A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, JUNE 2015
ARTICLE I - OFFICES
The principal office of the corporation shall be in the Village of Cloudcroft, in the State of New Mexico.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSES
The purposes for which this corporation has been organized are as stated in the Certificate of Incorporation which may be amended as required. The Corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including for such purposes, the making and distribution to organizations that qualify as an exempt organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code. Sparky's Boot Fund, Inc.'s purpose is to assist the Cloudcroft Volunteer Fire Department with educational services to our mountain community. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustee, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof, No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall be carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing of or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. Upon dissolution of the Corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government , or state or local government for public purpose. Any such asset not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Competent Jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purpose or to such organization or organizations as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS
1. MANAGEMENT OF THE CORPORATION. The corporation shall manage by the board of directors which shall consist of at least one director. The director shall be at least eighteen years of age. 2. ELECTION AND TERM OF DIRECTORS. At each annual meeting of members the membership shall elect directors to hold office until the next annual meeting. Each director shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which he/she was elected and until his/her successor has been elected and shall have qualified, or until his/her prior resignation or removal. 3. INCREASE OR DECREASE IN NUMBER OF DIRECTORS. The number of directors may be increased or decreased by a vote of a majority of all of the directors. No decrease in number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. 4. NEWLY CREATED DIRECTORSHIP AND VACANCIES. Newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors and vacancies occurring in the board for any reason except removal of directors without cause may be filled by a vote of the majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum exists, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation. Vacancies occurring by reason of the removal of directors without cause shall be filled by vote of the other directors. A director elected to fill a vacancy caused by resignation, death or removal shall be elected to hold office for the unexpired term of his predecessor. 5. REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS. Any or all of the directors may be removed for cause by action of the board. Directors may be removed due to non-fulfillment of duties required by board, misconduct, theft, and misrepresentation of our organization all by majority vote of the board members. This vote shall be held at a regularly scheduled meeting or a called special meeting as necessary. 6. RESIGNATION. A director may resign at any time by giving written notice to the board, the president or the secretary of the corporation. Unless otherwise specified in the notice, the resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the board or such officer, and the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. 7. QUORUM OF DIRECTORS. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, a "simple" majority of the entire board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business or any specified item of business. (A simple majority is constituted by majority of members present at meeting.) 8. ACTION OF THE BOARD. Unless otherwise required by law, the vote of a majority of the directors present at the time of the vote, if a quorum is present at such time, shall be the act of the board. Each director present shall have one vote. 9. PLACE AND TIME OF BOARD MEETINGS. The board may hold its meetings at the office of the corporation or at such other places, either within or without the state, as it may from time to time determine. 10. NOTICE OF MEETINGS OF THE BOARD, ADJOURNMENT. Regular meetings of the board may be held without notice at such time and place as it shall from time to time determine. Special meetings of the board shall be held upon notice to the directors and may be called by the president upon three days’ notice to each director either personally or by mail or by wire; special meetings shall be called by the president or by the secretary in a like manner on written request of two directors. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any director who submits a waiver of notice whether before or after the meeting or who attends the meeting without protesting prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to him/her. A majority of the directors present, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place. Notice of the adjournment shall be given to all directors who were absent at the time of the adjournment and , unless such time and place are announced at the meeting, to the other directors. 11. CHAIRMAN. At all meetings of the board, the president, or in his/her absence, a chairman chosen by the board shall preside. 12. EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES. The board, by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire board, may designate from among its members an executive committee and other committee, each consisting of three or more directors. Each such committee shall serve at the pleasure of the board.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS
. OFFICERS, ELECTIONS,TERM. Unless otherwise provided for in the certificate of incorporation, the board may elect or appoint a president, one or more vice-presidents, a secretary and a treasurer, and such other officers as it may determine, who shall have such duties, powers and functions as hereinafter provided. All officers shall be elected or appointed and qualified. Any member of the fire department is not eligible to hold office. 2. REMOVAL OR RESIGNATION. Any officer elected or appointed may be removed during regular or special meeting with or without clause. In the event of death, resignation or removal of an officer, the board in its discretion may elect or appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term. Any two or more officers may be held by the same person, except the offices of president and secretary/treasurer. 3. PRESIDENT. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation; he/she shall preside at all meetings of the members and of the board; he/she shall have the general management of the affairs of the corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board are carried into effect. 4. VICE-PRESIDENT. During the absence or disability of the president, the vice-president, or if there are more than one, the executive vice-president, shall have all the powers and functions of the president. Each vice-president shall perform such other duties as the board shall prescribe. 5. SECRETARY/TREASURER. The secretary/treasurer shall have the care and custody of all the funds and securities of the corporation, and shall deposit said funds in the name of the corporation in such bank or trust company as the directors may elect; he/she shall, when duly authorized by the board of directors, sign and execute all contracts in the name of the corporation, when countersigned by the president; he/she shall at all reasonable times exhibit his/her books and accounts to any director or member of the corporation upon application at the office of the corporation during ordinary business hours. At the end of each corporate year, he/she shall have an audit of the accounts of the corporation made by a committee appointed by the president and shall present such audit in writing at the annual meeting of the board, at which time he/she shall also present an annual report setting forth in full the financial conditions of the corporation. The secretary/treasurer shall keep the minutes of the board of directors and also the minutes of the members. He/she shall have the custody of the seal of the corporation and shall affix and attest the same to documents when duly authorized by the board of directors. He/she shall attend to the giving and serving of all notices of the corporation and shall have charge of such books and papers as the board of directors may direct; He/she shall attend to such correspondence as may be assigned to him/her and perform all the duties incidental to his/her office. 6. SURETIES AND BONDS. In case the board shall so require, any officer or agent of the corporation shall execute to the corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the board may direct, conditioned upon the faithful performance of his duties to the corporation and including responsibility for negligence and for the accounting for all property, funds or securities of the corporation which may come into his/her hands.
ARTICLE V - CONSTRUCTION
If there be any conflict between the provisions of the certificate of incorporation and these by-laws, the provisions of the certificate of incorporation shall govern.
ARTICLE VI - AMENDMENTS
The by-laws may be adopted, amended, or repealed by the board at the time they are entitled to vote in the election of directors. By-laws may also be adopted, amended, or repealed by the board of directors but any by-law adopted, amended, or repealed by the board may be amended by the board members entitled to vote thereon as herein before provided. If any by-law regulating an impending election of directors is adopted, amended, or repealed by the board, there shall be set forth in the notice of the next meeting of all board members for the election of directors the by-law so adopted, amended, or repealed, together with a concise statement of the changes made.
ARTICLE VII – CONDUCT
Because of its strong beliefs in high moral standards based on traditional values, the organization reserves the right to expect from all its officers and directors to maintain high moral standards and social values that do not conflict with traditional spiritual morals.
ARTICLE VI - FUNDING
1. FUNDS. The Funds raised by this association will be used solely for the benefit of the Cloudcroft Fire Department. 2. REQUESTS. The Funds will only be distributed upon a written request from the Chief or Assistant Chief of the Cloudcroft Volunteer Fire department and an approval of said written request by a 2/3 majority vote of members present. 3. APPROVAL GUIDELINES. Approval of the written funding requests should be based on the following guidelines:
Benefit and/or educate the Cloudcroft Volunteer Fire Department.
Benefit and/or educate the community of Cloudcroft.
Funds requested are reasonable as determined by a majority vote.
Promote the Cloudcroft Volunteer Fire Department within its community.
Any check written in amount over $500 will need two signatures.
4. SCHOLARSHIP. The Sparky’s boot Fund, Inc. will award a $300 scholarship to a Cloudcroft qualifying student. Any student that is planning on continuing their education that meets qualifications may apply.
*The Spark's Boot Fund, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era. For more information, call the NM Human Resources Services Department at 505-476-6230 or the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.