Station 144 Rules

1. MEMBERSHIP

a) No member shall be discriminated on basis of race, sex or creed.

b) A prospective member must be at least 18 years of age.

b) Primary membership of the club shall be made up of those people who are Firefighters and Fire Department support services personnel. This shall and will include those members who are paid, volunteer and retired.

c) Full (sponsored) membership shall be made up of all non-Fire Department personnel. Full members cannot sponsor any new members. They cannot vote on National Issues, they can vote on all issues pertaining to Station 144.

d) Spouses of primary members will be allowed primary member status with four variations:

            1) The spouse is not required to own or ride a motorcycle.

            2) The spouse can not sponsor another member.

3) The spouse can not hold the office of President or Vice President, Regional or    National office.

4) If a separation occurs between a couple, the non-firefighter member will be removed from the club.

e) Union membership not mandatory.

f) Any Primary member can sponsor 1 non-Fire Department applicant to join the club. Sponsorship must meet final approval of the Local Station President.

g) Primary members are responsible for the actions of their sponsored member and have the right to withdraw their sponsorship at any time.

h) If a sponsored member loses their sponsor, they must leave the club at the end of that year unless they obtain another sponsor.

i) Sponsored members can not sponsor a member.

j)  If for any reason a member no longer owns a motorcycle, that member will have a time period of one year to purchase a motorcycle, unless the member can fall under Section 1, para. g and h. All unique situations will be taken into consideration and decided on by the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sgt. At Arms and Road Captain.

k) All newly accepted members shall be considered a probationary member. During the probationary period, that will wear the club rocker only and must attend 2 club meetings and attend at least 2 club sponsored rides. After these requirements are completed, the probationary would be issued the club patch and become either a primary or full member. During the probationary period, said member will be subject to all other rules and regulations of “Fire and Iron MC”, Station 144.

l) Honorary Membership is allowed and is at the discretion of the local station. It is granted to persons who have contributed substantially to the promotion of “Fire & Iron MC”. Honorary Members will have the same rights and privileges as Full Members. The number of Honorary Members shall not exceed 4 per station at any given time.

m) A Lifetime Membership shall be granted to those previous members who have passed away. A Lifetime Membership will consist of having that members name and picture added to our fallen brother’s page and the issuing of their colors to their family.

2. DUES

a)  Each member will be required to pay annual dues, paid no later than the April meeting.

 
b) Dues amount will be voted on annually, by members and be decided by a majority vote.

c) Dues give each current member voting rights in the Club and voice in the Club's direction.

3. THE CLUB PATCH and COLORS

a) The Club patch design/logo belongs to Fire & Iron, M.C., Chapter 1, Central Florida Region.

b) All members will be issued one (1) Fire and Iron patch and one (1) Station 144 rocker that will be worn with honor and pride. Additional patches and rockers available for a fee.
 
c) Only members in good standing will be allowed to wear the Club patch. If for any reason a member should leave or be removed from the Club, that member will be required turn in their patch(s) to the Club President of his or her respective station.

 d)  All members attending Station 144 meetings must wear the club colors, either the official patch and rocker or the official Fire and Iron shirt, ( 6/1 – 9/1 only).

 e) Official patch and rocker or official Fire and Iron shirt, (6/1 – 9/1 only) must be worn at all club events, ( i.e., parades, charity events, meetings, rides, etc).

 f) Colors must be affixed to black leather or blue/black vests or jackets.

 g) Colors should never be washed.

 h) Colors are to be worn as the outer most garment and never be covered.

 i) At no time will your colors touch the ground. (unless you’re wearing them)

 j) Members are responsible for their colors at all times and never left unattended. A non-member should never be in control of your colors.

 k) The colors of “Fire & Iron MC” are never to be sold or given to any non member.

 l) Reasons for a member to lose his or her patch and membership in club are:

1) Non-payment of dues.

2) Bringing shame and dishonor to club.

3) Removing colors and throwing them to the ground/floor.

4) Losing or misplacing  your colors.

5) Actions of a member by which a 2/3rd's majority vote of the membership feels  that are not in keeping with the Club's sprit or intent.

6) A felony conviction.

7) Affixing a non approved patch that supports another club and not removing it when directed.

4. ELECTIONS

a) To be eligible to run for office, (local, region, national) you must be a member in good standing for a minimum of two years.

b) Election of station officers will be held annually at the General meeting. Terms will be for two (2) years.

c) The election of President and Treasurer will be held on odd numbered years.

d) The election of Vice President and Secretary will be held on even numbered years.

e) All terms will start on February 1 and end on January 31.

f) The positions of President and Vice President can only be held by primary members.

4. GENERAL INFORMATION

a) Meetings will be held quarterly, January-April-July-October, dates and time TBA.

1) The General meeting is in January. Rule changes, future plans, disbursement of collected funds and elections will take place during this meeting.          

          2) Special meetings can be called at the discretion of club officers.

b) All members are required to attend a minimum of one (1) meeting per year. All members are required to attend three (3) club rides per year. Two of which will be sanctioned club rides. Station 144 will strive to have at least one (1) sanctioned club ride per month. (May – Nov.)

c) All makes and models of motorcycles will be accepted into club, however member motorcycles must be able to keep up during group rides.

d) Safe riding practices are strongly encouraged. Members not adhering to the "accepted" rules-of-the-road will not be tolerated!  (see addendum A)

e) Personal conflicts or fighting within the "ranks" reflect poorly on the membership and will not be tolerated. Any disagreements will be brought before the membership for settlement.

f) Membership in other clubs, associations or groups is discouraged but allowed i.e.; HOG, IAFF or CMA.

g) Your rank or position within the Fire Department does not carry over into Club or hold sway over any Club activities. What happens in the club, stays in the club.

NOTE:

There are Fire & Iron National By-laws that have been written and approved by the National Board. These rules have been written to conform and cannot in any way be less restrictive than the National By-laws.

STATION 144 OFFICERS

President          (must be a primary member)

The duties of the president are as follows:

1.      Preside over meetings and the Station as a whole.

2.      Handle all communications at the Regional and National levels.

3.      Judge items not covered in the by-laws or in the station rules and policies.

4.      Act as the personal representative of their Station and club.

5.      Represent their Station in any club business contacts.

6.      Promote enjoyable club life among members in general.

Vice President      (must be a primary member)

The duties of the vice president are as follows:

1.      Assume the responsibilities of the presidency when the President is unable to do so.

2.      Serve as chair of sub-committees or liaison in certain matters that the president deems necessary.

Secretary

The duties of the Secretary are as follows:

1.      Record and safeguard the minutes of the station meetings.

2.      Maintain the Station bylaws, recording any additions, deletions or modifications.

3.      Keep Station 144 members in formed of any and all station events. (rides, meeting, parties, etc)

Treasurer

The duties of the treasurer are as follows:

1.      Monitor and record the stations income and expenses.

2.      Collect the dues and fines owed by the members.

Road Captains

The duties of the Road Captains are as follows:

1.      Plan the travel routes and organize the basic itinerary of the Station prior to going on a ride.

2.      Lead or trail the club while in formation.

3.      Enforce Station rules and procedures for group riding.

Sergeant at Arms

The duties of the Sergeant at Arms are as follows:

1.      Maintain order at Station meetings in particular and Station activities in general.

2.      Ensure that members adhere to Station rules, policies and expected conduct when dealing with other members or outsiders.