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CONSTITUTION PREAMBLE
We, the Law Enforcement Officers of the United States, the
State of Oregon and the Counties of Multnomah,
Clackamas, Washington, Hood River, Columbia, Marion and
Yamhill Counties and the Political Subdivisions thereof, do
hereby associate ourselves as the Willamette Valley Lodge
No. 7, under the Constitution and By-Law of the Fraternal
Order of Police for the following purpose:
To support and defend the Constitution of the United States;
To impart loyalty and allegiance to the United States of
America; To promote and foster the enforcement of law and
order; To improve the individual proficiency of our members
in the performance of their duties; To encourage social,
charitable, and educational activities among the Law
Enforcement Officers; To advocate and strive for uniform
application of the civil service merit system for appointment
and promotion; To create a tradition of Esprit De Corps,
ensuring fidelity to duty under all conditions and mutual
helpfulness among our members and the people we serve;
To increase efficiency of the Law Enforcement profession
and therefore firmly establish the confidence of the public in
the service of which we have dedicated ourselves, the
protection of life and property.
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 1
NAME
SECTION 1: This organization shall be known as the Willamette Valley Lodge No. 7 of
the Fraternal Order of Police, and shall consist of Law Enforcement Officers and
Associate members as are admitted to membership and conform to its rules and
regulations.
SECTION 2: The right to authorize control and restrict the use of the name and insignia
of the Lodge shall lie exclusively with the Grand Lodge.
ARTICLE 2
CHARACTER
SECTION: 1 Willamette Valley Lodge No. 7 of the Fraternal Order of Police is an
organization consisting of Law enforcement Officers of the United States, the State of
Oregon, Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Hood River, Columbia, Marion and
Yamhill Counties and political subdivisions thereof.
SECTION 2: The Fraternal Order of Police is strictly nonsectarian, and shall have no
affiliations, directly or indirectly with any labor union, congress, federation or committee
of like nature, or similar organization by whatever name known.
SECTION 3: The Lodge and /or its members shall not strike or by concerted action
cause a cessation of the performance of Law Enforcement duties or induce other
members or Lodges to do likewise. The penalty of such action by any member shall be
expulsion from the Fraternal Order of Police.
ARTICLE 3
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1: As used herein, the following terms phrases or words shall be defined as
follows:
A. “ELECTED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER” shall mean for purposes
hereof any law enforcement officer who meets the qualifications in Article 4 Section 1 or
who by law is exempted from meeting the minimum training standards.
B. “FULL TIME EMPLOYED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER” shall mean
sworn law enforcement officers that are engaged in such employment as their full-time
occupation, including full time correctional deputies/officers.
C. “RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER” shall mean any sworn law
enforcement officer who retires with full retirement benefits or officers who are retired
medically with full benefits.
D. “ ASSOCIATE MEMBER” shall mean a person who is an approved
member in good standing of the Lodge who is not a full time or retired law enforcement
officer.
E. “MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING” shall mean a member who fulfilled all
requirements of membership in the Willamette Valley Lodge No. 7 and for whom
appropriate per capita tax and lodge dues have been paid to the lodge. Any member
that is delinquent or has been suspended shall not be a member in good standing.
F. “BOARD OF DIRECTORS” shall mean and consist of the President,
Immediate Past President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, 2nd V.P., Sgt-At-Arms
and Chaplain.
ARTICLE 4
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: Any regularly appointed and full time employed or retired Law
Enforcement Officer of the United States, the State of Oregon, Multnomah, Clackamas,
Washington, Hood River, Columbia, Marion and Yamhill Counties, or political subdivision thereof that resides in the listed jurisdiction . No person shall be denied
membership due to race, religion, color, creed, sex, or age.
SECTION 2: The Lodge shall deny membership to anyone who is, or has been, a
member or an associate member of the Communist Party, or any party, including Outlaw
Gangs, regardless of the name known, which advocates the overthrow or destruction of
our Government, either by force or subversive means.
SECTION 3: There shall be four classes of membership: Active, Retired, Associate,
and Honorary.
A. The Active Membership shall be comprised of Full Time or Retired Law
Enforcement Officers as defined in Section 1 of this Article. Only Active
Members in good standing will have voice and vote or hold office in the
Lodge. Application for Active Membership must be reviewed and approved
per Article 4, Section 5.
