CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
NAME OF LODGE
Section 1. This lodge shall be known as Stow Lodge No. 82 of the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio, Inc., and shall conform with all rules and regulations of the National Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, and regulations of the State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, of Ohio, Inc.
ARTICLE II
OBJECT AND PURPOSES
Section 1. STOW LODGE NO. 82 of the Fraternal Order of Police is an organization dedicated to the advancement and protection of Police Officers, the promotion of improved law enforcement methods, and the teaching of respect for law and order.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. There shall be three classes of membership, to wit; active, honorary and associate.
Section 2. All regular members of this Lodge in good standing shall be entitled to voice and vote on the floor of the Lodge.
Section 3. Application for membership in this Lodge shall be in writing, on forms prescribed and prepared by the Lodge. All statements thereon in answer to the questions proposed to the applicant shall be presented to the Lodge at the first succeeding meeting. The applicant shall be voted upon a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the members present shall be necessary to accept such applicant. In the event the applicant is rejected, the applicant shall not be privileged to re-petition for membership until after the expiration of at least six (6) months from the date of rejection of their application. All applicants shall be voted upon separately. Applicants elected who fail to appear for initiation after three monthly notifications shall be rejected. Change June, 1985.
Section 4. Any member of the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio, Inc., in good standing at the time of his retirement from the Police Department, may retain his membership, with the exception that any member who shall terminate his services in the Police Department for any reason other than said retirement or disability shall forfeit his rights to membership.
Section 5. HONORARY MEMBERS. STOW LODGE NO. 82 creates honorary membership as follows: Any member of STOW LODGE NO. 82 who is in good standing at the time of retirement, or disability retirement shall automatically, by notation in the minutes of the next regular meeting, be made an Honorary member. The Honorary member shall be entitled to attend all functions of the LODGE and shall not be required to pay dues or any assessment other than for value received such as meals when other members have been so assessed. All retired members of this Lodge shall be non-dues paying active members with full voice and voting privileges, as long as they attend a minimum of four (4) regular meetings the previous year. If they fail to attend four (4) regular meetings, retired members shall be honorary members with voice but no vote. Changed, June 2000.
Section 6. SUSPENDING OR EXPELLING MEMBERS. Any member of the Lodge whose services or personal conduct reflect discredit upon the Lodge may be suspended or expelled from the Lodge. Before any member can be suspended or expelled from the Lodge, charges must be preferred in writing to the Secretary at a regular meeting, at which time such member shall have an opportunity to present his defense, and it shall require a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the members present at such suspension or expulsion before a member can be suspended or expelled.
Section 7. Members who are thirty (30) days in arrears in payment of dues or assessments, shall be declared to be not in good standing, and after six (6) months delinquency shall be automatically suspended. A written notice will be sent to all members in arrears, and no further notice shall be necessary.
Section 8. Any member suspended for nonpayment of dues or assessments shall be automatically expelled from the Lodge, without further actions, should such member fail to make application for reinstatement within three (3) months from the date of such suspension.
Section 9. Any member of the Lodge who has been suspended for nonpayment of dues, assessments, or other causes, and who shall seek reinstatement shall accompany with his application all back dues and assessments to date. Before his reinstatement is effective, the application shall be presented to the Lodge and lie on the table for a period of one (1) month before it shall be balloted upon. Before any reinstatement is ordered it shall require a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the members present in favor of such action.
Section 10. Any member of the Lodge who has been suspended or expelled from the Lodge for any cause shall make his application for reinstatement within three (3) months from the date of suspension or expulsion.
Section 11. Application for membership from any person who has been expelled, or has resigned from the Lodge must be accompanied by all dues and assessments he had accrued up to the date of his suspension or resignation. May 1976.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of this Lodge shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant of Arms, Chaplain, and three (3) Trustees. June, 2000.
Section 2. All officers will be elected biennially except for Trustees who will serve three (3) years. One (1) to be elected annually. The President may appoint a Trustee if none is nominated. Vacancy in the office of Trustee will be filled first with the retiring President. If there is no retiring President, the office of Trustee will be filled by election of the new slate of officers as described in Section 1. Should a vacancy occur in the office of Trustee for any cause other than fulfillment of term, the office will be filled by election of the members in office at that time. Trustees shall serve three (3) years after their election; one vacancy occurring each year. Changed June, 2000.
ARTICLE V
NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 1. Any active member of this Lodge in good standing who has attended four (4) regular meetings of the Lodge in the year previous to the nominations shall be eligible to hold office.
