MOUNT DESERT ISLAND SEARCH AND RESCUE
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
The Mount Desert Island Search and Rescue team (hereinafter referred to as MDI-SAR) declares itself a volunteer, non-profit, service organization, dedicated to the search and rescue assistance of the populace of Mount Desert Island and the State of Maine, and shall be governed by the following laws and by-laws.
ARTICLE I - OBJECTIVES
SECTION 1 MDI-SAR will serve Mount Desert Island and the surrounding area with an organized emergency service for search and/or rescue.
SECTION 2 MDI-SAR will assist in all forms of search and/or rescue in the State of Maine, to the best of its abilities.
SECTION 3 MDI-SAR will cooperate with all requesting agencies.
ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1 Membership will be open to any resident or non-resident, 15 years of age or older, of Mount Desert Island and surrounding areas of Maine.
SECTION 2 Membership dues, in an amount previously determined by the membership at the annual meeting, will be paid at the January meeting.
SECTION 3 There will be four classifications of members:
operational, supporting, associate, and probationary. Only operational and supporting members shall have voting rights.
1. OPERATIONAL
These members shall:
a. Maintain their skills and be available for service when MDI-SAR's assistance is requested.
b. Attend more than 2/3 of the scheduled monthly meetings and more than 2/3 of the scheduled training sessions each year, unless excused by the team's President or the scheduled instructor of a training session.
c. Be certified as having met the State of Maine's guidelines for basic ground searcher.
d. Follow MDI-SAR's blood-borne pathogens protocols.
e. Receive the required immunizations or have formally (in writing) waived the opportunity to receive them.
f. Only perform those technical skills in which they have been trained except when acting in a support capacity.
2. SUPPORTING
This classification shall include any member who does not meet the requirements for the operational level but who wishes to assist MDI-SAR in a supporting role. These members shall:
a. Perform support functions during missions as needed.
b. Attend at least 2/3 of the regularly scheduled meetings each year, unless excused by the team's President, and attend those training activities relevant to the supporting functions in which the member wishes to engage.
3. ASSOCIATE
This classification includes anyone who wishes to support MDI-SAR without attending regularly scheduled meetings and/or training activities. Associate members will not be listed on the team call-out list.
4. PROBATIONARY
This classification includes all members for their first 6 months of membership and those under 18 years of age. Probationary members shall:
a. Work to develop their skills in order to meet the requirements for operational or supporting member.
b. Attend at least 2/3 of the regularly scheduled meetings and 2/3 of the regularly scheduled training activities, unless excused by the team's President or the scheduled instructor of a training session.
c. Be evaluated by the Board of Directors at the end of their probationary period and classified as Operational, Supporting, or Associate members.
SECTION 4 If a member's acts are considered to endanger any personnel during a training session or mission, this shall be reported as in Section 8 below. Disciplinary action on such a complaint shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 5 Suspension of member
SECTION 6 No member shall carry or use firearms while engaged in MDI-SAR activities, with the exception of law enforcement personnel.
SECTION 7 Any member who has failed to meet the requirements above shall be notified in writing that he or she is no longer a member. Membership may be reinstated at probationary level upon decision of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 8 Any member who has a complaint shall submit it in writing to the President, who will forward it to the members of the Board of Directors for consideration.
SECTION 9 Under no circumstances will any member publicly discuss any complaint of another MDI-SAR member, or any confidential MDI-SAR information.
ARTICLE III - ELECTED POSITIONS
SECTION 1 Only voting members may fill elected positions in Mount Desert Island Search and Rescue.
SECTION 2 Election of officers shall take place at the annual meeting. At the regular meeting one month before the annual meeting the membership shall propose nominations for elective offices. At the annual meeting the floor will be open to nomination of any eligible member.
SECTION 3 Newly elected officers will assume their duties on the first of the calendar year, and shall continue in their positions through the end of that year.
SECTION 4 The elected positions shall be:
President
Vice-president
Secretary
Treasurer
Operations Officers (2)
Medical Officer
MASAR Representative
Board Members (2)
1. The President shall:
a) Act as the public representative of the group.
b) Preside at all regular meetings
c) Insure that monthly meetings take place and that goals are accomplished.
d) Oversee the entire MDI-SAR operation and advise and counsel subordinate officers as needed.
e) Bring relevant ideas, issues, and concerns forward for group response and action.
f) Be the deciding vote in case of a tie vote.
2. The Vice-president shall:
a) Assist the President, and assume the President's duties as needed.
b) Be responsible for implementation of training schedules.
c) Chair training planning meetings.
d) Maintain or cause to be maintained training records for each member.
e) Keep the Board of Directors informed of the attendance of members at training activities and meetings to determine membership status.
3. The Secretary shall:
a) Maintain records of membership and minutes of meetings.
b) Monitor insurance and liability.
c) Prepare and/or maintain memoranda of understanding with the Maine Warden Service, Acadia National Park, local police departments, and other agencies as necessary.
d) Handle group correspondence.
e) Insure that files and documents of group actions and activities are kept current.
f) Preside as chair person at Board of Directors meetings.
4. The Treasurer shall:
a) Maintain accurate records of the financial status of MDI-SAR.
b) Prepare, or have prepared, the required tax forms, audits, etc. required of the group as a non-profit organization.
c) Collect annual dues from members and provide the appropriate officers with a current list of those members who have paid their dues.
