Lifetime Members

[gpeters]

Our all-volunteer department allows former chiefs to be lifetime members. We'd like to do away with this hold over from the past.

The reason? It is felt that any member must be subject to current screening and standards.

Just wondering if anyone else has dealt with this or a similar issue.

[Eng34FF]

So what's the issue with the chief's being lifetime members? We have lifetime members, but they still have to maintain their EMT and any other qualifications to ride.

I've been with 2 different departments with different "benefits" for lifetime members. Both require 15 years with the department and approval by the membership. One department gives lifetime members voting rights regardless of participation. My current department requires lifetime members to get a certain number of LOSAP points in order to retain voting rights. Other than that, no real benefit to being a lifetime member.

[ChiefKN]

I'm guessing that lifetime members don't have to meet any standards?

In my VFD, it doesn't matter who you are, if you want to maintain your interior status you have to meet the standards.

Otherwise you are limited to driving and other duties.

If you don't keep up with other mandatories (right to know, bloodborne pathogens) then you don't do anything except go to meetings and vote "no" on everything.

[gpeters]

The biggest issue is that they can drop out, stay away for months or even years and then just come back at anytime. There could be some you don't want back in.

Any other member who drops or was dropped for lack of participation, has to re-apply.