We, the descendants of the Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines who served in the Army and Navy of the United States of America During the War of the Rebellion of 1861 - 1866, have joined this Patriotic and Fraternal Order for the purposes and objectives set forth by the National Organization, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and in so doing pledge ourselves to commemorate our forefather's deeds, render loyal service to our country, and to promote the maintenance of unqualified American citizenship with respect for and honor to the flag.
The name of this body of the Order shall be the GENERAL ISRAEL B. RICHARDSON CAMP NO. 2, Oakland County Michigan, DEPARTMENT OF MICHIGAN, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War - Allied Orders of the Grand Army of the Republic, hereafter referred to as the CAMP.
The purpose of this CAMP shall be to perpetuate the memory of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the men who served the Union 1861 - 1865; to assist in every practicable way in preservation and making available for research of documents and records pertaining to the Grand Army of the Republic and its members; to cooperate in doing honor to all who have patriotically served our country in war; to teach patriotism and the duties of citizenship, the true history of our country and the love and honor of our flag; to oppose every tendency or movement that would weaken loyalty to, or make for the destruction or impairment of, our constitutional Union; and to inculcate and broadly sustain the American principles of representative government, of equal rights and impartial justice for all.
Section A. The CAMP shall not be conducted for profit.
Section B. The CAMP, being strictly non-sectarian and non-partisan, shall not introduce, discuss or foster sectarian or partisan topics.
Section A. MEMBER: A MEMBER shall be any male descendant, whether through lineal or collateral line, not less than fourteen years of age, who can document blood relation to a Soldier, Sailor, Marine or member of the Revenue Cutter Service, who was regularly mustered and served honorably in, or was honorably discharged from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Revenue Cutter Service of the United States of America during the War of the Rebellion of 1861 to 1865; and has never been convicted of any infamous or heinous crime or who has, or whose ancestors through whom membership is claimed, have never voluntarily borne arms against the Government of the United States of America. A current exception to the age restriction described above is the availability of Infant Life Membership.
Section B. ASSOCIATE: An ASSOCIATE shall be any male of sound character, not less than fourteen years of age who cannot document ancestral lineage to a Union Veteran of the War of the Rebellion of 1861 to 1865; and who has never been convicted of any infamous or heinous crime and who has never voluntarily borne arms against the Government of the United States of America. The number of ASSOCIATES shall not exceed 1/3 of the total membership of the CAMP at the time of any election. At no time during a Regular of Special meeting of the CAMP shall business be transacted if the total number of ASSOCIATES in attendance exceeds 49% of the total attendance than present at said meeting. ASSOCIATES shall not serve on any MEMORIAL DAY COMMITTEES.
Section C. JUNIOR: A JUNIOR shall be any male at least 6 years of age but less than 14, who can document blood relation to a Soldier, Sailor, Marine or member of the Revenue Cutter Service, who was regularly mustered and served honorably in, or was honorably discharged from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Revenue Cutter Service of the United States of America during the War of the Rebellion of 1861 to 1865; and has never been convicted of any infamous or heinous crime or who has, or whose ancestors through whom membership is claimed have never voluntarily borne arms against the Government of the United States of America. Juniors shall have a sponsor who is a member of the Camp and who personally supervises the Junior during meetings and other activities of the order. JUNIORS may not hold any elected office. JUNIORS are not subject to National or Department per capita dues nor are they entitled to a free subscription to the Banner.
Section D. A MEMBER of the CAMP who shall vouch for the applicant’s eligibility and moral character shall recommend each application for membership.
Section E. A rejected applicant shall not be eligible to apply again for membership until six months have elapsed after such rejection.
Section F. Any MEMBER of the CAMP who is in arrears in the payment of dues may, by a vote of the CAMP, be dropped. Until his name is dropped from the roll, the CAMP shall be subject to per capita tax on such MEMBER. The CAMP may reinstate a dropped MEMBER in the ORDER on REELECTION after payment of such dues to the CAMP. If the CAMP is no longer in existence, the sum to be paid shall be fixed by the Department Commander and paid to the Department.
Section G. A person holding a CAMP TRANSFER cannot be admitted to the CAMP during its sessions unless given permission by vote of the CAMP. He is a MEMBER of the ORDER for purposes of discipline only, and shall be considered honorably discharged if his transfer card is not deposited with and accepted by the CAMP within a year. A BROTHER thus discharged can be admitted to membership again only in the same manner as an applicant for original membership.
