Combined Constitution and Bylaw Proposal
To the National Fireworks Association Full Members
November 2004

Contents:
1) Article I - Name
2) Article II - Purpose
3) Aritcle III - Corporate Seal
4)
Aritcle IV - Memberships/Dues
5) Article V - Board of Directors
6) Aritcle VI - Powers and Duties of Directors
7) Aritcle VII - Officers
8) Aritcle VIII - Committees
9) Membership Meetings
10) Aritcle IX - General Provision Concerning Members
11) Aritcle X - Expulsion and Suspension
12) Aritcle XI - Funds
13) Aritcle XII - Amendments
14) Aritcle XIII - Parliamentary Procedure
15) Aritcle XIV - Dissolution

 

Article I- Name and Operations

The name of the organization shall be the National Fireworks Association, hereinafter referred to as “NFA” or association.  

The principal business location shall be 8224 N W Bradford Ct, Kansas City, Missouri  64151

The association will be organized as a non-profit corporation.

The fiscal year of the association shall be January 1st-December 31st of each year.   <top

Article II- Purpose

The objective of the Association is to provide a forum for manufacturers, distributors, exhibitors and users of fireworks for the exchange and dissemination of knowledge and the positive promotion of the fireworks industry in a fair and equitable manner.   <top

Article III- Corporate Seal

     The corporate powers, business and property of the NFA shall be exercised, conducted and controlled by a board of directors so outlined in Article V. <top

Article IV- Membership

Section 1: Any person meeting the requirements for membership may apply to the association by submitting an application accompanied by the dues for the current year.  The record date for determination of members entitled to vote at the annual meeting shall be the close of business on the day before notice is given, or if no notice is given, the day on which the meeting is held.  One membership vote in the association is accorded each member or member company having full membership dues current and listed with the association’s Secretary.

Section 2:  Dues

A:  Dues will be set annually by the Board of Directors or as deemed necessary.

B:  The Board of Directors may also propose honorary memberships and the dues for such memberships may be waived by the Association.

C:  All dues are payable on the final day of January of each year.  No refund of dues shall be made to any member who resigns from, is expelled from or otherwise leaves the Association.  Any member in default as of March 31st shall be dropped from membership.  Members may be reinstated after payment of appropriate dues, including past and current dues and any late fees adopted by the Board. <top

Article V- Board of Directors

Section 1: The corporate powers, business and property of the NFA shall be exercised and conducted by a Board of Directors.

Section 2:  The board shall consist of the following officers: President, President Emeritus (if so designated), Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two directors as appointed by the elected Officers. 

Section 3:  Qualifications

Officers of the Board must be Full dues paying members and must be in good standing.

Section 4: Installation

The officers shall be members of and comprise the Board of Directors.  The officers will serve for two years, unless sooner removed, or until their respective successors are installed.  Newly elected officers shall take office immediately upon certification of their election. 

A:  Incumbent officers may run and be reelected without term limitations.

            B:  Election shall be determined by a simple majority of Full Voting Members.  In the event that three or more candidates run for a particular office, a plurality shall determine the winner.

            C:  Election of Officers shall be held during even numbered years.  Nominations shall be open from April 1st through May 31st of the even numbered years.  Election ballots will be mailed by U.S. Mail during the first full week of August.  Members may return completed ballots by U.S. Mail to the NFA Secretary, or return their ballots in person to the election committee at the annual fall meeting.  Members having mailed ballots too late to be counted prior to the fall membership meeting may vote in person at the fall membership meeting.  Under no circumstances will any member or member company cast more than one ballot.  All properly mailed ballots will be turned over to the election committee for counting at the annual fall meeting.

Section 5:  Meetings of Directors

            A:  The Directors shall meet annually each fall for a review and planning meeting for the following year.  The dates and location of said meeting shall be set by the majority of board members.  Conference calls may be used as interim board meetings and shall be scheduled as needed. 

            B:  A majority of the Board of Directors shall be necessary to and shall constitute a quorum at such regular or special meetings of the Board of Directors. 

