FASCOE

Revision XIII

November 2008

CONSTITUTION AND BY LAWS

For the Florida Association of State and County FSA Employees

“FASCOE”

ARTICLE I – NAME AND OBJECT

SECTION 1

This association shall be known as the Florida Association of State and County Office FSA Employees.  Abbreviation: FASCOE

SECTION 2

The objectives of this association shall be:

1.  To strive to maintain and improve the confidence, esteem and respect of the public for

      the FSA County Office Employees

2.  To cooperate with the Florida State FSA Committee, State Executive Director, and his

     staff to improve FSA in Florida.

3.  To be placed on equal privileges with other Federal Employees.

ARTICLE II – QUALIFICATIONS

SECTION 1

Any Florida FSA County Office Employee serving under a permanent and temporary appointment may become a regular member of this association by paying annual membership dues, regardless of whether County Employee or Federal Employee.  Members who join FASCOE within their first year of FASCOE/NASCOE eligibility and maintain continuous membership status until retirement shall be eligible for Honorary Lifetime Membership in FASCOE/NASCOE.   Other retired Florida FSA County Office Employees, Florida State Office FSA personnel and State and County FSA Committeemen may also join as Associate members.

ARTICLE III – OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

SECTION 1

The officers of this association shall be President, Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer.  These officers shall be elected by the entire membership and shall hold Office as follows, for one year or until a   successor is elected or appointed:  The Office of President and Vice-President shall be limited to two (2) one year terms in succession for that office.  The office of Secretary-Treasurer shall be a two (2) year term, but not limited.

SECTION 2

A Reporter shall be elected by the entire membership and shall serve as an official member of the executive board.  The office of Reporter shall be for one year, but not limited.

SECTION 3

A FASCOE Director shall be elected from each of the FSA District Directors District, by the members within said district.  A District shall hold office for Two years or until a successor is elected or appointed.

SECTION 4

The Officers, Directors, and Reporter shall take office on October 1.

SECTION 5

The elected officers and the immediate past president shall constitute the Executive Committee.  The Executive Committee and the District Directors shall constitute the Executive Board.  The Reporter shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Executive Board.  The Executive Board shall have the power to transact the business of the Association, subject to the approval of the membership.

SECTION 6

No person may, at the same time, serve as both Officer and District Director or Reporter.

SECTION 7

Members in arrears of their dues shall be ineligible to be nominated for, or to hold office in the association.   In the event than an Officer, Director or Reporter is delinquent in paying dues they shall be declared ineligible to continue in that office by the Executive Board and a qualified replacement shall be appointed by the Executive Board.

SECTION 8

The President and Secretary-Treasurer shall serve as delegates at the National Convention.  In the event the President or Secretary-Treasurer is unable to assume this responsibility the President shall appoint delegates from the membership of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE IV-NOMINATING, VOTING AND ELECTIONS

SECTION 1

Nominations of a minimum of one (1) candidate for each of the offices of President, Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer of this association shall be by petition signed by three (3) or more regular members of the association for each petition.  Petitions shall be submitted to the Secretary-Treasurer.            All nominees and regular members signing petitions shall be members in good standing and shall not be delinquent in payment of dues.  Temporary employees are eligible to nominate and vote, but not eligible to run for office.  Nominations for the office of Reporter may be voluntary or by petition.  If by petition, the person being nominated must agree to serve by signing the nominating petition.  Nominees and regular members signing petitions for Reporter shall be members in good standing and shall not be delinquent in payment of dues.  If no petitions are received by August 20^th, the Executive Board shall serve as nominating committee for placing the required number of names on the ballot.  If only one nominee is placed on the ballot the nominee will be appointed by the Executive Board

SECTION 2

Nomination of a minimum of one (1) candidate from a district for office of District Director shall be by written Petition signed by at least three (3) regular members employed in the respective District.  If at least one (1) Petition is not received from a district by August 20^th in the respective districts election year, the Executive Board shall serve as nominating committee, and place the name of at least one qualified member on the ballot.  Each District Director shall be elected for a two (2) year term of office.  They shall be elected in even numbered district in even numbered years and in odd numbered districts in odd numbered years.  If only one nominee is placed on the ballot the nominee will be appointed by the Executive Board.

