BYLAWS of the 5th MISSOURI INFANTRY

Bylaws

BYLAWS of the 5th MISSOURI INFANTRY (CSA) Inc.

Adopted January 15, 1993

ARTICLE I - TITLE

The name of the organization shall be the Fifth Missouri Infantry - CSA. It shall

consist of such companies as may be established by the membership under the

provisions of these By-Laws.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The Fifth Missouri Infantry - CSA is a non-profit historical organization (living

history), organized under the provisions of USC 501C(3). Its objective is to promote

a better understanding of the critical era of American history variously known as the

War for Southern Independence, the War Between the States, or the Civil War.

Specifically, the unit will concentrate on depicting the pro-Southern Missourian in the

pre-war era and during the war both as a regularly enrolled Confederate infantryman

and as a guerrilla fighter. This objective will be accomplished by:

A. Improving members' knowledge and understanding by discussion, readings, and

viewing audiovisual presentations.

B. Presenting accurate and authentic "Living History" demonstrations at

encampments, skirmishes, battle reenactments and other appropriate events in

Missouri and other states.

C. Giving historical presentations to schools and universities, civic groups and other

public forums.

D. Honoring the valor and sacrifice of the Confederate soldier by participating in

dedications, memorial ceremonies, etc.

E. Promoting study of the era by providing research grants or fellowships at Missouri

academic institutions.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the Fifth Missouri Infantry - CSA (hereinafter called the Regiment) is open to any individual who subscribes to the principles of the Regiment and pays such dues as may be established by the membership. Each individual member will be part of a group of people who portray a unit (hereinafter called a Company) of the Regiment which meets the safety and authenticity standards of the Regiment.

A. A company consists of at least 18 combatants, 9 of whom must be Veterans.

1. A new Company may be established when its membership exceeds these numbers and is approved by two thirds of the Directors or a Majority of the total membership; however, a new company shall not be accepted if it will reduce an existing company below minimum standards for membership. A member may select company affiliation at beginning of each year and cannot transfer without the consent of both companies until following year. A 'Provisional Company' may be established with the consent of the Board of Directors when it appears that it would be of assistance in furthering the goals of the Regiment. Officers of 'Provisional Companies' shall not be recognized in the field.

(Amended 1/8/00)

2. The Ladies' Auxiliary, should one be established, shall be considered to be a

Company for all purposes under these By-Laws except those requiring decisions by

Combatants or Veterans.

B. All Individual Members must meet one of the following criteria:

1. Combatant membership is open to males, age 12 and above, who are individual

members of the Missouri Civil War Reenactors Association (or who have otherwise

obtained reenactors' insurance), and who meet the criteria established below as

Veterans, Recruits, Cadets, or Veteran Reserves. In addition to these criteria,

anyone age 17 or younger must submit a parental release form for minors before

participating in any event & must be accompanied by a legal guardian or provide a

consent to treat power of attorney.

a. Veteran: A veteran is authorized to carry and discharge firearms at events under

the general supervision of the staff. Veterans must be age 16 or older, equipped to

meet the minimum standards of the unit as determined by the Regimental staff, have

attended at least three events (two involving simulated combat), have demonstrated

proficiency in drill and safe use of weapons, have served a probationary period of

120 days, and be approved by a majority of the Veterans voting in a meeting of the

company to which he belongs. Only Veterans may vote in elections for the Field

Staff.

b. Recruit: A recruit is a probationary soldier who may carry and discharge firearms

only under direct supervision of a veteran. he must be age 16 or older, and shall not

be permitted to discharge firearms in ranks until proficient. Recruits may vote for

Organizational Directors only.

c. Cadet: A Cadet is a member age 15 or under who renders an authentic portrayal

on the battlefield, such as musician, and who meets any minimum equipment

standards for his specialty. In addition to the parental release form, Cadets must be

sponsored at each event by a Veteran. Cadets may not vote at any election.

d. Veteran Reserve: A veteran who has not participated as a member of this unit in

3 events, 2 of which involve simulated combat, in the preceding year shall be

designated a member of the Veteran Reserves. Veteran Reserve members shall

be automatically reinstated to full veteran status upon participation in the required

number of qualifying events plus receiving the recommendation of field staff.

Veteran Reserves may vote for Organizational Directors only. (Amended 4/22/98)

2. Non-Combatants: This class of membership is intended for family members of

Combatants and for other persons who wish to support the activities of the Unit

without taking the field. Non-combatants who participate in events must adhere to

safety and authenticity requirements of the event and the unit. Non-combatants may

vote for Organizational Directors only, or for non-combatant leadership positions

which might be established.