Section 2. All nominations for the election of Officers will be made at the regular November meeting of every other year. Nominees must be present to accept the nomination. Nominations for offices of the Lodge will be made in the following order: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sgt. Of Arms, Chaplain and Trustees. Nominations shall be closed by the chair as provided for in Roberts Rules of Order (Revised) and shall not be reopened. No member shall be nominated or be a candidate for more than one office at the same election.
Section 3. Election of officers shall be held on the day of the regular December meeting, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and shall be by secret ballot. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes for the office to which he was nominated shall be declared elected. Only those votes cast for regularly nominated candidates shall be counted.
Section 4. The President of this Lodge shall appoint two (2) judges of election, and one (1) teller after all nominations for office have been submitted, as herein before provided. Notice of said appointments shall be given the persons at least ten (10) days prior to the holding of the election. Changed June, 1985.
Section 5. The judges of the election and the teller shall not be any of the incumbents in office or any of the candidates for office.
Section 6. Printed ballots showing the names of candidates for the offices sought shall be provided by the Secretary and furnished to all members in good standing. Members in good standing on the December election day shall be eligible to vote on the nominees for the offices between 6:00 a.m. and the opening of the regular scheduled meeting that day. In the event no meeting is scheduled closing shall be at 6:00 p.m. Changed June 1985.
Section 7. A suitable ballot box shall be provided by the judges of the election, into which electors must deposit their ballots. When all members who desire to vote have voted, the judges of
Election, with the assistance of the teller, shall count the ballots. When the count of the ballots is complete, the judges of the election shall announce the result of the election. Should the election result in a tie vote being cast for any office, the judges of the election and the candidates affected by the tie vote for any office or delegate shall decide, by lot, which one shall be elected.
Section 8. Lodge members in good standing who wish to cast their votes but are unable to do so at the appointed time may request a ballot in person from the Teller of the lection not more than ten (10) days prior to the election. The Teller shall be appointed by the President at the biannual November meeting. The Teller shall not be a candidate for any office. The ballot shall be sealed in an envelope in the presence of the Teller. The Teller shall secure all completed absentee ballots in the ballot box. Immediately prior to the tabulation of the votes, the Teller shall open the envelopes and place the absentee ballots with the remaining ones, where they will be tabulated with the regularly cast ballots. The Teller shall retain the envelopes of the absentee voters as a record of their vote. June, 2000.
ARTICLE VI
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
Section 1. The newly elected Officers of this Lodge will be installed biennial at the regular January Lodge meeting or any special meeting or event held in January. June, 2000
Section 2. The newly elected Officers will be installed by the retiring President of the Lodge, or any President or past President of any Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police or any State Office, State Trustee, etc. June, 2000
Section 3. If any of the newly elected officers of the Lodge are not present at the time of installation meeting, they shall be installed at the next following regular Lodge meeting, and if absent at this meeting, they shall be installed at the following regular Lodge Meeting. If absent at the third successive regular meeting the office shall be declared vacant and a successor shall be appointed as hereinafter provided.
Section 4. In the event of death, resignation, dismissal or the occurrence of a vacancy in any office for any reason, the vacancy shall be filled by an appointment made by the remaining officers of the Lodge in committee.
ARTICLE VII
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. PRESIDENT. The President shall have charge of, and shall preside at all meetings of the Lodge. It shall be his duty to open and close all regular or special meetings of the Lodge. He shall appoint protem officers in the case of absentees. He shall communicate the password to all persons entitled to receive same, and to the Lodge. He shall enforce order, and uphold the constitution, statutes, and by-laws of the Fraternal Order of Police, and the constitution and by-laws of this Lodge. He shall call a special meeting of the Lodge, if requested to do so, by seven (7) members of the Lodge, such request to be in writing. If in the opinion of the President an occasion or circumstance shall warrant the calling of a special meeting, he shall have authority to call such meeting and shall notify the Secretary of the date, time and place of such special meeting, and the purpose of same. The President shall decide all questions arising in the Lodge subject to appeal to the State and National Lodge of any change in the office of Secretaries, either at the time of election, or between elections giving names and addresses of the new Secretaries, and the signature of the new Secretaries in their own handwriting. It shall be his duty, together with the Vice-President, to inspect the ballot and report thereon to the Lodge. Any member of the Lodge shall have the privilege of inspecting the ballot, upon request, after decision regarding same has been announced. He shall have custody of, and be responsible for, all jewels, rituals, and property of the Lodge, and shall at various times inspect all the paraphernalia of the Lodge. He shall sign all orders, warrants, and documents that may be necessary and have been passed on by the Lodge. It shall be his duty, together with the Treasurer to sign all checks drawn against the funds of the Lodge in payment of such sums of money as may be voted by the Lodge. He shall sign such certificates, cards, or other papers as may require his signature to make them valid. The President shall appoint the majorities of members to all committees not otherwise provided for.