SECTION 3

            The election calendar shall be as follows:

SECTION 4

A certification shall be placed on the ballot envelope stating, “This ballot was voted by the undersigned, who is a member in good standing.”  Failure to sign this statement will invalidate a ballot and it will not be counted.

SECTION 5

Ballots will be returned to a three (3) member Tabulating Board which shall be appointed by the President, and which shall tabulate the ballots.  In case of a tie vote, it will be settled by lot.  When there are more than two (2) candidates for an office, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes will be declared the winner.

SECTION 6

Ballots and related election materials shall be retained for thirty (30) days by the Tabulating Board.  If no question on the election is raised, election materials shall be destroyed at the end of a thirty (30) day period.

ARTICLE V – MEETINGS

SECTION 1

Meetings of this association may be held at the discretion of the Executive Board.

SECTION 2

Meetings of the Executive Board will be held at the call of the President and/or a majority of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES

SECTION 1

All committees shall be appointed by the President.

SECTION 2

The number of committees, the nature and extent of their duties shall be such, as the Executive Board believes will best execute the program of work of the association.

ARTICLE VII – DUES

SECTION 1

The annual membership dues for permanent full time employees shall be twenty-five tenths of one percent (.0025)) of the beginning salary for each grade, rounded to the nearest dollar, based on the salary scale in effect on July 1 of each year.  Annual dues for permanent part-time employees shall be twenty-five tenths of one percent (.0025) of their actual computed annual salary based on the grade and tour of duty as of July 1 each year, but in no case less than $55.00.  Annual dues for associate members shall be $30.00

SECTION 2

All dues shall be due on July 1.  A notice of amount due shall be mailed to all regular members, associate members, and prospective members on or before June 1.

ARTICLE VIII – QUORUMS

SECTION 1

A quorum at a called meeting shall consist of one-third (1/3) of the members of this association.

SECTION 2

A quorum of the Executive Board shall consist of a majority of the same board.

ARTICLE IX – CONDUCT OF MEETINGS

SECTION 1

Roberts Rules of Order shall cover the discussions and parliamentary procedure in all meetings of this association.

ARTICLE X – VACANCIES

SECTION 1

The Vice-President shall serve in the absence or inability of the President

SECTION 2

In the absence, disability, or removal for cause of the Vice-President or the Secretary-Treasurer, that office, in either case, shall be filled until the next regular election thereafter by remaining members of the Executive Board.

SECTION 3

A District Director vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the Executive Board.

SECTION 4

A Reporter vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the Executive Board.

SECTION 5

Vacancies shall be filled as soon as practical, but in no case later than thirty (30) days after the vacancy occurs.

ARTICLE XI – FINANCIAL MATTERS

SECTION 1

The Secretary-Treasurer shall deposit all funds of this association in an accredited bank designed by the Executive Board as the depository of the funds of the association and keep adequate records of collections and withdrawals.

SECTION 2

The President or Secretary-Treasurer must approve the withdrawal of any or all funds from the Association’s account(s).

SECTION 3

The Executive Board may refuse to pay any expense incurred by a person or committee until all required expense accounts are properly presented to and filed with the Secretary-Treasurer and have been approved by the Executive Committee.

SECTION 4

When expenses are to be reimbursed to members, such reimbursement shall not exceed expenses incurred.  Reimbursable travel expenses shall be limited to lodging cost and mileage, or cost of commercial travel.  The mileage allowance rate shall be the same as that of all official FSA travel.

ARTICLE XII – AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1

This constitution and by-laws may be amended revised or repealed at any time upon presentation to the members and by an affirmation vote of two-thirds (2/3) of said members voting.

SECTION 2

All approved amendments or revisions shall become effective immediately.