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Article I Name The name of the organization shall be the Royal Order of Chivalry, Inc., also known as ROC. Article II Philosophy To present Jesus Christ as Savior of the world. Article III Purpose A. Fellowship: The regular activity among fellow Christians helps build relationships and encourage accountability. B. Discipleship: To help one grow and mature mentally, socially, and spiritually. C. Evangelism: To spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an alternative setting. Our community events take this ministry to the streets. D. Ministry: To encourage each member to get involved in the ministry of their local church and in their community. E. Education: To research the Middle Ages and educate both the membership and others concerning the true history of this period. Article IV Our Creed A. We believe that God is the creator of Heaven and Earth. Our Lord Jesus Christ is His only begotten Son. We believe that he was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified and placed in a tomb. B. He descended into Hell, then on the third day He rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven where He sits at the right hand of God the Father. C. We believe in salvation, the Holy Spirit, divine healing, and the rapture. Article V Requirements for Membership Everyone seeking membership must submit a completed application, which must be endorsed by the applicant’s pastor and a sponsoring club member who is a peer. For applicants under 18, the application must be signed by their parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian is not a member, the sponsoring peer will provide supervision for them at ROC events. 1. Adult membership applies to those over 18 years of age. 2. Junior membership applies to those between the ages of 12 and 17. 3. The Order of the Lamb is for those between the ages of 6 and 12. Article VI Conditions and Privileges of Membership A. ROC Membership is open to all who agree to adhere to the tenets of our creed. B. All members are eligible for office and advancement within ROC, subject to the requirements for such office or advancement. 1. Eligibility for Office: Officers at all levels of ROC must be members as defined in the constitution. Those seeking any leadership position in ROC must submit a Children and Youth Workers background check to the state chapter. This must include letters of approval from their Pastor and their Head of Household. C. Revocation of Membership: ROC membership may be revoked for the following reasons: 1. Conviction of any felony 2. Actions that endanger ROC 3. Violation of the by-laws of ROC D. Denial of Membership: ROC membership may be denied for the same reasons as above. E. Membership Fees: Basic membership fees and requirements will be established by the ROC Executive Board. Households may assess an additional charge to help in covering administrative expenses. Fees for admission to events other than regular Household meetings may be established by the sponsoring body. Article VII Active and Inactive Members A. Active members are those with a current membership application on file and whose membership fees are up to date. They must also attend at least one. (1) function annually. This requirement may waived due to extenuating circumstances. Excluding a Quest, active members are eligible to attend any ROC trip or outing. Participation in a Quest is by invitation of the Quest Master or the Crown Prince. B. Inactive members are those who have not paid the current year’s membership fees, or have not attended at least one function for that fiscal year. As such, they may not participate in any ceremony or outreach. Reinstatement is made by renewing their application and becoming current in regards to their membership fees. This will include the current year’s fees and the past year’s fees if they are in arrears. Article VIII Establishing a New Household A Household is a local club and serves as an extension ministry of its sponsoring church. The Household works under the oversight of the sponsoring Pastor. Household organization is set forth in the ROC handbook. As in any ROC leadership position, Household leaders must have a Children and Youth Workers background check form on file. Requirements for a Household are: A. Five or more members of the Royal Order of Chivalry. B. A noble will head-up, or at least oversee the operation of a Household. C. The Household must be sponsored by a Gospel Believing Church. D. The appropriate application will be completed, endorsed by the senior pastor and submitted to the ROC state chapter along with the appropriate application fee. If there is not an existing state chapter, application will be to the national office. Article IX Realm Officers and their Duties A. Crown Prince: The Sovereign of the Realm, or Principality, of the Royal Order of Chivalry. B. Earl Marshal: The logistical head for all tournament events. Charged with maintaining safety for all tournament events of the Realm as set forth in the Marshal’s Handbook. The Earl Marshal serves as the Sergeant at Arms for all Realm courts and meetings. C. Royal Clerk: Charged with the record keeping, database, mailings, etc. for the Realm. D. Sovereign of Arms: The voice of the Crown at all events Charged with maintaining the College of Arms of the Realm. E. Grand Chancellor: Spiritual advisor to the Realm. F. Grand Master of the Guilds: Oversees all of the Guilds of the Realm Charged with representing the guilds’ interests at all Councils of the Realm, as well as perpetuating growth and advancement of the guilds. G. Grand Regent of the Highland Clans: Oversees all of the Highland Clans of the Realm Charged with encouraging excellence and authenticity in the Highland Clans. Article X Appointment of Officers of the Realm All officers of the Realm will be appointed by the ROC Executive Board. Their service will be reviewed annually. Any deficiencies will be discussed and if they are unable to fulfill their responsibilities, they will be replaced by. Article XI Royal Order of Chivalry Executive Board The ROC Executive Board will consist of six positions. These are: A. President of the Corporation B. Legal Counsel C. Financial Officer D. Advisor E. Secretary F. Chairman of the Board Article XII Governing and Policy Decisions Any policies or decisions that will affect ROC as an organization will be made by the ROC Executive Board. Recommendations may be made by any member of the organization through their state office. Any decisions which amplify or interpret the Constitution and Bylaws of ROC, or which may affect the medieval structure, branches, and membership of ROC, must also go through the ROC Executive Board. Article XIII Finances Realm finances are to be distributed at the discretion of the ROC Executive Board, keeping with the standards and practices of laws governing a not-for-profit organization. A. Ten percent (10%) of all new and renewal member fees and Household charter fees from each state chapter are to be paid to the Realm for Realm business. Article XIV Books and Records ROC shall keep correct and complete books of account and records, including minutes of all Realm meetings. ROC shall keep, in the custody of the Royal Clerk, a record of the names and addresses of all members. This record shall not be copied or viewed by any person except the officers and members of ROC except with the permission of the Executive Board. Financial records will be disclosed annually through a report made available by the month of March for the fiscal year, with fiscal year meaning January 1-December 31. Article XV Dedication of Assets The properties and assets of ROC are irrevocably dedicated to the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. No part of the earnings, properties, or assets of this corporation, on dissolution or otherwise, shall inure to the benefit of any private person or individual, or any member, officer, or sponsor of ROC. On liquidation or dissolution of a state chapter, all properties, assets, and obligations shall be distributed and paid over to the national office of ROC. Article XVI Gifts Any contributions, gifts, bequests, or devises for the general purposes of or for any special purpose of ROC may be accepted, consistent with the limitations of a not-for-profit corporation. Article XVII Indemnification A. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ROC may indemnify its leadership, officers, and other persons, including persons formerly occupying any such position, against all expenses, judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any proceedings and including an action by or in the right of ROC. B. To the fullest extent permitted by law and except as otherwise determined by the ROC Executive Board in a specific instance, expenses incurred by a person seeking indemnification in defending any "proceeding" may be advanced by ROC before final disposition of the proceeding upon receipt by ROC of a contract from that person to repay such amount unless it is ultimately determined that the person is entitled to be indemnified by ROC for those expenses.
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