|
CONSTITUTION
The Historic 15th N.Y.V.
Cavalry, Co. L, Inc..
Article I Name
This organization shall be known as the 15th New York Volunteer Cavalry Company L
popularly called "The Red Neck Ties", and shall at all times operate and conduct
as a non-profit corporation in accordance with the laws of the State of New York providing
for such organization and by which it shall acquire all rights as granted to corporations
of this kind.
Article II Purpose
The purpose of the 15th NY Cavalry shall be to authentically represent the
historic regiment at events both local and national. In this endeavor we shall research
the historic regiment and use what is found to both guide our own actions and to publicize
the record of the 15th Cavalry in the Civil War.
Article III Officers
Officer's of the regiment shall be elected at the same meeting at which the
ratification of this document takes place. Elections will be held in a manner prescribed
in the by-laws. The officers will include:
Captain
Lieutenant
1st Sergeant
1st Corporal
Officers and NCO's will perform duties detailed in the by-laws. Other ranks may be created
and voted upon by the membership in a manner prescribed in the by-laws.
Article VI Membership
Membership in the 15th NY Cavalry is open to all those over the age of 18. Those under the
age of 18 may participate if a parent or legal guardian is present.
Article VII Amendments
This constitution may be amended in the following manner: At the request of 2/3
rd's of the dues paying membership, an amendment may be proposed. The proposed amendment
will be read at a public meeting and a vote taken at the following meeting. The vote will
be by written ballot, a 2/3 rd's vote is needed to adopt the amendment.
Article VIII Ratification
Ratification of this document will be by written ballot, a 2/3 rd's vote needed to
adopt.
Article IX Regulations
The membership may enact all regulations necessary and proper to the promotion of
the 15th NY Cavalry in a manner prescribed in the by-laws so long as these regulations are
consistent with the Constitution of the 15th NY Cavalry. By Laws of the 15th NY Cavalry
Meetings:
Regular meeting of the 15th NY Cavalry , will be at a time and place fixed by a resolution
and entered in the Standing Orders.
Special meetings of the 15th NY Cavalry may be convened at the call of the President. A
special meeting shall be convened at the written request of seven or more members. Two (2)
days shall be the minimum advance notice for the convening of a special meeting. Telephone
or other electronic means of communication may be used for the purpose of notifying
members of the convening of a special meeting.
Meetings of Committees may take place at the call of the chair of the committee which is
to meet.
Five regular members in good standing shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of
business at a regular meeting.
Membership:
An active member of the 15th NY Cavalry may have no affiliation with any other unit, reenactment
group , club, or organization portraying War of the Rebellion, Union or Confederate, and
he/she may take the field with no other unit without the permission of the President.
He/she must come into the possession of and maintain the uniform, accouterments,
equipment, and arms of a private soldier of the 15th NY Cavalry in the War of the
Rebellion. He/she may affix no device to his/her uniform not in keeping with the
reactivated 15th NY Cavalry. He/she must conduct themselves in a military manner at all
times when engaged in unit functions and must exercise reasonable care in the use of unit
equipment.
Regular Member in Good Standing:
A person who has paid dues ($60 per year), meets the Constitutional requirements for
membership, and attends at least eight (8) sanctioned events each year shall be considered
a Member in Good Standing. Sanctioned events may include events for which the unit is
paid, or is declared to be a maximum effort by being designated by resolution. Regular
meetings may count toward this total. A Member in Good Standing may vote, and enjoy other
emoluments unique to membership in the 15th NY Cavalry.
Member Emeritus:
A person who has made unique and important contributions to the unit or has rendered long
and faithful service may be designated a Member Emeritus. A Member Emeritus shall enjoy
all rights and privileged of membership, but only be exempted from the payment of dues.
Dues:
Dues shall be sixty dollars ($60.00) per year for regular members. Dues shall be payable
in monthly increments of five dollars ($5.00) for regular members, and shall be received
by the Vice-President or Treasurer at the regular meeting. Dues may be paid in advance up
to a period not to exceed one (1) year.
Members more than three (3) months in arrears shall be advised of this situation by the
Secretary. Members more than six (6) months in arrears shall lose the right to vote on any
question, election, or other matter before the organization. Members more than twelve
months (1 year) in arrears shall be dropped from membership.
Standing Committees:
The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice-President,
Treasurer, and the Secretary, and such other persons duly nominated and elected by the
members for a one (1) year term. The President shall chair the Executive Committee. The
Executive Committee shall make meeting agendas, set organizational policy, and serve as a
Nominating Committee for all officers of the 15th NY Cavalry. A simple majority of the
Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of committee business.
