of the President in his or her absence, perform all the duties and responsibilities of that position when occupying that same, and perform other such duties as the Association or the Board of Directors may direct. Revised on 05-16-2018

Section 3:
The Secretary shall be the custodian of all the books, paper, and properties of the Association, except those in current use in the hands of Officers or Committees. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Association and forward a copy of the same to the Association President within two (2) weeks after each meeting; shall have charge of all correspondence; shall prepare notices of all meetings which shall be turned over to the Financial Secretary in ample time for mailing to the members. The Secretary shall countersign all proper warrants for the payment of bills.

Section 4:
The Financial Secretary shall collect all dues, fees and monies due the Association; shall keep an accurate account of all receipts; shall turn over to the Treasurer, at convenient intervals, all monies received and receive receipt for same; shall keep an accurate and up-to-date list of all members and delegates and have same at each meeting; shall mail all notices of meetings to the members and delegates at least seven days before regular meetings and seven days before special meetings; shall keep the Board of Directors informed of delinquent organizations and members; shall present a report at the Annual Meeting on the number of members and delegates on the rolls of the Association; and shall execute a bond in any amount satisfactory to the Board of Directors. The premium for such bond shall be paid for by the Association. Revised on 07-18-2012

Section 5:
The Treasurer shall receive all monies payable to the Association from the Financial Secretary; shall deposit same in the name of the Association with such banks or banks as are approved by the Board of Directors; shall pay all bills only upon warrant signed by the President and Secretary; and shall execute a bond in an amount satisfactory to the Board of Directors. The premium for such bond shall be paid for by the Association. The Treasurer shall prepare and submit at each meeting of the Board of Directors a financial statement.

Section 6:
The Sergeant-at-Arms shall admit only members, delegates and guests to the meetings of the Association; shall assist the presiding officer in preserving order; and shall be the custodian of the Flag and Banner of the Association and provide same wherever required for meetings, parades, etc. Revised on 07-18-2012

Section 7:
The Board of Directors shall meet within two weeks after the Annual Meeting of the Association. The meeting shall be called the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall administer the affairs and business of the Association subject to its direction and attend to other such matters as shall be referred to it by the Association. It shall determine each year at its Annual Meeting the compensation of the Secretary, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer. It shall have the power to call meetings of the Association and to examine the books and papers of the Association in the custody of all officers and committees thereof at any time.

ARTICLE VII

REMOVAL OF OFFICERS

Section 1:
Any officer may be removed from office, for cause, by a three-quarters (3/4) majority of the Board of Directors, present and voting, at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors or at a special meeting of the Board of Directors called for that purpose by the President.

Section 2:
Valid excuses for removal shall include, but it is not limited to: (a) excessive absenteeism, for any reasons, from regular or special Board of Directors and /or General Membership meetings and other occasions when the officers presence is warranted; (b) failure to perform the duties of the office; (c) conduct unbecoming an officer or detrimental to the Association or the volunteer fire service.

Section 3:
Such removal shall follow the following procedure:

  • Charges may be brought against any officer by any member or delegate, by submitting those charges in writing, to the Secretary of the Association, unless the Secretary is the officer charged, in which case the charges shall be submitted to the President.
  • A special meeting of the Board of Directors to consider the charges shall be held in no less than 15 days nor more than 45 days after the charges are received by the Association. If a regular meeting of the Board of Directors falls within that period, the charges may be considered at that meeting.
  • The charged officer shall be immediately notified in writing, of the charges, including a copy of the charges and the date and time of the hearing at which the charges are to be considered. Such notice shall be by certified mail, return receipt requested, or, presented by another officer, in person, with a signed receipt for that notice.
  • The Secretary (or President) shall notify all members of the Board of the charges and include a copy of the charges and the date and time of the hearing with such notice.
  • The hearing shall be conducted by the President, unless the President is the charged officer, in which case the next senior Vice President shall preside.
Article added on 05-28-98

ARTICLE VIII

VACANCIES IN OFFICE

Section 1:
Should a vacancy in any office of this Association occur, for any reason, the following procedure shall be followed:

