Bylaws
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization shall be the World War II Reenacting Corps (WWII Reenacting Corps or WWIIRC). This organization is affiliated with, and an official division of the WWII History Center Foundation, operating out of the WWII History Center at 119 W. Central, El Dorado, KS 67042.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSES
1. Nature of Corporation.
The WWII Reenacting Corps is an official division of the WWII History Center Foundation, a non-profit corporation, and shall be operated exclusively for educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the corresponding section of any future Federal tax code. The Members of the WWII Reenacting Corps are volunteers for the WWII History Center Foundation and it is our goal to further the interests and goals of the WWII History Center Foundation.
2. Primary Purposes.
The WWII Reenacting Corps is organized for the purposes of accomplishing the WWII History Center’s vision - “to remember a generation, to honor their sacrifices, and to educate future generations.”
This mission is carried out by the WWIIRC planning and participating in public displays, demonstrations and battles. The WWIIRC portrays soldiers and civilians from several different nations that participated in WWII. It is the goal of our members to accurately preserve and portray the history and traditions of the WWII soldier and civilian in order to remember and honor those who served and survived through the War. Our reenactors are avid historians – through the authenticity of our reenacting impression and by interacting with the public, we can properly educate and help younger generations understand the impact of the Second World War. The Reenacting Corps is an educational tool that helps people reconnect with and remember the past.
The WWII History Center, the WWII Reenacting Corps and their volunteers do not support, condone, promote or in any way believe in any of the extreme political philosophies of the Governments and States during World War II as living historians. The WWII History Center, the WWII Reenacting Corps and their volunteers are apolitical entities. Politics played a vital role before, during and after the War, and it is the responsibility of the WWII Reenacting Corps’ reenactors to be knowledgeable on the matter, and be able to explain it to the public. Individuals who wish to relive or reenact political policies, past or present, will not be tolerated (e.g., National Socialism, Communism or otherwise).
ARTICLE III: COMMAND STAFF
1. Purpose
The purpose of the Command Staff is to lead the Units of the WWII Reenacting Corps. The Command Staff makes and implements policy and authenticity, guides and direct the mission and objectives of the Units of the WWII Reenacting Corps and serves as a review board to make decisions concerning disciplinary action.
2. General Powers
The Command Staff shall have the general power to manage and control the affairs and property of the WWII Reenacting Corps, and shall have full power, by majority vote, to adopt rules and regulations governing the action of the Command Staff.
3. Number, Election, and Term of Office
The Command Staff shall consist of two (2) members or no less than two (2), and no more than five (5), members. Election to the Command Staff shall be automatic upon election or appointment as a Unit Commander. Each Commander shall hold office for a term as long as they hold command of their Unit and thereafter until his successor is elected and qualified. Once appointed or elected, Commanders of each Unit remain commanders until they retire or are removed. Each Unit Commander may appoint one (1) subordinate to the Command Staff as a Vice-Commander. If the WWII Reenacting Corps is only one (1) Unit, then there is no Command Staff, and the elected Corps Commander or Unit Commander makes decisions on behalf of the WWII Reenacting Corps.
4. Officers
The Command Staff is led by the Corps Commander. Election of the Corps Commander shall be by majority vote of the Members, which shall occur, except in the case of filling vacancies, at each annual meeting thereof. The Corps Commander should be a Unit Commander, except in exceptional cases. A Member that is not a Unit Commander may be appointed to Corps Commander, if qualified and at the approval of the current Command Staff. The Corps Commander shall hold office for a term of one (1) year and thereafter until his successor is elected and qualified. There is no term limit on serving as Corps Commander. The Command Staff may designate from among its members a Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and such other officers as it may consider appropriate with such duties as it may prescribe.
5. Vacancies
Any vacancy occurring on the Command Staff prior to the expiration of a term shall be filled by such person as shall be elected by the remaining members of the Command Staff. A Commander so elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office.
6. Annual and Regular Meetings
The Command Staff shall hold an annual meeting at such time and place as the Command Staff shall by resolution prescribe. The Command Staff may by resolution prescribe the time and place of such other regular meetings.
7. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Command Staff may be called by or at the request of the Corps Commander or any two Commanders. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Command Staff may fix any reasonable date, hour, and place, either within or without the Kansas, as the date, hour, and place for holding any special meeting of the Board called by them.
8. Notice
Notice of any special meeting of the Command Staff shall be given at least fifteen (15) days previously thereto by written notice delivered personally or sent by mail, telegram, facsimile or other means of electronic transmission to each Commander at his address as shown in the records of the WWII Reenacting Corps. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail in a sealed envelope so addressed, with postage prepaid. If notice be given by telegram, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegraph company. Any Commander may waive notice of any meeting. The attendance of a Commander at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a Commander attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. The business to be transacted at, and the purpose of, any annual meeting of the Command Staff need not be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.
