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International Fire Marshals Association (IFMA)

Constitution and Bylaws

Constitution:
Name | Organization | Missions/Objectives | Membership  Officers/Executive Board | Meetings | Chapters | Ratification Amendment | Dissolution

Bylaws:
Name | Purposes/Powers | Membership | Officers | Executive Board  Meetings | Chapters | Nominations/Elections | Amendment

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 1. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the International Fire Marshals Association.

ARTICLE 2. ORGANIZATION

This Association is formed as a Section of the National Fire Protection Association under the provisions and powers of the Regulations Governing NFPA Sections as adopted and from time to time amended by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). As stipulated in Section 6 of said Regulations, this Association shall not, without due authorization, speak for the NFPA, nor shall it incur financial obligations on behalf of the NFPA, or collect dues as a condition of membership.

ARTICLE 3. MISSION and OBJECTIVES

The mission of the International Fire Marshals Association is to aid in the preservation of life and property by advocating, promoting and providing leadership in the prevention or mitigation of fire, explosions and other related hazardous conditions.

The objectives of the Association, set out in the Bylaws, shall support and enhance the aforesaid Mission.

ARTICLE 4. MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the Association shall be open to Members and representatives of Organization Members of the National Fire Protection Association involved in enforcement of fire laws and regulations and other activities as more fully described within the requirements set out in the Bylaws. Membership may be in such class or classes with such qualifications, rights, and obligations as shall be set forth in the Bylaws of the Association as the same may be from time to time amended.

ARTICLE 5. OFFICERS and EXECUTIVE BOARD

The officers of the Association shall be a President, a First Vice-President, a Second Vice President, a Secretary, and Executive Secretary and such additional officers as may be designated within the Bylaws of this Section. Officers shall have such qualifications, duties and powers as are set forth in the Bylaws as they may be from time to time amended. There shall be an Executive Board which shall have general charge of the affairs of the Association and which shall be constituted and shall act in accordance with the provisions of the Bylaws as the same may be from time to time amended.

ARTICLE 6. MEETINGS

This Association shall have an Annual Business Meeting which shall be held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association and may hold other meetings under the powers granted and using the procedures set forth in the Bylaws as the same may be from time to time amended.

ARTICLE 7. CHAPTERS

With the approval of the NFPA Board of Directors and subject to the requirements set out in the Bylaws, chapters of this Section may be established to serve different regional areas or different areas of interest among the membership.

ARTICLE 8. RATIFICATION

The Constitution and Bylaws, including any amendments thereto, shall be ratified by a majority of the members of the Association at a meeting of the Association, and further, shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the National Fire Protection Association.

ARTICLE 9. AMENDMENT

These articles may be amended at any duly called meeting, by a vote of two-thirds of the voting members present. Notice of the proposed amendments shall be given to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting where such amendments will be considered. All amendments shall be subject to approval by the Board of Directors of the NFPA.

ARTICLE 10. DISSOLUTION

This Association may be dissolved only by action of the Board of Directors of the National Fire Protection Association. Action for such dissolution may be initiated by said Board of Directors or upon petition or motion of this Association. No petition or motion for dissolution shall be voted on by the membership unless notice of the proposed dissolution petition or motion is given to the membership at least sixty (60) days prior to the meeting where such petition or motion will be considered.

BYLAWS

ARTICLE 1. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the International Fire Marshals Association.

ARTICLE 2. PURPOSES and POWERS

This Association shall have the following purposes in support of its mission:

  1. to unite for mutual benefit those officials engaged primarily in the prevention of fire, the investigation of fires, and/or public fire and life safety education.
  2. to provide educational and professional development opportunities through technological, certification and prevention programs.
  3. to provide a resource service to the members.
  4. to actively market and promote a positive, dynamic and proactive profile.
  5. to actively participate in the codes and standard-making process at the international, national, state and local level.
  6. to monitor fire safety issues at the international, national, state, and local level.
  7. to develop mechanisms for Chapters to participate in the association.
  8. to monitor and support research and development of solutions to fire protection and fire prevention problems.

