SECTION 1
PRESIDENT
1. The President of
the Florida Association of Hostage Negotiators shall be the Chief
Executive Officer of the organization.
2. It shall be
the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Florida
Association of Hostage Negotiators and to enforce rules and regulations
regarding its administration. The President shall vote only in the case
of a tie vote. He/she shall serve for a term of one year and can
succeed him or herself in office, however, he/she cannot serve for more
than two consecutive terms. The President shall, as occasions demand,
call meetings of the Executive Board or the Review Committee.
SECTION 2
VICE PRESIDENT
1. The Vice
President shall hold office for one year and can succeed him or herself
in office, however, he/she cannot serve for more than two consecutive
terms. It shall be the duty of the Vice President to preside at all
meetings in the absence of the President, and to assist the President
in the enforcement of the rules and regulations regarding the Florida
Association of Hostage Negotiators.
2. In the
event of resignation, suspension or termination of the President, the
Vice President shall ascend to the office of President and serve until
the next scheduled general election of officers of the Florida
Association of Hostage Negotiators.
3. In the
event of the resignation, suspension, or termination of both the
President and the Vice President, the Treasurer shall ascend to the
office of President, and serve until the next scheduled general
election of the Florida Association of Hostage Negotiators.
SECTION 3
SECRETARY
1. The
Secretary shall be elected during the scheduled general election of the
Florida Association of Hostage Negotiators, and shall hold office for
one year. The secretary may succeed him or herself. He/she shall keep
minutes of all meetings, act as parliamentarian, conduct
correspondence, issue notices of meetings, keep current a record of
membership, and perform all other duties normally pertaining to the
office of Secretary. He/she shall furnish a copy of the minutes of all
meetings to Executive Board and the Review Committee. A member shall be
furnished a copy of the minutes upon a request in writing to the
Secretary.
SECTION 4
TREASURER
1. The
Treasurer shall be elected during the scheduled general election of the
Florida Association of Hostage Negotiators, and shall hold office for
one year. The Treasurer may succeed himself or herself. He/she shall
maintain all financial records pertaining to the office of Treasurer.
He/she shall ensure that all applicable tax obligations are met and
corporate filings are made, within the time limits imposed by
statute.
He/she shall furnish regular financial reports to the Executive Board
and the Review Committee. A member shall be furnished a copy of the
financial report upon request in writing to the Treasurer.
SECTION 5
SERGEANT AT ARMS
1. The
Sergeant at Arms shall be elected during the scheduled general election
of the Florida Association of Hostage Negotiators, for a term of one
year, and may succeed him or herself.
2. The duties
of the Sergeant at Arms shall be to insure that only members in good
standing or a special guest or any other person or persons approved by
the Executive Board are present during the closed sessions of the
meetings, and to perform other duties as directed by the President.
3. The duties
of the Sergeant at Arms shall also include coordinating and monitoring
the elections process and ensuring that only members present during the
designated election period cast a ballot.
SECTION 6
PROGRAM/TRAINING
DIRECTOR
1. The
Program/Training Director shall be appointed by the incoming President
during the scheduled general election of the Florida Association of
Hostage Negotiators, for a term of one year, and may succeed him or
herself.
2. The duties
of the Program/Training Director shall be to secure/coordinate suitable
locations and topics for future training seminars along with arranging
for speakers, vendors and trainers for designated meetings and
seminars. The Program/Training Director shall also maintain
routine
contact with Regional Directors and assist them with requested training
needs.
SECTION 7
AMBASSADOR AT LARGE
1. The
Ambassador at Large shall be appointed during the scheduled general
election of the Florida Association of Hostage Negotiators, for a term
of one year, and may succeed him or herself.
2. The duties
of the Ambassador at Large shall include promotion of the works and
efforts of the Florida Association of Hostage Negotiators throughout
the Criminal Justice community, and the general public, to actively
encourage agency and member support and recruitment into the Florida
Association of Hostage Negotiators, as well as perform other duties as
directed by the President.
SECTION 8
CHAPLAIN
1. The
Chaplain shall be appointed by the incoming President during the
scheduled general election of the Florida Association of Hostage
Negotiators, for a term of one year, and may succeed him or herself.
2. The duties
of the Chaplain shall include providing member counseling for the
Florida Association of Hostage Negotiators throughout the Criminal
Justice community, and the general public. To preside over the
benediction and invocation at the opening and/or closing of the annual
conference, and the conference banquet, as well as perform duties as
directed by the President.
SECTION 9
PAST PRESIDENTS
1. Past
Presidents shall serve as a member of the executive board, and act as
advisors on matters of concern to the organization.
2. Past Presidents
shall have any and all privileges associated to a seat on the Executive
Board; to include voting rights.
3. Past Presidents
shall have the right to run for the office of President after one-year
absence from the office.
4. Past Presidents
shall be considered lifetime members, not subject to annual dues or
fees.
SECTION 10
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
1. All members
of the founding Executive Board (elected at the first organization
meeting, held at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office on December 12,
1996) shall serve as a Board of Trustees for FAHN. These members shall
be considered lifetime members, not subject to annual dues or fees.
