Prepared by:
2nd London Venturer Company: Jonathan Gastaldi, Justin Hall(Secretary),
Chris Hillis(Chairman), Mike Lunau(Treasurer), Steve MacDonald, Sean Strutt,
Brian Hillis(Advisor)
OUTLINE
1 - Company Name
2 - Company Organization
3 - Membership
4 - The Executive
5 - Elections and Voting
6 - Dues
7 - Dress
8 - By-laws for Camps
9 - Investiture
10 - Future Revisions to the By-laws
ARTICLE 1: Company Name
This Venturer Company will be known as the 2nd London Venturer Company,
sponsored by the Oakridge Optimist, in London, Ontario, Canada.
ARTICLE 2: Company Organization
(A) The 2nd London Venturer Company shall do its best to live according to the mission, principles, and practices of Scouts Canada and to live by the Venturer Promise. It will design activities that will enable all members to achieve their personal goals and awards outlined in the Canadian Venturer Handbook.
(B) The entire company shall have at least one executive meeting a month. The company must have at least two meetings a month whether they be general meetings, executive meetings, camp planning meetings, etc. The date of the meeting shall be decided at the previous meeting. Group outings do not count as meetings.
(C) Task distribution and official affairs will be handled directly through the chairman. All event / activity officials & organizers will be advised that all matters directly related to the members of the company will be handled through the chairman, or in case of absence, another member on the executive (secretary or treasurer).
ARTICLE 3: Membership
(A) Any youth aged 14-17 coming up from scouts may apply for membership.
(B) For the 1997-98 year, members must have completed their third year of scouts with the 2nd London Scout Troop.
(C) Some variation may be given for the age group. Any youth of age is welcome to join as long as they accept the purpose of the company, and live by the promise and law of Venturers. If a member is too old to fit in the age range, that member may stay until a Rover Crew is formed in the capacity of an assistant advisor. As well, the completion of a Venturer award may allow a Rover to stay on for that purpose.
(D) Every member shall follow the principles and the by-laws, policies and procedures of Scouts Canada.
(E) If a member of the Company does not adhere to the policies, by-laws, principals, and procedures of Scouts Canada, and the 2nd London Venturer Company, or if he does not work to the best of his ability then he can be put on probation if the members of the company see fit. The case will then be reviewed by the executive and a suitable consequence will be given out.
(F) Members are encouraged to attend as many events and meetings as possible as a member of the Venturer company. However, if the member does not express interest in participating in company events for there months, they may be asked not to return. All cases will be reviewed on an individual basis.
(G) A Venturer's membership could be reviewed and possibly revoked by a decision of all members of the company if the member uses cigarettes, alcohol or illegal drugs. The member could also lose his membership if they use acts of violence , or encourage loss of human dignity.
ARTICLE 4: The Executive
(A) The Executive shall consist of three positions: (as well as one advisor per 9 members) Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer.
(B) Duties of the Executive:
Chairman - Company leader: Chairman of all meetings, regular or special, and is in charge of company activities. He directly receives all information relevant to tasks and activities performed by members of the company.
Secretary - Prepares minutes and items to be discussed for each meeting, records attendance, conducts correspondence on behalf of the company, and carries out other tasks requested by the Chairman. Acts on behalf of the Chairman in case of his absence and assumes special duties given by the Chairman.
Treasurer - Keeps track of the financial records of the Company, and all the financial related duties. Acts on behalf of the Chairman in case of his absence and assumes special duties given by the Chairman.
Advisor(s) - Helps all members of the company and the Executive achieve their objectives and is responsible for Group Committee actions. They advise members on decisions and refer them to others who may be of help.
ARTICLE 5: Elections and Voting
(A) Nominations can be held in an undetermined time before the elections, even on election night. Any registered member, invested or not, may run for an executive position except Chairman if the investiture has not taken place since the member's joining. Members may be self-nominated, but must win by a majority of the vote
(B) Elections are held every 6 months. Should a situation arise where a member of the executive resigns, then a by-election will be held immediately for that position.
(C) The appointment of a potential advisor shall be reviewed by all members of the company, and the potential advisor may not unilaterally declare themselves part of the advisory team.
(D) If a member of the executive fails to fulfill his position duties, then that member will be asked to resign.
(E) All voting unless otherwise specified will be done by closed ballot, including instances of determining punishments and consequential actions.
(F) A member is to give 2 weeks notice to the chairman if he wishes to resign, and is expected to continue duties for the next two meetings unless a replacement is elected.
(G) In order to hold a meeting where visiting is to be conducted at least 51% of the members must be present.
(H) Day-to-day Venturer activities to pass a motion 51% of the members at the meeting must vote in favor.
ARTICLE 6: Dues
Each Venturer must pay five dollars a month as dues. This money should
be given to the treasurer.
ARTICLE 7: Dress
(A) Regular and Special meetings may be attended in casual attire.
(B) The full dress uniform shall be worn on formal activities, such as parades, or ceremonies.
(C) The casual uniform shall be worn when traveling by motorized vehicle, or at events. An activity uniform may be established for use in events where it is not suitable to wear the dress uniform although it is maybe required, such as volunteer work, and instances where the normal dress uniform could get muddy/dirty. An activity uniform within the meaning of these by-laws is defined as any outfit that identifies the wearer as a member and is uniformly worn by all other members and participants.
(D) A full dress uniform, within the meaning of these by-laws, includes navy blue pants/shorts, a uniform shirt, a hat, a woggle and a 2nd London neckerchief. The pants cannot be sweatpants, and must be appropriate for dress wear. The national neckerchief or tie may not be worn in conjunction with company activities, as it is not uniformly worn by all members.
(E) A casual uniform within the meaning of these by-laws, includes dark coloured pants/shorts and the Venturer t-shirt. A clean hat maybe properly worn.
ARTICLE 8: By-laws for Camps
(A) All members shall be on our registered campsite at a time not exceeding 1:00 am or otherwise specified by a member of the advisory team.
(B) Members are not permitted to be up on site or off site after curfew unless they are accompanied by no less than two other members of the company. Those up past curfew may not cause significant disturbance.
ARTICLE 9: Investiture
(A) Investiture is a sacred ceremony, and may only be set up and put on by members invested prior to the ceremony, including senior members and Rovers, and in close counsel. Un-invested members may not attend the proceedings if they are not scheduled to be invested at that time.
(B) Unauthorized discussion on the topic of investiture with non-invested members and persons not belonging to the company is grounds for permanent exclusion from the aforementioned ceremonies.
ARTICLE 10: Future Revisions
The By-laws will be reviewed whenever there is an inquiry into its
relevance to company affairs. revisions must be approved by 75% of the
company through open ballot. Those opposing must state their reasons for
doing so.
By-laws last updated October 9, 1997