Nevada
Civil War Volunteers
Bylaws
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Nevada
Civil War Volunteers
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Revised: January 25, 1998;
Adopted: April 9, 1998
Revised: June 2, 2005; Adopted: August 4, 2005
Note: Throughout the Bylaws, the use of the masculine pronouns refers to both male and female.
The name of this organization will be the NEVADA CIVIL WAR VOLUNTEERS (herein after referred to as the NCWV).
The NEVADA CIVIL WAR VOLUNTEERS is an educational organization which has as its purpose the sharing and perpetuation of knowledge, in appearance and activities as authentic as possible, about the American Civil War era with emphasis on the State of Nevada
The NEVADA CIVIL WAR VOLUNTEERS is a voluntary, non-profit corporation, incorporated in the State of Nevada in accordance with NRS Chapter 82, Nonprofit Corporations. The NCWV is based on the democratic model which means that the members govern; the members, not the elected staff, make all decisions.
1. Voting membership shall be
available to any person:
a. of good character,
b. 16 years of age or older,
c. whose dues are paid
and
d. who abides by the Bylaws and demonstrates
knowledge of the Safety Standards of the NCWV
by successfully completing the Safety Questionnaire.
Voting membership entitles a person to full participation in NCWV activities, subject to conditions listed in the Bylaws.
2. Non-voting membership
shall be available to dependents, under the age of 16 years, of any voting member.
a. of good character, and
b. under 16 years of age, or
c. who does not successfully complete the Safety
Questionnaire.
3. Single-event membership, as permitted by insurance coverage, is available by invitation of the appropriate chief of staff, and entitles a person to participate in one NCWV event so long as his conduct adheres to the NCWV Bylaws and Safety Standards and he has successfully completed the Safety Questionnaire.
SECTION 2 - HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
Honorary Membership can be conferred, for one year, upon any person of good character who shall have rendered notable service to the NCWV. Upon the recommendation of one member, seconded by another member, notification of the recommendation published in the September and October issues of The SENTINEL and a majority vote at the General Membership meeting in November, Honorary Membership shall be conferred.
Life Membership can be conferred upon any person of good character who shall have rendered notable service to the NCWV. Upon the recommendation of one member, seconded by another member, notification of the of recommendation shall be published in the September and October issues of The SENTINEL and by a majority vote at the General Membership meeting in November, Life Membership with full voting rights shall be conferred, subject to Article IV Section 1, Paragraph 1d.
SECTION 4 - RESERVATION OF MEMBERSHIP
The NCWV reserves the right to refuse membership to any person for just cause by vote of the members.
1. Dues for voting membership, single-event membership, and publication privilege shall be set for the coming year by a vote of the NCWV members at the General Membership meeting in September.
2. Dues for the year for returning members are "due and payable" at the November General Membership Meeting. {Note: 2007 Annual NCWV Membership dues are $25.00 per person or $35.00 per family.}
3. A person may receive the NCWV publication, The SENTINEL, by paying the current rate. {Note: The subscription rate for The SENTINEL is $10.50.}
1. A General Membership meeting will be held the first Thursday of every month. The date may be changed only at a regular meeting by a majority vote.
2. Staff Business Meetings will be held the third Thursday of every month. The date may be changed or meeting cancelled by a majority vote of the staff if done in a timely manner for publication in the next Sentinel.
1. A quorum shall consists of the Commander or Inspector General, two (2) additional staff officers, and six (6) voting members or 20% of the total voting membership, whichever is less, present at a regularly scheduled General Membership meeting.
2. A quorum shall consist of the Commander or Inspector General and three (3) additional staff officers at a regularly scheduled Staff Meeting.
1. Any member, by a majority vote of the Staff Officers
present, may receive disciplinary action; i.e., suspension from participation or loss of
membership) for the following:
a. drinking alcohol or taking a controlled
substance before or during a shooting event;
b. showing disrespect for the NCWV uniforms, equipment;
c. making personal attacks or unfounded accusations towards other members;
d. not adhering to the NCWV
Safety Standards; or not complying with the NCWV Bylaws at a NCWV event.
2. Possession and/or use of illegal drugs is prohibited and is grounds for immediate suspension from activities and dismissal from the organization. Any individual found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be suspended from the day's activities and will be disciplined.