B. The Retired Membership shall be comprised of retired law enforcement
officers as defined in Article 3, Section 1-C, who withdraw from active
membership of the lodge, upon or after retirement from their law enforcement
agency. The retired membership will not have voice or vote or hold office in
the lodge. Retired officers do not have to seek “Retired Membership”, but can
be an “Active Member”. Retired Membership is exempt from annual dues, but
not per capita tax.
C. The Associate Membership shall be comprised of non-law enforcement
officers, who have been approved for membership and keep in good standing
with the lodge. Associate members will not have voice or vote or hold office in
the lodge. Application for Associate Membership must be reviewed and
approved per Article 4, Section 5.
D. The Honorary Membership shall be comprised of individuals recognized
by Willamette Valley Lodge No. 7 for exceptional service or contribution to the
nation, the state, political subdivision, the law enforcement community or the
Fraternal Order of Police. Honorary Members will not have voice or vote or
hold office in the lodge. Honorary Membership shall be approved by the
members. Honorary membership can be suspended by the Board of
Directors.
SECTION 4: Any member, who may resign from full time police duty under honorable
conditions, may retain his or her membership as long as they remain in good standing.
SECTION 5: Any individual applying for membership with the Willamette Valley Lodge
No. 7 shall be sponsored by, and endorsed by, an active member in good standing, and
be reviewed and recommended by the Lodge’s Membership Committee or Sponsoring
Member, and approved by a supermajority vote (75%) of the Board of Directors and the
Active members of the Lodge at the next regular lodge general membership meeting.
The application will not be accepted until such time that the vote reaches a
supermajority.
SECTION 6: The Willamette Valley Lodge No. 7 will have a Membership Committee,
which will be comprised of three Active Members appointed by the President & Vice
President. The Membership Committee will be responsible to review all applications for
membership to the Lodge and make any necessary background checks to ensure only
honest and trustworthy members are accepted into the Lodge. The Membership
Committee will prepare a report on new applicants and their findings to the Board of
Directors, 7 days prior to the next regularly scheduled general membership meeting.
New applicant’s names will then be brought in front of the active members for approval.
A. In the event a Membership Committee has not been convened, the Active
Member application card must be properly filled out, indicating the name of their
lodge sponsor, which must be in good standing. If at the time of the general
membership meeting the sponsoring lodge member is not in attendance or the
applicant is not known to any member of the lodge who can vouch for them, a
letter outlining their career must be attached.
SECTION 7: No person shall be a member of more than one Lodge at the same time
nor shall any member who is delinquent, or who has been suspended by a state or
subordinate Lodge for any reason, be eligible for membership in Willamette Valley
Lodge No. 7 until such suspension has been lifted.
SECTION 8: All new approved members of the Willamette Valley Lodge No. 7 will be
sworn in per the Ritual in the Fraternal Order of Police Ritual Book or sign the reverse
side of the Active Member application card swearing an oath per the Ritual of the
Fraternal Order of Police, before they are a member in good standing.
ARTICLE 5
LODGE OFFICERS
SECTION 1: The officers of Lodge No. 7 shall consist of the President, Immediate Past
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, 2nd V.P., Sgt-At-Arms, Trustee, and the
Chaplain. The officers, except the Past President, shall be elected by a majority ballot
vote of the Active Membership at an election to be held every two (2) years. The
election for President, 2nd V.P., Treasurer, and Chaplain will be held in the even
numbered years; while the election for V.P., Secretary, Trustee and Sgt-At-Arms will be
held in the odd numbered years.
SECTION 2: An officer (except for the Lodge President who fulfills the requirements set
forth in Article 3, Section 1-B) who resigns from office during any elected term shall
relinquish all right to and privilege of that office and shall revert to the status of “Active
Member”. In the case of the President as hereinbefore described, they shall assume the
position of Past President after having completed one full term of service.
ARTICLE 6
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1: The Board of Directors of Lodge No. 7 shall be composed of the President,
Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, 2nd V.P., Sgt-At-Arms, Trustee, and Chaplain.
SECTION 2: The Board of Directors shall have, and exercise, all Administrative Powers
of the Lodge during the period between stated meetings of the Lodge.
SECTION 3: Any Lodge Officer who resigns from Active Membership of the Lodge, or
becomes ineligible as a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, shall automatically
forfeit office as a member of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4: Any vacancy, in any office of the Lodge, except President, between
scheduled elections shall be filled by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. In the
event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President shall automatically
assume the office of President and complete the unexpired term thereof. The Board of
Directors shall thereafter elect, by a majority vote and from its members, a successor
Vice-President who shall serve for the unexpired term of the Previous Vice-President.
