Fire & Iron Firefighter MC

Article I:  Name

The Trademark name of this organization shall be Fire & Iron Firefighters Motorcycle Club.

Article II:  Membership

•1.      No member shall be discriminated on basis of race, sex or creed.

•2.      A prospective member must be at least 18 years of age.

•3.      Primary membership of the club shall be made up of those people who are currently career Firefighters, retired career Firefighters, volunteer Firefighters, retired volunteer Firefighters (to be determined by local control), and fire department support personnel decided by local control.

•4.      Primary members must own and ride a motorcycle. The brand, type and size of motorcycle are not important but motorcycles must be able to keep up during group rides.

•5.      Spouses of Primary members will also be allowed Primary member status with two variations

•a.       The spouse is not required to own or ride a motorcycle

•b.      The spouse can not sponsor another member.

•6.      Union membership is not mandatory.

•7.      The decision to allow "Sponsored" memberships is at the discretion of local control.  If sponsored membership is allowed in a Station, a Primary member can sponsor one, and only one, non-Fire Department applicant to join the club. This person can be a family member or friend.  The "Sponsored" member must ride a motorcycle. "Sponsored" members do not have voting privileges in National club elections and will not be able to hold National office.  Voting privileges in their respective Stations are under local control but they cannot hold President or Vice President Offices.  "Sponsored" member must meet the final approval of the Station President.

•8.      Primary members are responsible for the actions of their sponsored members and have the right to withdraw their sponsorship at any time

•9.      If a "Sponsored" member loses their sponsor for any reason, they must leave the club when their dues run out, unless they are able to find another Primary member to sponsor them.

•10.  "Sponsored" members cannot sponsor another member.

•11.  "Honorary" membership status is at the discretion of local control. It may be granted to an individual who has contributed substantially to the promotion of Fire & Iron Firefighters MC.  Persons considered for "Honorary" membership do not have to have a sponsor but must have shown positive actions that support the "principles and purposes" of our club by acts in assisting their Station. "Honorary" members may have the same rights as "Sponsored" members under local control. Such membership should be limited to no more than 4 persons at any given time.

•12.  All new members waiting for approval will be referred to as Probationary members, whether Primary or "Sponsored."

•13.  Probationary time within a Station shall be under local Station control.

•14.  A "Lifetime Membership" shall only be granted to those members who have passed away.  There will be no "Life" membership given for members who have "FIFL" tattoos. Lifetime Membership status will be defined as adding their name and picture to our fallen brothers page and the issuing of their colors to their family.

Article III:  Dues

1. Every Station in good standing will be required to pay to the National Treasurer, annual National Station dues. At this time, National dues are set at $55.00.  Station 61 (MAL) members will pay annual dues of $55 each, to the National Treasurer. Annual dues shall be due on November 30^th each year, for the upcoming year. The cutoff date shall be January 31^st of  the year that dues are due for.
2. Each member in good standing will be required to pay annual dues to their Stations Treasurer.   The amount will be set by the local Station.  National dues will be paid to the National Treasurer in November of each year.  Each Station can set their own time period for the paying of local Station dues.
3. Every new member will be required to pay a "one-time" initiation fee of $55.00, plus their annual Station dues.  This is to cover "local" administration costs.
4. Dues will be used to promote activities and/or purchase equipment and supplies for the individual Stations and National Club.
5. Dues allow each member the privilege of membership and the right to attend all meetings and rallies.
6. $25.00 of each station's annual National dues will be set aside to go to the next "host" station for the bi-annual National Rally, up to $3500.

Article IV:  Officers

National Officers

National President

The executive duties of the President are as follows:

1. Preside over meetings of both the National Board and the club as a whole.
2. Judge items not covered in the constitution or in the rules.
3. Act as the personal representative of the club in the area of public relations; as a liaison between Fire & Iron Firefighter MC and local-law enforcement agencies; and as a connecting link between Fire & Iron Firefighter MC and other motorcycle clubs.
4. Represent the club in any club business contacts and supervise major economic transactions.
5. Assist Fire & Iron Firefighter MC officers in the interpretation of their club responsibilities, and promote club life among members in general.

