The Mid-South Cargo Security Council Membership comprises the professionals in the field of Interstate Commerce, Air Freight, Distribution, Logistics, Railroad, Trucking, Warehousing, and Law Enforcement. It consists of these industries located in the tri-state area of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Its focus and purpose are clearly described in its mission statement.
To create and maintain a cooperative pro-active partnership of private industry and law enforcement to combat organized interstate theft of cargo and other related criminal activities. Develop lines of communication, combine resources, promote preventive strategies to reduce occurrences and property loss, increase apprehension, enhance recovery, and insure a more successful prosecution.
In accordance with the resolution adopted by the Mid-South Cargo Security Council authorizing the establishment of an organization comprised of security professionals, associates, and law enforcement agencies in the tri-state area, these By Laws are adopted to govern the operations and proceedings of such an organization.
The name of this organization will be referred to as the Mid-South Cargo Security Council.
1. Identify the depth of the cargo theft problem in the Metropolitan Areas of Memphis.
A. To analyze all incidents of theft and suspicious shortages including their monetary value.
B. To report all incidents to law enforcement.
C. To evaluate the terminations, resignations and arrest of employees as it relates to cargo theft.
D. To make every attempt to locate and recover stolen property and return to its rightful owner.
A. Develop lines of communication between private industry and area law enforcement to foster the exchange of ideas and materials on theft prevention.
B. Establish an electronic communication network for improved security alertness and response.
C. Evaluate the industry’s security needs to develop and promote security standards and codes.
D. To develop and promote methods of training for law enforcement concerning the interworking, terminology, technology, and procedure involved in interstate commerce.
3. Support the Task Force Endeavor.
A. Share and / or donate needed resources to facilitate and equip the task force to combat cargo theft.
B. Committed to being held accountable for the success or failure of the task force insuring that needed changes are put into effect promptly, and to conduct such activities and programs as is necessary to effectively support our objectives and purpose.
C. Private Industry being open and willing to share sensitive information with the supervision of the task force.
The Mid-South Cargo Security Council consisting of the Metropolitan Area Commercial Private Industry involved in the promotion of Interstate Commerce and area Law Enforcement will establish the following Executive Board of Directors positions.
The Executive Board of Directors will consist of the following eight positions with its members being in good standing. The Law Enforcement Liaison Ambassador will be appointed by the major law enforcement agency in the Metropolitan area who has domain or controlling interest of this Council and Task Force. The other seven positions will be elected officials by majority vote from the membership and will hold one year terms not to exceed two consecutive terms.
Vacancies shall be filled with members in good standing by majority vote of the Executive Board of Directors.
A Board Member will be removed from office by majority vote of the remaining Board Members for due cause.
A. Chairperson: The Chairman is responsible for providing leadership over all phases of the Council’s activities. This entails assuring close liaison among the various organizations so that the programs and goals of the Council are properly coordinated and clearly defined. It also entails guidance to ensure that the Council’s position on such things as industrial security standards and regulatory activities practically reflect the best balance between security essentials and operations efficiencies.
B. Co-Chairperson: The Co-Chairpersons, since there are five, are responsible for coordinating all of the Council’s activities to assure that efforts are property directed. Their primary responsibility for development of programs and meetings and in addition serves as an alternate for the Chairman whenever necessary.
C. Secretary / Treasurer: The Secretary / Treasurer is responsible for accurately recording and preparing the minutes of each meeting, ensures that Robert’s Rules of Order is followed, responsible for accurately recording any and all financial records and matters for the Council, and responsible for submitting the minutes and financial report to is members on a monthly basis.
D. Law Enforcement Liaison Ambassador: The Law Enforcement Liaison Ambassador will be a member of law enforcement actively involved in one of the Metropolitan area law enforcement, (Federal Government, State, County, and Local), agencies which is a member of the Council. The Law Enforcement Liaison Ambassador will be a non-voting member of the Executive Committee and will mediate and voice the concerns of law enforcement with the other members of the Council and task force.
Class 1 – Active: This is a private industry managerial professional involved in the security and promotion of interstate commerce, and related industries.
Class 2 – Law Enforcement: The Law Enforcement membership will be offered to a person who is actively engaged in law enforcement whose duties are related to the enforcement and regulation of cargo theft and security. This membership will be a non-voting membership.
Class 3 – Retiree: Any former Class 1 or Class 2 whose current business interest and / or personal agenda are not in conflict with the Mid-South Cargo Security Council By Laws and who promotes and contributes to the organizational agenda and purpose. This membership will be a non-voting membership.
A. Any / all persons who wish membership must submit an application for consideration.
B. Voting of any / all new members will be conducted via a closed ballet of Classes 1 and 2 members during the closed section of monthly meeting (s).
Class 4 – Associate: This Associate Membership will be offered to those for profit organizations and companies (Vendors) whose main interest is in the security and protection of the Supply Chain. This membership will be a non-voting membership.
In all meetings each Class 1 member will have one (1) vote. The member must be present to vote.
The Mid-South Cargo Security Council Executive Committee will be responsible to schedule, organize, and conduct monthly meetings.
A. The current Chairperson, one of the Co-Chairpersons, or designated Executive member in their absence will preside over their meeting(s).
B. The meeting will be divided into two (2) distinct and separate sessions.
1. Closed sessions; open to current Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 members only. This session is not open to Class 4, non-members, and / or visitors.
2. Open session; open to visitors, vendors, and any non-member as long as said person is invited and accompanied by the inviting current member.
C. In addition, one of the Co-Chairpersons serves as an alternate for the Chairperson whenever necessary.
Election of the Chairperson, five Co-Chairpersons, and Secretary / Treasurer, will be conducted at the June meeting of each year by a majority vote of the Class I and Class 2 membership present. The newly elected Officers will take office at the close of the June meeting.
Members of any / all Project Committees will be a current member in good standing of the Council.
A. The Council will recommend action deemed proper and consistent with the objective and purposes of the Council with representation of full membership.
B. The Chairperson may appoint committees with the approval of the Board.
C. The finding and recommendations of all committees with the exception of a nominating committee will be submitted to voting members for approval, rejection, or revision.
The members registered and present at any regular or special meetings, called to order after proper notice, with no less than two Executive Board Members present, will constitute a quorum.
At any regular meeting or special meeting, called to order after proper notice, the Executive Board Members, by a majority vote of those present, may elect to cease to exist and submit Articles of Dissolution to the State of Tennessee, Department of State. If dissolution is determined to be in order by the majority vote of those Executive Board Members present, then all remaining assets of the Mid-South Cargo Security Council shall be distributed to the Memphis/Shelby County Law Enforcement Foundation.