REVISED 6/23/2023
Alaska Association of Fire and Arson Investigators, Inc

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I

SECTION I

NAME The name of this organization shall be the Alaska Association of Fire and Arson Investigators, Inc.

SECTION II

MISSION STATEMENT To foster and promote a spirit of cooperation, growth and excellence in the area of fire investigation throughout Alaska; and to promote awareness, in both the fire service community and the public, of the causes of fire and its prevention; through information, education, and outreach.

OBJECTIVE The objectives of this Association are:

To bring together those persons interested in fire and arson investigations.

To provide a uniform force to combat the fire and arson problem throughout the State of Alaska through training and cooperation.

To develop a bond of friendship, understanding and cooperation between the agencies and persons involved in fire and arson investigation.

To promote the development of fire and arson prevention and investigation in the fire service and other related fields through progressive programs of education, public relations and research.

SECTION III

COMPOSITION Membership in the Association shall be open to qualified person(s) of good character, or organizations that meet the requirements hereinafter set forth.

SECTION IV

INCORPORATION This Association shall be incorporated as provided by law and its Constitution and By-laws at the time of incorporation or as hereafter amended. The Association shall be subservient to the Articles of incorporation.

The Association is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

ARTICLE II Membership

SECTION I

MEMBERS Membership of this Association shall consist of:

  1. Active
  2. Associate
  3. Honorary Life

SECTION II

ACTIVE An active member shall be an adult citizen of the United States or other countries, who is a representative of or retired from a government/volunteer agency or a private organization that is actively engaged in the prevention, investigation or suppression of fire or arson. Active members shall be entitled to vote on all matters requiring a vote unless otherwise prohibited by the Constitution and By-laws, and to participate fully in the affairs of the Association. Such membership shall be granted, upon application and approval as stated in Section VI of this Article. They shall be required to pay dues as required in Article IV Section I, (a) of the By-laws.

SECTION III

ASSOCIATE An associate member shall be any adult or organization interested in carrying out the objectives of the Association. Such membership shall be granted upon application and approval as stated in Section VI of this Article. They shall be required to pay dues in accordance with Article IV Section I, (b) of the By-laws. Associate membership shall be non-voting.

SECTION IV

HONORARY LIFE Any member in good standing may nominate another member of good standing for the Honorary Life Membership. Such nomination shall be submitted to the Board in writing not less than thirty (30) days prior to a board meeting. Such nomination shall contain specific facts and information as to why that nominee shall be granted Life Membership. Upon receipt of such nominations the Board shall act upon the matter at the next regular board meeting. The criteria for such membership shall be as follows:

  1. The nominee shall be, or have been, actively involved in the affairs of the Association.
  2. The nominee shall have contributed outstanding service to further the goals of the Association either by a) His/her active involvement in the Association or, b) By His/her work in fire and arson investigation completed outside the Association for a period of not less than five (5) years.

If the Board denies the nomination, then the Board shall notify the person making the nomination within thirty (30) days of the Board’s decision. Such notification shall be in writing and contain the reason for the denial.

If the board approves the nomination, their recommendation shall be submitted to the membership at the next regular general meeting. It shall take two-thirds affirmative vote of the membership present to confer an Honorary Life Membership on a member.

An Honorary Life Membership shall not have to pay any dues or registration fees when attending any function of the Association.

A maximum of two (2) Honorary Life Memberships may be approved each year. Honorary Life Membership shall be voting members.

SECTION V

DECISIONS OF QUESTIONABLE CLASSIFICATION All questions and disputes involving eligibility to any of the three classifications of membership shall be decided by a vote of the Board.

SECTION VI

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP All applications for membership shall be submitted in writing to the Board. Upon approval by the Board and the payment of the first year’s annual dues, the applicant shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of membership accorded members of the same class for which the applicant is qualified under the Constitution and By-laws. The decision of the Board regarding an application shall be final and binding upon the applicants and members of the Association.