Section H. All persons duly elected by the CAMP for membership shall be enrolled into the CAMP, and, if possible, INITIATED AS PER THE RITUAL OF THE ORDER.
ARTICLE V: DUES & FEES
Section A. Each member and Associate of the Camp shall be assessed annual dues. Annual dues shall be at a minimum the combined total of per capita tax as currently charged by the National Organization and the Department.
Section A. CAMP OFFICERS shall be of two types: elected and appointed. The ELECTED OFFICERS shall be COMMANDER, SENIOR VICE COMMANDER, JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER, SECRETARY, TREASURER, CAMP COUNCIL, and CAMP DELEGATE and ALTERNATE TO STATE ENCAMPMENT. The CAMP COUNCIL shall be composed of three members of the CAMP not holding the office of COMMANDER, SECRETARY, or TREASURER. The APPOINTED OFFICERS of the CAMP shall be CHAPLAIN, PATRIOTIC INSTRUCTOR, HISTORIAN, GRAVES REGISTRATION OFFICER, CIVIL WAR MEMORIALS OFFICER, GUIDE, COLOR BEARER, GUARD, and COUNSELOR.
Section B. The elected CAMP OFFICERS shall be elected at a regular or special meeting of the CAMP between the first meeting in October and the first meeting in December inclusive. A majority vote shall be required to elect all elective officers with the exception of CAMP COUNCIL, DELEGATE and ALTERNATE, which shall be elected by a plurality vote. The CAMP COMMANDER shall appoint the non-elected CAMP OFFICERS
Section C. The CAMP OFFICERS shall be installed at a regular Camp meeting between the first meeting in November and the first meeting in the following January inclusive, by a person designated by the DEPARTMENT COMMANDER.
Section D. If a vacancy should occur in any elected office, the CAMP COUNCIL shall convene and, by a majority vote of said COUNCIL, elect a BROTHER OF THE CAMP to fill said vacancy for the unexpired term. If a vacancy should occur in any appointed office, the CAMP COMMANDER may appoint another BROTHER OF THE CAMP to fill said vacancy for the unexpired term.
Section E. The CAMP may by a 2/3 vote, first giving five days notice by mail, vacate the position of any elective officer who shall have been absent from six consecutive regular Camp meetings without good cause and such vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as other vacancies.
Section F. The CAMP may impeach and remove from office by a 2/3 vote any officer for immoral conduct or for any abuse or dishonorable practice of any kind.
Section B. The CAMP SENIOR VICE COMMANDER and JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER shall assist the COMMANDER and shall perform such duties as pertain to their offices.
Section C. The CAMP COUNCIL shall devise and recommend measures for preserving and increasing the funds of the CAMP; make its investments, leases and other contracts; secure a place of meeting; settle and dispose of all disputed accounts between the TREASURER and members of the CAMP; examine the books, vouchers and other papers of the different officers, and at the end of each quarter render a complete report showing its transactions and the financial condition of the CAMP. The COUNCIL shall also render assistance to the TREASURER in determining expected revenues and disbursements of the coming year and, by the November meeting, the fees and due's payable as of 01 January of the following year. Based on the Treasurer's Report of Delinquent Members, CAMP COUNCIL shall follow up Treasurer's notifications regarding dues arrearage to ensure the CAMP does not incur per capita liability beyond expected membership reimbursement. This later activity shall begin following the Treasurer's 01 March Notification To Delinquent Members.
Section D. The CAMP SECRETARY shall perform all duties pertaining to his office, keep all books of record, and make duplicate annual reports to the DEPARTMENT SECRETARY-TREASURER on or before the 30th days of April, upon forms prescribed by the ORDER and furnished by the DEPARTMENT SECRETARY-TREASURER, showing all gains or losses in membership and the total membership.One copy of which shall be forwarded along with the per capita tax, covering the entire membership, due from the camp, to the Department Headquarters, the other copy to be placed on file in the camp. He shall draw requisitions upon the CAMP TREASURER for expenditure of money, upon the order of the Camp, and submit same to the CAMP COMMANDER for his approval, keeping a book for that purpose. The secretary shall also make a duplicate report, called status reports, and upon forms prescribed by the order, and send them to the Department Secretary, showing the addition of a new Brother to the Camp roster or a loss or change to the Camp Roster by death, honorable discharge, transfer, dropping of a Brother, or change of address, one copy of which will be forwarded to the Department Headquarters together with the total annual per capita tax and National application fee due from the Camp upon the addition of the new Brother, the other to be placed on file in the Camp.
Section E. The CAMP TREASURER shall be accountable for receipt and disbursement of CAMP FUNDS and have charge of its property not otherwise provided for; keep the accounts between the CAMP and its members; collect all moneys due the CAMP, giving in all cases receipts therefore; notify all members in arrears, by 01 March that they are delinquent, provide monthly, quarterly and yearly financial reports to the Camp membership and the fund balance in his hands. He shall make annual financial reports through the CAMP SECRETARY to the DEPARTMENT SECRETARY- TREASURER. He shall exhibit the account books of the CAMP to any elected Camp officer upon reasonable request; file all tax and other financial reports required of the CAMP; cause an audit to be performed on an annual basis; shall provide completed dues notices, in contrasting color, to be sent by the SECRETARY with the minutes of the last Camp meeting of the year; and perform all duties that are incident to the office of TREASURER.
Section F. The PATRIOTIC INSTRUCTOR, CHAPLAIN, GRAVES REGISTRATION OFFICER, CIVIL WAR MEMORIALS OFFICER, GUIDE, GUARD, COLOR BEARER and COUNSELOR shall perform such duties as are prescribed by the RITUAL OF THE ORDER or directed by the COMMANDER.
Section G. All Officers of the CAMP shall upon their retirement from office turn over to their successor all PROPERTY of the CAMP within thirty (30) days after leaving office.
Section A. Regular meetings of the CAMP shall be held quarterly throughout the year, as a minimum. The meeting of the CAMP shall be at such time and place as chosen by the CAMP COMMANDER and approved by the CAMP COUNCIL. All regular meetings of the CAMP shall be held within the boundaries of the DEPARTMENT OF MICHIGAN, SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR.
Section B. Special meetings of the CAMP may be called by the CAMP COMMANDER with the consent of the CAMP COUNCIL.
Section C. Notification of Regular and Special meetings to members shall be the responsibility of the CAMP SECRETARY. He shall provide written notice, including agenda, of the meeting within three days of his receipt of the appropriate order from the CAMP COMMANDER or CAMP COUNCIL. A minimum of 10 days notice shall be given to members for either Regular or Special meetings.
Section
D. Special meetings of the elected
Section E. Postponement or cancellation of a meeting shall be the responsibility of the CAMP COMMANDER provided that a written notice of explanation, if possible, or a verbal notice of explanation via telephone, is delivered to all members a minimum of 2 days before the scheduled meeting.
Section
F. A minimum of THREE (3) of the Camp's membership
shall be required to be present in order to conduct business at a
Regular or Special membership meeting of the CAMP. Said
membership minimum shall not be composed of Associates in
exceedance of 49% pursuant to Article IV, Section A of the
Bylaws. All matters brought before the CAMP at a Regular
of Special membership meeting shall be decided by a majority vote
of those present and entitled to vote at said meeting with one
exception, that being the election of the CAMP COUNCIL,
DELEGATE and ALTERNATE.
Section
G. Any member of the Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans
of the Civil War, the Women's Relief Corps, the Daughters of
Union Veterans of the Civil War, and the Ladies of the Grand Army
of the Republic, may be admitted to the sessions of the CAMP.
Section
H. All meetings of the CAMP shall have the UNITED
STATES FLAG and the
Section I. All meetings of the CAMP shall be conducted by the guidelines of the RITUAL OF THE ORDER and the current edition of ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER, in that order.
Section A. STANDING COMMITTEES of the CAMP shall be as follows: MEMBERSHIP, MEMORIAL DAY AND REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES, PROGRAM AND PUBLICITY, G.A.R. MEMORIALS, AND GRAVE REGISTRATION, PATRIOTIC INSTRUCTION, BYLAWS, and MILITARY AFFAIRS.
Section
B. SPECIAL COMMITTEES may be created by action of the
Section
C. Each STANDING COMMITTEE of the CAMP shall
consist of a maximum of five members unless otherwise stated. The
Section
D. The
Section
E. The MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE shall be charged with
the responsibilities of increasing the Camp's membership, for
preparing and placing advertisements, and for transmitting,
reviewing and processing all new member applications. The JUNIOR
VICE COMMANDER shall chair the Committee.
