BYLAWS
January 1999
* indicates a section that can be found in the Regimental Rules and Regulations
- Membership in the 42nd Virginia is open to all people regardless of race, sex, or religion and is contingent upon a recommendation of the Commander or Civilian Coordinator following completion of minimum requirements which are met and approved by a quorum of the membership.
- A member in good standing, herein referred to as a "member," must meet certain standards
to remain in good standing, be allowed to vote on regimental matters, attend regimental
events, hold elected office within the 42nd Virginia, and benefit from the use of regimental
funds. These standards are determined by the membership and are as follows:
- Obtain and make use of the minimum required clothing and/or gear and weapons, as
determined by the unit standard.*
- Pay all dues and other monies owed to the 42nd Virginia within 60 days of notification
of said debt.
- Abide by all Bylaws, rules, and regulations* and all field commands of
regimental officers of the 42nd Virginia.
- Exceed the minimum age requirement (16 years).
- In order to maintain an honest, authentic impression, a member's function at a
regimental event must conform to the standards and culture of the Civil War period as
follows:
- Only males of 16 years or older may bear military arms at regimental events.
- Only males may serve in the infantry companies of the regiment.
- Members must attend the ordnance safety class and basic drill class prior to
bearing arms.
- Clothing, gear, weapons, and visible accessories must be authentic, as determined by the
commanding officer present and be appropriate for the specific time period represented. The
commanding officer will base his opinions on the past consensus of the membership,
documented evidence, and advice from the quartermaster or historian.
- New soldiers shall be held in probation until the following minimum requirements are met:
- Ordnance/safety training is completed.
- Basic training in weapons handling and drill is completed.
- Minimum uniform articles and accouterments are acquired [the Commander may approve use of loaned uniforms and equipment for a period not to exceed one year]
- Attendance at three (3) events involving the handling and firing of weapons
- No person, whether member or non-member, may encamp with, or otherwise participate with, the 42nd Virginia Infantry, Company I, unless and until they have signed a waiver and release form, and such other paperwork as the President and/or Commander may find necessary and appropriate. Parents shall sign all paperwork required on behalf of any minor.
- Minors (persons under the age of 18) shall be members of this unit and participants in activities, subject to the following conditions:
- They shall have no voting rights if under the age of 16 years.
- At all times when at an event, they shall be under the supervision of a parent or adult appointed by a parent in writing.
- They shall be authentic in dress and conform to unit authenticity standards.
- They shall neither be underfoot, nor interfere with, the adult activities of the unit.
- Monthly meetings will be held at the Fairfax County Government Center at 7:30
p.m. on the first Friday of evenly numbered months, unless the membership shall decide otherwise. Special
meetings may be called by the President with seven days advance notification. Fifteen
percent (15%) of the voting membership must be present to constitute a quorum at any
regimental meeting. All regiment votes must come on a motion from a member, a second from
another member, then a call for hands from the President. A simple majority shall decide
the result. All members may speak their minds, in turn, at regimental meetings, the
President regulating the length of discussion as time dictates.
- Elections by secret ballot for the offices of Commander, President, Secretary, Treasurer,
Historian, and Civilian Activities Coordinator(s) shall be held at each December meeting
following nominations at the previous monthly meeting, unless otherwise agreed upon, for
terms of one year ending at the following election. The offices of Quartermaster, Ordnance
Officer, Assistant Commander, Squad Leader, and Assistant Squad Leader shall be nominated
by the Commander for one-year terms. The office of Recruiting Officer and standing committee
chairmen and standing committee members shall be nominated by the President for one-year
terms. These nominated offices shall be approved by the membership in a single election at
each January meeting. In the event of a vacancy, the membership will accept nominations for
completing the term at the next business meeting, to be voted on at the following meeting.
- All disagreements between members, and between members and the regiment, must be
settled in a timely and courteous manner. Any unreconciled differences resulting in
adverse effects to the regiment will be addressed and voted on at the next regimental
meeting. The expulsion of members from the regiment, or removal of elected officials from
office, can only be effected by a majoriy vote at a regimental meeting with at least
two-thirds of the voting membership present, provided all members have been notified at
least thirty (30) days prior to the intended vote and the specific charges.
- The President will appoint volunteers to serve on committees that will perform certain
functions and recommend actions to the membership. Committees can be of either a permanent,
standing type or a temporary special type. The President will choose a chairperson, who will
schedule and preside over the meetings and report recommendations, actions, and minutes of
meetings to the full membership. Examples of standing committees are the Ways and Means,
Bylaws Review, and Elections Nominating Committees. Examples of special committees are the
Provosts, Travel, and Christmas Dinner Committees.
