We are The Vanguard.

 Note
            As nobles within the great Kingdom of An Tir, do we here by execution of free will, invoke the existence of The Vanguard, a military order dedicated to the highest principles of chivalric behavior both on and off the battlefield. We are a separate entity, fighting on the side of the just in any particular instance, engaging our enemies not only in defense of the dream that is the Society for Creative Anachronism, but also for the enjoyment and amusement of its participants. We hold both reasons in equal stead.

            Insofar as we contribute upon the field of battle for the above reasons, so do we engage within the art of the bardic arts, and the Arts and Sciences of authentic re-creationism of both our Order, and our individual personas. We strive to have the most period encampment, our anachronisms ensconced to the best of our abilities.

            As we dedicate ourselves to service to the dream and hard work in our ideals, so to our bardic circles are a point of pride. Let no man ever say that a Vanguard bardic lacked in both hospitality or sheer, unadulterated enjoyment for anyone who freely enters the circle of our fire. If you have trouble letting go and enjoying yourself, or are easily offended by a responsible, yet rowdy revel, then seek elsewhere.

            It is our intention to establish the name of The Vanguard to be held in equal stead with The Order of Chivalry when chivalric behavior is mentioned. It is our intention to make our Arts and Sciences worthy of the Order of the Laurel. It is our intention to serve the society beyond that which is called for and/or necessary. It is our joy to know that we can never live up to the ideals for which we strive, and despite this, make the attempt daily.

            As nobles, we try to maintain a level of garb appropriate for those of noble bearing. As warriors, we strive to rejoice in our defeats and realize that in our victories, we have learned very little. As gentles, both men and ladies, we know that saying we are sorry, especially when we are right, is sometimes the best thing one can do. We excite none in what we have achieved, but what we may yet. We know that when one is comfortable, he or she is not growing. Our pride is not in our achievements, but in our potential, and in the potential of our future members, to carry The Vanguard even higher.

We are The Vanguard, and we humbly ask you to join our fire.

MEMBERSHIP

             Membership within the ranks of The Vanguard is by unanimous consent of its current ranks. We do this for many reasons. As we strive to uphold the ideas set forth above, we realize that every mistake we make will do us fifty times the harm as any good will do benefit. Our ranks our tight; our friendships strong. We will only include those in our rank whose personal beliefs follow that of the whole, and whose face is a familiar sight in our camp. In this home, there will be no strangers.

            There are two methods for becoming a member. An individual, after a unanimous vote of The Vanguard, may be invited to join our ranks. This is an offer, and if the individual, after formally acquainting him/herself with the duties and obligations of a member, accepts the invitation, the date is immediately set for their formal induction ceremony. The second method is by request. An individual must approach the Captain of the Vanguard with the demand that a vote be called for their membership. Their demand must include the limits of their demand (i.e. is the individual demanding membership for just him/herself, or their extended family/significant other?). The Captain will then, after securing intent from any others named in the demand, present the demand to the membership and a secret ballot will be taken. If the vote is unanimous in favor of the individual, they will be inducted at the next appropriate opportunity wherein they will receive their toasting goblet and their fighting baldric.

            If a single no vote or more is cast, the prospective applicant will be informed that the vote did not carry. Nothing else will be said to the individual in respect to the number of yes/no votes cast, or in reference to what vote was cast by whom. The individual will be allowed to demand a vote three times. If, after the third such demand, the vote does not carry, then they will forever be barred from membership within The Vanguard.

            In the unlikely and unfortunate event that a member of The Vanguard is unfamiliar with an individual demanding a vote by reason of their absence from events in which the prospective candidate has attended, or for other mundane reasons, the member in question is honor bound to abstain from the voting. If more than three members of The Vanguard abstain, then it will be considered that the demand never occurred, giving you time to meet these individuals and to get to know whether you wish to be associated in an Order in which they are included.

      At a minimum, members of The Vanguard are obligated to accept and live up to the following minimum criteria:

Articles of The Vanguard:

 1.       Members of The Vanguard are expected to live up to the ideals of chivalry as a living philosophy to the best of their ability.

