Article I
The Organization shall be known as the East Penn Technical Search and Rescue Team Inc.
Article II
The East Penn Technical Search and Rescue Team is an Organization that encourages excellence to its members by providing ongoing opportunities
for training and professional development. Our objectives and purpose are to provide trained search and rescue personnel for lost person incidents,
to provide technical rescue if required and to evacuate injured or lost individuals from rough terrain or hazardous environments. We also provide
trained personnel to respond to Water / Ice Emergencies, Technical Rope, Confined Space and Light Framed Urban (Collapsed Structure) Search
and Rescue Operations.
Article III
The membership of the Organization shall be divided into four categories:
A. Active
B. Inactive
C. Honorary
D. Junior
E. Auxiliary
Section A
Membership definitions:
Active: An Active Member must be 18 years of age or older. An Active Member must not miss more than four regular monthly business meetings in
succession. They must also attend 50% of all functions. Membership status will be reviewed quarterly!
Inactive: An Inactive Member must be 18 years of age or older. Any member who for physical reasons cannot be an Active Member, or who does not
meet the active member requirements or is unable to attend duty, meetings or fundraising events due to school, military duty, work, or sickness shall be
considered an inactive member until such time they can fulfill the criteria of an active member. Any inactive member who has been inactive for a period of 1
year or more will be reviewed. In order to be reinstated as an active member, he or she must reapply as a new member. Inactive members may not respond
to any search and rescue operations, make motions, or discuss motions on the floor. Inactive members may not transmit on any East Penn Technical Search
& Rescue Team frequencies.
Honorary: An honorary member shall be bestowed to a member by a 2/3 majority vote of all active members present at a regular monthly business meeting
to persons deserving Honorary Membership.
Junior: A junior member must be between the ages of 14 and 18 years of age. They must possess the proper working papers with their parent and/or
guardians signature. They must also conform to all state and federal child labor law regulations. Junior members cannot respond after midnight up through
06:00 am. If a junior member is on an emergency scene before midnight, they may remain on scene with parents and/or guardians written consent.
Auxiliary: An auxiliary member must be at least 18 years of age. They will provide support to the East Penn Technical Search and Rescue Team in areas
of administration, fund-raisers and resources. They will not be required to attend missions or training. They will be encouraged to attend monthly meetings
to keep them abreast of team business. They will not have voting rights. (Discuss)
Section B
Application for membership
An application for membership shall be in writing on an application form provided by the East Penn Technical Search and Rescue Team and will be
presented by the applicant at a regular monthly business meeting. The membership committee, prior to the next meeting will review all applications and set up
a face to face interview with the applicant. Once this process is complete, the committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors in regard to
approval or denial of the application. The Board of Directors will make a decision based on all information provided and the recommendation of the
membership committee and inform the applicant of their decision at the next business meeting. If approved, the applicant must then serve a 6-month
probationary period in which time the new member must then fulfill all active membership requirements and training. Members shall be elected by 2/3 vote of
the Board of Directors.
Article IV
Election of Officers
Section A
The Line Officers shall consist of the Chief, Assistant Chief, Captain, 1st Lieutenant and 2nd Lieutenant. The Executive Officers shall consist of the President,
Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Nomination of the above mentioned officers will be held annually at the November monthly business meeting and
again at the December monthly business meeting. Election of officers shall take place after nominations close at the December business meeting. All elected
officers must be trained within three months of being elected or voted into their office.
Section B
The requirements for both Line and Executive officers will stand set forth as follows:
President: Shall be an active member for two years.
Vice-President: Shall be an active member for two years.
Secretary: Shall be active member for one year.
Treasurer: Shall be an active member for one year.
Chief: Must be at least 21 years of age.
Must be an active member for at least three years.
Must have at least three years Search experience.
Must have at least three years Technical Rescue experience.
Must possess a Managing Search Operations Certification.
Must possess a NFPA Incident Command Systems Certification or equivalent
Must possess IS-100, IS-200, IS-700 & IS-800 Certifications
Must possess a Bloodborne & Airborne Pathogens Certification.
