CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

ROSE OF SHARON, LODGE NO. 3

FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

ORGANIZED IN SHARON, PENNSYLVANIA

SEPTEMBER 22, 1943

AMENDED AND APPROVED AS OF

THE FOURTH OF JUNE 1984

PREAMBLE

WHEREAS:

By association we have facility of mutual interchange of thought information and the experience of each becomes common to all, which always results in a higher development of our intellectual, moral, and social faculties and enables us to share in the Gaines and honors of advancing civilization:

THEREFORE:

We of the Sharon, Pennsylvania police department convinced that it is to the best interest of all, hereby unite under the name of the Fraternal Order of Police, and believing the intelligence, industry and normal worth are the true standards of greatness, do hereby pledge ourselves to use all honorable means to promote sociability and fraternity among the members of this order. We hereby agree to submit and be guided by the Constitution and By-Laws of the National and State bodies of the Fraternal Order of Police.

The Fraternal Order of Police is not and will not affiliate with any labor organization.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. Call to order

2. Roll call of officers

3. The reading of the minutes of the proceeding meeting

4. Proposal and balloting for candidates

5. Reports of officers and committees

6. Bills and communications

7. Unfinished business

8. New Business

9. Good of the Order

10. Adjournment

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I

NAME

Section 1: This organization shall be known as the Rose of Sharon, Lodge No 3, Fraternal Order of Police.

Section 2: The Fraternal Order of Police is an organization of police sworn to enforce the laws impartially under all circumstances and has no other affiliations.

ARTICLE II

AIMS / OBJECTIVES

Section 1: This organization is formed for the purpose of bettering existing conditions for the police of this city and to promote personal and efficient co-operation between the police officers to the end that the public may be better served in the consideration of law and law enforcement.

Section 2: Advancing social, charitable, and educational undertakings among the police of this city.

Section 3: The Fraternal Order of Police denounces disloyalty and our oath of obligation binds us to our allegiance to these United States.

Section 4: We stand for justice to humanity and for its right, safety and development. We believe in the equality of all before the law.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIPS

Section 1: Race, color nor creed shall bar anyone from this membership.

Section 2: There shall be three classes of memberships: Active, Honorary and Associate.

Section 2 (a): Any regularly appointed and full time employed police officer in the jurisdiction of the city of Sharon, Pennsylvania shall be eligible for membership in the Fraternal Order of Police, subject to the provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Order.

Section 2 (b): Any member retiring from the police department and wishing to discontinue his active membership may be granted and Honorary card. This must be done upon application to the Grand Lodge.

Section 2 (c): Associate members shall be persons of good moral character who are lawfully employed and whose associations are above reproach. They shall not be associated directly or indirectly with any person / persons whose reputation, character or occupation is questionable. The regular dues of associates shall be Twenty-Five dollars ($25.00) per annum. This amount is to be considered as the initiation fee and the first years dues or remaining part thereof.

Section 2 (d): Each member of the Fraternal Order of Police shall have the privilege of getting unlimited members as associates. Each regular member who sponsors an associate member shall be responsible for their conduct.

Section 2 (e) After their acceptance they shall receive of the Financial Secretary an identification card and an auto emblem, both of which shall remain the property of this Lodge or its officers on request whenever, for any reason, such membership shall be revoked and its privileges forfeited. Associates and Honorary members shall have no voice in the deliberations of the Lodge.

Section 2 (f): There shall be a committee named by the President of the Lodge known as the Fraternal Order of Police Associate Investigating Committee. This committee shall get the names/names of associate applicants from the regular members and investigate such applicants. After complete investigation the findings of the committee shall be reported to the Lodge for approval or rejection. The approval or rejection of any associate member shall be governed by a 2/3 vote of those present at any meeting.

Section 2 (g): Associate members who are one (1) year in arrears in dues shall not be in good standing and after three (3) years of being in arrears shall make a new application for admittance to the association.

Section 2 (h): No associate member shall be sold or given more than one (1) FOPA frame or emblem for each car, unless he/she can show proof that the original was either lost or stolen.

Section 2 (i): The fiscal year of the FOPA shall begin October 1 and end September 30.

Section 3 (a): Active members shall authorize dues deducted from their pay quarterly.

Section 4: Any member of the Fraternal Order of Police in good standing at the time of his retirement from the police department may retain his membership in the Lodge, and the Lodge shall pay their annual dues and per capita taxes.

Section 5: Any member who makes statements detrimental to the FOP, or to any other member thereof in said brothers capacity as a brother in the FOP, without pursuing the Lodges established methods and ways shall be suspended from the Lodge.

Section 6: No member shall coerce, punish, threaten punishment, or cause to be punished, another member because of said members stand on any issue under consideration by an FOP Lodge.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 3: The officers of the Rose of Sharon, Lodge No 3, shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Conductor and three (3) trustees.

Section 4: Any officer performing duties for the Lodge, by its order, which compels him to cease regular employment, shall receive compensation not less than his regular salary.

Section 5: Any officer may resign his office at any time, provided there are no charges existing against him; and in that case of the Financial Secretary or Treasurer, provided the trustees find his accounts correct.