National Vice President

The executive duties of the Vice President are as follows:

1. To perform the duties of the President in his absence and to assist the President in all of his duties.
2. To perform any duty deemed necessary to complete by the President.
3. To take over as President if something happens to the President until such time as an election takes place.

National Secretary

The executive duties of the Secretary are as follows:

1. Record and safeguard the minutes of the National Club meetings.
2. Maintain the Club By-Laws, recording any additions, deletions, or modifications.
3. Handle any National Club correspondence.

National Treasurer

The executive duties of the Treasurer are as follows:

1. Monitor and record the club's income and expenditures.
2. Collect the dues and fines owed by the Stations.
3. Sell National Club merchandise via club store and record all transactions.
4. The National Treasurer shall notify the respective Regional Officer if a Station in their Region is delinquent in paying their National dues.
5. The National Treasurer will prepare a Financial Report before any meeting or annually if there is no scheduled meeting, for presentation to the National membership each April.

National Sergeant-at-Arms 

The executive duties of the Sergeant-at-Arms are as follows:

1. Maintain order at National meetings.
2. Ensure that members adhere to club rulings, policies, and expected models of conduct when dealing with outsiders.
3. To assist the Regional Officers with any appropriate business.
4. Defend club members, property, or territory from outside threats when possible.

Regional Officers

There shall be seven (7) Regional Officers, each representing a designated geographical region.  Additional regions may be established, if necessary.  A review of the regions will be done periodically by the National Board to ensure Regional Officer's duties are relatively equal. Regional Officers report directly to the National President.

The executive duties of Regional Officers are as follows:

1. Regional Officers shall promote and ensure that those who inquire about the Fire & Iron Firefighters Motorcycle Club, are provided current and accurate information.
2. Regional Officers shall receive Station applications and inform the National President that there is interest in the Region to activate a Station.  The Regional Officer will assist in following through with the inquiry and activation of the new Station, making sure that all newly chartered Stations have a solid membership foundation with the intention of eliminating potential problems before they occur.
3. Regional Officers shall establish a relationship with the Station Presidents within their Region.
4. Regional Officers shall assist Station Presidents in coordinating promotions and events that the Stations in their Region may be sponsoring.
5. Regional Officers shall keep a current roster of all Stations in their Region.  If there any changes, the Regional Officer shall notify the National President, National Secretary and National Web Master for web site updating.
6. Regional Officers are responsible for collecting votes for all National voting.  Station Presidents will forward the voting results of their membership to their Regional Officer.  Regional voting results will be sent to the National President.
7. If a Regional Officer has a conflict of interest in any matter within his own region, the National Board will select a Regional Officer from another region to intervene.

National Board

The National board consists of National and Regional Officers of the club.  Meetings will be held at every National Rally.  National Rallies will be held on the even numbered years. Individual state rallies may be held on odd numbered years.  Emergency meetings can be called if a situation develops that demands immediate attention.

The National board is responsible for:

1. Monitor conflicts between the Stations.
2. Apply disciplinary procedures above the Station President level.
3. Evaluate prospective Stations.
4. Present summarized assessments of the overall club situation to the membership.

Station Officers

President

The duties of the president are as follows:

1. Preside over meetings and the Station as a whole.
2. Judge items not covered in the constitution or in the rules regulations that are under local control.
3. Act as the personal representative of their Station and the club.
4. Represent their station in any club business contacts.
5. Promote enjoyable club life among members in general.

Vice President

The duties of the Vice President are to assume the responsibilities of the Presidency when the President is unable to do so.

Secretary

The duties of the Secretary are as follows:

1. Record and safeguard the minutes of the station meetings.
2. Maintain the Station bylaws, recording any additions, deletions, or modifications.
3. Handle any station correspondence.