3. Associate: An Associate Member is a reenactor affiliated with a another unit or a

non-reenactor; in either case desiring to support the unit & receive its publications.

Associate members may not vote, nor may they participate in the field unless they

meet all requirements of the event sponsors, including reenactor insurance where

applicable. Dues will be established by the membership.

C. Membership to the Fifth Missouri Infantry (CSA) Inc. may be revoked when:

A member is conducting his/her self in a manner not conducive to the unit’s well being. When a complaint of the member’s actions is made by the general membership or a majority of the field staff to the corporate board, the board may vote by majority to revoke membership of the individual in question. The board may also refer the question back to a quorum of the general membership for a majority vote. A refund of membership dues may be prorated at the discretion of the board. (Amended 4-21-2001)

ARTICLE IV - ELECTIONS and VOTING

Organizational Directors and Field Officers shall be elected in January of each year.

Elections will be conducted by secret ballot; nothing shall prevent the Board of

Directors from establishing a system of voting by mail. Eligibility for voting is defined

in Article III, B.

1. Organizational Directors are elected by the total Combatants & Non-combatant

membership.

2. Field Staff: Each Company in the Regiment selects its own officers, except that

the Regimental commander will be elected by a majority vote of the entire veteran

membership.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

There shall be two sets of officers, the Organizational Directors and the Field Staff.

Individuals may serve on both staffs.

A. Organizational Directors: The Organizational Directors shall consist of the

President, Secretary & Treasurer, plus a Vice President for each member Company.

The President shall serve a two year term, expiring at the end of even numbered

years; the Secretary & Treasurer shall serve a two-year term expiring in odd

numbered years. The Secretary & Treasurer positions may be combined with the

approval of the Membership. Vice Presidents shall serve one year terms. Directors

will serve without pay, but may be reimbursed the necessary and reasonable

expenses incurred in performing their duties.

1. The President shall preside over all meetings of the Directors & of the general

membership. He shall execute all contracts, with the approval of the

Board of Directors.

2. The Secretary shall maintain minutes of all Director and Membership meet-

ings, causing them to be published in the organizational newsletter. He will maintain

files of correspondence and the original copies of the Articles of Incorporation. He

will maintain a repository for the minutes of Company meetings as submitted by each

Company. He shall prepare an agenda for each meeting.

3. The Treasurer shall maintain all financial records of the Regiment including any

tax exemption determinations. He shall sign all checks for Regimental expenses, as

well as for expenses of each company when such expense exceeds the 'petty cash'

limits. He shall review & reimburse the petty cash funds issued to each company.

4. The Vice Presidents shall preside over meetings of the Directors or the general

membership in the absence of the President; if two or more Vice Presidents are

present, the one to preside will be chosen by mutual agreement, or by lot. Each Vice

President shall preside over meetings of his own Company. He shall be responsible

for providing minutes of Company meetings and for providing documentation to

support reimbursement of the Company petty cash fund; however, each Company

my select one or more individuals to perform these functions.

B. Field Staff: The Field Staff shall consist of a Commander, holding the rank of

Captain. The Commander may serve at higher rank whenever the event dictates.

The Commander shall be elected by secret ballot vote of recognized Veterans for a

term of one year, during the month of January. He may appoint a Color Bearer & a

Sergeant Major or Adjutant from among the Company officers and NCO's if the size

of the membership so warrants. The Commander has overall responsibility for the

conduct of the Regiment at events. In his absence, he shall appoint one of the

Company Commanders to fill his position.

1. Each Company accepted as a member of the Regiment is authorized a Company

Commander with the rank of Lieutenant and 2 Company Sergeants. Each company

may elect additional Officers and Sergeants, at a ratio not to exceed one officer or

sergeant for each nine men serving in the ranks of Corporal or Private.

a. Each Company will select one Lieutenant. The Senior Lieutenant (based on

continuous time served in the capacity under these By-Laws) will be appointed first

Lieutenant and all others will be Second Lieutenants. When companies are

consolidated in the field, Lieutenant positions will be rotated on a voluntary basis with

any disputes resolved by seniority.

