PURPOSE

MEMBERSHIP

General

General control of membership entry and revocation, membership classifications and qualifications, and other related matters is vested in the Board of Directors. The Board may delegate such routine functions and recordskeepng responsibilities as it sees fit to the Membership Committee. (The committee shall be appointed by the President and consist of a chairman and no less than 2 other members.)

Entry, Promotion, Demotion, and Revocation

Applications for membership and promotional changes in member's classes shall be presented by the Membership Chairman to the Board for action along with a recommendation of the Membership Committee. Committee recommendations for demotion or for revocation of membership shall be presented by the Membership Chairman to the Board only after at least 10 days written notice to the individual concerned. Such notice shall specify when and where the board will meet to consider the recommendation, the substance of why it is being made, and invite the individual to appear and present evidence to the Board prior to their acting on the recommendation.

Classifications

The Board shall establish minimum qualifications for entry into the Unit as well as promotion to or retention of each membership class. Board may waive any qualification when such waiver appears to be in the best interest of the Unit. Membership-classes are:
1. Operational:
   1. Rescue
   2. Rescue Support
   3. Field Support
2. Administrative:
   1. Administrative Support
   2. Medical Support
The Board may award the nonvoting status of Sustaining Contributor to individuals and other organizations who have contributed in some substantial fashion to the accomplishment of the Unit's functions.

Required Participation

1. A Civil Defense card is required for any participation in Unit training or any Unit mission (See RCW 38.52.010).
2. Failure to meet or maintain such minimum standards as the Board establishes for entry, classification retention, or promotion in the Unit is grounds for demotion or revocation of membership. Each member is responsible for ensuring that he maintains his classification by participating in such minimal activities as the Board has specified for his class.
3. A member of any class may, for personal, business, physical, or other reasons, desire to refrain from Unit field activities for an extended period of time while retaining his classification; such member may do so by notifying the Membership Chairman and requesting placement in Inactive Status. Members in an Inactive Status are ineligible for promotion, but are relieved of class retention requirements (pertaining to special skills such members may possess, they may be called upon to assist the Unit in specific instances as determined by the Rescue Operations Chairman without jeopardizing their Inactive Status.)

Authority

Dues-paid membership in any Class entitles an individual to a vote in elections and other appropriate organizational business. The membership retains such authority to govern the Unit as is not delegated to the Board or to specific Offices. In addition, the membership may amend the Articles of Incorporation or these bylaws, override any act of the Board, or may recall any member of the Board, upon the affirmative vote of 2/3's of the members present. A meeting for any of these purposes may be demanded by a petition signed by 1/3 of the members so notifying the Board. The Board will call a special meeting of the membership for that purpose in no more than 20 days and no less than 10 days after the petition is delivered to the President.

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

General

The Unit shall be governed by a Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the establishment of general policy and the making or approving of minor Unit decisions. Only members are eligible to be elected or appointed to the Board. Meeting delegates, ad hoc committees, etc., drawn from the membership, may be appointed by the Board when necessary to complete certain specific non-continuing tasks. Such committees, etc., shall be supervised by the President.

Board of Directors

1. Composition - The Board shall be composed of the following:

   (* - indicates elected by membership)

   President* Vice-president* Secretary* Treasurer* Rescue Operations Chairman Training Chairman

   Equipment Chairman Communications Chairman Safety Education Chairman Membership Chairman Finance Chairman Immediate-past President

   
   
2. Terms of Office - Elected Board members serve 2-year terms but may be reelected for not more than 1 consecutive additional term in a given office (total of 4 years). The President and Vice-president are elected on even years, and the Secretary and Treasurer are elected on odd years. Appointed Board members serve 1-year terms but may be reappointed for not more than 2 consecutive additional terms in a given office (total of 3 years). Either elected or appointed Board members may serve up to an additional 4 years in another position on the Board but in no instance shall an individual serve more than 7 consecutive years on the Board. A vacancy in an elected position shall be filled by Board appointment for the remainder of the positions term.
   
   
3. Finances - The Board shall establish financial policies, designate bank depositories, provide for an annual audit, create conditions for any special funds, and approve all disbursements in excess of $25.
   
   
4. Disclosure - The Board shall keep the membership advised of their actions.
   
   
5. Quorum - A quorum of the Board is a simple majority of its members. Any action taken by the Board requires approval of a simple majority of the quorum.
   
   
6. Powers - The Board has the powers specified in RCW 24.03.035 and such other usual powers and duties as are associated with such bodies.
   
   
7. Annual Meeting - The Board shall convene an annual meeting of the membership for the purpose of electing new members to the Board, and to present, for the members approval, reports by the Board and various officers. The annual meeting shall be held on the second Wednesday of October. Notice of it shall be made to all in the September issue of Unit newsletter.
   