These persons have shown an overwhelming desire to ensure the success
and longevity of the association, and are to act as advisors and
mentors to the Executive Board, as well as be available to assist in
the day to day operations of FAHN.
2. The members
of the Board of Trustees shall serve so long as they remain members in
good standing of FAHN. Once all members of the founding Executive Board
have left the Association, the Board of Trustees as is herein defined,
will cease to exist.
SECTION 11
REVIEW COMMITTEE
1. The Review
Committee shall be made up of the Executive Board and the Regional
Directors. Regional Directors shall be nominated by members from their
respective regions and elected by those members during the scheduled
general election of the Florida Association of Hostage Negotiators.
Regional Directors may succeed themselves without limits.
2. The duties
of the Review Committee shall be to investigate any actions of
individual members in regard to the possible effect on the Florida
Association of Hostage Negotiators; to take emergency action in
suspending members; to recommend to the general membership follow-up
action on a suspension or termination; to recommend changes in policy
and procedure; and to periodical review and to purge records and files
of the Florida Association of Hostage Negotiators; to actively
encourage agency and member support and recruitment into the Florida
Association of Hostage Negotiators and to perform any other duties as
directed by the president.
SECTION 12
COMMITTEES
1. The Executive Board
shall be responsible for the overall operation of the Florida
Association of Hostage Negotiators.
2. The
following committees are designated as standing committees; the Rules
Committee, the Program Committee, and the Training Committee.
3. Other committees
may be established and disbanded as deemed necessary and directed by
the President.
4. The director of
each committee shall be appointed by the President and serve at his or
her pleasure.
SECTION 13
MEETINGS
1. Regular
Board meetings of the Florida Association of Hostage Negotiators shall
be held once each quarter in a manner and/or location as prescribed by
the President. Meetings shall be held at host agencies or any other
suitable locations.
2. One regular
annual statewide meeting shall be scheduled each year, and will be open
to all members. Dates and locations of these yearly meetings shall be
determined by the Executive Board, and will include business, training,
equipment demos and technique updates whenever possible, utilizing
instructors and experts in the field of crisis management/intervention.
The Program/Training Director, with the assistance of the Program
Committee, shall be responsible for planning the meeting program.
3. Special
meetings of the Association may be held in cases of serious emergency
and shall be called by the President at a time and place designated by
the President upon the request of the Executive Board or by a
two-thirds vote of the members.
4. Individual
member representation regardless of number, from two-thirds of the
members in attendance shall constitute a quorum at any meeting. Unless
otherwise required by the Constitution or By-Laws, a majority vote of
members present after a quorum is established is all that is necessary
for approval of matters coming before the meeting.
5. Regional
Directors shall ensure that periodic regional training is conducted
within the region they represent.
SECTION 14
AMENDMENTS
1. Procedure
for modifying or adding amendments: The Constitution and/or Bylaws of
this Association may be amended by presenting a resolution, in writing,
to the Association President, who shall have the Secretary post the
proposed changes on the Association’s web site, or by any other manner
as prescribed by the Executive Board, at least thirty (30) days prior
to the annual conference. A two-thirds ( 2/3 ) majority vote of voting
members in attendance at the conference is required to amend the
Constitution and a simple majority vote of voting members attending the
conference is required to amend the Bylaws. A qualified member is one
whose dues are current and is in good standing with the Association.
2. Effective
date of amendments and resolutions: All amendments/resolutions passed
and adopted by this Association, in accordance with the rules set forth
in the Constitution or Bylaws, shall be in force and effective upon the
adjournment of the conference wherein considered and adopted, provided
an exception to this effect is not otherwise contained in the language
of the amendment/resolution itself.
SECTION 15
RULES OF ORDER
1. The Rules
of Order of the Florida Association of Hostage Negotiators shall be
Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, in all instances not covered by the
Constitution or By-Laws.
SECTION 16
ENLARGEMENT OR
REDUCTION OF TIME
1. When any
act is required or allowed to be done at, before or within a specified
time by the provisions of these By-Laws, for good cause shown, the
Executive Board may order the period enlarged or reduced or may permit
the act to be done when failure to act was the result of excusable
neglect or an enlargement or reduction is warranted by reason of
exceptional circumstance.
SECTION 17
ETHICAL CONDUCT
1. Each
individual member shall, at all times, conduct himself or herself with
integrity, and in a manner to reflect credit upon the criminal justice
profession, as well as the Florida Association of Hostage Negotiators.
SECTION 18
RESOLUTION
1. Every
resolution, unless of a formal character or involving amendments to the
Constitution and/or Bylaws, requiring handling in accordance with
Bylaws Section 14, shall be in writing and presented to the Executive
Board for consideration and report prior to the last day of the
conference. Any resolution considered by the Executive Board shall be
presented to a quorum, along with the recommendation of the President
in sufficient time for consideration prior to voting on the resolution.
SECTION 19
ELECTIONS
1.
Eligibility: Candidates for President-Elect and Vice President-Elect
shall meet or exceed the minimum qualifications listed below. A
committee appointed by the (current) President shall evaluate the
qualifications of each candidate and shall validate compliance with
these requirements to the quorum.
a.Be an active member
of the Association in good standing.
b.Candidates for
President shall have served at least one year in an elected Executive
Board position.