b. Each Company will select two sergeants, one to act as the first sergeant & the

other to act as quartermaster. The Regimental & Company Commanders will meet

with these sergeants to determine which will serve as overall Regimental First

Sergeant & Regimental Quartermaster. The regimental Sergeants only will wear 1st

Sgt. & QMSgt stripes -- all other will wear basic sergeant insignia. However, the

Commander shall attempt to ensure that each Company's first sergeant shall have

the opportunity to perform as a first sergeant.

c. Each Company may select two corporals, plus such additional corporals as are

required by the membership strength; at a ratio not to exceed one corporal for each

eight privates. When company strength requires consolidation, the Commander will

decide precedence among corporals.

d. When companies are consolidated on the field for strength considerations and an

excess of officers & sergeants results, the Regimental Commander will select which

officers and sergeants will serve in such positions, with the others serving as private

soldiers.

e. Each Company may select additional sergeants and Junior Second Lieutenants

as needed, with not more than one officer or sergeant for each ten men. These

additional sergeants and officers will not serve in such positions in recognized events

unless justified by the number of combatants attending and with the consent of the

Commander.

ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS

An annual meeting shall be held at the Spring Muster. Additional meetings may be

scheduled as needed. Each Company shall meet at least b-monthly. A quorum at

any meeting shall consist of at least 25% of the members authorized to vote at that

meeting. At least 30 days notice must be provided for any meeting of the general

membership. (Amended 4/22/98)

The Directors shall meet at least quarterly, with at least two weeks written notice.

Directors may hold open meetings without prior notice at any event designated as

Maximum Effort In the approved reenactment schedule. A majority of the Directors

shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VII - SAFETY

Safety is the paramount consideration at any event or drill. Each Company shall

maintain a safety guide, which will include safety standards of the Missouri Civil War

Reenactors Association as a reference, & ensure that all members sign a form

indicating their consent and familiarity at least annually.

ARTICLE VIII - AUTHENTICITY

In order to ensure authentic impressions at all events, the minimum required

equipment for men shall include at least a percussion long arm, and trowsers, shoes,

and shirt made from period patterns and made of authentic materials. In addition,

each Company must ensure compliance with the rules established by events

sponsors. Each Company, including the Ladies Auxiliary, may establish its own

additional requirements with the approval of a majority of the Directors, but any such

requirements established shall not restrict the voting rights of anyone equipped to

minimum Regimental standards, nor should they be designed to restrict participation

in reenacting. The President shall appoint an Authenticity Committee of not fewer

than three members.

ARTICLE IX - FINANCES and EQUIPMENT

A. Financial revenue of the Unit shall consist of dues, contributions, and funds

raised by other means.

1. Organizational Directors shall approve an annual budget for newsletters,

recruiting, postage & director reimbursements. An amount sufficient to cover budget

will be allocated from dues collected. Each Company will then be entitled to the

remaining share of dues collected from its members.

2. Each Company may establish a petty cash fund for local expenses. The

Treasurer will, upon submission of proper bills, reimburse this fund as long as funds

allocable to the Company remain.

3. Additional allocations from other funds raised may be made on approval of two

thirds of the Directors. These funds may be used to meet special needs of each

Company or of the Regiment as a whole, including but not limited to equipment

purchases and donations to recognized historic preservation charities and

educational institutions.

B. Title to all equipment obtained by the Regiment or any of its Companies remains

with the Regiment. However equipment assigned to or purchased on behalf of a

Company cannot be reallocated from that company, as long as it remains active,

without its consent.

C. Regimental Dues shall be established by the Board of Directors, payable prior to

January 1 of each year. Individuals who desire membership in the Missouri Civil

War Reenactors Association (MCWRA) will pay those dues through the Regiment at

the same time. Special family membership rates may also be established. Dues

may be adjusted as required by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Temporary

assessments may be imposed by majority of the voting membership at any general

membership meeting.

D. Each Company shall establish written procedures to the control of equipment &

funds, subject to approval by the Directors.

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS

These By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of those voting at a meeting of

the general membership, voting by secret ballot, provided that the intent to amend the

By-Laws and the substance of the desired amendment is announced through official

publications at least 45 days prior to voting.

ARTICLE XI - DISSOLUTION

Should the Unit be dissolved, its assets will be distributed as required under Article 7

of the Articles of Incorporation, with preference given to Living History organizations

or historical preservation organizations. Organizational equipment may be sold and

the proceeds distributed as described above.

The Fifth Missouri Infantry C.S.A. Inc. is not affiliated with any religious, political, or any connection with hate organizations.

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