CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
TITLE AND OBJECT
SECTION I
This organization shall be known as Panhandle Emergency Response System (PERS).
SECTION II
The object of this organization is to be the joining together of trained fire-fighting, rescue, and first aid manpower and equipment among Panhandle emergency response organizations with a common goal of mutual assistance in case of emergency situations. In short, PERS is a fire-fighting cooperative.
Each member of the organization agrees to reserve manpower, material and equipment necessary to handle its own emergencies before releasing the same to other members of the organization.
To conclude, membership into the PERS organization is open to any company, facility, plant, municipality or organization than can meet membership requirements and agrees to abide by the by-laws of the organization.
ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION
SECTION I
The PERS organization shall be one organization and can be divided into Sub-Groups.
SECTION II
The number of members in the organization shall be governed by the current membership.
SECTION III
PERS EXECUTIVE OFFICERS & DUTIES
The elected (Executive) officers of PERS consist of a Chairman, First Vice Chairman, Second Vice Chairman and Treasurer.
Chairman's Duties:
The Chairman (or First Vice Chairman, in his absence) will serve as spokesman for the group, handle all correspondence, call meetings, appoint specialists and steering committee members, and arrange practice drills. Assistance may be solicited from other officers and/or committees when needed.
The Chairman will coordinate PERS activities with other agencies or organizations and will see that current information is maintained on other Industrial Mutual Aid Organizations in the Texas and Oklahoma area.
The Chairman will see that manpower and material lists furnished by members are updated annually.
First Vice-Chairman's Duties:
The First Vice-Chairman will assist the Chairman in the performance of his duties and serve as Chairman in his absence. He will update the PERS map and coordinate activities.
Second Vice-Chairman Duties:
The Second Vice-Chairman will oversee all matters concerning the radio network, issue schedules for radio tests, and handle issuance of PERS identification cards.
Treasurer's Duties:
The Treasurer shall receive all moneys from all sources and shall be the custodian thereof. The Treasurer shall maintain records of receipts and disbursements of all fiscal assets of PERS and shall make a report during the business session of each general meeting. The Chairman shall direct an outside Auditor to complete and submit to the Steering Committee an annual financial report during the month of December. All disbursements must be made in check, and no disbursements shall be made unless authorized by one of the following:
A. Majority vote of the membership present at any general meeting.
B. Two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Steering Committee.
The Treasurer or Chairman must sign all checks.
The fiscal year for PERS will begin October 1 (each year).
Appointed Officers:
The Chairman shall appoint the following officers except zone representatives for a one-year term. Zone representatives are appointed for staggered two-year terms.
Recording Secretary:
Publish minutes of general and steering committee meetings, over the Chairman's signature, and perform similar duties at the direction of the Chairman, including public relations, news releases, etc. Minutes of meetings, inspection reports, and other significant PERS communication will be mailed to the senior manager of each member establishment, the PERS Representative from the establishment, PERS officers, specialists and members of the Steering Committee.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The office of Chairman, First Vice-Chairman, Second Vice-Chairman and Treasurer are designated as elected offices, each carrying a service term of one (1) year, with the exception of Treasurer whose term shall be three (3) years. Terms commence on January of each year.
A. If a Chairman vacancy occurs during a term, the First Vice-Chairman will automatically assume the Chairmanship.
B. All vacancies in any offices below Chairman will be filled by appointment from the Chairman for the unexpired term.
In June each year the Chairman will appoint a nominating committee. The nominating committee for their consent and the consent of their management must contact all prospects selected for these elections.
The nominating committee will report at the August general membership meeting. Additional nominations will be taken from the floor at the general membership meeting. Subsequently, the Recording Secretary shall prepare and distribute, with meeting minutes, a ballot presenting the names and establishments of all nominees for the three elected offices. Member establishments shall complete their ballot. The ballots will be submitted to the secretary by mail by October 1. The secretary shall tally the ballots, and the new officers will be announced at the October meeting.
Newly elected officers will automatically assume their responsibilities on January 1, following their election without an installation ceremony. Official announcement of the newly elected officials will be made by letters from the outgoing Chairman to all members of the group.
ARTICLE III
SECTION I
MEETINGS
General:
Meetings of the membership shall be held monthly. Meetings will be held at designated locations, and all members will be expected to participate on a host meeting team. A meeting notice and agenda will be sent to all members prior to the next meeting.
SECTION II
The PERS organization shall annually sponsor at least one practice drill. The Chairman shall appoint a drill officer and an assistant drill officer who will plan and implement the drill with assistance from other members as they choose. The assistant drill officer will assume the drill officer position the following year, and a new assistant drill officer will be appointed by the incoming Chairman.
ARTICLE IV
SECTION I
REVISIONS
A. All revisions of the PERS constitution shall be submitted in writing at the general membership meeting at least forty-five (45) calendar days prior to approval.
B A quorum of 51% is required before the constitution can be altered..
SECTION II
ABANDONMENT
A. The PERS organization shall not be disbanded, except by a three-fourths vote of the membership. A published or served notice of the meeting for that purpose shall be given at least forty-five (45) calendar days before said vote shall be taken.
B. Upon Abandonment of the PERS organization, all moneys, property and equipment shall be disposed of in accordance with local, state and federal laws and procedures.