Effective: April 9, 2003
I. PURPOSE
These bylaws are intended to provide a means of ensuring the efficient accomplishment of this Unit’s principle functions: i.e., Mountain Search and Rescue and Outdoor Safety Education; its orderly administration; and its compliance with the provisions of the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act (RCW 24.03), and other applicable statutes and regulations.
II. MEMBERSHIP
A. General
General control of membership entry and revocation, membership classifications and qualifications, and other related matters is vested in the Board of Directors. The Board may delegate such routine functions and record keeping responsibilities as it sees fit to the Membership Committee. (The committee shall be appointed by the President and consist of a chairperson and no less than 2 other members.)
B. Entry, Promotion, Demotion, and Revocation
Applications for membership and promotional changes in member’s classes shall be presented by the Membership Chair to the Board for action along with a recommendation of the Membership Committee. Committee recommendations for demotion or for revocation of membership shall be presented by the Membership Chair to the Board only after at least 10 days written notice to the individual concerned. Such notice shall specify when and where the Board will meet to consider the recommendation, the substance of why it is being made, and invite the individual to appear and present evidence to the Board prior to their acting on the recommendation.
C. Classifications
The Board shall establish minimum qualifications for entry into the Unit as well as promotion to or retention in each membership class. The Board may waive any qualification when such waiver appears to be in the best interest of the Unit.
Membership classes are:
1. Operational:
a. Rescue Member
b. Rescue Support Member
c. Field Support Member
d. Mission Support Member
2. Non-Operational
D. Required Participation
1. A current or pending State of Washington Emergency Worker Identification Card is required for participation in Unit trainings or Unit missions (See RCW 38.52.010).
2. Failure to meet or maintain such minimum standards as the Board establishes for entry, classification, retention, or promotion in the Unit is grounds for demotion or revocation of membership. Each member is responsible for ensuring that he maintains his classification by participating in such minimal activities as the Board has specified for his class.
3. A member of any class may, for personal, business, physical or other reasons, request non-operational status by notifying the Membership Chair in writing. Members in a Non-
Operational status are ineligible for promotion, and may request reinstatement of operational status at any time, but the Board may adjust the classification of the member.
E. Authority
All members whose dues are current may vote in elections and other organizational business. The membership retains such authority to govern the Unit as is not delegated to the Board or to specific Offices. In addition, the membership may amend the Articles of
Incorporation or these bylaws, override any act of the Board, or recall any member of the Board upon the affirmative vote of two thirds of those members present. A meeting for any of these purposes may be demanded by a petition signed by one third of the members so notifying the Board. The Board will call a special meeting of the membership for that purpose in no more than fifty days and no less than ten days after the petition is delivered to the President.
III. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
A. General
The Unit shall be governed by a Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the establishment of general policy and the making or approving of minor Unit decisions. Only members are eligible to be elected or appointed to the Board. Meeting delegates, ad hoc committees, etc., drawn from the membership, may be appointed by the Board when necessary to complete certain specific non-continuing tasks. Such committees, etc., shall be supervised by the President.
B. Board of Directors
1. Composition – The Board shall be composed of the following:
a. President* b. Vice-president* c. Secretary*
d. Treasurer* e. Rescue Operations Chair f. Training Chair
g. Equipment Chair h. Communications Chair i. Safety Education Chair
j. Membership Chair k. Finance Chair l. Immediate-Past President
m. Air Operations Chair
(* – indicates elected by membership)
2. Terms of Office- Elected Board members serve two-year terms but may be reelected for not more than one consecutive term in a given office (total of four years). The President and Vice-president are elected on even years, and the Secretary and Treasurer are elected on odd years. A vacancy in an elected position shall be filled by Board appointment for the remainder of the position’s term.
3. Finances – The Board shall establish financial policies, designate bank depositories, and provide for an annual audit.
4. Disclosure – The Board shall keep the membership advised of its actions.
5. Quorum – A quorum of the Board is a simple majority of its members. Any action taken by the Board requires approval of a simple majority of the quorum.
6. Powers – The Board has the powers specified in RCW 24.03.035 and such other usual powers and duties as are associated with such bodies.
7. Annual Meeting – The Board shall convene an annual meeting of the membership for the purpose of electing new members to the Board, and to present, for the members’ approval, reports by the Board and various officers. The annual meeting shall be held on the second Wednesday of October. Notice of it shall be made to all in the September issue of Unit newsletter.
C. Offices
1. President – Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Unit and appoints other Board positions.
2. Vice-president – Responsible for assuming the President’s duties during the President’s absence.
3. Secretary – Responsible for the normal functions relating to the Unit’s correspondence and general record keeping.
4. Treasurer – Responsible for the normal functions relating to the Unit’s finances including the filing of timely reports with the IRS and other revenue authorities as required by law.