Section 2. VICE-PRESIDENT. The duties of the first Vice-President shall be to officiate, in the absence of the President at all meetings and to perform any and all other duties that the President has a right to and should perform, were he present. He shall appoint the minority of members of all committees not otherwise provided for. By virtue of his office he shall be an alternate delegate to the President at the State and National Conventions for the year he is serving as Vice-President.
Section 3. SECRETARY. The Secretary shall keep a record of all transactions at each meeting of the Lodge in a book to be known as The Book of Records, together with the minutes to be entered therein before the meeting following that of which they are a record, and he shall read from this book for approval. He shall keep another book and record therein all amendments to the constitution and by-laws. He shall read all reports, letters, bills, petitions, appeals, claims, and all other communications that may be received by the Lodge or its officers. He shall reply to and write all communications sent or received by the Lodge and shall retain copies thereof. He shall assist in the transaction of the business of the Lodge, and shall comply with other such duties of this office as contained in this constitution and by-laws. He shall send a written notice to all members declared not in good standing as provided in ARTICLE III, Section VII. At the expiration of his term of office he shall give a correct report of the business of his office to the Lodge, and shall deliver to his successor in office all books and other property of the Lodge in his possession.
Section 4. TREASURER. The Treasurer shall keep a complete and accurate record of all financial matters of the Lodge in a book or books provided for that purpose by the Lodge. He shall submit a list of all members in good standing to the President prior to the opening of all meetings of the Lodge. He shall deliver to his successor in office the seal of the Lodge and all books, papers, receipts, and all property that may be in his possession as such Treasurer. He shall, if requested to do so, deliver to the Lodge upon retiring from office a final report of all matters, funds, and property of which he has been in any way custodian. The Treasurer shall receive and take charge of all monies belonging to the order, pay all orders drawn on him signed by the President and Secretary, keep an accurate account of all monies received or expended, and credit each special fund with all sums as occur. He shall give the auditing committee a correct account of all money in his possession together with books, papers, and receipts belonging to his office at any time ordered, deliver all monies, books, and papers to the President and Trustees. He shall keep in his possession not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00) of the general fund to meet current expenses. All above that amount shall be deposited in the bank to the credit of the Lodge. He shall deliver to his successors in office all the books and property in his possession belonging to the order. After the installation of officers of each term, the Treasurer with the President and the majority of the Trustees shall deposit all money exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00) in the bank to the credit of the Lodge. He shall furnish a bond, the sum to be set and subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.
Section 5. SGT. OF ARMS. The Sgt. Of Arms shall perform such duties as are described in the ritual of the Fraternal Order of Police, and shall at each meeting collect the quarterly and permanent passwords. He shall assist at each initiation ceremony and shall perform all other duties required of him by the constitution and by-laws of the Fraternal Order of Police, and shall guard the door of the Lodge room from intrusion, collect the passwords, and guard against unlawful entry by any person or persons seeking admission to the Lodge.
Section 6. CHAPLAIN. The duties of the Chaplain will be to assist the President in opening and closing the Lodge.
Section 7. TRUSTEES. It shall be the duty of the Trustees to care for and hold in trust for the Lodge all stock, securities, and property of the Lodge. They shall invest the funds of the Lodge as in their judgment shall be deemed for the best interest of the Lodge, upon approval by three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Lodge. Until such funds are invested they shall be kept deposited in a bank selected for that purpose. They shall designate the amount of bond required for the Treasurer. They shall see that the books of the Treasurer are audited once every (6) months, during the months of June and December. They shall at
any time they may be requested to do so by the President of the State or National Lodge give a full account of all money received, expended, or invested, and shall from time to time, and at the close of their term of office, make a full report in writing to the Lodge of all business transacted by them as such Trustees.
Section 8. GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE. Any member in good standing who finds himself in a position necessitating assistance may submit in writing a complete account of the circumstances to the Grievance Committee. The Grievance Committee will then present a report to the Lodge at the next regular meeting or special meeting, with recommendations. The voting will be by a form letter drawn by the Grievance Committee as the ballot, giving details of the case. The voting will be secret and take place in the detailing officer’s office, ten days after the meeting.
ARTICLE VIII
RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF OFFICERS
Section 1. Any officer of this Lodge who commits an act of misfeasance, malfeasance, or neglect in the performance of his duties as an officer of this Lodge, or any other unfitness, shall be removed from office and expelled from the Lodge. Before such removal or expulsion, a written complaint, stating the reason for same, shall be filed with the Secretary of the Lodge, after which written notice shall be given to such officer of the Lodge whose removal or expulsion is sought. Such complaint shall be taken up at the next regular meeting following the filing of the complaint. It shall require a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the members present at such meeting in favor of such removal or expulsion before the office can be declared vacant and another officer placed in the vacancy.