To be eligible for membership in the Alaska Association of Fire and Arson Investigators, the following qualifications shall apply:

  • The applicant must 18 years or older
  • The applicant should be of good moral personal character and reputation.
  • The applicant must qualify for one of the memberships spelled out in Sections II or III above.
  • The applicant must be recommended for membership by a current member in good standing.
  • The nature, character and reputation of the applicant’s business should be consistent with the IAAI Code of Ethics.
  • The character and reputation of the applicant’s employer and associates should be consistent with the IAAI Code of Ethics.
  • The general nature, character and reputation of the principal business of the applicant’s employer and associates should be consistent with the IAAI Code of Ethics.

No person shall be eligible for any class of membership if that person has been a member, or is presently a member, or becomes a member of a subversive organization or of any organization whose objectives and purposes are inconsistent with the purposes of the Association.

SECTION VII

SANCTIONS The Board of Directors may place on probation, censure, or suspend the membership of any member. Upon receipt and review of the circumstances of each case, the Board may take action for the following:

  1. Falsification or misrepresentation in application for membership
  2. Conduct inconsistent with the qualifications for membership
  3. Conduct contrary to the best interests of the Association
  4. Conduct inconsistent with the IAAI Code of Ethics

SECTION VIII

EXPULSION OF MEMBERS Any member of the Association, including an Officer or Director, may be expelled from the Association for cause upon a two thirds majority vote of the membership present, voting at the annual meeting.

Cause for expulsion may include but not be limited to:

  1. Felony conviction
  2. Taking a public position contrary to the goals and objectives of the Association
  3. Failure to maintain certifications
  4. Extended arrears of dues and/or fees

Recommendations for expulsion shall be submitted to the Board, in writing, not less than thirty (30) days prior to a Board meeting.

The Board shall review the matter and present the findings to the membership. The member concerned shall be provided with the findings and given an opportunity for response.

The vote of the membership shall be final, and the member shall have the right of appeal.

Any member expelled from the Association shall lose all rights and privileges conferred by the Articles of Association, the Constitution and/or the By-laws.

ARTICLE III Officers

SECTION I

OFFICERS The officers of this Association shall be the President, Vice-President and Secretary/Treasurer.

SECTION II

ELECTED OFFICERS The President and Vice-President must be active or honorary members in good standing and shall be elected at the annual meeting by a majority vote of all active and honorary members present and voting. Both the President and Vice-President shall have been members of the Board of Directors. The President shall appoint the Secretary/Treasurer with concurrence of the Vice-President.

SECTION III

REMOVAL OF OFFICERS Any officer shall be removed from office for the following reasons:

  1. Conviction of a felony
  2. Malfeasance of office
  3. Inactivity

Provided, however that such removal shall not be effective unless and until the evidence has been reviewed by and determination made by the Board of Directors. Provided further, however, that the Board shall meet within forty-five (45) days of the date of filing of and charges made upon an officer to deliberate the issue, declare its findings and take necessary action.

SECTION IV

If the Board of Directors does not communicate with the membership or other directors for a period of three months, the President shall call for an emergency meeting of the Board to make the decision to replace all or some of its members.

If a meeting does not occur within 30 days of notification, the President may declare the Board dysfunctional, remove all or some of the members from the Board, and replace Board members with the concurrence of all the Association officers. These Board members shall serve until elections can be held at the next general meeting of the Association.

ARTICLE IV Duties of Officers

SECTION I

PRESIDENT The President shall supervise all activities of the Association; execute all instruments on its behalf; preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors (Board) and of the membership of the Association; call such meetings of the membership as shall be deemed necessary, other than the annual meetings of the membership. In general, the President shall perform all duties as are usually incident to the office of President of a non-profit Association along with such duties as may be assigned by the Board.

SECTION II

VICE-PRESIDENT In the absence or inability of the President, the Vice-President shall perform all the duties of the office of the President. When the President is presiding, the Vice-President shall assist that officer, in every way possible. Should a vacancy occur in the office of President, the Vice-President shall, at once, assume all the duties and responsibilities of that office. The Vice-President shall serve as the Audit Chairperson.

