BY-LAWS OF LOCAL 2650 OF FOOD INSPECTION
APPROVED 04/16/1994
SECTION 1: Although the Local was founded in Fayetteville, Arkansas the Local encompasses the state of Arkansas. Due to the
fact that the officers are elected from all over the state, the headquarters and address of the Local will be that of the President.
SECTION 2: (a) Regular meetings will be once a quarter, but can be every other month but no more than every other month. Amended 04/28/2007
(b) The meeting shall be held at a time and place selected by the Local alternating North, Central, and South parts of the state.
SECTION 3: Special meetings may be called by the President, two thirds of the Executive Committee (Board) or upon written petition of at least 10 % of the membership. Five days written notice of the specific purpose of the meeting must be given to the membership. No business other than that specified in the notice will be discussed.
SECTION 4: Only members in good standing shall be allowed to vote and run for office.
SECTION 5: The regular agenda of Business will be:
Roll call of Officers
Reading of the minutes of previous meeting
Treasurers’ Report
Reports of Committee
Unfinished Business (old)
New Business
Comments for the good of the Local
Adjournment
SECTION 6: A quorum of the Local shall consist of Five (5). A quorum of any committee shall consist of the majority thereof.
SECTION 7: All questions before the Local will be decided by vote of the members present first by voice vote, then by showing of hands.
SECTION 8: The time allowed for debate of any particular issue before the Local and the time allowed for speeches will be minutes. The time allowed for debate may be extended by a majority of those present and voting.
SECTION 9: The general officers of this local who comprises the Executive Board is as follows: Amended 01/14/2009
1. President
2. 1st Vice President
3. Secretary/ Treasurer
4. Women’s & Fair Practice Coordinator
5. Legislative Officer
SECTION 10: The President shall be the Executive Officer of the Local. As such, he/she shall preside at all Local Meetings: shall make appointments of committees established by the Local: plan and pursue policies within the framework of the National Constitution which will promote the welfare of the Local: provide that all appointments, if made between Local meetings shall be subject to approval at next Local meeting. By virtue of office, of President he/she will automatically be a Local delegate at district caucuses, council meetings, and the National Convention. (The President’s duties also covered under Article III Section 3 standard constitution). The President will be reimbursed for use of annual leave for Union Business for up to ten (10) days a year. ($60.00 per day). Amended 04/28/2007
SECTION 11: The 1st Vice President shall assist the President in the duties of that office. If the President is not present at a meeting the 1st Vice President will preside. In the absence of the 1st Vice President, the Secretary/Treasurer will preside and on down the list of officers. If the President is unable to perform the regular duties either because of sickness, leave, TDY, or for some other legitimate reasons he/she shall delegate his/her responsibilities to the 1st Vice President. This delegation must be in writing and communicated to the Executive Board and membership. The delegation shall cease at will of the President. If the 1st Vice President is unable, the Secretary/Treasurer and on down the list of officers. Amended 01/14/2009
SECTION 12: The duties of the Secretary/Treasurer shall be to keep a complete record of the minutes of all meetings: to keep up-to-date the official copy of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Local: conduct correspondence when directed by the President and send out notices of meetings when required. To make a financial report at each regular meeting, keep up-to-date roll of the members, receive all monies and/or dues paid into the Local, and receipts thereof, keep records of all transactions, deposit money in the bank to the credit of the Local, make a regular monthly report to The National Secretary-Treasurer, furnishing names and addresses of all new members, or members who have severed their affiliations with this Local, and per capita tax to the National Headquarters. Disbursement for payment of current bills and per capita tax shall be authorized by the Local. Additional duties and responsibilities as outlined in the AFGE/Financial Officers Manual. All checks will be cosigned by the President and the Treasurer. The Treasurer will be paid 1 day quarterly for use of annual leave to work on the books as needed ($60.00). Amended 01/14/2009
SECTION: 13: The duties of the Women’s & Fair Practice Coordinator are primarily concerned with any issue that has an adverse impact on women in the workforce. Primarily concerned with equal employment opportunity and affirmative employment in the workplace. Direct assistance and/or counseling to members with inquiries or complaints of discrimination. Assisting members with strategies for winning complaints. Work together with Local officers to effectively work toward eliminating discrimination of any kind in government. Amended 07/24/04
SECTION 14: The duties if the Parliamentarians is to be an authority on parliamentary procedures. He/she will have the final word on parliamentary procedures and disputes. Assist and direct members with legislative issue concerning union members. A Parliamentarian will be appointed at a local meeting when there is a need. Amended 04/28/2008
SECTION 15: A Sergeant-at-arms will be appointed if needed to maintain order.
SECTION 16: The President, Vice President, Secretary /Treasurer, Women’s & Fair Practice Coordinator and Legislative Officer will be paid .25 cents per mile to and from union meeting, if mileage is over 125 miles one way, pay motel expenses (up to $ 70.00) overnight and two meals. Auto odometer reading or map quest with mileage printed on it is required for verification of mileage. Amended 07/24/2004
SECTION 17: Nominations of officers shall be held in July in a Central Location (Little Rock). Balloting and voting will be by mail in interim between July and September a meeting will be scheduled at the location of the election committee at which time ballots will be counted. If an Officer has resigned his/her position, the membership shall decide by a vote at a local meeting to conduct elections to fill that position, to be conducted as prescribed by the election of officers in the constitution. Amended 04/28/2007
SECTION 18: At the meetings prior to the election meeting, the membership shall elect an election Committee to conduct the election. Nominations will also be made at this meeting. The members of the Election Committee will not be candidates for office. The Secretary/Treasurer shall furnish to the members of the Election Committee the names and addresses of those members in good standing and the Election Committee will furnish such members with ballots and properly marked envelopes in which to return their ballots to the Election Committee. The deadline on the acceptance of ballots is the election meeting. As soon after the deadline as possible, the election Committee shall convene and count the ballots. The results will be reported to the Local President, and announced at that meeting. It shall require a majority vote for election. If a majority is not received by any one candidate a run-off will be held between the two candidates receiving the highest numbers of votes by use the same procedures providing that at least 15 days notice is given to members. Counting of the ballots will be at the next regular meeting. Election will be by secret ballot.