3. Any member who witnesses a violation of Article
IV, Section 8, Paragraph 1, must immediately report the violation to their Chief
of Staff and the Commander.
a. A written complaint of the alleged
violation must be filed with the Inspector General by the reporting member
within 24 hours.
b. The Commander and appropriate Chief of
Staff will begin investigating the complaint, contact witnesses, and assemble
t4estimony upon notification of the complaint.
c. The Commander must convene a meeting of
the staff to hear the complaint within 48 hours of the complaint being filed
with the Inspector General. This Disciplinary Hearing will be chaired by
the Inspector General. All parties may be present or represented at this
hearing.
d. The staff will review the complaint and
listen to testimony to determine if the complaint is warranted. If
disciplinary action is warranted, the staff will determine the appropriate
penalty (censorship, reprimand, suspension, loss of membership, etc) in closed
session.
e. Disciplinary decisions of the staff
under these provisions may not be appealed and must be reported to the
membership at the next General Membership Meeting.
1. Staff and Corporate Trustees shall be one and the same.
2. The Staff Officers of the NCWV will be Commander, Inspector General, Adjutant General, Civilian Chief of Staff , Confederate Chief of Staff, and Union Chief of Staff. As designated in Nevada Revised Statutes, these titles are respectively identified as President, Secretary/Vice President, Treasurer, Trustee, Trustee, and Trustee.
3. A resident agent of corporate officer of another Civil War reenactment organization may not hold elected office in the NCWV.
The term of office for each elected position will be one (1) year; i.e., from January 1 to December 31.
1. Staff Officers will be elected annually by the voting membership at the November General Membership meeting.
2. Nominations may be made in writing or in person at
both the
September and October General Membership meeting. Written nominations must
be received at Post Office Box 11033 no later than October 1st.
a. A member may only nominate himself for a
position(s) on the staff.
b. Any voting member in good standing with
12 months of continuous membership in the NCWV
is eligible to be nominated and elected to a staff office.
c. Nominations do not require a second.
3. A final list of nominees will be published in the October issue of The SENTINEL. Nominees for elected office must submit a statement of qualifications and intended goals for the office for publication in the October Sentinel.
4. Elections will be by secret ballot with the outcome to be determined by a simple majority of votes cast.
5. If a tie vote should occur for any staff office, the candidates involved shall determine the winner by drawing for high card.
6. The Commander shall select an Election Committee of three (3) non-candidate voting members in good standing, one (1) from each department, to count the ballots cast. The committee shall issue the ballots using the Inspector General's current Membership list for the upcoming year.
1. If for any reason the office of Commander becomes vacant, the Inspector General shall assume the duties of the Commander in his absence.
2. Vacancies in any staff office will be filled by appointment by the Staff Officers until permanently filled through a special election which must be held at the second General Membership Meeting following the appointment.
3. A Staff Officer can be removed from office for just cause if a majority of the general membership recommending removal by motion, publication of the motion in the next issue of The SENTINEL and a majority of the voting members present at the next General Membership meeting voting approval of the motion.
1. All Staff Officers shall perform the duties specific to
their elected office as delineated in the Bylaws and/or delegated to them by the
voting membership, as well as, be bound by the following conditions:
a. All original documents created in the
performance of these duties are the property of the NCWV
and must be archived by the Inspector General; therefore, Staff Officers and
Aides-de-Camp must turn-in all records to the succeeding officer, aide-de-camp,
or the Inspector General within 14 calendar days of vacancy of the office.
b. Must attend all General Membership and
Staff Meetings.
2. Commander:
a. Shall act as President of the NCWV.
b. Shall preside as Moderator at all
General Membership and Staff Business meetings
c. Shall be spokesman for the NCWV.
d. Shall coordinate Staff activities.
e. Shall propose an annual calendar of
activities to the staff at the December Staff Business Meeting.
f. Shall select event coordinators and/or Aides de Camp
with concurrence of the staff.
g. Shall be responsible for media coverage of events.
h. Shall be responsible for the maintenance of and distribution of all
NCWV records and property to his successor
at the December Membership Meeting.
i. Shall have full voting rights only in the election of officers.
a. Shall serve as Secretary and
act as Vice-President of the NCWV.
b. Shall assume all duties of the Commander whenever the Commander is not present.
c. Shall record and keep the minutes of all
NCWV
meetings.
d. Shall present Minutes of the Meeting for
approval at the next General Membership Meeting.
e. Shall prepare and distribute a roster of all
NCWV
members at the January Membership Meeting and provide updates as necessary.
f. Shall prepare and distribute any notices
authorized by the staff.
g. Shall act as corresponding secretary whenever necessary.
h. Shall retain and archive all official
(legal and original) records of the NCWV
with the exception of the financial books and records.
