Founded on Nov 15, 2008
Bylaws: Created on Jan 17, 2009
Unit/ Vendor Members:
6. Kp. Grossdeutschland
1st Batl. D. Co. RUR
Wephaus.com
1st Batl. A. Co. RUR
3rd SS Division
30th Infantry Division
228th Panzer Jäger Abteillung/116th Panzer Division
5th Gebirgsjäger Division
2nd Kp., 6th Fallschirmjäger Regiment
675th Pioneer Abteillung/116th Panzer Division
All Era Militaria.com
2/16th/1st Division
4th Infantry Division
1st Btl, 506th/101st Airborne Division
Director of the Board:
William Hardage
Assistant Director of the Board:
Lauren Pursley
Board Members: Wallace Hightower, Thomas Killion, Mike Pursley, Tommie Webb,
Travis Husted, Randy Weaver, Don Johnson, Elmon Randolph, Phil Morgan, Don Watson,
Lynne Lee, Mike Ling, Dave DeMorrow
By- Laws
Article I
Membership
1. Membership in the Southern WWII Reenactors Association (hereafter known as SWWRA)
is open to any individual 16 years and older, irrespective of race, sex, religion, creed or
physical limitations. Minors (under the age of 18) must have written consent from their
parent(s) or legal guardian, and be sponsored by an existing member of the association.
2. Association members must be part of an existing reenacting unit, or must create a new
unit, to be considered a "voting" member of the board. (Must be 18 years or older to start a
new unit).
3. Units must consist of at least three members to be considered a "voting" member of the
board. Units under three members may attend board meetings and voice opinions, but may
not vote on board issues.
4. Acceptance of new units into the association is passed by an affirmative two-thirds vote by
board members and officers of the board. New units may be considered after a probationary
period of at least one (1) event.
5. Membership in the association is annual (January 1 to December 31).
6. A unanimous vote of the board members is required to discharge any member of the
association.
7. Any member of the association may be discharged due to: unlawful acts against the
SWWRA, threats of violence against any member of the SWWRA, or for deliberate violation
of the SWWRA bylaws and/or the Safety and Authenticity Rules of the SWWRA. Depending
on the severity of the infraction, discharged members may be considered subject to criminal
prosecution under local state or national laws.
Article 2
Board Members
1.One board member will represent each unit. Unit Commanders or their Assistants may
serve as the board member.
2. Board members will have each one vote for each issue.
3. Board members serve as the governing body of the association, determining what activities
in which the association may engage, unless otherwise prohibited from doing so by law. Board
members may propose new bylaws, new events, approve or disapprove new units, or remove
any elected officers, including the Director or Assistant Director of the Board. The Board
shall also make recommendations for the disposition of funds of the association on a case-bycase
basis.
4. In the case of a new unit, the Unit Commander will be the board member representative
for that unit.
Article 3
Meetings
I. Director of the Board. II. Assistant Director of the Board. III. Board Members. IV.
Platform. V. Non-Voting Association Members.
1. A board meeting may be called by the Director or Assistant Director of the board, at the
request of any member of the board.
2. A quorum (simple majority) of the board members and one officer of the board must be
present.
3. Meetings may be called via phone calls, e-mail or yahoo group communications.
4. At least 45 days notice must be given for general meetings of the board.
5. Informal meetings may have fewer members present, but cannot conduct a vote on issues
of board importance without a quorum (simple majority) of the board membership present.
Article 4
Procedure of a Meeting
1. Only the Director or Assistant Director of the board may call a meeting. A board member
may only request to have a meeting, but cannot conduct one.
2. The meeting can be "open" or "closed doors" at the request of the Director of the board.
An open meeting includes all members of the association. A closed meeting will include board
members only.
3. The meeting will begin with a roll call of the board members present. All meetings must
follow the procedures of Robert’s Rules of Order. The sequence of meeting business is as
below:
1. Old business
2. Vote to agree on the old business
3. New proposals, Bylaws, events, any speakers.
4. Adjourn the meeting
Article 5
Officers-- Director and Assistant Director of the Board
1. The Director of the Board is the highest position of the SWWRA. He or she can dissolve a
meeting, call a meeting and conduct a meeting, as well as represent the SWWRA to other
organizations. The Director can break a tie vote. He or she is responsible to the membership
to enforce and protect the bylaws of the SRA and the Safety and Authenticity Rules.