2.
Elections process/procedures:
a.Elections will be
held during the general membership business meeting of the
Association’s annual conference.
b.Only members
in good standing and present at the time of elections are permitted to
cast a ballot. There will be no absentee ballots.
c.A member may
vote for the Executive Board positions and ONLY for the Regional
Director position in their respective region. Ballots which are not
properly completed (i.e. someone votes for more than one person in any
category) shall make the entire ballot null and void. Failure to
vote
for at least one candidate in any category will not invalidate a ballot.
d.Members
seeking a position on the Executive Board must be present at the time
that elections are conducted, unless extenuating circumstances preclude
it. Such circumstances must be approved by a majority of the
current
Executive Board in order to be excused from this provision. In
the
event that a candidate for an Executive Board position is not present
and/or the absence is not excused by the Executive Board, then the
candidate will be disqualified.
e.Candidates for
Regional Director Positions do not have to be present during the
election process.
f.Once ballots
are cast, the ballots will be tabulated by a committee, to include all
past Presidents present at the annual conference or any designee,
excluding those who are running for office. Ballots which are not
properly completed shall be considered null and void. Ballot
election
results will remain confidential until released at the time designated
by the current President.
g.Once the ballots are
tabulated, they will be secured with the Association Secretary, until
the time they are validated.
h.The ballots will be
retained for a period of six months from the closing date following the
conference.
i.Any protest
or challenge of the election results must be submitted to the Secretary
in writing, by the aggrieved party, no later than thirty (30) days
after the closing of the annual conference.
1)Contested
results will be resolved by the Executive Board of Directors at the
first quarterly meeting after the grievance is filed.
2)The aggrieved party
may elect to be present at the meeting and during the validation
process.
3)Once the
Executive Board arrives at a decision, the President will notify the
aggrieved party in writing, within thirty (30) calendar days.
j.In the event of a
tie vote:
1)In the case of a
Regional Director’s position, the Executive Board of Directors will
appoint a candidate.
2)In the case of an
Executive Board position, the Board of Trustees, to include past
Presidents, will appoint the candidate.
k.In the event that
there is no qualifying candidate for a position, an exception may
be
made with a 2/3rds
vote of Executive Board members present at the current election.
SECTION 20
DECLARATION OF
CANDIDACY
1. Candidates
for any Board of Directors position, to include the Executive Board,
shall submit a declaration of their candidacy, in writing, to the
Secretary by the end of the regularly scheduled session the day prior
to the business meeting, the year they are seeking election by the
quorum.
SECTION 21
TERMS OF OFFICE
1. Members of
the Board shall serve from the time they are installed in office until
their successors are installed in office, unless they officially resign
in writing, or are suspended or removed from office.
2. Officers
shall be installed in office during the Association’s annual
conference, unless exigent or extenuating circumstances exist.
3. Officers may be
installed in office at such time as may become necessary due to the
filling of a vacancy or other cause.
SECTION 22
VACANCIES
1.A vacancy in
the office of the President shall be filled by the advancement in rank,
as previously stated in Section 2. Such advancement in rank shall
be
in an “acting” capacity only until the next regular election of
officers.
2.A vacancy in
the office of any Board of Directors shall be filled by an appointment
made by the President and shall be subject to confirmation by a simple
majority of the remaining members of the Executive Board.
3.Once appointed, the
“acting” Board member assume all duties, responsibilities and
privileges the position holds.
4.Officers who
were either advanced in rank due to a vacancy or appointed by the
President may declare their candidacy for the office in which they are
“acting” at the next regular elections of officers and if elected,
shall be eligible to serve a full term in office.
SECTION 23
REMOVAL/SUSPENSION
FROM OFFICE
1. The
President, Vice President, or member of the Board of Directors of the
Association may be removed from office only for reason of malfeasance
of duty, misfeasance of duty, nonfeasance of duty, for being arrested,
or for committing an act that brings significant discredit to the
Association.
SECTION 24
OFFICERS AND DUTIES
1.
President - In addition to other duties as may be required, the
President shall:
a. Appoint committees
in accordance with the mission of the Florida Association of Hostage
Negotiators.
b. Keep members
appropriately informed of Association activities.
c. Make appointments
to fill vacancies in office, subject to confirmation by the
Executive Board.
d. Ensure
that the FAHN policies are adequately maintained and properly adhered
to in day-to-day functioning of the Association.
e. Set goals,
policies, and procedures for the Association to follow.
f. Present
any proposed amendments to the FAHN budget in effect during the term of
office for consideration and approval by the Executive Board of
Directors.
g. Represent,
or appoint a designee to represent, the Association at the scheduled
NCNA meeting(s) and/or other official meetings or
proceedings where
FAHN representation is required or desirable.
2. Other
Officers –
a. Duties:
The other officers shall serve in the same manner and for the same
purposes as the President and shall in good faith support and carry out
the mission of the Association. In such manner, they shall serve
in
the absence of the President and/or any of themselves in the order of
their rank/position.
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