Bylaws

                                                                                                                        01 October 2000

47th NEW YORK VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, COMPANY K

 

Article 1: Purpose

 

A.      The 47th N.Y.V.I., Co.K, "(herein referred to as Unit)"is a not for profit organization dedicated to a historically accurate and appropriate United States Federal Soldier portrayal representing the period of United States history encompassing the years 1860 through 1865, and in particular the 47th New York Volunteer Regiment of Infantry during the American Civil War.

 

B.      Membership in the Unit, is extended to individuals interested in pursuing a historically accurate and appropriate Military representation or Civilian occupation consistent with the Civil War period. Members are encouraged to research the Civil War to apprize themselves of historically documented aspects of Civilian and Military life. Members are encouraged to participate in Military or Civilian activities at Civil War Reenactments, Living History Presentations, and Educational Programs to recall events and enlighten the general public regarding this significant period of American history.

 

Article 2: Types of Membership

 

1.       Regular Membership. These members portray a Federal Infantry Military impression with the Unit. They must be 18 years of age or older. This category of membership can vote and hold office. Dues are $10 per year.

 

2.       Associate Membership. This membership is designed for members who choose not to take the field, or those under 18 years of age, or relatives of regular members. This category of membership may not vote or hold office. Dues are $5.00 per year.

 

3.       Provisional Membership. Individuals wishing to become members are required to pay $5 (non-refundable) and participate in two events with the Unit. The Provisional member must agree to abide by the rules and by-laws of the Unit. After participation in two events, and upon approval of the Company Captain and an NCO, the Regular Military members of the Unit will vote for or against full membership at a company meeting. Upon approval, an additional $5 is required to upgrade to full membership. A provisional member may not vote or hold office.

 

4.       Voting members must be Regular Members for thirty days before the annual election in order to vote or have an absentee ballot.

 

Article 3: Military Command Structure

 

Since the 47th N.Y.V.I. Co. K participates in battle re-enactments, a Military Command Structure must be in place to ensure the safety, authenticity, discipline and training of the members. The Military Command Structure will consist of the following:

 

1.      Company Commander - Captain 

Military commander of the Unit and will be elected yearly. The Company Commander must also be Business Committee President.

Prerequisite for this position: Three years re-enacting experience, with two years as an NCO or Junior Officer in the Unit.

 

2.      Junior Officer's

Elected for three years at initial term then yearly after three years. This position will be as a 2nd Lieutenant for one-year minimum. Only one may be promoted to 1st Lieutenant after one year of satisfactory service.

Prerequisite for this position: Three years re-enacting experience, with two years as an NCO in the Unit.

 

3.      First Sergeant

Elected for one year. This is the highest ranking NCO in the Unit.

Prerequisite for this position: Three years re-enacting experience to qualify, with one-year experience as an NCO in the Unit.

 

4.      Second Sergeant

Elected for one year.

Prerequisite for this position: Two years re-enacting experience, with one year as an NCO in the Unit.

 

5.      First and Second Corporals

Elected yearly.

Prerequisite for this position: One-year re-enacting experience with the Unit.

 

6.      Quartermaster Sergeant

Elected yearly. The company K Quartermaster Sergeant will keep and maintain accountability for the unit's infantry equipment. This position is not part of the Unit command structure.

 

7.      Third Sergeant / Corporal

A third Sergeant and more Corporals may be necessary as the Unit grows in membership. All Sergeants except First Sergeant will have the same qualifications as the Second Sergeant. All Corporals must have the same qualifications. A first Corporal is higher in rank than a second corporal and so forth down to eighth Corporal.

 

8.      Colors NCO

Elected yearly. The Color NCO will keep and maintain the Unit's flags. He will have charge of the Color Guard and train and educate those people involved with the guard and the Unit in general. This position is not part of the Unit command structure.

 

9.      Chaplain

Not a member of the Military Command structure. The Chaplain may offer prayer before official meetings and at other times as needed.

 

10.  NCOs

NCOs shall exercise leadership on and off the field. In case of the absence of senior NCOs, the next in rank shall fill the vacancy. In case of resignation or removal, the Company Captain shall appoint a qualified replacement who will serve until the next election. NCOs must be prepared to serve as Private soldier depending on Unit formation strength.

11. Musicians

Not a member of the military command structure, Musicians must be functional performers of period instruments and music.

