If you're a funeral director - Rochester Genesee Valley FDA

Welcome!

If you're not a member of our association, we invite you to take a look at our mission statement and by-laws listed below. To get information about becoming a member, please call our current president, Matt Miller at 585-738-9549, or our President-Elect, Rick Harris 585-644-2041.

We look forward to your membership and your participation in our meetings, dinners, and activities.

As a funeral director, please feel free to view our following website pages:

Directory of Members and Classified Ads

When you become a member, you will also have access to the pages listed under "Members Only," which contain information about continuing education, social services guidelines (and phone numbers), and our current newsletter.

Mission Statement

We, the members of the Rochester Genesee Valley Funeral Directors Association, Inc. and the Funeral Directors and Embalmers, residing in the counties of Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Orleans, Wayne and Wyoming, recognizing the high purpose of the Funeral Directing profession, and aware of the great trust and confidence reposed in the profession by the public, do hereby establishj the following Aims and Purposes of the Rochester Genesee Valley Funeral Directors Association to be:

To preserve and enhance the high standards of integrity and honor exisiting in the Funeral Directing proffesion so as to better serve in the public interest.

To promote uniformity and certainty in the useages and practices of the funeral directing profession.

To promote better understanding and appreciation on the part of the public of the function of the funeral directing profession.

To further advance the professional education of the members of the Rochester Genesee Valley Funeral Directors Association and assist in establishing and maintaining high standards of education and training for all persons seeking to enter the profession.

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Constitution and By-Laws

of the

Rochester Genesee Valley

Funeral Directors Association, Inc.

Preamble

Aims and Purposes

The Aims and Purposes of the Association are:

Section 1) To preserve and enhance the high standards of integrity and honor existing in the Funeral Directing profession so as to better serve in the public interest.

Section 2) To promote uniformity and certainty in the usages and practices of the funeral directing profession.

Section 3) To promote better understanding and appreciation on the part of the public of the function of the funeral directing profession.

Section 4) To further advance the professional education of the members of the Association and assist in establishing and maintaining high standards of education and training for all persons seeking to enter the profession.

By-Laws

Article I

Name and Seal:

Section 1) The name of the corporation shall be Rochester Genesee Valley Funeral Directors Association, Inc.

Section 2) The corporation shall be organized as a 501-c (3) corporation.

Section 3) The corporation shall have a Corporation Seal.

Article II

Membership:

Section 1) Membership shall be divided into two categories:

1. Voting Membership: shall be available to any Funeral Director licensed by the State of New York who pays the regularly levied assessment.

Voting members shall be eligible to enroll additional members for continuing education courses and to hold elected office in the Association. Voting members shall be entitled to all correspondence and attendance at all Association functions.

Voting members shall have one vote on any matter coming before this Association.

2. Non-Voting Membership: shall be entitled to all the privileges of membership except the right to enroll additional members for continuing education courses or to hold elected office in the Association.

This category has no vote on matter coming before this Association.

1. Associate Membership: shall be available to any Funeral Director licensed by the State of New York who pays the regularly levied assessment. Associate members shall be entitled to all correspondence and attendance at all Association functions.

2. Student/Registered Resident Membership: shall be available to a student enrolled in an accredited mortuary school or an individual currently registered under the rules of New York State Department of Health as a Registered Resident. This membership category shall be without charge for the period of school enrollment and/or residency. Student/Registered Resident members shall be entitled to all correspondence and attendance at all Association functions.

3. Honorary Membership: shall be available to an individual because of distinguished professional or public service. Honorary members will be selected and approved by the Board of Directors. This membership category shall be without charge for life. Honorary members shall be entitled to all correspondence and attendance at all Association functions.

4. Affiliate Membership: shall be available to any individual, group, organization or business that provides a support service to the funeral profession and pays the regularly levied assessment. Affiliate members shall be entitled to all correspondence and attendance at all Association functions.

Section 2) In order to hold elected office in this Association, one must be a Voting member.

Section 3) Only those who shall submit evidence of good character and high professional standing; and, who shall subscribe to and agree to be bound by the Bylaws, rules and acts of this Association; and, whose name has been published in two consecutive Association newsletters shall be eligible for membership in this Association.

