FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE
GREATER KALAMAZOO LODGE #98
CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Greater Kalamazoo Lodge #98, Inc., Fraternal Order of Police as representatives and delegates of the Grand Lodge and State Lodge of Michigan, Fraternal Order of Police have joined together for the following purpose:
To support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the State of Michigan; to inculcate loyalty and allegiance to the United States of America; to promote and foster the impartial enforcement of law and order; to improve the individual proficiency of our members in the performance of their duties; to encourage social, charitable and educational activities among all law enforcement personnel; to advocate and strive for uniform application of the civil service merit system for all law enforcement personnel; to create a tradition of esprit de corps in insuring fidelity to duty under all conditions and circumstances; to cultivate a spirit of fraternalism and mutual helpfulness among our membership and the people we serve; to increase the efficiency of the law enforcement profession and thus more firmly establish the confidence of the public in the service that is dedicated to the protection of life and property.
ARTICLE I
Name
Section 1. This lodge shall be known as the Greater Kalamazoo Lodge #98, Inc., Fraternal Order of Police, an organization consisting of law enforcement personnel of the United States, State of Michigan and of the several political subdivisions in the greater Kalamazoo County area.
ARTICLE II
Character
Section 1. Greater Kalamazoo Lodge #98 Inc., Fraternal Order of Police is an organization consisting of law enforcement personnel of the United States,
Section 2. This organization is formed for the purpose of bettering the existing conditions of the law enforcement personnel of the greater Kalamazoo County area and the state of Michigan.
Section 3. Greater Kalamazoo Lodge #98, Inc., Fraternal Order of Police recognizes that it has the right to become politically active.
Section 4. This constitution shall be the fundamental law of the Order and together with the By-laws shall govern the conduct of this Lodge and it’s members.
ARTICLE III
Membership
Section 1. No person shall be denied membership because of race, creed or sex.
Section 2. All regular appointed and full-time employed law enforcement personnel actively engaged in law enforcement work by the Federal, State, County, Township or City government may become active members.
Section 3. Members shall not be forced to resign from this lodge if discharged from the law enforcement profession until all applicable grievance, arbitration and court proceedings, which challenge such discharge, are completed. Any member who resigns from the law enforcement profession may petition the lodge to continue their active membership by paying the then current per capita. If active membership is not maintained, they are not eligible to hold office or be a delegate to any conference. Any member who is discharged from the law enforcement profession shall cease to be a member and any office they may hold in the lodge shall be vacated.
Section 4. Additional membership shall consist of associate and honorary. This type member cannot hold office, be a delegate or vote.
Section 5. Members who retire from law enforcement with regular pension rights from their governmental agency shall become lifetime members of the Greater Kalamazoo Lodge #98. Rights and privileges are granted the same as working active members if active membership is maintained.
ARTICLE IV
Dues and Assessments
Section 1. The fee for initiation shall be the same as the monthly dues for the applicant and shall accompany the application for membership. The dues for active members, who are part of a collective bargaining unit, shall be payable monthly by the general meeting, quarterly by the first week of each quarter, yearly by the first week of each new year or by payroll deduction. The dues for active members shall be compensurate with the State and National per capita tax per year. Additional monies may be charged by each unit.
Section 2. A member in good standing is hereby defined to be a member who has paid all dues and assessments payable to or for this Lodge or who is not more than thirty (30) days in arrears of such payments as of the date specified for the payment thereof and who is not in violation of any one of the Lodge’s collective bargaining contracts. Any member in arrears of payment of dues and assessments for more than thirty (30) days and less than ninety (90) days shall be deemed to be delinquent and not in good standing. Any member in arrears of payment of dues and assessments more than ninety (90) days shall be automatically suspended from the Order.
Section 3. Any member delinquent or suspended, as provided for in Section 2 of this Article shall be reinstated and restored to good standing by the payment of all amounts due to the Lodge.
Section 4. Any member who resigns from the law enforcement profession can petition the Lodge to continue his membership. Dues for this type of member will be one hundred seventy four dollars ($174.00) per calendar year, payable annually on the first of January.