4. Adjutant General:
a. Shall serve as Treasurer of
the NCWV.
b. Shall have general charge and custody of the financial books and records.
c. Shall receive, deposit and/or distribute funds as directed by the staff and/or
voting membership.
d. Shall keep and maintain adequate and correct accounts of the financial
transactions of the NCWV.
e. Shall present a Financial Report to the membership at each meeting;
a summary of which will be
published in The SENTINEL.
f. Shall collect all membership
applications, insurance forms, safety questionnaires, and membership dues.
g. Shall transfer all applications to the
Inspector
General and all Safety Questionnaires and Membership Cards to the
respective Chief of Staff.
h. Shall verify the Inspector
General's roster of all members against the financial ledger with
updates as necessary.
i. Shall have general charge and custody of all
financial and insurance records and documents
(originals).
5. Chief of Staff: Confederate and Union
a. Shall serve as a Trustee of
the NCWV .
b. Shall act in the capacity of liaison for
his personnel and dispense information in a timely manner received from the
Commander.
c. Shall be responsible for the
safety practices of his
personnel.
d. Shall evaluate and approve every new
member for proper loading and firing procedures.
e. Shall verify the shooting procedures of
any member designated by the staff.
f. Shall coordinate all non-military aspects of public events for his
personnel in conjunction with
the event coordinator.
g. Shall assist his personnel in the selection and procurement of uniforms and
equipment.
h. Shall determine that the activities and accoutrements of his
personnel at public
events are authentic and appropriate. Disputes will be brought before the staff.
i. Shall be responsible for recruitment of
new members. Chiefs of Staff are required to
bring application, insurance forms, safety standards, and safety questionnaires
to each event.
j. At an event, shall administer written
Safety Standard tests to new prospective members and forward same to the Adjutant General
along with their application, insurance form, and membership dues.
k. Shall maintain and have on-hand at each
event a current roster of all of their respective personnel
6. Chief of Staff; Civilian
a. Shall serve as a Trustee of
the NCWV .
b. Shall act in the capacity of liaison for
his personnel and dispense information in a timely manner received from the
Commander.
c. Shall preside as Chairperson at Civilian
Meetings
d. Shall coordinate Civilian activities in
conjunction with the event coordinator.
e. Shall be responsible for the
safety practices of all civilians.
f. Shall determine that the activities and
appurtenances at public events are authentic and appropriate. Disputes
will be brought before the staff.
g. Shall assist in the selection and
procurement of civilian apparel, material goods and camp equipment.
h. Shall be responsible for recruitment of
new members. Chiefs of Staff are required to
bring application, insurance forms, safety standards, and safety questionnaires
to each event.
i. Shall maintain and have on-hand at each
event a current roster of all of their respective personnel.
7. Cause for removal from office:
a. Misappropriation of funds.
b. Failure to hold meetings without the
authorization of the general membership.
c. Holding meetings without the approval of
the general membership.
d. Missing four (4) consecutive meetings
(i.e. general, staff, general, staff) or three (3) general membership meetings
within their term of office.
a.
Shall be responsible to the
Inspector General.
b. Shall publish
The
Sentinel,
to include the General Membership Meeting Minutes, no later than the 12th
of each month.
c. Shall submit any activity report to the
Inspector General if not attending the General Membership Meeting.
a.
Shall
be responsible to the
Confederate
and Union Chiefs of Staff.
b. Shall maintain an inventory of all
NCWV
accoutrements, equipment, and uniforms.
c.
Shall
maintain Disbursement Records for all NCWV
accoutrements, equipment, and uniforms issued to each individual.
d.
Shall
submit an updated monthly written report to the general membership for
publication in the meeting minutes with a copy of the report to the
Adjutant General.
a. Shall
be responsible to the Confederate
and Union Chiefs of Staff.
b.
Shall
maintain an inventory of caps and powder available to club members.
c.
Shall
be responsible for the sale of caps and powder to club members with revenues
delivered to the Adjutant General.
a.
Shall
be responsible to the Confederate
and Union Chiefs of Staff.
b.
Shall
be responsible for all aspects of safety standards, artillery equipment and
personnel regarding the Artillery.
c.
Shall, upon certification of an individual, notify the Chiefs of Staff and
submit documents to the Inspector General.
