PEACE OFFICER ASSOC OF GEORGIA Inc.
C O N S T I T U T I O N

ARTICLE I
This corporation shall be a nonprofit corporation and shall be known as
THE PEACE OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA, INC.
Whenever used in this Constitution, the word “Association” shall mean the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. The main objectives of the Association shall be to establish and promote cordial relations and fellowship among the peace officers of Georgia, to assist peace officers and their families, to provide for and encourage the education and training of peace officers, to improve the profession, to improve and extend the service rendered by its members to the people of Georgia and its subdivisions, and to accomplish all things necessary to achieve these stated and related objectives.

ARTICLE II
Full-time peace officers employed by the State of Georgia or by a political subdivision of the State; Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs; correctional officers of penal institutions; professional staff personnel of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council and Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council recognized training academies; persons who are active or retired members of the Peace Officers Annuity and Benefit fund; full-time radio operators, driver license examiners and clerk dispatchers with a law enforcement agency; full-time Federal agents with full arrest powers who are assigned to duty in Georgia; full-time security officers in the investigative and law enforcement field who have full arrest powers, who are licensed under the provisions of the “Georgia Private Detective and Security Agencies Act” and who work in cooperation with law enforcement agencies in Georgia; full-time railroad agents in the investigative and law enforcement field who have arrest powers and who work in cooperation with law enforcement agencies in Georgia; full-time cadet peace officers in training with a law enforcement agency in the State of Georgia or a political subdivision of the State; District Attorneys, Assistant District Attorneys, and full-time investigators in the office of District Attorneys; State Court Solicitors, Assistant State Court Solicitors, and full-time investigators in the office of State Court Solicitors ; and full-time employees of the Association shall be eligible, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, to become active members of the Association. Auxiliary reserve law enforcement officers who are sworn and certified shall be eligible to become members of the Association. All such officers who become members and who work full time shall be subject to all the provisions relative to death benefits contained in this Constitution. All such officers who become members and who work part-time shall only be eligible for line of duty death benefits. Persons who are employed full-time as salesman for ‘The Georgia Peace Officer’ magazine shall be eligible to become voting members of the Association. Only active members and active life members may vote in elections and on questions and matters which are voted on by the membership, and only such members shall be subject to the provisions relative to death benefits contained in this Constitution.
Upon payment of the proper dues, any person who has been an active member of the Association for at least ten years out of the twelve years immediately preceding retirement and who retires from the position which entitled such person to membership in the Association may continue as an active member of the Association. Such retirement must be under honorable conditions as determined by the Executive Committee. The requirement for active membership for ten years shall not be applicable in the event of disability, but the provisions relative to honorable conditions shall apply. Except as provided above for retirees, in the event any active member ceases to hold a position entitling him to be an active member, such active membership shall expire on the date such person ceases to hold such position, and, on and after such date, he shall not be entitled to vote nor be entitled to any of the benefits provided for in this Constitution for himself or his beneficiary, unless, in the future, he meets the qualifications and once again becomes an active member.
It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to consider and act upon all applications for membership, active or otherwise. Any other provisions of this Constitution to the contrary notwithstanding, the Executive Committee is hereby empowered to refuse membership to any applicant, and the Committee’s actions thereon shall be final and conclusive. The Executive Committee may delegate such of its duties with respect to application for membership as it deems advisable to the Secretary-Treasurer, but no applicant shall be refused membership in the Association except by action of the Executive Committee. No membership shall be suspended or revoked except by action of the Executive Committee.
Associate memberships may be issued to persons who are not eligible to become active members of the Association. Any such person must have rendered outstanding service to the Association and to the peace officer profession. The Executive Committee may prescribe dues for associate members but such dues shall not exceed those provided for active members. The Secretary-Treasurer shall provide for a membership card for associate members which shall be distinguishable from the membership card of active members.
Each year, honorary life memberships may be awarded to not more than three distinguished citizens of Georgia, not eligible to active membership in the Association, who have rendered outstanding service to the Association and to the peace officer profession. The Executive Committee shall select the person or persons to receive such an award. The Executive Committee may also authorize the awarding of honorary memberships to other persons deemed deserving of such an award.
Active members who have rendered outstanding service to the Association over a period of years may be selected as active life members of the Association. Such active life members shall be exempt thereafter from the payment of all membership dues but shall otherwise occupy the same status as active members. Not more than four such memberships shall be awarded each year. The Executive Committee shall select such members.