9. Quorum and Proxies
A majority of the total number of Commanders in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Command Staff; but, if less than a majority of the Commanders are present at said meeting, a majority of the Commanders present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. Proxies shall not be permitted.
10. Manner of Acting
The act of a majority of the Commanders present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Command Staff, unless the act of a greater number is required by law or by these Bylaws.
11. Compensation
Commanders as such shall not receive any stated salaries for their services but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses from the account and finances of the WWII Reenacting Corps, unless otherwise negotiated by the WWII History Center Board of Directors. Nothing herein shall be construed to preclude any Commander from serving the WWII Reenacting Corps in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
11.1. Informal Action
Any action may be taken without a meeting of the Commanders if consent in writing setting forth the action so taken shall be signed by all of the Commanders.
11.2. Resignation; Removal
(a) A Commander may resign from the Command Staff at any time by giving notice of his resignation in writing addressed to the Corps Commander or Secretary of the WWII Reenacting Corps, or by presenting his written resignation at an annual, regular, or special meeting of the Command Staff.
(b) Except as otherwise provided by law, at any meeting of the Command Staff called expressly for that purpose, any Commander may be removed, with or without cause, by the vote of a majority of the Unit Commanders then in office.
ARTICLE IV: UNITS
1. Purposes
The WWII Reenacting Corps is made up of partnering Units portraying soldiers and civilians of different nationalities during WWII. Members of these Units (“Reenactors”) fall under the banner of the WWII Reenacting Corps and the WWII History Center. Full Members must belong to a Unit. The Members of the Units are the ones who carry out the Mission of the WWII Reenacting Corps.
2. Number of Units
The number of Units must be at least one (1). If there is only one (1) Unit, it must portray an American WWII Unit. The American Unit is the primary Unit of the WWII Reenacting Corps, regardless of how many other Units are active. There may be as many Units as can be sustained, providing that there are enough potential Members and a willing and able potential Commander to lead a Unit. The Command Staff may establish and run additional Units to assist it in the performance of its duties as it considers appropriate. All new Units must be approved by a majority vote of the Command Staff.
3. Number and Gender
The number of members of each Unit must be greater than two (2) – one active member and one Commander. Women can be members of a Unit if:
(a) The Unit they are a member of had women combatants in WWII, or
(b) They can make their impression look like a male from 10 feet away (the 10 Foot Authenticity Rule).
4. Officers
Officers of the WWII Reenacting Corps are the Commanders of Individual Units. Unit Commanders are either elected (by a majority vote of the members of the Unit and the current Command Staff) or appointed by a vote of the Command Staff. The Corps Commander makes the determination, at his discretion, whether the Commander of each Unit is an officer (not higher than an equivalent of a 2d Lieutenant) or an NCO. Regardless of rank, the Commander of each Unit is a member of the Command Staff, and is considered an Officer of the WWII Reenacting Corps. Unit Commanders determine the rank and structure of the members of his Unit as he deems appropriate.
5. Vacancies
Vacancies in the membership of any Unit shall be filled by the Unit Commander first, then the Command Staff (if required) as deemed appropriate.
5.1. Quorum
Unless otherwise provided in the resolution of the Command Staff designating a Unit, a majority of the whole Unit shall constitute a quorum and the act of a majority of the members present at the meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Unit.
6. Rules
All members of the WWII Reenacting Corps must be a member of one (or more) Unit(s). Each Member must declare their primary Unit to be a member of. Secondary impressions in other Units is encouraged, but not required. However, each Member needs to be officially a part of one (1) and only one (1) Unit. Each Unit and Unit Commander may adopt rules for its own government not inconsistent with the Bylaws or with rules adopted by the Command Staff.
7. Powers
Each Unit shall have such powers as the Command Staff may grant it consistent with law, the Articles of Incorporation, and the Bylaws.
ARTICLE V: OFFICERS
1. Officers
The Officers of the WWII Reenacting Corps shall be a Corps Commander, Vice Corps Commander (optional), Secretary (optional), Treasurer (optional), and such other Officers as may be elected in accordance with the provisions of this Article. The Corps Commander may or may not be a Unit Commander. Each Unit Commander is a member of the Command Staff, and is considered an Officer of the WWII Reenacting Corps.
2. Election and Term of Office
Unit Commanders may be elected by a majority vote of the Members of that particular Unit, or they may be appointed by the Command Staff. Each potential Unit Commander must be approved by a majority vote of the Command Staff before they can accept their role as Unit Commander. Unit Commanders can be appointed at any meeting (regular, annual or special). Each Unit Commander shall hold office for a term of at least one (1) full year and thereafter until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. The start of the year is defined as the day of the Annual Meeting. [If a Unit Commander is elected and approved in March, and the Annual Meeting is in June, the Unit Commander’s term goes from his election in March through the following June (16 months) before he is up for re-election]. Qualification for Unit Commander is determined by the Command Staff. If no viable candidate runs against the Unit Commander, the Unit Commander remains in power until the next election, his voluntary resignation or removal by the Command Staff. There is no limit on terms served as a Unit Commander.
3. Removal
Any Unit Commander may be removed upon an affirmative vote of a majority vote of the entire Command Staff, whenever in its judgment the best interests of the WWII Reenacting Corps would be served thereby.
4. Vacancies
A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the Command Staff for the unexpired portion of the term.
5. Corps Commander
The Corps Commander shall be the chief executive officer of the WWII Reenacting Corps and, in general, shall supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the WWII Reenacting Corps. He may sign, with the Secretary or any other proper Officer of the WWII Reenacting Corps authorized by the Command Staff, any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments or documents which the Command Staff has authorized to be executed; and he shall perform all such other duties as may be prescribed by the Command Staff from time to time. The Corps Commander is responsible for reporting (or designating a representative to report) to the WWII History Center Board of Directors at the monthly Board of Directors Meetings. The Corps Commander votes in all Command Staff votes. In the event of a tie vote, the issue will be presented to the Board of Directors of the WWII History Center Foundation and a vote from that Board will be the deciding vote for said issue in question.
6. Vice Corps Commander (Optional)
In the event the death, resignation or removal of the Corps Commander, the person who serves as Vice Corps Commander shall assume the office of Corps Commander until the Command Staff elects a successor to the Corps Commander and shall perform all such other duties as may be prescribed by the Command Staff from time to time. If no Vice Corps Commander is named, then the next senior Officer/NCO shall assume the office of Corps Commander until the Command Staff elects a successor to the Corps Commander.
7. Secretary (Optional)
The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the Command Staff; see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of the Bylaws or as required by law; be custodian of the corporate records and seal; and perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Corps Commander or by the Command Staff. This role may be performed by the Corps Commander, a Unit Commander, a Vice-Commander, or any appointed Member.
8. Treasurer (Optional)
The Treasurer shall be responsible for all funds and securities of the WWII Reenacting Corps; receive and give receipts for monies due and payable to the WWII Reenacting Corps and deposit all such monies in the name of the WWII Reenacting Corps in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall be selected in accordance with the provisions of the Bylaws; and perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Corps Commander or by the Command Staff. If required by the Command Staff, the Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Command Staff shall determine. This role may be performed by the Corps Commander, a Unit Commander, a Vice-Commander, or any appointed Member.
ARTICLE VI: MEMBERS
1. Members
The Members of the WWII Reenacting Corps make up the manpower of the Units.
2. NON-DISCRIMINATION
The World War II Reenacting Corps will not deny membership on the basis of race, creed, ethnic origin, sex, age, political persuasion, sexual preference, religion, or marital status.
3. CANDIDACY
3.1. ELIGIBILITY
In order to be eligible for the WWII Reenacting Corps, a person must be 16 years of age, must not be a felon and must not have any political aspirations to express as a reenactor. Persons younger than the age of 16 can join and participate in a limited capacity pending parental/guardian, Unit Command and Corps Commander approval.
3.2. CONDUCT
The distinction of military customs and courtesies will be governed by rank, regardless of the country your reenacting impression portrays, during all formal WWII Reenacting Corps functions will be upheld and enforced.
3.3. AGE
The minimum age to participate in a military reenacting unit is 16 (unless exception is made, as stated previously)but the maximum age is dependent upon each Member. If you are physically capable of portraying a soldier and you meet the minimum age requirement, then you will be allowed to participate. If you are over 45, depending on how old a Member looks, that Member will be encouraged to portray a German soldier as the German Army conscripted older men towards the end of the War, or that Member can be a vehicle driver as an American soldier. There were very few infantrymen over 40 during WWII in the U.S. Army.
3.4. STRUCTURE AND REQUIREMENTS
Candidates are required to obtain their basic military/civilian impression as soon as possible. Candidates have one (1) year to obtain their impression. If they have not obtained their basic impression by that time, they will be asked to leave the WWII Reenacting Corps. Once a candidate obtains his or her impression, they will be reviewed by their Unit Commander. If they pass the review, and once dues are paid, they will become a full member of the Unit and of the WWII Reenacting Corps.
4. ACTIVATION
To be activated as a Member of the WWII Reenacting Corps, a person must meet all of the eligibility requirements as stated above.
If there are extenuating circumstances that prevent a candidate from obtaining all of their required gear or passing their Unit Commander review, they can seek an exception from the Corps Commander. A candidate may appeal his/her removal as a candidate by meeting with the Corps Commander. The Corps Commander has the authority to waive any activation requirement.
All active Members are voting members.
5. MAINTAINING MEMBERSHIP
5.1. ATTENDANCE
In order to maintain membership in the WWII Reenacting Corps, a Member is required to attend at least one (1) event a year.
The WWII Reenacting Corps holds at least two (2) meetings a year – once at or near the last weekend of January, and one at or near the last weekend in June. These meetings will be held on the premises of the World War II History Center. Members are required to attend one (1) meeting a year. Members are strongly encouraged to make both meetings. If a Member cannot attend the meeting, a written excuse must be presented to the Corps Commander prior to the meeting.
If a Member misses three consecutive meetings without an approved or appropriate excuse, they will be involuntarily inactivated.
5.2. DUES
Membership Dues must be paid by each member by the 1st of June of each year. Dues for each member are $35 for the year. Half of the dues are put into the WWII Reenacting Corps bank account. Half of the dues go to the WWII History Center to pay for Membership to the Museum. Paid dues entitle the person to be a member of the WWII Reenacting Corps as well as the WWII History Center. If a Member fails to pay by the 30th of June without extenuating circumstances, they will be involuntarily removed from the WWII Reenacting Corps.
5.3. AUTHENTICITY
A Member’s World War II impression must be believable to the public and to other reenactors. Authenticity is of the utmost importance in portraying a soldier or civilian of the 1930’s and 1940’s. Clothing worn while at WWII Reenacting Corps sponsored events must look like what would have been worn during the War. Members are expected to follow the authenticity rules as laid out by their individual Unit. Unit Commanders and the Corps Commander have the final say in authenticity.
5.4. Knowledge
A Member is expected to care about the history of World War II and to educate others about the War. A Member is expected to be knowledgeable about some aspect of World War II, be willing to learn more about the War and be willing to share that knowledge with others.
6. Removal
Any Member may be removed upon an affirmative vote of a majority vote of the entire Command Staff, whenever in its judgment the best interests of the WWII Reenacting Corps would be served thereby, or by a recommendation from that Member’s Unit Commander. Any Member may request their own removal from the WWII Reenacting Corps at any time for any reason.
6.1. Voluntary Inactive Status
Members seeking voluntary inactive status must write a formal letter addressed to the Corps Commander stating the reasons for not wanting to be an active member. Upon approval of the Command Staff, the member requesting inactive status will no longer be an active member. A Member may be inactive for one (1) years’ time. After one year, if the Member does not reactivate membership, that Member will be removed from the WWII Reenacting Corps.
6.2. Involuntary Inactive Status
Involuntary inactive status is a disciplinary action initiated by the Corps Commander, the Command Staff or by recommendation of a Unit Commander. It can be caused by not meeting professionalism standards, disregard for membership rules/regulations, a safety violation or a majority vote by the Command Staff. Involuntary inactive status results in losing rank and responsibilities. Involuntary inactive status can be revoked by completion of an improvement plan implemented by the Unit Commander, upon approval by the Corps Commander or a majority vote of the Command Staff.
ARTICLE VII: CONTRACTS, CHECKS, DEPOSITS AND FUNDS
1. Contracts
The Command Staff may authorize any Officer or Officers, agent or agents of the WWII Reenacting Corps, in addition to or in place of the Officers so authorized by the Bylaws, to enter into a contract or execute and deliver any instrument or document in the name and on behalf of the WWII Reenacting Corps, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
2. Checks, Drafts, and Similar Documents
All checks, drafts or orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the WWII Reenacting Corps, shall be signed by such Officer or Officers and/or agent or agents of the WWII Reenacting Corps and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Command Staff.
3. Deposits
All funds of the WWII Reenacting Corps shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the WWII Reenacting Corps in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Command Staff may select.
4. Gifts and Contributions
The Command Staff may accept on behalf of the WWII Reenacting Corps any contribution, gift, bequest, or devise for the general purposes or for any special purpose of the WWII Reenacting Corps. Such contributions, gifts, bequests, or devises shall be in conformity with the laws of the United States, the State of Kansas, and any other relevant jurisdiction.
5. Debt
The WWII Reenacting Corps cannot incur debt to the WWII History Center Foundation in any kind for any reason or purpose. ARTICLE VIII: FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of WWII Reenacting Corps shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December in each year.
ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
The Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by majority vote of the Command Staff present at any annual, regular or special meeting, if at least fifteen (15) days written notice is given of intention to alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws or to adopt new Bylaws at such meeting.
ARTICLE X: DISSOLUTION CLAUSE
The WWII Reenacting Corps may be dissolved only with authorization by the Command Staff given at a special meeting called for that purpose and with subsequent approval by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Members. Upon dissolution or other termination of the WWII Reenacting Corps, all remaining assets of the WWII Reenacting Corps, after payment in full of all its obligations and necessary final expenses, or after the making of adequate provision therefore, shall be distributed to the WWII History Center.