Venture Crew 457 Bylaws

A. Objectives
The objectives of Crew No. 457 are:
To develop and support a co-ed crew
Participate in the High Adventure Ranger Program as a foundation for our
program which includes:
1 High Adventure trip/year (Defined as a trip at least a week in
duration and greater than 300 miles from Buffalo)
3 Medium Adventure trips/year (Defined as a trip less than a
week and within 300 miles from Buffalo
Participate in two meaningful Service Projects/year
Strive for one non-meeting activity per month
Developing a competency for 2-3 skill
Instruct other groups in general camping skills (ex. Safety, Orienteering, Fire
Building, First Aid, Leave no Trace principles, Backpacking etc)
Support the growth of the crews life skills Communication/Presentation,
Financial Skills, etc
The crew will seek out and participate in other GNFC, Ontario, Rochester
Council activities
The crew will support a members rank advancement in other organizations
B. Membership
Membership shall be open to all young adults of high school age who live in the
surrounding area and have completed the eighth grade and are at least 13 years of
age. No prospective member shall be disqualified because of race, color, creed, or
gender. All members must be registered as Venturers and agree to the crew code
and bylaws.

Members should also show maturity and scout spirit, and show the ability to actively
work for the good of the program.

A member in good standing is defined as someone who has attended a meeting or
activity in the last two months or has maintained contact with the president and
cannot attend for good reason

C. Officers
The elected officers shall be president, two vice presidents, secretary, treasurer,
troop liaison, webmaster, and quartermaster
The president, with the approval of the Advisor, shall appoint activity chairs and
make other assignments as needed
The duties of the officers shall be prescribed in the Venturing Leader Manual
The normal term of office shall be for six months
No member shall server more than two successive terms in the office unless there is
no opposition
If an impeachment is too occur, a vote must be obtained with a 2/3 majority
The president shall appoint a nominating committee, which shall consist of three
members. The committee shall interview and present a complete slate of candidates
who have agreed, if elected, to server to the best of their abilities.
On the night of the election, nominations may be presented from the floor by a
member. If the nomination is seconded and the candidate agrees to serve, he or she
must be included in the ballot.
Elections are to occur in the weeks in September before the beginning of the
scouting year
All contested ballots shall be secret
D. Crew Business
Crew business will be conducted under the principles outlines in Roberts Rules of
Order. Voting on all issues will be by simple majority, with the exception of changes or
amendments to the bylaws, which will require a two-thirds vote of the members in good
standing. A quorum shall consist of one more then the majority of members for votes on
routine business.
E. General Meetings
General Meetings will be held on the First on Third weeks of each month. The day will
be decided by the membership at the beginning of each school year.
F. Officers meetings
Officers meetings will be held at least once a month, prior to and at a time and place
different from the first crew meeting of that month.
G. Attendance and Expectations
All members are expected to attend at least one meeting per month. If a member
cannot make a meeting for any reason, they must accept the responsibility to call or e-
mail the crew president and inform them of their absence. If a member misses more
than 4 consecutive meetings without cause, that member will be given one chance
before being declared inactive on the crew roster.

Also, each crew member is encouraged to attend every outing. Members who are
excessively absent from crew outings will be subject to a conference with the Head
Crew Advisor and the Presidents.
For the purposes of obtaining an award, an active member will be decided by the
majority of Officers and Advisors.
H. Officers Attendance
Officers are expected to attend every meeting, including the Officers Meeting, which is
separate from the regular crew monthly meetings. If any officer misses more than four
consecutive meetings with or without cause, their position shall be declared vacant and
an election shall be held to fill that position. Exceptions may be made if pre-approved by
all other elected officers.
I. Newsletter
The crew will publish a newsletter every other month, which shall include all meeting
dates and other information of interest to the membership. The newsletter will serve as
the historical record of the crew.
J. Dues
There are no dues, but instead everything will be pay as you go. Fees for activities shall
be paid in advance to the treasurer or the activity leader. Advancement awards will be
presented after payment for the awards.
K. Money-Earning Projects
All money-earning projects must be approved by a majority vote of crew members.
Members who do not participate in a project are not entitled to any benefits of the
funds earned. All money-earning projects must be approved by the Advisor and meet
Boy Scouts of America requirements.
L. Uniform
The dress code is as follows: For all meetings and private crew events, no uniform will
be needed. For any event in the public eye, where we represent crew 457, St. Johns,
and Venturing, a class A crew shirt MUST be worn. Along with the shirts, khaki-colored
shorts or pants will be won. Our objective is to look good and leave a good impression in
our community.

Class A uniform shirts can be one of the following:
- Class A1- Green button collared BSA Venturing shirts (with appropriate
patches, required by officers for Round Table and other official Scout Council
& District functions)
- Class A2- Crew 457 T-Shirts
- Class B uniforms for informal crew activities- any scouting T-Shirt
M. Quarter Rule
- Amended, no longer exists
N. Public Displays of Affection
Public displays of affection are strictly prohibited. With the exception of a
congratulatory hug for achievement by the crew and its members
O. Sleeping Quarters
All sleeping quarters must be single sex

If any crew member is found to be exhibiting inappropriate behavior the offernders
parents will be notified and they will be asked to pick them up from the meeting or
activity- including activities out of State. The crew will determine punishment and if the
offence is severe enough, expulsion from the crew.
P. Leave No Trace
Everyone must understand and agree to abide to the principles of Leave no Trace. Crew
members are encouraged to earn the Leave No Trace Award.
Q. Violence
All violence, both verbal and physical, is unacceptable. The first offence of verbal abuse
shall be handles with a reprimand from the Advisor. Upon the second offence of verbal
abuse, the said offenders parents will be notified. After the third offence the said
offender is not permitted to attend crew activities without the supervision of a parent
or guardian for three months.
Physical abuse will not be tolerated. The offenders parents will be notified and they will
be asked to pick them up from the meeting or activity- including any activities out of
state. The crew will determine punishment and if the offence is severe enough,
expulsion from the crew.
R. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs
All alcohol, tobacco and drug use is highly prohibited. If a crew member is found using
any of these substances. They will be asked to leave the crew. The offenders parents
will be notified and they will be asked to pick them up from the meeting or activity-
including any activities out of state.
S. Trip Fees
The Activity Chair of an event will determine the cost per person for the activity. Costs
for trips and activities must be pre-paid. If a member signs up for an event they are
expected to contact the Activity Chair and Advisor if they cannot attend. If they do not
show up for the activity, the member will not be reimbursed.

Yellow = Amended by 1
st
Amendment from 5/19/2014 meeting.
Green = Amended by 2
nd
Amendment from 5/19/2014 meeting.
Blue = Items that have never been implemented by this crew. Possible deletion.
Pink = Items that have not been practiced in a while by this crew, possible changes could
be made