CANNON OLD WEST SOCIETY
BY-LAWS AND POLICY STATEMENTS
Adopted By-laws 04/05/07
Article I
NAME
The name of this organization shall be the CANNON OLD WEST SOCIETY.
Article II
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Society shall be as follows:
1. To encourage organized re-enacting activities among its members with a view towards a better knowledge of the safe handling and proper care of firearms, as well as improved performance skills.
2. To establish and develop the essentials of good sportsmanship, honesty, law observance and self-reliance.
3. To promote and communicate the living history of the old west through the re-enactment of the period of American history 1865-1899.
4. To hold from time to time social events for the pleasure of the membership. The themes of such events shall be consistent with the old west.
Article III
MEMBERSHIP
1. There shall be only two [2] classes of membership: All members are considered [Regular] Members: Members in the Society are an individual membership for age 15 and older; and family memberships which may include children at any age, selected from eligible applicants having passed the 1 year break-in period and recommended for membership by the Posse.
2. Guests or prospective member applicants may, upon invitation of a Member, attend Old West Society events before membership application is required. However, guests must hold re-enactment insurance in order to perform at such events.
Article IV
DUES AND ASSESSMENTS
1. Annual membership dues shall be established by the Members and approved by a majority vote of the members present at a regularly scheduled meeting. Annual dues are payable by the November Meeting date.
2. A member of this Society who is in arrears in dues by sixty [60] days shall be dropped from the rolls and must re-apply for membership as a new member, thereby forfeiting their previous membership status.
Article V
MEETINGS
1.[Regular Meeting]: The Meeting of the Society shall be held each month at the time and place designated by the Members. During the Meeting those members that are present shall constitute a quorum. This meeting shall be open to all club members and guests. All business matters that affect this Society shall be open for discussion. Special Meetings may be called by the Posse or Members provided a ten 10-day notice is given to all the Members.
2. [Posse Meeting]: The meeting of the Posse shall be called by any Posse member or the presiding Sheriff, as they deem appropriate.
3.[Safety Meeting]: All members shall attend [1] one safety meeting per season. These meetings shall be coordinated under the direction of the Safety Officer.
Article VI
OFFICERS & MEMBERS
1.The Officers shall be The Posse [Governing Board], Sheriff [President], Deputy Sheriff [Vice President], Recorder [Treasurer], Safety Officer, and Event Planners. All members of the Cannon Old West Society are considered Regular Members of the Society.
Article VII
ELECTION AND TERM
1. The election of new officers shall be held at the October Meeting, with the term of office beginning at the start of the November Meeting.
2. Officers shall be elected by the majority vote cast by the Members of this Society present at the October meeting.
3. Deputy Sheriff Office is elected one year and then the following term is moved to Sheriff Position and the Deputy Sheriff is then replaced by election at the October Meeting by a majority vote of the Members present. The Recorder, Safety Officers, and Event Coordinators shall also be replaced by election at the October Meeting by a majority vote of the members present.
4. Official ballots shall be prepared by the Deputy Sheriff for distribution to all Members present at the October Meeting. Ballots shall be prepared and/or marked in some unique manner to prevent easy duplication, and will be tallied by the Recorder and Deputy Sheriff prior to the close of that meeting.
5. The resignation of any Officer may be accepted by the Members in good standing present at a regular scheduled meeting and the Members will vote to appoint a replacement. Should the office of Sheriff become vacant the Deputy Sheriff will step into that position and the Members will vote to appoint a replacement Deputy Sheriff.
6. A vacancy on the Posse shall be filled by the other Posse members in accordance to Article VIII-1.
Article VIII
DUTIES OF OFFICERS & MEMBERS
1. The Posse [Governing Board]: The Posse is a governing board made up of five [5] longest-term active members that are not members of another Old West group [see Article IV-2]. The Posse meets along with the Sheriff when deemed necessary to resolve issues, make decisions on membership, and membership termination. They are held to the responsibility of protecting the Society’s interest, goals, and vision originally founded under. Also, the Posse assists the Sheriff with enforcement of the by-laws and rules of the Society.
2. Sheriff [President]: The Sheriff moves into office after serving [1] one year as Deputy Sheriff. He/She then serves [1] one year in this office. The Sheriff shall preside at all meetings of the Society, shall attend meetings of the Posse, and holds vote in Posse related issues. The Sheriff is the primary contact for members, clients, and public when appropriate. The Sheriff works with the Posse and Safety Officer to uphold the enforcement of the Safety Rules and By-laws.
3. Deputy Sheriff [Vice President]: The Deputy Sheriff is voted into office annually at the October Meeting by a majority vote of the members present. He/She shall perform the duties of the Sheriff in the Sheriff’s absence or at the Sheriff’s request. The Deputy Sheriff shall also perform other duties as requested by the Sheriff. The Deputy Sheriff shall conduct official correspondence pertaining to the proper preparation and forwarding of required reports, shall notify all members of regular and special Meetings, and shall keep true record of all meetings of the Society,
4. Recorder [Treasurer]: The Recorder is voted into office annually at the October Meeting by a majority vote of the members present. He/She shall have custody of the books and papers of the Society. The Recorder shall also have charge of all funds of the Society and place same in such banks. Such money shall only be withdrawn by an authorized vote of Members, and for the payment of such bills that are authorized ongoing. The Recorder shall keep an accurate account of all transactions and render a detailed report at any meeting of the Society when requested.
5. Safety Officer: The Safety Officer is voted into office annually at the October Meeting by a majority vote of the members present. He/She shall have charge of purchasing and keeping inventory of the ammo of the Society. He/She shall also have charge, management and control of safety and firearms during all Society activities. The Safety Officer has the authority to appoint Assistant Safety Officers from the Members of the Society and is required to report safety infractions to the Sheriff and/or Posse.
6. Event Planners [2]: The Event Planners are voted into office annually at the October Meeting by a majority vote of the members present. He/She shall coordinate all extra-curricular events, supplies, parades, and parties. The event coordinators shall also provide members with written material and sign-up sheets for all events, and shall notify members of instructions and/or changes to all events.
7. Members: The Members of the Society includes the Officers and Regular Members of the Society [See Article III.1]. It is the responsibility of the Members to determine what character(s) they will portray, to sign up and show up for events when needed, bring props when requested, review scenarios, attend [1] safety session per year. Ultimately the Members of the Society are responsible for acquainting themselves with the By-laws and rules of the society, and to uphold the image of the society [see XI-8].
Article IX
FINANCE
1. The capital of this Society shall consist of such property as acquired, including any real property, by leasehold or fee title, which it may acquire and hold in accordance with the law, such money as may be paid into the treasury of the Society by the members thereof as dues, fees, assessments, or received by the Society from other sources.
2. The highest amount of indebtedness or liability, direct or contingent, to which the Society may, at any time, subject itself shall be subject to the limitations of the law and shall not exceed eighty (80%) percent of the assets. The asset value of real estate and improvements shall be the appraised value of the property.
3. No obligations and/or encumbrances against the real property of the Society may be made without the approval of a majority vote of the Members present at a regular meeting.
4. The fiscal year for the Society shall be a calendar year.
Article X
AMENDMENTS AND POLICY STATEMENTS
1. Any proposed amendments to by-laws may be brought to the Posse for review by any Member of the Society. After review, the Posse will bring it to a vote at a regular Meeting. A majority vote of the members present at this Meeting shall be required to adopt the proposed amendment to the bylaws.
2. Interpretation of these rules or by-laws shall be the responsibility of the Officers.
Article XI
GOVERNING RULES AND RESTRICTIONS
1. All Meetings and Posse Meetings shall be conducted informally, however, decorum shall prevail.
2. All events involving firearms shall be conducted according to Society Safety Regulations.
3. All activities of the Society shall be restricted to areas designated for that specific purpose.
4. The Society shall not permit the firing or detonation of such weapons as described in Title II, Machine Guns, Destructive Devices, and certain other Firearms; Sub Chapter B, Section 5845. Definitions of Public Law 90-816, known as the Gun Control Act of 1968, Paragraph [b] Machine Guns, and Paragraph [f] Destructive Devices; or any other weapon or device that violates the spirit of Cannon Old West Society.
5. The above paragraph shall not prevent the Members from granting permission for the demonstration of such weapons when deemed beneficial to the Society membership as a whole.
6. No irresponsible gun handling shall be permitted during any meeting or activity of the Society.
7. It shall be the duty of all members to acquaint themselves with all by-laws, rules and restrictions.
8. Members shall agree to conduct themselves in conformity with public conventions and standards of decency. A member shall not commit any act or deed that will tend to degrade themselves, or the individual/collective members of the Cannon Old West Society; nor subject either themselves or Cannon Old West Society to public contempt, scorn, ridicule or disrepute, or to offend or to prejudice their standing in the community.
9. Because safety and public image are of paramount importance to the Society, any violation of these rules or restrictions shall be sufficient cause to initiate suspension or expulsion from Cannon Old West Society. Complaint of violations shall be brought to the Sheriff or Posse for resolution.
Article XII
AUTHENTICITY
1. The clothing, weapons and accouterments shall be original of the period 1865 to 1899 or reproductions thereof. As a member of Cannon Old West Society, it is each member’s duty to present themselves in a manner representative of the period 1865-1899.
2. Members are also strongly encouraged to wear period correct outfits to all functions of the Society.
Article XIII
SAFETY
1. Carrying of firearms may be restricted at some Society functions.
2. NO LIVE ROUNDS WILL BE ALLOWED ON YOUR PERSON AT ANY SOCIETY FUNCTION OR EVENT.
2. All shooting functions, both re-enactments and social functions, shall be under the direct control of the Safety Officers. Only dummy cartridges approved by the Safety Officer may be worn or carried at Society re-enactments or social functions.
4. Complete Safety Guidelines are revised as deemed necessary and are approved by majority vote of the members present at a regular scheduled meeting.
