BY-LAWS OF

THE 48TH ALABAMA INFANTRY REENACTORS

Approved in conference January 20, 2001

MISSION STATEMENT

    The 48th Alabama Infantry Reenactors is a non-profit living history group, dedicated to the portrayal of the life of the Civil war soldier and 1860's period civilians, with the emphasis on a mid-to-late War impression of the men of the 48th Alabama Volunteer Infantry, Army of Northern Virginia.  We are a family-oriented group that encourages the participation of our member's wives and children.

    The 48th participates throughout the year in many battle reenactments, living history programs, memorial services, parades, and school presentations.  Nearly all of our activities are held on weekends, and generally during the "good weather" months of March, April, May, June, September, and October.  Members participate as frequently as they wish or are able to do so.  Most of the events we attend are in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee, but, we try to make one trip a year to the eastern theater of the war - Virginia, Maryland, or Pennsylvania.

ARTICLE I- MEMBERSHIP

A.  TYPES OF MEMBERSHIPS.

        1.  Soldier:  Open to men who want to actively portray a Confederate and/or Union  soldier impression.

        2.  Authentic Civilian:  Open to men and women who want to actively portray a civilian of the 1860-65 time period.

        3.  Associate:  Open to anyone who wants to follow the activities of the unit and/or subscribe to the unit newsletter.

B.  QUALIFICATIONS & RESTRICTIONS.

        1.  A person must be 14 years of age to be considered a member.

        2.  Membership will not be extended to anyone with a known involvement with any organization that promotes insurrection or racism.

C.  MEMBERSHIP DUES.

        1. Annual dues are $12.00 per household, regardless of members in a household and are collected by the adjutant.

        2.  annual dues are due January 1st of each  year and are delinquent March 1st.

        3.  Dues for new members joining in the middle of the calendar year are  prorated at the rate of $1.oo per month.

D.  REVOCATION OF MEMBERSHIP.

        1.  Membership in the 48th may be revoked for the following reasons:

                a)  Non-Payment of dues.

                b) Continuous and flagrant violations of commonly accepted safety practices.

                c) Performing illegal activities while representing the organization.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP

A.  HIERARCHY.  The 48th Alabama Infantry portrays a military unit of the Confederate States Army and it's officers are established and are posted on the field in accordance with standard practices of the period and as prescribed by Hardee's tactics.  Said offices and duties are as follows:

        1.  CAPTAIN:  The Captain is the overall leader of the unit, both on and off the field, and represents the 48th to other organizations, with the exception of those communications conducted by the Adjutant.  The Captain's theoretical instruction should include School of the Battalion, School of the Company, School of the  Soldier and The Drill for Skirmishers.  He is to instruct the Sergeants in the areas of the drill for which they are responsible.

        2.  1st LIEUTENANT:  assists the Captain and fills in for the Captain when he is absent and serves as file-closer as prescribed by Hardee's.  His theoretical instruction is the same as the Captain's.

        3.  2nd LIEUTENANT:  assists the Captain and the 1st Lieutenant and fills in for either if one is absent.  His theoretical instruction is the same as the Captain's.

        4.  1st SERGEANT:  Is the highest ranking non-commissioned office (NCO) and is responsible for conducting and instructing the company in the absence of the commissioned officers, or at their behest.  His theoretical instruction should include School of the Soldier, School of the Company, and The Drill for Skirmishers.  The 1st Sergeant is also responsible for seeing to the proper instruction of the other NCO's and for enforcing discipline in the ranks.

        5.  2nd SERGEANT:  assists the 1st Sergeant and fills in for him if absent.  His theoretical instruction is the same as the 1st Sergeant's.

        6.  3rd SERGEANT:  assists the 1st and 2nd Sergeants and fills in for either if one is absent.  His theoretical instruction is the same as the 1st Sergeant's.

        7.  Corporals:  There shall be four Corporals and their duties are to assist the Sergeants in conducting the unit on the field and to assist in the individual instruction of the Privates.  Corporals may be called on to act as Sergeants as needed, and thus should be knowledgeable in all aspects of School of the Soldier.

        8.  ADJUTANT:     The Adjutant conducts the business of the organization and is responsible for the following:

               a)  Maintaining an accurate list of current and past members.

                b)  Correspondence between the 48th and other organizations.

                c)  Registering members for reenactments and other events.

                d)  Scheduling interim events as needed.

                e)  Processing the applications of new memebers.

        9.  TREASURER:  The Treasurer maintains the funds of the organization and is responsible for the following:

                a)  Maintaining an accurate record of the organization's funds.

                b)  The receipt and posting of members' dues, registration fees, or any funds that may be donated to the organization.

                c)  The Treasurer is authorized to write drafts on the organization's checking account for the following:

                                (1)  Any amount that has been collected for pre-registration for an event is to be sent to said event according to their payment schedule.

                                (2)  Postage & copying expenses for the organization's newsletter are to be paid to the editor of said newsletter upon presentation of the applicable receipts.

                                (3)  All other expenses are subject to the approval of a simple majority of the members present at any given event.  A quorum under these circumstances shall consist of 25 current members.                  

ARTICLE III - ELECTIONS AND VOTING

A.  ANNUAL MEETING.  The organization will have an annual company meeting in January at a central  location for the majority of the members.  A location and date for said meeting shall be  established each fall of the preceding year.  The following items shall be attended to at each meeting:

        1.  Election of Officers.

        2.  Scheduling of events.

        3.  Amending of by-laws.

        4.  Old & new business.

B.  VOTING RESTRICTIONS.

        1.  Civilian members shall not vote on military officers.

        2.  Associate members do not have a vote.

C.  QUORUM.  A quorum shall exist under the following circumstances.

        1.  25 members present at events.

        2.  30 members present at the annual company meeting.

D.  TERMS FOR OFFICEHOLDERS.

        1.  Individuals hold office for a period of two (2) years.

        2.  Unfinished terms will be filled by electing an individual to fill the remainder of the term.

ARTICLE IV - ASSOCIATIONS

A.  The 48th Alabama Infantry reenactors is not associated with any other organizations, officially or unofficially, except for the following:

        1.  The Hardee Guard Battalion (For Deep South Events).

        2.  Longstreet's Corps (For Eastern Events).

ARTICLE V - AMENDMENTS

        1.  This document shall not be altered except for the addition of amendments to it's provisions.

        2.  Amendments will only be considered at the annual meeting.

END