- Amendment of the Bylaws is effected by a majority vote of the membership present at a
monthly meeting, provided the membership has been notified of the propsed amendment(s) at the
prior business meeting. Proposals to amend the Bylaws may be submitted by any voting member
or by the Bylaws Committee as a whole.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICERS
Administrative Officers
- PRESIDENT
The President is the administrative leader of the regiment in its function as a nonprofit
organization. The president has no command or rank by virtue of office and canot serve as
the Commander. In his or her absence, the President shall name a President Pro-Tem. The
President's duties are:
- To preside over regimental meetings.
- To organize, direct, and coordinate the efforts of the administrative officers.
- To recommend administrative policies.
- To coordinate all nonmilitary activities.
- To cooperate with the Commander in coordinating military functions.
- TREASURER
The Treasurer is the monetary administrator of the regiment. The Treasurer's duties are:
- To deposit, within thirty (30) days of receipt, all incoming regimental funds into the
Treasury, the regimental checking account, which shall be maintained at a local bank, and to
provide a receipt for all funds received.
- To disburse, by endorsing a check that has been endorsed by the President or the
Commander, any funds approved by the President, of fifty dollars ($50) or less, or approved
by the membership, when more than fifty dollars ($50).
- To note, on the monthly Treasurer's report, which shall be provided at the monthly meeting,
any funds received or disbursed since the previous meeting and provide a list of all funds
owed to the regiment by members and their names.
- To collect annual dues, which are due every February business meeting or (for new members)
at the time of enlistment. Dues for new members joining after the start of the year shall be
pro-rated based on the number of quarters remaining in the year.
- SECRETARY
The Secretary aids the President in administrative functions. The Secretary's duties are:
- To record or obtain and preserve the minutes of all meetings.
- To provide the membership at each monthly meeting with the minutes of the previous meeting
and any recent special meetings.
- HISTORIAN
The Regimental Historian is rsponsible for the collection and dissemination of historical
information. The Historian's duties are:
- To record regimental attendance and activities at events.
- To research and distribute information on the 42nd Virginia of the 1860's.
- To provide historical background on upcoming events.
- RECRUITING OFFICER
The Recruiting Officer recruits new members and aids them in assimilating into the regiment.
The Recruiting Officer's duties are:
- To organize and coordinate recruiting efforts.
- To distribute information and enlistment forms to potential recruits.
- To aid the Regimental Quartermaster in outfitting recruits with clothing and gear.
- To maintain records of recruiting department activities.
- CIVILIAN ACTIVITIES COORDINATORS(S)
The Civilian Activities Coordinator(s) organizes and directs civilian activities of the
regiment. The Civilian Activities Coordinator's duties are:
- To inform civilian members of upcoming events.
- To organize and direct civilian activities at events.
- To coordinate civilian activities with the Commander.
- To advise and assist civilian members on the authenticity of the civilian's clothing,
gear, and general impression.
Military Officers
- The official rank and number of regimental officers shall be determined by the billeting
chart* based on the number of members on the roster. At events, brevet rank and number of
officers shall be determined by the billeting chart based on the number of members attending
and ajusted according to the specific time period represented. All military officers must be
thoroughly qualified to hold their rank, which is determined by the billeting chart, and
have demonstrated leadership abilities and high moral character.
- COMMANDER
The Commander is the leader of the regiment in the field and has authority over all
regimental military personnel. The Commander's duties are:
- To organize and direct camp set-up and safety*, military instruction and drill*, and the
overall authenticity of the regimental impression.
- To direct the placement of recruits within squads.
- ASSISTANT COMMANDER
The Assistant Commander serves immediately under, and assists, the Commander and assumes
his duties in his absence.
- SQUAD LEADER
The Squad Leaders command the squads in the field and have authority over all squad
members. The Squad Leader's duties are:
- To organize and coordinate squad activities.
- To communicate with squad members about upcoming events.
- To report to the President predicted attendance of squad members at upcoming events.
- To advise and assist squad members on the authenticity of squad members' clothing,
gear, and general impression.
- ASSISTANT SQUAD LEADER
The Assistant Squad Leader serves immediately under, and assists, the Squad Leader and
assumes his duties in his absence.
- ORDNANCE OFFICER
The Ordnance Officer teaches ordnance classes to recruits and distributes the ordnance
manual* to members.
- QUARTERMASTER
The Regimental Quartermaster maintains a list of acceptable military gear and clothing
and tracks the possession and location of regimental property.
Return to 42nd Virginia Home Page
[42nd Virginia Infantry Regiment, 1861-1865] [42nd
Virginia Infantry Regiment, 1984-Present] [Authenticity Code]
[Bylaws] [Civilian Component] [Calendar of Events]
[Service Activities] [Photo Gallery] [The
Reference Room] [Protecting Your Rights] [
Favorite Links] [Contact Us]