2. Assistant Director is the second highest position of the SWWRA. He or she is the
secretary of the meeting: keeps the official records, by-laws, and finances. If he or she is not
present at a meeting, the Director will appoint a member of the board to keep records for
that meeting.
3. The Assistant Director can call a meeting, conduct a meeting, or represent the SWWRA, if
the Director of the SWWRA is not present. The Assistant Director can break a tie vote if
the Director of the SWWRA is not present at a meeting. He or she is responsible to the
membership to enforce and protect the bylaws of the SWWRA and the Safety and
Authenticity Rules.
Article 6
Removal of Board Officers or Members
1. Any member of the board, or officers of the board, can be removed from SWWRA for
reason of neglect of duties, willful disrespect of personal safety or that of others,
misappropriation of goods or property belonging to the SWWRA, for flagrant disregard for
current by-laws of the SWWRA, or for conduct discrediting the SWWRA.
2. A discharge of any member of the board or officer of the board requires a unanimous vote
from the board membership of the association. If a standing officer of the board is dismissed,
the other officer will chose another member to replace him or her until a general election is
held. If the Director is unable to discharge his or her duties, the Assistant Director will take
his or her place until general elections are held.
3. In the event that a board member unit representative is discharged from the association,
the assistant commander of that unit or other representative from that unit will take their
place.
Article 7
Membership/ Unit Rights
1. All members of the association will be given a SWWRA membership card
2. Each member will receive a copy of the Safety and Authenticity rules.
3. Each member has the right to attend all SWWRA events, but must comply with any and all
announced rules, authenticity requirements or safety requirements for said event.
4. Each member has the right to appeal any decision by the Board that could result in
discharge of their individual membership.
5. Units can accept or deny membership in the association in accordance with their unit
policy.
5. Each unit representative has the right to protect their unit’s name and membership within
the association.
6. Each member has the right to authorize individuals wishing to form a subsection that is
part of their parent unit.
Article 8
SWWRA Event Etiquette
1. Members may not use any item belonging to another member without their express
permission. The theft of any item, no matter how small, is grounds for prosecution and
dismissal from the SWWRA.
2. While in camp or barracks area, respect the right of privacy of other campers.
3. The use or possession of illegal drugs is cause for immediate expulsion from the SWWRA.
4. Deliberate failure to follow an event's posted or announced rules can and/or will lead to
expulsion from the association and from other future SWWRA events.
5. Members MUST keep safety and authenticity in mind at all times.
6. Do not use profanity, slander, or libelous statements in correspondence to convey any
threat, implied or real, to any member. As a rule, the use of the word “farb” or “farby” as a
term of slander against another reenactor or unit within the SWWRA association is
prohibited.
7. Proprietary SWWRA membership information cannot be released without the board's and
the individual member’s approval.
8. It is the responsibility of all members and units present at any event to stand for and pass
safety and authenticity inspections.
9. As a courtesy, keep late night activities at public and private tactical events reasonable.
10. Unit commanders shall be responsible for the behavior of all members in their unit. Unit
commanders shall be responsible for all minors in their unit.
11. Keep all campsites and barracks policed and secure.
12. Do not leave campfires unattended.
13. Do not argue over the calling of "hits" at a tactical event.
14. The US Flag shall always be displayed or flown higher than other flags at a public event.
15. When appropriate at a public event, the US flag shall be saluted or acknowledged by
SWWRA members in a manner consistent with proper flag etiquette.
16. No WWII German "Nazi" flag; that is, the red, white and black national or battle flag
with the Hakenkreuz (swastika) shall be flown at public or tactical events. However, event
organizers MAY, at their discretion, allow the use of German vehicle panels (one-sided, with
grommets at each corner) on vehicles as an aircraft recognition device, ONLY if appropriate
to the scenario. Panels must be tied down in correct fashion to the vehicle in question.