Section 4) The membership committee shall make such investigations and get such information from an applicant as may be necessary to determine if such applicant is qualified to be admitted to membership, and report thereon as required by this Constitution and Bylaws to the Board of Directors.

Section 5) Membership for qualified applicants shall be voted on by the Executive Board. A majority of the voting members of the Executive Board present

at a regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be necessary to accept any new member.

Section 6) Membership is non-transferable.

Section 7) All Voting members shall be entitled to one (1) vote which shall be cast in person, or by clearly typed absentee ballot which must contain a statement of the issue they wish to vote upon and whether their vote is for or against the issue.

The ballot must also be signed, dated and received by the Secretary prior to the vote.

The ballot shall not be counted until it can be compared with their original application for membership and authenticated by the Secretary.

Article III

Association Meetings:

Section 1) The annual meeting of the Association shall be held each year at a time and place to be designated by the Board of Directors.

Section 2) A regular monthly informative meeting shall be called at the discretion of the President or the Board of Directors, with at least one (1) meeting, other than the annual meeting to be called each year.

Section 3) The Board of Directors shall upon the written request of ten (10) Voting members, forthwith call a regular special meeting.

Section 4) The notice of any meeting shall be mailed to each member to their last known address, as shown on the books of the Association, at least ten (10) days in advance of the date of the meeting, unless by action of the Board of Directors a shortened time shall be fixed.

Section 5) A quorum at any regular or special meeting shall consist of not less than ten (10) Voting members.

Section 6) In the absence of the President or President-Elect, at a meeting of the Association, the Executive Board members present shall, by majority vote, elect a presiding officer for that meeting.

Section 7) All Voting members shall be entitled to one (1) vote. (See Article II; Section 7)

Section 8) The manner of conducting any meeting of the Association shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order when not in conflict with the By-laws of this Association.

Article IV

Executive Board:

Section 1) The Executive Board shall consist of up to eleven (11) members. They shall include the seven (7) Voting Directors elected by the Voting Members and the Officers of the Association; namely, the President, the President-Elect, the Secretary/Treasurer and the Immediate Past President.

There shall be no more than two (2) members of the Executive Board from any firm.

Section 2) The Voting Directors shall be divided into two (2) classes to consist of three (3) in one class and four (4) in the other class and each class shall hold office for a two (2) year term. The class of three (3) shall be elected in odd number years and the class of four (4) shall be elected in even number years.

Section 3) Voting Directors shall be elected by a majority vote of the Voting Members at the Annual Meeting to serve until their successors shall qualify and assume office.

Section 4) In case of resignation or death of any Director, Officer or a vacancy of any Office for any cause, the balance of the term shall be filled by election of the remaining members of the Executive Board to hold office for the remainder of the term.

Section 5) The Executive Board may, by majority vote of those present at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors, remove from office any director who shall have been absent from three (3) consecutive Directors meetings without satisfactory explanation of their absence.

Section 6) Five (5) voting members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum. A majority of the voting members of the Executive Board present at a regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be necessary to pass any proposition.

The Secretary/Treasurer and the Immediate Past President shall have no vote on matters before the Executive Board.

Section 7) Each voting member of the Executive Board shall be entitled to one (1) vote. (See Article II; Section 7)

Section 8) The property, affairs, business and concerns of the Association shall be vested in the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall have the power to hold meetings as they may deem proper; to admit members or suspend or expel them by ballot; to appoint committees from the members of the Board of Directors and from other members of the Association; to carry on correspondence on behalf of the Association; and to advise and carry into execution such other measures as they may deem proper and expedient to promote the objects of the Association and to best protect the interest and welfare of its members.

Section 9) The Association shall pay the Secretary/Treasurer such salary as may be fixed by the Executive Board.

Section 10) In the absence of the President or Secretary/Treasurer the Executive Board may designate one of its members the right to sign checks for a definite period of time for such absent officers.

Section 11) The Executive Board shall at all times be the sole judge as to the status of any membership and their determination shall be final.

