Venturing Crew 2839
Bylaws

1. Objectives
   1. To have fun,
   2. To develop outdoor skills,
   3. To develop leadership skills, and
   4. To experience high adventure activity programs.
   
   
2. Membership
   Membership shall be open to all young adults who live in the surrounding area and are at least 14 years of age and have completed the eighth grade and are less than 21 years old. No prospective member shall be disqualified because of race, color, creed, or sex. All members must be registered as Venturers and agree to abide by the Venturing Oath, the Crew Bylaws, and the policies of the Boy Scouts of America.
   
   
3. Officers
   1. The elected officers shall be President, Vice-President of Administration, Vice-President of Programs, Secretary, and Treasurer. The President, with the approval of the Advisor, shall appoint Activity Chairs and make other assignments as needed. The duties of the officers shall be as prescribed in the Venturing Leader Handbook.
   2. The normal term of office shall be for 6 months starting on April 1 and October 1. Elections shall be held in March and September.
   3. No member shall serve more than two successive terms in the same office.
   4. The Crew officers shall appoint a nominating committee, which shall consist of three members. The committee shall interview and present a complete slate of candidates who have agreed, if elected, to serve to the best of their abilities.
   5. On the night of the election, nominations may be presented from the floor by any member. If the nomination is seconded and the candidate agrees to serve, he or she must be included on the ballot.
   6. Voting shall be done by secret ballot with the winner being the individual with more than 50% of all the votes cast. If there are more than 2 candidates and none receives more than 50%, then the 2 individuals with the most votes will participate in a run-off election. If there is a tie for a position, a new vote will be taken between the tied candidates. If a tie still remains, a third vote will be taken. If a tie still exists, a coin toss shall determine the outcome.
   7. If, for any reason, an office is vacant, the remaining officers will appoint someone to fill the unexpired term. If the office of President becomes vacant, the position shall be filled by another elected officer. The filling of an unexpired term does not prevent the individual from running for election under the normal rules.
   
   
4. Contents
   1. General meetings will be held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7:30 p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood.
   2. Voting on all issues will be by simple majority with the exception of changes to the Bylaws.
   
   
5. Officers Meetings
   The Crew officers' committee will meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood, or as otherwise deemed necessary.
   
   
6. Discipline
   The President and Crew officers are expected to keep discipline within the Crew. If improper behavior continues to disrupt the program or activity, the Advisor may ask the disruptive Venturer to leave the meeting, activity, or other event. Severe discipline problems will be brought before the Crew officers for possible expulsion from the Crew. Immediate Expulsion from the Crew will result from the possession or use of Tobacco products, Alcohol, or Illegal Drugs at any Crew activity. Adults accompanying the Crew on campouts or other events are not allowed to bring any kind of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs.
   
   
7. Dues
   Dues will be determined at the October officer's committee meeting, and are payable by the end of November. Members who are delinquent in dues payments for six months or more may be dropped from the roster.
   
   
8. Activities
   1. Crew members who commit to participating in activities requiring reservations and/or prepayment of fees will be expected to pay their share of the expenses whether they actually attend or not, unless the activity is missed due to illness verified by a parent or guardian. Some activities may require reservations, and/or may have deadlines after which attendance will not be permitted.
   2. Signed permission slips and a current medical form are required for attendance at any activity held off the premises of the First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood.
   
   
9. Transportation
   1. All drivers must be licensed and meet the minimum insurance requirements of the Boy Scouts of America.
   2. All drivers to events and activities outside of Kingwood must be at least 18 years old. Passengers under 18 years old must have written permission from a parent or guardian to ride with any driver under 21 years old.
   3. Drivers under 18 who drive to meetings and activities within Kingwood, and their passengers, are not insured by the Boy Scouts of America until they arrive at their destination.
   
   
10. Money-earning Projects
    All money-earning projects must be approved by the Advisor and meet Boy Scout of America requirements. Members who do not participate in a project are not entitled to any benefits of the funds earned.
    
    
11. Amendments
    Amendments to the Bylaws must be submitted in written form to the Crew officers committee for consideration. The Crew membership must be notified 1 month in advance of a meeting to vote on amendments to the Bylaws. A favorable vote by two-thirds of the current active membership is required to pass proposed changes to the Bylaws, subject to approval by the Crew Advisor. Approved amendments will be entered into the Crew Bylaws and distributed to the Crew membership.
    
    
12. Adoption of Bylaws
    1. These Bylaws and any subsequent amendments will be adopted when they are signed by the Crew officers, the Advisor and the Crew Committee Chairman.
    2. The original copy of these Bylaws will be kept by the Crew Advisor.
    3. A copy of these Bylaws will be given to all Crew members, registered adults and the chartering organization.