HOME - ATTORNEY INFORMATION - CONSTITUTION - CONTACT US - CURRENT NEWS - GARRITY STATEMENT - JOIN TODAY - LINKS -
MEMBER BENEFITS - MEMBERS RIGHTS - ONLINE WEB BLOG - S.C.C.J.A. PHOTO'S - SC LAWS ON UNIONS
Mission Statement
Strength through united action guided by intelligence is the hallmark of trade union organizations.
The mission of the Greenville County Public Safety Association is to vigilantly protect, promote, and improve the working conditions, legal rights, compensation, and benefits of all Law Enforcement and Public Safety Officers within The County of Greenville in the State of South Carolina. We, the members of the Greenville County Public Safety Association, Local 2304, I.U.P.A., AFL-CIO, adopt this Constitution.
ARTICLE I
IDENTITY OF ASSOCIATION
Section 1. Identity. The name of this organization shall be the Greenville Public Safety Association Local 2304, of the International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO.
Section 2. Definitions. The terms “Local” or “Association” within this Constitution shall refer to the identity as set forth in Article I, Section 1, and references to “International” or “I.U.P.A.” shall refer to the International Union of Police Associations.
ARTICLE II
AFFILIATIONS
The local union shall be affiliated with the International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO.
ARTICLE III
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this local shall to be to carry out on a local basis for employees engaged in public safety enforcement in Greenville County.
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Section 1. Qualifications. All persons regularly employed as law enforcement officers or public safety officers at the rank of Sergeant or below, by any Greenville County Law Enforcement or Public Safety agency is eligible for active membership in this local subject to the requirements of the Constitution of the International Union of Police Associations. The Executive Director of Local 2304, I.U.P.A., is eligible for membership and may exercise the right of membership upon the approval of the Executive Committee. The Director may serve as the delegate to any I.U.P.A. meeting, which is, unattended by other local members. The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sgt.-at Arms are delegates to the International Convention by virtue of their office.
All persons eligible for membership in this local shall not be refused membership or upon acceptance be discriminated against because of race, gender, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, or by reason of disability.
Section 2. Membership upon Promotion. Any member whose rank changes due to departmental promotion which promotion renders the member ineligible for member status as defined in Article V, Section 1, shall automatically become an Associate member of this Association, to whom this section applies, shall be deemed to have automatically and voluntarily resigned from their respective elected or appointed office. All provisions of this section are effective the date the member’s promotion becomes effective.
Section 3. Membership upon Retirement. Any member or Associate member in good standing who retires from active service within any Law Enforcement or Public Safety position within Greenville County for any reason, shall apply for membership or continue their membership in this Association as a non-dues paying member and is also entitled to full benefits.
Section 4. Honorary Member. The Executive Committee, by a majority vote, may select individuals for honorary membership for meritorious service to the local or for distinguished public service. Honorary membership involves no payment of fees, dues, or assessments, and conveys no voice or vote in the affairs of the Association. Honorary membership may be revoked by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.
Section 5. Applications. Application for membership shall be made on a standard application form. Such form shall include a valid authorization for the payment of dues. The application shall be accompanied by an application fee equal to one month’s dues which requirement may be waived by the President or the Executive Director.
Section 6. Dues. The monthly membership dues of the local shall be $20 per member, unless and until increased by a majority vote of a membership meeting after a thirty day advanced notice.
Section 7. Payment of Dues. Membership dues shall be paid through personal bank draft, credit card drafts, debit card drafts, or a payment in full for the year. Any member who fails to pay dues by when they become due shall be considered delinquent and upon failure to pay dues for two consecutive months shall stand suspended. Provided, however, that any person who is paying dues through a system of regular payroll deduction or personal bank draft shall, for so long as such person continues to pay through such a payment method, be considered in good standing. Membership dues shall be payable monthly in advance to the local Secretary-Treasurer and in no event shall be paid later than the 15th day of the month in which they become due.
Section 8. Reinstatement Fee. A member suspended under the above section may be reinstated to membership in the local on payment of all arrearages or upon payment of a reinstatement fee of $20 plus the current months dues.
ARTICLE V
MEETINGS
Section 1. Time and Place. Regular meetings of the local shall be held at least once a month at a time and place to be announced by the membership or the local Executive Committee, or the Executive Director. The Executive Director shall receive 5 days prior notice of any meeting.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by a majority of the Executive Committee, or by petition filed with an Executive Committee member and signed by 20% of the members of the local. Special meetings may also be called by the Executive Director or by the President.
Section 3. Quorum. The quorum for meeting of this local shall be at least two local union officers and 10% of the membership, for the purposes the Executive Director shall be counted as a union officer.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS, NOMINATIONS, AND ELECTIONS
Section 1. Titles and Terms of Office. The officers of this local shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sgt.-at-Arms, These five shall constitute the local Executive Committee. Elections shall be conducted once a year in the month of July. Newly elected officers will assume duties starting the 1st of August of every year. The term of office shall be one year. The officers signing the constitution shall serve until the next election. In addition, the Executive Committee may appoint an Executive Director. If no Executive Director is appointed, the President shall serve as the Executive Director.
Section 2. Nominations. Nominations shall be made at regular or special meetings of the local. At least fifteen days advance notice shall be given to the membership prior to the nomination meeting. A nominating committee may be appointed to make nominations, but whether or not such nominating committee is used, nominations shall be permitted from the floor at the nominations meeting. All regular elections shall be held in the month of July.
