RCVF&R Bylaws

Red Creek Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Inc. (RCVFR) exists as a non-profit public charity in the State of Colorado as filed with the Colorado Secretary of State and operates within Title 7, under Articles 121 through 137, also known as the “Colorado Revised Non-Profit Act”. Pursuant to 7-123-102(C) the Board of Directors is amending the corporate by-laws as follows:

The Corporation shall consist of two branches.

Title 1 – The Executive Branch

Title 2 – The Fire Department Operations Branch

Title 1 - The Executive Branch

Section 1 – Board of Directors

1. The executive and administrative powers, here in granted shall be vested in the Board of Directors of not less than three (3) and not more than seven (7) Directors, who shall manage and regulate the business affairs and financial resources of the Corporation.  The Board of Directors must be property owners, of land, by title, whether residing or not residing on the property, whose property lies within the boundaries of the Red Creek Volunteer Fire.

2. Directors are elected to the Board of Directors by the community of property owners of land, by title, whether residing or not residing on the property (regardless of the number of lots or acreage), whose property lies within the boundaries of the Red Creek Volunteer Fire District, as prepared and published by Pueblo County EDGIS Department, and shall be Voting Members of the Red Creek Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Inc.

• Each property owner (as described above) is allowed one (1) vote per property 
• Voting by the members must take place in person at the annual board meeting.
• Time and date of meeting to be announced thirty (30) days prior to such meeting. Directors are elected to the Board of Directors by the community of property owners in the coverage area of RCVF&R at the organization’s annual meeting.

3. The term of office shall be two (2) years or until a successor shall be elected or appointed.  Terms shall be staggered.

4. Board of Director vacancies may be filled by appointment, by a majority vote of the remaining directors, to fulfill the remaining term of the vacated position.

5. Directors may be re-elected, by the community of property owners for an unlimited number of terms.

6. Directors may be removed from office, with or without cause, by a majority vote of the Directors.

7. No Director may serve concurrently as Fire Chief.  Likewise, Fire Department Officers may not serve concurrently as Directors.

8. For the purpose of holding meetings, a simple majority of the board members will constitute a quorum.

Section 2 – Duties of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors:

1. President – Shall preside over all meetings at which he/she is present.  He/she shall execute and sign all legal correspondence, notes, contracts or other instruments of writing made and entered into by, or on behalf of, the Corporation, except such as are necessary in the normal conduct of the business affairs of the Corporation.  He/she may call special meetings of the Board of Directors at his/her own volition, and he/she shall do so at the written request of two (2) or more members of the board.  He/she shall perform such other executive duties and functions as ordinarily devolve upon the chief officer of a Corporation.

2. Vice President – (at large board member) shall discharge the duties of the President in the absence, inability or refusal of the President to discharge the duties of his/her office.  In the absence, inability or refusal of the President and Vice-President both to act, the Directors may elect a President Pro-tem, who shall perform all the duties of the office.  He/she shall keep and maintain a mailing list of all property owners and residents in the organization’s coverage area.

3. Secretary – Shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Board of Directors including any annual public meeting or special meetings of the organization.  He/she shall keep a permanent record book or compilation of records in which are kept, the Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Good Standing from the Colorado State Department Secretary of State’s office, and a copy of the Bylaws of the organization, the approved Minutes and Treasurers reports of all the meetings of the Board of Directors.  He/she shall perform all other duties incident to the office of Secretary.  He/she shall also sign and give notice of all meetings of the Organization and the Board of Directors.

4. Treasurer – Shall have control and custody over all funds and securities of the Corporation.  He/she shall deposit all monies from all revenue sources, including donations, grants, fundraisers, or other revenue streams, whether by cash, check, electronic wire and/or transfer (EFT) into a local bank branch approved by the Board of Directors.  He/she shall maintain a checking and savings account, safety deposit box (if necessary), certificates and any other financial instruments necessary and approved by the Board of Directors.  He/she shall maintain sound bookkeeping practices, as are generally accepted in business.  He/she shall produce periodic financial reports, Federal and State tax filings, as necessary or requested by the Board of Directors, the Colorado Secretary of State, or the Colorado Department of Revenue.  He/she shall present a combined, Fire Department and Administrative, annual budget for consideration and approval by the Board of Directors.

5. Directors at Large – Shall fill the office of Vice-President and the remaining Directors at large will take on any other duties as may be elected or assigned.  He/she shall willingly help the other Board Directors as requested or required.

Title 2 – The Fire Department Operations Branch

Section 1 – Fire Chief

The Fire Chief:

1. Shall be appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of, the Board of Directors of the organization, without term limits.

2. Shall herein be granted full power and authority to recruit, train, assign, discipline and dismiss fire personnel at his/her discretion.

3. Shall be responsible for maintaining a high level of fire department readiness.  He/she shall have full authority and responsibility for: Department vehicles, apparatus, and equipment.

4. Shall provide each firefighter member with basic firefighter training, PPE and equipment necessary for firefighter safety and efficient firefighting practices.

5. Shall maintain an accurate training record showing the date, subject, and attendees.

6. Shall attend monthly Board of Directors meetings to offer a verbal and/or written “Chief’s Report” to the Board, as well as, discuss other Fire Department matters deemed of interest to the organization.

7. Shall present to the Board of Directors a Fire Department annual budget request for consideration and/or approval by the Board of Directors.

These bylaws have been reviewed and approved of by the RCVF&R board members.

Red Creek Volunteer Fire and Rescue Inc. is in Good Standing with the State of Colorado

RCVF&R bylaws have been confirmed as In Compliance by the Colorado Business and Licensing Department