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By-Laws of the

1rst Confederate Brigade

Article I. Name

Section 1.

The name of the organization shall be the 1rst Confederate Brigade [called hereafter “Organization”.]

Article II. Purpose

Section 1.

The Organization is a living history unit, formed to promote interests in American Civil War [1861-1865] by:  

·          Honoring the courage and devotion of all those who participated.

·          Supporting organized Civil War living history events.

Article III. Membership

Section 1.

There shall be two types of membership status:

·          Full Membership in the organization shall be limited to Living History Military and Civilian units which have a Confederate Military or civilian living history impression of no less than 6 members. Full members shall be allowed three [3] votes on Board issues.

·          Associate Membership in the organization shall be limited to Living History Military and Civilian units which have a Confederate living history impression of fewer than 6 members. Associate members shall have one [1] vote on Board issues.

Section 2.

Any units seeking membership to the organization shall be required to petition the organization’s Board. The Board shall, by regular or special Board meeting, vote to accept or not the prospective member. A simple majority is required to accept the prospective member.

Section 3.

All members shall at all times during an event or school living history function conduct themselves with dignity and honor appropriate for the occasion. Any member that has shown improper conduct that is considered by the Board “Not in the best interest of the Organization” can be dismissed from the organization. The Board is required to consider all reports of such behavior submitted to the organization by members or non-members. The board by unanimous vote may vote to dismiss any unit from the Organization. Any unit under membership review shall not have the right to vote on this issue before the Board.

Article IV. Board

Section 1.

The Board shall be led by a Chairman who shall be the elected senior officer of the Organization. The Chairman’s whose roll is to:

·          Facilitate and lead Board meetings.

·          Implement the actions agreed by the Board.

·          The Chairmen of the Board shall only vote on Board issues during tie votes of the Board.

The Chairman shall be assisted in these duties by:

·          All the elected Brigade Staff, Branch commanders and the Civilian Coordinator. The Chairmen may call on the Brigade staff, Branch Commanders and Civilian Coordinator as needed based on availability and experience.

·          One clerk [rank of sergeant] who the Chairmen may appoint after consultation with the Board. This clerk’s duties shall entail assisting the Chairmen in the performance of his duties during and between Board meetings and in camp at events. The clerk will have no special roll when the Organization is on the Battlefield at events. The clerk’s term will be at the discretion of the Chairman

Section 2.

A Board [The” Board”] shall be established to operate the organization and to conduct business effectively and efficiently.

 The Board shall have the power to:

·          Approve yearly operating budgets [if any].

·          Approve expenditures for the normal operation of the organization without resorting to debt.

·          Approve fund raising activities.

·          Approve new members, to dismiss members for conduct “not in the best interest of the organization”.

·          To nominate events the Organization should attend and vote on those the Organization shall attend.

·          All other issues required to properly meet the purpose of the organization.

  The Board shall not have the power to:

·          To impose uniform or equipment standards on member units.

·          To impose that units attend specific schedule events.

·          Interfere with the ongoing business of any member organization.

 Article V. Board Voting

Section 1.

The Board shall exist of one representative from each unit organization who shall be designated in writing by that unit’s President, Board of Directors or other designated unit leader. This unit designated person shall vote in all Board matters. Full member representatives shall have three votes and Associate Member representatives shall have one. Full member representatives may spilt their three [3] votes to reflect the views of the unit they represent.  Other members of any unite may attend Board meetings at their discretion, but shall not vote.

Section 2.

At least 60% of the member units in attendance are required to hold a Board meeting where voting on any issue is performed. The following voting majority size is required to approve an issue being voted on by the Board:

1.       When voting on the organization attending living history events take place, a simple majority approval is needed by members present.

2.       Changes in the By-Laws require 3/4 of all members of the Board.

3.       A simple majority is needed when voting on ranks, numbers of Officers and NCO’s, nominations and elections for the coming year by the members present.

4.       Removal of the Commanding Officer/Chairmen within term shall require a 3/4 majority approval.

5.       Removal of the Field and Staff officers, NCOs or Civilian Coordinator within term shall require a simple majority approval.

6.       A simple majority is required for all other issues decided by the Board.

 Article VI. Field and Staff Officers, NCOs and Civilian Coordinator

Section 1

The Brigade Field Command shall coordinate the various member units, at only designated Brigade events, while in camp and on the battlefield to demonstrate to the public a realistic Confederate Field unit. The Brigade Field Staff shall not interfere with the internal operations of individual units. Units participating at events with the Brigade do so on a volunteer basis only.