ARTICLE V

DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT

The President shall preside at all meetings of the Lodge. He shall decide all points of law and order arising in the Order; he shall appoint the majority of all committees and shall be ex-officio member of all such committees.

He shall, in case of a tie, have the deciding vote on any question except elections.

He shall sign all warrants drawn on the Treasurer for which appropriations shall have been made by the Lodge; or shall sign all orders, vouchers and documents which are necessary and passed by the Lodge.

He shall call special meetings upon request of seven (7) members but no business shall be transacted other than that specified in the notice thereof. A notice of the special meeting must be sent to all members or posted in a conspicuous place five (5) days prior to the meeting.

He shall fill all vacancies in office caused by absence.

He shall also transact such business as may be custom appertaining to his office.

ARTICLE VI

DUTIES OF VICE-PRESIDENT

The Vice-President shall assist the President in the performance of his duties. In the absence of the President, the powers and duties of the office shall be exercised by the Vice-President.

He shall appoint the minority of members of all committees.

ARTICLE VII

DUTIES OF RECORDING SECRETARY

The Recording Secretary shall have the general custody of the seal and all books, documents, papers, and records of the Lodge, not otherwise entrusted to other officers or committees. He shall take and transcribe the minutes of all meetings of the Lodge and shall submit the same for approval or amendments at the next meeting. He shall give notice of all such meetings, regular or special, and shall conduct the correspondence of the Lodge. He shall with the President attest and seal all duly authorized and approved contracts of the Lodge and keep copies, thereof, in his file. At the expiration of his term of office, he shall deliver to his successor. The seal and all books and papers in his possession.

He shall keep an Obituary Record of all deceased members of the Organization.

ARTICLE VIII

DUTIES OF TREASURER

Section 1: The Treasurer shall receive and take charge of all monies belonging to the Lodge. All money transactions shall go through the Treasurer books, both income and expenses; all monies to be kept in a bank of the Lodges choice.

Section 2: He shall attest and pay all money orders on the treasury, every month, and all monies received or expended.

Section 3: He shall report to the Lodge at the first regular meeting, every month, all monies received and expended.

Section 4: He shall give up all or any books or records to the Trustees for examination or audit whenever called upon to do so.

Section 5: He shall deliver to his successor in office all books and monies in his possession.

ARTICLE IX

DUTIES OF FINANCIAL-SECRETARY

The Financial Secretary shall have the general custody of all books, documents, papers and records of the FOPA.

Section 1: He shall attest and pay all money orders on the treasury, signed by the President.

Section 2: He shall deliver to his successor in office all books / monies in his possession.

ARTICLE X

DUTIES OF THE CONDUCTOR

The Conductor shall examine all receipts, take up the password, and see that all present are entitled to remain and report the same to the President, and shall perform such duties as the President may request.

He shall conduct the Candidates through the Initiation Ceremony and introduce them to the members of the Order.

ARTICLE XI

DUTIES OF THE TRUSTEES

The Trustees shall have charge of all properties of the Lodge. They shall designate the amount of bond for the Financial Secretary and Treasurer.

They shall have the authority to call for and receive from the officers of the Lodge, all books, bills accounts, etc. for examination and shall report the true condition, in writing, of the finances of the Lodge semi-annually.

ARTICLE XII

NOMINATION AND ELECTION

OF OFFICERS AND DELEGATES

Any active member in good standing for a period of one (1) year or more, actively engaged in police work, or any active member in good standing for a period of one (1) year or more at the time of their retirement on pension from the Lodge, shall be eligible to hold office provided they had attended six (6) meetings during the year proceeding his nomination.

Nominations of officers and any delegate/delegates to the annual State and National conventions, shall be held at the first regular meeting in November of the election year.

The election of officers and delegates to the annual State and National conventions, shall be held at the first regular meeting in December of the election year. All candidates are to be elected by ballot and those receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected.

In the election of delegates to the State/National conventions and meetings, the member receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared the delegate and the member receiving the next highest number votes shall be declared the alternate.

In case of a tie between any nominee for any office, a run off vote shall be held, and the person receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared the winner.

Election shall be held by secret ballot in a locked ballot box entrusted to the election committee during the hours of 6 A.M. and 9:45 P.M. on the day of the regular scheduled meeting in December of the election year.

The newly elected officers and delegates shall be installed at the first regular meeting in January of the election year. The newly elected shall be installed by the immediate past President or any member of the FOP holding an office higher then that of past President.

For a period of one (1) year, a laid off police officer shall have active status in the FOP after which it shall be voted upon.

Any member in good standing, who is absent because of regular police duties, shall have the privilege of voting in the election of delegates and officers.

Section 1: The President shall appoint two (2) members and the Vice-President shall appoint one (1) member to the election committee. No member who is a nominee for any office of the Lodge, may serve on the election committee for that year. The duties of the committee will be to check the eligibility of each candidate, and report within fifteen (15) days after the nominations to the candidates as to their eligibility for office. They shall also tally ballots for the election.

ARTICLE XIII

DUES AND ASSESSMENTS

1) When two thirds (2/3) of the members present at any regular meeting desire an assessment to be levied, the same may be ordered by the President and every member notified in writing of the proposed assessment and the same paid to the Treasurer within thirty (30) days from the date of which the assessment falls due.