5. Chief of Cavalry:
a.
Shall be responsible to the
Confederate
and Union Chiefs of Staff
b.
Shall
be responsible for all aspects of safety standards, cavalry equipment,
personnel, and animals regarding the Cavalry.
c.
Shall, upon certification of an individual and horse, notify the Chiefs of Staff
and submit documents to the Inspector General.
6. Safety Marshal:
a. Shall be responsible to the
Civilian
, Confederate
and Union Chiefs of Staff.
b. Shall be responsible for all aspects of safety standards and practices
regarding spectators at viewing areas, and in and around the encampment.
7. Historian:
a.
Shall be responsible to the Inspector General.
b.
Shall be responsible for gathering any and all information pertaining to
NCWV
activities.
8. Chaplain: Shall oversee ecumenical services at events.
9. Signal Officer: Shall be responsible for maintenance of the web page.
There will be three (3) Standing Committees: Safety Committee, Audit Committee, and Inventory Committee. Other committees may be formed as necessary (e.g., Bylaws Revision Committee).
1. Safety Committee:
a. Shall consist of the three
(3) Chiefs of Staff and the Safety Marshall.
b. Shall be responsible for maintaining an up-to-date set of
Safety
Standards, which must be NCWV approved.
2. Audit Committee:
a. Shall consists of the newly elected Adjutant General
and two (2) voting members, selected through voluntary
appointment by the Commander.
b. Shall audits all accounts each January.
Audit must be complete and a report made at the General Membership Meeting
in February. A time extension of one month may be granted by the voting membership.
c. May be called by the voting membership to do an additional audit at any time.
3. Inventory Committee:
a. Shall Consist of the newly elected Confederate
and Union Chiefs of Staff
and the Quartermaster
b. Shall inventory all items and equipment
each January. The inventory must be complete and a report made at the
General Membership Meeting in February.
c. May be called by the voting membership to do an additional audit at any time.
The mailing address is NEVADA CIVIL WAR VOLUNTEERS, P.O. Box 11033, Reno, NV 89510
The fiscal year of the NCWV shall be from January 1 to December 31.
The properties and assets of this non-profit corporation are irrevocably dedicated to charitable and educational purposes. No part of the net earnings, properties, or assets of this corporation, on discussion or otherwise, shall inure to the benefit of any private person or individual, or any member or director of officer of this corporation. On liquidation or dissolution, all properties and assets and obligations shall be distributed as provided by Nevada Revised Statutes.
All funds received by/for the NCWV will be deposited to the credits of its accounts in depositories designated by the voting membership. Monies received will be used for defraying the expenses of NCWV activities and the support of designated charities under the direction of the voting membership.
The rules contained in the most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the NCWV in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order the NCWV may adopt.
1. Subject to the limitation of the laws of the State of Nevada, the Articles of Incorporation may be amended, new Bylaws may be adopted, or these Bylaws may be amended or repealed.
2. Bylaws changes shall require the following steps:
a. Unanimous approval by the Staff.
b. Publication of the proposed Bylaw
changes in The SENTINEL.
c. Discussion of the proposed changes by the membership at the following General Membership meeting.
d. Re-publication of the Final Version of
the Bylaws in The SENTINEL.
e. Approval by two-thirds of the voting members in attendance
at the subsequent General Membership Meeting.
Upon the recommendation of the Staff and agreement by the majority of the General Membership, a Bylaws Revision Committee shall be authorized by:
1. Announcement published in
The SENTINEL asking for committee members.
2. A declaration, in person, at a General
Membership Meeting, by those individuals interested in serving on the committee.
3. Acceptance of the volunteer by the
membership to serve on the committee.
4. The committee shall consist of a minimum
of 4 members in good standing and shall meet a minimum of once per month at a
scheduled, announced, open meeting.
5. All business shall be conducted in
person at the committee meeting and written minutes of each meeting shall be
recorded and presented at the general membership meeting upon request.
6. Recommendations and drafts shall be
submitted as outlined in Article VIII, Section 1.
SECTION 3
These Bylaws and future amendments thereto, unless otherwise specified, shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
Reno, Nevada
August 4, 2005
Nevada Civil War Volunteers
Bylaws * Safety Standards * Safety
Questionnaire * Cavalry Certification
Staff * Events * Authenticity *
Sutlers
Membership Application * Insurance
Form
1st Nevada Volunteer Battalion
3rd Co., Bttn of
SS, McGowan's SC Brigade
