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CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
OF THE
Florida Auto Theft Intelligence Unit
ARTICLE I
NAME AND OBJECTIVE
Section 1 Name.
This organization shall be known as the Florida Auto Theft Intelligence Unit. The name of this Unit shall not be used publicly by any member other than for the purpose of identification. This shall not restrict the officers or members of the Unit in the use of the name to carry out the purposes of the Unit, or the duties of their office.
Section 2 Objective,
A. To organize, on a state-wide basis, those individuals who qualify for membership as specified in ARTICLE II.
B. To provide a forum for the discussion of auto theft activities within the State.
C. To accumulate and disseminate information of interest to all members, in an effort to professionalize the auto theft investigator.
D. To encourage mutual cooperation between all law enforcement agencies and associations who are involved in prevention and suppression of auto theft and related crimes.
E. The Unit shall not be operated as a profit making organization.
ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 Active Member
Law Enforcement Officers of municipal, county, state and federal agencies; Special Agents of the National Insurance Crime Bureau; Administrative Officers or Division of Motor Vehicle Examiners of any State Motor Vehicle Division; or those honorably retired therefrom.
Any member who is in arrears in payment of dues at the conclusion of the April meeting shall automatically be removed from the membership roster.
Section 2 Affiliate Member
Any representative of any company, organization, or business known, or believed to be beneficial to the best interests and objectives of the Unit. Membership shall be at the discretion of the Executive Board, or the Secretary acting in their behalf. Affiliate Members shall have the privileges of an Active Member, and may hold elected office within the Unit with the exception of the offices of President and Vice-President.
Any member who is in arrears in payment of dues at the conclusion of the April meeting shall automatically be removed from the membership roster.
Section 3 Life Member
The Unit may confer life membership upon any qualified member who has rendered distinctive service to the Unit and its purposes. Nominations for Life Membership shall be made to the Executive Board at any meeting and ratified by a majority vote of members present at that meeting. All Past Presidents shall become Life Members at the conclusion of their term of office as President. Any Life Member shall have the privileges of an Active Member without the payment of the annual dues.
Section 4 Application for Membership
Applications for active membership shall be made to the Secretary, with recommendations of an active or life member. Applications for affiliate membership shall be made to the secretary, with recommendations of an active, life or another affiliate member.
Section 5 Expulsion
The unit may order the expulsion of any member in the event:
1. Such member falsifies his application or makes any misrepresentation therein.
2. Such member is determined to have conducted himself in such a mariner as to reflect discredit upon the name or best interest of the Unit.
A cause for expulsion shall be directed to the Executive Board for review. Upon a finding of just cause, the Executive Board shall present the expulsion proposal to the General Membership. A two-thirds majority vote of the members present at any regular meeting shall be justification for expulsion.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS, TERMS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1 Officers
The officers of this Unit shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Executive Secretary, Executive Treasurer, four(4) Directors and one Ex-Officio member, who shall be the immediate Past President and shall be referred to as "The Executive Board".
Section 2 Appointments
Executive Secretary and Executive Treasurer shall be appointed by the Executive Board.
Section 3 Terms of Office
The officers of this Unit shall hold office for two (2) years from the date of their election, or until the next regular election. Nothing shall preclude any officer being elected to successive terms.
Section 4 Elections
All officers shall be elected at the first regular meeting of the election year. Officers shall be nominated from the floor by any member in good standing, and shall be elected by the majority vote of the active and affiliate members present-
Section 5 Vacancies
In the event any office of this unit becomes vacant between terms, such vacancy shall be filled by an appointment of the President, and such appointment shall remain in effect for the remainder of that term.
ARTICLE IV
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS
Section 1 President
The President shall be the presiding officer of the Unit and it shall be his responsibility to supervise and coordinate the activities of the unit and its officers. The President shall appoint appropriate committees for the functions of the Unit.
Section 2 Vice-President
In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall carry out the duties of the President, or any other duties designated by the President.
Section 3 Secretary
The Secretary shall.
a. Keep the Constitution, records and other documents of the Unit.
b. Record the minutes of the meeting.
c. Receive and acknowledge all communications.
d. Acknowledge all approved membership requests and see that all new members are furnished a copy of the Unit's Constitution and by-laws, membership roster and relative information.
e. Maintain a current roster of members.
f. Perform such duties as assigned by the President and Vice-President.
Section 4 Treasurer
The Treasurer shall:
a. Be the custodian and depositor of funds of the Unit.
b. Disperse such funds as authorized by the President for the purposes which promote the welfare and objectives of the Unit.
c. Render a complete report of all income, disbursements and balances at each regular meeting.
Section 5 Directors
The Directors shall have the responsibility of recruiting new membership, meeting site selection, and any other duties as requested by the President or Vice-President.
ARTICLE V
MEETINGS
Section I Membership Meetings
The meetings will be held three times annually, at such a place as designated by the President and membership of the Unit. Members will be notified in writing, by the Secretary, no less than thirty (30) days prior to each meeting. When any question comes before the meeting not specifically provided for herein, the presiding officer shall be governed in his derision by the rules laid down in Robert's Rules of Order", as revised.
Section 2 Executive Board Meetings.
The Executive Board may meet at any time or place upon the reasonable call of the President. Create a chat room to be able to allow the Executive Committee to vote either by email or conference call on pending issues.
Section 3 Committee Meetings.
Committees may meet upon call of the Committee Chairperson at a time and place designated by the Committee Chairperson and in concurrence with the President
ARTICLE VI
FINANCE
Section Dues
Dues for members of this Unit shall be payable in advance from the first annual meeting of each calendar year, and are non-transferable. A prospective member shall submit proper dues with the application for membership, which will pay the dues until the first annual meeting of the calendar year. There shall be no other fees of assessments except as provided by amendment to these articles.
ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Requirements
This Constitution may be amended at a regular meeting of the Unit, by a two-thirds vote of the members present.
Notice: Proposed changes in the constitution and by-laws shall be submitted to the membership in written form or electronically at least 30 days prior to the changes are voted upon by the general membership.
Current January 2005