Individual German unit flags, signs or signal flags, so long as they do not contain the
Hakenkreuz or other potentially offensive symbols, may be displayed at the discretion of the
event organizer.
Article 9
Books and Records
1. The Assistant Director of the board shall, as acting secretary, keep minutes of all
meetings.
2. All records will be kept for 10 years; afterwards, they may be destroyed.
3. The Assistant Director shall complete and submit all minutes of meetings to the Director
of the Board.
4. Minutes of all board meetings will be posted on the SWWRA yahoo group site. Members
can request a copy of the minutes by mail or email.
Article 10
National Events
1. The SWWRA will create an "Annual National Event" for the association.
2. All information for the "National Event" must be submitted to the association within 90
days of the event.
3. Board members must approve the event by a simple majority vote.
4. The National Event shall be organized and sponsored by at least one or more SRA member
units in good standing. Other non-member units may assist in the event organization, but
must be directed by the SWWRA member unit(s).
Article 11
Officer Elections
1. Any member of the Board may run for an officer of the board position. He or she must be
at least 18 years of age, been a board member for one year in good standing, and must
announce his or her candidacy no later than 90 days before elections are held.
Article 12
Voting
1. Approval of any association issues, bylaws, new membership, or elections will require a
two-thirds majority vote of board members present at a meeting.
2. Elections and discharge of members shall be by written ballot. The number of votes cast
shall not be disclosed. Written ballots shall be placed in a ballot box and collected/tallied by
the Assistant Director of the board. The Director of the board will confirm the tally and
announce the results of the vote.
Article 13
Proposals/ Amendments to the Bylaws
All proposals to make bylaws changes or other significant changes to the structure of the
SWWRA must be submitted in the following manner as listed below:
1. A written request, including reasons for the proposed change, shall be submitted to the
officers of the board.
2. The officers of the board will examine each proposal for conflict with the existing bylaws
of the association.
3. The officers of the board, together with unit representatives of the board, will make
recommendations regarding the proposal.
5. At a regular meeting, the proposal will then be presented to the general board
membership.
5. Adoption of the proposal will require an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voting
quorum present at the general board membership meeting.
Article 14
Finances and Contracts
1. Loans: No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the SWWRA, and no evidence of
indebtedness shall be issued in its name, unless authorized by a majority vote of the Board.
2. Gifts: The Board may not at this time accept, on behalf of the SWWRA, any
contributions, donations, bequests, or devices from both association members and nonmembers
until such time as the association becomes a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. In
the future, if the association receives non-profit status, the board will appoint a steward to
manage said gifts at that time.
Article 15
Hosting an Event
SWWRA members wishing to host an SWWRA-approved event must meet the following
requirements:
1. The SWWRA members and sponsoring unit(s) must submit a written outline of the event
no later than 60 days before the event.
2. The outline must include the location, permission of the property owner/officials, all
necessary BATF contact information for class 3 devices, list of event contacts and
sponsoring units Authenticity Guidelines and Safety Regulations.
3. The Event must be held in accordance with all agreed SWWRA guidelines and standards.
Article 16
Emergency Powers Act
1. In the event of any unforeseen or unpredictable situation that may endanger the future of
the SWWRA and/or the board, officers of the board or members of the association, the
Director and/or Assistant Director (acting on the Director's behalf in his/or her absence) may
declare a State of Emergency for the association. In this event, a general meeting will be
called by the officer(s) of the board to discuss the state of emergency with the board
membership. During an association State of Emergency, the Director and/or the Assistant
Director shall have broad powers to take such necessary actions as to protect the association
and its bylaws, rules and standards until such time as a general membership meeting can be
held to address the emergency.
Article 17
Disclaimer Note
The Southern WWII Reenactor Association does not support or condone any extremist
philosophies or forms of government, such as National Socialism or Communism, nor does it
support or condone any powers, militias or persons who advocate the overthrow of the
United States Government. All events or forums hosted by the SWWRA are conducted for
the sole purpose of historical education.
By-Laws
