Early Camp Constitution and By-laws
Preamble:
As we, the Charter members of the General Jubal A. Early Camp 556, Sons of Confederate Veterans, unite in bonds of brotherhood and seeking the perpetuation of our Southern Heritage, we submit ourselves fully to the Charge of Gen. Stephen D. Lee:
“To You, Sons of Confederate
Veterans, we will commit the vindication of the cause for which we
fought. To your strength will be given the defense of the
Confederate soldier’s good name, the guardianship of his history,
the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those principles
he loved and which you love also, and those ideals which made him
glorious and which you also cherish.”
Time has not dimmed this vision,
nor have the echoes of these spoken words faded from our hearts.
They reverberate within us today as loudly and as clearly as at the
moment they were spoken. We have no mission which extends beyond
this commission; we commit ourselves, fully and faithfully, to
fulfill this charge to the best of our abilities.
In all things let us submit
ourselves to the faith of our forefathers who found the strength,
courage, and eternal hope through all suffering and adversity in His
Word. By Providence we are today citizens of the United States of
America, and subject to its lawful authority. We, as members of the
General Jubal A. Early Camp 556, shall fully and faithfully perform
duties as citizens as prescribed in the Sons of Confederate Veterans
Constitution.
Article I - Name
This Camp shall be known as the
General Jubal A. Early Camp 556, of the Florida Division, Sons of
Confederate Veterans.
ARTICLE II. Nature
The General Jubal A. Early Camp #556
shall be strictly historical and benevolent, non-political, and
non-sectarian.
a. Said organization is organized
exclusively for charitable, religious, education , and scientific
purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions
to organizations that qualify under section 501 (c) (3) of the
Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future
federal tax code.
b. No part of the net earnings of the
organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to
its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except
that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay
reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments
and distributions in furtherance of the purpose set forth in the
purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the
organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise
attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not
participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or
distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any
candidate for public office. Not withstanding any other provision of
this document, the organization shall not carry on any other
activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization
exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the
Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future
federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which
are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue
Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Article III - Rules of
Membership
1. All male descendents, lineal
or collateral, of those who served in the Confederate Army or Navy
and who fully meet the membership requirements of the International
Sons of Confederate Veterans may be admitted to the Camp as full
members. Only active members of the Camp in good standing shall have
the rights of voting, holding office, or being selected as delegates
or alternates to International or Division Conventions.
2. Affiliate, non-voting,
membership for males or females is recognized through an auxiliary
organization known as the Friends of the General Jubal A. Early Camp
556.
3. All applications for
membership shall be reviewed by the Enlistment Officer and adjutant.
Approval results are determined by personal qualifications and SCV
mandates. The Enlistment Officer will recommend or reject acceptance
of the applicant.
4. Membership shall be retained
so long as dues are current. Dues are due as of August 1 each year
and are considered delinquent as of February 2 of the following
year. Only full members in good standing may vote on Camp policy or
hold an officer position.
5. Membership privileges may be
revoked for failure to pay dues, for acts considered disruptive to
the Camp or disparaging to Southern heritage, or for behavior which
brings reproach upon the Camp or the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Disciplinary action may be referred to the Disciplinary Board by the
Commander or by the membership by 2/3 vote at any Camp Business
Meeting. The Commander may temporarily apply sanctions and/or
suspend the membership privileges of a member pending resolution by
the Disciplinary Board. Notification to the member facing
disciplinary action will be made by certified mail which will be
postmarked 15 days prior to the day of the hearing.
Article IV- Officers and
Elections
The standing officers of the
Camp shall be Commander, 1st Lt. Commander, Chaplain, Judge Advocate
and Adjutant. These officers are elected for 2
year terms with elections held during April of even numbered years.
Balloting is normally secret, but a voice vote may be held for
positions in which the candidate is unopposed. Vacancies in the
Officer Corps may be filled by the Commander. An Officer so
appointed shall serve until the end of his predecessor’s unexpired
term.
Offices of 2nd Lt. Commander,
3rd Lt. Commander, 4th Lt. Commander, Paymaster, Quartermaster or
any other office, may be created by the will of the Commander or the
camp and the vacancy filled by election at a normal business meeting
Article V - Duties of
Officers
1. The Commander shall chair all
business meetings of the Camp (but may delegate the chair for any
meeting), fill vacancies occurring in office, appoint all
committees, serve as ex-officio member of all committees except the
nominating committee, and shall be the chief executive officer of
the Camp. Upon his election the Commander shall appoint
Aides-de-Camp or other appointed positions and they shall serve at
the pleasure of the Commander.
2. Any Lt. Commanders, in
descending order shall, in the absence or at the direction of the
Commander, perform the duties of his office. They shall assume other
duties as directed by the Commander.
3. The Adjutant shall keep all
camp records including minutes of Camp business meetings and
maintain complete and updated roster of all members and Friends. He
shall handle member issues including transfers, demits and documents
from National Headquarters. The Adjutant is responsible for
financial deposits resulting from donations and fundraising. He
shall assume other duties as directed by the Commanding Officer.
4. The Chaplain shall be
responsible for maintaining a Christian atmosphere in all Camp
activities. He will offer an invocation and a benediction at all
such meetings. He will be responsible for ministering to those
members who are sick or are in need of spiritual counsel. He shall
be the spiritual leader of the Camp. He shall assume other duties as
directed by the Commander.
5. The Judge Advocate shall act
as Parliamentarian at all Camp meetings and shall preside over all
disciplinary hearings and elections. Elections shall be the sole
providence of the Judge Advocate. He shall perform other duties as
directed by the Commander.
6. The Quartermaster is
responsible for all Camp Supplies including tent, flags, display
accoutrements and their storage during time of inactivity. All of
the above mentioned are kept neatly within the Camp trailer and
dispersed when required. He shall also perform other duties as
directed by the Commanding Officer. Aides-de-Camp
or Appointed Positions:
1. The Colour Captain shall be
responsible for the organization and training of the Colour Guard.
He shall conduct the Guard in all ceremonies and shall be
responsible for ensuring that an appropriate stand of colours is
present for all meeting and ceremonies.
2. The Enlistment Officer shall
be responsible for assisting in the recruitment of new members. He
shall be responsible for following all leads on prospective members.
He shall assist in completing research to prove membership
eligibility.
3. Communications Officer
4. Newsletter Editor
5. Webmaster
6. Chief Engineer
Article VI - Succession
Succession will be in this order
within the Camp Officer Corps: After Commander, 1st Lt.
Commander, subsequent Lt. Commanders, Adjutant, and then Chaplain.
Article VII - Committees
1. The Finance Committee shall
oversee all Camp expenditures. This Committee will be chaired by the
1st Lt. Commander and will include the entire Officer Corps.
2. The Audit Committee shall be
made up of three men appointed by the Finance Committee to perform
an annual end of the year (beginning June 1 and ending May 31) audit
of the books. This Audit Committee will be comprised of two members
at large and one officer of the Camp (other than the Paymaster).
3. The Nominating Committee
shall be comprised of 5 members, three from the Standing Officers
and two from the membership at large. Excluded form this committee
will be the Commander and any Lt. Commanders. Additional nominations
may be made by any member in good standing, speaking from the floor
at the time of election. The proposed candidate must accept his
nomination, before being included in any subsequent balloting, and
the nomination must be seconded by another member. The Nominating
Committee will provide a recommended slate of candidates during the
business meeting prior to the April election in the even numbered
year and that slate will be published in the newsletter prior to the
election.
The Commander shall appoint this
committee.
Article VIII - Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended at
any regular meeting of the Camp by a 2/3 vote of those present,
provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the
previous regular business meeting or posted on the Camp website and
disseminated by email at least 30 days before the next business
meeting. Amendments shall become effective
upon adjournment of the meeting at which they are adopted. Any
Amendment which is in conflict with the Constitution or the Standing
Rules of the International Sons of Confederate Veterans or of the
Florida Division, SCV shall be deemed null and void.
Article IX - Meeting
Requirements
1. Any organised meeting which includes Supper/Program or business will be held a minimum 4 dates annually with the understanding the date and time may be altered by the Commanding Officer to accommodate speaker and camp priorities.
2. Business meetings will be
held at least three times per calendar year. Ideally, their
occurrence will alternate monthly with the Fellowship or Program
meetings. Because of pressing need the Commander may call a Special
Business Meeting out of the normal routing given that a mailed
notice to all Camp members is postmarked 10 days prior to the
scheduled meeting.
3. Officer Calls may be called
at any time by the Commander, for the benefit of the smooth
operation of the Camp. In addition to Officers, Aides-de-Camp, full
Camp members or Friends of the Camp may be invited to attend.
Officer Calls will never replace the function of the Camp Business
Meetings.
Article X - Parliamentary
Authority
The rules of procedure at any
Camp Business Meetings are set forth in Roberts Rules of Order,
Newly Revised, except wherein they may be altered by the assembly.
It is the responsibility of the Judge Advocate to insure that proper
protocol and procedures are followed and to advise during the
conduct of these meetings. Camp Officers who may preside at these
meetings should work to gain a familiarity with rules and
procedures.
Article XI - Decorum and
Discipline
1. This Camp is established to
maintain and promote pride in our common Southern Heritage. It is an
organization for Southern Gentlemen. With the exception of Business
Meetings, which require membership to participate, all meetings are
open so that family and friends are both welcome and encouraged to
attend. All such activities are to be conducted as family affairs
and members should always act accordingly. Business Meetings are to
be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules which are designed to
ensure proper conduct, even as controversial matters are considered.
Individuals who have difficulty in maintaining proper decorum shall
be excluded from such meetings. Members are expected to deal
with internal Camp issues through the prescribed procedures. Members
shall not disparage or insult fellow members, the Sons of
Confederate Veterans, the symbols of Southern Heritage or conduct
themselves in such a manner as to cause conflict within the Camp.
Said conduct amounts to conduct unbecoming a member of the Camp, and
invites disciplinary action. Members who fail to abide by the
decorum requirement may be brought before the Disciplinary Board.
2. The Disciplinary Board
shall consist of the Judge Advocate and First Lt Commander. Both
officers will choose one member at large and may recommend
suspension of member in question. In the event of a tie the
Commanding Officer will be the deciding vote. The Board is empowered
to temporarily suspend privileges and bar member from all camp
meetings and functions. Such suspensions may only exist until the
next business meeting and at that time the Board may recommend
withdrawal of membership or other sanctions. Such actions require a
majority vote of the membership present.
3. Any officer may be
removed from office by vote of the members present ay any special
meeting called for that purpose. No vote on removal of any officer
may be taken unless 15 days prior notice has been given in writing
to the officer in question for the reasons pending his removal of
the time and place of the special meeting. At that time a ballot on
his removal will take place and upon a 2/3 vote he may be suspended
from office. During this special meeting the officer will be given a
full hearing.