SECTION 19: The Local will comply with all reasonable request of any candidate to distribute by mail or otherwise at the candidate’s expense, campaign literature in aid of such person’s candidacy to all members in good standing and refrain from discrimination in favor of or against any candidate with respect to the availability of lists of members. Adequate safeguards to ensure a fair election shall be provided, including the right of any candidate to have an observer at the polls and at the counting of the ballots. Not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the election, notice thereof shall be mailed to each member at his/her last known address. Each member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote.
SECTION 20: All officers will be administered the “Oath of Union Officers” contained in the AFGE National Constitution and take Office by October 1st. Officers shall serve for a 3 year term. Amended 07/24/04
SECTION 21: Stewards terms will run from October 1st to September 30th. If a steward is going to vacate the office before his/her term expires, they must immediately hold an election in the same manner as a steward election. If it is an immediate vacancy without time for an election the Local President will appoint a Steward for the rest of the term. All Stewards must be elected by September 30th. The Steward will set a date and time for the election of no sooner than five (5) days from the time he/she notified the members of the election. An announcement will be put on the bulletin board stating the time and place of the election. A place for nominations will be written on the announcement. The Steward must notify all members from the plant who are on leave. Anyone else may contact members who are on leave. Any member may nominate themselves or any other by writing the name of the person on the announcement subject to stated requirements. Nominee must have been a dues paying member for at least one (1) year. (It would be helpful if the nominee has agreed to accept the position before their name is put on the notice). An Election Committee must be selected prior to voting and consist of at least two (2) members. The committee will be selected by the Steward with the approval of all candidates. The Election Committee will conduct the voting process. The election will be held at the time and place specified on the announcement. Voting will be done by secret ballot. The President of the Local will be notified in writing of the results of the Election either by the election committee or the newly elected Steward. The Elected Steward will post his/her name on the bulletin board as the elected official until a noticed duly signed by the President of Local 2650 can be posted. Amended 01/17/2004
SECTION 22: Circuit Safety Committee members for each circuit will be appointed by the President every October and a list submitted to the District Office. Members appointed to these committees must be a member in good standing of the Local. Amended 01/17/2004
SECTION 23: The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of all meetings of the Local, when not inconsistent with the provisions of the standard local constitution, the AFGE National Constitution or these By-Laws.
SECTION 24: The Local’s delegates to National Convention, District Caucus and Council meetings, after proper notice to the Local’s members (see National Constitution, Appendix A, Part I, Section 3) shall be elected at a meeting of the Local, excepting the Local’s President who if elected to that office serves by virtue of office.
SECTION 25: The President will be allocated money for expenses of all delegates and himself/herself when attending council meetings, caucuses, and National Conventions. The President will be responsible for turning in the receipts, and monies left over from the trip advances, and will be accountable for money spent. (Monies for these expenses are allocated in the approved budget of the Local).
SECTION 26: Training and Seminars: All receipts for expenses must be provided to Treasurer to be reimbursed for the trip within thirty (30) days after the occurrence. Mileage will be paid at a rate of .25 cents per mile. Auto odometer reading or map quest with mileage printed on it is required for verification. Meals are not to exceed $ 25.00 per day (midnight to midnight). Amended 07/24/04
SECTION 27: All reimbursement expenditures are to be turned into the Treasurer for reimbursement within thirty (30) days of occurrence of expense or no reimbursement will be paid. Amended 07/24/04
SECTION 28: Only elected officers of this Local shall constitute the Executive Committee. They shall meet at the call of the President. Expenditures by the Executive Board in excess of $150.00 per month must have prior approval by the Local or by a separate vote of the Local’s members. See Local Constitution, Article VII. All expenditures authorized by the Executive Board will be reported in writing at the next regular meeting of the Local. Upon request a copy of such report will be made available to any member in good standing of the Local.
SECTION 29: There is no initiation fee for new members.
SECTION 30: Dues are $13.25 per pay period. The amount for retired members shall be a total of $ 24.60 per year. Amended 04/28/2007
SECTION 31: With the exception of a change in dues, the Constitution and By-Laws of this Local may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at any regular meeting provided that amendment to be voted on has been presented in writing and read at the preceding regular meeting of the Local.
SECTION 32: Dues amendment, an amendment concerning a change in dues structure may be accomplished by a majority vote by secret ballot of the members in good standing voting at a general or special membership meeting after reasonable notice of the intention to vote upon such an increase, or be a majority vote of the members in good standing voting in a membership referendum.
SECTION 33: Any Officer appointed by the president to perform representational duties will be reimbursed for use of annual leave for Union Business for up to ten (10) days per year. ($60.00 per day). Amended 04/28/2007
SECTION 34: Members appointed by the president to perform orientation duties at the District Office will be reimbursed for mileage over the 100 miles that the DO does not reimburse including motel and meals. Amended 04/28/2007
SECTION 35: Local 2650 is a death benefit Local.
SECTION 36: Local 2650 are covered under the AFGE Standard Constitution.
AFGE LOCAL 2650 
