Charter of the Florida State Firemen’s Association, Inc.

AS AMENDED IN 1958 CONVENTION

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

of the

FLORIDA STATE FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION

A CORPORATION NOT FOR PROFIT

UNDER

THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA

   We, the undersigned, hereby associate ourselves together fpr the purpose of becoming a corporation not for profit under the laws of the State of Florida providing for the formation, liabilities, rights, privileges and immunities of a corporation not for profit, under the following Charter.

ARTICLE I

NAME AND LOCATION

   The name of this corporation not for profit shall be the FLORIDA STATE FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION, and the location of its principal office shall be in Avon Park, Highlands County, Florida. It may establish and maintain such other offices within the State of Florida as may be determined by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE II

GENERAL NATURE OF OBJECTS

   The general nature of the objects of this corporation shall be to associate members of Florida Firemen in order to forma more perfect organization, establish harmony of action, insure prosperity and promote the best interests of Firemen of Florida; to compile statistics on information concerning the practical workings of various systems and the merit of different apparatus for use in extinguishing fires; to cultivate a fraternal fellowship between the several fire departments of the State so that the business in all its branches may be standardized and more efficiently and scientifically administered; to induce cooperation and coordination between the fire departments and the other branches of cityh governments devoted to the prevention of fires; to use the full powers of the corporation to induce the cities to acquire the latest and most efficient fire-fighting apparatus and to give to each community the benefits of the other communities’ experience in fire-fighting; to use the full powers of the Association to induce all of the several Fire Departments to adopt modern methods and work together in a common cause to the mutual advantage of all in fire fighting; to elevate the personnel of the members of the Association; to inspire the members with a just pride in their work; to establish in the public mind the necessity of an efficient fire department; to sponsor and further such legislation as will tend to raise the standards of the profession as a whole.

   This corporation shall also have power to establish, operate and maintain a school of instruction for fire prevention and related matters; and to conduct the same jointly with others or under the sponsorship of any other person or agency.

   This corporation shall have the power to establish, maintain and administer a benefit plan for its members who wish to participate. Said plan shall be governed by a set of rules and regulations adopted into the By-Laws.

ARTICLE III

QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS AND MANNER OF ADMISSION

   “Qualifications of members and manner of admission or dismissal shall be set forth in the By-Laws.”

ARTICLE IV

TERM OF EXISTANCE

   This corporation shall have perpetual existence unless sooner dissolved according to law.

ARTICLE V

NAME AND RESIDENCE OF SUBSCRIBERS

   The names and residence of the subscribers of this Charter are as follows:

ARTICLE VI

MANAGEMENT

   “The affairs of this corporation shall be managed by such officers and/or Directors as shall be provided for in the By-Laws.”

   “The time of election or appointment of such officers and tenure of office shall be provided for in the By-Laws.”

   “Provisions shall be made in the By-Laws allowing for the removal, for cause, of any elected or appointed officer ot this Corporation.”

ARTICLE VII

TEMPORARY MANAGEMENT

   The names of the officers and directors who shall manage the affairs of this Corporation until the first election under this Charter are:

ARTICLE VIII

BY-LAWS AND CHARTER AMENDMENTS

   Amendments to the articles of incorporation or the By-Laws may be offered by any member of the Corporation proposing the same in writing, serving the President and Secretary with a copy thereof, and publishing the same in the FLORIDA FIREMAN, or other official paper of the Corporation, not less than thirty nor more than ninety days previous to any annual meeting. If a majority of the membership at the convention present and voting shall favor such proposed amendment, then such amendment shall become effective at the conclusion of the convention, or amendments may be made to the By-Laws upon a vote of two-thirds of the Board of Directors approving same, without first submitting notice thereof, coupled with a two-thirds majority fote of the Delegates in Convention assembled.

ARTICLE IX

INDEBTEDNESS OR LIABILITY

   “The highest amount of indebtedness to which this corporation may at any time be subject itself shall not exceed one-half of its total assets.”

ARTICLE X

REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS

   The amount in value of the real estate which this corporation may hold, subject to the approval of the Circuit Judge, is Two Hundred Fifty Thousand ($250,000.00) Dollars.

ARTICLE XI

   “The By-Laws may provide for dividing the State into Districts and may provide for officers of said Directors.”