The 37th Virginia, Co. K. is a “regiment of friends”, and as such we depend on each other for advice, example, communication and support.  Our success will depend on how dedicated we are to one another’s progress and growth.

The 37th Virginia, Co. K. will aspire to an ever-increasing standard of quality in Civil War reenacting, based on our own and other workers objective study and researching of period artifacts, documents, and photographs.

 The 37th Va., Co. K. is dedicated to the proposition that we are “perpetual students”, and as such we shall share what we have learned, but never preach.  We do not now have, nor will we ever have, a monopoly on knowledge.
 
The 37th Va., Co.K does not support, nor will we tolerate any white supremacist, racist or “hate groups”. Our members will not belong to any of these groups, nor espouse their beliefs.
 
If we live up to these principles we will truly honor our southern heritage and the sacred memories of our forefathers who fought bravely, endured terrible hardships and accepted defeat with honor, all for “The Cause”.

A. EVENT SCHEDULE
 1. There will be six (6) maximum effort unit events/year.
 2. Unit events will be agreed upon by a general quorum*  vote not later than February of each reenacting season. (*1/2 or more of the current voting membership)

B. MEMBERSHIP
1. How membership is attained: All membership regardless of type, in the company is attained by invitation only.  The 37th Va., Co. K will not advertise, solicit or openly canvass the spectator or reenactment community at-large for new members.  All prospective members and/or recruits must be known to (and ideally be a friend or relative of) a current member, and will be formally introduced and invited into the company.
2. Types of Membership: requirements, rights and privileges- There shall be three types of membership in the company:
 a. Regular members- The only requirement for regular membership is the individual must be a physically fit male over the age of 13 years.
 Regular membership is maintained by the:
1.) timely payment of annual dues on the first of each year.  These dues shall be $20.00 dollars/year;
2.) attendance of not less than four unit sanctioned events each year;
3.) and maintenance of the required uniform and gear.
 Regular members will renew their membership annually, and may be subject to peer review and status change if they have not met the minimum requirements for this status during the previous year.
 Regular members shall have the following rights:
1.) to be heard at unit meetings;
2.) to vote in unit meetings;
3.) to nominate individuals for election;
4.) to represent the unit at battalion meetings and functions, etc.;
5.) to request a fellow member’s status be reviewed at years end;
6.) to run for office;
7.) to have up to four (4) event registrations paid for by the company, of not more than $5.00/registration, the balance being covered by the member.
 b. Associate Members- Associate members are any individual, male or female, who wish to engage in unit events, meetings, etc., but due to outside unit memberships, duties, work or other scheduling conflicts, cannot fulfill the minimum attendance requirements for regular membership in the 37th.
 The only requirement for associate membership is an active interest  in the company and the attendance of at least one unit event each year.  Associate member dues will be $5.00/year to cover the cost of newsletter postage.  Associate members will pay their own registration fees.
 Associate members shall have the right:
1.) to be heard at unit meetings;
2.) to vote on non-election issues, events, rules and regulations;
3.) to ask for regular membership if they qualify.
 As in regular memberships, associate memberships shall be reviewd annually, in order to ascertain the associate members status and interest in the company.
 c. Recruits- shall be those invited to serve as regular members.  A person shall be considered a recruit once they have been invited into association by the company and have paid their first $20.00 annual dues. Recruits have the right to be heard at unit meetings, but will not be able to vote or run for office until accepted as regular or associate members.
 The membership status of the recruit must be reviewed after not more than one year following the date of their enlistment.  They will assume the rights and privileges of a regular member once their status is approved by the company.
3. Change in Status- Situations can present themselves where an individual may no longer qualify as a regular member.  In that case, they will automatically convert to an associate member.  If they fulfill the unit requirements after the reversion to associate membership, they may request reinstatement to regular membership, but this must be approved by  a vote of the company.
 An individual’s membership may be suspended, either permanently or temporarily.  This shall be accomplished through the annual review process.  However, if an individual commits any infraction of customary safety practices;  violates local or state laws; commits any act  moral turpitude which could bring disgrace or scandal upon the unit; or endangers the health or well being of another member, fellow reenactor or spectator;  they will be immediately barred from unit membership by an emergency act of the commander  pending a full review by the company.  Disciplinary action will then be determined by a vote of the company. Punishment may  vary from temporary suspension of affiliation to complete termination of membership, and/or whatever action the collective membership deems appropriate.

C. UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
 The "Official" Uniform - In order to achieve a characteristic unit "look", all regular members will be required to have the following items:
1. Jacket - Richmond Depot "type II" made from gray to grayish-brown jean cloth or satinette fabric, with black tape trim on collar and epaulets.
2. Trousers - Gray wool/cotton jean cloth; or blue dyed cotton drill or jean.
3. Hat - Slouch; kepi or blue forage cap (M1858).
4. Shoes - Period brogans or boots.
5. Firearms - Three band rifle-musket, with bayonet.  (any other weapons only upon approval of unit commander)
6. Accoutrements - Haversack, canteen, cap box, cartridge box with belt or sling suspension, and a blanket roll or knapsack.
7. No modern eyeglasses.

D. OFFICERS AND NCO’S
1.) The unit will have a commander who shall be a 2nd Lt., and one (1) corporal until we reach a level of  sixteen  (16)  privates, at which time a first sergeant will be elected, and the unit CO will be promoted to 1st Lt..
2.) In order to prevent  the formation of a top-heavy command, the following ratios should be used to determine the number of line-grade officers and NCO's:
a.) Seven privates per NCO less than Sgt. grade (e.g.-corporal);
b.) Twelve to sixteen privates per lieutenant and/or Sgt.;
c.) Twenty four (or more) privates per captain.
3.) NCO’s shall be selected by the following process:
a.)  They shall be elected annually by a quorum of regular members;
b.)  Anyone wishing to be nominated must first be given an oral examination by the unit commander or a designated examiner, to determine their fitness;
c.)  Once it has been determined the individual meets the minimum standards (i.e. familiarity with the school of the soldier and the school of the company), they will then be considered eligible for nomination and election.

E. C AMP LIFE, CIVILIANS, ETC.
1. Messes- In order to avoid the “one man, one A-tent. one cot, one cooler...” type of camp we are establishing a “mess partner” system.  Ideally two to four men will band together for the purpose of sharing food, tentage, transportation, etc.  Membership in a mess is not mandatory, however it is to the member’s advantage to make friends with someone and engage a mess partner.
2. Tents- We are not a solely “hard-core” or “all campaign-style” company, in that our portrayal should vary according to the event.  Our Civil War predecessors had wedge tents, shelter (dog or “yankee”) tents, etc., and in bad or cold weather they  used them, therefore we should too when it is appropriate.  Nevertheless, if a particular event calls for a garrison camp impression, not less than three men should be quartered in a single “A” or wedge tent and not less than two men per shelter (dog) tent.When portraying a campaign style bivouac, the members are encouraged to use only shelter tents (if that).
3. Coolers, cots, etc.- Coolers will be kept in vehicles only (none in camp).  The use of cots, even in wedge tents, is prohibited (you won’t be able to get your complement of men into the tent if you use a cot), besides which they’re cold to sleep on.
4. Ladies- Women in camp will be limited to seamstresses, or visiting family members in period clothing.
5. Food, consumables- In order to maintain a high level of camp-life authenticity, the unit commander and officers will make every attempt to supply the recruit with a stocks of period labels and wraps.  No modern items will be displayed at any time (i.e. candy wrappers, soda cans, etc.)
 The NCO's and officers should likewise provide themselves with the proper forms, report blanks, blank books, etc..
6. Weapons- will not be carried, nor shall leather gear or accoutrements be worn in camp during off-duty times.

F. MANUAL OF ARMS, MILITARY DUTIES, ETC.
1.) Roll- shall be called each morning immediately after the company is awakened at reveille.
2.) Drill- weather permitting, drill shall be held not less than once per/event, and ideally on Saturday and Sunday morning.  Drill will last for 45 minutes, after which time there will be a mandatory rest.  Continued drill will be determined by a vote of the company.
3.) The Manual - which our company will use shall be the heavy infantry portion of 'Manual of Instruction for the Volunteers and Militia of the Confederate States' by William Gilham.

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