Jay Gause
The Houston Police Burial Fund will have its annual meeting on Thursday January 9, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall located at 607 E. Whitney in Houston, Texas. All members of the Burial Fund are invited to attend.
Board of Trustee positions 7, 8, and 9 will be elected at this meeting. To run for a trustee position, one must be a member of the Burial Fund in good standing for at least two years and be present at the annual membership meeting, except as otherwise provided by the bylaws. Nominations will be taken from the floor at the meeting.
Additionally, the following two amendments to the Burial Fund’s bylaws will also be voted on.
Amendment 1
Amendment 1 completely strikes out the entire paragraph, including the title, of Section 6 Checks under Article IV Dues, Fees, and Finances in the Association’s Bylaws and replaces it with the following title and paragraph:
Section 6. Disbursements
Approved physical checks, drafts, or notes of the association shall be signed by the treasurer. Approved electronic fund transfer requests from association accounts shall be initiated by the treasurer. For such disbursements to be approved, a voucher with supporting details or attachments shall be created and signed by the treasurer. This voucher shall be sent to the president for approval. This voucher may be sent and approved electronically or in any other format established by the board of trustees. If the expenditure is appropriate, the president will indicate his approval by signing the voucher and returning it to the treasurer. Only upon receipt of such an approved voucher will the treasurer disburse funds from the association’s accounts.
The board of trustees may promulgate written policy necessary to establish or further enhance these internal financial controls. The board of trustees may designate other trustees who may take the place of the treasurer or president should one or both be unable to perform these duties.
Section 6. Checks
All checks, drafts, and notes of the association shall be signed by the treasurer and countersigned by the president, provided, however, that in the event of the inability of the treasurer or president, individuals designated in writing by the board of trustees may sign checks, drafts and notes.
Amendment 3
Amendment 3 amends Item 3 under Subsection A Regular of Section 2 Classification of Article III Members in the Association’s Bylaws by adding the following paragraphs:
Special open enrollment periods may open membership up to Houston police officers who did not join the association during the normal signup period indicated above but who are otherwise eligible. Such special open enrollment periods must be approved by the general membership at an annual membership meeting and shall expire no later than December 31 of the calendar year in which the membership approved the open enrollment.
To enroll during a special open enrollment period, a Houston police officer must pay all the dues he would have paid had he joined the association on his sworn date. Compounded interest on these back dues, at a rate established by the board of trustees, also must be paid.
Special open enrollment is only available to Houston police officers who have been sworn members of the Police Department less than seven (7) years.
Explanation of Amendments
Amendment 1 allows the Burial Fund to make use of modern electronic banking, communication, and filing systems.
Amendment 3 was requested by nonmembers who wished to join the Burial Fund. It also allows recruitment of any cadet class that may have not received an invitation to join the Burial Fund.
The Board of Trustees unanimously recommends the passage of these amendments.
2020 Board of Trustee Meeting Schedule
At the present time, the Board has set trustee meetings for 2020 on the following Thursdays: March 5, May 7, and September 3 at 12:30 p.m. in the HPOU Director’s room and November 12 at 11:00 a.m. in the K of C Hall at 607 E. Whitney. Members are welcome to address the board or ask questions during these meetings.
You may submit questions or request a copy of the current bylaws by emailing jay.gause@ctrcc.com.
Retired Lieutenant Jay Gause is the president of the Houston Police Burial Fund.