By Laws
BYLAWS OF SEA SCOUT SHIP 106
As of October 2024
ARTICLE I - PURPOSE
The purpose of Ship 106 shall be to:
1. Learn and practice the art of seamanship.
2. Learn and practice the rules of safety at sea, and encourage others to do the same.
3. To promote and encourage a fun atmosphere while learning.
ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this unit shall be:
1. To apply the Scout Motto: “Be Prepared” in our experience at sea and on land as well.
2. To apply the Scout Law in developing into trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent people.
ARTICLE III - REQUIREMENTS
In recognition that preparedness can be only obtained through perseverance, it is resolved:
1. That attendance at all Ship functions, Bridge of Honors, racing or other awards ceremonies, work parties and fundraisers is expected. Missing work parties or scheduled Ship functions shall be illness, participation in family activities or other similar reasons beyond personal control. Extended absences and shall be examined by the Ship’s quarterdeck for its validity, and their ruling shall stand.
2. It is understood that Ship 106 is an active boating unit. As much time as possible will be spent on the water. Participation in the yearly swim test is required.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS
1. Officers shall be elected on a 6 month interval. Once at the beginning of the school year and again in the Spring.
2. The elected officers of the unit shall be:
a. Boatswain
b. Boatswain’s Mate (program)
c. Boatswain’s Mate (admin)
d. Crew Leaders and Asst. Crew Leaders as needed
Yeoman, Purser, Storekeeper, and all specialist positions shall be delegated by the Boatswain with consultation of the Skipper.
3. The term of office for all officers shall be one (6) months. An officer can be elected for a maximum of a second term for each position, unless no other options are available.
4. The minimum requirement for the position of Boatswain is rank of Ordinary, unless no other options are available.
5. The minimum requirement for the position of Boatswain’s Mate is the rank of Apprentice, unless no other options are available.
6. Nominees must have met attendance requirements for prior 3 months, and be willing and able to serve in the position elected for the full term of office.
7. In the event that an officer resigns, quits or is expelled, a temporary officer shall be appointed by the Skipper and approved by the current remaining officers.
8. Boatswain Nominees may request to address the ship prior to votes being cast.
ARTICLE V – FINANCE
1. Registration fees shall be payable upon first registration with Ship 106 in the amount specified as below. This amount includes:
- Current National registration/insurance fees for Boy Scout of America (If not already paid though a troop or crew)
- Current Council fees and council insurance fees(If not already paid though a troop or crew)
- $50 dollar new member Ship dues regardless of time of year
- Must purchase a class “A” and class “B” uniform
2. that any Crewmember seeking re-registration will register with the fees as specified below:
- Current National registration/insurance fees for Boy Scout of America (If not already paid though a troop or crew)
- Current Council fees and council insurance fees(If not already paid though a troop or crew)
- $50 dollar annual dues regardless of attendance.
3. Any scout in “poor standing” must pay all past debts to the Ship before being considered for re-admission.
4. Failure to pay dues shall result in degrading to “poor standing.” Privileges of “good standing” shall not be regained until all dues owed are paid up to date.
5. When dues are in arrears and a Crewmember has been suspended from Active Status, credit for attendance at meetings shall not be granted.
6. The funds collected in dues shall be applied to awards and ceremonies for scouts and ship’s boat expenses.
7. The funds collected through fundraising will be applied to the ship’s maintenance account.
8. A ledger shall be kept by the Pursuer, in which shall be recorded receipt of registration fees and dues of each Crewmember. The Purser will also track other funds received by the unit for its use, for example fundraising, and expenditures made from the treasury.
9. The funds of the unit shall be deposited in the bank account.
10. Withdrawal of funds from the treasury must be approved
and endorsed by the Skipper.
ARTICLE VI - MEMBERSHIP
1. The membership of Ship 106 shall be unlimited.
2. Age requirements for registration shall be those established
by the National Sea Scout Program.
a. Anyone 14 years of age may or who has graduated from the 8th grade become a member of Ship 106 and must be registered with national.
b. All members must take a America’s boating club, Coast Guard Auxiliary approved Basic Boating Course, or Texas boating course with the goal of receiving a TX Boaters License, at the first possible opportunity and before participating in any long trips, overnight sails, or operate a power vessel.
c. Prospective members will have a probationary period of eight weeks.
d. Regardless of age, all members are governed by these Bylaws; this includes probationary members.
e. Any probationary member may be asked to leave the Ship for just cause or maturities incompatibility (in the case of maturate incompatibility the crewmember can rejoin once they are older and more mature). The Crew will make this decision after full Crew discussion and vote.
