10th Battalion

Army of Northern Virginia

Bylaws

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Mission Statement

To provide an authentic War Between the States umbrella organization that educates the public, promotes preservation, encourages research and authenticity and makes safety paramount in this hobby. The battalion will not politicize the hobby and is not a political body.

Sections:

A. Battalion Staffing, requirements, etc.

B. Unit Representation, voting privileges, etc.

C. New Unit Application, etc.

D. Camp Life, etc.

E. Authenticity, etc.

F. Safety

G. Affiliation Units

H. Bylaws

(The 10th BNANV will also adhere to the Bylaws set forth by the ANV)

A.  Battalion Staffing, requirements, etc.

1.  The battalion military staff will be compromised of a Colonel, a Major (X0), a Captain (Adjutant), a Sgt. Major and an Ordnance Sgt.

2.  Elections to the one-year position of Colonel will occur during the annual battalion meeting field in December and be approved by a majority of Military Unit Representatives.

3.  The Colonel selects the battalion staff and will provide names for staff positions at the annual meeting. Units Preps must then respond within one month with approval, by majority, of the staff.

4.  If a vacancy should occur on staff, the Colonel must provide a name to the Unit Reps for approval, by majority, of the replacement.

5.  At the Colonel's discretion, should a Vote of No Confidence occur concerning a member of the appointed battalion staff, the individual will be removed and the vacancy filled according to the staff bylaws.

6.  Any need for additional military staff positions must be presented to the battalion’s units by the Colonel and my be approved by majority of the battalion’s Unit Reps.

7.  So as not to monopolize the influence of one unit over others in the battalion, the battalion military staff personnel should be selected from all units when available.

8.  For insurance purposes only, each battalion staff personnel must be represented on the number list of a unit currently in the battalion.

9.  An individual member in the battalion must be of good standing - insurance paid for the season.

10.  The battalion may create non-military positions, preferably in the form of committees, in order to facilitate battalion business in the hobby (i.e.: Bylaws committee, Civilian Activities Committee, Recruiting Committee, Authenticity Committee, etc.) These positions would hold NO military rank within the battalion. Any battalion member of good standing may volunteer, be selected or be voted upon for the committee positions. These positions would also not conflict with individual Unit Bylaws, which sometimes require members to relinquish rank and position if accepting military positions on battalion staff, since these positions are non-military positions.

11.  In addition to the annual December Battalion Meeting, the battalion can hold additional meetings throughout the year at pre-announced specified events and all units should have representation present at these meetings before critical votes are cast. A quorum, by Roberts Rules of Order, of Unit Reps must be present for a vote to be taken at the meeting.

12.  The battalion should adhere to the ANV requirements for event participation (ie: Max Events, etc.)

13.  When participation at an ANV size event, smaller companies within the battalion may be combined with other companies in order to make a workable size unit on the field.

14.  At events where the Colonel is the Overall Confederate Commander:

    a. The XO assumes command of the battalion and the Colonel selects a Wing Commander from the unit commanders by seniority in the battalion.

    b. Seniority is determined by the entry of the unit into the battalion, originally known as the Provisional Army of Virginia (PAV), which was established during December 2000 in Gettysburg,, Pa. (3rd Alabama; 1st Texas; 9th Virginia; 2nd North Carolina; 27th Virginia & 7th Tennessee)

15.  Provide opportunity at events for all soldiers of the battalion to contribute ideas and/or suggestions for possible scenarios, battle tactics, etc.

B.  Military Unit Representation, Voting Privileges, etc.

1.  Each unit currently in the battalion is entitled to have representation in the battalion and is required to submit one name for Point of Contact (Unit Rep). An alternate must also be named.

2.  Each unit is entitled to ONE vote during specific voting requirements on battalion business. To maintain good standing, the unit must also participate in three (3) battalion events per season. Except for units on probation, the POC or the Alternate is entitled to cast one vote during specific voting requirements on battalion business.

3.  A unit may abstain from voting if it so desires.

4.  Each unit is required to conform to a uniform style of clothing indicative of their unit.

5.  All unit members must meet the requirements of the battalion (ie: each unit must have insurance; must require its members to be age 16 or older in order to carry a rifle n the field; must have parental or custodial permission if under the legal age and adhere to the bylaws contained within).

6.  Each unit will be required to submit a copy of proof of insurance of all its members to the Battalion Adjutant in a timely fashion by the beginning of each calendar year.

7.  Rank holding soldiers must be justified by the numbers in the unit.

8.  Absentee ballots may be cast by Unit Reps, when they are unable to attend a scheduled meeting, and their vote must be provided to the Battalion Adjutant or the Alternate POC may vote, if present.

9.  Should a unit not adhere to these bylaws, and fails to respond to corrective action in a reasonable manner, a battalion may be taken to move this unit back to probationary (non-voting) status or to remove the offending unit from the battalion. This vote is taken at a quorum battalion meeting and is determined by majority vote of Unit Reps at that meeting.

10.  Where as, the Soldiers Aid Society, an NON-military unit, will have the right to vote on matters from the 10th Battalion, except on Military matters. The S.A.S will have to attend three of the five Bn events, and pay dues to keep their membership up. The S.A.S. will also have to maintain a membership of 5 or more people within the unit.

(This was voted on December 7th, 2002 at the battalion meeting. See minutes.)

11.  Where as, Dues to run, maintain, and equip the battalion will be assessed on or before March 1st, from active members of this battalion 16 years of age and older, male and female. Dues will be sent to the Battalion Adjutant when collected with a list signed off by the commanding officer of that unit.

(This was voted on December 7th, 2002 at the battalion meeting. See minutes.)

C.  New Unit Application, etc.

1.  Each new unit must make application, in the form of a letter of intent, to the battalion for membership which must be approved, by majority, of the Unit Reps. A unit is removed from its probationary status by demonstrating that is has met the intent of these bylaws and has preformed in an acceptable manner.

2.  Each new unit must serve a probationary period of one (1) year in the battalion prior to acceptance, subject to approval, by majority, of Unit Reps at the end of the one year probationary period.

3.  Each new unit must field, at the minimum, five (5) rifles at one specified event during the one year probationary period in order to be granted full voting privileges in the battalion. If the unit is unable to field five rifles, the unit remains on probationary status indefinitely, with NO voting privileges, until such time the five rifles requirement at one specified event has been met.

4.  The new unit’s designation must not conflict with the current roster of Unit members.

5.  Each new unit will be required to conform to a uniform style indicative of their unit during the War Between the States provided the unit addressees these issues in a timely fashion and progressive fashion within the probationary period.

6.  Each new unit may voice opinions at battalion meetings but may not cast a vote on battalion issues until it has fulfilled its probationary period and has been voted on and approved to become a regular unit member of the battalion.

D.  Camp Life, etc.

1.  Unless specifically designated at events, each unit has the discretion of setting up their camp in a style conductive to their liking. (ie: garrison style with formal company streets; cluster campaign style camping or a combination of both)

2.  Camping at events where company streets are mandated due to space limitations or requirements, each unit will make every attempt to adhere to the guidelines of the event sponsor and follow garrison style company street formation. (ie: officer’s tent at head of street with or without fly; then rows of enlisted and NCO’s tentage. Campaigners will be encouraged, as in the past, to conform by throwing down in an orderly fashion unless nearby shaded areas or trees are available.)

3.  The adjutant will make every effort available to reserve shaded tree areas for the campaigners of the battalion.

4.  A fly will not be permitted in the middle of a company street when company streets are mandated by the sponsor of the event. At these events, the fly must be attached to the officer’s tent, either to the front or side or the fly could be placed at the very end of the company street, when this street has been completed.

E. Authenticity:

1.  Every person of the battalion - soldier, woman or child - will be attired in period clothes the entire weekend of the event.

2.  Every attempt will be made to provide opportunity for each unit to have the battalion carry their colors, when permitted, during battles unique to their respective unit. (This action will hopefully encourage each unit to learn about the history of other units in the battalion.)

3.  Women are allowed to carry a rifle within the ranks provided they make every attempt to disguise their gender from the public and their fellow re-enactors. Female soldiers must maintain this “disguise” throughout the weekend unless they change into period clothing and attire more acceptable of their gender in the 19th Century. (ie: camp dress or ball gown for evening activities) - See 1st Division ANV guidelines: www.bonnieblue.net/authenticity/female

4.  Every attempt will be made to “hide” 21st Century items from the public and fellow re-enactors.

5.  Each unit will be required to “police” their membership and ensure their members bring only period items of eye wear,, footwear, food storage things, cookware, furniture, etc.

6.  No visible cigarette smoking is permitted in camp, prior to battle or in route to battle during the daytime hours. Hide this habit from the public and fellow re-enactors. Period smoking of pipes and cigars is allowed at anytime except when muskets are loaded and the battalion is in route to battle.

7.  A color guard may be selected, when needed at events, by the Colonel and should be compromised of appropriate numbers. It should be encouraged to select this group from all units unless a smaller unit is designated to be color company for that battle. The color guard, with the exception of the flag bearer, should also be encouraged to act as a regular company and be placed into firing positions and fire their muskets.

F. Safety: