Draft 1.4/4/04

Proposed Revisions, April 25, 2004

 

Rules and Regulations of the 79^th New York Cameron Highlanders,

Company C, NYVI.

 

ARTICLE 1 – OUR NAME

Section 1 - The name of this regiment shall be “The 79^th New York Cameron Highlanders, Company C, NYVI, United States of America”.  The 79^th NYVI, Co. C is a unit of the Federal Brigade of the American Civil War Association (ACWA), a California re-enactment organization.

 

ARTICLE 2 – OUR PURPOSE

Section 1 – The 79^th NY Cameron Highlanders is a reenactment unit, a non-profit organization interested in preserving the historical aspects of the Civil War and the 79^th NYVI for the enlightenment of both its’ members and to promote public awareness and learning.  The 79^th NY Cameron Highlanders, Company C, through participation in reenactments and other activities, such as Scottish Games, memorial parades, etc., shall pay tribute to the gallant men in blue who fought and sacrificed their lives to preserve the Union.

Section 2 – The specific aims of the unit are:

1. Having members outfit themselves as appropriate to the time period 1861 – 1865 and appropriate to the impression they are creating, military or non-combatant/civilian.
2. Having military members use period weapons and appropriate accouterments.
3. Participation in historical battle and living history reenactments.  The unit presents dual impressions of a United States Infantry unit during the period 1861-1865 and a Scottish unit of pre-Civil War era militia during the period 1858-1861.
4. To display multiple camp impressions.

 

ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 – Membership in the unit is a privilege, not a right.  This privilege is revocable.

Section 2 – New members must complete all ACWA and 79^th NY forms, pay ACWA and 79^th NY dues and take and pass the ACWA safety test. Combatants must also pass the practical weapons test.  All new members shall automatically be mustered into Company C of the 79^th NY.

Section 3 - Active members are those that have paid their club and unit dues in a timely manner.  No one can be considered an active member of the unit unless and until their annual dues have been paid.  The membership year runs from January 1^st. to December 31^st. each year.

Section 4 – Active members are those who have attended ½ of the ACWA season events (or a minimum of 2 if joining the unit after the middle of the ACWA season).

Section 5 – Inactive members are those who do not meet all unit requirements.

Section 6 - The minimum age for a combatant member is 16.

Section 7 – Under-age members must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Section 8 – There will be an equipment rental fee charged for walk-on impressions.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 4 – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1 – The unit Board of Directors was created for legal and administrative purposes and acts in conjunction with the ACWA and 79^th NY officers. The Board of Directors shall consist of the Captain, the President, the Treasurer and the Secretary/Clerk.

Section 2 – Duties of the President: 

a.       Operates in conjunction with the 79^th NY command and civilians and serves as a liaison with the ACWA Board of Directors.

b.      Calls and conducts membership meetings.

c.       Prepares the agenda for meetings.

Section 3 – Duties of the Treasurer:

a.       Prepare and maintain accounting records for the unit.

b.      Collect, deposit and disburse money on behalf of the unit.  The Treasurer shall be responsible for collecting monies from unit dues, the sale of powder, Scottish Games fees and will transfer those funds to the ACWA Treasurer.  Expenditures shall be approved by the Board of Directors and military command structure.  The Treasurer does not have the authority to authorize expenses independently.

c.       Act as a liaison with the ACWA Treasurer for reimbursement of funds.

d.      Present a Treasurers report at meetings called by the President and military command. 

e.       Keep the membership roster of active and inactive members.

Section 4 – Duties of the Secretary/Clerk:

a.       Take and distribute the minutes of unit and/or board meetings.

b.      Maintain unit correspondence.

c.       Maintain unit records.

d.      Distribute membership forms and safety tests to all new members.

e.       Send election ballots when warranted.

f.        Maintain unit attendance at events.

 

ARTICLE 5 – MILITARY STRUCTURE

Section 1 – The military structure will work in conjunction with the ACWA and the 79^th NY Board of Directors and will preserve the ambiance of an ACWA reenactment during the course of an event.

