FMAA Governing Document
1982 Constitution of
The Florida Municipal Attorneys Association
Article I
Name and Objects
Section 1. The objects of this organization, which shall be known as the Florida Municipal Attorneys Association, shall be to unite the Municipal Attorneys of the State of Florida into a permanent organization to cooperate in the solution of problems affecting the municipalities of the State by the following means: First, the perpetuation of this organization as an agency for the cooperation of officers of municipal law departments in the practical study of all municipal legal problems; second, the holding of annual meetings for the discussion of legal and other questions affecting municipal governments; and third, the practical study of legislation, court decisions and administrative rulings relating to the public interest of municipal governments and the dissemination of such studies for the use of municipal law officers.
Article II
Membership and Dues
Section 1. Every municipal attorney of the State of Florida, whether full -time or part -time, their deputy and assistant, authorized to practice law in the State of Florida, shall be eligible to membership in the Association. Attorneys engaged in private practice and who render specialized legal representation to municipalities are eligible to participate in programs of the Association and become Associate Members thereof, but without power to vote on matters affecting the Association.
Section 2. The membership dues shall be established by a majority vote by the membership at an annual meeting of the Association. Service fees in this organization shall be fixed by the Executive Committee hereinafter provided (e.g. Seminars/Workshops).
Section 3. All past presidents of the Association who are no longer a legal officer of a municipality shall be honorary members without vote or payment of dues.
Article III
Officers
Section 1. The officers of this organization shall be a President, President-Elect, Treasurer, 3 Directors, and an Executive Secretary (who need not be a City Attorney or Assistant). The President, President-Elect and Treasurer shall be elected at the annual meeting and shall hold office for 1 year or until their successors are elected and qualified. The President shall appoint the Directors, Executive Secretary and not more than seven municipal attorneys or assistants as members of a Steering Committee who along with the officers enumerated herein shall constitute the Executive Committee, a majority of whom shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2. The President may appoint an advisory committee to function in an advisory capacity to the Executive Committee on all matters of policy, program and membership.
Section 3. A vacancy in an office shall be filled for the unexpired term by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Committee. Vacancies in all offices, except Executive Secretary, shall be deemed to exist if the incumbent retires from the municipal service.
Section 4. When the members are not assembled for general annual meeting, the Executive Committee shall conduct the affairs of the organization, and any action taken by them may be by letter ballot.
Section 5. The Executive Secretary shall act as Executive Officer of the organization and shall transact such business of the organization as may from time to time be determined by the Executive Committee.
Section 6. The President and Executive Committee may make appointments of an honorary character.
Article IV
Meetings and Voting
Section 1. The time, place, and program of the annual meetings shall be determined by the Executive Committee. Whenever practical the Executive Committee shall set the annual meeting of the association at the time and place of the Annual Convention of the Florida League of Cities.
Section 2. In all transactions requiring the official decision of the organization, each member municipality shall be entitled to one vote.
Article V
Amendments
Section 1. This Constitution may be amended or repealed at any Annual Meeting by a vote of 2/3 of the members present and voting, provided notice thereof is given 30 days prior to the meeting and setsforth the proposed amendment.
Adopted the 29th day of October, 1982, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Miami, Florida, at the annual meeting of the association. Amended the 4th day of August, 1989, Marriott’s Marco Island Resort, Marco Island, Florida, at the annual meeting of the association.