  • A vacancy in the office of President shall be immediately filled by the First Vice President.
  • A vacancy in the office of the First Vice President shall be immediately filled by the Second Vice President. Revised on 05-16-2018
  • If a vacancy in the office of Second Vice President occurs between April 1 and the Annual Meeting, that office will remain vacant and be filled by nomination and election at the Annual Meeting in May in accordance with the bylaws. Otherwise, the vacancy will be filled by appointment, until the next Annual Meeting by the Board of Directors (BOD) at their next regular board meeting or at a special BOD meeting called specifically for that purpose. The eligibility requirements for the position, as specified in the bylaws, will be followed and a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board of Directors present and voting shall be required for the appointment. Revised on 05-16-2018
  • A vacancy in the office of Sergeant-at-Arms, Secretary, Treasurer, or Meeting, by the Board of Directors at their next regular meeting of the or at a special meeting called for that purpose. Candidates for the appointed Sergeant-at-Arms position shall meet all of the requirements of the bylaws before they are voted upon. A two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members of the Board of Directors, present and voting, shall be required for such appointment. Revised on 05-16-2018

ARTICLE IX

MEETINGS

Section 1:
The Annual Meeting of the Association shall be held on the third Wednesday of May in each year at such time and place within the County of Nassau as the Board of Directors may designate.

Section 2:
Quarterly meetings of the Association shall be held on the third Wednesday of the months of July, October, and January at such time and place within the County of Nassau as the Board of Directors may designate.

Section 3:
Upon entering any meeting, each member and delegate shall be required to show his or her membership card to the Sergeant-at-Arms who shall be stationed at the entrance to the meeting room.

Section 4:
Special meetings may be called at any time by the President, Board of Directors, or the Association in session and shall be called by the Secretary upon the written request of twenty (20) members or delegates of the Association filed with the Secretary at least fifteen (15) days before said proposed meeting and specifying the purpose thereof. Notice of special meetings shall be mailed to the members and delegates at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. At special meetings, only such business as shall have been specified in the call of the meeting may be transacted. No special meeting, except in case of extreme emergency, shall be held on a Sunday or legal holiday.

Section 5:
Failure to hold any meeting or to elect officers at the time designated shall in no way work a dissolution of the Association and officers shall continue to hold office until their successors are chosen.

Section 6:
At all meetings of the Association, twenty-five (25) members shall constitute a quorum. At all meetings of Committees, a majority of the members thereof shall constitute a quorum. At all Board of Directors meetings, the President or at least one (1) Vice President; a minimum of two (2) other elected officers (Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary or Sergeant-at-Arms); and a minimum of four (4) Past Presidents, who are not currently serving as an Officer of the Association, will constitute a quorum. Revised on 10-18-2017

Section 7:
The Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held no later than the third Wednesday of June in each year at such time and place within the County of Nassau as the Board of Directors shall designate. Section added in 2021

Section 8:
In addition to its Annual Meeting, at least three (3) meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held each year, in the month prior to the month when the Association meets, such meetings to be held on the third Wednesdays of the month. Section revised in 2021

Section 9:
Any officer or committee chairman who misses three (3) during the fiscal year with unexcused absences shall be replaced. Section added on 10-19-2005

Section 10:
In the event that a Line of Duty Death (LODD) firematic service for a fallen firefighter shall occur on the same night that an Association meeting is scheduled, the meeting shall be postponed to the following night or other such date that the officers designate. This meeting postponement requirement shall be for any LODD firematic service that the members of the Nassau County Fire Service may be called upon to attend. The officers shall also consider a meeting start delay or postponement for firematic service for a departed Nassau County firefighter that Association members may be attending. Section added on 05-16-2012

Article revised on 07-18-2012

ARTICLE X

EXPULSIONS

Section 1:
Any member of this Association, as hereinafter provided, may be expelled and his or her benefits and membership may be rescinded if said member is found guilty of misfeasance or malfeasance in office or defaming or contributing to the defaming of this Association and/or failure to abide by the Constitution and By-laws of this Association.

