Wandering Rogues > Guild Bylaws

Guild Bylaws

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Wandering Rogues

Nautical Reenactment Guild

Rules and Bylaws

Index of Articles

  1. Name of Organization
  2. Purpose
  3. Membership Requirements
  4. Disciplinary actions
  5. Dues and Guild Funds
  6. WR Events
  7. Gate listing
  8. Encampment Guidelines
  9. Props/Property
  10. Communication
  11. Amendments and Changes
  12. Articles of Conduct
  1. NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION

     shall be Wandering Rogues (hereinafter referred to as WR).

  1. PURPOSE
  1. WR is a non-profit educational and theatrical renaissance recreation guild devoted to youth and adult education about pirates and sailors during the Golden Age Of Piracy in a historical learning environment.
  2. WR participates in renaissance-style fairs and other similar public events, portraying pirates that might have existed during the Golden Age of Piracy.
  1. MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
  1. APLICATIONS:         anyone interested in membership should contact a member for an application.
  2. APPLICANTS: must be 21 years of age or older to be considered for membership. Once an application is received, the applicant must contact the board to make arrangements to audition at the next meeting(or event if appropriate) The board reserves the right to waive the audition process.
  3. SELECTION CRITERIA: after deemed an appropriate amount of time- new members (hereinafter referred to as “Roguelings”) will be chosen by a vote of the board with input from the general membership and based upon the following: character, costume, performance ability, personality and presence, commitment, leadership or organizational ability, other appropriate skills, and talents. At the end of of this probationary period, the board (with input from the general membership) will have the option of:
  1. Extending the probationary period
  2. Awarding full membership
  3. Removal from membership

Our policy is not to discriminate on any basis including but not limited to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability.

  1. APPLICANT PROBLEMS: none with an active drug/drinking problem will be considered for membership.
  2. MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: members will be required to fill out an Emergency Information form and a Participants Waiver/Agreement form as well as any event waiver required.
  3. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP: WR board reserves the right to not renew a membership for any of the following: poor attendance, non-participation at events, bad attitude, or as a disciplinary measure. Non payment of dues within the allotted time period terminates membership.
 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
  1. RULES: Our members are expected to follow these policies and procedures as well as all encampment rules and guidelines, rules and regulations of events, and all appropriate local, state, and federal laws.
  2. CAUSES FOR DISCIPLANARY ACTION include but are not limited to, the following:
  1. use of any and all illegal substances, or misuse of any legal substance, is prohibited and is grounds for immediate dismissal. The abuse of alcohol by any member, during set-up, during an event, or after hours that in any way causes problems for the group, may result in suspension or dismissal.
  2. Sexual harassment of members or the public
  3. Misusing WR funds
  4. Misrepresenting WR.
  5. Breaking state, federal or local laws or rules and regulations of any specific event
  1. DISCIPLIANRY ACTION will rest exclusively with the Board. The Board may appoint deputies to make investigations and report back to the Board.
  1. DUES AND GUILD FUNDS
  1. DUES AND BENEFITS: dues are assessed monthly. Dues are due by the 15th of the month. The membership fee will be the same for all members, and shall be determined by the board. Reenactment insurance may be required, for participation in some events. Roguelings are required to pay monthly dues and have reenactment insurance, if applicable.
  2. DUES PAYMENT must be made in a timely manner to maintain guild benefits. There is a 10 day grace period. All guild dues must be paid to the secretary/treasurer. Unpaid dues will result in a suspension of all guild benefits including (but not limited to) gate listing.
  3. WAIVING DUES the board may waive dues in individual cases.
  4. OTHER FUNDS the guild also receives funds from some events for participation in that event and other sundry money. All money received by the guild shall be noted by the treasurer and deposited to the general account.
  5. FUND USAGE membership dues and any other guild funds may be used by WR for the following: exhibits, sets, tentage, props, costumes, storage, insurance, bank charges, printing, office supplies, postage, taxes, web site, ect. Expenditures will be voted upon by the board and the treasurer will disperse these funds at the boards direction.
  1. WR EVENTS

     

