By-Laws
 

 

 


By – Laws
Coos County Search and Rescue, Inc.

 Article I – Name

 Section 1: The name of this organization shall be “Coos County Search and Rescue, Inc. ”

 Article II – Membership

 Section 1: Any Person of good character, of the age of sixteen (16) years or over, with no felony convictions,                  criminal convictions within the past three (3) years, and not currently on parole or probation shall be eligible for active membership in this organization provided they comply with the following sub-sections:  

A.        Prospective member shall submit an application in writing to the Board of Directors. The Board shall review all applications and forward them to the Sheriff’s office for investigation, review, and a background check. Upon acceptance from the Sheriff’s office, the application will be submitted for a vote of the membership. The applicant shall attend a minimum of two consecutive regular business meetings prior to being voted in as a member.  

B.         Members shall actively strive for certification, or to maintain certification to meet or exceed Standards adopted by the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association.  

C.        No member may be called to participate in a search unless that member has been certified or cleared by the on-scene coordinator or by the Sheriff.

 D.        Existing member under the age of 16 will be grand-fathered in and will retain their membership in Coos County Search and Rescue, Inc.

 Article III – Dues

 Section 1: The annual dues of this organization shall be twelve dollars ($12.00). After ten years full service dues shall be waived.  

Section 2: The dues period shall be from January to January. New members, or those on approved leave of                  absence, coming in after January shall have a prorated schedule.  

Section 3: Any member whose dues are in arrears for a period of ninety (90) days shall automatically cease to be a member. Notice of dues owing shall be given to members by the Board thirty (30) days before date payable.

                                                                                 October 14, 1993 Revised: 02/00 --  01/02

Article IV – Purpose  

Section 1: This organization shall be a non-profit organization, organized for such educational and charitable                  purposes as will promote and foster the growth of community service, and to assist the Sheriff. Civil Defense, Agency or any bona fide Law Enforcement Agency upon request.

 Section 2: This organization shall be non-partisan and non-sectarian and shall wholly abstain from any political  affiliations and endorsements of candidates for public office.  

Section 3: All activities of Coos County Search and Rescue, Inc. shall comply with applicable local State or                  Federal laws.

 Article V – Government / Finances  

Section 1: The government of this organization shall be vested in a Board of Directors.  

Section 2: The Board and officers shall have control and management of the organization, its property, funds and operating funds. Funds of the organization shall be withdrawn from the bank in which they are deposited by joint signatures of a Board member and the Treasurer or Secretary. In the absence of a Secretary or Treasurer, at least two Board members shall sign. The operating funds, which shall not exceed $100.00, shall be used to operate the miscellaneous financial functions of the group.

Section 3: If any two of these Board members or officers reside in the same household, one shall be restricted from signing checks.  

Article VI – Elections  

Section 1: No member (s) of this organization shall be elected to any office unless they are an active member iin good standing and at least eighteen (18) years of age.  

Section 2: Election of officers shall be held once yearly in November at the regular meeting. Nominations will be held in October. You must be at least 18 years of age to vote in SAR elections.  

Section 3: No member can be elected to any office unless present at the meeting when elections are held and they have been certified for at least one (1) year. Article VI – Amended Revision – Revised December 3/02 Any member of Coos County Search and Rescue, Inc. that meets the requirements of Article VI: but cannot fulfill OSSA requirements to become State certified, and cannot search due to a physical disability The 24 HR. requirement shall be waived in the election of officers for the position of treasurer and / or secretary upon verification and approval by CCSAR Inc. board.  

Section 4: The officers term of office shall be from January 1, to December 31, of the same year.  

Article VII – Duties of the Board / Officers  

Section 1: The Board of Directors shall supervise the training committee: Audit the financial records of the organization annually (or as required); Assist the President in emergency situations; Settle disagreements; Assist other committees and / or officers when so requested; Review personnel records of members annually to ensure eligibility for continued certification and membership. A quorum shall consist of five Board members; a  three-fifths (3/5) majority shall be required for major decisions. The Board shall not be authorized to expend funds without the consent of the majority of the general membership. No business shall be conducted on behalf of the organization unless a quorum is present.  

Section 2: The President shall supervise the organization’s affairs and activities and shall make an annual report thereon to the membership. He / She shall preside at all membership meetings, attend all Board meetings, and comply with Board directive. In the absence of a Board member and with the approval of the Board members present, the President shall have voting privileges.

Section 3: The Secretary shall keep a permanent set of minutes of all meetings, keep all official reports and records, compile all date pertaining to organization policy, and act in the capacity of personnel manager of the organization. He / She shall write all letters, give notice of all regular and special meetings. The Secretary and / or Treasurer shall act as purchasing agent.  

Section 4: The Treasurer shall have custody of the organization’s funds and securities, keep full and accurate acccounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the organization, and deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the organization. He / She shall disburse funds when directed, make proper vouchers for such disbursements, and render an accounting of all transactions and / or the financial condition of the organization when requested. All disbursements, excluding operating funds, shall be made by check and said checks shall be signed as described in Article V, Section 2 and 3. The Treasurer and / or Secretary shall act as purchasing agent.  

Article VIII – Meetings  

Section 1: The annual election meeting of this organization shall be held in November of each year. Members must be present and dues paid to cast a vote.  

Section 2: The organization shall hold regular monthly meeting on such date that may be set. Members 18 years and above may vote on business conducted at SAR meetings.  

Section 3: Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at pre-arranged dates or at the call of any Board member.

 Section 4: All members must attend two (2) meetings every quarter to remain in good standing or provide a            reasonable excuse.

 Article IX – Rules of Order  

Section 1: Board Member (Position 1) shall govern the proceedings of all Board meeting and organization meetings in the absence of the President.  

Article X – Delegations / Committees  

Section 1: Delegations or special committees shall be appointed by the Board to represent the organization at                  conventions, meetings or assemblies and as may be necessary. Such delegates or committees shall exercise only those powers specifically vested in them by the Board.  

Article XI – Amendments

Section 1: These By-Laws may be amended by three-fifths (3/5) vote of the Board and the Sheriff.  

Article XII – Rules of Conduct  

Section 1: You will pledge allegiance to our flag and country.  

Section 2: No drinking of alcohol while wearing a S.A.R. uniform.  

Section 3: When in uniform it must be a complete uniform.  

Section 4: Conduct yourself as a professional at all times with due respect to your fellow persons.  

Section 5: Loud or excessive profane language will not be tolerated.  

Section 6: Drunkenness will not be allowed.  

Section 7: You will lawfully obey orders from the Sheriff’s Office.  

Section 8: Uniforms will not be on your person unless called to duty by the Sheriff’s Office or for an official S.A.R. function.

 Section 9: Failure to comply with the above rules of conduct or follow the chain of command shall be considered grounds for dismissal from S.A.R. (chain of command see SOP No. 0005.)  

Section 10: Members will settle conflicts by following grievance procedures as addressed in SOP No. 0005.  

Section 11: Addition or revisions of these rules may be made as required or needed.  

Article XIII – Dissolution  

Section 1: All property will be returned to the appropriate people or agency. Any assets left after dissolution shall be donated to the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Section.