 

Article 4: Safety

 

A.      All regulations for positioning of loaded weapons will be in accordance with Hardee's Tactics. Ramrods and bayonets will be kept in the stowed position once the battle re-enactment commences. They may be removed and used only during inspection and stacking of arms, or during a living history presentation where a demonstration of their use may be necessary. This will be done under supervision of an officer or NCO.

 

B.      During a re-enactment, weapons will be elevated when firing at opposing participants in close range. When firing in the direction of spectators, weapons will be elevated regardless of distance. All weapons will be discharged and uncapped upon completion of the battle and before the breaking of ranks.

 

C.      Since officers and NCOs are "Defacto" safety officers, they must have safety training in weapons handling to hold this office. NRA basic gun safety courses, State Hunter Education course, or U.S. military weapons courses will satisfy this requirement. Safety is every member's responsibility. Disregard of safety rules may result in expulsion from an event. Flagrant disregard of safety rules may be grounds for dismissal from the Unit. Participants in battle re-enactments must be at least 16 years of age with written parental permission to carry a weapon on the field. Musicians or runners must have passed their 12th birthday.

 

D.      It is required that all participants have the approval of the Co. K commander or next in military command before taking the field.

 

Article 5: Meetings

 

A.      The annual meeting for election of the Military Command Structure and Business Committee positions will be held in September and not in conjunction with any other re-enactment event, with terms of office to take effect October 1st.

 

B.      Other Unit meetings will be held quarterly and may be in conjunction with re-enactments within the state of Florida.

 

Article 6: Administration

 

A Business Committee consisting of five members will administer the business functions of the company. The members will consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Member at Large. These five members will be elected annually at a general election. All must be regular members in good standing with the Company and must meet the requirements of the office.

 

Article 7: Duties of Executive Committee officers

 

1.       The President / Company Captain shall be the primary business officer of the Company and shall preside over meetings of the Business Committee and general meetings of the membership. The President shall appoint volunteer chairmanships with the concurrence of the Business Committee. The President shall sign, along with two other members of the Business Committee, all legal documents of the company. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall preside over meetings.

2.       The Vice President must be a Regular Member. The vice President shall be committee coordinator and arrange programs for meetings. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall preside over meetings.

3.       The Secretary must be a Regular Member. The Secretary shall record and maintain the minutes of committee and general meetings, handle the official correspondence of the company and perform such other tasks which are normal to the office.

 

4.       The Treasurer must be a Regular Member. The Treasurer shall have charge of all receipts and moneys of the company and maintain them in safe treasury as directed by the Business Committee. The Treasurer shall keep accurate records of all monetary transactions and account balances and report same upon Business Committee request. Disbursements of company funds shall require the approval/signature of the Treasurer and either the President or Vice President. Disbursement of over $200 will require approval of a majority of members in the unit.

 

5.       The Member at Large must be a regular Member. The Member at large serves as an available representative of the Regular Membership to the Business Committee if required.

 

6.       All Business Committee members must be voting members in good standing with the Unit.

  

7.      The President and Vice President must be members of the Military Command structure. The Secretary, Treasurer and member at large need not be members of the Military Command structure.

Article 8: Impeachment, Dismissal and Disbandment

 

1.       Members of the Business Committee may be called to an impeachment review by a demand of a majority of the committee, or a petition of one half of the voting members of the company. Impeachment from the committee shall require a determination of just cause and a vote of two thirds of the voting members Unit.

2.       Members of the committee may be called to a dismissal review upon demand of a majority of the business Committee or one third of the voting members of the company by petition. Dismissal of a member of the company, not a committee member, shall require determination of just cause and a vote of two thirds of the unit.

 

3.       Dismissal from the company shall result in permanent loss of membership for those dismissed.

 

4.       Disbandment of the Company shall require a unanimous vote of the Business Committee. Alternately voting members of the Company may disband the Unit by a three quarters majority of all the voting members of the Unit taken in mass meeting with no proxy voting.

 

5.       In the event of disbandment, the assets of the company and the treasury shall be used to aid battlefield preservation. Disbandment of the unit's assets shall not be allowed to benefit an individual member or group of members.

 

Article 9: Amendments to By-laws

 

Amendments to by-laws must be approved by a majority of the Business Committee and approval by a majority of the members at the annual meeting. All proposed amendments must be submitted to the Business Committee in writing, sixty days before the annual meeting.