2.       The court uniform and fighting tabard are symbols of the philosophy we all embrace. As such, no action shall be taken while in uniform that would compromise the integrity or honor of The Vanguard. If you feel it necessary to perform an action, due to your personal honor, which you feel lies on the fringes of acceptable behavior, get out of uniform first.

3.       Members of The Vanguard are expected to come to their feet and show the proper respect when a Royal, a member of the Peerage or a member of the gentry with the rank of Baron or Baroness enters The Vanguard encampment, unless requested otherwise by the individual concerned.

4.       Members of The Vanguard are expected to actively greet and make welcome wanders on the path who stumble upon our encampment. If at all possible and/or convenient, offer them something to drink.

5.       It is expected that if someone behaves in an inappropriate manner while a guest of our encampment, they shall be taken aside and gently corrected. If they can not live up to the rules we set, they shall be asked to leave by the Magistrate or any officer in attendance.

6.       Members of The Vanguard do not give their word lightly. But when given, our word is kept, to the spirit of the promise, not the letter.

7.       Respect shall be given to those of rank who enter our encampment, unless we are instructed to the contrary of our guest.

8.       If at all possible, you participate. If you can’t participate, help someone else to participate.

9.       Bardic circles will be loud. Bardic circles will be fun. Content will not be censored, unless smalls are still in the encampment.

10.       If at all possible, you will attend events in which a new member is inducted.

11.       Yearly dues, as set by the Captain and The Vanguard, must be paid in full. Dues are payable by the Anniversary date of The Vanguard. If possible, you must do your best to contribute to special levies called by the Captain, and to donate a camp upkeep fee per event as established by The Vanguard. The camp upkeep fee is completely voluntary, but it does go to improve and maintain the quality of our camp. No individual shall be discriminated against in any way for failure to pay camp upkeep fees. Only one reminder per year of their existence is permitted, that being at the yearly meeting.

           If an individual fails to live up to these Articles on a consistent basis, they shall receive a warning from the Magistrate. If, after a warning is issued, the behavior doesn’t change, then the Magistrate shall be responsible for meting out an official reprimand. If, after three such official reprimands the Magistrate feels it necessary, a call for a vote on the removal of the individual shall be floored.

           Any member of The Vanguard may call for a vote for dismissal of any other member at any time. The individual will inform the Magistrate of his intention, and the Magistrate shall thereafter be responsible for the proceedings. A call for the removal of a member of The Vanguard is a private affair, and the individual calling for the vote shall remain anonymous. Thereafter, a meeting of The Vanguard shall be called by the Captain, who shall then turn the proceedings over to The Magistrate. It shall be then announced that a vote for the removal of an individual has been called, and the reasons for the request. The individual may then speak on their own behalf, after which they shall be asked to leave the room. The vote may then be discussed, and any may contribute the conversation. After fifteen minutes of such discussion, the individual shall be recalled to the room to answer any questions posed to him/her from the assembled. When this step is completed, the individual shall once again be asked to leave the room. A second motion shall then be called for. If no one seconds the vote, the issue is dead. If there is a second, a vote shall be taken by secret ballot. If more than two-thirds of the remaining membership then votes in affirmation, the member shall be removed from the ranks of The Vanguard. In the case of The Captain, or one of his Lieutenants, the vote must pass by a unanimous decision, and then, they are merely stripped of their current rank within The Vanguard. If their removal from The Vanguard is still called for, then a separate vote must be taken.

NOTE: THE UNIFORM, THOUGH PAID FOR BY THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBER, THE CHALICE AND THE FAVOR ARE AND REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF THE VANGUARD AD INFINITUM. THESE ITEMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE VANGUARD UPON VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION OR EXPULSION FROM MEMBERSHIP. BY ACCEPTING MEMBERSHIP, OR THROUGH RETENTION OF CURRENT MEMBERSHIP WITHIN THE VANGUARD, YOU ARE HEREBY CONSENTING TO THESE TERMS.

Rank within The Vanguard:

 The current order of Rank within The Vanguard, in order of precedence:

Captain (**Magistrate acts with the Captain’s authority in matters of Justice, Discipline and Interpretation of The Charter.)

