Central District

    Katherine Kidder of American Income Insurance Company presented a insurance program that would cover all paid up members of the Central District Volunteer Firemen's Association with a $0.00 (zero) premium. This coverage at a no cost premium will be $3,000.00 for accidental death & dismemberment.

This insurance coverage is also available to your County Association as well as your home fire department.

    The Association has adopted  2 new policies for use as may be needed in the future, 1. Whistleblower Policy & 2. Conflict of Interest Policy.

    Logan Township United and Excelsior Fire Companies have offered a place to hold the 2010 Annual Meeting in place of a full convention if a host is not found by the 2009 Convention.

    A letter of request to host the 2013 Convention has been received and will be held for action at the Convention Meeting.

    A letter from Milesburg Fire Company was read requesting the use of Central District Battle of the Barrel equipment. Following a discussion it was determined the equipment is to be used at the Central District Conventions ONLY.

    Following a discussion on the web site for Central District it was decided to cancel the site at the http://www.centraldistrictvfa.org/ and use this site as the official site for the Association.

The Fall Board of Control Meeting was held on October 5, 2008 at Osceola Mills Fire Station.

The Secretary will send Ernest A Rojahn Jr a letter of thanks for his many years of excelent coverage of Central District Conventions in the PA Fireman magazine.

Family members of deceased members are to be invited to the annual Memorial Service at the Central District Convention.

As it comes available the Irvona Fire Company web site will post information for the 2009 Convention. Check http://www.irvonafirecompany.com/

Central District Volunteer  Firemen’s Association 

                  By Law Committee 2008 Report

           Greg Kline, Gary Talerico and Dave Wojick

Item # 1. Rewrite Dissolution Article to comply with Recent IRS Regulations

Delete Article VIII in its entirety and replace it with the following to read.

“ In the event that this Association should cease operations and dissolve its membership, The Board of Control shall after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the Association, dispose of all the assets of the Association in such a manner to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational ,religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501 {C} (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or corresponding provision of any future United Sates Internal Revenue law), as the Board of Control shall determine. At no time shall any of the assets be given to a private individual for his /her benefit.”

Reason: Recent IRS Regulations caused our accountants to question our dissolution article. Their main

concern was the provision to give assets to individual members since we had a death fund. Such proceedure

would result in loss of our status as non-profit resulting in the Association to pay taxes on income earned from investments  and the amount received by individual would be considered taxable income.

Item # 2. Rewrite the Object of the Association and name it the Mission to comply with recent IRS Regulations.

Delete Article II in its entirety and replace it with a new Article II “Mission” to read

As follows

SECTION 1.It is the mission of the Central District Volunteer Firemen’s Association, a dedicated organization of individuals, that works and assist with other regional and statewide organizations for paving the future and the general improvement of the future generations in the Fire and Emergency Services throughout  the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Association offers an open forum for discussion and problem solving with peers on fire and emergency related issues. The Association shall lead and set a Fire Education and Prevention Program or theme, that can be used throughout the central region of the Commonwealth. The Association shall encourage a fraternal friendship among firefighters by means of competition and other activities. The Association shall also lead in a recruitment and retention program to assure the well being of the Fire Emergency Services in the Commonwealth .

            SECTION 2. To accumulate a Fund from the dues for the relief of members and their families in case of death, according to the by laws and finances of the Association.

Reason; Recent IRS Regulations involve in seeking additional information that must be filed on the 2008 Form 990  Which is due in May 2009. Additional documents which do not require by law amendments on Conflict of Interest Policy, Whistleblower Policy; Governance, Document Retention and Destruction and Compensation are just a few of the 12 additional schedules that must be filled out for the Form 990.