3. A Crewmember may be asked to leave the Ship for just cause. The Crew will make this decision after full Crew discussion and vote.
ARTICLE VII – ATTENDANCE AND MEETINGS
1. Meetings shall be held when facilities are available.
2. Training and Ship work will be held at various times and dates.
3. The meetings shall follow the established program outlined in the Sea Scout Manual for Sea Scout Ships.
4. When a Crewmember wishes to remain a registered member of the unit, but for good reason cannot regularly attend meetings (such as college), they may request transfer to “Associated Status” (in good standing) and the Skipper will grant such a request upon the recommendation of the Boatswain. An “Associated” Crewmember in “good standing” will not be required to pay ship dues during the period of his or her “Associated” status; and will be permitted to participate in limited Ship’s activities if still registered with national.
ARTICLE VIII - CONDUCT
1. The conduct of Crewmembers at regular meetings and special activities shall be such as to reflect positively upon themselves and Ship 106. Breach of discipline will result in a discussion and possibly warning by the Skipper and/or penalty as may reasonably be prescribed by the Boatswain.
2. The conduct of the Crew in their association with the community shall be such as to reflect positively upon themselves and Ship 106. Conduct toward the community which is unbecoming will result in suspension or removal from the unit or such lesser penalty as may be prescribed by the Skipper.
3. Summary action by Crew officers or the Skipper may be appealed to the Ship Committee, and further to the Sea Scout Council in extreme cases.
4. All crew members will respect and appreciate the time of adult volunteers and guests.
ARTICLE IX - REINSTATEMENT TO “ACTIVE STATUS”
1. A Crewmember in “poor or suspended status,” because of being in arrears in dues will be reinstated when all dues in arrears have been paid up to date.
3. A Crewmember who has transferred to “associate status” at his or her request may transfer back to “active status” immediately upon declaration of his or her intention to attend meetings regularly, provided that s/he was in “good standing” in an “active” status before transfer to “associated status.”
ARTICLE X – BINDING AGREEMENT
By request for registration in this unit, each Crewmember holds
him/herself to be bound by these Bylaws.
ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS
Except for Articles II, VI, XI, and XIII, these Bylaws may be changed or amended by a 2/3 (two-thirds) majority vote of the “active” unit members.
ARTICLE XII – AMENDMENT REVIEWING BOARD
1. The purpose of the Amendment Reviewing Board is to review all proposed amendments and to decide if these amendments comply with Articles XI and XIII.
2. The Amendment Reviewing Board shall consist of:
a. The Boatswain, who shall act as chairman
b. The Boatswain’s Mates
c. The Crewmember proposing the amendment
d. Also, the advice and counsel of the Skipper
ARTICLE XIII – ALIGNMENT WITH NATIONAL POLICIES
Nothing in these Bylaws shall be contrary to the policies of the National Boy Scout organization, nor those of the Executive Council for Sea Scout Activities, or Sam Houston Area Council and where these Bylaws shall be in conflict with such policies as now exist or may in the future be established, these Bylaws shall be amended to conform to such policy.
ARTICLE XIV - UNIFORM
The Ship’s class “A” Uniform will consist of “New Century Uniform” (short or pants long sleeves or short are allowed as the weather dictates) This will be required at special functions – bridges, regattas, awards, ceremonies, district, council, or national events.
Class “B” uniform will consist of the ship’s T-shirt and blue shorts or bathing suit depending on activity.
ARTICLE XV – ELECTRONIC USE POLICY
1. The following electronics (IPods, Laptops, Video Games, and other personal electronic devices) are seen to be a distraction and a safety hazard and are therefore not allowed on-board the boats, unless previously approved of by Skipper.
Phones, Tablets, Cameras may be used or social media publishing of unit events or unit history documentation.
Use of Ship radio (VHF and FM) with Skipper/Core permission.
ACCEPTANCE OF BYLAWS
Accepted and prescribed, as amended this ___ day of _________.
For the Crew:
Skipper: ______________________________
Ship Commodore