Executive Board Election Call for Candidates

The California Fire Chiefs Association (CalChiefs) is seeking candidates for President-Elect. The current President Elect, Fire Chief Brian Fennessy, Orange County Fire District will be transitioning into the President position, leaving a vacancy at the President Elect office.

All candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements to be considered for office as specified in the Constitution and By-Laws.

Article 3 – Officers

Section 1 – Eligibility. Any member of the Association seeking election to the elective offices specified in this Article shall, on the day of the election, be an Active Member or Active Member – Group in good standing and have been such for at least two (2) consecutive years prior to that date.

Section 2 – Elected Officers. The elected officers of the Association shall consist of the President, President Elect, Northern Division Director, and Southern Division Director. The term of office for the President and the President Elect shall be one (1) year while the term of office for the Division Directors shall be four (4) years, or until the next regular election is called by the Executive Board. Active Members, Active Members – Group, Active Members – Volunteer, and Active Retired Members shall be eligible to vote for all elected officers of the Association. The Executive Director shall be responsible for ensuring elections occur on time and according to these by-laws or Executive Board policy as adopted from time-to-time.

Section 4 – Executive Board. There shall be an Executive Board which shall consist of the President, President Elect, Immediate Past President, Northern Division Director, Southern Division Director, Secretary/Treasurer, Member-at-large representative, Legislative Director, and California Director to the Western Fire Chiefs Association Board of Directors. The Executive Director shall be a non-voting ex-officio member of the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall also serve as the Finance Committee for the Association.

The progression of officers, and their duties and responsibilities, is as follows:

Article 3 – Officers

Section 9 – Officer Progression. The President shall advance to the office of Immediate Past President at the conclusion of their term. The President Elect shall advance to the office of President upon the President advancing to Immediate Past President or vacating the position. Officers must be in good standing for progression to occur.

Article 4 – Duties of Board Members

Section 1 – Executive Board Members

The President shall:

• Be the official representative for the Association.
• Serve as the chairperson of the Executive Board.
• Preside at meetings of the Association and meetings of the Board of Directors.
• Appoint all committees, including those not provided for in the constitution and by-laws.
• Along with the Executive Board approve the date and place of the annual meeting of the Full Board.
• Perform such other duties as may be required of the office by action of the members at the annual conference or by policy direction of the Full Board.

The President Elect shall:

• In the absence or inability of the President to perform all the duties of the office be directed to assume the duties of the President.
• Assist the President in conducting the business and policies of the Association including coordination of committee activities.
• Perform such other duties as may be required of the office by action of the members at the annual conference or by policy direction of the Full Board.

All interested candidates shall submit the following:

• Name, address, email, contact number, agency, and rank.
• Position you are seeking.
• Short resume, bio, or brief description on why you are seeking this CalChiefs position and how you would enhance the Executive Board and Association.
• Provide a letter from the Manager or Board of Directors giving approval to hold office in the Association.
  

VIEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Letters of interest and all required documents shall be sent via email jeff.meston@calchief.org no later than June 14, 2024 at 1700 hours to be eligible to run for office.

ELECTION PROCESS TIMELINE

June 14, 2024 - Applications received will be verified against eligibility requirements and voting ballot created.

July 5, 2024 - Electronic voting will open and an email with a link to the electronic ballot will be sent to all members eligible to vote.

July 19, 2024 - Deadline to submit electronic ballots.

Week of July 25, 2024 - Ballots tallied and results declared by the Executive Director, successful candidates notified, and election results posted on the CalChiefs website.

October 15, 2024 - Swearing in at CalChiefs Annual Conference in Costa Mesa.