By-Laws of Clan MacFarlane
We tried to keep the Clan as open as possible, but after nine years we realize that we need to have some basic guidelines to govern Clan activities and expectations. Thus on the 28th day of June A.S. 38, the Chieftain Laird doth decree the following basic By-Laws for the Clan. Keep them well.
Article I - Members
- Sustained Membership
- The governing rules of the Clan set forth do not supercede any Laws, Rules, or Guidelines of any Federal, State, Local, SCA Corpora, Kingdom, Provincial, Baronial, Shire, Canton, or Event Host.
- Rules set forth are for the organization and betterment of the Clan, and do not serve any purpose other than ensuring that we play fairly together and have fun at Events.
- Must uphold the By-Laws and represent the Clan in a honorable and respectful manner both inside and outside the Clan at SCA Sponsored Events.
- Must strive to better themselves in their knowledge of the SCA, the Clan and its cultures.
- Must have a good sense of humor and participate in some Clan schtick.
- Must show patience with Children and willing to impart their A&S and Combat knowledge onto the Clan's children who are of appropriate age for that knowledge.
- Must help one another, but do not take advantage of each other's generosity. Thus members must be as self-supporting as possible and have their own gear, garb, and transportation. The member is responsible for making private arrangements with another SCA or Clan member prior to an event, and return any borrowed property promptly in acceptable condition. If loaned property is lost or destroyed, the Borrower is responsible for reimbursing the Loaner as soon as possible in an agreed upon fashion. The Laird's Council reserves the right to mediate any disputes, but you are adults so this is the last place you want to come. See Article III.
- Companion Membership
- A non-Clan Member that through conflicts with persona or membership in another Clan or Household has declined membership into the Clan, but plays well with the Clan on a regular basis following the By-Laws and traditions of the Clan when involved in Clan functions.
- Companions are honorary members and are determined by the full agreement of the Council of Lairds and the candidate and is at will.
Article II - Governing Body
- Core Officers
- Chieftain Laird - A permanent position and guiding force behind the organization and continuation of the Clan.
- Matriarch - The Chieftain Laird's Wife. Behind every Great Man, is a Greater Woman.
- Lairds Council - Comprised of the Lairds of any Sept'd Clan of MacFarlane, reporting to the Chieftain Laird.
- Captain of the Guard - Appointed by the Laird and the Matriarch to provide personal council and uphold order as Clan Constable according to the By-Laws.
- Bard / Historian - Appointed by the Council of Lairds to document the History and Escapades of the Clan and reports to the Council.
- Lairds Council
- Lairds are awarded their Septs at the sole discretion of the Chieftain and Matriarch based on their loyalty and betterment of the Clan.
- All Sept'd Lairds provide council to the Chieftain and Matriarch.
- Lairds who show significant growth of their own Sept, and whose member interests diverge from the overall Clan, may elect to spin off to form their own Clan to adopt their own By-Laws and Traditions. This will require the blessing of the entire Officer Core, and 2/3 vote of the Sept's members.
- Appointed Officers
- All Appointees are to be reaffirmed with any changes in the Council of Lairds.
- Additional Officers positions will be appointed / rewarded as needed based on need and merit by the Council of Lairds.
- Ammendments to the By-Laws
- May be submitted to the Lairds Council for consideration.
- Accepted and applied with full agreement from the Lairds Council.
- Clan Court
- Must be held a minimum of twice per year at events where most Core Officers are present.
- When possible, and preferrably at Pennsic War, Court will be held under a Full Moon with a cooresponding Feast - "The Feast of MacFarlane's Lantern".
- Will be used to discuss matters internal to the Clan.
- Orders of Business may be heard by the Court from its Members and outsiders, but must be pre-qualified by a member of the the Lairds Council before being called before the Court.
- Clan Inductions, Candidate Sponserships, Favors, and other Awards will be announced.
Article III - Eligibility
- Candidates
- Candidates are determined by the individual Lairds of the Clan. The Laird acts as the candidate's sponsor as they represent the Clan and/or Sept.
- Candidates must have attended a minimum of three separate overnight Events and/or five nights at Pennsic with their sponsoring Laird.
- Mundane Family and Friends do not automatically gaurantee membership in the Clan.
- Candidates must become familiar with the Clan members and By-Laws of the Clan.
- Expulsion / Revoking Membership
- All grounds for Clan Expulsion are subject to review by all Clan Officers.
- Expulsion requires a 2/3 vote among all Officers.
- Probation of no less than one year may be granted if only a majority vote can be reached. Terms of Probation to be determined by the Lairds Council, and depends highly on the grounds that brought them before the Core Officers. This may involve one or more Quests.
- Grounds for Expulsion include, but are not limited to:
- Failure to comply or complete disregard for any Laws, Rules or Guidelines set forth in these or other official By-Laws of the SCA or mundane authorities. Subject to review by the Council of Lairds
- Conflict between Clan Members that involves continued threats, profane verbalage, and shows signs of escalating to violence.
- Representing the Clan in a Dishonorable or Disrespectful manner unbecoming of a Clan Member.
- Continued failure to assist in Clan chores and activities at Events.
- Upon a Clansmen's unfortunate Expulsion:
- Expulsion from the Clan is effectively their death.
- All Clan favors are to be returned immediately to the Clan Cheiftain and Matriarch.
- All favors will be cerimonily burned in the former member's presense.
- All members present will turn away from the Expelled member.
- The former member will immediately leave the presense of the Clan for a brief period of mourning, but there will be no euligy.
Article IV - Clan Property
- Existing Provisions
- There are NONE! As stated in Article I, we are to be as self-supporting in our activities as possible. It is what we collectively bring to Events that form the Clans provisions and establishes our presense.
- Future Provisions
- When the Lairds Council determines that the Clan has grown to require its own regular provisions, the following will occur:
- Appointment of an Exchequer to maintain the Clan accounting records.
- Appointment of Supply Sergeant and Procurment Chief to oversee Clan Supply procurment, storage, inventory, and transportation of Clan Assets. Reporting to the Exchequer and Lairds Council.
- Although donations to the Clan Provisions will be preferred from its members, we may need to institute a minor annual membership fee - say $5. These will be collected and accounted for by the Clan Exchequer.