Section 2 - Duties of the Captain:

a.       Command the unit at events

b.      Preside over military staff meetings. 

c.       Call special meetings of the unit and/or officers as necessary.

d.      Pass down information from brigade.

e.       Be responsible for the instruction and welfare of his command.

f.        Maintain command whenever the camp is open to the public.

Section 3 – Duties of the First Sergeant:

a.       Adhere to First Sergeant duties as outlined in the manual of non-commissioned officers and the military chain of command.

b.      Assume the duties of the Captain in his absence or upon his request.

c.       Act as the ACWA sanctioned safety officer for the 79^th NY.

d.      Ensure that all safety tests are completed.  Ensures that practical weapons testing is conducted and completed.

e.       Collect all membership cards of combatants at the beginning of the season (and thereafter as necessary) and present to brigade for verification that the safety testing has been completed.

f.        Attend all brigade NCO meetings.

g.       Report absentees during roll call.

h.      Notify absent members of important matters covered during staff meetings they missed.

i.        Relegate duties to lower non-commissioned officers within the military chain of command.

Section 4 – Duties of the Second Sergeant:

a.       Assume the duties of the First Sergeant in his absence or upon his request.

Section 5 – Duties of the Corporal:

a.       Assume the duties of the Second Sergeant in his absence or upon his request.

Section 6 - The position of Lieutenant will be determined by the combatant ratio in the unit.

Section 7 – At the discretion of the active membership, the need for additional staff positions or special ranks will be determined and voted on.

 

 

ARTICLE 6 – MEETINGS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1 – Annual meetings: an annual meeting shall be held for the unit membership at the spring Rolling Party.

Section 2 – Elections: nominations for unit military positions and the unit Board of Directors shall be conducted at the next to the last event of the season. The annual election of officers and members of the Board of Directors shall be conducted at the last event of the season.  Only active members, aged 16 years or older, may be nominated or elected.  Only active members shall be eligible for election to military rank or board membership.  Candidates for promotion to a given office shall be nominated and voted on by active members.

Section 3 – Elections: members who cannot attend the event at which elections are held shall be notified of nominees and may file an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots, by regular mail, e-mail or by telephone, must be received by the Secretary by the Thursday preceding the last event of the season.  Absentee votes will be tabulated by the Secretary and validated by the President or other duly appointed person.

Section 4 – Elections: incompatible dual offices - the same person may not be elected to both: Captain and President, Captain and Treasurer.  The Captain may not hold any other offices.

Section 5 – Other meetings: other official unit business shall be conduced as needed at meeting times to be determined by the President and/or Captain with the approval of the active membership.

 

ARTICLE 7 – VOTING

Section 1 – Only active members age 16 years or older shall be entitled to vote on elections, expansion of the unit, or other issues which concern the unit.  All active members, whether military or civilian impression, are eligible to vote.

Section 2 – In order to vote on any matter, the meeting and subsequent vote must be a quorum of at least 51% of the active voting members attending the annual meeting at the spring Rolling Party plus any absentee ballots received within the specified time.  A simple plurality by a show of hands shall be the method of voting except as noted elsewhere.

Section 4 – An active member who is unable to attend a meeting or event at which a issue shall be voted upon, may cast an ‘absentee ballot’ by sending it to Secretary before the date stipulated in Article 6, Section 3.

Section 5 – Elected persons will serve in office for one year which will run from January 1^st to December 31st. New elections will be held every year without exception.

 

 

ARTICLE 8 – SUPERVISION OF MINORS

Section 1 – Minors (under age 18) shall be supervised by their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) or by prior arrangement agreed upon by the board during all aspects of ACWA activity.

 

Section 2 – A 79^th adult member can be a guardian for only one minor who is not his or her own child.  As guardian, the 79^th member is solely responsible for all care and supervision of the minors in their charge.

 

 

ARTICLE 9 – GROWTH / EXPANSION

Section 1 – Company C shall be the primary company of the unit.

Section 2 – Upon reaching an active combatant membership of (30) thirty soldiers, the active membership may consider the formation of a second company under command of the 79^th. NY, Company C, regimental commander.  Such expansion shall deem it necessary to create the position of 2^nd lieutenant or an additional first sergeant to command the additional company.