SECTION 5: The terms of office of Officers of the Lodge shall be for two (2) years or
until their successors are elected and qualified. Newly elected Officers of the Lodge will
be sworn in by the Immediate Past President or Vice President.
SECTION 6: The Board of Directors shall meet at least once in the alternate year
between elections. The Board shall keep minutes of their meetings and present them to
the membership at the next regular meeting for consideration or action thereof.
SECTION 7: In the event of any emergency which requires a decision by all members
of the Board, the president shall be authorized to call a meeting.
SECTION 8: Any Lodge officer shall be required to attend no less than 50% of regularly
scheduled meetings in a one year time span unless that officer can show good cause for
non-attendance. If the Lodge Officer is found not to be attending meetings without good
cause, they shall be admonished by the Lodge President, in writing. If it is found the
officer or member of the Board of Directors does not comply with the requirements of
this Article, they shall be removed from office.
ARTICLE 7
PRESIDENT
SECTION 1: The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Lodge. The
President shall preside at meetings of the membership and meetings of the Board of
Directors. The President shall have general management of business of the order, and
shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect.
SECTION 2: The President shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees.
SECTION 3: The President shall have power, with the advice and consent of the Board
of Directors, to appoint a majority of all committees to inquire into any affair or matter
affecting the Lodge.
SECTION 4: The President shall call Meetings of the Board of Directors when deemed
necessary or upon petition of a majority of the Board of Directors. Notice of such
meetings shall be given to each member of the Board of Directors at least five (5) days
prior to such a meeting and may be either orally or in writing.
SECTION 5: The President shall, at each session of the Board of Directors, submit a full
and complete report of the official business transacted subsequent to the last meeting of
the Board, together with such recommendations as deemed advisable. The report will
be transcribed in the minutes of the Board Meeting. The President shall also supervise
the monthly or bi-monthly report of the Lodge’s Official Newsletter, which will contain the
Lodges monthly business report to the membership, the business conducted at the last
meeting held and any other news or information deemed appropriate. This newsletter
will be mailed out to the membership or sent via e-mail.
SECTION 6: The President shall convey to the successor all unfinished business of the
Order within 30 days after the expiration of his term of office. The President shall
convey to their successor all unfinished business and books and records and physical
property belonging to the Lodge.
SECTION 7: Together with the Treasurer they shall attest all warrants or vouchers for
disbursement from the funds of the Lodge. The President shall sign all financial
contracts pertaining to the Lodge after the terms of the contract are approved by a
majority vote of the entire body of membership.
ARTICLE 8
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
SECTION 1: The Immediate Past President shall attend the meetings of the Board of
Directors; shall advise and assist the President and Board of Directors in the
performance of their respective duties and shall execute such assignments as may be
ordered by them or either of them.
SECTION 2: The Immediate Past President shall be a member in good standing and
who was most recently the President and was not removed from office. One person may
not simultaneously hold the offices of President and Immediate Past President.
ARTICLE 9
VICE PRESIDENT
SECTION 1: The Vice President shall preside at meetings of the Board of Directors and
at regular meetings in the absence of the President and shall otherwise generally
perform the duties of the President during his absence. They shall also perform such
other duties as ordered by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2: He shall, with the advice and consent of the Board of Directors appoints the
minority of all committees.
SECTION 3: Within 30 days after the expiration of their term of office, the Vice President
shall convey to their successor all unfinished business and books and records and
physical property belonging to the Lodge.
ARTICLE 10
OTHER OFFICERS
SECTION 1: The Secretary, Treasurer, 2nd V.P., Sgt-At-Arms, Trustee and Chaplain
shall each perform the duties prescribed for their respective offices by the By-Laws
hereof.
SECTION 2: The Secretary may in the absence of the President, together with the
Treasurer, sign all checks for disbursement from funds of the Lodge for all authorized
expenditures.
ARTICLE 11
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
SECTION 1: The Fraternal Order of Police recognizes, acknowledges and validates
associate Membership in the Willamette Valley Lodge No. 7. Such members shall be
subject to the control and supervision of the Lodge and they shall conform to and be
governed by this Constitution and By-Laws thereof.