Section 2:
In order to be expelled, a written statement of charges against the member must be delivered to the Board of Directors. Upon receipt of same, The Board of Directors shall notify said member of hearing thereon, by certified mail, return receipt requested. The notification shall contain a date for the hearing, no sooner than one (1) week from the date of the mailing nor longer than one (1) month from the date of the mailing.

Section 3:
Upon the Board of Directors finding adversely to the said member or upon said member’s failure to appear, the findings shall be presented to the body of the Association at the ensuing quarterly meeting. Upon two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members in good standing present and voting at such meeting, confirming the Board of Directors findings, the member shall be expelled from the Association. Revised on 05-16-2012

Section 4:
If the member against whom charges are brought is a delegate, and there is an adverse finding, then in such an event the matter shall be referred back to the organization who sent the delegate to this Association, any and all recommendations made shall also be referred.

Article revised on 07-18-2012

ARTICLE XI

SEAL

Section 1:
The seal of this Association shall be circular in form, with the words “Nassau County Firefighters Association” on the circumference and the figure “1903” in the center. It shall be kept in the charge and custody of the Secretary and must be affixed to all instruments requiring a seal, together with the signatures of the President and Secretary.

ARTICLE XII

PARADE AND DRILLS

Section 1:
An annual parade and drill shall be held by the Association, at such time and place as the Association shall be resolution determine.

Section 2:
The parade and drill shall be held on the same day, except in case of inclement weather. The starting times for the parade and drill shall be determined by the Association’s host, with the approval of the Nassau County Parade and Drill Team Captain’s Association.

Section 3:
The parade and drill shall be under the jurisdiction and control of the local committee from the Department or Company holding the parade and drill, except as otherwise provided in these By-laws.

Section 4:
Any Nassau County Fire Department or Fire Company shall be a member of the Association to participate in the parade.

ARTICLE XIII

COMMITTEES AND DELEGATES

Section 1:
The President shall appoint each year the following committees:

  • Law & Legislation:
    It shall be the duty of the Law committee to keep the Association advised of pending and new legislation; to arrange a joint meeting of Legislation committees of firefighters associations within the County prior to the legislative clearing house meeting of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York. Revised on 07-18-2012
  • Ways and Means:
    It shall be the duty of the Ways and Means committee to provide methods of raising funds for the Association, and to conduct, manage, and supervise the annual installation of officers.
  • Memorial:
    It shall be the duty of the Memorial committee to assist the local committee in the conduct of the annual Nassau County United Memorial Service.
  • Long Island Day at the Firefighter's Home:
    It shall be the duty of the Long Island Day at the Firefighter's Home committee to arrange for the annual Long Island Day at the Firefighter's Home at Hudson. Revised on 07-18-2012
  • Auditing:
    It shall be the duty of the Auditing committee to audit the books of the Financial Secretary and Treasurer at the close of each fiscal year and to make an annual report of their findings to the Association no later than the Membership Meeting in October. Revised on 07-18-2012
  • Parade and Drill:
    It shall be the duty of the Parade and Drill committee to act as liaison between the host of the parade and drill and this Association. Revised on 10-17-2012
  • By-Laws:
    It shall be the duty of the By-Laws committee to act on any question concerning these By-Laws and the Constitution, including their amendment or repeal.
  • Budget:
    It shall be the duty of the Budget committee to prepare a proposed budget for the coming year, and to submit said proposed budget for approval at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors of this Association.
  • Awards:
    It shall be the duty of the Award committee to establish timelines, rules and policies for accepting applications for awards for heroism and/or performance above and beyond the usual call of duty for a firefighter and an EMS provider, and to make a determination if, and to whom, such an award shall be made each year. The award, if any, shall be presented at the Annual Installation Dinner of this Association, or at such time as this committee shall deem appropriate. The Awards committee will also be responsible for any other awards, proclamations, etc. as the committee sees fit to award an organization and/or an individual such award or proclamation. This award or proclamation shall be presented at such time as the committee shall deem appropriate. Revised on 10-17-2012
  • Membership and Recruitment:
    It shall be the duty of the Membership and Recruitment committee to establish policies and programs that will encourage recruitment and retention of members of this Association, to keep records of the members in good standing of this Association, and to report, at least annually, on the numbers of members, associations, and delegates of the rolls of this Association.
  • Nominating:
    It shall be the duty of the Nominating committee to select candidates for each office and to present candidates to the membership for the January meeting and to determine the eligibility of any proposed candidate for election to office of this Association. Added on 07-18-2012