Section 6- Vacancies and Removal

     A:  Whenever a vacancy in the Board of Directors shall occur, the remaining officers shall fill such vacancy by election, by majority vote of the entire Board for another member to fill such vacancy and such new officer shall hold office until the election of a successor by the Full Voting members can reasonably be carried out.  Such elected member shall fill the remaining term of the office in which the vacancy occurred.

     B:  Any officer or director who ceases to be a member of the NFA shall thereupon cease to be a member of the Board of Directors.

     C:  Any officer or director who violates any purpose of this association in any particular way shall cease to be a member of the Board of Directors as soon as a majority of the directors shall have passed a resolution to that effect. 

     D:  Any complaint against any of the officers alleging neglect or unfaithful performance of their duties shall be made in writing, signed by 5 members in good standing and addressed to the President (excepting any complaint against the President, in which event any such written complaint should be addressed to the Vice-President).  The complaint shall be presented by the President or Vice-President as appropriate, to the Board of Directors at its next regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose.  The Board of Directors shall determine by a majority vote whether the complaint shall be dismissed or whether it shall be presented for a vote at the next regular meeting of the association. Removal if necessary is allowed under Article V Section 6 B, C, or D.      <top

Article VI- Powers and Duties

  The officers and directors shall have the power and it shall be their duty:

  1:  To conduct, manage and control the affairs and business of the NFA in conformity with the law and powers granted by the Articles of Incorporation and to make rules and regulations for the guidance of the Officers in the management of its affairs.

 2: To direct and supervise and remove for cause all officers, committees, agents, and employees of the NFA, prescribe their duties, fix their compensation and require of them, if advisable, security for faithful service in the form of a bond.

  3:  To have custody and control of the funds of the NFA.

  4:  To keep a complete record of all acts and proceedings of their meetings and to report to the membership the minutes and decisions of the Board.  Decisions appropriate for action in executive session shall include matters involving civil or criminal proceedings, contract negotiations, and decisions involving members or prospective members, such as disciplinary matters.  All final decisions regarding actions taken in executive session and resolution of all legal matters not ordered kept confidential shall be reported to the members upon resolution or decision of same, reflecting only the decision of the Board, but not the votes of the individual board members.

  5:  To appoint in a manner consistent with Article VII, Section 4 and Article VIII, all necessary committees and to execute necessary contracts or agreements, conduct necessary negotiations and do every other act or thing necessary to effectuate the purposes of the organization in connection with its business and affairs and to incur indebtedness with respect thereto.

  6:  To act as a bylaw committee (unless otherwise assigned to separate committee) by reviewing proposed bylaw changes and making recommendation to the Full Voting Members as to acceptance or rejection of said proposal.

  7:  To make a concise report of its activities at each annual meeting of the NFA and to present said report for its vote of approval.

  8:  Each Board member including directors shall have one vote. 

       9:  The Treasurer shall be bonded or covered by Errors and Omissions Insurance. <top

Article VII- Duties of Officers

            Section 1:  President

 Shall preside at all meetings of the association, appoint all committees and carry out the resolutions of the Board.  The president shall perform and discharge such other duties and shall have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

            Section 2:  Vice-president. 

Shall perform the duties of the office of the president in the absence of the president or in the case of physical or mental inability of the president to act and shall have such other powers and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors shall, from time to time, prescribe.

            Section 3:  Secretary

              A:  Keep the minutes of the Board of Directors and of the annual meeting of the association, and have charge of all correspondence of the association. 

               B:  The Secretary shall keep a correct roll of the members of the association with their postal addresses and current status.   

Section 4:  Treasurer

       A:  The Treasurer shall maintain custody of all funds of the association and deposit said funds in the association’s name in bank accounts as determined by the Board, sign and execute contracts for the association when duly authorized by the Board and sign checks and notes when authorized by the Board.

      B:  The assets of the association shall be withdrawn from the bank account upon the signature of the Treasurer.  Major withdrawals over and above those in the normal scope of business transactions require a majority board approval prior to expenditure. 