ARTICLE 12
AUXILIARY
SECTION 1: The Auxiliary of the Willamette Valley Lodge No. 7 of the Fraternal Order of
Police is subject to the control and supervision of the parent Lodge. They shall conform
to, and be governed by, a Constitution and By-Laws which they shall adopt. These
Constitution and By-Laws shall, at all times, be subject to approval of the Board of
Directors.
ARTICLE 13
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
SECTION 1: Except as provided in the Constitution and By-Laws, the latest edition of
“Roberts rules of Order” shall govern the conduct and deliberations of all regular
meetings, meetings of the Board of Directors and Subcommittees of the Order.
ARTICLE 14
OFFICIAL RITUAL
SECTION 1: There shall be an official ritual of the order, which shall be known as the
Fraternal Order of Police Ritual, Controlled by the Grand Lodge.
SECTION 2: The Ritual of the Fraternal Order of Police as revised shall be the official
Fraternal Order of Police Ritual.
ARTICLE 15
BOND OR INSURANCE
SECTION 1: Willamette Valley Lodge No. 7 shall maintain a bond or insurance in
respect to the fidelity of those officers or members having access to control over, the
funds of the Lodge. Willamette Valley Lodge No. 7 shall provide proof of such bond or
insurance to the Grand Lodge.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE 1
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: Membership in the Willamette Valley Lodge No. 7 shall be subject to
provisions of this Constitution and By-Laws.
SECTION 2: “Member in good standing” is hereby defined to be a member who has
paid all dues and assessments due and payable to the Lodge, or who is not more than
thirty (30) days in arrears of such payment.
SECTION 3: Any member in arrears of payment of dues or assessments more than (30)
days and less than (60) days shall be deemed to be delinquent and not in good
standing.
SECTION 4: Any member in arrears of payment of dues or assessments more than 60
days (2) months shall be automatically suspended and dropped from the roster.
SECTION 5: Any member, who has been suspended for any reason except for nonpayment of dues, shall have the right to appeal to the National Lodge, Board of
Trustees.
SECTION 6: Any member delinquent or suspended as provided in Section 4 or 5 of this
Article, and for no other reason, may be reinstated and restored to good standing by
payment of all amounts due for the whole of the current year in which such
reinstatement is made. A late charge of $25.00 will be charged to a member who is over
30 days delinquent with their dues or assessments. If a member can not make a full
payment of dues or assessments due, then they will be allowed to make payments with
the approval of the Lodge Treasurer.
SECTION 8: Any member accused of violating the Constitution and /or By-Laws of the
Fraternal Order of Police and /or Willamette Valley Lodge No. 7 shall be ordered to a
hearing before the Board of Directors. If found guilty of a violation of the Constitution
and /or By-Laws they may be suspended for a determined period of time or their
membership may be terminated. Members will have the right to have a hearing to appeal
from the Board of Directors to the entire lodge. From the entire lodge members have the
right to appeal to the Grand Lodge.
SECTION 9: Members will not violate the Lodge’s Code of Ethics. See Willamette
Valley Lodge No. 7’s Code of Ethics. Members accused of violating the Lodge’s Code of
Ethics shall be ordered to stand trial before the Board of Directors. Members found
guilty of this violation may be suspended for a determined amount of time or their
membership could be terminated. Members may have the right to have a hearing to
appeal from the Grand Lodge Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 2
SECRETARY
SECTION 1: The Secretary shall have custody of the Books, Records, and Documents.
The Seal of the Lodge and Office Paraphernalia and Equipment, under the general
authority and orders of the President and the Board of Directors. He shall take a record
and transcribe minutes of the regular meetings or meetings of the Board of Directors, as
the case may be.
SECTION 2: The Secretary shall conduct the general correspondence of the Lodge.
SECTION 3: The Secretary shall attest, under the Seal of the Lodge, all duly authorized
contracts of the Lodge, and may together with the Treasurer or the President signs
checks for the disbursement of funds of the Lodge for all authorized expenditures.
SECTION 4: The Secretary shall be the official custodian of the Constitution and ByLaws, which shall be authenticated by the Seal of the Lodge and the signature of the
President and Secretary. The Secretary shall keep a record of the official amendments
adopted by the Lodge, amending the Constitution and /or By-Laws, duly authenticated
by the Seal of the Lodge and the signatures of the President and the Secretary in a book
to be known as the Book of Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws.