ARTICLE 3.  MEMBERSHIP

3.1 There shall be five classes of membership: Member, Associate Member, Life Member, Honorary Member and Affiliate Member. All classes of membership other than Honorary Member shall be contingent upon membership in the National Fire Protection Association. The following qualifications shall apply to the five classes of membership:

  1. Member:
    A fire official, who has been lawfully appointed and authorized by the authority having jurisdiction and charged with the statutory responsibilities and duties for fire prevention accomplished through enforcement of fire laws and regulations, property inspections, public fire safety education, or investigation of the cause and origin of fires are eligible for membership.
  2. Associate Member:
    A member of NFPA who does not qualify for Member status as outlined in Article 3.1(a).  Associate Members shall not hold an elective office or vote in the affairs of the Association.
  3. Life Member:
    Life Membership may be conferred upon any Member of the International Fire Marshals Association.  To be considered for Life Membership, the member must meet one of the following:
    1. Retiring from office, or
    2. Ten (10) or more years' service as a fire official, or
    3. Who has rendered outstanding service to the Association.
      Life members shall have all the rights and privileges of a Member.
  4. Honorary Member:
    Honorary Membership may be conferred upon any person who has distinguished themselves by outstanding service in the fields of fire investigation, fire prevention or public fire safety education; or who has rendered outstanding or exceptional service to the Association. Honorary Members shall not hold an elective office or vote in the affairs of the Association.
  5. Affiliate Member:
    An Affiliate Member of the NFPA who is interested in the stated mission and objectives of the International Fire Marshals Association.  Affiliate Members shall not hold an elected office or vote in the affairs of the Association.

3.2 Nominations for Life Membership or Honorary Membership shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Secretary at least sixty (60) days prior to any regular business meeting. A favorable report by the Executive Board and a majority vote of the Association at any International Fire Marshals Association business meeting shall be necessary to elect a person to Life or Honorary Membership.

3.3 There shall be no special dues or fees for membership in the International Fire Marshals Association other than the regular dues for membership in the National Fire Protection Association.

3.4 Requests for membership shall be made by application to the Executive Secretary.

3.5 Determination of qualification for membership shall be at the sole discretion of the Executive Board.

3.6 Membership status can be revoked or suspended for just cause at the sole discretion of the Executive Board

ARTICLE 4. OFFICERS

4.1 The officers of the International Fire Marshals Association shall be a President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, a Secretary, and an Executive Secretary.

4.2 The President, First Vice-President, Second Vice President and Secretary shall be elected from the Membership at the Annual Meeting. All officers, except the Executive Secretary, shall serve for a term of one year or until their successors are elected and qualified. The Executive Secretary shall be named by the President of the National Fire Protection Association. No elected officer may serve more than two consecutive terms in any one office. Terms of office begin at the Annual Meeting of the Association.

4.3 The President of the Association shall preside at all meetings of the Association and the Executive Board, and shall, with the approval of the Executive Board, appoint such committees as are established under these Bylaws or otherwise established at the discretion of the Executive Board. The President shall perform such other duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Executive Board.

4.4 The First Vice President shall, at the request or absence or disability of the President, undertake the powers and duties of the President and when so acting shall have all necessary powers and perform all such duties as the President or the Executive Board shall determine are necessary to carry out such role. The Second Vice President and Past President shall perform such other duties as are not performed by the President or First Vice President and as may be directed by the President or the Executive Board.

4.5 The Secretary shall perform such secretarial duties as are not performed by the Executive Secretary and such other duties as may be directed by the President.

4.6 Should the President, acting in consultation with the Executive Secretary, determine that there is a need to take action on behalf of the Association, between meetings of the Executive Board, then the Officers, acting in concert with the Executive Secretary, may take such action and shall promptly report same in writing to the remainder of the Executive Board and make a full report of such action, at the next meeting of the Executive Board.

4.7 In the case of a vacancy in any office, the remaining officers shall ascend to the next highest position and the Executive Board shall have the authority to fill the vacant Second Vice-President position until the next Annual meeting.

4.8 The Executive Secretary shall serve as the recording Secretary of the Association and the Executive Board, but shall not have a vote in its affairs.

ARTICLE 5.  EXECUTIVE BOARD

5.1 There shall be an Executive Board which shall have general charge of the affairs of the Association. It shall be empowered to act on behalf of the Association between meetings of the membership; to establish, appoint and empower additional committees in its discretion; and to exercise all rights and powers granted it by these Bylaws or otherwise. It shall submit a report to each Annual Meeting of the Association covering its actions.

5.2 The membership of the Executive Board shall consist of all officers of  the Association; four (4) at large  members elected  from the membership; and the Immediate Past President, who shall serve in an ex-officio capacity.

