BY-LAWS

UPPER LEACOCK FIRE COMPANY

LAW I

MEMBERSHIP

    Section 1.     Any person fourteen years of age shall be eligible for Junior membership and upon attaining their 18^th birthday, is eligible to become a regular Active member upon meeting the requirements of the Constitution and By-laws.

a.     Members under eighteen years of age shall have consent of a parent or guardian in writing before becoming a member.

b.     These members shall be known as Junior members and shall be governed by the Child Labor Law, PL. 286, Number 177 or amended.

    Section 2.     Any applicant receiving a three quarters vote of the members present shall be declared elected to membership, and any rejected applicant shall not be proposed again for a period of six months.

    Section 3.     All Active members must attend at least 4 regular monthly fire company meetings a year or 20% of the alarms to which the company responds per year to maintain their Active membership unless they present a legitimate excuse for no attendance, such as employment, military service, sickness or physical disability. Individual special duty assignment of two hours duration directly related to fire protection, such as inspections, educational programs, telephone watch or dispatching as assigned by the Fire Chief, shall be credited to the member the same as an alarm.

    Section 4.     Any Active member who accumulates 20 years active service in the Fire Company may become a Life member to the Fire Company. Life members shall not be required to pay any dues. Any Life member meeting the requirements of Law I, Section 3, will also remain an Active member.

    Section 5.     The title Honorary membership may be conferred on any person who has faithfully or liberally contributed to the support of the company.

    Section 6.     Any person desiring to become an Active member of the Fire Company between regular company meetings, after payment of one dollar, may be appointed a temporary member of the Fire Company by the Fire Chief and the Financial Secretary. Active membership shall be voted upon by the Company after the Membership Committee gives its recommendation.

    Section 7.     A Township member is any dues paying Active member of any other Fire Company chartered in Upper Leacock Township.

    Section 8.     A Contributing member is anyone who contributes their time and efforts for the betterment of the company, such as, but not limited to, fund raising projects, janitorial work, etc. These persons may be appointed by the President or the Membership Committee Chairman.

    Section 9.     All members of Leola or Leacock Fire Company in any membership category shall be deemed to be members in the same category of the Upper Leacock Fire Co. the member's prior years of service shall be carried forward for seniority purposes.

    Section 10.     All Auxiliary Members shall attend at least four Auxiliary meetings a year or 20% of the Auxiliary functions to maintain active voting membership in the Fire Company. The Auxiliary members shall be called to order by a chairperson appointed by the President of the Fire Company.

LAW II

MEMBERS

    Section 1.     All persons seeking active membership in U.L. Fire Co., shall complete an "Application for Membership" form, obtainable from any Fire Company membership committee member. Upon completion this form will be reviewed by the membership committee and within a reasonable length of time, submitted to the company with a recommendation for rejection or approval. Upon approval the prospective member will be on probation for one (1) year and be assessed the sum of $1.00 which shall be hi/her dues for that year. A member on probation may be disqualified at any time during the first year by majority vote of the membership committee and the trustees.

    Section 2.     It shall be the duty of Active members upon every alarm to report immediately for duty. After the services of the company are no longer needed, aid in replacing hose and equipment, and return the apparatus to service.

    Section 3.     No member shall retire from a meeting of the Company, previous to adjournment, without permission of the President.

    Section 4.     An officer or member may be impeached from office, or be expelled from the Company for violating the Constitution or By-laws or for other improper conduct, on the concurrence of two-thirds vote of the members present, provided that no officer or member shall be removed or expelled without having due notice of the accusation and ample opportunity to make his/her defense.

    Section 5.     If an officer or member be guilty of an act tending to injure the Company, or disgrace the badge or uniform, and against whom charges may be brought in writing, he/she shall be reprimanded, or may be suspected by action of the Company.

    Section 6.     All monies and all bank deposit receipts belonging to the Company, in the possession of any officer or member shall be turned over to the Financial Secretary or Treasurer by the first meeting following receipt of same.

    Section 7.     If an officer or member embezzles or misappropriates any funds or property of the Company, or fails to return any property of the Company which may be in hi/her possession after he/she has been given one week's notice, he/she shall be prosecuted, and it shall be the duty of the President of the Company to proceed legally upon the expiration of the time limit against the officer.

    Section 8.     A Junior Member must complete his/her working papers to the satisfaction of the Fire Company.

a.     A Junior Member must complete the first local basic firefighting course available during the first year.

b.     If the course is not completed, renewed membership will be at the discretion of the Fire Company.

    Section 9.     A Junior Member may not hold an elective office.

    Section 10.     Junior Members will appoint a spokesman to be heard at a Fire Company meeting.

LAW III

MEETINGS

    Section 1.     Special meetings of the Company may be called by the president, or on written request of five members. A telephone call or posted notice of such meetings shall be given to all Active members at least four days in advance and the purpose of the same shall be clearly stated, and no other business can be acted upon at such special meeting. Notice shall also be posted on the firehouse bulletin boards.

