The Tenth Georgia Volunteer Infantry Constitution
PREAMBLE: The 10th GEORGIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, INC. is dedicated to presenting the true history in a way that honors the individuals that served and fought in the War Between the States.
ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP
There are three classes of membership: Regular, Associate and Honorary.
ARTICLE X
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS-44th NEW YORK VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
SECTION 1. Where required the parent unit may portray a Union infantry unit at such events where there is an unbalance of Union and Confederate forces present. Such unit shall be known as the 44th New York Volunteer Infantry.
SECTION 2. Officers and non-commissioned officers shall assume and display, in the correct manner, the same rank they hold in the Confederate unit.
SECTION 3. Serving in this unit is strictly voluntary but all members are asked to give it great consideration.
SECTION 4. This unit will be commanded by an officer or non-commissioned officer appointed by the ranking officer of the parent unit.
ARTICLE XI
EVENTS, CONTRACTS, ETC.
All written contracts shall be signed by the President and Treasurer/Secretary and approved by a majority of members present at a regular or called meeting.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
SECTION 1. Articles to the Constitution may be amended, added to, or deleted by a two- thirds (2/3) vote of the regular members present at the Executive Board election. Members shall be notified in writing of the proposed change(s) at least thirty (30) days before the election in odd numbered years.
SECTION 2. All proposed changes will be reduced to writing and submitted to the President, ninety (90) days prior to the Executive Board election. The Executive Board will meet to consider said proposed change(s) and report their recommendations to the membership at least thirty (30) days before the election.
ARTICLE XIII
BY-LAWS
SECTION 1. ELECTION PROCEDURE
SECTION 3. DISCIPLINE
PREAMBLE: The 10th GEORGIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, INC. is dedicated to presenting the true history in a way that honors the individuals that served and fought in the War Between the States.
ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP
There are three classes of membership: Regular, Associate and Honorary.
- REGULAR: Individuals eligible for regular membership must be sponsored by an active member in good standing. The minimum age for regular membership is 18 years old. Regular members shall enjoy all privileges and responsibilities of this organization, to include but not limited to, holding unit rank or corporate office and voting at any organizational meetings or elections. This type membership shall pay dues.
- ASSOCIATE: Eligible individuals for associate membership must be dependents of regular members under the age of 18 who are capable of performing reenactment duties responsibly. Associate members cannot hold office or unit rank, nor can they vote. This type membership does not pay dues.
- HONORARY: Honorary membership may be bestowed upon anyone that the regular membership deems worthy. This type membership does not pay dues.
ARTICLE II
DUES
Dues will be set by the Executive Board, with majority approval by voting members. Dues are due January 1st of each year and must be paid no later than the last day of March.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION
SECTION 1. The officers shall consist of a President, Treasurer and Secretary. Members-at-Large may be added to the Executive Board as deemed necessary by the regular membership. All positions shall be elected from the regular membership of the corporation. These shall also be known as BOARD OF DIRECTORS/EXECUTIVE BOARD.
SECTION 2. Election of officers shall be by secret ballot by the last day in the month of January of odd numbered years. Elected officers shall serve for a term of two (2) years.
SECTION 3. The election procedures for corporate officers shall be under the same rules and guidelines as reenacting officers.
SECTION 4. All nominees for office whether made by the nominating committee or from the floor shall have consented to serve prior to their nomination.
SECTION 5. Only regular members in good standing shall be permitted to cast ballots.
ARTICLE IV
DUTIES OF CORPORATION OFFICERS
SECTION 1. The President shall preside at all regular business meetings, called special meetings, and shall be ex-officio.
SECTION 2. The Treasurer shall keep the books and the financial records of the corporation, deposit funds, monies, and securities in depositories designated by the BOARD OF DIRECTORS to the credit of the 10th Georgia Volunteer Infantry, INC., make withdrawals of funds by means of checks signed by the Treasurer and perform other related duties. An adequate bond shall be provided and paid for by the corporation.
SECTION 3. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all regular and called special meetings, and meetings of the BOARD OF DIRECTORS, keep the files of the corporation, prepare required correspondence as directed by the President, maintain current membership lists, and perform other related duties.
