CONSTITUTION
1.0 NAME:
This organization shall be known as the Area 6 Emergency Response Co-op.
2.0 MANDATE:
2.1 To develop a system of mutual aid among the members for initial
response to an unknown or known member's pipeline emergency, until the
member company is in a position with its own resources to control the
emergency.
2.2 To facilitate collective interaction and support between industry,
government agencies, emergency services and the community in emergency
preparedness.
2.3 To assure that the mutual aid system is functional through yearly
emergency exercises and communication tests with the objective to improve
any deficiencies.
2.4 To collectively communicate to the public the safety achievements
and goals of the industry.
3.0 MEMBERSHIP:
3.1 Members will be admitted with the approval of the membership at
large and payment of annual dues.
3.2 Resource Groups: Government agencies and emergency services may
become members upon approval of the membership. These members have no
voting privileges and may not hold any office position. There will be
no membership dues charged.
3.3 Resignation: Any member may resign at any time by notifying the
chairperson in writing.
3.4 Interested Parties: Certain parties may attend meetings upon approval
of the executive.
4.0 VOTING PRIVILEGES:
4.1 Each member company, in good standing, shall be allowed one voting
member at the meetings. Member companies may, however, send additional
non-voting representatives if they so desire.
5.0 EXECUTIVE:
5.1 The executive shall consist of a chairperson, treasurer and administrator.
6.0 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
6.1 The executive committee shall consists of the executive members.
7.0 MEETINGS:
7.1 A minimum of three meetings per year will be held. The timing of
the meetings shall be determined by the chairperson and membership at
each of the meetings.
7.2 The chairperson can call a special meeting of the membership. This
meeting can take the form of a telephone conference call.
7.3 The last meeting of the year will be considered the meeting for
the purpose of electing the executive and the setting of membership
dues for the following year.
7.4 Unless otherwise specified, the Robert's Rules of Order shall be
used to conduct the business meetings.
8.0 QUORUM:
8.1 A quorum at a meeting, shall consist of 50% of the membership.
If a quorum is not present, business transacted by those present shall
be unofficial and non-binding.
9.0 DUES:
9.1 Dues for membership will be set by the membership at the last meeting
of the year and invoiced with the minutes of the meeting.
10.0 ELECTION OF THE EXECUTIVE:
10.1 The length of office for the executive shall be determined by
the membership.
10.2 the election of chairperson, treasurer and administrator shall
be conducted at the last meeting of the year. The position of the administrator
can be contracted outside of the membership.
10.3 Nominations will be called for from members present or in writing
from non-present members by the chairperson. The positions shall be
elected by either a show of hands or secret ballot as determined by
the chairperson.
10.4 The executive elected at the annual meeting shall assume the duties
and responsibilities of the executive committee, beginning after the
minutes of the election meeting have been distributed.
10.5 If any of the executive positions become vacant, an election will
be held to fill the vacancy.
11.0 DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE:
11.1 Chairperson:
11.1.1 Presides over all meetings of the membership. The chairperson
can relinquish the meeting chair to another member of the executive.
11.1.2 Presides over the election of all the executive if required,
and announces the results of the election to the membership.
11.1.3 Casts the deciding vote in the event of a tie vote on a motion
or in an election.
11.1.4 Is an ex-officio member of all committees.
11.1.5 Has one vote as the representative of his/her member organization.
11.1.6 Represents or causes to be represented Area 6 Emergency Response
Co-op at other organizations, as required.
11.2 Treasurer:
11.2.1 Is responsible for collection of all fees and receivables, as
well as disbursement of all payables.
11.2.2 Keeps the Area 6 Emergency Response Co-op financial accounts
in an orderly and responsible manner.
11.2.3 Presents a financial report to the membership at each regular
meeting.
11.2.4 Signs cheques for the payment of approved accounts.
11.2.5 Be responsible to the membership for the bank account set up
in the name Area 6 Emergency response Co-op.
11.3 Administrator:
11.3.1 Prepares and distributes an agenda for each meeting in conjunction
with the executive chairperson.
11.3.2 Records and distributes minutes of all meetings of the membership.
11.3.3 Processes all correspondence and keeps the roll-call for all
meetings.
11.3.4 Carries out any other functions as designated by the chairperson.
12.0 COMMITTEES:
12.1 For maximum efficiency in achieving the stated mandate, the membership
shall appoint committees as required.
13.0 LIABILITY:
13.1 The liability of a responding company's personnel and actions
taken in a mutual aid response involving an Area 6 Emergency Response
Co-op member, is the responsibility of each responding member company.
14.0 AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION:
14.1 Amendments will be presented in writing through a motion at a
meeting of the membership. The proposed amendments will be distributed
with the minutes of the meeting.
14.2 The amendments will be put to a vote at the next meeting.
14.3 Approval of the majority of the voting members present at the
meeting
(quorum necessary) is required to pass a constitutional amendment.