Must possess a PA Water Rescue I Certification or equivalent.
Must possess a Hazmat Operations Certification or equivalent.
Must possess Rope Rescue 1 & II Certifications or equivalent
Must possess a Basic Ropes and Rigging Certification or equivalent.
Must possess a Structural Collapse Level I Certification or equivalent
Must possess a Structural Collapse Level II Certification or equivalent
Must possess a FTL or SARTECH II Certification
Assistant Chief: Must be at least 21 years of age.
Must be an active member for at least three years.
Must have at least two years Search experience.
Must have at least two years Technical Rescue experience.
Must possess a Managing Search Operations Certification.
Must possess a NFPA Incident Command Systems Certification or equivalent
Must possess IS-100, IS-200, IS-700 & IS-800 Certifications
Must possess a Bloodborne & Airborne Pathogens Certification.
Must possess a PA Water Rescue I Certification or equivalent.
Must possess a Hazmat Operations Certification or equivalent.
Must possess a Rope Rescue I Certification or equivalent.
Must possess a Basic Rope and Rigging Certification or equivalent
Must possess a Structural Collapse Level I Certification or equivalent
Must possess a Structural Collapse Level II Certification or equivalent
Must possess FTL or SARTECH II Certification
Shall be in command in the absence of the Chief.
Captain: Must be an active member for at least two years.
Must have at least two years Search experience.
Must have at least two years Technical Rescue experience.
Must possess Managing Search Operations or Incident Command System Certification or equivalent
Must possess IS-100, IS-200 & IS-700 Certifications
Must possess a Bloodborne & Airborne Pathogens Certification.
Must possess Grid I & II Certification or equivalent.
Must possess Water Rescue I Certification or equivalent
Must possess a Hazmat Awareness Certification or equivalent
Must possess Rope Rescue I Certification or equivalent.
Must possess FTM or SARTECH III Certification
Shall be in command in the absence of the Chief and Asst. Chief.
Lieutenants: Must be an active member for one year.
Must have one year Search experience
Must possess IS-100, IS-200 & IS-700
Must possess a Bloodborne & Airborne Pathogens Certification.
Must possess Wilderness SAR Responder or Grid I & II
Must possess Water Rescue I or Rope Rescue I or equivalent.
Must possess a Hazmat Awareness Certification or equivalent
Must possess FTM or SARTECH III
Shall be in command in the absence of the Chief, Asst. Chief and Captain.
Section C
Duties of Officers
Chief: Shall command the organization when on duty at a search, training drills or at any other team function. The Chief shall see that all equipment in the
possession of or belonging to the team is kept in good repair. The Chief shall be responsible for the safety of every member while on a Search and Rescue
Operation. Chief shall see that a record of all attending the team functions is being maintained. The Chief shall be able to spend up to $1OO as well as sign
a check in an EMERGENCY, which shall be discussed at the next monthly business meeting.
Assistant Chief: Shall be the duty to assist the Chief in the discharge of duties, to obey all orders received from the Chief and in the absence or at the
Chiefs request take command and perform all the duties of the Chief.
Captain: Shall be the duty to assist both the Chief and Assistant Chief in the discharge of duties.
1st and 2nd Lieutenant: Shall be the duty to assist the Chief, Assistant Chief, and the Captain in their duties. Lieutenants shall present an equipment
checklist form to the Chief at least once every other month prior to the next monthly business meeting.
Executive Officers:
1. The executive officers of the corporation shall be chosen by the members and shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and such other
officers and assistant officers as the needs of the corporation may require. The President and Secretary shall be natural persons of full age; the
Treasurer, however, may be a corporation, but if a natural person, shall be of full age. They shall hold their offices for a term of 1 year and shall have
such authority and shall perform such duties as are provided by the By-Laws and as shall from time to time be prescribed by the members. It shall not
be necessary for the officers to be directors and any number of offices may be held by the same person.
2. Any officer or agent may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment the best interests of the corporation will be served thereby,
but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights of any person so removed.