Section 3. Eligibility. To be eligible for office a member must be in good standing for one year immediately preceding the election, except for the initial election held by this local.
Section 4. Conduct of Election. Executive Committee officers and members shall be elected by a secret ballot vote. The balloting shall be so conducted as to afford to all members a reasonable opportunity to vote. At least fifteen days’ advance notice shall be given to the membership prior to the holding of the election.
Section 5. Vacancies. In the event that any permanent vacancy should occur in any office, the same shall be filled by appointment made by the President with the consent of the majority of the remaining members of the Executive Committee. Such appointee shall hold office until their successor has been duly elected at the next regular election.
ARTICLE VII
DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. President. The President shall:
A. Preside at all meetings of the local union and of the Executive Board.
B. Countersign all checks drawn against the funds of the local.
C. Appoint all standing committees and all special committees of the local,
subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.
D. Report periodically to the membership regarding the progress and standing of
the local and regarding the President’s official acts.
Section 2. Vice President. The Vice President shall:
A. Assist the President in the work of the President’s office.
B. In the absence of the President or in the President’s inability to serve,
preside at all meetings and perform all duties otherwise performed by the
President.
C. Upon approval by the Executive Committee, be authorized to act as co-signer
of checks drawn on the local funds in place of either the President or the
Treasurer.
Section 3. Secretary. The Secretary shall:
A. Keep a good record of the proceedings of all membership meetings and of all
Executive Committee meetings.
B. Carry on the official correspondence of the local, except as the Executive
Committee may direct otherwise.
Section 4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall:
A. Receive and receipt for all monies of the local union.
B. Deposit all money so received in the name of the local union in a bank or
banks selected by the Executive Committee, and money so deposited shall be
withdrawn only by check signed by the President and Treasurer.
C. Prepare and sign checks for such purposes as are required by the Constitution
or are authorized by the membership or the Executive Committee.
D. Prepare and submit the monthly membership report to the International Union
office and see that a check is drawn in payment of the local’s per capita tax
each month and sent to the International Secretary-Treasurer.
E. Keep an accurate record of receipts and disbursements, and shall once every
two months, submit to the membership an operating statement of the financial
transactions of the local for the previous month.
F. See that any financial report required by the International Union
Constitution be submitted in accordance with the International Union
Constitution.
Section 5. Sgt.-at-Arms. The Sgt.-at-Arms shall:
A. See that the conduct of all persons in attendance at all meetings shall be
peaceful and shall expel or eject any member creating an undue disturbance, and
any and all persons not authorized to be in attendance.
B. Be seated close to the entrance to the meeting during all general membership
meetings and allow no one to pass who are not members and who do not have
permission to enter.
C. Provide a record of members in attendance to be kept showing all those
attending all regular general membership meetings and any special meetings. Such
records will be submitted to the Treasurer and will become a permanent record of
this union.
Section 6. Executive Director. The Executive Director shall be the chief operating officer of the local and shall direct the day-to-day officers of the local. The Executive Director shall be appointed and retained by the Executive Committee and may serve through a designee.
Section 7. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall be the governing body of the Local. All matters affecting the policies, aims and means of accomplishing the purposes of the local not specifically provided for in this Constitution or by action of the membership at a regular or special meeting shall be decided by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the President, the Executive Director, or of a majority of the members of the committee. A report on all actions taken by the Executive Committee shall be made to the membership at the next following meeting. Minutes of every meeting shall be promptly forwarded to the Executive Director.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 1. International Constitution. This local union shall at all times be subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the I.U.P.A.
Section 2. Authorization Necessary to Represent Local Union. Except to the extent specified in this Constitution, no officer of the local union shall have the power to act as agent for or otherwise bind the local union in any way whatsoever. No member or group of members or other person or persons shall have the power to act on behalf of or otherwise bind the local union except to the extent specifically authorized in writing by the President of the local union or by the Executive Committee of the local union.
Section 3. Rules of Order. Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, shall be the guide in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with this Constitution and special rules of this local union or of the I.U.P.A.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENT
This Constitution may be amended, revised, or otherwise changed by a majority vote of the members voting on such proposed change. Proposed amendments to this Constitution must be made at a regular or special meeting of the local union and read and voted on at a subsequent meeting of the local union, adequate and proper notice having been given to members prior to the date on which the vote is taken. A written copy of the proposed amendment shall be furnished to every eligible voter at the meeting at which the vote is taken.
ARTICLE X
DISSOLUTION AMENDMENT
Section 1: Dissolution. The Local Union shall not be dissolved so long as three (3) or more members in good standing acknowledge its jurisdiction and authority and continue to comply with this Constitution. In the event that less than three (3) members acknowledge its jurisdiction and authority, it shall be dissolved by order of the Executive Board.
Section 2. Disbursement of Funds Upon Dissolution. Upon dissolution, all of the Local Union’s real and personal property shall be liquidated into cash by public or private sale conducted under the supervision of the Executive Board and all of its debts and expenses shall be paid from the proceeds of such sales. Any funds in excess of those necessary to pay debts and expenses shall be donated to a recognized national charitable organization selected by the Executive Board.
©2007 Greenville County Public Safety Association • All Rights Reserved