 The Board shall approve the Brigade Field Command structure [ranks, number and length of term] of Field, Staff Officers, and NCOs, and the Civilian Coordinator required to support the organization. In no case shall any term be longer than two consecutive years in duration for any one position. There is no limit on the number of terms a member shall hold in the organization.

 The initial Brigade ranks, which may be changed by the Board at any time, are the: Colonel [also Chairman], Lt. Colonel [also Infantry Branch Commander], 3 Majors [also Artillery, Cavalry, Dismounted Cavalry Branch Commanders], Brigade Adjutant [also a 1^st LT.], Brigade Sergeant Major and Civilian Coordinator.

 The Board wishes to maintain some continuity of Brigade leadership over specific time frame to avoid the entire Brigade command learning their positions in one season. While at the same time still maintaining a democratic and open organization. Hence, the initial voting cycle for Brigade ranks will be spread out over a fixed time periods as follows:

2006 Season            All Brigade Ranks

2007 Season            Infantry and Cavalry Branch Commanders, Brigade Sgt. Major

2008 Season     Colonel [Chairman], Adjutant, Artillery and Dismounted Cavalry Branch Commanders

This cycle will repeat itself every three years unless changed by the Board.

If nominations for expired terms, replacement of vacant positions or new positions in the Brigade organization are required then no latter than January 30 of the year of the upcoming reenacting season nominations shall have been submitted and an election ballot sent out to all Board members. By April 1 of that upcoming reenacting season the Board shall have held elections and filed each open position.

 All Board members shall be eligible to vote for the Colonel [Chairman], Adjutant, Sergeant Major and Civilian Coordinator positions. Only those Board Members from a particular Branch shall be able to vote for their respective Branch Commanders. The Colonel [Chairman], Adjutant, Sergeant Major shall not be able to vote on Brigade issues [there interest in a particular issue will be through the Board vote of their respective unit they belong to].

 Section1.

The designated Officer Commanding the Organization shall also be the Chairmen of the Board.  If the Chairmen/Officer Commanding is not able to attend the Board meeting of event the next senior Brigade Branch Commander shall be designated as the alternative Chairmen/Officer Commanding.

Section 3.

If during an event any Brigade Officer or NCO is not in attendance, the Commanding  Officer of the Brigade shall  Brevet other members of the Organization ,or non-members if enough members are not present , to fill  any Officer or NCO rank to participate and assist  in the event.

Article VII. Meetings

Section 1.

The Board of the organization shall meet at least twice per year in a time and place determined by the Board.  The date of the next meeting shall be determined at the preceding meeting.

Section 2.

Special meeting may be called by the Chairmen or Board at any time. If 3/4 of the Board petitions the Chairman to call a special meeting the Chairman shall do so within 3 weeks.

Section 3.

Notice of each meeting, regular or special, shall be given to each voting member by mail or Phone, not less than two weeks before the meeting.

 Article VIII. Parliamentary Authority

Section1.

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern this organization in all cases to which they are applicable unless they are inconsistent with the Constitution and special rules of this organization.

 Article XI. Method of Amending the By-Laws

Section1.

Proposed amendments or changes to the By-Laws shall be submitted to the Board in writing by any member. The Chairmen shall appoint a committee to review such amendment and report back their recommendation with two months.

  Article X. Financing

Section 1.

The Board is responsible for developing, if needed, and reviewing fiscal procedures, fund raising plan, and the annual budget, and all expenditures must be within the budget. Any major change in the budget shall be approved by a majority vote of the Board. The fiscal year shall be the calendar year. Annual reports are required to be submitted to the board and when requested by the President at any Board meeting.

The financial records of the organization are public information and shall be made available to all membership of the Board. No less than once per year the financial report shall appear in the organizational news letter.

Article XI. Committees

Section1.

The Chairmen shall appoint committees and their membership, when directed by the Board to form a committee, to address issues requiring review/research to make recommedations to the board for further action.

 Article XII. Ratification

Section 1.

The Ratification, by a three-quarters majority of full members of the Organization, on the date prescribed shall be sufficient to accept these By-Laws for the Organization.

Done in Convention by the Board Members of The 1rst Confederate in witness there of we hereunto subscribed our names,

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Copyright © 2006 1st Confederate Brigade
Last modified: 11/20/06