Offices

1. President - Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Unit. Appoints other Board positions, with the concurrence of the elected Board members.
   
   
2. Vice-president - Responsible for assuming the President's duties during his absence.
   
   
3. Secretary - Responsible for the normal functions relating to the Unit's correspondence and general recordskeeping.
   
   
4. Treasurer - Responsible for the normal functions relating to the Units finances including the filing of timely reports with the IRS and other revenue authorities as required by law. Issues disbursements up to $25.00 without specific authorization.
   
   
5. Rescue Operations Chairman - Responsible for the conducting of all search and rescue missions.
   
   
6. Training Chairman - Responsible for arranging training sessions for all members.
   
   
7. Equipment Chairman - Responsible for the procurement, maintenance, and accessibility of all search and rescue equipment and supplies, less electronic equipment.
   
   
8. Communications Chairman - Responsible for the procurement, maintenance, and accessibility of all electronic equipment, and for Unit compliance with FCC rules.
   
   
9. Safety Education Chairman - Responsible for the development and distribution of safety education materials. Oversees the creation and updating of Unit-originated safety books, brochures, and films.
   
   
10. Membership Chairman - Responsible for maintaining adequate files relating to members concerning their training, qualifications, and classes.
    
    
11. Finance Chairman - Responsible for obtaining donated funds, recommends and runs fundraising projects under Board guidance, acquires and distributes Unit supplies, and coordinates financial records with the Treasurer.

GOVERNMENT

Quorum

1. Board of Directors - See III.B.5 and Article V of the Articles of Incorporation.
   
   
2. Members - Except as limited and specified in II.E, a quorum of the members is 20% of the membership. Any action taken by the membership requires approval of a simple majority of the Quorum.

Elections

1. Nominations - The Board shall appoint a nominating committee from the membership in June. The committee shall recommend candidates to the board and the membership. Floor nominations may be made at the September Unit meeting.
   
   
2. Notice - Written notice of the election and of the nominees shall be made to the membership by the nominating committee in September.
   
   
3. Annual Elections - Annual elections of members of the Board shall be held at the October annual meeting (see III.B.7).
   
   
4. Proxy Voting - No proxies shall be permitted.

Meetings

1. Board of Directors - The Board shall meet on the last Wednesday of each month.
   
   
2. Members - There shall be a general membership meeting on the second Wednesday of each month.
   
   
3. Annual Business Meeting - See III.B.7.
   
   
4. Special Meetings - A majority of the Board may call a special meeting to deal with an emergency situation. The membership may call a special meeting in accordance with the procedure noted in II.E.

Amendments

Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and these bylaws may be recommended by the Board for the approval of the membership. Amendments must be approved by vote of the membership.

Dues

The Board shall set membership dues. Dues are payable by 1 January of each year.

Proceedings

Governmental proceedings of the unit shall be subject to applicable portions of RCW 24.03, the Unit's Articles of Incorporation, these bylaws, and Roberts Rules of Order, in descending order of priority.

UNIT STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE

Conduct Rationale

Conduct of members under any circumstances wherein they are identifiable as members of Mountain Rescue necessarily reflects upon all of Mountain Rescue. If such conduct is seen as improper, unsafe, self-glorifying, or in some fashion reflects unfavorably upon the members involved, it will also reflect upon the Unit and upon all of Mountain Rescue. All members must strive to avoid any such actions. Inasmuch as the Unit exists to serve the public and is totally dependent upon the goodwill of the public and of various officials, care must be exercised to foster and encourage that goodwill.

Standards of Conduct

The Board may adopt such specific standards of conduct for the membership as it deems necessary. In the absence of specific standards, members are to adhere to the general philosophies found in standard reference works on mountain rescue.

Conduct Sanctions

The Board may issue corrective guidance or impose such sanctions as it deems adequate, including revocation of membership, under the notice and hearing provisions of II.B. Misuse or misrepresentation of membership status, Unit sponsorship of projects, improper use of Mountain Rescue symbols, decals, etc,. or other identifying materials, or attempts to utilize such status or materials for personal gain or for purposes contrary to Unit policies will result in Board action. In addition, the Board may require the correction of abusive use of any Unit-issued or Unit-sold Mountain Rescue materials particularly identifying emblems, or demand the return to the unit of any such misused materials.

Standards of Discipline

From the moment a member responds to a mission call-out until it is secured and the member is home, that individual must willingly merge his personal desires and views into a group effort dedicated to successfully completing their tasks.

Disciplinary Sanctions

Owing to the extreme dangers that may result from a compromised team effort caused by the failure of a member involved to cooperate, such failures will result in imposition of serious penalties by the Board. The notice and hearing provisions of II.B are applicable to this action.

ADOPTION