Article V

Board of Directors:

Section 1) The Board of Directors shall consist of up to nineteen (19) directors. They shall include the seven (7) Voting Directors elected by the Voting Members, the elected Officers; namely, the President, the President-Elect, the Secretary/Treasurer, the six (6) elected County Representatives, the Immediate Past President, the State Director and the Alternate State Director.

Members of the Board of Directors shall be permitted to hold more than one position except for the President and the President-Elect who may not be a Voting Director or Secretary/Treasurer.

Section 2) Directors shall be elected by a majority vote of the Voting Members at the annual meeting to serve until their successors shall qualify and assume office.

Section 3) The Board of Directors shall meet at least once in every three (3) months. The President shall call a special meeting of the Board of Directors at the request of three (3) or more members of the Executive Board or five (5) or more members of the Board of Directors.

Section 4) Five (5) voting members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum. A majority of the voting members of the Executive Board present at a regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be necessary to pass any proposition.

The Secretary/Treasurer and the Immediate Past President shall have no vote on matters before the Board of Directors.

Article VI

Officers:

Section 1) The Officers of the Association shall be elected by a majority vote of the Voting members at the annual meeting and shall consist of the President, the President Elect, the Secretary/Treasurer, and one (1) County Representative from each member County, each to serve a two (2) year term beginning with the date of their election and until their successor shall take office.

Officers of the Association and County Representatives shall be elected in odd number years.

Section 2) President: It shall be the duty of the President to preside at meetings of the Association, Executive Board and Board of Directors, chair the Professional Conduct Committee, enforce order, and, together with the Board of Directors have general supervision of the affairs of the Association.

Immediately after each annual meeting he/she shall appoint, with the concurrence of the Board of Directors, a State Director and an Alternate State Director either or both of whom can be members of the Board of Directors. He/She shall appoint, with the concurrence of the Board of Directors, all standing committees assignments and special committee assignments as may be necessary from time to time.

He/She shall be a member of the Executive Board and shall have a vote in matters before the Executive Board.

Section 3) President-Elect: It shall be the duty of the President-Elect to assume all responsibilities of the President in his/her absence.

He/She shall be a member of the Executive Board and shall have a vote in matters before the Executive Board.

Section 4) Secretary/ Treasurer: It shall be the duty of the Secretary/ Treasurer at all times to keep a complete roll of the members; to make a membership report at regular meetings of the Board of Directors; to make a membership report in writing at the annual meeting of the Association; and to notify new members of their election.

He/She shall give notice of all meetings of the Association, the Executive Board and the Board of Directors and shall keep minutes of such meetings.

He/She shall collect the dues and all other monies of the Association and shall deposit or invest the funds of the Association as directed by the Executive Board; report at regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors the balance of money on hand and any existing appropriations which may affect the same period; be audited by the Finance Committee who shall report thereon at the annual meeting; and furnish such bond as the Directors may from time to time require, the premium to be paid by the Association. He/She shall conduct the correspondence of the Association with the concurrence of the President and/or Board of Directors, and shall perform other duties as the President and/or Board of Directors may from time to time assign him/her.

He/She shall be the Keeper of the Seal of the Association.

He/She shall be a member of the Executive Board but shall have no vote in matters before the Executive Board.

Section 5) County Representative: It shall be the duty of the County Representative to report to the County members they represent, all matters concerning the actions and activities of the Association.

They shall make oral, or in their absence written reports, to the President and/or Board of Directors, of the activities and areas of concern from their representative County at each Board of Directors meeting and/or general membership meeting.

They shall serve as members of the Professional Conduct Committee and as advisors to all standing committees as directed by the President.

Section 6) State Director: It shall be the duty of the State Director to serve as the Association representative to the New York State Funeral Directors Association Board of Directors.

He/She shall make reports to the New York State Funeral Directors Association Board of Directors of the activities and areas of concern of the Association at Board of Directors meeting.

He/She shall report to the President and/or Board of Directors, all matters concerning the actions and activities of the New York State Funeral Directors Association.

The State Director shall be required to be a member in good standing in the New York State Funeral Directors Association.

