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Article I: Name The Trademark name of this organization shall be Fire & Iron Firefighters Motorcycle Club. Article II: Membership 1. No member shall be discriminated on basis of race, sex or creed. 2. A prospective member must be at least 18 years of age. 3. Primary membership of the club shall be made up of those people who are currently career Firefighters, retired career Firefighters, volunteer Firefighters, retired volunteer Firefighters, and fire department support personnel ie. Dispatchers, fd nurses, vehicle mechanics, etc. 4. Primary members must own and ride a motorcycle. The brand, type and size of motorcycle are not important but motorcycles must be able to keep up during group rides. 5. Spouses and significant others of Primary members will also be allowed Primary member status with three variationsa. The spouse is not required to own or ride a motorcycleb. The spouse can not sponsor another member.c. If it is a significant other you will have been steadily together for a period of atleast 6 months; discretion left up to club president. 6. Union membership is not mandatory. 7. Primary member can sponsor one, and only one, non-Fire Department applicant to join the club. This person can be a family member or friend. The “Sponsored” member must ride a motorcycle. “Sponsored” members do not have voting privileges in National club elections and will not be able to hold National office. Sponsored members will be allowed to vote on local issues. Sponsored members cannot hold President or Vice President Offices. “Sponsored” member must meet the final approval of the Station President. 8. Primary members are responsible for the actions of their sponsored members and have the right to withdraw their sponsorship at any time 9. If a “Sponsored” member loses their sponsor for any reason, they must leave the club when their dues run out, unless they are able to find another Primary member to sponsor them. 10. “Sponsored” members cannot sponsor another member .11. “Honorary” membership status is at the discretion of local control. It may be granted to an individual who has contributed substantially to the promotion of Fire & Iron Firefighters MC. Persons considered for “Honorary” membership do not have to have a sponsor but must have shown positive actions that support the “principles and purposes” of our club by acts in assisting their Station. “Honorary” members may have the same rights as “Sponsored” members under local control. Such membership should be limited to no more than 4 persons at any given time. 12. All new members waiting for approval will be referred to as Probationary members, whether Primary or “Sponsored.” 13. Probationary time will be that of a period of at least 3 months; time determined by president.. 14. A “Lifetime Membership” shall only be granted to those members who have passed away. There will be no “Life” membership given for members who have “FIFL” tattoos. Lifetime Membership status will be defined as adding their name and picture to our fallen brothers page and the issuing of their colors to their family. Article III: Dues - Every Station in good standing will be required to pay to the National Treasurer, annual National Station dues. At this time, National dues are set at $55.00. Station 61 (MAL) members will pay annual dues of $55 each, to the National Treasurer. Annual dues shall be due on November 30th each year, for the upcoming year. The cutoff date shall be January 31st of the year that dues are due for. National dues will be paid to the National Treasurer in February of each year.
- Each member in good standing will be required to pay annual dues to their Stations Treasurer in the amount of $30 per year. Dues are to be paid between Decembr 1st and January 31st . After Febuary 1st you will be charged $10 per month late fee
- Every new member will be required to pay a “one-time” initiation fee of $45.00, plus their annual Station dues, totaling $75 This is to cover “local” administration costs.
- Dues will be used to promote activities and/or purchase equipment and supplies for the individual Stations and National Club.
- Dues allow each member the privilege of membership and the right to attend all meetings and rallies.
- $25.00 of each station’s annual National dues will be set aside to go to the next “host” station for the bi-annual National Rally, up to $3500.
Article IV: Officers Station Officers President The duties of the president are as follows: - Preside over meetings and the Station as a whole.
- Judge items not covered in the constitution or in the rules regulations that are under local control.
- Act as the personal representative of their Station and the club.
- Represent their station in any club business contacts.
- Promote enjoyable club life among members in general.
Vice President The duties of the Vice President are to assume the responsibilities of the Presidency when the President is unable to do so. Secretary The duties of the Secretary are as follows: - Record and safeguard the minutes of the station meetings.
- Maintain the Station bylaws, recording any additions, deletions, or modifications.
- Handle any station correspondence.
Treasurer (May be combined with Secretary) The duties of the Treasurer are as follows: - Monitor and record the stations income and expenditures.
- Collect the dues and fines owed by the members.
Road Captains The duties of the Road Captain are as follows: - Plan the travel routes and organize the basic itinerary of the station prior to going on a ride.
- Lead or trail the club in formation while riding.
- Enforce station rules and procedures for group riding.
Sergeant at Arms The duties of the Sergeant at Arms are as follows: - Maintain order at station meetings in particular, and station activities in general.
- Ensure that members adhere to station rulings, policies, and expected models of conduct when dealing with other members or outsiders.
- Defend station members, property, or territory from outside threats.
Article IV: Elections National, Regional, and Station Officers of this club serve a two year term of office. 1. In order to be eligible for office, a member has to have been an active member in good standing for a minimum of two years. 2. National Officers will be voted on at every National Rally, on even numbered years, beginning in 2008. 3. National Officers can be nominated by any Fire & Iron Firefighter MC member. Candidates for nomination may be from any region. All Primary members will vote on all National Officers. 4. Regional Officers will be voted on in both even and odd numbered years. Even numbered Regions will vote in even years; and odd numbered Regions will vote in odd years, beginning in 2009. Elections will be held by September in odd years and during the month of the National Rally in even years. 5. Regional Officer candidates will be nominated by Fire & Iron Firefighter MC members from the region they will serve. All Primary members from the effected region will vote on Regional Officer for their region. 6. Station Officers will be voted on by individual Station members per local policy. 7. An emergency election can be called whenever there is a vacancy in an Officer position. 8. An Officer may be relieved of his position if he fails to perform the duties of the position by a 2/3 vote of:1) National Board.2) Members of a Station for Station Officers. 9. If an Officer is relieved of their duties, the position will be submitted to the general membership for replacement, in accordance with established procedures, for the remainder of the term.
