Any Citizen of the United States of America of good
moral character and in good standing, who is willing to comply with and abide by the Constitution of the United States of
America and the by-laws of this Corporation shall be eligible for membership, providing applicant satisfies in all respects
the qualifications required by the class of membership for which the application is made.
For convenience
the material in this book uses he, his, etc., to pertain to either sex and is not used to discriminate against anyone or in
any other way be prejudicial.
Acceptance
of members between the ages of 16 and 21 shall in no way be construed to mean that this corporation grants any privileges
denied to minors by existing Federal or State Laws. Parental consent must appear
on the application blanks executed by minors.
This corporation
shall be supported by five (5) classes of membership: Life Member, Active Firefighter, Inactive Firefighter, Junior
Firefighters, and Honorary Members.
Life
Members: Any member who has served this corporation as an Active Firefighter
for a period of twenty (20) years shall be granted a Life Membership and shall be exempt from further payment of dues or assessments. A member of this class shall retain the rights and privileges of the Active Firefighter
membership class.
Active
Firefighter: Members and applicants for this class of membership must live within
a two-road mile radius of Baldwin Borough, must have attained the age of 18 years, and obtain written consent from a physician
stating that he is physically able to perform the duties of a firefighter. If
the applicant is approved by the membership, the cost of the examination will be reimbursed, and such applicant will be on
probation for a period of one (1) year. Probationary members are not entitled
to nominate, be nominated, vote for officers, hold any offices of the corporation or vote for matters of an executive nature
and pertinent to the efficient operations of the corporation. To obtain the status
of a fully qualified member of the Active Firefighter class, a probationary member must satisfactorily complete his one (1)
year probationary period to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors. The Board
shall report same to the officers and members of the corporation and shall notify such member of his rejection or acceptance
to the fully qualified Firefighters class.
Inactive Firefighter: Members of this class will be firefighters who have served this corporation for ten
(10) or more years as an Active Firefighter, and have either not made the minimum standards set forth in Article IV, Section
1 or have voluntarily accepted this membership status by making such desire known to the Board of Directors. Members of this class if eligible, are permitted to hold an executive office of this corporation. These members may also vote on matters of an executive nature. These members may regain their Active Firefighter status by submitting a letter to the Board of Directors
stating their intentions. If accepted by the Board of Directors, such member
will be considered a probationary Active Firefighter for a period of one (1) year.
Junior Firefighters: Any member who is between the ages of 16 and 18.
For a Junior member to become a fully qualified Active Firefighter he must have attained the age of 18 and have a high
school diploma or its equivalent, a one (1) year probationary period must also be successfully completed. The Rules and Regulations that are followed for Junior Members have been set forth by the State of Pennsylvania
Department of Labor and Industry as pertaining to Junior Firefighters. All requirements
that pertain to the Active Firefighters class of membership shall pertain to the Junior Firefighter.
Honorary Members: Members of this class shall represent a special class of membership of those citizens
in our community and the surrounding communities, who have performed extraordinary efforts for the benefit and good operation
of this company. Proposed members of this class must be approved by the majority
vote of the Active Firefighters at a monthly meeting, to attain full status of this membership class. Members of this class shall have no rights and privileges of any class of membership within this corporation.
Only fully qualified
Active Firefighters or Life Members in good standing shall have the right to present written applications of candidates for
membership in the Active Firefighter class.
Applications for membership
shall be made in duplicate and must be accompanied by a five dollar ($5.00) fee.
This initiation fee for corporate members will include three dollars ($3.00) dues
assessable for the first year's membership.
Applications for membership
shall be presented at a regular monthly meeting to the Financial Secretary/Secretary, who shall duly record and read same
to the members present. Applications shall then be turned over to the Board of
Directors. Any objections to the applicant must be made known to the Board of
Directors by the member harboring such objections. A candidate refused membership
shall be given an explanation along with the return of the application fee. Rejected
applicants may again present a new application after a period of twelve (12) months has elapsed.
Upon approval of applicant by
the Board of Directors, said applicant shall be notified by the Financial Secretary/Secretary of his election to membership. An applicant approved for Class 1 shall present himself at the next regular monthly
meeting to receive their induction into the company.
