I. Name

This organization shall be known as The Society for Creative Anachronism, the Shire of No Mountain, hereinafter known as “the Shire”.

II. Objective, Purpose and Reason

The shire shall be dedicated primarily to the non-profit promotion of research and re-creation of European culture as it existed between the years 600 AD and 1600 AD.

III. Members

Anyone expressing an interest in our objectives and who makes a reasonable attempt at participation in meetings and events of the shire are considered to be Members of the Shire of No Mountain.

a. Access to Membership. Membership in the Shire is open to any interested individual, without restriction of race, religion, creed, age, or citizenship. There are two types of membership, namely, Active Membership, and Inactive Membership (see III.d. below).

b. Privileges of Members. All Active Members of the Shire are given the opportunity to vote in all business meetings and to bring to the attention of the Shire's officers any concerns relating to the shire. Inactive Members may attend all meetings and participate in all conversations, planning, events and feasts, but may not vote. All members, active or inactive, will receive the monthly Newsletter published by the Chronicler. The newsletter will be distributed at Business Meetings.

d. Status of Membership. An Active Member is a member who has participated in the activities of the shire at least once during the past 3 months. An Inactive Member is a member who does not meet the standard for Active Membership.

e. Dues. There are no local Dues for active membership.

IV. Officers

a. Qualifications. Anyone wishing to be an officer in the Shire must be an Active Member of the shire. A member who wishes to be an officer must also be a sustaining member of the SCA as provided for in our parent organization, the Society for Creative Anachronism, the Kingdom of Calontir (hereinafter, the Kingdom).

b. Voting. Within the Kingdom, officers of local groups are not elected. Persons wishing to hold office must petition the Kingdom superior for that office to obtain a warrant of office.

c. Term of office. The term of office is typically 2 years for each officer.

d. Duties of officers.

Seneschal – Acts as President of the Shire, responsible for the coordination of the Society activities of the Shire. Acts as spokesman for the Shire to the Known World. Acts as representative of the Shire to the Kingdom, responsible for all Kingdom paperwork to be submitted in a proper and timely manner. Member of the Executive Board.

Deputy Seneschal – Acts as Seneschal when the Seneschal is absent from scheduled meetings or events of any kind. Member of the Executive Board.

Exchequer – The Exchequer is responsible for handling of all Shire funds and for accounting of those funds to the Kingdom, as required. He/she will provide a detailed accounting of all finances at each meeting. Member of the Executive Board.

Herald – The Herald makes announcements, handles court and ceremony, tracks awards and assists in the process of registering names and devices of Shire members. Member of the Executive Board.

Minister of Arts & Sciences – Facilitates members in their artistic and scientific endeavors by being a resource, arranging to have classes taught on diverse subjects, holding competitions, and finding other ways to inspire interest in the arts and sciences. Member of the Executive Board.

Marshall – The Marshal is responsible for the maintenance and development of armored combat standards in the Shire, and the education and enforcement of safe armored combat in strict compliance with Kingdom and SCA rules, as well as any Known World laws and regulations. During normal business meetings, the Marschal ensures order. Member of the Executive Board.

Chronicler – Publishes and distributes the Shire newsletter, maintains history of the Shire, develops the Shire website and takes minutes of Shire business meetings.

Chatelaine/Castellan – Responsible for providing an introduction to the Current Middle Ages to new or prospective members, advising newcomers and visitors of the conventions of the Society, the Kingdom, and the Shire. The Chatelaine provides access to educational information such as handouts, booklets and other materials as available.

Chirurgeon – Provides voluntary first aid, and notifies all attendees of health and safety concerns at Shire events.

Other Officers – The Senschal has the right to assign deputies of any office, and develop or establish any other local office as needed..

e. Vacancy. Before an officer leaves office, he or she should train a deputy. This deputy can either be a replacement, or a temporary officer until a permanent officer is properly warranted.

f. Eligibility for Office.

1. Executive Board members of the Shire must be Active Members and must have immediate access to the corporate newsletter for their area provided by a subscribing membership at their residence. (Alternate access arrangements may be made on a case-by-case basis for people with post office boxes and for International Members.) This standard also applies to deputies designated as successors to officers subject to this provision, or assigned independent administrative duties. Deputies who only assist with specific tasks are exempt from the newsletter access requirement. 2. Officers that are not members of the Executive Board of the Shire must be Active Members. This standard also applies to deputies designated as successors to officers subject to this provision, or assigned independent administrative duties. 3. The Exchequer may not be a family member of anyone else who may have signature rights on the Shire bank account.

V. Executive Board

The Executive Board is comprised of the members serving in the offices of Senechal, Deputy Seneschal, Herald, Exchequer, Marshall, and Minister of Arts and Sciences. A quorum of the executive board shall be at least 4 members.

VI. Meetings

a. Business Meetings. Business meetings are held the third Sunday of every month. The date, time, and place of each meeting will be decided during the previous meeting and communicated to all members.

b. Executive Board Meetings. Executive Board member meetings are held the first Sunday of every month. This meeting is intended for planning and organization purposes relating to the next business meeting.

c. Special Meetings. Special Meetings may be called by the Seneschal, or by at least 2 other officers. All members must be notified in advance of the date, time, place, and topic of the special meeting. Notification must be at least 3 days in advance if notification takes place by phone. If notice is by mail, the notice must be deposited at the post office at least 10 days in advance of the meeting.

d. Quorum. A quorum at the business meetings shall consist of 1/3 of the active membership (including officers) of the Shire. No business meeting may be conducted without a Quorum present.

VII. Committee(s)

When appropriate, a decision or proposal may be researched or acted upon by a committee. The committee may be responsible for researching a topic, developing a plan, or taking action on a specific item and reporting back to the membership at the next (and consecutive) business meeting. Committee members are chosen by the Seneschal. These committees may be temporary or "standing".

a. Standing Committees. A Standing Committee may be formed for continuous research of a topic, or for planning of recurring events. Chair of each committee must be an officer of the Shire, while members of the committee are not required to be paid members. As a minimum, the following Standing Committees will exist with at least 3 committee members each.

1. Fund Raising Committee – Chair is the Exchequer 2. Financial Committee – Chair is the Seneschal. Members include the Exchequer, and at least 3 others. 3. Event Planning Committee – Chair is the Seneschal 4. Membership Committee – Chair is the Chatelaine/Castellan

VIII. Parliamentary Authority

The parliamentary authority governing the shire is Robert's Rules of Order.

IX. Amendment of Bylaws

a. Anyone may suggest an amendment to the bylaws at any business meeting.

b. Notice must be given at a general business meeting that an amendment has been proposed, and posted in the Shire’s newsletter at least one business meeting prior to the vote occuring.

c. Voting on the amendment must take place at the next business meeting (not sooner).

d. The bylaws may be amended by sustaining vote of no less than 2/3 of all active members.

X. Finances

a. Uses. Monies raised by the Shire, either through the collection of dues, fees, or donations, shall be used to buy equipment and supplies, rent facilities, or other uses solely for the purpose of the furtherance of Shire goals and within strict adherance to SCA Corpora.

b. Accounts. A bank account will be established for the purposes of financial business of the Shire. All checks written on the account for funds will require the signature of the Exchequer and at least one other officer on the signature card of the account.