SECTION III

SECRETARY/TREASURER It shall be the duty of the Secretary/Treasurer to keep a complete record of the proceedings of the Association and its Board. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep a true and correct record between the Association and its members. The Secretary/Treasurer shall collect all monies due the Association from all sources and shall have custody of the funds of the Association. All monies in his/her possession belonging to the Association shall be deposited under the name of the Association in a bank or banks or other financial institutions approved by the Board. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep a true and correct record of all monies received and disbursed. All payments of accounts shall be by Association check or other method approved by the Board. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be bonded as provided and in an amount as determined by the Board. The Secretary/Treasurer shall have authority, with the approval of the Board, to engage assistance at any time that he/she may deem it necessary for the proper discharge of the business of the Association. No officer or member shall incur any expense in the name of the Association without the authority of the Board or the Association in conference, except the Secretary/Treasurer for the necessary expenses of his/her office. The Secretary/Treasurer shall close the annual report on the last day of month preceding the annual meeting and shall submit the same at the conference. At the expiration of his/her term of office he/she shall deliver to his/her successor all monies, books and papers, with all vouchers and other property in his/her charge, belonging to or held in trust for the Association.

ARTICLE V Board of Directors

SECTION I

DIRECTORS The corporate powers and management of this Association shall be vested in a Board of a minimum of nine (9) Directors herein called the Board. The Board shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer and six (6) Board members at large. The previous President shall serve as a board member for a one (1) year term. Of the six (6) at large board members they shall, to the extent possible, be chosen equally from the three (3) geographical regions of the state… (Two (2) each from southeast region, south-central region and northern region).

SECTION II

MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Board and such other members of the Association as the President may see fit for the proper transaction of business, shall meet annually or whenever the President may deem it necessary at such time and place, he/she shall designate. Meetings may be by teleconference. All meetings may be attended by any Association member in good standing.

SECTION III

BOARD OF DIRECTORS QUORUM A majority of the Board shall constitute a Quorum for the transaction of business.

ARTICLE VI Duties and Powers of the Board of Directors

SECTION I

DUTIES It shall be the duty of the Board to:

  • Conduct all business of the Association not otherwise provided for between the annual meetings.
  • Cause to have an audit of all the books and accounts of the Association. Such audit shall be prepared and presented at the annual meeting.
  • Have the Secretary/Treasurer bonded in an amount to be determined by the Board. The cost of said bond is to be paid by the Association.

SECTION II

POWERS The Board shall have the power to expend the funds of the Association to accomplish the objectives set forth.

SECTION III

OTHER DUTIES AND POWERS The Board shall perform such other duties and exert such other powers as required and authorized in the Constitution and By-laws at the Association’s annual conference.

SECTION IV

REVIEW AND OVERRIDE Any action of the Board will be subject to review at the annual meeting of the Association, and by a two-thirds vote of the active membership present, voting may override any action taken by the Board.

ARTICLE VII General Membership Meetings

SECTION I (a)

PLACE AND TIME General Membership meetings shall be held approximately once each year. The meeting will coincide with the Annual Fire and Arson Investigators Seminar. The Secretary shall notify each member by mail or email thirty (30) days prior to each meeting. Any special matters to be considered at said meeting should be included in said notification.

SECTION I (b)

LOCATION OF ANNUAL FIRE AND ARSON INVESTIGATORS SEMINAR The location of the annual Fire and Arson Investigators Seminar shall be determined by the Board.

The members may submit applications for consideration of their towns as a seminar site to the Board President, in writing, no later than thirty (30) calendar days prior to the beginning of the current Fire and Arson Investigators Seminar. In the event no written notification is submitted in the allotted timeframe, the Board will take action to recruit a suitable location.

The applications shall contain the following information:

  1. Letters of approval from the local jurisdiction.
  2. Proposal as to location and availability of the following:
    1. Classroom large enough to hold the seminar;
    2. Training areas for any practical exercises if necessary for the training curriculum;
    3. Available accommodations for the attendees;
    4. Access to site.

The choice of the Board shall be based on the relative merits of the location proposals and the decision announced at the annual meeting.

SECTION II

BOARD MEETINGS The Board shall meet at least once a year at the time of the annual meeting of the Association. Notice of a regular meeting shall be given in writing a least ten (10) days prior to the time fixed for the meeting. The Board may call meetings at any other time or place upon call of the President of the Association or by any five (5) Board members.

SECTION III

BOARD APPROVAL The entire program of the opening ceremonies, memorial service and the entertainment to be provided during the conference shall be submitted to the Board before being adopted or published.

SECTION IV

BOARD AUTHORIZED TO CHANGE TIME AND PLACE The Board shall have the authority to change the time and place of the annual conference if in its opinion an extraordinary emergency exists.

ARTICLE VIII Amendments To By-Laws

SECTION I

TWO-THIRDS AFFIRMATIVE VOTE AND ADVANCED NOTICE REQUIRED The By-laws may be amended at a general membership meeting by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the active membership present and voting, provided that members of the Association shall have been given appropriate notice of the proposed amendments at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

SECTION II

EFFECTIVE DATE AND OPPOSING PETITION Such amendments shall become effective thirty (30) days after adoption unless a petition opposing the amendment, signed by not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the active membership, is filed with the Board in the interim. In the event such petition is filed as specified, the amendment shall not become effective, but shall be reconsidered at the next annual meeting.

ARTICLE IX Voting

SECTION I

VOTING When there are two (2) or more candidates for an office there shall be a written or electronic ballot. Each individual member present at the annual meeting shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted for a vote of the membership. Voting may occur electronically or in person at a regular meeting of the membership with procedures approved by the Executive Board and in compliance with this Constitution.

Electronic Ballots If the election is by electronic means, each voter shall receive access to a secure voting system maintained by the Election Committee. Appropriate security measures shall be taken to ensure that (1) voters can enter only a single vote; (2) it is impossible to learn how anyone voted: (3) once a vote has been cast, neither the voter nor anyone with access to the system will be able to change the vote; (4) the results cannot be accessed until after the election.

SECTION II

TIE VOTE In case of a tie vote, the Board shall meet in emergency session and each Director shall cast a secret ballot. Ballots shall be sealed in an envelope and handed to the Election Committee for counting.

ARTICLE X Resolutions

SECTION I

RESOLUTIONS QUALIFICATIONS All resolutions which are to be considered at a meeting shall be presented or mailed to the Secretary/Treasurer not later than thirty (30) days prior to the opening of the meeting and shall be prepared in triplicate, typewritten, in proper form and bearing the signature of the active member submitting it and the name of the department or organization with which the member is affiliated.

SECTION II

RESOLUTIONS EMERGENCY NATURE Resolutions which are of such and emergency nature that compliance with the requirements of Section I above is impossible, it may be considered at a meeting only after the Board has approved the resolution as an emergency measure.

ARTICLE XI Rules of Order

SECTION I

PRESERVING ORDER AND DECORUM The presiding officer shall preserve order and decorum and shall take no part in debates while he/she is presiding. All questions on order shall be decided by the presiding officer subject to an appeal to the membership, and upon such an appeal the vote shall be taken without debate.

The presiding officer may state his/her reasons for the decision given and shall put the question as follows: “Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?” A two-thirds majority of those members voting shall be necessary to reverse the decision of the Chair.

SECTION II

PROCEDURE FOR SPEAKING OR MAKING A MOTION Every member, when he/she speaks or offers a motion, shall rise in place, state his/her name and respectfully address the presiding officer, and when he/she has finished speaking, shall at once resume his/her seat.

SECTION III

PROCEDURE TWO OR MORE PERSONS RISING When 2 (two) or more members rise to speak at the same time, the presiding officer shall decide who is entitled to the floor.

SECTION IV

MEMBERS CALLED TO ORDER When a Point of Order is called, the member called to order shall immediately cease speaking and resume his/her seat until the Point of Order in question has been decided. Then he/she shall again be entitled to the floor.

SECTION V

Except as amended above, “Robert’s Rules of Order” shall govern the procedures of meetings.

SECTION VI

MOTION TO ADJOURN A motion to adjourn shall always be in order, except when a member in possession of the floor, or a vote is being taken or it has been decided that a vote be now taken. A motion to adjourn is not debatable, but a motion to adjourn to a given time is open to debate.

ARTICLE XII Miscellaneous

SECTION I

PRIVILEGES LIMITATIONS No member in arrears for dues and/or failing to pay the registration fee while at the meeting shall be entitled to the privileges enjoyed by the current and registered members.

SECTION II

REGISTRATION FEE EXEMPTION Invited speakers or distinguished visitors shall be permitted to register and receive the courtesies of the annual seminar and meeting without payment of the registration fee, upon approval of the President of the Association.