President: It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings, to call special meetings of all the team at written request of five members, or
whenever the President thinks proper, to decide all points of order, to see that each subordinate officer performs his/her duties, to cast the deciding vote in
case of a tie and to enforce all bylaws as set forth to the best of his ability. The President shall have the power to appoint all committees not otherwise
provided and any member so appointed shall perform his/her duties. The President together with the Treasurer shall sign all checks, notes and drafts issued
by the organization and give bond as the organization decides. All checks, notes and drafts greater than $100.00 must be discussed and approved by a 2/3
majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Vice-President: It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to perform the duties of the President when absent.
Secretary: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a correct record of the meetings, serve notice of the meetings where so decided by the President or
the organization, notify persons of their election or rejection and keep a correct account of all Search and Rescue operations. The Secretary shall have the
books at every meeting. The Secretary shall have the power to sign checks in the absence of the President or Treasurer.
Treasurer: Shall receive all monies, pay all debts, keep a receipt of all monies expended and keep a correct amount of all financial transactions. The
Treasurer shall make a monthly report. He/She shall make deposits into the bank that has been designated and approved by the organization. The Treasurer
shall have the books ready at all times for inspection when ordered to do so by the President. The Treasurer along with the President shall sign all checks,
notes and drafts issued by the Team. The Treasurer shall upon retirement from office, turn over to the successor all monies, books, papers and other
records in his/her possession.
Section D
Vacancy in Office
If a vacancy occurs in office during the fiscal year for any reason, the position will be filled by a 2/3 majority vote by the Board of Directors. Any active
member, who meets all the requirements as set forth in the Constitution and By-Laws and meets the Board of Directors approval, shall be eligible for any
vacancy.
Section E
Duties of Members
1. It shall be the duty of all members to respond promptly and safely to all emergency calls. Personnel and equipment should respond only when
requested or when dispatched by an appropriate authority.
2. When a member arrives on scene, they must formally check/sign in. NO EXCEPTIONS!
3. The member shall be subject to the orders of the Officer in command until the organization is dismissed.
4. It shall be the duty of all members to attend at least 50% of meetings and functions of the East Penn Technical Search & Rescue Team.
5. Any member refusing or neglecting to obey orders of the Officer in command while on duty shall be on report to the organization.
6. It is the duty of all members to obtain First Aid, CPR, AED, IS-100, IS-200 & IS-700 training and certification.
7. All members must participate in at least 50% of all fundraising events each year.
8. No Member shall attend an official function under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.
9. New members must obtain a backpack, daypack or fanny pack during their six month probationary period.
10. All new members must participate in one certified training class within one year.
11. Everybody must wear proper protective equipment suitable for the environment.
12. Blue lights will be permitted but must be registered with the Chief. At no time will Speeding, Running Stop Signs, Tailgating or other reckless
acts be tolerated. Repeated violations may result in loss of blue light privileges or suspension.
13. Volunteers responding in personal vehicles must obey the State motor vehicle code with respect to courtesy lights and siren privileges.
14. Volunteers responding in personal vehicles should come to a complete stop at all stop signs and traffic signals and must wait for normal right of way
before proceeding.
15. Individual volunteers driving to an incident must have a valid drivers license, registration and auto liability insurance with the appropriate liability limits.
16. To drive or operate any EPTSAR Emergency Vehicle, you must first participate in an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) and
have a minimum of 8 hours (on the road) driver training.
Article V
Section A
Order of Business
1. Roll Call
2. Reading of the Minutes
3. Treasurers Report/Bills Presented
4. Report of Officers and Committees
5. Resignations, Suspensions and Expulsions
6. Membership Committee
7. Unfinished Business
8. New Business
9. Nominations
10. Good and Welfare
11. Adjournment
Section B
Rules of Order
The President shall conduct the meeting according to the Order of Business, and decide all debates and question by vote of the membership present. In the
case of the absence of the President, the Vice-President or the Secretary and then the Treasurer shall fill the chair.
l. Each member when given permission from the chair, shall speak confining themselves to the question under debate and avoid personalities.