Section 2:
The delegates from this Association to other organizations and associations shall be as follows:

  • The President shall be the delegate to the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, with the Vice Presidents as his or her alternate in their numerical order.
  • The First Vice President shall be the delegate to the Southern New York Volunteer Firefighters Association, with the Second Vice President as his or her alternate. Revised on 05-16-2018
  • The Board of Directors of this Association shall appoint each year from the members of the Board of Directors one (1) delegate to the Executive Council of Firematic Organizations. Any delegate failing to attend two (2) consecutive meetings of the Executive Council without valid excuse shall thereupon cease to be a delegate and the Board of Directors shall immediately appoint a new delegate to take his or her place. Revised on 07-18-2012

ARTICLE XIV

AMENDMENTS

Section 1:
To amend the Constitution and By-laws of this Association, the proposed amendment must be submitted in writing to the By-law Committee. The By-law Committee shall consider the proposed amendment and report their recommendations as to its approval or disapproval, to the Association at the next ensuing quarterly meeting, if possible.

Section 2:
Any proposed amendment to the Constitution and By-laws, which has been approved by the By-law Committee, must be read to the Association at the next ensuing quarterly meeting. This shall be called the first reading. At the meeting following the first reading, a vote shall be taken and if two-thirds (2/3) of the members in good standing, present and voting vote in favor of the proposed amendment, it shall become part of the Constitution and By-laws. Revised on 10-17-2012

Section 3:
Any amendment, addition to or deletion from these By-laws approved by the membership shall be dated as of the meeting date and entered into the meeting minutes, as an attachment and become part of the meeting’s official record. Added on 07-18-2012

ARTICLE XV

RULES OF ORDER

Section 1:
The presiding officer shall preserve order and decorum. All questions of order shall be decided by him or her, subject to appeal to the meeting.

Section 2:
Every member or delegate, when he or she speaks, shall, standing in his or her place, address the presiding officer, giving his or her name and address.

Section 3:
When two (2) or members or delegates shall rise at once, the presiding officer shall decide who shall speak first.

Section 4:
Any member or delegate declared out of order shall immediately be seated, unless permitted by the presiding officer to explain.

Section 5:
Each member or delegate shall be entitled to one (1) vote, except as specified in Section 6 of Article III, and must vote unless excused by the Association. The President may vote upon any motion, resolution, or election.

Section 6:
If any member shall demand it upon an Aye or Nay vote, the vote shall be taken in some manner by which the decision may be more accurately determined.

Section 7:
In all questions of parliamentary procedure not covered by these By-laws, Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Procedure shall govern.

ARTICLE XVI

ORDER OF BUSINESS

  1. Call meeting to order.
  2. Roll call of Officers.
  3. Reading of the minutes of the preceding meeting.
  4. Seating of new delegates.
  5. Reports of standing and special committees.
  6. Communications and bills.
  7. Unfinished business.
  8. Nomination and election of officers.
  9. New business.
  10. Report of officers.
  11. Report of delegates.
  12. Good and welfare.
  13. Adjournment.

ARTICLE XVII

BY-LAWS REPEALED

Section 1:
All By-laws, rules and regulations adopted and any motion or action taken by this Association previous to these By-laws having become effective, which are in any way in conflict therewith, are hereby rescinded as of the date of these By-laws becoming effective.

ARTICLE XVIII

BY-LAWS EFFECTIVE

Section 1:
These By-laws as amended, shall become effective October 17, 2012.