Article I. Name and Purpose

  1. This organization shall be known as The Northern Steppes, a realm of Belegarth Medieval Combat Society.
  2. The purpose of this organization is to participate in the Foam Sport Belegarth, which includes running regularly scheduled practices and events.

Article II. Rule sets

  1. The Northern Steppes shall follow the Belegarth rule set established under the Book of War (BoW), as approved by the Belegarth War Council.
  2. Chapter specific rulings are as follows:
  • 2.1. In addition to the BoW rule of age limits, Children ages 12-15 that are approved by the realm leadership after discussion with their parent(s)/guardian(s) may attend on the field practices only with their parent(s)/guardian(s) present after signing a physical waiver.
  • 2.2. A fillable electronic version of The Northern Steppes’s Belegarth waivers are made available online. These waivers are available only to those ages 18 and up.
  • 2.3. Northern Steppes allows rigid metal knees and elbow armor.
  • 2.4. Healing Poems
    • 2.4.1. A poem of Healing must be recited or read aloud. The minimum length of a poem of healing is 180 syllables and must be approved at event check-in.
    • 2.4.2. The healer cannot heal her/himself or their own equipment
    • 2.4.3. To heal a person, the Healer must be in direct physical contact with the injured person. The healer may only heal one person at a time.
    • 2.4.4. A healer may not heal a person while either are under direct attack. If the healer or injured person is attacked or distracted, or contact is broken for any reason, the entire healing poem must be read or recited again.
    • 2.4.5. When the healer completes reading the healing poem, all wounds and any items held by the wounded fighter are healed or repaired (i.e. armor, bow, shield, etc)

Article III. Membership

  1. Anyone may participate in practices, membership is a nonrefundable $30 seasonal fee.
    • a. If an individual is unable to pay the $30, a reasonable rate of volunteering as first deemed appropriate by the executive branch may be accepted.
    • b. Cut off date for paying dues for the current season will be no later than April 30th. Exceptions and arrangements may be made with approval from the Treasurer. New members, having joined within the year, may have this deadline extended to one week prior to the voting meeting.
  2. Paid members are given voting-rights during voting-specific meetings.
  3. Membership fees pay to create and maintain the website.
  4. Membership fees are also applied to loaner equipment and props (i.e. cones, ropes, etc.), site fees, and event costs.
  5. Members will get a discount to Saewyn's Bazaar
  6. Membership is revoked in the condition an individual is removed from the realm. Member and participant removal follows the Belegarth Bylaws under Article Four.