SECTION 5: At the expiration of their term of office and within (30) days thereafter, the
Secretary shall deliver to their successor the Official Seal of the Order and all books,
documents, records, paraphernalia and equipment in their possession.
SECTION 6: The Secretary shall not release the mailing list of the names and addresses
of members to anyone unless it shall have been with the consent of the individual
member. Any officer or member of the Fraternal Order of Police who violates this
section by giving the membership mailing list to anyone, or who uses the membership
list for any purpose other than official Fraternal Order of Police business shall be ordered
to a hearing before the Board of Directors. If found guilty of such a violation, they may
be suspended from the Fraternal Order of Police for a period of not less than one (1)
year and/or face termination from the Fraternal Order of Police. Members will have the
right to have a hearing to appeal from the Board of Directors to the entire lodge. From
the entire lodge members have the right to appeal to the Grand Lodge.
ARTICLE 3
TREASURER
SECTION 1: The Treasurer shall be custodian of the funds of the Lodge. He shall,
together with either the President or the Secretary, sign all checks for the disbursement
of funds of the Lodge for all authorized expenditures.
SECTION 2: The Treasurer shall keep an itemized record of all receipts and
disbursements and submit a report to the Board of Directors and a general membership
at scheduled meetings on a monthly basis.
SECTION 3: All incoming monies for the Lodge shall be delivered to the Treasurer, who
shall record the same and then deposit in the proper account of the Lodge. He/she shall
deposit all funds collected in a bank approved by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4: The Treasurer shall submit the Lodge’s financial records and reports to an
Audit Committee on an annual basis.
SECTION 5: The Treasurer shall perform such other duties as are usual and incident to
the office.
SECTION 6: At the expiration of the term of office and within (30) days thereafter, the
Treasurer shall deliver to the successor all monies, record books, documents, records,
paraphernalia and equipment in his possession.
ARTICLE 4
2nd VICE PRESIDENT
SECTION 1: The 2nd V.P. shall examine dues cards of Officers and other members,
ascertaining that all present at meetings are in good standing, take up the password,
take roll call, and make a report to the President. The 2nd V.P. shall perform such other
duties as the President may require.
ARTICLE 5
SGT-AT-ARMS
SECTION 1: The Sgt-At-Arms shall have charge and control of the Conference hall or
meeting place. The Sgt-At-Arms shall permit only qualified persons to enter or remain
and shall assist the 2nd V.P. in the execution of such duties as the President may order.
The Sgt-At-Arms will also be in charge of security for the Lodge building.
ARTICLE 6
TRUSTEE
SECTION 1: The Trustee shall be in charge of and be responsible for all Property of the
Lodge. The Trustee at the direction of the President shall:
A. Take charge of all physical property of the Lodge, make a complete and
itemized inventory with the Board of Directors biennially.
B. Ascertain that all monies received have been allocated to the credit of the
Lodge and so deposited in the name and to the credit of the Lodge.
C. Biennially, make full and complete report of all business transacted since the
last report.
ARTICLE 7
CHAPLAIN
SECTION 1: The duties of the Lodge Chaplain are to coordinate Willamette Valley
Lodge No. 7 policies when any Lodge member is in need of assistance, which may be
provided by the Lodge. This is to include any family member of the Lodge member
when this assistance may be provided by Lodge No. 7.
SECTION 2: The Chaplain shall open and close all meetings of the Lodge with a prayer.
SECTION 3: The Chaplain shall assist the President or the Board of Directors as may be
ordered.
SECTION 4: The Chaplain shall attend, and participate in, those memorial services for
officers killed in the line of duty as directed by the Lodge President.
SECTION 5: The office of Chaplain shall have a petty cash fund of no less than $25.00
for the purpose of purchasing sympathy cards for officers killed in the line of duty, and
for those cards needed for special occasions pertaining to members within the Lodge,
and to have pictures developed for the purpose of the Lodge. The expenses will be
submitted to the Secretary who will deliver them to the Treasurer for payment.
ARTICLE 8
NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS
SECTION 1: Election of Officers shall be conducted every two (2) years. Notice of time
and place of elections and candidates on the ballot shall be sent to each voting member
in good standing not less than (15) days prior to the time of election. The ballots will be
presented by e-mail or paper ballot during the month of March to be completed and
submitted by March 31st. The newly elected shall be sworn in at the April general
membership meeting. The election for President, 2nd V.P., Treasurer, and Chaplain will
be held in the even numbered years; while the election for V.P., Secretary, Trustee, and
Sgt-At-Arms will be held in the odd numbered years.
