2007 Code and Bylaws
A. PREAMBLE- The Venturer Code.
As a Venturer,
I believe that America’s strength lies in our trust in God and in the courage, strength, and traditions of our people.
I will, therefore, be faithful in my religious duties and will maintain a personal sense of honor in my own life.
I will treasure my American heritage and will do all I can to preserve and enrich it.
I will recognize the dignity and worth of all humanity and will use fair play and goodwill in my daily life
I will acquire the Venturing attitude that seeks truth in all things and adventure on the frontiers of our changing world.
B. CREW BYLAWS. [Adopted in 1986]
1. Objectives.
The objectives of Crew 699 are:
a. To serve as a veteran’s association for people who have worked on the Pico Blanco camp staff, and to sponsor an annual camp staff reunion.
b. To support and supplement Beaver Parties and the Order of the Arrow in repairing, maintaining, and improving Pico Blanco Scout Reservation.
c. To research summer camp program ideas, and to make program items (such as gimmicks, displays, demonstration props, and game and activity articles) to offer to Camp Pico Blanco.
d. To gather donations of materials needed for the summer camp program, and to raise money for a Pico Blanco Support Fund, which will be spent as the crew determines to buy program materials beyond those provided by the camp budget.
e. To take backpacking expeditions into the Ventana Wilderness and explore the territory surrounding Pico Blanco; to search for features of interest (such as albino redwoods); and to suggest possible uses of the wilderness in the council summer camp program.
f. To research and preserve the history of Pico Blanco and the Ventana Wilderness both before and after the establishment of Pico Blanco Scout Reservation, including such things as Esselen Indian sites, early pioneers, previous council camps, the founding and development of Pico Blanco Scout Reservation, members of past camp staffs, local legends, and camp traditions.
2. Membership.
Membership shall be open to both young men and young women 14 (who have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age, especially those who have served on camp staff at Pico Blanco Scout Reservation. No prospective member shall be disqualified because of race, color, creed, or sex. All members must be registered as Venturers and agree to and sign the crew code and bylaws.
3. Officers.
a. These shall be the elected officers:
--President
--Vice President of Administration
--Vice President of Program
--Secretary
--Treasurer
The president, with the approval of the advisor, shall appoint activity chairmen and special assignments as needed. The duties of the officers shall be as prescribed in the Venturer Handbook.
b. The normal term of office shall be for one year starting on January 1. Elections will be held in December [Amended 7/07]
c. The president shall appoint a nominating committee which shall consist of three members. The committee shall present a complete slate of candidates who have agreed, if elected, to serve to the best of their abilities.
d. On the night of the elections, nominations may be presented from the floor by any crew member, either youth or adult. If the nomination is seconded and the candidate agrees to serve, he or she must be included as a candidate. [Amended 7/07]
e. A vacancy in an office shall occur if no one is elected to the office at the December elections; or if an officer submits a written or verbal resignation to the crew membership; or if the membership votes, using the procedure for amendments, to recall an officer who is failing to properly execute the duties of the office. A vacancy in office may be filled by a special election at any regular or special crew business meeting, except the office of president, which shall be filled by succession of the vice president of administration. [Amended 7/07]
4. Post Business.
a. Post business will be conducted under the principles outlined in Robert’s Rules of Order, except that no quorum will be required to conduct business. Voting on all issues will be by a simple majority of the members present, with the exception of amendments to the bylaws or other major issues which the members choose to handle according to the procedure for amendments.
b. Amendments to the bylaws will require a two-thirds vote of the members present plus the members casting an absentee ballot. Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the crew president at least one month prior to the meeting where the vote is held. Due notice of the meeting with the text of the amendment must be sent to all members at least ten days before the meeting. Members who cannot be present may cast an absentee ballot by notifying the president of their vote in writing by the time of the meeting.
5. General Meetings.
General meetings or activities will be held monthly on dates decided by vote of the membership at the beginning of each calendar year. Meetings held in January, April, July, and October will be business meetings. Meetings held in February, May, August, and November will be workshops. Meetings held in March, June, September, and December will be annual activities: a camp service project in March, Ventana Wilderness outings in June and September, and a camp staff reunion in December. A two-thirds vote may alter this schedule for individual meetings in a particular year. Additional meetings or activities may be added by vote of the membership. Emergency meetings may be called by the president or the advisor.
6. Officer Meetings.
Officer meetings will be held at least quarterly at a time and place agreed upon by the officers.
7. Newsletter.
The crew will publish a newsletter quarterly. Included in this mailing, too, will be all other supplemental information that will be of interest to the membership. The newsletter will serve as the historical record of the crew.
8. Dues. [Amended 5/95.]
Dues will be $24.00 per year payable in January at the first crew meeting of the year, or $2.00 per month, payable quarterly or at any time with in the quarter.
All Crew 699 funds shall be handled through the checking account and accounting procedures of the crew sponsor, the Neighborhood Church of the C&MA, so long as both the crew and the sponsor agree to do so.
9. Money Earning.
Dues may be supplemented by money-earning activities. All money-earning projects must be approved by the advisor.
10. Uniform [Amended 12/87, 5/95, 7/07.]
a. The crew uniform will include the official Venturing, BSA Class A shirt (Dark Green). On the right shirt pocket shall be worn the round version of the Camp Pico Blanco patch, as adopted in 1966. Other versions of Camp Pico Blanco Patch (“Flat bottoms” and “Lone Cypress”) are strictly forbidden. Pico Pioneer, Mount Pico Climb, and Spirit of the Esselen are acceptable, along with STAFF and annual segments or “rockers”. On the left shoulder shall be worn the current standard Monterey Bay Area Council shoulder patch, and the crew numerals 699. Below the 699 numerals, officers must wear their corresponding position patch. Officers who have paid their dues will be issued a position patch. On the right shoulder shall be worn an American flag patch. No other patches or “adornments” may be worn on the crew uniform except for knots which can be worn above the left shirt pocket and buttons (e.g. Captain Chipmunk Club Buttons) which can be worn above the right pocket. All crew members must wear the GREEN loops on the shirt’s epaulets. Violators may be subject to verbal ridicule by anyone.
b. The crew neckerchief will be of orange colored with white piping and the round version of the Camp Pico Blanco patch design, as adopted in 1966, printed in color on the back, with “Crew 699” printed below it in green. The neckerchief will be either a square measuring one square yard or a triangle measuring one-half of a square yard. The crew neckerchief will be worn with the shirt collar tucked under.
c. The crew uniform will also include the official Boy Scout pants and an official Boy Scout or a Camp Pico Blanco belt. Non-Scouting belts or belts from other camps are not acceptable. Violators may be subject to verbal ridicule by anyone.
d. Since the crew’s Class A uniform only allows long pants, scout socks are strictly optional while in Class A.