Section
F. The MEMORIAL DAY AND REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES
COMMITTEE shall be charged with the responsibilities of
making and coordinating all arrangements necessary for the
appropriate observance of Memorial and Remembrance Days by the CAMP.
The
Section
G. The PROGRAM AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE shall be
charged with the responsibilities of arranging special programs,
speakers, etc. for the quarterly Camp meetings and for the
general publicity of the CAMP and the ORDER. The CAMP COMMANDER
at the January Camp meeting shall appoint the Committee Chairman.
Section
H. The G.A.R. MEMORIAL AND GRAVE REGISTRATION COMMITTEE shall
be charged with the responsibilities of: (1) research,
identification and condition assessment of all existing G.A.R.
memorials, halls and gravesites within the geographical
boundaries of the CAMP and (2) preparation of a
document photographically documenting the same. The Committee
shall be chaired by the
Section
I. The duties of the
CIVIL WAR MEMORIALS COMMITTEE
include
the locating, physical examination of, and recording of all
memorials dedicated to Union Civil War soldiers and sailors
(outside the care of the National Military Parks, and the U.S.
Department of Defense, or Veterans Affairs), in the boundary of
the camp. This includes all sizes of monuments (with or without
sculpture), those with Civil War era cannon and inert ammunition,
memorial fountains, memorial buildings, memorial Windows (stained
glass), historical markers, and even small plaques. Reports on
the various memorials and monuments located within the Camp area
shall be made from time to time to the Department Memorials and
Monuments officer upon the appropriate form. The Civil War
Memorials Officer shall chair the Committee.
Section J. The PATRIOTIC INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE shall be
charged with the responsibilities of: (1) preparation and
periodic update of standardized presentations, geared to junior
and senior high school-aged children, on the flag, patriotism,
citizenship and the ORDER, and (2) making all necessary
arrangements for preparation and presentation to area schools.
The CAMP PATRIOTIC INSTRUCTOR shall chair the Committee.
Section K. The BYLAWS COMMITTEE shall be charged with the
responsibilities of annually reviewing the Bylaws of the CAMP and
the drafting thereof of any necessary changes to be voted on by
the Camp membership. The CAMP SENIOR VICE COMMANDER shall
chair the Bylaws Committee.
Section L. The MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE shall be charged
with the responsibilities of: (1) increasing the Camp's
membership in the CAMP GUARD, (2) advising the CAMP on
all matters relating to appropriate era military dress, mannerism
and formalities associated with Camp ceremonies, parades and
activities, (3) assisting the members in obtaining appropriate
uniforms, (4) election of the Camp's commissioned and
noncommissioned officers and (5) establishment and maintenance of
communication and coordination channels between the Camp Guard,
Department, S.V.R. and local Civil War reenactment organizations.
The
Section
A. The fiscal year of the CAMP shall begin on 01
January and end on 31 December of each year.
Section
B. Annual financial statements of the CAMP, prepared
in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles,
shall be prepared shortly after the end of each fiscal year. All
financial statements and records shall be subject to an annual
audit; the results of which shall be reported to the
Section
C. All Camp funds shall be deposited in a reliable
depository as the
Section D. Camp Officers may be entitled to reimbursement of certain expenses necessary for the conduct of their respective office provided, however, that a written request is presented to and approved by the CAMP COMMANDER. In the case of a request from the CAMP COMMANDER, approval for reimbursement of expenses must be secured from the CAMP COUNCIL. Typical expenses would include, but not limited to, long distance telephone costs, postage and mileage.
DISCIPLINARY ACTIVITIES are addressed and governed by the NATIONAL CONSTITUTION AND REGULATIONS (C & R) in Chapter V (General Regulations), Article VI (Discipline).
Section A. The CAMP may have an independent military organization (CAMP GUARD) composed of members of the SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR.
Section B. The Camp's military organization will not be governed by the Standard Operating Procedures of the NATIONAL MILITARY AFFAIR COMMITTEE, SONS OF VETERANS, RESERVE (S.V.R.). The highest-ranking officer of Camp Guard may not exceed the rank of Captain.
Section C. For the purposes of these by-laws, the presentation of the Colors, and related activities, at meetings, ceremonies and other functions need not be considered a “military” activity.