ARTICLE III
The elected officers of the Association shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, two Board Members, and a Secretary-Treasurer. The President and the Vice-President shall serve for terms of one year. The Secretary-Treasurer and Board Members shall serve for a term of two years; however, the first election held subsequent to the passage and adoption of this Article shall designate the Board Members as “Member A” and “Member B,” and that the first term for “Member B” shall be for one year. Thereafter, there shall be no difference between the Board Members and the term of each shall be for two years. No Board Member shall be elected to any other office until he has completed the term for which he was elected as a Board Member, unless there is a vacancy in such other office caused by the death or resignation of the incumbent. No persons shall be elected to any of the above offices or appointed as Chairman of the Legislative Committee unless such person is an active member of the Association and is an active or retired member of the Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund. No person shall be eligible to succeed himself more than once to the office of President and Vice President, nor more than once to the offices of Board Member; however, the person elected to the position of “Board Member B” hereunder shall be permitted to succeed himself for two two-year terms after the initial one-year term of office.
The above officials shall be elected by a majority vote of the active members present and voting at the regular annual meeting of the Association. In the event no person receives a majority of the votes cast on the first ballot for a particular office, the two persons receiving the highest number of votes shall enter into a runoff election, and the person receiving the majority of the votes in such runoff election shall be elected. In the event only one person is nominated for an office, an election shall not be held for such office, and the person nominated shall be declared to have been elected to such office.
In the event the person holding the office of Secretary-Treasurer is not re-elected to that office, he shall turn over all records, moneys, securities, equipment, supplies, and all other property, both real and personal, of whatever kind, belonging to the Association not later than thirty days after the date of the election. After the above shall have been turned over to the new Secretary-Treasurer, he shall assume the duties of that office, and in no event shall such assumption be later than thirty days after the date of the election. Except as provided above, the officers elected at the election shall assume the duties of their offices upon being sworn in at the annual banquet on the closing night of the convention.

ARTICLE IV
There shall be an Executive Committee composed of the President, Vice-President, the two Board Members, the Secretary-Treasurer, and the Chairman of the Legislative Committee. The Executive Committee shall be the governing body of the Association and, subject to such limitations as are provided herein, shall be vested with all corporate powers, property and affairs. The Executive Committee is hereby vested with full authority to act for and to contract in the name of the Association. The Executive Committee is hereby vested with full power and authority to conduct the affairs and business of the Association. The Executive Committee shall have authority to employ an attorney for the Association. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to designate a Chaplain for the Association. The Executive Committee is hereby authorized to subscribe to and contribute to charitable, benevolent and other causes which the Executive Committee feels are worthwhile.
The President of the Association shall be the Chairman of the Executive Committee and the Committee shall meet upon his call. Four members of the Committee shall also have the right to call a meeting of the Committee. A quorum shall consist of four members, and the affirmative vote of four members shall be required to take any action. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep minutes of the proceedings of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE V
Each active member shall pay to the Secretary-Treasurer as annual dues an amount to be determined by the Executive Committee, and unless membership is refused he shall be a member of the Association for a period beginning with the date of payment of such dues and ending one year from the first day of the month following the month in which such dues are paid. Such member shall be issued a membership card showing his membership expiration date.