5.2.1 The board shall consist of two members, but not more than three members, from each of the following categories, for a total of eight,  not including the immediate past president:

  1. members representing a State Fire Marshal Office,
  2. members representing populations greater than 150,000, and
  3. members representing populations of less than 150,000.

5.3 The at-large members of the Executive Board shall serve for two years or until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of office begin at the Annual Meeting of the Association.

5.4 No member may serve more than two consecutive terms as a member of the Executive Board in the same status.

5.5 In the case of a vacancy of any member of the Executive Board, the remaining members of the Executive Board shall have the authority to fill the vacant position until the next Annual Meeting.

5.6 Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution and Bylaws, or as provided in the Regulations for NFPA Sections, Robert's Rules of Order (Revised) shall govern the transaction of business at meetings of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE 6.  MEETINGS

6.1 Except where otherwise authorized by the National Fire Protection Association Board of Directors, there shall be an Annual Meeting of the Association held in connection with the Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association, for the purposes of hearing reports of officers and committees, electing and installing new officers and members of the Executive Board, and conducting such other business as may be necessary to achieve the purposes set out in Article 2. Notice of such meetings shall be sent to members at least 30 days in advance of the meeting stating the business to be transacted at the meeting. Business not included in the notice of the meeting may only be officially transacted by a two-thirds majority vote of all Association members present and voting.

6.2 The Association may enter proposals, comments, take positions on an issue on the floor of an NFPA Technical Committee Report Session, file an appeal or petition, submit a request for a formal interpretation, or request a Tentative Interim Amendment into the NFPA Codes and Standards development process provided that those actions are in conformance with the Regulations Governing Committee Projects and so long as the majority of the Association members attending an Association meeting where the issue was discussed have approved the content or approval is given by a 2/3 vote of the entire Association Executive Board.

6.3 Special meetings of the Association may be called by majority vote of the Executive Board, with notice and agenda to be given in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 6.1.

6.4 A quorum for the conduct of business at either an Annual Meeting or a Special Meeting of the Association shall consist of not less than 10 members of the Association.

6.5 Any member of the Association shall be permitted to attend any Annual Meeting or Special Meeting, but members shall not be permitted to vote unless their application for membership has been approved at least 30 days prior to the first day of such a meeting.

6.6 Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution and Bylaws, or as provided in the Regulations for NFPA Sections, Robert's Rules of Order (Revised) shall govern the transaction of business.

ARTICLE 7.  CHAPTERS

7.1 Fire prevention organizations desiring to become a Chapter of the International Fire Marshals Association for purposes of advancement of the objectives of the Association may apply to the Executive Board on forms provided by the Association. The Executive Board shall evaluate an application for chapter status at its next meeting. Approved chapters shall be issued their charter at the business session of a regular or special meeting of the International Fire Marshals Association. The Constitution and By-Laws and any amendment thereto of any Chapter shall be approved by the Executive Board of the Association and the Board of Directors of the National Fire Protection Association.

7.2 Chapter Membership: Qualifications for membership in any Chapter shall be as follows:

  1. Chapter Member: Any Member or Associate Member of the International Fire Marshals Association.
  2. Chapter Associate Member: Any person meeting the membership qualifications of the International Fire Marshals Association, but not being a Member; or any person meeting the qualifications of the Chapter.

7.3 Chapter Officers:

  1. Officers shall be Members or Associate Members of the International Fire Marshals Association.
  2. Each chapter shall have at least the following officers. The Secretary and Treasurer may be one individual.
    President
    Vice-President
    Secretary
    Treasurer

7.4 Chapter Representative:

  1. Each chapter shall select from their membership a chapter representative who will represent the chapter at regular International Fire Marshals Association meetings. The chapter representative shall be a Member or Associate Member of the International Fire Marshals Association. When the Chapter representative is unable to attend International Fire Marshal's Association Meetings, the Chapter may designate an alternate to carry out those duties.
  2. Chapter Representative Duties:
    1. The Chapter representative shall be responsible for all required reports of this Article.
    2. The chapter representative shall be responsible for an annual review of chapter membership.

7.5 Chapter Meetings: Chapters shall hold meetings at least once each year open to all members for the purposes of election of officers, approval of required reports to the International Fire Marshals Association, and for conducting regular business.