Treasurer (May be combined with Secretary)

The duties of the Treasurer are as follows:

1. Monitor and record the stations income and expenditures.
2. Collect the dues and fines owed by the members.

Road Captains

The duties of the Road Captain are as follows:

1. Plan the travel routes and organize the basic itinerary of the station prior to going on a ride.
2. Lead or trail the club in formation while riding.
3. Enforce station rules and procedures for group riding.

Sergeant at Arms

The duties of the Sergeant at Arms are as follows:

1. Maintain order at station meetings in particular, and station activities in general.
2. Ensure that members adhere to station rulings, policies, and expected models of conduct when dealing with other members or outsiders.
3. Defend station members, property, or territory from outside threats.

Article IV:  Elections

National and Regional Officers of this club serve a two year term of office.

•1.      In order to be eligible for office, a member has to have been an active member in good standing for a minimum of two years.

•2.      National Officers will be voted on at every National Rally, on even numbered years, beginning in 2008.

•3.      National Officers can be nominated by any Fire & Iron Firefighter MC member.  Candidates for nomination may be from any region.  All Primary members will vote on all National Officers.

•4.      Regional Officers will be voted on in both even and odd numbered years.  Even numbered Regions will vote in even years; and odd numbered Regions will vote in odd years, beginning in 2009.  Elections will be held by September in odd years and during the month of the National Rally in even years.

•5.      Regional Officer candidates will be nominated by Fire & Iron Firefighter MC members from the region they will serve.  All Primary members from the effected region will vote on Regional Officer for their region.

•6.      Station Officers will be voted on by individual Station members per local policy.

•7.      An emergency election can be called whenever there is a vacancy in an Officer position.

•8.      An Officer may be relieved of his position if he fails to perform the duties of the position by a 2/3 vote of:

•1)      National Board.

•2)      Members of a Station for Station Officers.

•9.      If an Officer is relieved of their duties, the position will be submitted to the general membership for replacement, in accordance with established procedures, for the remainder of the term.

Article V:  Regions

Geographical regions are:

             Region 1                     Region 2                     Region 3                     Region 4

            Florida                         Wisconsin                     Ohio                             California

                                                Minnesota                    Kentucky                     Washington

                                                Michigan                      Indiana                         Oregon

                                                Iowa                            Pennsylvania                 Idaho

                                                Illinois                           West Virginia                Nevada

                                                Missouri                       Virginia                         Utah                

                                                North Dakota               Maryland                      Arizona

                                                South Dakota               Delaware                      Hawaii 

                                                                                                                        Alaska

            Region 5                     Region 6                     Region 7

            Tennessee                    New Hampshire           Colorado         

            North Carolina Maine                                      Montana          

            South Carolina  Massachusetts                          Wyoming

            Arkansas                      Vermont                       Nebraska        

            Louisiana                      Rhode Island                Kansas

            Mississippi                    New York                    Oklahoma

            Alabama                       New Jersey                  Texas

            Georgia                        Connecticut                  New Mexico

Article VI:  Colors

The club Colors belongs to Fire & Iron Firefighter MC, Chapter 1, Central Florida Region.

•1.      The club Colors will be worn with honor, pride and respect.

•2.      Only members in good standing will be allowed to wear the club Colors.  If for any reason a member should leave or be removed from the club, that member shall turn in their Colors to their station President.

•3.      Colors may be affixed to black leather or blue/black denim vests or jackets. (Leather is recommended)

•4.      Colors should never be washed.

•5.      Colors are to be worn as the outer most garments and not to be obstructed in any way.

•6.      Colors will be worn at all Fire & Iron Firefighter MC functions, gatherings, runs and sanctioned events.

•7.      At no time will the Colors be placed face down. Respect your colors.

•8.      At no time will the Colors touch the ground unless the member is wearing them.

•9.      Members are responsible for their colors at all times regardless of location. Non members should never be in control of your colors.

•10.  Reasons for a member to lose their Colors and membership in club are:

•1)      Non-payment of dues

•2)      Bringing shame and dishonor to club.

•3)      Removing colors and throwing to the ground/floor.