2. If two or more members speak at the same time, the Chair shall decide which is entitled to the floor.
3. No member shall be interrupted while speaking except at the request of the Chair and shall wait until the order of question is decided. When permitted,
they shall proceed.
4. All members have the right to express their opinion, but in turn.
5. No motion shall be subject for debate and/or take action on until it has been seconded and stated by the Chair.
6. The first person named on a committee shall be the chairperson unless otherwise decided by the Chair. The Chairperson shall report the decisions
reached by the committees at the regular monthly business meeting.
7. No committee shall be discharged until all accounts and bills contracted by it are settled.
8. Every member shall be furnished with a copy of the by-laws.
Section C
Meetings
1. Meetings of the members shall be held at the Monroe County Public Safety Center, or at such other places within or without the Comm. of Pa., as may
from time to time be fixed by the Board of Directors.
2. The annual meeting of the members shall be held on the third Saturday of December in each year if not a legal holiday, then on the next full business day
at 3:00 p.m., when they shall elect the Board of Directors and transact such business as may properly be brought before the meeting. If the annual
meeting shall not be called and held within 6 days after the designated time, any member may call such meeting.
3. Written notice of every meeting of the members, stating the time, shall be given by, or at the direction of the Secretary to each member entitled to vote at
the meeting, at least 5 days prior to the day for the meeting, unless greater period of notice is required by statute in a particular case. If the Secretary
shall neglect or refuse to give notice of the meeting, the person or persons may do so. In the case of a special meeting, the notice shall specify the general
nature of the business to be transacted.
4. Persons authorized or required to give notice of a meeting of the members may, in lieu of any written notice of a meeting of the members required
to be given notice of such meeting by causing notice of such meeting to be officially published. If 80% of the members on record entitled to vote at
the meeting do not have addresses on record within the territory of general circulation of the newspapers required for official publication, the notice shall
also be published in newspapers which have an aggregate territory, or general circulation, which includes the addresses on record.
5. A meeting of members duly called shall not be organized for the transaction of business unless a quorum is present. The presence in person of 7
members entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the members for the transaction of business except as may be otherwise provided
by law or by the articles of incorporation. The members present at a duly organized meeting can continue to do business until adjournment,
notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough members to leave less than a quorum. If a meeting cannot be organized because a quorum has not attended,
those present may except otherwise provided by a statute, adjourn the meeting to such time and place as they may determine, but in the case of any
meeting called for the election of directors, those who attend the second of such adjourned meetings, although less than a quorum, shall nevertheless
constitute a quorum for the purpose of electing directors. In the case of any meeting called for any other purpose those who attended the second of
such adjourned meetings, although less than a quorum, shall nevertheless constitute a quorum for the purpose of acting upon any resolution or other
matter set forth in the notice of the meeting, if written notice of such second adjourned meeting, stating that those members who attend shall constitute a
quorum for the purpose of acting upon such resolution or other matter, is given to each member of record entitled to vote at such second adjourned
meeting at least 10 days prior to the day named for the second adjourned meeting.
6. Any action which may be taken at a meeting of the members or a class of members may be taken without a meeting, if a consent or consents in writing,
setting forth the actions taken shall be signed by all of the members who would be entitled to a vote at a meeting for such purpose and shall be filed
with the Secretary of the corporation.
7. Every member of the Organization shall be entitled to one vote. No member shall sell his vote for money or anything of value. Upon request of a
member, the books or records of membership shall be produced at any regular or special meeting of the Organization. If at any meeting, the right of a
person to vote is challenged, the presiding officer shall require such books or records to be produced as evidence of the right of the person challenged
to vote, and all persons who appear by such books or records to be entitled to vote may vote. The right of a member to vote, and his right, title and
interest in or to the corporation or its property, shall cease on the termination of his membership. Voting may be by ballot, mail or any reasonable means
determined by the Board of Directors. Elections for directors need not be by ballot except upon demand by a member at the election and before the
voting begins.
8. In advance of any meeting, the Board of Directors may appoint judges of election, who need not members, to act at such meetings or adjournment
thereof. If judges of election are not appointed, the presiding officer of any such meeting may and on request of any member shall, make such
appointment at the meeting. The number of judges shall be one or three. No person who is eligible for office shall act as a judge.
