Chesapeake Signal Detachment

Association of Civil War Samaritans

Bylaws - 1998 (to be modified)

The song you are listening to is "Grafted into the Army"

1. The unit shall include the following groups: The Signal Corps of the Susquehanna, The Chesapeake Signal Detachment, and The Association of Civil War Samaritans.

2. The Signal Corps of the Susquehanna shall exist as an authentic Union (USA) military reenactment unit of the war between the states and shall be so organized and operated.

3. The Chesapeake Signal Detachment shall exist as an authentic Confederate (CSA) military reenactment unit of the war between the states and shall be so organized and operated.

4. The Association of Civil War Samaritans shall exist as an authentic civilian reenactment unit of the war between the states and shall be so organized and operated.

5. Membership: All persons wishing to join the unit must complete an application and submit it to a member of the Board. The applicant must declare the Signal Corps of the Susquehanna, the Chesapeake Signal Detachment, or the Samaritans as his/her primary unit. "Primary Unit" is defined as follows: If the Signal Corps, the Chesapeake Detachment, or Samaritans are registered for an event, then it is the primary unit of all persons considered as its members, and they must function with it. Permission may be granted for the member to serve with another unit only after a manpower assessment is taken at the event and the Captain deems that the member's services may be spared.

To be approved for membership, each applicant must, subsequently:

a. Participate in 1861-65 attire in three events with this unit. The person shall be known as a "recruit" upon attending his/her first event.

b. All soldiers, agents, and civilians must undergo training in flag communication and codes given by a member designated by an officer.

c. All soldiers must undergo training, and show competency, in the use of firearms and school of the soldier by a member designated by an officer.

d. Civilians and soldiers must abide by the authenticity standards set forth by the unit.

After the applicant has satisfied conditions a, b, c, and d above, the applicant (recruit) is promoted to the rank of private, agent, or civilian with voting privileges. The requirements must be completed within one (1) year of submitting the application.

Family membership: Members of the immediate family living in the same household.

6. The BOARD is the governing body of the unit. All suggestions for change or improvement and all grievances shall be referred to any member of that group for adjudication by the Board.

The Board is to be filled by election each calendar year. Elected officers shall be: a President, a Vice President, a Secretary/Treasurer, one Chief Federal Officer, one Chief Confederate Officer, a Civilian Coordinator, and one Member at Large. Hereinafter to be known as the "Board". To be eligible to hold office, a person must have been a Private, Agent, Civilian, or higher for a period of one year and declare in writing the Signal Corps of the Susquehanna, the Chesapeake Signal Detachment, and/or Samaritans as his/her primary unit.

The President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, the Civilian Coordinator and the Member at Large shall be elected by the total membership of the Signal Corps of the Susquehanna, the Chesapeake Signal Detachment, and the Association of Civil War Samaritans. The Chief Federal Officer shall be elected by the membership of the Signal Corps of the Susquehanna and the Chief Confederate Officer shall be elected by the membership of the Chesapeake Signal Detachment.

The Chief Federal Officer and the Chief Confederate Officer may, at his discretion, appoint persons to serve such as an Adjutant, Correspondent, and/or an officer below the rank of Captain. The positions carry no Board status or (except in the case of the officer), no rank. These positions shall expire with the Chief Federal and Confederate Officers' commissions or sooner, at his discretion.

A meeting of the Board may be requested by any member of the Board. The Board will meet prior to every unit meeting.

7. VOTING ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible to vote in the election of the Board, one must hold the rank of private, agent, civilian or higher and have declared the Signal Corps of the Susquehanna, the Chesapeake Signal Detachment, or the Association of Civil War Samaritans as the primary unit.

Under family membership, those 13 years and over, may vote individually. All members voting must be the age of 13 or older and be an active member. An active member is defined as participating in three maximum effort events per year. These events are defined by the Board and stated in the newsletter.

8. All elected positions will be filled by individuals over the age of 18 and filled with due consideration of skill in signaling, knowledge of military courtesy and procedure, drill and the manual of arms, leadership qualities, frequency of participation at reenactments, willingness to work beyond the call of duty, loyalty to the unit, and overall experience in reenacting.

9. EXPULSION: A member may be expelled from the unit by a majority vote of the Board after reasonable steps have first been taken to correct any undesirable behavior. Such corrective steps need not be taken if the Board considers the behavior to have been of such a major consequence to endanger others, or adversely influence the effectiveness of the unit.

10. The unit welcomes female reenactors. Females may serve in the role of agent, soldier, or civilian. All of which shall be carried out in as authentic a manner as possible.

11. The ranking officer at any event may brevet members in attendance to carry out such duties as may be required at that event. Such a brevet shall expire at the conclusion of that event. In the absence of persons above the rank of private, the soldier having the longest membership in this unit shall be in charge unless he/she cares to defer to another soldier.

12. All members when representing the unit at an event will wear clothing and insignia appropriate to their rank or role in the event.

13. Upon reporting for duty at an event, all members will follow the military discipline and behavior required by their officers and NCO's. Such behavior, for the good of the unit, is required until they are dismissed. This includes, in addition to field operations, all duties necessary to the smooth function of the camp such as setup, water, firewood, sentry duty, training, public relations, and breaking of camp.

14. ALL PERSONS carrying a firearm at an event MUST be over the age of 16, be approved by the ranking officers, undergo inspection at that event and, if necessary, additional training before being allowed to carry such weapon onto the field.

15. All events and activities shall be announced in the unit newsletter, "The Flag, Torch, and Key".

16. Changes to the bylaws shall be made only by a majority (51%) of the membership responding.

17. Persons who sign the bylaws shall pay the sum of $12.00 per person, or $25.00 per family, per year as annual dues. These monies shall be used to defray the cost of publication of the unit newsletter, long distance telephone calls, and postage of any correspondence dealing with unit business. Dues are due at the January meeting. Other unit monies shall not be expended without approval of a majority of the Board.

18. The unit membership shall not be liable in any way for accident, loss, or injury occurring to or by its members. Each member, by signing the bylaws, agrees to be liable and responsible for his/her own behavior, loss or injury. Members assume the liability and risk for guests of that member.

19. Non-members may subscribe to the newsletter at the annual fee of $7.00.

Webmaster: Private Lee A. Taylor, C.S.A.