Any holder of The Lion and The Lamb (see below)

Lieutenant of Arts and Sciences

Any holder of The Lion (see below)

Lieutenant of Heavy Combat

Lieutenant of Light Combat

Any holder of The Lamb (see below)

Lance (Reserved for former officers of The Vanguard.)

Sword (Awarded by The Captain, you receive your official Vanguard uniform with this award. You must pay for the materials yourself.)

Shield

**The Magistrate must be elected by a unanimous vote of The Vanguard. All other positions may be granted or revoked by The Captain at his discretion.

Awards within The Vanguard:

The current awards within the ranks of The Vanguard, in no order of precedence:

The Lion and the Lamb: Signified by a black and gold braided rope, The Lion and The Lamb is the highest award the can be bestowed upon a member of The Vanguard. It is awarded for acts of Chivalry both on and off the field of battle. The recipient of this award must have done something truly heroic to earn this award. It is not just awarded for a single deed, but should follow a deed or act the stuff of which stories are made. This award may be granted by the Captain of The Vanguard with a unanimous consenting vote by its membership.

The Lion: Signified by a black braided rope, The Lion is The Vanguard's award for Chivalry and courage on the field of battle. This may be awarded by the Captain of The Vanguard, or any of the Lieutenants.

The Lamb: Signified by a gold braided rope, The Lamb is The Vanguard's award for Chivalry and service outside the field of battle. This may be awarded by the Captain of The Vanguard, or any of the Lieutenants.

The Chalice: Signified by the presentation of a Vanguard chalice, this award is to be given to those who do not lie within the Ranks of The Vanguard, but by action and bearing, are one of us nonetheless. The award recipient shall be allowed to camp with us at their request, to toast with us in official Vanguard ceremonies and access to The Vanguard members internet list at their request. Any member of The Vanguard may nominate another for this award, but it must be approved by a unanimous vote of The Vanguard.

The Griffon: This award is presented to an individual who, by deed and bearing, embodies the essence of The Vanguard on a daily basis. It is signified by the standard of a Griffin being placed on the sash of the dress uniform. This may be awarded by The Captain of The Vanguard, or any of the Lieutenants.

The Lyre: This award is presented to an individual for excellence of bardic performance. It is signified by the placing of a Lyre upon the sash of the dress uniform. This may be awarded by The Captain of The Vanguard or any of the Lieutenants.

The Captain’s Sash: This award is given by the Captain of The Vanguard to the individual who fought with most bravery and honor at a given event. The Captain presents the individual with his/her sash, and wears the recipients sash for the rest of the evening. After which, the individual may create a favor which has one embroidered letter C for each awarding of the sash.

The Vanguard Formal Rituals and Ceremonial:

 Forthcoming without official Charter revision proceedings necessary.

Changes to The Charter

Anyone can present a change to The Charter in the following manner:

The individual wishing the change must outline, in writing, the change to the Charter and what effect/affect they see that it will have. The change is then presented to The Captain, who in turn calls for a vote from The Vanguard. If the vote is in the affirmative by a three-quarters majority (rounded up) then the Charter shall thereby be amended as described therein. The Captain may, at any time, announce an administrative change to The Charter without calling for a vote. If the membership does not agree with The Captain's change, then a request shall be presented to the Magistrate to Veto the Captains changes. If the decision to Veto the changes is unanimous, the Captain's changes to The Charter shall be revoked.

The Women’s Council:

The Women’s Council of The Vanguard is made up of the following individuals: Sarah Appleton and Catherine O’Coffee. These individual may, at any time upon their unanimous consent, remove the Captain from the decision process of running The Vanguard for a single instance or situation. The Women’s council shall then instruct the Captain of The Vanguard exactly how he is going to handle a specific topic or item, and The Captain is duty bound to comply. If The Captain feels that the event or item in question is too broad in scope, he may present his case to the Magistrate, who shall have final say over the limits of the demand of The Women’s council. Let it be known that the current Magistrate has great respect for these women, and will allow them great leeway in the administration of this power.

Note: This Charter is hereby invoked and official, as the last official act of his Captaincy, by Druce Gifuhard.
Amended, January 20, 2003 by official vote of the membership of The Vanguard.