9. Special meetings of the members may be called at any time by the President, the Board of Directors or members entitled to cast at least 10% of the
votes, which all members are entitled to cast at the particular meeting. At any time upon written request of any person who has called the special
meeting, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to fix the time of the meeting, which shall be held not more than 60 days after the receipt of the request. If
the Secretary shall neglect to fix the time of the meeting, the persons calling the meeting shall do so. Business transacted at all meetings shall be confined
to the subjects stated during the request.
Section D
Suspensions and Expulsions
1. No member shall surrender any information pertaining to East Penn Technical Search and Rescue Team to any individual, official, or the press without
first being delegated to do so by either the Commander or the President.
2. Any member may be expelled if failing to conform to the By-laws and Constitution of the East Penn Technical Search and Rescue Team by 2/3 vote of
the Board of Directors present at any regular business meeting. Any Officer may be removed from office for refusing or neglecting his/her duties by 2/3
vote of the Board of Directors present at the monthly business meeting.
3. Any member who refuses or neglects to attend 50% of East Penn Technical Search and Rescue Team functions or who misses 4 regular business
meetings in succession shall be classified an inactive member.
4. If a member uses insulting language while on duty to an officer or officer in command, or at a business meeting, or be guilty of any offense to bring
disgrace on, or to create discord in the organization from 02/19/05 on, shall be or may be subject to suspension or expulsion from the organization at the
next regular monthly business meeting by a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors.
5. If a member makes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or makes verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, to any
member, officer or official constitutes sexual harassment. The member shall be or may be subject to suspension or expulsion from the
organization at the next regular monthly business meeting by a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors. This type conduct will not be tolerated!
6. No member of the organization shall give out their personal phone number, pager number or Nextel number for business pertaining to EPTSAR
without first being delegated to do so by the President or Chief. The only number to be given out for emergencies is 570-656-1209 or 570-894-2929.
7. The President and Chief shall have the ability to suspend any member in violation of the By-Laws and Constitution as set forth. The suspension shall not
exceed the next monthly business meeting. In order for the suspension to remain in effect it must conform to number #5.
8. The Board of Directors, by affirmative vote of 2/3 of all the Board of Directors, may suspend or expel a member for cause after a hearing and may, by a
majority vote, terminate the membership of any member who becomes ineligible for membership, or suspend or expel who shall be in default in payment
of any dues or assessments.
9. Upon written request signed by a former member and filed with the Secretary, the Board of Directors may, by the affirmative vote of 2/3 of the
members of the Board, reinstate such former member to membership upon such terms as the Board of Directors may deem appropriate.
10. Membership in this Corporation is not transferable or assignable.
Section E
Property and Funds
1. The property and funds of this organization cannot, in any manner be divided among the members individually, but shall remain property of the East Penn
Technical Search and Rescue Team for its legitimate use as long as 5 members in good standing remain therein. After that point, property and funds will
be relinquished to the rightful person or persons and/or other non-profit organizations.
2. Whenever a member of this organization either by death, expulsion or withdrawal ceases to be a member thereof, his rights, title and interest in and to
the property and funds become extinct.
3. This organization cannot enter into a contract of any nature without a majority vote in favor of such and should be discussed at a regular monthly
business meeting.
Amendments
A meeting of the Board of Directors from East Penn Technical Search and Rescue was held on 02/22/06 to discuss and vote upon three separate
amendments. In order to meet organizational requirements for exemption under section 501 (c) (3), we have made the following amendments to our
existing organizational documents and Articles of Incorporation.
These amendments are as follows:
a. Said organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of
distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or
corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
b. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons,
except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and
distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the
carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the
publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax
under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions
to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
c. Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of the section 501 (c) (3) of the
Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section of any future tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, for a public purpose. Any
such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then
located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated
exclusively for such purposes.
These necessary amendments to our Articles of Incorporation have been made as directed by the Internal Revenue Service. Said amendments have been
added to our Constitution and By-laws on 02/23/06.