    Section 2.     Seven members in good standing shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

LAW IV

THE PRESIDENT

    Section 1.     It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the company, preserve order and decorum, regulate debates, state and put questions, moved and second before the Company for vote, sign all warrants upon the Treasurer, which have received the sanction of the Company, and appoint all committees, delegates, one trustee to serve as chairperson of trustees, and fill any necessary vacancies.

    Section 2.

a.     The President, shall not vote on any question unless the Company be equally divided, in which case he shall have the deciding vote.

b.     The President shall on the night of the election of officers, cast a ballot to be held by the teller as a tiebreaker if needed. This deciding vote shall not be disclosed by the tellers.

    Section 3.

a.     The President at the September meeting, shall appoint a nominating committee. They shall present a state of officers at the October meeting.

b.     The President shall, on the night of the meeting in December, propose the names of two (2) or more accountants, one of which shall be selected by vote of the Company to audit the Company's financial books.

    Section 4.     The President may not serve more then five (5) consecutive years in office and he/she may serve again after a lapse of one (1) year.

LAW V

VICE PRESIDENTS

Section 1.

a.     The Vice Presidents shall, in the absence of the President, perform all the duties of the President's office.

b.     The two Vice Presidents shall oversee, advise, and motivate those committees assigned to each of them by the President. However, these Vice Presidents shall not be voting members of these committees except where they are specifically appointed by the President to serve as a committee member.

LAW VI

SECRETARY

    Section 1.     It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep accurate and correct minutes of all the meetings of the Company in a book provided for that purpose, sign all warrants upon the Treasurer, preserve all books and papers and such other property as may be committed to his/her care, and transfer to his/her successor in office all books papers, etc. within one week after the expiration of his/her term of office.

    Section 2.     The Secretary shall, within one week after the election of any officer, notify the person or persons so elected.

    Section 3.     The Secretary shall advertise all special meetings of the Company

    Section 4.     The Secretary shall, if unable to attend a meeting, cause the necessary books and papers to be carried there.

LAW VII

ASSISTANT SECRETARY

    Section 1.     The Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of the Secretary in his/her absence, or any other secretarial duties assigned by the President.

LAW VIII

FINANCIAL SECRETARY

    Section 1.     The Financial Secretary shall keep a true and correct account of dues and fees between the Company and its members. He/she shall record all contributions. He/she shall have hi/her books and accounts ready for examination whenever required by the Company or the Auditor. He/she shall give a bond, to be approved and paid by the company, in an amount to be determined by the Trustees.

LAW IX

TREASURER

    Section 1.     The treasurer shall, upon entering office, give a bond to be approved and paid for by the Company, in the amount to be determined by the Trustees.

    Section 2.     He/she shall attend each meeting of the Company, collect and receive all monies due the Company, and appropriate the same agreeably to their order, keep regular and authentic entries of all receipts and expenditures as Treasurer. He/she shall exhibit an annual statement of his/her accounts at a stated meeting of each year or more often if required to do so. He/she shall deliver to his/her successor in office all monies, book, papers, etc., within two weeks after the expiration of his/her term of office.

LAW X

ASSISTANT TREASURER

    Section 1.     The Assistant Treasurer shall perform the duties of the Treasurer in his/her absence.

    Section 2.     The Assistant Treasurer shall upon entering office give a bond to be approved and paid by the Company, in an amount to be determined by the Trustees.

LAW XI

FIRE CHIEF

    Section 1.     The Fire Chief shall be the commanding officer of the Company while it is in service and shall have the authority to appoint such assistants as necessary. The Chief shall keep an accurate record of all fires and/or emergencies, materials used, and members in attendance and present a report of same at the regular meeting of the Company. The Chief shall present a written consolidated report of the same at the year-end.

LAW XII

DEPUTY CHIEF

    Section 1.     The Deputy Chief shall take command in the absence of the Chief.

LAW XIII

TRUSTEES

    Section 1.     The Board of Trustees shall consist of three (3) members, who shall serve three (3) years. One Trustee shall be elected each year for a term of three (3) years.

    Section 2.     It shall be the duty of the Trustees to have general supervision over the property and equipment of the Company, except that, which is under the control of other officers, invest the monies of the Company as they are instructed by the Company. They shall take bonds of indemnity from the Financial Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer, in such amounts as they deem necessary, and perform duties as may be required.

    Section 3.     They shall not have the power to make any material alterations or additions to the property of the Company without the consent of the Company.

    Section 4.     The Trustees shall have power to enforce such house rules as the Company may from time to time adopt.

LAW XIV

ENGINEER

    Section 1.     The Engineer shall be in charge of the apparatus at all times. The Engineer shall operate or supervise operation of the apparatus at fires and shall take order from the Fire Chief.

    Section 2.     The Engineer shall see that the apparatus and equipment is in working condition and clean and presentable at all times. The Engineer shall see that all safety precautions are taken in the even of bad weather.