Section 5. Any member who retires from law enforcement who is eligible for a pension or a medical disability pension from his/her employer shall be entitled to the following: a lifetime honorary membership to the local Lodge, a gold membership card and a retirement badge. To be eligible for a lifetime honorary membership, the gold membership card and badge, the member must have held active membership status for ten (10) consecutive years concurrent to their retirement date and be an FOP member in good standing at the time of retirement. The retired member shall have full voting rights as an active member and the local Lodge will pay State and National per capita tax on any retired member according to the attendance requirements of Article II, Section 2 of the By-Laws. Any active member who is eligible for a pension or a medical disability pension from his/her employer and does not meet the above requirements for lifetime honorary membership, may petition the FOP Lodge #98 Board for consideration of a lifetime honorary membership, a gold membership card and a retirement badge.
Section 7. If per capita tax is increased or decreased by the State or National Lodge, the change will automatically be passed on the active members of this Lodge. This change in dues will be done without a vote being required by the General membership. This section shall only apply to per capita tax changes.
ARTICLE V
Meetings
Section 1. Meetings of this Lodge shall be held on the first Monday of each month. If said meeting date is a legal holiday, the meeting will be held on the following Monday. Regular meetings for July and August may be cancelled by a majority vote of the membership in attendance at the June general membership meeting. Cancellation notices will be posted at each department.
Section 2. General membership meetings, held the first Monday of the month, shall start at six thirty (6:30) pm.
Section 3. Special meetings of the Lodge shall be held at such time and place as a majority of the current Executive Board shall deem advisable. The President may call a special meeting with a written petition signed by at least ten percent (10%) of the active membership. Special meetings shall be posted at the law enforcement departments with at least eight (8) days notice. The President shall call the meeting within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the petition. The only business to be discussed at this meeting shall be on the business for which this special meeting section was invoked. Regular Lodge business shall be attended to at general membership meetings.
Section 4. Meetings of the Lodge’s collective bargaining units shall be set by the individual units. Collective bargaining unit meetings will try not to conflict with general membership meetings.
Section 5. A quorum will be a majority of the offices of President, Past President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, 2nd Vice-President, Sergeant at Arms, District Trustee and five (5) Trustees present or seven (7) of the above named officers.
ARTICLE VI
Officers
Section 1. The officers of this Lodge shall consist of a President, Immediate Past President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, 2nd Vice-President, Sergeant at Arms, five (5) Trustees and State District Trustee.
ARTICLE VII
Duties of Officers
Section 1. The duties of the President shall be to have general supervision of the Lodge; to preside at all sessions of the Lodge when present and to open and close the same; to appoint all officers pro tem, in cases of absentees; to preserve order and insist upon proper decorum when the Lodge is in session.
The President shall notify the Grand Lodge of any change of Secretary either at the time of elections or between elections, giving the name, address and signature of the Secretary. The President shall call special sessions of the Lodge as prescribed in the Article V section of the Constitution.
The President shall be “ex-officio” Chairman of the Board of Trustees and any other committee pertaining to this lodge; in the event of a tie vote, he/she shall cast the deciding vote, conditioned that he/she shall vote only upon any tie vote taken. The President shall appoint the majority members on a committee.
The President shall attach his/her signature to all orders, vouchers and documents of an official character issued by the Lodge conditioned that it shall not be necessary for him/her to sign the general correspondence.
The President may spend up to five hundred dollars ($500) per month at his/her discretion. These expenditures are to be made for unexpected circumstances which may arise between regular meetings and for which payment is required before the request can be brought before the General membership at the monthly meeting. Monies shall not be expended under this section for matters which have previously been denied by the General membership.
Section 2. The duties of the Vice-President shall be to assist the President in the discharge of his duties while the Lodge is assembled, and in the absence of the President, shall assume his responsibilities and discharge his duties.
Section 3. The duties of the Secretary shall be to keep a true and accurate record of all proceedings of the Lodge, in a book provided for that purpose. He/she shall conduct the general correspondence of the Lodge under the direction of the President. He/she shall receive, duly file and safely keep all papers and documents of the Lodge and within ten (10) days after the expiration of his/her term of office, shall deliver the same to his/her successor in office.