SECTION III

Upon the dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.

ALASKA ASSOCIATION FIRE AND ARSON INVESTIGATORS BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I Membership

SECTION I

MEMBERSHIP PERIOD

  1. The membership period is always open. A person may apply for membership at any time.
  2. For current members, the membership period is 1 year from the date annual dues are paid.

SECTION II

MEMBERSHIP STATUS

  1. GOOD STANDING: A member is in “Good Standing” when all dues and fees are current and conduct themselves in accordance with ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP.
  2. NOT IN GOOD STANDING: A member is “Not in Good Standing” if dues are in arrears by less than 6 months but has not been suspended according to ARTICLE II SECTION VIII. Making dues current will return status to “Good Standing”.
  3. LAPSED: A member is considered lapsed if dues are in arrears of more than 6 months but less than 1 year but has not been suspended according to ARTICLE II SECTION VIII. Lapsed members may be reinstated by a vote of the Board of Directors according to By-Laws ARTICLE I SECTION III.
  4. NON-MEMBERS: A member’s status changes to “Non-member” if:
    1. Dues are in arrears longer than 1 year.
    2. They have resigned.
    3. No successful attempts have been made to resolve sanctions.
    4. They have been expelled in accordance with ARTICLE II SECTION VIII.

SECTION III

Any lapsed member may be reinstated in the association by the consent of a majority vote of the Board provided however, that if such member shall be in arrears in payment of dues or other financial obligation to the association at the time of separation, he/she shall be required to pay to the association all such arrears as a condition of his/her reinstatement.

SECTION IV

ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE AND HOLD OFFICE Only active and honorary life members shall be entitled to vote on all matters requiring a vote unless otherwise prohibited by the Constitution and By-laws of this Association. Only active members shall be entitled to hold office.

ARTICLE II Officers Terms

SECTION I

TERMS OF OFFICE Board members shall be elected by the membership at the Association’s annual meeting. Board members, other than officers, shall be elected as follows: Three (3) year terms, except for the immediate past president who shall automatically assume a one (1) year Board term. There shall be six (6), three (3) year Board positions and one (1) year Board position to be held by the immediate past president.

SECTION II

FILLING VACANCIES Vacancies of officer positions or board positions shall be filled as follows:

A vacancy in the office of President is to be filled by the Vice-President until next annual membership meeting.

A vacancy in the office of Vice-President is to be filled by appointment by the President with Board approval until the next annual membership meeting.

A vacancy in any Board position is to be filled by appointment by the President until the next annual membership meeting.

SECTION III

MEMBER ATTENDANCE Any Board member who fails to attend three (3) consecutive board meetings shall have his or her board position reviewed by the remaining members of the Board. If such review fails to reveal adequate reasons for the board member’s lack of attendance, then such board member shall, by a majority vote of the Board, be relieved of his or her office. Such vacancy shall be filled as outlined in Section II above.

ARTICLE III Committees

SECTION I

COMMITTEES REQUIRED The committees of this Association shall be:

  1. Membership
  2. By-laws
  3. Public Education
  4. Elections Committee
  5. Training Committee

Such committees shall be appointed by the President.

SECTION II

SPECIAL COMMITTEES The President may appoint special committees from time to time on any subject he deems necessary for the benefit of the Association. Such committees shall be chaired by a Board member. Committees shall consist of three (3) or five (5) people and chosen by the committee chairperson unless otherwise directed by the President.

ARTICLE IV Finance

SECTION I

MEMBERSHIP DUES The annual dues structure for membership in the Association shall be as follows:

  1. Active: $ 75.00
  2. Associate: $ 110.00
  3. Honorary Life: No fee

SECTION II

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING EXPENSES The necessary expenses of the Board Members attending the Board meetings shall be paid as set by the Board, to include transportation, lodging, meals and incidentals for the time involved at the meeting and necessary traveling time. Such reimbursement may be waived by Board members and shall be paid only when adequate funding permits.

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS ADOPTED. These revised and amended Constitution and By-laws were approved and adopted in Sitka, Alaska on April 20, 2023 as shown by the minutes of that meeting of the Association, and shall supersede all other By-laws promulgated heretofore.