ARTICLE VI
The President shall serve as executive head of the Association and shall preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Executive Committee. He shall deliver the President’s address at each annual meeting. The newly elected President shall appoint, within thirty days after he takes office, a District Director from each Regional Academy District established by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council in the State of Georgia to serve for the ensuing year. It shall be the duty of each District Director to render reports of the activities in his District, to make recommendations for the good of the Association, to render assistance to the President, to the Secretary-Treasurer and to the Executive Committee, and to promote, in whatever way possible, the best interests of the Association in his District. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President by reason of death, disability, resignation or other cause, the Vice-President shall become President for the remainder of the unexpired term. In the event the President is unable to attend a meeting of the Association or of the Executive Committee, the Vice-President shall preside. The President is hereby authorized to appoint Sergeants at Arms for the Association but shall not appoint more than twenty-five.

ARTICLE VII
The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Association. He shall keep an accurate roll of the officers and members of the Association, together with their addresses. He shall notify officers and members of the various committees of their election or appointment. He shall issue notices of all meetings. He shall maintain all official correspondence for the Association and shall be the custodian of the records and archives of the Association. He shall receive all moneys due the Association, give proper receipt therefor, deposit same to the account of the Association, make proper disbursements and retain copies of all receipts and deposit slips for a reasonable time, but not less than one year. The Executive Committee shall fix the compensation and allowances of the Secretary-Treasurer. The books of the Secretary-Treasurer shall be open at all times to inspection by members of the Executive Committee. The books shall be audited annually before the regular annual meeting and the Secretary-Treasurer shall present a full report of the audit at such meeting, along with a report of his activities for the previous year. The Executive Committee shall provide for such audit. The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on the first day of July and end on the following last day of June. Accurate records of all funds received directly or indirectly from the publication of the official magazine of the Association shall be maintained by the Secretary-Treasurer. The Secretary-Treasurer shall give good and sufficient bond satisfactory to the Executive Committee in an amount not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00). The premium of the bond shall be paid from funds of the organization.

ARTICLE VIII
The Association shall meet annually in regular meeting at such site as the Executive Committee shall select. The annual meeting shall not be held in the same locality for more than tow successive years. The date of the annual meetings shall be determined by the Executive Committee. The Committee shall also fix the other particulars of the meeting but shall have authority to delegate its powers in this respect. The presence of fifty members at each annual meeting shall constitute a quorum. The Executive Committee shall make provisions relative to those persons entitled to receive payment of expenses for attendance at official committee meetings and at annual meetings and other matters relative to such expenses. Past Presidents and Past Secretary-Treasurers shall be entitled to receive expenses for attendance at annual meetings.

ARTICLE IX
Based upon the conditions set out hereinafter, the Executive Committee may pay not more than four thousand dollars ($4,000.00) to the widow, child, personal representative, or such other person as shall be deemed to be the proper recipient, of an active member killed in the line of duty and may pay not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) to the widow, child, personal representative, or such other person as shall be deemed to be the proper recipient, of an active member whose death results from any other cause. An active member shall have the right to designate the person who shall receive the amount to be paid pursuant to this Article. Such designation shall be made at the place indicated on the membership card, and unless changed by the member the proper amount shall be paid to such recipient. The member may change such designation by a letter directed to the Secretary-Treasurer giving the name and address of the new designee. Any such member shall only be deemed to have been killed in the line of duty if he received an injury by external accident or violence arising out of the performance of such duty, by not resulting from willful misconduct of such member, from which injury death shall result as the direct and proximate cause thereof within a period of twelve months from the date of the receipt of such injury. Any such benefits paid under the provisions of this Article shall be deemed a gratuity and shall be paid entirely within the discretion of the Executive Committee based upon its determination of the ability of the Association to make such payments and of the entitlement of any person to receive such payments. In no event shall any person be deemed to have any vested right or interest in any benefits payable hereunder, and the payment of annual dues shall not be construed as bestowing upon any such member or any other person any vested right to such payments. The Executive Committee shall determine the amounts to be paid within the limitations provided herein and subject to the provisions of this Article. The amount paid for death in the line of duty shall not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) prior to July 1, 1976, and shall not be increased more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) in any succeeding fiscal year. In no event shall such amount exceed four thousand dollars ($4,000.00) as provided hereinbefore. The amount paid for death from any other cause shall not exceed four hundred dollars ($400.00) prior to July 1, 1976, and shall not be increased more than one hundred dollars ($100.00) in any succeeding fiscal year. In no event shall such amount exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) as provided hereinbefore. The Executive Committee is hereby empowered to decrease the amounts provided for herein at any time if the Committee determines it is advisable or necessary to do so. No payment shall be made without the approval of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE X
The Executive Committee is hereby authorized, in its discretion, to offer a reward, not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person or persons for the killing of any law enforcement officer, prosecuting attorney or judge. The Executive Committee shall study each case in the light of its own circumstances in order to determine whether such reward shall be offered.

