US Military Women Historical Impressions' Purpose
Purpose
To create for ourselves and the public a living history organization that will recognize, re-create and celebrate the roles women played in the military service of the United States of America. To honor the veterans of all services, both male and female whose service and sacrifice ensured, and still ensures our freedom and liberty.Our focus is the 20th century, to include especially WW2, but also the Korean Conflict, Cold War and the Vietnam War eras.
Our mission is the continued education of ourselves and the public on the presence and contribution by women in the U.S. military service at times of war and peace during these periods. We expect to share the vast amounts of knowledge, skill, artifacts, and enthusiasm that women re- enactors have.
Our goals are to expand opportunities for women in reenacting/living history, to bring together many aspects of American military women into one unit, and to establish a new way to organize and maintain our unit, with the utmost attention to authenticity and enjoyment.
Plans
We will assemble, inventory, and maintain equipment and tentage in order to take our living history impressions to the public. We will participate in events such as air shows (as re-enactors/living historians), time-lines, parades and commemorations. We will also participate in events in other related fields of interest, such as tactical events (as re-enactors only) for training and documentation purposes, as long as authenticity and historical accuracy are followed in the event.
While much of our living history will be standing (static) impressions, we will also establish a drill and ceremony unit which will march in public at designated times. To this end, we will offer training and practice, taught by a Military Training Instructor, to all interested parties. Not only will each member or friend be able to be trained in drill and ceremonies, but also will have the opportunity to command the drill unit. Participation will be voluntary, but encouraged.
The drill unit will be taught and commanded by the Military Training Instructor (MTI), who may delegate that position at given times to unit members who excel at drill training and practice. The drill unit will not be used for any public event unless and until the MTI approves. A "uniform of the day" will be posted by the MTI and persons both members or non-members must wear that uniform while participating in drill or ceremonies. The MTI will post the time of drill practice sufficiently in advance of the hour decided upon. The MTI reserves the right to dismiss a member from drill or the drill area for any reason (illness, other, etc.).
All uniforms worn by a member are the responsibility of the member. The first "the uniform of the day" for the drill unit will probably be HBTs (which most women already have or can borrow) so as many as possible can participate. Members may make "loaner" uniforms available. These are understood to be utility uniforms to be used only at that field event by other members not yet having a uniform. There is an effort underway to develop alternate sources of authentic women's uniforms in proper sizes.
Subject to our needs for the area at a particular time, we will offer our encampment at any event in which we participate as a gathering place and friendly area for all female re-enactors and friends, members or not, no matter what uniform they happen to be wearing at the time or primary unit affiliation. Nevertheless, we reserve the right to ask anyone, and at times everyone, to leave the encampment should the need arise and for any reason.
We will maintain a Post Office box and an internet website.
Organization
The Gentlewoman's Agreements
Our experience in reenacting/living history has led us to believe that good organization and leadership are the keys to a good unit. Therefore, our unit will be organized by "founding members" using pre-agreed methods of operation and philosophy. We will always solicit opinions, ideas and comments from all members.
Our organization will encompass three major categories of participant:
1. Member, including "Founding Members"
2. Associates-To be defined by the founding members.
3. Friends-Advisors-An effort to include, not exclude men.
The responsibility of Command of/for our encampment will change, perhaps on a daily basis. We believe that every female re-enactor/living historian is not only capable of command but deserves the chance and the responsibility of that experience. The individual holding command will be identified by announcement and some physical indication (such as a pin, or rank marking)
Having been unwilling participants in the "taking my toys and going home" scene, we propose to use a simple rule for equipment, props and other items for encampments. The founding members will agree that the basic parts of our encampment, tents, tarps, poles, tables, and other items will be the property of the unit as donated by the founding members, or purchased with money donated by the founding members. These items will be inventoried and a copy of such inventory will always be available for inspection by any member.
Willing founding members shall be considered equipment custodians (she that hauls and stores) and will agree to hold her part of such equipment for the unit. These custodians are responsible for the care, control and custody of the item/s as provided for in Common Law.
Individual equipment, uniforms, props, etc. of the founding members or members shall remain personal property unless so declared as "unit property" and a custodian appointed for that item or items. A founding member or member may declare any privately owned item as unit property and appoint herself or another member as custodian.
Should the unit dissolve or separate, all "unit property" will be offered for sale , first to the membership, and then as seen fit by the membership. The monies there from are to be applied to any remaining expenses and any profits disposed of by discussion of the members active at that time.
The founding members will decide on yearly dues to be collected from members and associates. An organization bank account will be established and all records regarding organization money and assets will be maintained. Reports of the financial standing of the organization will be produced quarterly, and be made available to any member active and interested. A widely-used, Windows-based accounting package will be used for these purposes.
Positions
One founding member will agree to act as Finance Officer, maintaining the organization's financial records and producing the reports. Should the day come that we wish to incorporate, this individual shall research (both pro and con), inform and gather consensus from all active members and will be responsible for all paperwork. (Karen Emmons has volunteered).
One founding member will act as Communications and Contact Officer and will be the person that insures that the membership has full information regarding event invitations and other matters related to the organization/unit.
One founding member will act as Public Relations Officer. The PR Officer will act a liaison to any media questions and as liaison to other reenacting/living history groups and units at events in the field or as needed.
One founding member will act as Logistics Officer. This person will insure that equipment and other supplies are available for an event, and that the event site is suited to our needs for space and other concerns. She will advise members on routes to and information for the event and help with bookings and other duties as assigned.
The Laundry and Morale Officer will act as a friend and advisor to new members. The Laundry and Morale Officer will help the new member with shopping and suggest vendors and suppliers. This officer will also insure that the new member meets the authenticity standard as understood for that particular impression.
Positions - Encampment Only
Commander - This person will be assigned as the event commander for a specific event.
Security Officer- This officer will be appointed for a specific event and will insure that each member complies with good sense rules of conduct while in camp. This Officer will also insure that the camp is secured at times when the membership is not present.
The Rival Group Policy
It will not be the intention of our unit to present ourselves as rival units or to pilfer members from other established units. It is rather to offer our experience and activities to female re-enactors and to welcome any and all to our encampment. Should a person desire to join us, she need not declare a "primary unit" of one or the other. She will be invited to join us at any event that we participate in even if her time is required by another unit to which she belongs. Friends may join us at any time for drill or other activities.
Rank
We assume members will wear rank consistent with the impressions they choose and will not assume more rank than is normally accepted for their impression or the time period of that impression.
Members may suggest rule or policy changes and it shall be agreed that these suggestions will be discussed by interested parties.