Resolved to form a company of souls based upon our hereditary right as free men and women to promote the use and expertise of muzzle loading firearms and the associated
tools that were necessary for the survival of our forefathers, who lived and died in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains and braved the danger of the Great Plains during the period of the
Fur Trade. It shall be our objective and primary function to revive and live by those standards of personal integrity, honesty, good fellowship,
self discipline, team play, and self reliance which were mandatory to the free trapper, whose slightest indiscretion led to quick
and severe retribution. In keeping with the above, The Rules of the Company are three by number, Good Manners, Common Sense, and Strict Aherence to the Range Rules.
The Spring Mountain Free Trappers is a family oriented, tiered organization, where a person of good moral fiber, by bent of hard work, may attain a position of honor with equal acceptance with his or her peers.
There are three stages of advancement in the Company:
Pilgrim
A person must demonstrate an interest in the Company by paying a $25 fee for individual or family membership, prorated semi-annually.
This fee will be renewed with the Company purser each March. Failure to renew this fee may cancel such persons membership with the Company. There is no grace period.
Each person upon completion of one round on a set course, using patched round ball only, with reasonable powder charge of not more than 60 grains, showing an ability
to load and fire a muzzle loading firearm unaided and SAFELY, shall be granted Pilgrim status with the Company. Once the person has reached Pilgrim status, they can begin work toward the next level in the Company.
Free Trapper
The Pilgrim may reach this status by assisting each clan in their function for the Company. Upon completion of these tasks, the Pilgrim's name will be presented to the Council for his or her Free Trapper status.
The Council by unanimous vote, shall either grant the status of Free Trapper or return the Pilgrim for another try. when accepted, he or she will be presented with a Company token denoting the advancement and recognition of his or her endeavous, on behalf of the comapny.
The Free Trappr may then petition a clan for the next status of the Company.
The Clan
The Clan is the governing body and the heart of the Company. Only Clan members age 16 and over may vote on matters pertaining to the
function of the Clan. The Clan is made up of compatible Free Trappers, and will have the responsibility of providing a shoot in rotation with other Clans, and will have sole
authority for its function.
A new Clan may be initiated with the gathering of five Free Trappers, all in good standing, and not of the same family. After holding a meeting, they will appoint a
spokesman who will represent them at Council to present their proposed Clan name, aims, and goals. The
Council may accept of reject the group or provide certain requirements before granting full status.
Each Clan will have one vote in Council, to be delivered by the Clan Head.
Clan Head & Medicine Man
Clan Head and Medicine Man will be clan members in good standing elected by a majority vote of the clan yearly. The Clan Head shall
set the example in leadership. He or She shall be members of the council and will cast the vote of the Clan
in accordance with the majority of the Clan. The Medicine Man shall assume the duties of the Clan Head
in his or her absence at Clan functions and Council meetings. The Medicine Man will otherwise have no vote in Council.
The Council
The Council is entrusted with the administration of the Company, and will be made up of the Clan Heads, Medicine Men,
Purser, Scribe, Segundo, Shaman, and Booshway. Officers of the Company will be made up of Council members and must be
filed with the State of Nevada each year along with the necessary fees to ensure the Company's non-profit status.
It will be the task of the Council, through the single vote of the Clans, to carry out
and enforce the vote of the Clans, in all matters pertaining to the function of the Company.
These matters must be presented first to council and through a Council member. At certain times a Council vote
may be taken, without the vote of the Clan members, on behalf of all Comapny members. a full Council vote may
be requested when deemed necessary by the Booshway.
Members will not be allowed to hold more than one position on council at a time (with the exception of the Segundo).
There is to be at least one council meeting held each month, time and place determined by the Council. Company functions shall be cancelled by Council vote only.
As integrity is a an important part of any person's soul, an indiscretion committed against the Company will be just cause for discussion at Council. Any
member may be stripped of his or her status or station. Only upon the most extenuating circumstances may a Free Trapper be banished, although that possibility does exist. A Pilgrim
is on probation at all times and may be banished by Council for Just Cause. In either case, the offender will be granted an audience to defend his or her actions. Should a person ignore an invitation to a disciplinary Council
without due cause, banishment is then automatic and irrevocable.
Only Council members and invited guests of the Council attend Council meetings.
The Booshway
The Booshway will be a Free Trapper in good standing, and will have served at least one year on Council. The Booshway has the task of controlling Council meetings and having one vote to be used only to BREAK TIES. The Booshway shall act
in accordance with the vote of the Council, and will present an honorable image in representing the Spring Mountain Free Trappers. The Booshway shall act as
organizer to the clans in planning the Spring Mountain Free Trappers Rendezvous, with all plans subject to the approval by Council. The Booshway shall have the authority to call for a
full Council vote at his or her discretion.
The Booshway shall be elected by popular vote of the Council, for a one year term, beginning the day after Rendezvous.
The Segundo
The Segundo will be a Free Trapper in good standing, and serve as the Booshway when the position comes open or in the absence of
the Booshway at Council and/or company functions. He or She will not be in the same Clan as the Booshway
when elected by popular vote of the Council. The Segundo may also hold a second position on Council.
The Purser
The Purser (Treasurer) will be a Free Trapper in good standing and elected/re-elected by a popular vote
of the Council. The Purser shall handle all Company financial transactions including company memberships,
monthly financial reports, checking/savings accounts, and any other related matters.
The Scribe
The Scribe (Secretary) will be a Free Trapper in good standing and elected/re-elected by a popular vote
of the Council. The Scribe shall handle Company mailings, newsletters, