Civilian Corps By-Laws
Revised May 7, 2004
The RACW Civilian Corps shall be formed of RACW reenactors who present a civilian impression, are civilians attached to a military unit, or non-combatant members of military units. The Civilian Corps is made up of members who represent both the United States and the Confederate States.
The Purpose of the Civilian Corps is to present accurate and meaningful impressions of civilian citizens during the American Civil War.
Civilian Units will be organized according to the guidelines and rules of the RACW. The terms "Civilian" and "Non-Combatant" shall be interchangeable. No portion of the Civilian Bylaws may be in violation of the RACW Bylaws or Policy & Procedure Manual.
Meetings of the general membership of the Civilian Corps will be held at each RACW event during the morning battle on Sunday. Other meetings may be called as necessary.
The Officers of the Civilian Corps shall meet as needed to conduct Corps business. Officers will be notified in writing of each meeting at least two weeks before.
The governing officers of the RACW Civilian Corps shall
be comprised of:
Civilian Chief of Staff, Secretary/Treasurer, New Reenactor Liaison, Education
Representative, and representatives of each duly recognized Civilian Unit.
A quorum shall consist of a minimum of four officers of the Corps.
Section A - Authority of Officers
Section B - Vacancies
Qualifications: The Civilian Chief of Staff must be elected by the Corps membership with a majority vote in a duly called election meeting. Chief of Staff must be an RACW member in good standing
Responsibilities:
- Plan and implement all Corps activities for RACW sponsored events.
- Act as the Corps liaison at events with the Administrative Board representative and event coordinator.
- Coordinate Corps activities with the RACW Board of Directors and event coordinators.
- Throughout the year, the Chief of Staff is the representative to the RACW Board of Directors.
- The Chief of Staff may delegate Civilian officers to represent the Corps at board meetings in their absence and delegate members to fulfill any responsibilities listed.
- Act as principle spokesperson for the Corps.
- Enforce the rules and regulation of the RACW and support the decisions and directives of the Board of Directors
- Appoint staff positions of Secretary/Treasurer, Education Representative, New Reenactor Liaison, Provost and Tea Hostess.
- The Chief of Staff is ultimately responsible for all that occurs within the Corps
Qualifications: The Secretary/ Treasurer must be a member in good standing of the RACW Civilian Corps. This position is appointed by the Civilian Chief of Staff.
Responsibilities:
- Will substitute for the Civilian Chief of Staff in their absence.
- Maintain a record of all current members of the Civilian Corps.
- Take minutes at all meetings of the staff and general membership
- Provide a fiscal report to the membership at general meetings.
- Will assist with processing & approving membership forms as directed by the Chief of Staff
- Will keep a file of pertinent RACW forms available at each event for members' needs
- Will maintain the fiscal accounts & documentation of the Civilian Corps
- Will issue payments as directed by the Chief of Staff
- Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Staff
- May appoint other members to serve as a substitute in their absence
- May appoint other members to fulfill any of the duties listed above
Qualifications: The Provost must be a current member in good standing of the RACW Civilian Corps. This position will be appointed by the Chief of Staff. Previous experience as a medical professional or peace officer is helpful, but not required.
Responsibilities:
- Will compile a list of all Civilian members with Medical, EMT, peace officer, military, First Aid or applicable experience who can assist in a medical emergency. Advise the membership of the identity of first aid providers at events
- Maintain the Civilian Corps first aid kit and transport to events. Replace used supplies and submit receipt for reimbursement to Chief of Staff
- Coordinate with unit leaders to oversee the safety and security of camps
- Conduct safety orientations with members and minors to familiarize them with safety rules and procedures, including the "Poindexter" panic code
- Develop an emergency response plan
- Present a brief talk on a safety issue and/or safety tip at each civilian general meeting. May also submit safety articles to the Shoulder Arms/Civilian Web Page for publication.
- Insure that camps meet basic safety requirements, i.e.: fire lanes as needed, fire buckets, pathways not blocked or other hazards.
- May appoint other members to serve as a substitute in their absence
- May appoint other members to fulfill any of the duties listed above
Qualifications: The Education Representative must be a current member in good standing of the RACW Civilian Corps. This position will be appointed by the Chief of Staff
Responsibilities:
- Act as liaison between the RACW Civilian Corps, the RACW Education Representative and the Event Coordinator for any RACW sanctioned school day events.
- Contact all Civilian Corps Unit leaders to confirm participation and compile a list of individual presenters
- Contact individual presenters and assess their needs during school presentations
- Coordinate educational presentations for the continuing education of the Civilian Corps at RACW events.
- Write a column about civilian life/issues for publication in the RACW Shoulder Arms newsletter.
- Explore continuing education opportunities for members of the Civilian Corps
- Conduct educational workshops at the yearly RACW Tactical event.
- May appoint other members to serve as a substitute in their absence
- May appoint other members to fulfill any of the duties listed above
Qualifications: The New Reenactor Liaison must be a current member in good standing of the RACW Civilian Corps. The New Reenactor Liaison is appointed by the Civilian Chief of Staff and will act as an advisor to new members of the Civilian Corps.
Responsibilities:
- Provide each new member with a copy of pertinent RACW information, to include the RACW Safety Rules, RACW Bylaws & Policy & Procedure, Civilian Bylaws and New Member Handbook.
- To provide advice and guidance in developing an appropriate civilian persona and public presentation skills
- Provide guidance in recreating the clothing and apparatus of the period
- To help new members feel comfortable and welcome
- May appoint other members to serve as a substitute in their absence
- May appoint other members to fulfill any of the duties listed above
Qualifications: The Southern Refugee Representative must be a current member in good standing of the RACW Civilian Corps. Elected by the membership of the RACW Civilian Southern Refugees.
Responsibilities:
- Contact members of the Southern Refugees prior to each event to determine number of attendees and report on findings to Civilian Chief of Staff one week prior to event.
- Direct lay-out of Southern Refugee area, location of utilities (bathrooms, water, trash) and placement of tents.
- Meet & greet members of the Southern Refugees upon arrival at events and direct to setup areas.
- Assure that all participants in Southern Refugee Camp are:
a. Current members of the RACW
b. Members of clubs with reciprocal agreements with current membership cards and signed RACW waiver
c. Guests who have paid their $5 "trial" one time fee.- Direct attendees needing to pay membership fees or complete waivers to Secretary/Treasurer.
- Oversee well-being and security of Southern Refugee Camp area.
- May appoint other members to serve as a substitute in their absence
- May appoint other members to fulfill any of the duties listed above
Qualifications: The Sutler Coordinator must be a current member in good standing of the RACW Civilian Corps. Elected by the membership of the RACW Sutlers.
Responsibilities
- Contact Sutlers prior to each event to determine number of attendees and report on findings to Civilian Chief of Staff one week prior to event.
- Direct lay-out of Sutler area, location of utilities (bathrooms, water, trash) and placement of tents.
- Meet & greet Sutlers upon arrival at events and direct to designated areas.
- Assure that all Sutlers are current members of the RACW or members of a club with a reciprocal agreement and signed waiver.
- Assure that all Sutlers have pertinent vendor permits & licenses as required by the state and/or county and sell items pertinent to Civil War reenacting.
- Direct attendees needing to pay membership fees or complete waivers to Secretary/Treasurer.
- Oversee well-being and security of Sutler area.
- May appoint other members to serve as a substitute in their absence
- May appoint other members to fulfill any of the duties listed above
H. Township Representative
Qualifications: The Township Representative must be a current member in good standing of the RACW Civilian Corps. Elected by the membership of the RACW Civilian "Town".
Responsibilities:
a. Current members of the RACW
b. Members of clubs with reciprocal agreements with current membership cards and signed RACW waiver
c. Guests who have paid their $5 "trial" one time fee.
Qualifications: The US Commissions Representative must be a current member in good standing of the RACW Civilian Corps. Elected by the membership of the RACW Civilian Corps US Commissions (Sanitary Commission and/or Christian Commission)
Responsibilities:
- Contact members of the Commissions prior to each event to determine number of attendees and report on findings to Civilian Chief of Staff one week prior to event.
- Direct lay-out of Sanitary Commission and Christian Commission area, location of utilities (bathrooms, water, trash) and placement of tents.
- Meet & greet members of the US Commissions upon arrival at events and direct to designated area.
- Assure that all participants in Commissions are:
a. Current members of the RACW
b. Members of clubs with reciprocal agreements with current membership cards and signed RACW waiver
c. Guests who have paid their $5 "trial" one time fee.- Direct attendees needing to pay membership fees or complete waivers to Secretary/Treasurer.
- Oversee well-being and security of Sanitary & Christian Commission areas.
- May appoint other members to serve as a substitute in their absence
- May appoint other members to fulfill any of the duties listed above
Qualifications: The Tea Hostess must be a current member in good standing of the RACW Civilian Corps. Appointed by the Civilian Chief of Staff, this is a non-voting position.
Responsibilities:
- Act as hostess for Civilian Corps meetings (usually held during the first battle on Sundays)
- Provide tea and refreshments for meeting by coordinating donations of baked goods or purchasing supplies. Receipts may be submitted to the Chief of Staff for reimbursement
- May appoint other members to serve as a substitute in their absence
- May appoint other members to fulfill any of the duties listed above
Any officer of the Civilian Corps, elected or appointed, may be recalled by a majority vote of the general membership. Unit Representatives may be recalled by a majority vote of the constituents of that officer's unit
Elections for officers for the next year will be held at the last RACW event of the current year. Nominations shall be made at the last event, or by phone, mail or email sent to the Secretary/Treasurer at least one week prior to the last event of the year.
Election for Chief of Staff shall be held by secret ballot of the membership present at the last RACW event of the season. In the event that there is only one nominee, election shall be by acclimation. Unit officers will be selected by the individual units at the last RACW event of the season.
All members of the Civilian Corps are expected to read and understand the RACW Safety Rules. Any member violating these rules is subject to censure, disciplinary action or court martial by the RACW Board of Directors.
No member of the Civilian Corps shall be allowed on battlefields during a battle unless participating with a military unit in a scripted scenario and has passed the battlefield safety test with that unit.
Amendments to the Civilian Corps Bylaws may be made by a majority of the Civilian Officers, to be ratified by a majority of the Civilian membership at the next general meeting