2) Money collected from said assessment shall be devoted for the purpose that the said assessment was levied and any surplus shall be turned over to the general fund. The Lodge may make any appropriation to make up any shortage that might occur for any assessment purpose, due notice be given for the same.

3) The dues of the Lodge shall be four ($4.00) dollars per month deducted from the members’ pay monthly.

ARTICLE XIV

MEETINGS

1) A Lodge meeting must be held at least once a month.

2) The President of the Lodge shall call the regular monthly meeting of the Lodge within the first ten (10) days of the month. The time shall be 9:00 p.m. of the day set by the President.

3) Special meetings may be called by the President upon the petition of seven (7) members of the Lodge, provided a notice of such meetings be sent to each member or posted in a conspicuous place five (5) days prior to the called meeting, together with a notice of the purpose of the meeting. No other business can be transacted.

4) Seven (7) members shall constitute a quorum for legal transaction of business.

5) Any member appearing later than fifteen (15) minutes after the regular or special meeting is called to order by the President shall not be credited with attending the meeting.

ARTICLE XV

ALTERATIONS AND AMENDMENTS

1) Alterations and amendments of this Constitution shall be presented in writing and read at two (2) consecutive meetings, final action taken on the second reading by a two thirds (2/3) vote of all members present.

ARTICLE XVI

PROCEDURE FOR ORDER

2) All points of law and order shall be guided by the Constitution and By-laws, and where the same is silent, by “Roberts Rules of Order”.

ARTICLE XVII

LEGAL AID SECTION

1) A standing legal aid committee will be established consisting of no less than three (3) members, one (1) of whom shall act as chairman. As is consistent with the By-laws the president shall appoint the majority of the committee and the vice-president shall appoint the minority members of said committee.

2) There shall be a maximum of twenty five hundred ($2,500.00) available for any given case provided for by its (case) merit.

3) Only under “emergency circumstances” shall the committee be allowed to approve more than the maximum amount.

A) Emergency circumstances shall be described as a circumstance so serious that it couldn’t wait for lodge approval.

1) EXAMPLE: An officer is arrested and the hearing would be held before the lodge could assemble for an approval vote at a regular meeting.

4) Under all circumstances other than the above approval by the lodge shall be necessary in order to support the legal aid.

5) Legal aid shall be granted only in cases of a member’s defense; never for prosecution purposes.

6) The lodge shall establish a list of attorneys, that not being more than three (3) with whom they shall conduct official business with (i.e.) for a defense of a member one or all of these attorneys shall be deemed lodge attorney’s and provided a member uses one or all of these, all of the fee will be paid by the lodge up to the maximum allowed. If a member chooses to use his own attorney, the lodge may place a limit on the amount they will pay.

7) The funds to be specified for the legal aid section may be kept in the lodge general fund or any other type of account that the membership shall deem proper.

ARTICLE XVIII

PROCEDURE FOR USE OF LEGAL AID

1) A member desiring to use the legal aid provided herein shall first approach the Chairman of the Committee with all the pertinent facts of the case.

2) The chairman shall then meet with the committee en-bloc and, if they agree the case has merit, it shall then be brought before the membership for a vote.

3) If approval is given by the lodge, the member requesting the aid shall then be notified in writing of such approval within three (3) days of the approval and go forth with the case.

ARTICLE XIX

FLOWER FUND

1) Persons to receive flowers from the lodge at the time of their death shall be as follows:

(1) Active members;

(2) Associate members;

(3) Active member’s wife;

(4) Active member’s children;

(5) Active member’s mother;

(6) Active member’s father;

(7) Active member’s father-in-law;

(8) Active member’s mother-in-law;

(9) Active member’s brother;

(10) Active member’s sister;

(11) All active members of the FOP from other Police Departments in the immediate vicinity;

(12) Active member’s foster children; and

(13) Active member’s step-father and/or step-mother.

BURIAL RITUAL

“We come to pay our last respects to the member of the Fraternal Order of Police who has answered his last call on earth. He has gone out on his last assignment of duty. He has been promoted and we gather to honor his memory. We shall never be the same because we have known him and we are affected by everyone whom we know. So, because we have known and because he has served in the dangerous, and the enforcement of law, as fellow police officers, we take time amid the busy rush of this world to stand quietly for these moments and express the sadness in our hearts and by our presence here, show our real sense of loss and our determination that he shall not be forgotten.

We gather here to salute as a real officer and a real gentleman, this comrade of our, who has left us. We petition the King of Kings, to write all his faults in the sand so that the wind can blow them away.

Let us pray: Our Father, we Pray that in this hour of our need, thou shall be very near. May thy blessing of helpfulness be with everyone that mourns. Hold in the arms of Thine Infinite love the relatives and family of our departed comrade and as we are reminded by this occasion of the shortness of life and the need for our doing now that which we are to do, we ask that Thou wilt help us to be better men and officers. May Thou blessing surround and keep us all. AMEN.

And now, would every police officer stand at attention in silence for a moment as we salute once more, and for the last time, this departed member of our order.