SECTION 2: Nominations shall be made by February 1st for Candidates for election of
Officers from the floor of the meeting. Members not attending the meeting may
nominate Candidates of their choice by written or e-mail nomination (5) days prior to the
closing of nominations. Any written nomination not received prior to the closing of the
nominations will not be counted. All written nominations must be signed. No member
shall be nominated or be a candidate for election to more than one office at the same
election.
SECTION 3: An election committee of (3) active members shall be appointed to
distribute the ballots and canvass the votes. After the polls are closed, the Committee
shall count the votes, determine how many votes have been cast for each candidate and
shall report the results to the President and the membership present. The President
shall announce the results and declare elected those candidates receiving the plurality of
the votes for each respective office. After the votes are counted and election certified,
the ballots will be destroyed after a motion from the floor.
SECTION 4: Officers-Elect shall be installed and shall take office in accordance with the
regular order of business.
ARTICLE 9
RECALL ELECTIONS
SECTION 1: In the event a recall election is requested by the membership of any
member of the Board of Directors, it shall be initiated by a signed petition by the majority
of the active membership and presented to the Board of Directors. Upon the procedures
being implemented for recall elections, the procedures described in Article 8, Sections 2,
3, and 4 will be followed.
ARTICLE 10
DUES AND ASSESSMENTS
SECTION 1: Active and Associate Members shall pay to the Lodge the sum of $60.00
dollars per year due on or before June 15th. These dues will be allocated to the general
fund and shall be used for current operation expenses and the payment of per capita tax
to the Grand Lodge. After December 15th of each year dues will be pro-rated for new
members wishing to join the Willamette Valley Lodge No. 7. The pro-rated rate will be
$5.00 per month. Retired and Honorary members will not have full access to the Lodge
or have full Lodge privileges and are exempt from paying the annual Lodge dues.
Retired members however shall be responsible for paying all per capita tax for the Grand
Lodge.
SECTION 2: Active Members wishing to join the Legal Defense shall pay their annual
dues at a rate of $5.00 per month plus the monthly cost of the Legal Defense Plan of
their choosing. Legal Defense Plan dues will be collected prior to the Lodge adding the
member to the Legal Defense Plan. The Secretary will ensure that all fees are collected
and that only members in good standing are enrolled in the Legal Defense Plan.
Members failing to make monthly dues may either be assessed a late fee or dropped
from the Legal Defense Plan and be assessed the annual dues schedule as listed in
Section 1.
SECTION 3: Late fees of $25.00 will be assessed to all members who are over 30 days
late on due payments. Failure to pay dues owed will result in suspension and or
membership termination.
(Section 2 & 3, amended 3/10)
ARTICLE 11
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
SECTION 1: The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by assent of 2/3 voting
membership.
SECTION 2: Any proposed amendment must be presented to the Secretary in writing,
stating the reasons for the proposed amendment.
SECTION 3: Voting on the proposed amendment shall be at the first business meeting
of the month following. Members shall be notified 31 calendar days in advance.
SECTION 4: The Secretary will ensure that each member will have one vote on each
proposed amendment.
SECTION 5: Results shall be announced at the meeting and become effective after
certification of the vote count.
SECTION 6: Written ballots shall be signed or they will not be counted.
SECTION 7: E-Mail Ballots may be used. Returned e-mail votes will be collected by the
Secretary and presented to the Board of Directors. Collected e-mail votes must come
from the members e-mail address on file with the Secretary to be accepted as valid.
(Section 7, added 3/10)
ARTICLE 12
FUNDS & EXPENDITURES
SECTION 1: The Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and the President of the Lodge
shall be authorized to sign checks from the Lodge’s bank account subject to applicable
approval as listed in this article.
SECTION 2: The President may approve expenditures involving the purchase of
necessary business supplies and maintenance of Lodge owned equipment up to a
maximum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) plus any applicable taxes.
SECTION 3: The Treasurer shall establish and maintain a petty cash fund with a twenty
five ($25.00) maximum limit for minor purchases by Board of Director Member
authorization.
SECTION 4: The Board of Directors may approve expenditures up to a maximum of five
hundred dollars ($500.00) plus tax. This will require the approval of at least three of the
seven Board of Directors members.