  1. DESIGNATED: agreed upon by the board (based on membership input), and free to the entire membership (although some fees assessed by the event may apply.
  2. CONTACT WITH ORGANIZERS: the president or his/her deputies are the only members allowed to contact event organizers for the guild. This is to eliminate confusion between the guild and the event organizers.
  3. WORKSHOPS: and/or rehearsals may be scheduled on an as-needed basis and will be designated by the board. Some workshops may require material fees.
  4. GENERAL MEETING: held monthly, all members in good standing are encouraged to attend.
  1. GATELISTING
  1. GATELISTING (getting free entrance) is a privilege not a right and is at the board’s discretion. Once a gate list is submitted to the event coordinator, it is NOT subject to change.
  2. RESPONSIBILITIES: It is understood that WR members may be members of other groups; however, if you are gatelisted by WR, your fist commitment is to WR, not any other group. Come to the encampment when you first arrive to sign in and get information about the daily events. Gatelisted members should also sign op for encampment duties such as watch duty.
  1. ENCAMPMENT GUIDELINES 
  1. GENERAL: for our own enjoyment, we each need to de considerate of our fellow members and to be aware of the overall impression the encampment is presenting to onlookers. These encampment guidelines aim to ensure that everyone – the public, our guests, and ourselves- – have a safe and pleasant experience.
  1. PRESERVING PIRATICAL ENCAMPMENT IMAGE
  1. We portray an encampment of sailors who have come to this event to relax while in port.
  2. All members should be in appropriate period garb during the event’s hours. (unless previous arrangements with the board have been made.)
  3. Watch modern slang. “Dude” is not a 17th century word.
  4. No non-period items, such as sunglasses, visible modern watches, etc.
  5. Drink and eat from appropriate containers.
  6. Modern gear must be kept out of the eyesight of the public.
  7. Bus your own food and help keep our space clean.
  8. Period smoking is permitted, unless prohibited by the event rules, or safety concerns.
  9. Exceptions for medical necessities( e.g. casts, eye surgery, etc) will be made at the board’s discretion.
  1. COSTUME AND APPEARANCE
  1. PERIOD HEAD COVERINGS: No jolly roger, heavy metal, western, “gang” type, or screen printed bandanas allowed. Scarves should be of silk, cotton, etc. Hats of straw, felt, leather, or cloth are acceptable for men or women. Snoods are acceptable for women as well.
  2. SHIRTS: Standard renaissance style shirts, puffy sleeves wuth flared or lacy cuffs for men or women, or peasant style blouses for women.
  3. WAISTCOATS: A long vest-like garment for men or women, or bodices for women. Short vests are acceptable if from an “exotic” port of call.
  4. SASHES AND BELTS: Leather for belts, silk or other neutral material for sashes, may be patterned in stripes or brocades.
  5. SKIRTS OR DRESSES: Long peasant styles in brocade or solid are best. Cotton blend prints are discouraged.
  6. TROUSERS AND KILTS: Breeches, slops, kilts and loose fitting drawstring pants.  Nothing with visible zippers. 
  7. SOCKS: Knee-high wool or cotton, solids or stripes.
  8. FOOTWEAR: Buckled “colonial” shoe, buckle boots, moccasins without fringe, leather or rope sandals, barefoot is also acceptable, if safety permits.
  9. MAKE UP: No Make up unless your character is a prostitute(then cake it on). Minimal use or cover up is acceptable.
  10. JEWELRY: plenty of period jewelry is acceptable. NO piercings except ears.
  11. TATTOOS: Non period tattoos must be covered.
  12. EYEGLASSES: Round or oval metal frames, clear lenses are preferred, blue lenses are acceptable. NO sunglasses may be worn during fair hours, unless previous arrangements have been made with the board.
  1. ENTERTAINING GUESTS AND THE PUBLIC
  1. Members must be in character and prepared to entertain while in the encampment
  2. Guests will be permitted in the encampment, at the discretion of the Officer On Deck (See Section X.v)
  3. Escort your guest(s) at all times in the encampment.
  4. Pets will be permitted in the encampment, at the discretion of the Officer On Deck (See Section X.v)
  5. If a guest wants to participate with WR at more than one event, that person is probably a good candidate for WR membership! Invite them to apply.
  1. MAINTANING A SAFE AND SECURE AREA
  1. Never use someone else’s property without asking.
  2. Weapons must be peace tied and/or left in a display area.
  3. While every attempt is made to make the encampment a safe place, you are responsible for your own property. Bring expensive or fragile items at your own risk.
  4. Never leave personal property unattended in the public area(we can not guarantee its safety)
  1. THE OFFICER OF THE DECK (OOD) is responsible for ensuring that these guidelines are followed, so respect their authority on these matters. WR members sign up for watch duty at WR events where we have an encampment. The length of watch duty at WR events will depend on the number of members at the event. Members must be back on deck (in camp) in time to start their assigned watch. The daily watch schedule can vary and rotate every day, depending on the number of crew members present at the event.
  2. WEAPONS: recklessly brandishing weapons, whether inside or outside the encampment, is never permitted. Peace tie you weapons or secure them someplace safe and out of reach of the general public. Any “staged” combat rehearsals must be cleared with the board and appropriate safety requirements must be met.
  1. PROPS/PROPERTY
  1. GUILD PROPERTY is owned by the guild. Any donation of props must be confirmed with the board who may refuse donation props if they are not appropriate nor useful or if there is not room for them in the encampment.
  2. LOANED PROPERTY must be transported and maintained by the owner unless other arrangements have been made. WR is not responsible for these items. Large items such as tents must be cleared through the board who will determine space availability at events.
  3. PERSONAL PROPERTY must be transported and maintained by the owner. Any props that you bring to an event for personal use should be kept with you or put away.
  1. COMUNICATIONS
  1. EMAIL: routine communication will be done via email (or facebook) this include but not limited to meetings, minutes, reminders, schedules, etc. If another form of communication is needed, it is the members responsibility to contact the treasurer to make arrangements.
  2. WEB SITE: WR, under the auspices of the Board, will maintain a site on the World Wide Web. The Board will appoint a web master who will create a web site that include information about the guild, pictures of members, links to message boards and other appropriate sites, and general information as available.
  1. AMENDMENTS AND CHANGES