ARTICLE XI
The following shall be standing committees:
1. A Legislative Committee, to be composed of not more than twelve members, including the Chairman, to be appointed by the President. The President shall designate the Chairman of the Legislative Committee, and such Chairman shall become a member of the Executive Committee. Such Chairman shall serve until his successor is appointed. It shall prepare for legislative action such matters as are recommended for passage by the Association, use all proper means to secure their enactment into law and oppose by all proper mean such proposed legislation as the Association may direct or as deemed advisable. In case an emergency arises requiring the action of the Association upon proposed legislation prior to the annual meeting, the Executive Committee shall have the authority to take such action as may be deemed proper and shall make a report thereof at the ensuing annual meeting.
2. An Advisory Committee, to be appointed by the President, to be composed of a Chairman and member from sheriffs, city police, state patrol, county police, wardens and custodial officers, rangers, revenue agents and such groups as the President in his discretion deems deserving of recognition on this Committee. It shall, upon the call of the Executive Committee, consult with and advise with it on all matters of special importance to the Association and its members.
3. A Resolutions Committee, to be composed of not more than ten members, including the Chairman, to be appointed by the President. In appointing same, the President shall give equitable consideration to various groups in the Association. All resolutions shall be referred to the Resolutions Committee for its consideration no later than the designated time at which the Resolutions Committee considers all resolutions during the annual meeting, and no resolution shall be considered on the floor which has not been submitted to the Committee. It shall be the duty of that Committee to consider such resolutions and determine whether they shall be submitted to the members for adoption or rejection. Such determination shall be final.
4. A Membership Committee, to be composed of a Chairman to be appointed by the President, the Secretary-Treasurer, and one member from each agency represented in the Association’s membership to be named by the Secretary-Treasurer. The Membership Committee shall encourage all eligible applicants to become members and shall put forth special effort to encourage every agency to achieve one hundred percent membership.
The members of the Executive Committee shall be members of the Legislative Committee and the Resolutions Committee. In addition to the four standing committees listed above, the President is hereby authorized to appoint from time to time any other committees as he deems necessary.

ARTICLE XII
In the event a vacancy occus in the office of Vice-President, the two Board Members, or Secretary-Treasurer, the remaining members of the Executive Committee shall elect a person to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. A vacancy shall be deemed to exist in the office of Vice-President if he becomes President by virtue of a vacancy on the office of President, as provided hereinbefore. In the event a vacancy occurs in the Chairmanship of the Legislative Committee, the President shall appoint a person to fill such vacancy for the unexpired term. In the event a vacancy occurs on any committee provided for herein, such vacancy shall be filled by the appointment of the original appointing authority.

ARTICLE XIII
The Constitution may be amended at the regular annual meeting of the Association by an affirmative vote of a majority of the active members present and voting, but no amendment shall be effective without the affirmative vote of at least fifty active members. An amendment to the Constitution must be in the form of a resolution containing the exact language of the amendment and must be presented to the Resolutions Committee for it consideration no later than the designated time at which the Resolutions Committee considers all resolutions during the annual meeting. Any such resolution shall be subject to the provisions of this Constitution relative to other resolutions.

AS AMENDED AT THE 1995 ANNUAL CONVENTION IN JEKYLL ISLAND