Section 7) Alternate State Director: It shall be the duty of the Alternate State Director to assume all responsibilities of the State Director in his/her absence.

The Alternate State Director shall be required to be a member in good standing in the New York State Funeral Directors Association.

Section 8) Immediate Past President: It shall be the duty of the Immediate Past President to provide a historical perspective to the Executive Board and the Board of Directors.

He/She shall be a member of the Executive Board but shall have no vote in matters before the Executive Board.

Article VII

Committees:

Section 1) Standing Committees: The President, with the concurrence of the Board of Directors, shall appoint all standing committees assignments and delegate to them such duties and responsibilities as outlined by these By-Laws. There shall be the following standing committees: Finance, Nominating, Membership, Public Information/Public Education, Continuing Education and Professional Conduct.

1. Finance: The Finance Committee shall consist of three (3) Voting members who shall audit the books and accounts of the Association and at the annual meeting shall report thereon.

This committee may employ a professional accountant to assist them in their audit, the expense of which shall be paid by the Association.

2. Nominating: The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) Voting members who shall nominate candidates for election at the next annual meeting.

No member shall be nominated unless they are in good standing.

The Nominating Committee shall submit to the Voting Membership, in writing, at least twenty (20) days before the Annual Meeting, a slate of candidates of Directors and/or Officers to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.

Independent candidates may be nominated upon a petition signed by at least ten (10) Voting members in good standing, provided such petition has been filed with the Secretary at least ten (10) days prior to the Annual Meeting.

The Secretary shall then give notice, in writing, of such nomination to the Voting Membership at least five (5) days before the Annual Meeting at which they are to be voted upon.

No nominations will be taken from the floor at the Annual Meeting.

3. Membership: The Membership Committee shall make such investigations and get such information from an applicant as may be necessary to determine if such applicant is qualified to be admitted to membership, and report thereon as required by this Constitution and By-Laws.

4. Public Information/ Public Education: The Public Information/ Public Education Committee shall have responsibility for all matters pertaining to working with local media and providing the public with educational materials.

The Public Information area will be under the control of the President and Board of Directors with the responsibility of building and maintaining an open relationship with members of the television, radio and print media thereby to insure that timely and accurate information is made available to the media.

The Public Education area will be responsible for promoting and developing programs, courses, speakers, materials and other appropriate resources of an educational nature and also concerning funeral service and the profession itself.

The committee shall make recommendations to the President and Board of Directors concerning the availability and placement of new resource materials and the development programs to permit the Association to implement these policies.

5. Continuing Education: The Continuing Education Committee shall have responsibility for all matters pertaining to continuing education for members. The committee will be responsible for promoting and developing programs, courses, speakers, materials and other appropriate resources of a continuing educational nature.

The committee shall make recommendations to the President and Board of Directors concerning the development of programs to permit the Association to implement these courses.

2-->2-->3-->3-->6- Professional Conduct: The Professional Conduct Committee will investigate any complaints directed against a RGVFDA member that alleges an act or omission that could be a violation of the RGVFDA Constitution, By-Laws or Code of Professional Conduct.

The Professional Conduct Committee will consist of the President of the Association, the County Representatives and other members of the Association as may be needed from time-to-time.

The President of the Association will serve as Chairperson.

Section 2) Special Committees: The President, with the concurrence of the Board of Directors, may appoint from time to time such special committees as may be necessary and proper and may delegate to them such duties as shall be appropriate, except those powers and duties specifically reserved by these By-Laws to the Association, or to the Board of Directors or to any standing or special committee.

There shall be the following Special Committees: Business Relations, Care Facilities Relations, Government Relations, Professional Relations, and Member Services.

1. Business Relations: The Business Relations Committee shall maintain liaison, obtain and share information, confer with business associates and work to resolve areas of mutual concern with the Cemeteries, Florist, Newspapers and Suppliers for the benefit of the Association members.

2. Care Facilities Relations: The Care Facilities Relations Committee shall maintain liaison, obtain and share information, confer with business associates and work to resolve areas of mutual concern with the Extended Care Facilities, Health Care Facilities, Hospices, Hospitals and Medical Professionals for the benefit of the Association members.

