BY LAWS
This instrument constitutes the Bylaws of the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Honor Guard adopted for the purposes of regulating and managing the internal affairs of this organization.
ARTICLE I. NAME
Section 1 The organization shall be known as "Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Honor
Guard," a not-for-profit organization associated with Minnesota Ambulance Association. Herein referred to and commonly known as MN EMS Honor Guard.
ARTICLE II. OBJECTIVES
Section 1 An objective of the organization is to provide support to the survivors of EMS providers
who have given their life in the line of duty. To deliver a variety of services, and focus
on the current and future needs of survivors. Furthermore to preserve the memory of
those providers. Who have sacrificed their lives for the health and wellness of all
Minnesota citizens.
Section 2 An objective of the organization is to maintain a corps of trained personnel who will be
able to provide as a Ceremonial Funeral Honor Guard, funeral-planning assistance to all
Minnesota EMS providers, and/or family members for an EMS provider, who has died
as a result of an injury or illness sustained in the line of duty.
Section 3 An objective of the organization is to maintain a corps of trained personnel who will be
able to assist and instruct personnel who are interested in forming an Honor Guard,
upon approval of the Executive Board.
Article III Regions
Section 1 The State of Minnesota shall be divided into organizational units called regions. The
Executive Board shall determine the number and boundaries of the regions.
Section 2 Within these regions, an Executive Board Member will be assigned to review, be a point
of contact, and assist the region with training.
Article IV MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 Any person of good moral character who provides Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical
Services in Minnesota is eligible for membership. Membership in MN EMS HG will not be based on race, color, creed, national origin, religion, faith, gender, sexual preference, or age. Any Voting Member may nominate an individual for an active membership. A completed membership application must be submitted to the Executive Board. Membership is subject to the approval of the Executive Board.
Section 2 The active member nominee shall begin as a Limited performing Member for a period of
twelve (12) months. During this time, he/she must maintain a minimum of Fifty (50%)
attendance of drills held. If the Executive Board deems the applicant's ability
acceptable, the Member will be recommended for Full Membership, although a
minimum period of six (6) months is required prior to promotion. During the twelve (12)
month period, the Member will be granted reviewed for Full Membership or dismissed,
upon review from the Executive Board.
Section 3 All members shall fall into only one of the following categories, and shall abide by
privileges and obligations accorded their respective position.
A. Limited Performing Members arepersonnel who express an interest in joining MN EMS HG and pursue development towards that must maintain attendance of fifty (50%) of drills held; shall not have the use of any uniforms or MN EMS HG related equipment; shall have neither voice nor vote in MN EMS HG affairs; and may be promoted or dismissed, upon review from the Executive Board.
B. Full Performingpersonnel who possess the skills sufficient to perform. Performing recruits may be issued a MN EMS HG uniform; must maintain specified abilities; must maintain attendance of fifty (50%)of events held; and shall have a voice and vote in MN EMS HG affairs.
C. Retired Full Performing Any active member of the MN EMS HG with greater then 5 years of membership who retires from a Minnesota Pre-Hospital EMS Unit with greater then 15 years, may request to the Executive Board to be a member of the MN EMS HG for a period of time till, the member retires his/her membership or position.
D. Honorary Members The Executive Board can consider and appoint a past member of the Honor Guard or a person in good standing with the MN EMS Honor Guard an Honorary Member. The Honorary member will have no voting rights, but may be able to represent him / her as MN EMS Honor Guard personnel when called upon by the Executive Board.
E. Inactive MemberA member of the Minnesota EMS Honor Guard can request a leave of absence from the guard and to be placed on an inactive status of membership. A member can request a total of twelve months of leave. The member must give a request in writing to a member of the Executive Board and be good in standing with payment of dues for the period of the leave. A letter of reactivation of membership will need to be presented. If a letter of re-activation is not received the member will be dismissed / terminated.
Section 4 Dues. The dues of all membership of the Association shall be assessed on the basis of
the fiscal year commencing January 1 of each year and ending December 31 of each
year. The Board of Directors shall set the amount of such dues for each year at the
beginning of each year.
(A) If the dues of any member of the Association are not received before the annual meeting of the current calendar year, the Association shall notify said member (s) of their delinquency by mail. If dues are not received within 30 days of said written notification the member shall forthwith cease to be member of the Association.
(B) If membership in the association is terminated for nonpayment of dues as provided in this article, the member in default may be reinstated as a member with credit for past membership by payment of delinquent dues.
Section 5 Resignation. Any member may resign at any time by giving written noticed to the
board of Directors, Secretary or to the Membership Services Officer. Such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at any later time specified therein; and unless otherwise specified therein, and acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any member who resigns their membership shall not be entitled to a refund of any dues or other payments made to this association.
Section 6 Association Property. Any member leaving the MN EMS HG must notify the Executive
Board in writing and surrender all MN EMS HG equipment and uniform items to an
Executive Board Member or to the Membership Services Officer within one week.
Section 7 Termination. Any member may be terminated by the Executive Board by providing the
member with not less then 15 days written noticed of the proposed termination and the
reason for it, and with an opportunity to be heard, orally or in writing, not less than 5
days before the effective date or proposed termination. Membership in the Association
shall be terminated for the reasons:
(A) For non payment of dues;
(B) By severance from official duties;
(C) By conduct unbecoming a member
(D) Failure to provide a reactivation letter to the Membership Services Officer
Section 8 A. Upon direction from the Executive Board, any member may be expelled for cause by
a two-thirds (67%) majority vote of the Voting Membership present at a MN EMS HG
meeting. (Proxy votes are NOT acceptable.) See Article IV. The member must be
notified by certified mail.