Section 3 – In the event that additional company(s) are formed, the position of Lieutenants for each company will be designated to serve under the command of the regiment Captain. Company C will be assigned to a First Lieutenant.  Second Lieutenants will be assigned additional company(s) other than Company C.

Section 4 – New active combatant members will be automatically assigned to Company C (unless otherwise designated by the Captain).

Section 4 – Any companies formed because of the expansion of the 79^th NY will camp in the same area.

Section 5 – If the number of combatants falls below 30 at any one event, the military structure will revert to the Company C structure and designation(s).

 

ARTICLE 10 – MISCONDUCT / DECORUM IN CAMP

Section 1 – All ACWA regulations, state, and federal laws shall prevail during events.

Section 2 – All active and inactive members are to conduct themselves in a manner that is appropriate to the Victorian period and to the family nature of the ACWA and the unit.

Section 3 – Unwelcome, offensive or unsafe behavior such as engaging in, but not limited to, excessive profanity, excessive noise, acting in an unsafe manner to oneself or toward other unit members or appearing in public in inappropriate dress shall be considered as misconduct.

Section 4 – If misconduct is identified and the offending party is military, the offense will be handled by the military command staff.  If misconduct is identified and the offending party is civilian, the offense will be handled by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE 11 – DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Section 1 – Justifiable grounds for disciplinary action shall be:

1. repeated instances of misconduct, such as use of illegal substances, verbal abuse (including e-mail) to any other member, threatening behavior toward any member of the ACWA or public during an event.
2. non-performance of specified duties
3. violation of  any safety regulation
4. Behavior during an event that discredits the good name and honor of the 79^th New York Co. C. or the ACWA.

 

Members who are candidates for disciplinary action are entitled to a hearing with the military command staff and/or the Board of Directors.  Any member who holds a board position or military rank shall be relieved of that position until the board has ruled on any action to be taken.  If the charge(s) are found to be sound, further disciplinary action will be taken with the offending member.  Action taken may include dismissal from the unit. A 51% vote of the active membership shall be required to dismiss a member.

 

ARTICLE 12– MILITARY COURTESY  (Included on the Supply Tent list.  Do we want to include it in the Rules and Regs?)

Section 1 – To show proper military courtesy, all flags (USA, State and regimental) shall be flown or displayed at all events and at all unit activities or meetings.

Section 2 – The military courtesy and military bearing of a Union soldier reflective of a sense of honor and duty shall be maintained at all times.

Section 3 – It is encouraged that:

1. all commissioned officers shall be saluted and addressed as ‘sir’, whether they be Union or Confederate, by the men of the unit as a sign of honor and respect during public hours.
2. non-commissioned officers shall not be saluted or addressed as ‘sir’ but held in honor and respect just the same.
3. all privates shall be held in honor and respect by their elected officers.

 

ARTICLE 13 – SAFETY REGULATIONS

Section 1 – All members shall abide by the military and safety regulations of the unit, the Federal Brigade, the ACWA and the sponsor of the event.

Section 2 – Any member who engages in an activity deemed unsafe by the Commanding Officer or other members of the unit shall, in all cases, have the offense brought to his or her attention and, if warranted by the board, disciplinary action will be taken.  Corrective action shall be determined by the Captain with Board concurrence.

 

ARTICLE 14 – EXTRA CURRICULAR EVENTS (Scottish Games and Gatherings)

Section 1 – All members shall abide by the military and safety regulations of the unit, the Federal Brigade, the ACWA and the sponsor of the event.

Section 2 – Any member who participates in extra curricular events does so at their own risk and shall not hold the 79^th NY Co. C or the ACWA liable for any accident or mishap which may occur.  ACWA insurance does not cover the participation and firing of weapons at any non-ACWA sanctioned event.

 

ARTICLE 15 – AMENDMENTS

Section 1 – The Rules and Regulations of the 79^th NY shall be amended as deemed necessary by the active membership in order to keep this document a functional asset for the well-being of the unit.

Section 2 – The Rules and Regulations shall be amended by a member presenting a formal proposal for amendment to the President with a CC to all members.  The President will then present the petition to the membership for consideration at the next annual meeting. 

Section 3 – All amendments will be considered and voted on at the annual meeting held at the spring Rolling Party.