Section D. Each Camp with a Camp Guard may regulate the amount of dues for members of such a unit.
Authorization for a Camp award is provided. The award shall be known as the Gen. Israel B. Richardson Award. The award shall be conferred by the CAMP COMMANDER upon any BROTHER who, in the judgment of a three-member panel appointed by the CAMP COMMANDER, has through his words, actions and/or deeds exhibited exemplary dedication and service to the CAMP and ORDER. Recommendations for possible recipients of said award shall be submitted, along with a one-page (8-1/2" x 11 ") description of the service provided, to the CAMP SECRETARY no later than 2 months prior to the January meeting of the CAMP. Recipients of the award shall be announced and a certificate presented at the meeting. Up to two recipients may be selected for the award in any one year.
Included herein by reference and made a part of these Bylaws are the following rules and regulations, and any subsequent amendments or modifications thereto:
1. Constitution and Regulations of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War,
2. Bylaws of the Department of Michigan, S.U.V.C.W
In the case of the surrender or forfeiture of the CAMP CHARTER, all CAMP property and funds shall be turned over to the DEPARTMENT COMMANDER or to his duly authorized representative, and shall be held by it as a charitable trust that is held and used for the purpose which the ORDER exists. Any such transfer or disposal within 6 months of disbandment or surrender of the Camp's charter without the written consent of the Department is prohibited. The property and funds of the CAMP shall not be divided among its members.
There shall be no suspension of these Bylaws during any meeting of the CAMP.
ARTICLE XVII: BYLAWS AMENDMENTS
Section A. These bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the CAMP by a 2/3 vote of the members present at a meeting; provided however, that a copy of the proposed amendment had been submitted in writing to the Camp membership at the previous Camp meeting. Before becoming effective, all Bylaws and Bylaw amendments must be approved by the DEPARTMENT COMMANDER.
Section B. All Bylaws heretofore adopted by the CAMP are hereby repealed.
Section A. Each member of the CAMP shall be assessed annual dues. ANNUAL DUES SHALL BE $35.00. Annual dues shall become payable 01 January through 01 March of each year. The camp membership will increase or decrease the level of dues required of each MEMBER for the next year after a discussion on such matter in the November meeting. New MEMBERS initiated into the CAMP during months other than January, shall be subject to a prorated dues structure based on the number of months remaining in the calendar year.
Section B. Each JUNIOR MEMBER of the CAMP shall be assessed annual dues. ANNUAL DUES SHALL BE $9.00. Annual dues shall become payable 01 January through 01 March of each year. The camp membership will increase or decrease the level of dues required of each JUNIOR MEMBER for the next year after a discussion on such matter in the November meeting.
Section C. An APPLICATION FEE OF $10.00 shall be assessed each new member upon induction into the CAMP and entitle the new member to receive a Ritual and Ceremonies Book and a membership card. The CAMP will also provide each new member a color certificate of membership.
Section A. The CAMP may maintain a civilian COLOR/HONOR GUARD and wear the following:
1. A kepi with SUV hatpin attached with no military markings
2. A Union sack coat with no military markings
3. Black trousers
4. White leather waist belt with US belt plate
Section B. While the Gen. Richardson Camp No. 2 shall have no required dress code, the Camp shall have optional dress guidelines. The dress code shall include a hat of Civil War-period Union Army kepi style, dark wool, blue in color, with a leather bill. The kepi should be decorated with any of the following: a hat badge consisting of an open top wreath encircling the letters “SUV” of gold color, affixed to the front center of the kepi; the camp Cap Mark consisting of 9th Corp, 1st Division cloth badge affixed to the top of the kepi with a gold colored camp/regimental number 2. This is in honor of Gen. Richardson’s initial command, the 2nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry, from whom our camp takes its number.
When participating in special events the camp members may wear either military or civilian dress.
For those wearing military attire, it shall be a complete Civil War period service uniform.
For those wearing civilian attire, the jacket shall be a dress style jacket, dark blue in color with dress style slacks of dark blue or black color, a dress style shirt, solid white in color, a necktie of subdued color or preferably of the SUVCW badge or crest pattern, and leather dress shoes of black or brown color complete the dress. White dress gloves also may be worn. The above is a guideline and shall not be construed to be required dress of any Brother.
Revised Sept 2007
page updated 19NOV2007