Section 5:  President Emeritus

Shall preside at all board meetings in the absence of the President and the Vice-President and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the President and the Board of Directors; perform the duties of President in the event of the death, resignation or inability to serve of the current President and Vice-President.

Section 6:  Directors

Appointed directors shall perform all necessary duties as directed by the Board of Directors. 

Section 7:  General Direction

Upon expiration or removal of office, all outgoing officers or directors shall turn over to their successors or to the Board, all money, property and records of the association as directed by the Board. <top

Article VIII Committees

  Section 1 Standing Committees

 The President, with the consent of a majority of the board may appoint standing committees.

 Section 2 Special Committees

The President, consistent with Article VII Section 1, may from time to time appoint Special Committees of two or more Directors or members for the performance of such duties and with such powers as may be prescribed and lawfully delegated to them. <top

Article IX- General Provision Concerning Members

 Section 1 Member Eligibility

Any person may be admitted to the association provided that he/she shall have paid membership dues, filled out a member application form and agrees to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the association.  All memberships (new and current) are subject to periodic review by the standing membership committee.

Section 2- Membership Certificates

The association shall cause to be issued to each member in good standing, a certificate of membership as may be approved by the Board of Directors, but neither said membership, nor certificate thereof, may be assigned or assignable by said member. 

Section 3 Voting Power

The voting power of each Full Voting Member shall be equal and each entitled to one vote.  Full Voting Members may vote for officers, proposed bylaws changes, and for such other business as may come before the association. 

Section 4- Withdrawal

Any member may withdraw or resign from this association, in which event his resignation shall be effective as soon as received by the Board or by the Secretary. <top

Article X-Expulsion and Suspension

Section 1 Enforcement

In the event that any member knowingly violates these bylaws or any other provisions thereof, he/she shall be subject to suspension or expulsion as a member of the association.

Section 2- Suspension and Expulsion

Upon it’s own motion or upon a complaint in writing, signed by five members of the association in good standing, charging any member with the violation of these bylaws or conduct adversely reflecting upon the NFA, the Board of Directors may, by vote of a majority of the whole Board, order the suspension or the expulsion of such member and terminate his certificate of membership.  All disciplinary procedures must be consistent with the provisions of these bylaws, Robert’s Rules of Order, and the Federal and State laws that may be so applicable and must afford the accused member the rights of due process, including an opportunity to present a defense. <top

Article XI- Funds

Section 1- Funds

All moneys belonging to the association shall be deposited in such bank or banks or invested as directed by the Board of Directors.

Section 2- Liability of Members

The members shall not be liable for the debts of the association except to the extent of any unpaid portion of their respective membership dues or assessment fees. <top

Article XII- Amendments to bylaws.

These bylaws may be altered or amended as deemed necessary by a 2/3rds majority vote of those Full Voting Membership ballots that are returned to the Secretary within a clearly stated time frame. All ballots to be counted for or against must be postmarked prior to the designated deadline.  All ballots received postmarked later than the designated deadline will be deemed null and void. 

Voting shall be done by ballot sent though and returned via the United States Postal Service.  Included with the ballot shall be the original bylaw section(s) as written, the proposed bylaw change, and a recommendation by the Board of Directors or designated bylaw committee with a recommendation to adopt or reject said bylaw proposal and said reasons for such recommendation.

Tabulation of returned ballots shall be the responsibility of the designated election committee.  The results of said vote shall be published in the next available newsletter.  <top

Article XIII- Parliamentary Authority

The association shall adopt Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, Current Edition, as its parliamentary authority. <top

Article XIV- Dissolution

If the objects and purposes of the association cannot be carried out and it becomes necessary to dissolve the association, all assets then possessed by the association shall be distributed among such non-profit regional fireworks organizations as may be deemed worthy by the Board of Directors. <top

 

Adopted at  Las Vegas    on  November 9, 2004

 

Member approved:    December 22, 2004 by mailed ballot