The Steering Committee shall consist of those persons named in the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Historic 15th Cavalry, Company L, Inc.. Any additional
members shall be appointed by the Committee members from the general membership. The
Steering Committee shall provide oversight and advice in all affairs, business and
operations of the 15th NY Cavalry. Three members shall be a quorum for the conduct of
business of the Steering Committee.
The Finance Committee shall provide financial oversight to the Vice
President and Treasurer, and will conduct an audit of the organizational finances once a
year to be reported at the January annual meeting. The Finance Committee shall consist of
a Chair elected from the general membership, and two other appointed by the said Chair. A
simple majority of Committee members shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of
committee business.
The Safety Committee shall provide instruction and advice to members
regarding camp, field, horse, weapons and fire safety. The Safety Committee shall consist
of a Chair elected from the general membership and two others appointed by the said chair.
A simple majority of Committee members shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of
committee business.
The Authenticity Committee shall provide instruction and advice to
members regarding the historical appropriateness of objects and practices. The
Authenticity Committee may also be tasked with the curator ship of the organization's
collection of artifacts, archival materials, and books. The Authenticity
Committee shall consist of a Chair elected from the general membership and two others
appointed by the said chair. A simple majority of Committee members shall constitute a
quorum for the conduct of committee business.
The Events Committee shall provide information to members regarding
shows, reenactments, lectures, and other programs in which the organization may wish to
participate. The Events Committee shall identify which members will attend the said
programs, initiate and complete necessary administrative papers, publish the rules of the
said programs, and ensure that the organization is properly registered for each event. The
Events Committee shall consist of a Chair elected from the general membership and two
others appointed by the said chair. A simple majority of Committee members shall
constitute a quorum for the conduct of committee business.
The Rules Committee shall investigate and report on Constitutional
questions, questions relating to the Bylaws, questions relating to the Standing Orders,
questions relating to the Rules of Order, and ordinary resolutions. Items of business to
be so investigated and reported shall be referred to the Rules Committee on motion in a
regular or special meeting of the organization, duly made and carried. The Rules Committee
shall also sit as the investigative committee in Disciplinary Procedures in accordance
with the Rules of Order Chapter XX & 60, p. 646-652. The resolution to impanel in the
said Rules of Order shall take the form of a motion to commit or refer. The Rules
Committee shall consist of three members elected from the general membership with two
alternates similarly elected. Members of the Rules Committee may hold no rank higher than
Corporal. For the purpose of investigation and reporting or ordinary items of business, a
simple majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of Committee
business. For the purpose of disciplinary investigation and reporting, three (3) members
must be impaneled, with alternate aforesaid filling vacancies.
The President shall be a member Ex officio of all Committees. The
President shall have power to appoint Special or ad hoc committees in accordance with the
Rules of Order.
Rank:
Any member in good standing may be designated in the ranks of Commissioned and
Non-Commissioned Officers. Those who presently hold rank and who are members in good
standing will continue in those ranks.
When there is a need for additional commissioned or non-commissioned officers, the
Executive Committee will nominate and the membership vote on said positions. The voting
will be by ballot at the regular monthly meeting. Elections will be announced at monthly
meetings, letter or telephone.
Adoption and Amendments:
The Bylaws of the 15th NY Cavalry may be ratified by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) majority
to be presented at a regular meeting and the form of voting being at the pleasure of the
assembly. Amendments to the Bylaws may be proposed at a regular meeting and adopted by a
2/3 vote at a succeeding meeting.
Amendments
Amendment I; Family Membership:
Family Membership is offered to active members whose immediate family is interested in joining and participating at events. The Family Membership, enjoys the full benefits of an active member and obligated to rules same as active membership except dues are at $84.00 / year or $7.00 / month.
Amendment II; Associate Membership:
This is to supplement the ranks of membership in the field, and at the same time give those individuals contemplating on joining the 15th as a full active member an opportunity to portray a cavalry soldier or civilian of the 15th, in the field, at reenactments, Living history events, etc.
The following will be required of Associate members. Individual Associate member must own his or her appropriate equipment to portray a mounted / dismounted soldier or civilian of the 15th New York Volunteer Cavalry. An associate member must pay for event registration, understand rules and regulations of the 15th NYVC. The benefits are that an individual will enjoy the camaraderie with a cavalry unit at events. Dues will be assessed at $10.00 per year for liability insurance. A person serving as an Associate Member, applying for full active membership will be given credit to their probation period based on their performance as an Associate Member.
The following are limitations of Associate Membership. An associate member cannot hold any rank or executive position in the unit, and is not entitled to any voting privileges on unit business or decisions.
|
[ Home ] [ Up ][Top]
Send mail to
Rick Frustaci with
questions or comments about this web site .
Copyright © 2003 The
15th New York Cavalry
Last modified:
November 27, 2003
|
|