Article IV. Officers

  1. In accordance with the Realm Terms of Contract: Rights and Responsibilities, all positions are on a completely unpaid volunteer basis. The positions of President, Vice President, and Treasurer shall comprise the executive body. All positions are elected by quorum, with a quorum of vote.
  2. Executive Body Leaders
  • 2.1. President
    • 2.1.1. The President fulfills the charter requirements as Administrator. In the case that no other leaders are available or elected to fulfill a responsibility, they fall to the President.
    • 2.1.2. The President will work towards ensuring NS tax exempt status
    • 2.1.3. The President will ensure that the nonprofit status of The Northern Steppes(once obtained) is maintained and shall work with the Treasurer to file all tax returns and reports required to maintain Northern Steppes tax exempt status.
  • 2.2. Vice President
    • 2.2.1. The Vice President fulfills the charter requirements as Administrative Assistant. This role will primary to run the field and facilitate new participants into joining; other tasks assigned in the President’s absence are fulfilled by the Vice President.
  • 2.3. Treasurer
    • 2.3.1. The Treasurer fulfills the charter requirements of Bookkeeper. Their requirements for attendance are waived, except for meetings.
    • 2.3.2. The Treasurer will accurately record all financial records for The Northern Steppes.
    • 2.3.3. The Treasurer will collect all receipts from Northern Steppes.
    • 2.3.4. The Treasurer will file any appropriate tax information as needed.
    • 2.3.5. The Treasurer will prepare an annual financial report for public release.
    • 2.3.6. The Treasurer will establish and maintain a checking account for The Northern Steppes.
    • 2.3.7. The Treasurer will review and remit payment for debts incurred by The Northern Steppes.
  1. Vacancies
  • 3.1. In the case of a vacancy in the President position, the Vice President will be promoted. If both positions are unfilled, the Treasurer is temporarily promoted to President. In the condition two or more positions are empty, an emergency voting meeting must be held.
  1. Attendance & Impeachment
  • 4.1. The positions of leadership must attend chapter events and practices for a recognizable portion of the duration of the event or practice. This would preferably be all but in cases of emergency it may be waived.
  • 4.2. Failure to attend would be grounds for impeachment for leadership roles.
  • 4.3. If a quorum of the total voting membership presents a signed petition to impeach a leader named under Article IV, that leader has one month to turn over responsibilities to the appropriate leader once verified by leadership other than the individual impeached. Abstained signatures are only considered "nay" in this scenario; this is in exception to Article VI Section 1.1.
  1. Supplementary Leaders
  • 5.1. Supplementary Leaders are additional leadership positions that are present to assist in the executive leaders tasks and are similarly unpaid volunteers.
    • 5.1.1. Supplementary positions may appoint a shadow to their duties. This shadow may step in as a second in the absence of the primary position holder.
  • 5.2. Quartermaster
    • 5.2.1. The tasks of the Quartermaster are secretarial in nature and include: waiver gathering and tracking, updating chapter information to the most current, keeping records of former information, heading troll at events, note-taking during meetings.
    • 5.2.2. Along with the Warden will be responsible for maintaining loaner weapons and gear and replacing/repairing as needed.
  • 5.3. Warden
    • 5.3.1. The tasks of the Warden are to welcome newcomers to participate in the sport by providing them with basic rules information and safety instructions. The Warden also heads security at events.
    • 5.3.2. Along with the Quartermaster will be responsible for maintaining loaner weapons and gear and replacing/repairing as needed.
  • 5.4. Event Coordinator
    • 5.4.1. Tasked with leading, appointing, planning and scheduling of Northern Steppes events. Executive leadership is to be consulted on any subgroup sponsorship when budgeting and planning for the chapter event.
  • 5.5. Webmaster
    • 5.5.1. The webmaster will be in charge of The Northern Steppes Webpage, making any and all changes to the page that the President has mandated.
    • 5.5.2. The webmaster will report to the President so that the President may deal with any issues dealing with the page in question.
    • 5.5.3. The Webmaster in coordination with the Public Relations Coordinator promotes the ease of access to Northern Steppes on both the website and social media channels.
  • 5.6. Public Relations Coordinator
    • 5.6.1. Will be the main point of contact for all organization-level media coverage and manage all social media channels officially associated with The Northern Steppes
    • 5.6.2. Responsible for creating content on social media platforms, overseeing social campaigns and increasing social media followers for the chapter.
  • 5.7. Belegarth War Council Representatives
    • 5.7.1. Two representatives are to be elected from the body of dues paying members to represent the Northern Steppes
    • 5.7.2. Ideally nominees should attend outside realm events in addition to Northern Steppes events.
    • 5.7.3. Communicate with leadership and act as national liaisons to the realm, facilitating the will of the Northern Steppes in an unbiased manner.
    • 5.7.4. If left vacant will be chosen from primary and supplemental leadership.

Article V. Meetings and Quorum

  1. Quorum is defined as 75% of the subject in question. This applies to all votes and attendance of meetings.
    • 1.1. Regarding votes, a vote of “abstain” is not included in the total count of those present for that issue.
  2. A single annual meeting is required for the chapter as a whole to elect new leadership positions, as determined by previous leadership. This should be completed before the end of January each year.
  3. Executive leadership must meet monthly for as little as 15 minutes.

Article VI. Amendments

  1. All Amendments to this document shall be introduced in writing to the executive body. They shall be submitted no less than three (3) weeks prior to an membership meeting. Quorum of those in attendance is necessary for them to pass.

Article VII. Enabling Act

  1. This set of Bylaws is officially ratified when approved through the current voting membership.

Updated 1/3/2024 by Byron “Magnus Broadaxe” Econ