Section 4. The duties of the Treasurer shall be to receive all monies paid to the Lodge for its general fund and the labor fund and deposit same without delay to the credit of the Lodge, in such banks, trust companies or credit unions, as the Lodge may direct; keep a true and accurate account thereof; pay all bills of the Lodge. He/she shall be able to report on the labor fund by the amount each collective bargaining unit has paid in and each has spent. He/she shall pay and deliver to his successor or to such persons as shall be designated by the Lodge, within ten (10) days after the expiration of his/her term of office, all monies, securities, evidence of debts, books, writings and all other property of the Lodge under his/her control, with all papers and all necessary assignments.
The Treasurer, with the assistance of other board members as appointed by the President, prepare and submit a proposed budget for the Lodge each year at the October general membership meeting. The budget will be voted on at the general membership meeting in November each year.
Section 5. The duties of the 2nd Vice-President shall be to ascertain that all members of the meeting are of good standing, take up the password and report to the President of same. He/she shall perform other duties as the President may require.
Section 6. The duties of the Sergeant-at-Arms shall be to have control of the meeting place. He/she shall perform other duties as the President may require.
Section 7. The duties of the Trustees shall be to have charge of all properties of the Lodge; examine and audit the Treasurer’s and Secretary’s books at the end of each year and see all monies are accounted to the Lodge.
Section 8. The duties of the Immediate Past-President shall be to assist the President or any officer of the Lodge upon request of that officer.
ARTICLE VIII
Election of Officers
Section 1. All officers except Trustees shall be elected for one (1) year. Trustees shall be elected for two (2) years, two (2) being elected one (1) year and three (3) being elected the next year.
Section 2. Nominations for all offices in the Lodge, shall be held at the November general membership meeting of the previous year. Election shall follow at the next month’s general meeting.
Section 3. Voting shall be regulated by Article V of the By-Laws.
ARTICLE IX
Amendments
Section 1. Proposed amendments to this Constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary ninety (90) days prior to being voted upon. The proposed amendment must be signed by two (2) active members who are in good standing. The Secretary shall make available to each active member who is in good standing, on request, a copy of such proposed amendment at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date of voting.
Section 2. Voting shall be regulated by Article V of the By-Laws. A two-thirds vote of the ballots cast by eligible voters in favor shall constitute adoption of the proposed amendments and it shall become part of this Constitution.
Section 3. Proposed changes to the Constitution and By-Laws shall be turned over to the Constitution and By-Laws committee which will consist of three (3) members in good standing as appointed yearly by the President. This committee will review all proposed changes and provide a written recommendation for each proposed change, adoption or rejection. The recommendations shall be made known to all members who vote on the change (s). The Constitution and By-Laws committee shall meet as least once per calendar year to review the current Constitution and By-Laws. If necessary the committee will make appropriate recommendations for the change (s).
ARTICLE X
Parliamentary Procedure
Section 1. Except as provided in the Constitution and By-Laws, “Robert’s Rules of Order” shall govern the conduct and deliberations of the general and Executive Board meetings.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
Lodge Year
Section 1. The Lodge year shall end December 31st of each year.
ARTICLE II
Eligibility and Vacancies
Section 1. To be eligible for election to any office one must meet the following requirements. (1) Be a member in good standing. (2) Attend at least six (6) regular, special or board meetings within twelve (12) months prior to the nominations for officers. If a regular meeting is cancelled and not rescheduled, then each active member shall be credited as having attended said meeting for the purposes of determining eligibility under this section.
Section 2. The above requirements shall not apply to a member if they are working for their law enforcement employer on a regular or special meeting day, provided they have notified the Secretary or any other board member so a written record can be kept of those names.
Section 3. Any officer who is absent for three (3) consecutive meetings, except for reasons of sickness or work, shall be automatically vacated from office and a successor appointed by the President for the balance of the prospective term of office. In case of vacancy by reason of death or resignation, the President shall make appointments for the balance of the respective terms. To be appointed to fill a vacancy created by resignation, death, etc., a member must meet eligibility requirements as set forth in Article II, Section 1 of the By-Laws.
ARTICLE III
DELEGATE
Section 1. To be eligible for election as a delegate for this Lodge, a member must meet the same requirements as set forth in Article II, Section 1 of the By-Laws.
Section 2. Nominations of delegates to the State and National conventions shall be made at a meeting designated by the President. If needed, an election shall follow at the next month’s general meeting.