SECTION 5: Expenditures over five hundred dollars ($500.00) plus applicable taxes
must be approved by a majority vote at a general meeting of the Lodge with a quorum
present. At the time the vote is to be taken, a quorum shall be a total of at least 5 active
members present.
SECTION 6: Expenditures in excess of five hundred dollars ($500.00) will not at any
time exceed the total amount held by the Treasurer in the Lodge’s bank account.
SECTION 7: Any reimbursement of funds to any member of the Lodge must be
approved by the Treasurer and President and a receipt must be presented.
(Section 5, Amended 3/10)
ARTICLE 13
LODGE MEETINGS
SECTION 1: Lodge No. 7 shall meet at least by the last month of the annual quarter.
The date, time, and place to be announced at least fifteen, (15) calendar days in
advance. This notification shall be in writing and sent to each member. E-mail is
acceptable.
SECTION 2: Emergency meeting may be called by the President or a combination of
two Board of Director members, and this shall require a reasonable attempt to notify the
Lodge membership.
SECTION 3: The order of business of regular Lodge meetings shall be in accordance
with normal Fraternal Order of Police opening of meeting ritual, found in the F.O.P. ritual
book.
SECTION 4: Individual written, signed proxy votes shall be allowed if received by the
President prior to the counting of any votes on a particular issue.
SECTION 5: A quorum for the purpose of voting at a general Lodge meeting will be no
less than 5 present active members, including any proxy votes which will include emails
from active members confirmed by a board member.
(Section 5, amended 3/10)
ARTICLE 14
VOTING
SECTION 1: Voting shall be at a general membership meeting with a quorum of active
members present when a motion is made, seconded, discussion opened, discussion
closed, amendments to motion made (if any) and the President calls for the vote (except
certain circumstances identified elsewhere in this document where a ballot vote is
required, i.e.; expenditures, amendments to by-laws, elections.)
SECTION 2: Written ballots shall have the active members name on it, and the ballot
must be signed so as to protect the integrity of the voting process.
SECTION 3: Each active member in good standing shall be entitled to one (1) vote.
SECTION 4: The Election Committee shall count and validate the ballots cast. After the
ballots are recorded and published to the general membership the ballots themselves
shall be sealed and secured to protect the voting member’s ballot.
ARTICLE 15
CODE OF ETHICS
SECTION 1: Lodge Members shall conduct themselves in a professional manner when
representing the Fraternal Order of Police and/or their Law Enforcement Agency, and
shall not participate in any activity that may demean those entities.
SECTION 2: Lodge Members shall not use the Fraternal Order of Police name or Lodge
Membership for their own personal gain.
SECTION 3: Lodge Members shall not be disloyal to the Fraternal Order of Police or
any individual member of that organization.
SECTION 4: Lodge Members shall assist each other in time of need, if the assistance is
within reason and in their power to do so.
SECTION 5: Any violations of the Code of Ethics may be grounds for suspension or
termination.
A. If any member of the lodge has witnessed any violation of the Code of Ethics,
that member may bring this to the attention of the Board of Directors by
directly notifying any member of Lodge No. 7 Board of Directors by written
affidavit. That notifying member must sign the affidavit swearing to the
contents as true to their interpretation.
B. Upon receipt of this affidavit, the President must be immediately notified so
that they can convene an emergency meeting of a Review Panel within (15)
days of notification.
C. The Review Panel must consist of at least 5 members of the Board of
Directors.
D. The Review Panel may chose to hear verbal or written testimony of all parties
involved in the breach of ethics violation.
E. The accused member shall be notified and given an opportunity to attend the
hearings and present their case.
F. Once all material and statements are made to the validity of the accusation,
the Review Panel must render a decision in writing to the accused within (15)
days. This shall outline the ethics violation and render a decision as to
whether this was a sustained, unsustained, or exonerated allegation.
G. Findings must then be presented to the entire body at a regular membership
meeting for a vote.
H. The member accused, if found guilty of the ethics violation maybe suspended
or terminated from the Fraternal Order of Police.
I.
If the member chooses to contest the membership’s decision, they may
appeal the decision to the Grand Lodge.
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, ATTEST THIS TO BE A TRUE COPY OF
THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE WILLAMETTE
VALLEY LODGE NO. 7, MULTNOMAH COUNTY, OREGON.
__________________
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_6/1/2010___
Rod Edwards, President
Brett Elliott, Secretary
Date