Section 2. Any officer being absent from three (3) consecutive meetings without just cause may be removed.
Section 3. All officers except the Treasurer shall have the privilege of resigning at any time providing that no charges whatever exist against them. The Treasurer shall present their resignations in writing one meeting previous to their being acted upon and if the Trustees report their accounts in order, their resignations shall be accepted, providing that no charges whatever exist against them.
ARTICLE IX
DELEGATES
Section 1. The alternate-delegates who will represent this Lodge at the State and National Conventions of the Fraternal Order of Police shall be elected by the Lodge.
Section 2. No member shall be a delegate or alternate-delegate unless they are in good standing. This Lodge may choose to send the maximum number of delegates and alternate-delegates as allowed by the State Lodge to the State and National conventions. The President shall be an ex-official delegate to the State and National conventions. Changed June, 2000.
Section 3. Nominations shall be held at the regular meeting in March for delegates to represent the Lodge at the Sate and National Conventions, and the election of said delegates shall be held on the regular meeting day in April between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Changed May, 1973.
Section 4. No member shall be a candidate or be elected a delegate or alternate-delegate unless he or she shall have attended at least four (4) regular meetings of the Lodge in the year previous to the nominations.
Section 5. The previous sections of ARTICLE IX do not imply that a delegate and/or alternate delegate must attend either the State or Nation Conventions. They only indicate the method of choosing delegates. The Lodge must still vote to expend funds for each individual occasion. Added May, 1976.
ARTICLE X
DUES AND ASSESSMENTS
Section 1. The dues of the Lodge shall be $10.00 per month for all active members. New member’s dues will start the first full month after they become an active sworn member of the Lodge. Changed June, 2000.
Section 2. The dues shall be paid by payroll deduction for all members that are active employees of the City of Stow. Changed June, 2000.
Section 3. The dues for non City of Stow members shall be paid every four (4) months (quarterly) and no later than April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31 of every year. Changed June, 2000.
Section 4. All members in good standing shall be notified in writing prior to the next meeting of any proposed assessment.
ARTICLE XI
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
Section 1. When the President is absent, the Vice-President shall preside. In the absence of the President and Vice-President, the Secretary shall preside.
Section 2. A quorum shall be not less than two (2) elected officers and four (4) members of the Lodge, including elected officers, in good standing. Changed November, 1971.
Section 3. 1. Call to order and take up the password
2. Opening of Lodge, Chaplain offers opening prayer:
“Almighty God, Our Heavenly Father, we pray Thee to bless and guide our officers in their work; guide us that we may not lose sight of the fact that we are banded together for a common cause, which is to service the good of humanity. We ask for your blessing and guidance. AMEN.”
3. Roll Call of Officers
4. Reading of minutes of previous meeting
5. Proposal and balloting for candidates
6. Initiation of candidates
7. Report of standing or special committees
8. Report of officers.
9. Reading of bills and communications
10. Unfinished business
11. New business
12. Nomination of candidates
13. Election of candidates
14. Installation of officers
15. For the good of the Lodge
16. Adjournment and closing of the Lodge
Chaplain offers prayer: “Our God in Heaven, we again come into thy presence to ask Thee to bless whatever good we have accomplished at this time and forgive that which we have done amiss. Bless the members of this Lodge. Bless the widows and orphans, and all those in affliction and distress and relieve their necessities. Help us always to do good. We ask in thy name, through Jesus. AMEN.”
Section 4. STOW LODGE NO. 82 of the Fraternal Order of Police shall assemble for their regular meetings at the date, time, and place designated for each monthly meeting.
ARTICLE XII
CONSTRUCTION OR ALTERATION OF THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
Section 1. Should any dispute arise as to time, intent, or meaning of any section of this constitution and by-laws, the question shall be referred to a committee of three (3) members, to construe the section in dispute, whose decision if approved by the Lodge shall be its judgment thereon, subject however to the right of appeal. Record of such construction shall be kept as reference for any later dispute on the same section.
Section 2. Alterations and amendments to this constitution shall be presented in writing and shall be read at the regular meeting following their presentation. They shall be submitted to a committee as herein provided who shall report their findings to the Lodge. The alteration or amendment shall be read at two (2) succeeding regular meetings and upon the third reading it shall become effective, providing it shall receive a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the members present favoring such alteration or amendment. Changed June, 1995.
Last revised June, 2000.