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Business Papers

All of our corporate papers online, along with other information on our corporate structure that could be of interest to our membership and the public.

Meeting Minutes

Couldn't make a meeting, or just can't remember what was decided? We post the Minutes of our Corporate Meetings online so you can read what happened.

Corporate Bylaws

Want to read our Corporate Bylaws? The most current copy is kept online for all to read.

Policies and Procedures

As we set or change Policies and/or Procedures within KCSARA, the Secretary will post the current state of those decisions here.

KCSARA Bylaws: Organization of the association

  1. Association Governing Body
    1. Each Full Member Unit of the association shall appoint two delegates and two alternate delegates, to be members of the Governing Body. The representatives and alternate names shall be submitted by January 1st of each year. Changes may be made at any time by submitting a letter to the Executive Board.
  2. Executive Board
    1. The Executive Board shall be comprised of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Board shall assist the President and the Governing Body in carrying out the day-to-day activities of the Association.
  3. Meetings of the Governing Body
    1. Meetings shall be held monthly, except in August, at a timme and place determined by the President.
    2. Meetings postponed due to operational requirements or other emergencies will be held one week later or canceled at the discretion of the President.
    3. A minimum of one appointed delegate or alternate of each Unit of the association shall be in attendance at each meeting of the Governing Body. Any unit without representation at any general meeting shall forfeit $100 per meeting missed, to be divided equally among the remaining Units receiving a share. The only excused absence to this will be if the Unit is on a King County authorized mission.
    4. Meetings will be conducted according to the Robert's Rules of Order.
    5. Special meetings of the Governing Body may be called by the President to resolve urgent problems.
    6. A quorum is necessary for all balloting issues. A quorum shall consist of simple majority (half plus one) of the voting delegates. Balloting on issues shall be by secret ballot or open ballot at the discretion of the voting members. Simple majority of those present shall rule, unless otherwise provided by these bylaws. In the event of a tie, the President may cast a tie-breaking vote, provided the President hasn't already cast a vote on behalf of a Unit. If the President has voted, the Vice President may cast the tiebreaker, provided that person meets the same tie breaking criteria above for the President. If a tie cannot be broken, the motion fails.
    7. Unit activity reports shall be presented at the regularly scheduled meetings of the Governing Body. Unless a Unit has had no activity, reports should be written by the individual Units and given to the Secretary. Reports shall be prepared in the manner prescribed by the Secretary.
    8. Units desiring to bring issues affecting Search and Rescue activities and the Association before the Governing Body, should first submit to the President a written statement setting forth the problem and suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of the Association and its Member Units. If the President cannot resolve the situation, the Unit shall submit it to the Governing Body for resolution. The Governing Body is the final authority on disputes among KCSARA Units.
    9. All meetings of the Association are considered open meetings except that the President or Governing Body may declare a meeting closed for the sole purpose of considering personnel issues.
  4. Officers
    1. To serve as an Executive Board Member of the King County Search and Rescue Association, at the time of the election, an individual must:
      1. Be a member of a group that has full member status in KCSARA.
      2. Have served as Chairperson/President of one of the member organizations of KCSARA, or
      3. Have served as a delegate of one of the Full member Units of KCSARA, or
      4. Have otherwise demonstrated sustained interest and leadership abilities in KCSARA and search and rescue operations.
    2. An Executive Board member of KCSARA may not simultaneously serve in any equivalent position of any Full Member Unit.
    3. Terms. The President and Vice President shall be elected for a term of two years and may not serve for more than two consecutive full terms, however if no eligible or willing candidate can be found, the current President may be re-elected for a temporary one year-term or several one year terms until an eligible/willing candidate can be found.
    4. Outgoing President. The outgoing President shall serve for one year as an ex-officio advisor and liason to the President and the Governing Body.
    5. Secretary. The Secretary shall be appointed by the President and confirmed by vote of the Governing Body. The trem of office shall coincide with the term of the President.
    6. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be appointed by the President and confirmed by the vote of the Governing Body. The term of office shall coincide with the term of the President.
    7. Voting by Officers. The President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be considered members of the Governing Body, but their right to vote shall depend solely on their being named delegate or alternate of a Full Member Unit.
    8. Duties of Executive Board Members
      1. President. The President shall perform all duties normally associated with the office. The President shall appoint, subject to confirmation by the Governing Body, the Secretary and Treasurer and the Chairpersons of the Standing Committees. All other appointments shall be at the President's discretion.
      2. Vice President. The Vice President shall perform all duties normally associated with the office and during the President's absence shall have the power and duties of the President.
      3. Secretary. The Secretary shall:
        1. Keep the minutes of the meeting of members of the Governing Body and Executive Board and maintain a file of meeting minutes provided by Standing Committees.
        2. See that all notices are duly given in accordaance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by governing laws.
        3. Be custodian of the corporate records of KCSARA.
        4. Keep records of the post office address of each Officer.
        5. Sign with the President, or other officers authorized, deeds mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instuments.
        6. In general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the President.
        7. In the absence of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary may perform the duties of the Secretary.
      4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall:
        1. Have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of KCSARA.
        2. Receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to KCSARA from any source.
        3. Deposit all moneys in the name of KCSARA in banks, trust companies or other depositories.
        4. In general perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the President.
        5. In the absence of the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer may perform the duties of the Treasurer.
      5. Any Executive Board Member may serve as District SAR Representative for KCSARA.

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Last updated on November 27, 2007.