sApproved October 29, 1981

Revised October 27, 988

Revised October 23, 1997

Revised October 24, 2002

CALIFORNIA-NEVADA-HAWAII
FOREST FIRE COUNCIL
BYLAWS

NAME:  The name of the organization shall be the California-Nevada-Hawaii Forest Fire Council.

MISSION STATEMENT:  The mission of the council shall be to promote professional wildland fire management, protect lives and property, and enhance natural resource values in California, Nevada, Hawaii, and the Pacific Basin.  The mission shall be achieved by:

1. Providing an open forum for identification and discussion of issues related to Wildland Fire Management.
2. Encouraging and promoting wildland fire management research and development.
3. Serving as a forum for technology transfer relating to Wildland Fire Management.
4. Promoting public awareness of wildland fire issues and concerns with emphasis on supporting and implementing "fire safe" activities.

MEMBERSHIP:  Membership in the Council is open to all individuals interested in participating and assisting the Council in achieving its mission.  Voting membership shall be those individuals in attendance at the annual business meeting.

OFFICERS:  Officers of the Council shall include Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary-Treasurer.

• The Chair and Vice Chair of the Council shall serve for one calendar year.
• The Secretary-Treasurer shall serve for two years.
• The Council shall elect the Vice Chair at the regular annual meeting.  After holding office for one calendar year, the Vice Chair will automatically become the Chair for the next calendar year.
• The Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected at the regular meeting in odd numbered years for a two-year term.
• In the event an elected Officer is no longer able to perform his/her duties the Executive Committee shall appoint a replacement for the un-expired term.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:  The purpose of the Executive Committee is to provide leadership and conduct the affairs of the Council.  Membership of the Executive Committee will consist of:

• The Chair
• Immediate past Chair
• Vice Chair
• Secretary-Treasurer
• Immediate past Secretary-Treasurer during the first year a new Secretary-Treasurer is in office
• Resolution Committee Chair
• Program Committee Chair

STANDING COMMITTEES:  There will be two Standing Committees.

1. Program Committee: The Program Committee is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the program for each regular annual meeting.  Arrangements and accommodations shall be the joint responsibility of the Secretary-Treasurer and the Program Committee Chair.The Executive Committee will develop or approve the theme of the program.  The Program Committee will brief the Executive Committee on the progress and development of the program at their regular meetings throughout the year.
2. Resolution Committee: The Resolution Committee is responsible for soliciting, developing and preparing resolutions and position papers that reflect the Council's mission. Resolutions and position papers will be presented at the annual business meeting to be voted on by the Council members. Resolutions and position papers will be drafted in accordance with guidelines as set forth by the Council's directive included in the Council Officer's Handbook.

• The Chair of the Council will designate each Standing Committee Chair.
• Committees should consist of at least six members.  In addition each immediate past chair of each of the standing committees will serve for one additional year as a member of his/her respective committee.
• The Council Officers are ex-officio members of each of the standing committees.

AD-HOC COMMITTEES:  Ad-Hoc Committees may be appointed by the Chairperson to achieve specific short-term goals as needed.

1. Nominating Committee: At each annual meeting, the Chair of the Council shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three to six members. The Nominating Committee shall nominate officers for Vice-Chair and in odd numbered years, for Secretary-Treasurer and present these nominations for consideration by the Council at the annual business meeting.

MEETINGS:  Meetings of the Council may be called by the Chair of the Council when necessary to carry out the mission and objectives of the Council. Minutes that document attendance and actions will be kept for all official meetings of the Council, including, but not limited to the Executive Committee, Standing Committees and the annual business meeting. The Executive Committee will submit a copy of all meeting minutes as a permanent record and use.

• Annual Meetings: A regular annual meeting (conference) will be held each year on Wednesday and Thursday of the Third (3^rd) week of October unless otherwise decided by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will select the meeting place. The annual business meeting will be held at this meeting.
• Hawaii Meetings: A bi-annual meeting may be held every other year in Hawaii. This meeting will be planned and conducted by the Hawaiian members of the Council with financial assistance of the entire Council.
• Executive Committee Meetings: The Executive Committee meetings will be held at times and places as determined by the Chair of the Council.
• Standing Committee Meetings: Meetings will be held at times and places determined by the respective committee chair or at the request of the Chair of the Council.
• Ad-Hoc Committees Meetings: Meetings will be held at times and places as determined by the members of the respective committees.

AMENDMENTS:  These Bylaws may be amended at any time by majority vote of the Council.

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