7.6 Chapter Reports: The chapter, upon request from the International Fire Marshals Association's Executive Secretary, shall submit reports addressing the following:

  1. Chapter activities
  2. Other information as requested

7.7 Chapter Identification and Letterhead:

  1. Letterheads of chapter stationery may include the following:
    1. Chapter number
    2. International Fire Marshals Association
    3. International Fire Marshals Association logo
    4. Geographical location, or area of interest

7.8 Chapter Review: The International Fire Marshals Association's Executive Board, sitting as the Chapter Review Committee, shall review each chapter's reports and activities at least annually. The Executive Board may suspend or terminate chapter charters for cause or may place any chapter on a probation status. A report on each chapter shall be presented at the International Fire Marshals Association's Annual Meeting.

7.9 Chapter Constitution and By-Laws: The Constitution and By-Laws of the Chapter shall include appropriate provisions so as to be consistent with the requirements and procedures set out in this article. The Constitution and By-Laws shall be approved by the Executive Board of the International Fire Marshals Association, and the Board of Directors of the National Fire Protection Association.

The Chapter's Constitution shall include a disclaimer to prevent any financial obligations or financial responsibilities being incurred or assumed by the International Fire Marshals Association or the National Fire Protection Association.

Insofar as matters involving the chapter are concerned, this Article shall prevail over any other provision of the Constitution or By-Law.

ARTICLE 8. NOMINATIONS and ELECTIONS

8.1 There shall be a Nominating Committee chaired by the past president; or in the case of the past president being unable to serve; a member appointed by the Executive Board. The Nominating Committee shall also include two additional members at-large who shall be named by the President by and from the membership and shall not be members of the Executive Board.

8.2 The Nominating Committee shall solicit nominations from IFMA Chapters and membership at large and shall nominate at least one candidate for each office which shall be available at the next Annual Meeting; nominations shall be provided for the Officers, and Executive Board.

8.3 Members of the Nominating Committee shall serve a term of one year, or until their successors are appointed. No at-large member of the Nominating Committee may serve more than two consecutive terms.

8.4 The Nominating Committee shall report its nominations to the Executive Secretary no later than November 30 prior to the Annual Meeting at which offices will become available.

8.5 The Executive Secretary shall have these nominations published in an official publication of the National Fire Protection Association or the International Fire Marshals Association no later than 60 days  prior to the Annual Meeting at which the offices will become available. The membership of the Association as of this publication shall be the membership eligible to vote in the election.

8.6 Candidates other than those named by the Nominating Committee may be nominated by petition of 10 members of the Association provided such petitions are received by the Executive Secretary no less than five and no more than 45 days after publication of the Nominating Committee's nominations. All nominees for office must be members of the Association.

8.7 Candidates nominated by the Nominating Committee may be designated as such on any notice sent by the Executive Secretary.

ARTICLE 9.  HONORS

9.1 The association shall have the ability to bestow the following honors on individuals they feel have benefited the association: Honorary Membership, Life Membership, Meritorious Service Award and the Percy Bugbee Award.

  1. Honorary Membership: See Section 3.1(d)
  2. Life Membership: See Section 3.1(c)
  3. Meritorious Service Award:
    The Meritorious Service Award is to recognize a member or members of the Association for notable and significant service in the public fire safety fields, to include, but not be limited to, fire prevention, fire inspection, fire safety education, fire investigation, code enforcement, fire code development, etc. in keeping with the highest traditions of association.
    1. Nominations shall be made to the Executive Secretary by November 1st.
    2. The Meritorious Service Award shall be presented at the Annual Meeting of the association. 
    3. The award shall not be awarded more than once per year.
  4. Percy Bugbee Award
    The Percy Bugbee Award recognizes a person whose notable, significant, and enduring contributions to the public safety are in keeping with the highest traditions of the association.
    1. Nominations shall be made to the Executive Secretary by November 1st.
    2. The Percy Bugbee Award shall be presented at the Annual Meeting of the association. 
    3. The award shall not be awarded more than once per year.

ARTICLE 10.  AMENDMENT

10.1 These By-laws may be amended at any meeting of the Association, by a vote of two-thirds of the voting members present. Notice of the proposed amendments shall be given to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting where such amendments will be considered. All amendments shall be subject to approval by the Board of Directors of the National Fire Protection Association.

 

Revised: 7/04

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