Article V: Regions Geographical regions are: Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Florida Wisconsin Kentucky California Minnesota Ohio Washington Michigan West Virginia Oregon Iowa Maryland Idaho Illinois Virginia Nevada Missouri Indiana Utah North Dakota Pennsylvania Arizona South Dakota Deleware Hawaii Alaska Region 5 Region 6 Region 7 Tennessee New Hampshire Colorado North Carolina Maine Montana South Carolina Massachusetts Wyoming Arkansas Vermont Nebraska Louisiana Rhode Island Kansas Mississippi New York Oklahoma Alabama New Jersey Texas Georgia Connecticut New Mexico Article VI: Colors The club Colors belongs to Fire & Iron Firefighter MC, Chapter 1, Central Florida Region. 1. The club Colors will be worn with honor, pride and respect. 2. Only members in good standing will be allowed to wear the club Colors. If for any reason a member should leave or be removed from the club, that member shall turn in their Colors to their station President. 3. Colors may be affixed to black leather or blue/black denim vests or jackets. (Leather is recommended) 4. Colors should never be washed. 5. Colors are to be worn as the outer most garments and not to be obstructed in any way. 6. Colors will be worn at all Fire & Iron Firefighter MC functions, gatherings, runs and sanctioned events. If you have been given colors we expect you to wear them. 7. At no time will the Colors be placed face down. Respect your colors. 8. At no time will the Colors touch the ground unless the member is wearing them. 9. Members are responsible for their colors at all times regardless of location. Non members should never be in control of your colors. 10. For probate members, you will be given a rocker fist and it is to be placed on your vest and worn with pride same as a full set of colors. After the big patch is given it will be placed on your vest and treated according to all rules. 11. Reasons for a member to lose their Colors and membership in club are: 1) Non-payment of dues2) Bringing shame and dishonor to club.3) Removing colors and throwing to the ground/floor.4) Losing your Colors, such as, misplacing them.5) Actions of a member by which a 2/3rd's majority vote of the members’ station feels that are not in keeping with the Club's spirit or intent.6) A felony conviction.7) Incorrect application of Colors to vest/jacket and not correcting when instructed to.8) Any unauthorized patch applied to Colors and not removed when instructed to. 9) The wearing of any other motorcycle club's apparel, of any kind, or "Supporter" apparel or patch while wearing Fire & Iron Colors is strictly prohibited. It violates the National Club’s neutrality. 10) A violation of any of the above reasons will result in a 6-month probation/suspension and/or possible termination of membership. Termination of membership will be by majority vote of the member’s Station President, Regional Officer and National President. Subsection 5 above will hold precedence if it is the “will” of that Station. 12. Colors should be affixed to the rear of the garment as follows:1) The Fire & Iron Firefighter MC back patch shall be worn on the rear of the vest/jacket approximately centered or slightly higher, in the middle of the back.2) The Station rocker shall be located centered, approximately 1 to 1 ½ inch below the Fire & Iron Firefighter MC back patch. 13. The back patches, Colors, will be obtained from only one vendor to keep the uniformity of the colors. Currently, the vendor is 100 Monkeys in Orlando , FL. Article VII: General Information 1. There will be only one Chapter in this club, Chapter 1. All other chapters will be referred to as Stations. 2. Station meetings will be held on days of rides with the exception of prearranged meeting days or emergencies. Each Station will strive to have at least one ride or meeting a month. All members are encouraged to set a ride day. 3. All members must attend three (3) rides per year; one being our mandatory poker run. Also each member will be required to attend at least one meeting every four months totaling 3 per year. 4. Safe riding practices will be followed. Members not adhering to the "accepted" rules-of-the-road will not be tolerated! 5. Personal conflicts or fighting within the "ranks" reflects poorly on the membership and will not be tolerated. Any disagreements will be brought to a Station Officer for settlement. 6. Membership in other associations or groups is allowed; i.e., H.O.G., CMA or IAFF Motor Group. Holding Officer positions is discouraged but not completely forbidden. Holding an Officer position in another association or group will be dealt with by the individual Fire & Iron Firefighter MC Station it affects. Members may not be a member of any other motorcycle club. 7. Your rank or position within the Fire Department does not carry over into Club or hold sway over any Club activities. What happens in the Club stays in the Club. 8. Respect is to be shown to all officers and club members, rides, homes and jobs. In other words, if it's not yours respect it and don't mess with it. 9. National Dues, Station Dues and initiation fees can be raised without prior notice if the cost of doing business goes up. 10. If a member’s membership is terminated for any reason, they must wait a minimum of one year before reapplying for membership in any Station. They must also make up any past dues during their absence. If they are going to change Stations, they must inform their previous Station President of their intentions to reapply with another Station. If the membership is terminated due to "bringing shame and dishonor to the club," the member is banned from rejoining permanently. 11. Those people of the law enforcement community will NOT be allowed to join unless they are a sponsored member and the local officers approve. 12. At any point members must be able to provide proof of insurance for their motorcycle. President, Vice President or Road Captain may ask for this proof. Article VIII: Amendments Any of the above listed rules are subject to change with 2/3rds majority vote of the current, active membership ,the National Board, and/or the local officers. . All members will be informed of any changes. |