•4)      Losing your Colors, such as, misplacing them.

•5)      Actions of a member by which a 2/3rd's majority vote of the members' station feels that are not in keeping with the Club's spirit or intent.

•6)      A felony conviction.

•7)      Incorrect application of Colors to vest/jacket and not correcting when instructed to.

•8)      Any unauthorized patch applied to Colors and not removed when instructed to.

•9)      The wearing of any other motorcycle club's apparel, of any kind, or "Supporter" apparel or patch while wearing Fire & Iron Colors is strictly prohibited.  It violates the National Club's neutrality.

•10)  A violation of any of the above reasons will result in a 6-month probation/suspension and/or possible termination of membership.  Termination of membership will be by majority vote of the member's Station President, Regional Officer and National President.  Subsection 5 above will hold precedence if it is the "will" of that Station.

•11.  Colors should be affixed to the rear of the garment as follows:

•1)      The Fire & Iron Firefighter MC back patch shall be worn on the rear of the vest/jacket approximately centered or slightly higher, in the middle of the back.

•2)       The Station rocker shall be located centered, approximately 1 to 1 ½ inch below the Fire & Iron Firefighter MC back patch.

•12.  The back patches, Colors, will be obtained from only one vendor to keep the uniformity of the colors.  Currently, the vendor is 100 Monkeys in Orlando, FL.

Article VII:  General Information

•1.      There will be only one Chapter in this club, Chapter 1.  All other chapters will be referred to as Stations.

•2.      Station meetings will be held on days of rides with the exception of prearranged meeting days or emergencies.  Each Station will strive to have at least one ride or meeting a month. All members are encouraged to set a ride day.

•3.      All members must attend three (3) functions per year (i.e.: event, charity, meeting or ride)

•4.      Safe riding practices will be followed.  Members not adhering to the "accepted" rules-of-the-road will not be tolerated!

•5.      Personal conflicts or fighting within the "ranks" reflects poorly on the membership and will not be tolerated.  Any disagreements will be brought to a Station Officer for settlement.

•6.       Membership in other associations or groups is allowed; i.e., H.O.G., CMA or IAFF Motor Group.  Holding Officer positions is discouraged but not completely forbidden.  Holding an Officer position in another association or group will be dealt with by the individual Fire & Iron Firefighter MC Station it affects.  Members may not be a member of any other motorcycle club.

•7.      Your rank or position within the Fire Department does not carry over into Club or hold sway over any Club activities.  What happens in the Club stays in the Club.

•8.      Respect is to be shown to all officers and club members, rides, homes and jobs.  In other words, if it's not yours respect it and don't mess with it.

•9.      National Dues, Station Dues and initiation fees can be raised without prior notice if the cost of doing business goes up.

•10.  If a member's membership is terminated for any reason, they must wait a minimum of one year before reapplying for membership in any Station.  They must also make up any past dues during their absence.  If they are going to change Stations, they must inform their previous Station President of their intentions to reapply with another Station.  If the membership is terminated due to "bringing shame and dishonor to the club," the member is banned from rejoining permanently.

•11.  Any apparel using any of the three Fire & Iron Firefighter MC trademarked logos must be pre-approved by the National Treasurer.

•12.  Local Stations have the ability to modify these by-laws to meet local needs or issues; however, they cannot be less restrictive than the National By-laws.  Any modifications of the National By-laws must receive approval of the National Board.

•13.  Placement and color scheme for name and rank patches are as follows:

•a.      Name and rank patches will have a black background, red border and gold writing

•                                                                     aa.    In the event the standardized colors are impossible to use at your station you may petition the National Board for an exception.

•b.      Name patch goes on the right side of your vest/jacket

•c.       Rank patch goes on the left side of your vest/jacket.

•d.      The current vendor is A Little Crafty (585) 319-3053

Article VIII:  Amendments

Any of the above listed rules are subject to change with 2/3rds majority vote of the current, active membership and/or by the National Board.  All members will be informed of any changes