Article I - Name
 The name of this organization shall be: Midwest Chimney Safety Council

Article II - Objectives:

1. To share ideas and resources, and network with other chimney professionals.

2. To educate and improve public awareness of chimney safety through various programs, brochures, mail, meetings, and shows.

3. To further the education of all members.

4. To provide a direct line of communication with related trades and professions.

Article III - Membership and Dues

Section 1. Member Categories

1. Regular Members shall be any company involved in the inspection, repair, building, sales, or installation of chimneys, fireplaces, woodstoves of any type including wood burning, oil, and gas flues and appliances. Also Fire Marshals, Code Officials, Insurance Adjusters, Home Inspectors, Realtors, suppliers, manufacturers, others interested in chimney safety. Members may not have any unresolved complaints with the Better Business Bureau, nor any criminal convictions. Membership is by company, not by individual person. All employees and owners of a company may attend meetings, but only one representative may vote per company. Dues do not cover meal costs. Membership shall be approved by a vote of the Board of Directors. Membership may be revoked by the Board of Directors if deemed necessary. Any company doing business in the MCSC Region is eligible to join the association.  One vote per company. 

2. Affiliate Members: non-voting category - members shall be any not-for-profit educational institution or organization.

Section 2. Dues

Annual dues are based on a 12-month cycle beginning in January. Second year dues will be pro-rated to the following year and billed annually thereafter. Price may change at any time by a vote of the Board of Directors.  Categories:

1. Regular Members: A member is the business, not an individual.   One vote per company. 

2. Affiliate Members: Non-profit educational institutions. Non-Voting.

3. Meeting Fees: Meeting fees to be established by the board. All non-members will pay a nominal meeting fee to be determined by the Board.

                                                                    Article IV- Officers

Section 1: The officers of this organization shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.  If at any time the board decides to add more officers they may do so by a 2/3 majority board vote.

Section 2: Officers shall announce their candidacy in the newsletter or letter or at the annual meeting.

Section 3: The officers shall be elected by mail-in ballot or show of hands at the annual meeting.

Section 4: Terms: The officers shall serve a two-year term commencing in January, and terminating mid-way of the January meeting. 

Section 5: Officer Qualifications: Officer candidates shall be a Regular or affiliate member in good standing of the MCSC, must be a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep or an NFI Certified Gas or Woodburning Specialist, and must have been in the chimney industry for at least five years.  An officer candidate shall have served on a committee or have been an officer in the MCSC for at least one year prior to the election (but not necessarily the year immediately preceding the election). Officer candidates shall have no criminal convictions related to the chimney industry, nor any unresolved complaints with the Better Business Bureau. Officer candidates shall be approved by the Board of Directors.

Article V- Duties of Officers

Section 1. Responsibilities of the Officers shall be as follows:

A. President

i. Presides over all membership and board meetings. Does not vote except to break a tie. 

ii. Assures all rules and regulations and activities are carried into effect by members.

iii. Appoints committees and chairpersons, and reviews actions taken by such chairpersons and their committees.

iv. Sets up meetings.

B. Vice President

i. Sets up educational seminars trade shows, and contests.

ii. Presides over all membership meetings in absence of the President.

iii. Is in charge of setting up training and workshop seminars.

iv. Coordinates displays and educational speakers at membership meetings.

v. *The Vice-President is automatically the President-Elect for the next term, unless he or she declines the position.

C. Secretary

i. Records and makes available all minutes of membership and board meetings and provides a copy for the newsletter.

ii. Manages all correspondence and communications.

iii. Maintains membership roster.

iv. Performs the Treasurer’s duties in case of absence.

D. Treasurer

i.  Maintains a bank account in the name of the organization.

ii. Collects all monies and dues and mails invoices.

iii. Submits a financial report at annual meetings.

iv. Pays all bills of the association.

v. Performs the Secretary’s duties in case of absence. The officers shall share duties as necessary and agreed upon.

Article VI- Meetings

Section 1. Membership meetings will be held once or twice per year at a time determined by the Board of Directors. Meetings shall be announced in the newsletter or letter to members at least 14 days prior to the meeting.

Section 2. The regular annual shall be for the purpose of electing officers and reviewing yearly activities.

Section 3. 10% of the members in good standing shall constitute a quorum during regular and annual meetings. Proxy voting will be allowed. 

Section 4. Two-thirds of the Board shall constitute a quorum during Board meetings.

Section 5. Location of membership meetings will be determined by the Board and appropriate notice will be sent to the registered members not less than 14 days prior to the meetings.

Article VII- Board of Directors

Section 1: The Board of Directors shall consist of the following members:

A. Elected Officers

B. The Immediate Past President

C. Committee Chairpersons as appointed by the President

Section 2: Board meetings shall be held at least twice per year, and at least 14 days notice shall be given to Board members. Board meetings shall be agreed upon as to date, time, and place by the majority of the officers, *but the board shall not meet less than twice times per year. If any member misses three meetings in a row, he or she must be automatically removed from office and replaced by an appointee of the President or Vice President until the next election.

Article VIII-City, State, or County Chapters

Section 1: Chapters may be formed in any city as desired by local members. Meeting frequency, time, and place to be decided by the city chapter.

Section 2: Chapter officers shall consist of a President, and may also include a Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer if desired by the city chapter.

Section 3: Chapters shall adhere to the MCSC by-laws.

Section 4: A chapter representative shall report activities to the State board of directors at the annual meeting, or when requested by the President.

Article VIII - Committees

Section 1: Committees shall meet no less than two times per year at a time set by the Chairperson.

Section 2: Committee chairpersons are appointed by the MCSC President. Any member is eligible to serve on a committee.

Section 3: Reports of committee activities shall be presented to the Board of Directors at each Board meeting by the Committee Chairperson.

Section 4: Committees shall consist of:

a. The Newsletter Committee assembles information and writes articles for the newsletter and submits them to the President and/or Vice President for approval. The committee shall submit all articles in a timely manner, then forward all approved content to the editor. The editor shall edit content and articles as necessary for proper spelling and grammar, then compile the newsletter and submit it to the President for final approval. The committee shall address and mail the newsletter to all members.  The committee also solicits advertising for the newsletter.

b. The Membership Committee promotes and recruits new members. Keeps track of membership and dues.  Bills members for dues. 

c. The Education Committee:. This committee sets up educational seminars for the association and for the public. 

d. Licensing Committee: This committee keeps track of licensing legislation and activities in states, counties and cities that might affect our industry, and reports to the board of directors. The committee also drafts licensing bills for states and counties. 

e. Publicity Committee: This committee notifies potentially interested parties of events, and promotes events sponsored by the MCSC. Keeps track of media contacts in each state. 

 f. Technical Committee: Serves as advisors for educational programs and publications.

g. Convention Committee: Coordinates all aspects of the annual or bi-annual convention and trade show including, location, sponsors, vendor booths, lodging, seminars, auction, banquet, decor, food, events, and brochures for the convention. 

h. Website Committee: Designs and builds website, creates and finds content, keeps membership and events updated. 

Section 5: It is suggested that all members of the association serve on a committee. Board members are exempt. 

Section 6: The President may appoint new committees as deemed necessary as the association grows.

 Article VIIII

Amendment of By-Laws

     These By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting with a quorum present, or by mail ballot of the organization by two-thirds vote, provided the amendment was discussed at the previous meeting or was placed in the newsletter, mail, or e-mail, at least 7 days prior to the meeting.