Bylaws

1. Venturing Code

As a Venturer, I believe that America’s strength lies in our trust in God and in the courage, strength, and traditions of our people.

I will, therefore, be faithful in my religious duties and will maintain a personal sense of honor in my own life.

I will treasure my American and (Ethnic) heritage and will do all I can to preserve and enrich it.

I will recognize the dignity and worth of all humanity and will use fair play and good will in my daily life.

I will acquire the Venturing attitude that seeks the truth i> n all things and adventure on the frontiers of our changing world.

2. Crew Bylaws

A. Objectives:

1. The objective of Crew is to

2. To pursue high adventure

3. To have fun and grow as young adults

B. Crew committee

Will have an executive of Chairperson and at least two other members, as well as a charter organization representative. The crew committee shall be known as the committee. The president will report to the committee at monthly committee meetings. The crew committee will oversee activities, treasury, charter organization and crew organization.

C. Membership

Membership shall be open to all young adults of at least high school age who live in the surrounding area and have completed the eighth grade and are at least 14 years of age and up to 21 years of age. No prospective member shall be disqualified because of race, color, creed or sex. All members must be registered as Venturers and agree to the crew code and bylaws.

All male members of the crew from the ages of 14 and 18 are able to cross register as a member of a Troop There will be no less than two (2) adults, one of which shall be a registered Advisor at any given time. There will be no limit on the maximum number of Advisors. With activities including both sexes, at least one of the adults must be male and at least one must be female.

D. Officers

1. The elected officers shall be president, two vice presidents (administrative and program), secretary and treasurer. The officers shall appoint activity chairs and make other assignments as needed. The duties of the officers shall be as prescribed in the Venturing Leader Manual.

2. The normal term of office shall be for one year starting March. Elections shall be held in February, at least two weeks prior to the first general meeting in March.

3. No member shall serve more than two successive terms in the same office. The officers shall undergo a review after 6 months in office. If they are failing to do their duties as directed, a by-election will be held to complete the year term. If an officer resigns, quits Venturing or is unable to complete his or her duties, a temporary officer will be appointed by the current officers until the 6 month review is reached for all the officers, at which time a by election/end of term election will be held.

4. The president shall appoint a nominating committee, which shall consist of three members. The committee shall interview and present a complete slate of candidates who have agreed to stand for election, to serve to the best of their abilities.

5. On the night of the election, nominations may be presented from the floor by any member. If the nomination is seconded and the candidate agrees to serve, he or she must be included on the ballot.

6. All elections shall be by secret ballot.

7. Officers of the crew must attend 75% of the Crew meetings, unless excused. Regular non-attendance will be a cause for review.

8. Members shall only hold one position of office at any one time.

Appointed members, such as activity chairs will oversee and organize events as appointed by the president or recommendations of the crew advisor. Assistance will be available from elected membership and advisor.

E. Crew Business

Crew business will be conducted under the principles outlined in Robert’s Rules of Order. Voting on all issues will be by simple majority of members present if the quorum is met, with the exception of changes or amendments to the bylaws, which will require a 75% vote of the total membership.

A quorum shall consist of one more than half the majority of members.

F. Meetings

General meetings (TBD)will be held once a month on the last Sunday of the month, regardless of campouts and other activities. Working or program meetings will be scheduled as needed with appropriate notice.

Special meetings will be called and held as necessary to complete planning or other unfinished business.

The calendar of meetings will be decided in March, at the first meeting after elections of officers.

G. Officers’ meetings

Officers meeting will be held prior to the general meeting, preferably on a different day and time, to prepare for the general meeting.

H. Newsletter

The crew will use either e mail or newsletter to inform of upcoming events and meetings. A phone tree will also be created to disseminate information as necessary.

I. Dues

Crewmembers will pay yearly dues as noted in the rules and regulations. The dues will cover registration costs and other costs as deemed necessary by the crew. Members will be given the opportunity to earn the needed dues in fundraising activities.

J. Fund raising

Crew members will be given the opportunity to participate in crew fund raising to pay for dues as well as defer activity costs. Members who do not participate in fund raising projects are not entitled to any benefits of the funds earned. All money earning projects must be approve by a majority vote of crew members, and must be approved by the. Advisor and meet BSA requirements.

K. Uniforms

The crew will develop a uniform code. It will be part of the rules and regulations. Appropriate attire will be worn by the crew at official functions.

L. Treasury

A crew member will be elected as a treasurer, and will follow the Crew Treasures Manual, as listed in the Venturer Leaders Manual. The Venturer will be assisted by the Committee Treasurer or Advisor in managing the ledger and funds. All cheques will require the signature of either the president or treasurer and adult treasurer or advisor.

The treasurer will report the budget at every general meeting and will adopt a budget for the crew.

M. Public Displays of Affection

All crewmembers, youth and adult, will be cognizant of the fact that both sexes are present for all functions. Co-ed behavior expectations include the following: Be respectful and considerate of each other’s bodies and psychological boundaries. No entering the domiciles (tents, rooms etc.) of the opposite gender. No public display of affection (PDA) should occur at any crew-sanctioned activities. This includes kissing, hugging and handholding. At all times there must be co-ed groups of three. Co-ed groups of two (male/female) are never permitted to be alone, and must always have a third person to leave the designated camp area.

N. Tobacco and Drug Use

The BSA prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the BSA, or at any activity involving participation of youth members.

Although some Venturing age participants are of legal age to purchase and use tobacco they are considered Youth participants under the guide of safe scouting until the age of 21.

Adult leaders should support the attitude that young adults are better off without tobacco and may not allow the use of tobacco products at any BSA activity involving youth participants.

O. Discipline

The Crew will convene the officers for breaches of discipline/bylaws/rules and regulations. The crew advisor may recommend convening a disciplinary hearing. The officers with advisor present will review the events in question, in close door deliberations.

The discipline hearing will make recommendations as to outcome or punishment. The spirit shall be educational and congenial. Any recommendations must be considered by the advisor and/or committee. Any severe breaches will be reviewed by the committee

Discipline recommendations may involve education, restitution, work detail, loss of privileges or in the severe cases dismissal from the crew.

P. Rules and Regulations

Rules and regulations are to be developed as the crew matures. These are flexible guidelines that can be amended by a 2/3 vote. These rules are to be developed as the situations arise and voted on by the majority at the regular business meetings. Rules and regulations can be motioned by any member of the crew, but do not supercede the bylaws.

Q. Driving Members

Members are able to drive to events if over the age of 16, have driver’s license for at least 6 months, had no suspensions of license, and must follow all driving laws and BSA safe Scouting. They must be listed on the tour permits, as a driver, and follow the insurance requirements of BSA. Drive time is limited to a max of 10 hrs. including rest and stops. An adult over 21 must be in charge and accompany the group as a tour leader.

R. Limited Powers

Any of the bylaws or rules and regulations is secondary to national, council and district guidelines as well as the guide to safe scouting. When inserting Council or National Guidelines to Crew 1865 bylaws, there is no vote needed. The crew may not edit the higher rules in any way, and must adhere to all higher rulings and respect those decisions.