B. Any expelled member will be given the opportunity to appeal to the general membership for re-instatement at a special meeting called by the Commander. Expelled member must have two-thirds (67%) approval vote to be re-instated. (Proxy votes are NOT acceptable.).
ARTICLE V. MEETINGS & Drills
Section 1 Meetings. A MN EMS HG Annual General Business Meeting will be held with the
membership in May of each year, for the election of Commander if needed, the
presentation of reports on activities, and the financial condition of the association and
the transaction or such other business as may properly come before the meeting. The
meetings shall be held within the State of Minnesota set by the Executive Board. A
minimum of fifty one percent (51%) of the Voting Members present is considered a
quorum to conduct business. The Meeting will follow the Roberts Rule's of order.
Section 2 Written Ballot Any action that may be taken at an annual or special meeting of
member may be taken by written ballot without a meeting in accordance with the
procedures set forth in Minnesota Statutes, Section 317A.447 and Minnesota Statutes,
Section 317A.450. See attached Minnesota Statutes.
Section 3 Special Meeting. The Executive Board shall meet at the discretion of the Commander.
A minimum of fifty-one percent (51%) is considered a quorum for voting matters.
Section 4 Training. Training drills and locations of the drills will be scheduled at the discretion of
the Commander or his designee.
ARTICLE VI. ORGANIZATION
Section 1 General Powers. All Business, property and affairs of the Association shall be
Managed by its Executive Board as stated but not limited to in the Article VI, Section 5
Section 2 Commanding Officer. The Commanding Officer and the following positions shall be
appointed and considered the Executive Board. These appointments shall be submitted
to the Voting Membership for a vote of confirmation. The Commander will have the rank
of One Star and ranks for the remaining Officers shall be established by the
Commander.
Section 3 Executive Officer. An Executive Officer Shall be appointed from among the full
performing membership of the MN EMS HG by the Commander and ratified by the
Executive Board. Duties are to assist the Commander with operations of the MN EMS
Honor Guard and other duties as assigned by the Commander or designee
Secretary / Treasurer. A Secretary shall be appointed from among the full performing membership of the MN EMS HG. Duties will include, but not be limited to: minutes of meetings, attendance at meetings, membership lists of the voting members entitled to vote at the annual meeting and other duties as assigned by the Commander or designee. A Treasurer shall be appointed from among the Voting memberships of the HG EMS HG. Duties will include, but not be limited to: manage the budget, pay the operating expenses, and other duties as assigned by the Commander or designee.
Public Relations / Membership Services A Public Relations person / Membership Services shall be appointed from among the full performing members of the MN EMS HG. Duties will include, but not be limited to: contact for special events, fund raising, and other duties as assigned by the Commander or designee. Duties will include, but not be limited to: Contact with other organizations such as Minnesota Ambulance Association (MAA), Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Association (MFFMA), Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association (MN LEMA), lead point of contact for membership services and other duties as assigned by the Commander or designee.
Benefits Officer A Benefits Officer shall be appointed from among the full performing Membership of the MN EMS HG. Duties will include but not be limited to: keeping up to date on all benefits concerning a LODD, and other duties as assigned by the commander or designee.
Training Officer A Training Officer shall be appointed from the full performing membership of the MN EMS HG. Duties will include but not be limited to: drill training, funeral drill preparations, and other duties as assigned by the Commander or designee.
Regional Membership support A Regional Membership support officer shall assist with the training and a regional member's point of contact and other duties as assigned by the Commander or designee.
Alternate One and Two The Alternate One and Two Executive Board member with have duties as assigned by the Commander or designee.
Section 4 Executive Board Membership.
1. Commander
2. Executive Officer
3. Secretary / Treasurer
4. Public Relations / Membership Services
5. Benefits Officer
6. Training Officer
7. Regional Membership support
8. Regional Membership support
9. Regional Membership support
10. full performing
11. Alternate One
12. Alternate One
Section 5 Executive Board Duties
A. The Executive Board shall carry out duties, which pertain to maintaining the long-range goals and financial well being of MN EMS HG, set policies, not contrary to these Bylaws, and shall review and recommend Bylaw amendments.
B. An Executive Board meeting shall be held at least once quarterly, or at the discretion of the Commander.
C. Five (5) members of the Executive Board are considered a quorum to conduct business.
D. The Executive Board shall act as a Review Board in such case as needed
E. Any Member of MN EMS HG may submit a written petition for a Special Executive Board meeting to any one of the Executive Board members. Either the Commander or Executive Officer, only, shall call this Special Executive Board meeting within two weeks of the request.
F. Vacancies. Any Vacancy occurring in the Executive Board may be filled by appointment made by the remaining Board Members. And be filled for the remaining term of the office.
ARTICLE VII. VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
Section 1 Any member of the Executive Board may be dismissed for a vote of "no confidence." If more than two-thirds (67%) of the Full Performing Membership present at a MN EMS HG meeting vote "no confidence, the member in question is placed as a Limited Performing member. (Proxy votes are NOT acceptable.) See Article IV.
ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS
Section 1 A. The Executive Board may recommend amendments to these Bylaws. In addition, the Board of Directors shall review and approve suggested amendments to the Bylaws.
B. The approved amendments shall be ratified by a two-thirds (67%) majority vote of the Voting Membership present at the Annual General Business Meeting.-(Proxy votes are NOT acceptable.)