5. Rescue Operations Chair – Responsible for callout and in-town coordination during search and rescue operations.
6. Training Chair – Responsible for arranging training sessions.
7. Equipment Chair – Responsible for the procurement, maintenance, and accessibility of all search and rescue equipment and supplies, less electronic equipment.
8. Communications Chair – Responsible for the procurement, maintenance, and accessibility of all electronic equipment, and for Unit compliance with FCC rules.
9. Safety Education Chair – Responsible for the development and distribution of safety education materials. Oversee the creation and updating of Unit-originated safety books, brochures, and films.
10. Membership Chair – Responsible for maintaining adequate files relating to members concerning their training, qualifications, and classes.
11. Finance Chair – Responsible for obtaining donated funds, recommends and runs fundraising projects under Board guidance, and coordinates financial records with the Treasurer.
12. Immediate Past President – Provides input and advice on matters relating to Unit business.
13. Air Operations Chair – Responsible for air operations policy for the Unit.
IV. GOVERNMENT
A. Quorum
1. Board of Directors – See III.B.5 and Article V of the Articles of Incorporation.
2. Members – A quorum of the members is a minimum of 20% of the membership. Any action taken by the membership requires approval of a simple majority of the quorum except as limited and specified in II.E.
B. Elections
1. Nominations – The Board shall appoint a nominating committee from the membership at the June general membership meeting. The committee shall present a slate of candidates to the Board at the July Board meeting and to the membership in the September Unit Newsletter. Floor nominations may be made at the October Unit meeting.
2. Annual Elections – Annual elections of members of the Board shall be held at the October annual meeting (see III.B.7).
3. Proxy Voting – No proxies shall be permitted.
C. Meetings
1. Board of Directors – The Board shall meet on the last Wednesday of each month.
2. Members – There shall be a general membership meeting on the second Wednesday of each month.
3. Annual Business Meeting – See III.B.7.
4. Special Meetings – A majority of the Board may call a special meeting. Special meetings must be called in writing, specifying purpose, location, date, and time. The membership may demand a special meeting in accordance with the procedure noted in II.E.
5. Pursuant to RCW 24.03.075, members wishing to participate in meetings by way of teleconference must receive prior approval from the Board.
D. Amendments
Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and these bylaws may be recommended by the Board for the approval of the membership. Amendments must be approved by vote of the membership in accordance with the procedure noted in II.E.
E. Dues
The Board shall set membership dues and due dates.
F. Proceedings
Governmental proceedings of the Unit shall be subject to applicable portions of RCW
24.03, the Unit’s Articles of Incorporation, these bylaws, and Roberts Rules of Order, in descending order of priority.
V. UNIT STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE
A. Conduct Rationale
Conduct of members under any circumstances wherein they are identifiable as members of Mountain Rescue necessarily reflects upon all of Mountain Rescue. If such conduct is seen as improper, unsafe, self-glorifying, or in some fashion reflects unfavorably upon the members involved, it will also reflect upon the Unit and upon all of Mountain Rescue. All members must strive to avoid any such actions. Inasmuch as the Unit exists to serve the public and is totally dependent upon the goodwill of the public and of various officials, care must be exercised to foster and encourage that goodwill.
B. Standards of Conduct
The Board may adopt such specific standards of conduct for the membership as it deems necessary. In the absence of specific standards, members are to adhere to the general philosophies found in standard reference works on Mountain Rescue.
C. Conduct Sanctions
The Board may issue corrective guidance or impose such sanctions as it deems adequate, including revocation of membership, under the notice and hearing provisions of II.B. Misuse or misrepresentation of membership status, Unit sponsorship of projects, improper use of Unit equipment, Mountain Rescue symbols, decals, or other identifying materials, or attempts to utilize such status or materials for personal gain or for purposes contrary to Unit policies may result in Board action. In addition, the Board may require the correction of abusive use of any Unit-issued or Unit-sold Mountain Rescue materials particularly identifying emblems, or demand the return to the Unit of any such misused materials.
D. Standards of Discipline
From the moment a member responds to a mission call-out until it is secured and the member is home, that individual must willingly merge his personal desires and views into a group effort dedicated to successfully completing its tasks.
E. Disciplinary Sanctions
Owing to the extreme dangers that may result from a compromised team effort caused by the failure of a member involved to cooperate, such failures may result in imposition of serious penalties by the Board. The notice and hearing provisions of II.B are applicable to this action.
VI. ADOPTION
These bylaws have been approved by vote of the membership and become effective April 9, 2003.