5. The Operations Officers shall:
a) Oversee all MDI-SAR field operations.
b) Log people in and out at an incident, track equipment and personnel, and provide liaison with the IC/Overhead Team.
c) Be responsible for maintaining, organizing, and inventorying equipment in the cache.
d) Recommend the purchase of new or replacement equipment.
e) Be responsible for preparing reports on all missions with copies to the Secretary, MASAR, and the agency requesting call out.
6. The Medical Officer shall:
a) Maintain and inventory medical supplies and equipment.
b) Maintain records of members including:
Blood borne pathogen training
Required immunizations (or waivers thereof)
Current CPR certification
c) Be responsible for providing members with required medical training.
d) Recommend the purchase of new or replacement medical or first aid equipment and supplies.
7. The MASAR representative shall:
a) Represent the interests of MDI-SAR at MASAR meetings.
ARTICLE IV - STANDING COMMITTEES
SECTION 1 The standing committees shall be made up of voting members. All standing committees shall meet as needed at their chairperson's discretion, but at least once in a calendar year.
SECTION 2 There shall be three standing committees:
Membership/Publicity
Ways and Means
Training
1. The Membership/Publicity Committee shall:
a) Work to increase membership when necessary.
b) Have new members complete personnel questionnaires.
c) Provide the Secretary with a written copy of the addresses and phone numbers of each new member.
d) Provide new members with information packets and vests as needed.
e) Provide, or designate someone to provide, guidance for new or probationary members at training activities or incidents.
f) Write and distribute press releases about MDI-SAR activities.
g) Publicize regular meetings.
2. The Ways and Means Committee shall:
a) Be in charge of raising funds for MDI-SAR operations.
b) Extend gratitude for donations received.
3. The Training Committee shall:
a) Plan regular training schedules.
b) Notify the membership in writing of upcoming training activities, including the location and type of training planned.
ARTICLE VI - MDI-SAR EQUIPMENT, TRAINING, AND EDUCATION POLICY
SECTION 1 Purchase of any equipment in excess of $150.00 with MDI-SAR funds must first be approved by the membership. Equipment must be of a nature to improve or support the MDI-SAR functions. Equipment will be stored at a place designated by the Operations Officers.
SECTION 2 MDI-SAR equipment will not be loaned to private or commercial parties without the prior approval of the membership. MDI-SAR equipment will not be available to members for recreational use.
SECTION 3 MDI-SAR will pay one half of the cost (up to $150.00) of tuition to any operational or supporting member for training relevant to the activities and goals of MDI-SAR, subject to vote of the membership. Requests for financial aid shall be made at a regular meeting at least one month before payment of tuition is due.
SECTION 4 Each member of MDI-SAR who has part of their training subsidized by MDI-SAR will provide one training on that topic for the group within the following year.
ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS
SECTION 1 Monthly meetings of MDI-SAR will be held at a time and place established in advance by the membership.
SECTION 2 Special meetings may be called by the President. The reason for the special meeting must be stated in advance and no other business may be conducted at that meeting.
SECTION 3 The annual meeting shall take place in November.
SECTION 4 Attendance of one third of the voting membership is needed for a quorum in order to conduct new business of MDI-SAR. A two-thirds majority of this quorum is required for passage of a vote.
SECTION 5 The order of business will be:
1. Call to order by presiding officer.
2. Reading of minutes and correspondence by the Secretary.
3. Presentation of the financial report by the Treasurer.
4. Discussion of old business.
5. Discussion of new business.
6. Adjournment of the business meeting.
7. Program as planned.
SECTION 6 In all situations not specifically covered in this Constitution and these by-laws the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order will take precedence.
ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1 This Constitution and these By-laws may be altered or amended as required by a two-thirds vote of the voting members at a meeting. One month's notice in writing must be given of any proposed by-law change.
ARTICLE VIII - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1 The Board of Directors shall be composed of the President, Vice-president, Secretary, and two members elected from the voting membership.
SECTION 2 The Board of Directors shall:
1. Serve for one year.
2. Provide overall guidance to MDI-SAR in general policy matters but shall not interfere with normal operations.
3. Meet as needed at the chairman's discretion, but at least once a year.
4. Report to the general membership at the next scheduled meeting following any action.
SECTION 3 The Board of Directors shall act on all complaints within 30 days of receipt. If the Board determines that a complaint has merit, it shall notify the member of whom the complaint was made, and the complainant, of the date, time, and place of a review Board meeting where the case will be considered. At that time the Board will hear the member's defense. After due consideration of all evidence, the Board will dismiss, reprimand, of clear the member involved of all charges. A report of the decision will be forwarded to the President.
Any member who has been dismissed or suspended by the Board may demand that their case be brought before the next scheduled membership meeting or a special meeting if requested (if a special meeting is requested, the membership must be notified in writing of the reason for this meeting). The decision of the Board will be upheld or overruled by a two-thirds majority of the voting membership present at that meeting. A quorum at this meeting will be two-thirds of the voting membership.
ARTICLE IX - DISSOLUTION
SECTION 1 Upon dissolution of this organization, after clearing any debts, all funds and equipment will be donated to another organization engaged in Search and Rescue activities. The receiving organization shall be selected by the Board of Directors.
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