SECTION 4. The Legal Advisor if required shall handle all legal matters coming before the BOARD OF DIRECTORS, or the Presidents. He shall serve as parliamentarian at BOARD OF DIRECTORS meetings and at regular and special business meetings.
SECTION 5. The Members-at-Large shall serve as advisors on the Executive Board.
ARTICLE V
FIELD OFFICERS OF THE REGIMENT
SECTION 1. Field officers of the regiment shall consist of Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned officers as set forth in the by-laws of this organization. All positions shall be elected from the regular membership of the corporation.
SECTION 2. Election for field officers shall be held in even numbered years. Field officers shall be elected by secret ballot and shall serve for a period of two (2) years.
SECTION 3. Brevets may be bestowed upon a Regular member by the ranking officer at an event for the duration of the event only.
ARTICLE VI
DUTIES OF FIELD OFFICERS
SECTION 1. The ranking commissioned officer shall lead the regiment on the field of battle, in living history events, parades, drills and other functions where he is present.
SECTION 2. The non-commissioned officers shall assist the commissioned officers in the handling of the regiment at any and all events. The ranking NCO will command the regiment in the absence of commissioned officers.
ARTICLE VII
ORDER OF BUSINESS
The order of business shall be that as set forth in “ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER”.
ARTICLE VIII
BUSINESS MEETINGS
SECTION 1. There shall be at least one regular meeting of the regular membership of the corporation held annually. Special meetings may be called by the President or the majority of the BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
SECTION 2. The BOARD OF DIRECTORS shall meet at least biannually or as often as deemed necessary by the President.
SECTION 3. Minutes of all meetings shall be taken by the Secretary or his designated representative and shall be signed by the Secretary and attested to by the President.
SECTION 4. Notice of a called meeting of the regular membership will be given at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting.
ARTICLE IX
COMMITTEES
Committees shall consist of two (2) types, long term and short term.
SECTION 1. Long term committees shall be established by the BOARD OF DIRECTORS and shall include but not be limited to Conduct, Safety and Provost.
SECTION 2. Short term committees shall be appointed by the BOARD OF DIRECTORS and shall serve until completion of their assigned duties.
ARTICLE X
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS-44th NEW YORK VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
SECTION 1. Where required the parent unit may portray a Union infantry unit at such events where there is an unbalance of Union and Confederate forces present. Such unit shall be known as the 44th New York Volunteer Infantry.
SECTION 2. Officers and non-commissioned officers shall assume and display, in the correct manner, the same rank they hold in the Confederate unit.
SECTION 3. Serving in this unit is strictly voluntary but all members are asked to give it great consideration.
SECTION 4. This unit will be commanded by an officer or non-commissioned officer appointed by the ranking officer of the parent unit.
ARTICLE XI
EVENTS, CONTRACTS, ETC.
All written contracts shall be signed by the President and Treasurer/Secretary and approved by a majority of members present at a regular or called meeting.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
SECTION 1. Articles to the Constitution may be amended, added to, or deleted by a two- thirds (2/3) vote of the regular members present at the Executive Board election. Members shall be notified in writing of the proposed change(s) at least thirty (30) days before the election in odd numbered years.
SECTION 2. All proposed changes will be reduced to writing and submitted to the President, ninety (90) days prior to the Executive Board election. The Executive Board will meet to consider said proposed change(s) and report their recommendations to the membership at least thirty (30) days before the election.
ARTICLE XIII
BY-LAWS
SECTION 1. ELECTION PROCEDURE
- Election of field officers shall be held on even numbered years. Election of corporate officers shall be held on odd numbered years
- Eligibility requirements to vote for reenactment positions are:
- Must be a regular member for at least six (6) months prior to the election.
- Must be present to vote.
- Must have attended at least two (2) events in the year prior to the election.
- Two (2) of these events must be reenactments.
- Eligibility requirements to vote for corporate officers are:
- Must be a regular member for at least six (6) months.
- Must be present to vote.
- All corporate positions will be elected by majority vote.
- All reenactment positions, except corporals, will be elected by majority vote.