3. Government Relations: The Government Relations Committee shall maintain liaison, obtain and share information, confer with business associates and work to resolve areas of mutual concern with the Department of Health, Medical Examiner and Coroner, Social Security, Social Services, Veterans and Vital Records for the benefit of the Association members.

4. Professional Relations: The Professional Relations Committee shall maintain liaison, obtain and share information, confer with business associates and work to resolve areas of mutual concern with respect to Disaster Response, Organ Procurement and Political Action for the benefit of our members

5. Members Services: The Members Services Committee shall have responsibility for Awards and Recognition, Hospitality and Social functions for the Association and shall establish regularized procedures for Budget, By-Laws, Ethics and Grievance for the Association.

Section 3) All committees except Finance and Nominating, shall consist of as many members as the President and the Board of Directors shall determine.

Section 4) The President and President-Elect of the Association shall be ex-officio members of all standing committees and special committees except the Nominating Committee and shall be entitled to participate in those proceedings.

Section 5) No committee shall publish or report or commit any act to speak for, or bind the Association, or incur any debt or obligation on behalf of the Association, except to the extent they may be authorized by the Board of Directors of the Association.

Article VIII

Membership Application:

Section 1) Application: The signature of the applicant for membership shall be taken as sufficient evidence that such applicant subscribes to the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association, and that the applicant will comply with the Association’s Code of Professional Conduct.

Section 2) Dues: A membership application shall be accompanied by the fixed initiation fee, if any, and one (1) year’s dues. Annual dues shall be for a one (1) year period and shall be applied from May 1^st, of any one year through April 30^th of the following year.

The annual dues assessed and payable in advance shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

Section 3) Resignation: Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the Secretary on or before April 30^th, but such resignation shall not relieve the member of the obligation to pay any dues or other charges remaining outstanding at the time of resignation.

Section 4) Suspension: Members who fail to pay their dues within thirty (30) days from the time the same become due shall be notified by the Secretary and, if payment is not made within the next succeeding thirty (30) days, shall be reported to the Board of Directors as in arrears and if so ordered shall forfeit all rights and privileges of membership.

Section 5) Forfeiture: Any Voting member whose license is revoked or suspended, or whose registration is revoked, suspended, lapsed or inactive with the New York State Department of Health forfeits Voting Membership in this Association.

Section 6) Reinstatement: The Executive Board shall have the power to reinstate a former member, provided that he/she was in good standing at the time of withdrawal and if all dues and other charges are paid up to date.

Article IX

Indemnification:

Section 1) A person who serves as a Director, Officer or Employee of the Association shall be indemnified by the Association against all liability and reasonable expenses, including but not limited to: counsel fees and disbursements and amounts of judgments, fines or penalties incurred or imposed upon them in connection with any claims, action, suit or proceeding, actual or threatened, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative; and appeals in which they may become involved as a party, or otherwise by reason of acts or omissions in their official capacity.

Section 2) The standards of conduct necessary to be entitled to indemnity hereunder is that such person acted in good faith for the purpose which they reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the Association, and, in addition, in any criminal action or proceeding, had had no reasonable cause to believe that their conduct was unlawful.

Section 3) This indemnification shall not include those claims of criminal or fraudulent behavior directed against the Association.

Article X

Amendements:

Section 1) A proposition to alter, amend, revise or repeal the Constitution or Bylaws or any portion of them, may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the Association; by the vote of two-thirds (²/₃) of the Voting members present; providing the proposal signed by at least ten (10) members in good standing is filed with the Secretary/Treasurer at least sixty (60) days before such meeting and provided further that the Secretary/Treasurer shall mail a copy of such proposal to all members in good standing at least forty (40) days before such meeting.

The Secretary/Treasurer shall mail such notice whenever such proposal shall be filed with him/her.

Article XI

Corporate Dissolution:

Section 1) In the event the Corporation is dissolved, the assets of the Corporation shall be distributed to another charitable organization and not to the general membership, Board of Directors, or Officers of the Corporation.

Adopted May 21, 2003

Revised May 18, 2005

Revised November 1, 2006