    The board may amend or change these Rules and Bylaws by publishing the amendment or change and presenting it to the next general membership meeting. If no discussions are forthcoming, the amendment or change may become part of this document. If there are concerns from the members, these concerns must be addressed before the amendment or change can become active. If these Rules and Bylaws are rewritten, the new Rules and Bylaws will be presented in the same manner. Then, they will be voted on, either with or without changes, by all members in good standing. The vote may take place at the General Membership Meeting where they are presented, or the following General Membership Meeting, if circumstances are warranted.

  1. ARTICLES OF CONDUCT
  1. POSITIONS (Chain of command): For general guild business and event activities the orders from any of the board supersede all other officers. The following positions are considered OFFICER RANK, and equal in grade unless noted otherwise. Each position has jurisdiction over a particular operation.
  1. CAPTAIN: Duties of the captain are to be in charge and responsible of the group at faires or other sanctioned WR events that are attended in garb. While on (a fair) site, during a function, the captain is in charge of the crew and site. The captain will only give orders that are good for the crew and the board, and that will not endanger the crew or the name of the corporation. The captain is also to assist the board at their stated meetings and have a chance to advise them of problems or changes to be made.
  2. QUARTERMASTER: Duties of the quartermaster are to oversee the performance of the crew (at events) in the absence of the captain. He/She will also act as a liaison between the captain and the crew.
  3. BOATSWAIN (BOSUN): bosun rank is equivalent to a top sergeant; it is the highest rank of the enlisted or pressed sailors. The bosun reports directly to the quartermaster. The bosun directs the activities of hands during set-up and tear-down, and has charge of stowing and organizing all the camp gear, tools and equipment, maintaining inventory of the same, and construction of, and maintenance on all camp structures and perimeters.
  1. POSITIONS UNDER BOSUN: bosun’s mate, standard crew hands
  1. MASTER GUNNER: In the absence of the board, captain, first mate, and bosun, the master gunner will be the senior officer.
  1. POSITIONS UNDER MASTER GUNNER: master gunners mate, powder monkey, match monkey, gunners.
  1. PURSER: The position of purser is a master rating, thus in the absence of all senior staff and the master gunner, the purser is the senior officer. The purser works closely with the captain, first mate, master gunner, and galley master, having charge of securing all rations, equipment and supplies for all departments and operations.
  2. GALLEY MASTER: The galley master oversees all matters of the galley (kitchen), i.e. preparation and serving of rations, clean up and inventory of rations and equipment.
  1. POSITIONS UNDER GALLEY MASTER: first galley mate, general galley hands
  1. STANDING ORDERS
  1. All orders given by officers shall be carried out immediately, without questions, grumbling, or backtalk. Officers shall not give orders that endanger personal safety or violate common moral decency.
  2. All members will be assigned a position and/or rating according to their interests, skills, and needs of the crew. Each position will have assigned duties particular to the area of operation involved. Members are expected to perform all duties in an efficient and timely manner, regardless of the intensity of the hangover.
  3. All hand must follow “protocol” at all times during event hours. If you witness a member breaking protocol, discreetly remind them by simply stating “protocol mates, protocol”. Protocol includes the following;
  1. No conversations about modern things or events(i.e. work, TV shows, sports, etc.)
  2. No use of modern devices in view if patrons(i.e. cell phones, cigarettes, etc.)
  3. Not following proper use of nautical terms.
  1. minimal acceptable level of participation requires all crew members to be on time to assist in the duties of loading and/or unloading equipment, camp set-up and/or tear-down, acquiring and maintaining personal gear (i.e. feast gear, sleeping quarters, and costumes), being awake and in costume for opening gate, and maintaining character throughout event hours.