- Corporals will be elected by a plurality.
- Runoffs for all positions will be held as needed.
SECTION 2. CONDUCT - It is the responsibility of all members of this organization to maintain proper conduct at all times.
- The use of illegal substances will not be tolerated while representing this unit.
- Excessive use of alcoholic beverages will to be tolerated. The consumption of alcoholic beverages within one hour prior to a battle formation is not allowed.
- The excessive use of profanity in and around camp will not be tolerated.
- Fighting verbally or physically will not be tolerated.
SECTION 3. DISCIPLINE
- Violations of the rules of conduct shall/can be referred to the Disciplinary Committee by any regular member for further review and appropriate action.
- The Disciplinary Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and serve until completion of their duties. This committee shall have the authority to impose disciplinary actions including removal from the unit.An appeal may be made to the committee if new evidence is presented.
- Infractions occurring during an event shall be handled by the ranking officer of the unit.
SECTION 4. UNIFORMS
The 10th GEORGIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, INC. is unique in its presentation of living history to the public. Part of this is due to the uniform that we have selected to represent the early war years. This uniform is recommend for regular members with the following exception: If the member came from another reenactment unit, the member may continue to use that uniform until it needs to be replaced. - RECOMMENDED UNIFORM ITEMS
- Coat shall be an Army of Northern Virginia shell jacket. The preferred color is Tuscaloosa gray wool with dark blue/black broadcloth for cuffs and collar but any Army of Northern Virginia gray wool or jean cloth is acceptable.
- Trousers will be infantry cut, gray or jean cloth (matching the coat) or blue in color. NO STRIPES ON LEGS.
- Shoes shall be brogans or chukka boots (smooth leather) black in color.
- Black leather cartridge box with sling, Type 1.
- Black leather belt with brass CS Oval or State of Georgia oval buckle.
- Cap pouch is of black leather and shield type.
- < >, wearer’s choice, however must be correct style and color for period. Hat is wearer’s choice, however it must be correct type, color and design for the period. Weapon is a .58 cal. Three band Enfield. NO TWO BANDS.
- Correct bayonet and scabbard for your weapon.
- Period-type canteen.
- Solid color wool or cotton socks, NO WHITE SOCKS
- Unless you are a Sergeant or higher, pistols are NOT ALLOWED.
- Edged weapons, knives, etc., are permitted, but are not recommended.
- OTHER SUGGESTED ITEMS
- Tinware for meals, i.e. plate, cup, knife, fork, etc.
- Wool or cotton blanket of correct color and design.
- Period waterproof poncho or ground cloth for foul weather.
- Haversack for personal effects.
- Tent, authentic canvass.
- Camp stool or small chair.
- Candle holder and candles.
- Leather/cloth sling for your rifle.
- Any other correct period gear to make life as easy as possible.
- The bayonet will be sheathed at all times unless on guard duty or as otherwise ordered by the ranking Officer or NCO.
- Side knives will be sheathed at ALL TIMES, except in camp while being used for a functional purpose.
- Cartridges for muskets will not exceed 60 grains of black powder.
- Cartridges will NOT BE HELD together with tape, glue or staples.
- Ramrods will not be used unless specifically ordered by an officer or NCO.
- Wadding will not be used unless specifically ordered by an officer or NCO.
- Hand to hand combat is strictly prohibited unless pre-arranged and rehearsed.
- Weapons will not be aimed at individuals at ranges of 25 yards or less. During reenactments, casualties should fall in as safe a manner as possible. Discipline while loading will be strict and maintained carefully by officers and NCOs. All loaded weapons will be kept at half-cock, muzzles kept elevated, and fingers kept away from the trigger until told to commence firing.
- Each member will be expected to report to all formations with a clean weapon.
SECTION 6. CAMP AND EVENT REGULATIONS - All members will maintain a military bearing while in view of the public and while on the Field of Honor.
- All members shall exhibit a proper respect to all Officers and NCOs of this regiment and all other regiments at all times.
- Each member is required to report to all formations in his uniform jacket, with at least the top button buttoned. Jackets will always be worn during battles, unless authorized by the host commander or for legitimate health reasons.