Section 3. Eligibility shall be taken from the sign-up sheet at the general or special meetings.
Section 4. The President and Secretary shall automatically become delegates to all State and National Fraternal Order of Police conventions.
ARTICLE IV
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Proposed amendments shall be governed by the lauguage in Article IX, Section 1 of the Constitution.
Section 2. Voting shall be regulated by Article V of the By-Laws. A two-thirds vote of the ballots cast by eligible voters in favor shall constitute adoption of the proposed amendment (s) and it shall become part of these By-Laws.
ARTICLE V
Voting
Section 1. All voting, for officers, delegates and amendment changes shall be done at a polling place as designated by the Lodge’s Executive Board. If the Lodge has a building that can be used for such purposes that would be the polling place.
Section 2. The hours that the polling place shall be open will be set by the Lodge or a person designated by the Executive Board.
Section 3. All voting shall be done by ballot. The ballots shall be distributed at the polling place between the hours set by the Executive Board. The eligible voter receiving a ballot will have his or her name checked off the voting eligibility list on receiving a ballot. The ballot willb e placed in a locked box at the polling place and counted at the next general meeting following the closing of the polls.
Section 4. The ballots will be counted by a committee appointed by the President and Vice-President.
Section 5. Absentee ballots can be obtained from the Lodge upon request.
ARTICLE VI
Suspension and Expulsion
Section 1. Any member who abuses the Lodge and it’s facilities shall have their case heard by the Executive Board if such abuse warrants action. The President may, upon good cause, suspend a member from use of the Lodge equipment, or facilities pending board action as provided in this section. If such action is taken by the President, the Executive Board shall be notified at its next meeting.
Section 2. Members shall have their case reviewed by the Executive Board for action taken/or to be taken against that member.
Section 3. All action taken by the Executive Board shall be in recommendation form to be brought before the general membership meeting for final approval.
Section 4. Article III, Section 3 of the Constitution shall apply to this article as it pertains to dismissal from the Lodge.
ARTICLE VII
Associate Membership
Section 1. The Greater Kalamazoo Lodge #98, Inc., Fraternal Order of Police recognizes Associate membership.
Section 2. The associate member shall be subject to the control and supervision of the Lodge.
Section 3. All associate applications shall be in writing on forms provided by this Lodge and sponsored by an active member. The application shall be accompanied by the required fee that shall be compensurate with the current State and National per capita tax per year.
Section 4. If the associate application is questioned the signing active member must be willing to vouch for and give reasons why we should accept the application before a vote is cast for that application.
Section 5. An active member may be able to have an associate membership revoked by submitting in writing, to the Executive Board, reasons for such revocation. Action on this request will take place at a general meeting.
Section 6. Associate membership cards and emblems are the property of this Lodge and the cost of replacement of a lost or stolen card or emblem shall be borne by the respective associate member.
Section 7. An associate member shall be entitled to the use of the Lodge’s facilities and for any function approved by the President and/or his/her designate.
ARTICLE VIII
Conduct and Order of Business
Section 1. A quorum for the opening of all Lodge meetings shall consist of a majority of the Executive Board and any other members present. A quorum for an Executive Board meeting shall be a majority of the board. The decisions of the board shall be in the form of a recommendation to be presented at the next general membership meeting for approval, unless the meeting has been cancelled pursuant to Article V, Section 1, of the Constitution.
Section 2. A majority vote shall govern, except in balloting upon petitions for amendments to these By-Laws.
Section 3. The sessions and business of this Lodge shall be conducted in accordance with the usages of the Order and Robert’s Rules of Order.
Section 4. The following order of business shall be used unless changed by those in attendance at a general meeting. Executive Board meeting business shall be determined by the Executive Board:
- Opening of the Meeting
- Roll call of officers
- Filing of minutes for past month’s meeting
- Applications for membership along with investigative report
Acceptance of the applications
- Officer’s report
- Committee reports
- Communications and bills
- Members sick or in distress
- Initiation of applicants for membership
- Unfinished business
- New business
- Good of the Order
- Nominations for Officers (November meeting)
Nominations for convention delegates
- Election of Officers (December meeting)
Election of Delegates
- Closing of meeting
- Drawing
- Adjournment
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