    Section 3.     The Engineer shall be in charge of all minor repairs and shall report all major repair necessities to the Fire Chief. The Engineer shall have the right to make minor repairs not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per vehicle.

    Section 4.     The Engineer shall compile an accurate chart and record of the fuel and oil used and shall purchase same from the dealers as authorized by the Company.

    Section 5.     The Engineer shall appoint an assistant for each vehicle.

LAW XV

ABSENCE OF OFFICERS

    Section 1.     Any elected officer absent form three (3) successive meetings shall be required to give satisfactory reason for his/her absence, or that office may be declared vacant, by motion of the Company.

LAW XVI

FIRE POLICE

    Section 1.     The Fire Chief elect, prior to December 15 of each year, may appoint one (1) Fire Police Captain and two (2) Fire Police Lieutenants and as many Fire Police as he deems sufficient, in compliance with the disaster plan of Upper Leacock Township

    Section 2.     The Fire Police shall be authorized by the Upper Leacock Township Supervisors and sworn into office by the District Justice as provided by Pennsylvania State law.

    Section 3.     It shall be the duty of the Fire Police to maintain open avenues of approach and exit to all fires and emergencies, to supervise control of traffic, and maintain protection of property and contents at the scene of an emergency.

    Section 4.     In time of service for the Fire Company, the Fire Police will act under the orders of the Fire Chief.

LAW XVII

USE OF FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT

    Section 1.     The firefighting equipment of the Company shall be used for fighting fires, fire drills, and fire prevention, or where it is deemed necessary to use the same in the preservation of health or property. Use of fire fighting equipment for other than emergency use, such as drills, fire prevention, etc., must be approved by the Fire Chief. Authority to use the equipment for other than the above stated purposes must be granted by the Trustees.

LAW XVIII

DEBTS AND BILLS

    Section 1.     No indebtedness shall be incurred on behalf of the Company except by the Trustees in the performance of their duties, or by the Engineer as prescribed by law XIV, Section III of the By-laws as authorized by the by-laws, or by duly authorized committees.

    Section 2.     All bills or demands against the Company shall be presented and acted upon at a regular meeting of the Company. Bills on which a discount will expire, or bills of prior approved functions may be paid by the Treasurer on demand.

LAW XIX

DUES

    Section 1.     Dues for all Active members shall be one dollar ($1.00) per annum. All dues for the following year shall be due October 1, through December 31, of each year, and shall be paid to the Financial Secretary on or before January 1. The Company, by a majority vote of those present, may suspend, expel, or otherwise punish the member in arrears.

    Section 2.     Township members will not be assessed the one-dollar ($1.00) per annum dues.

LAW XX

COMMITTEES

    Section 1.     All committees appointed of special purposes shall report all regular meetings, or at any special meeting which may be called for purpose for which the committee was appointed.

    Section 2.

a.     No committee shall be discharged until the debt contracted by it, shall have been accepted by the Company

b.     At no time shall any committee spend in excess of two hundred dollars ($200) without the voted right of the Company.

Section 3. A standing committee for emergency expenditures shall consist of the President, Fire Chief and the Trustees. This committee is exempt from Law XX, Section 2 (b)

LAW XXI

ELECTIONS

    Section 1.     At the November meeting nominations shall be open for each office. As each nomination is closed, that office shall be elected. The unsuccessful candidates may be nominated to any other office.

    Section 2.     All elections shall be by ballot, and in all elections the candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected.

    Section 3.     All annually elected officers shall assume their office at the January regular meeting.

    Section 4.     Election of candidates for membership may take place at any regular meeting of the Company.

    Section 5.     No member shall hold more than one (1) elected office, unless authorized to do so, by a two-thirds vote of members of the Company present.

    Section 6.     Vacancies in office may be filled by a special election at any regularly stated meeting of the Company.

    Section 7.     No member whose dues are unpaid shall be eligible to vote at any election or meeting.

LAW XXII

ORDER OF BUSINESS

    Section 1.

1.     Call meeting to order

2.     Pledge to the flag

3.     Installation of officers

4.     Roll Call of officers

5.     Reading and approving of minutes

6.     Unfinished business

7.     Report of Vice Presidents

8.     Report of Trustees

9.     Report of Membership Committee

10.                        Report of Financial Secretary

11.                        Report of Treasurer

12.                        Payment of bills

13.                        Report of Secretary

14.                        New Business

15.                        Report of Auxiliary

16.                        Report of Committees

17.                        Report of Delegates

18.                        Report of Engineer

19.                        Report of Fire Chief

20.                        Report of Fire Police

21.                        Report of Assistant Secretary

22.                        Election of Officers

23.                        Election of New Members

24.                        Collection of dues

25.                        General remarks of members and visitors

26.                        Collection of sinking fund

27.                        Adjournment

28.                        Social features

    Section 2.     The business of all meetings shall be conducted in accordance with parliamentary procedures.

The revision of the Constitution and By-laws as submitted, were adopted by the Leola and Leacock Fire Companies at their respective June 1987 meetings.

HOME PAGE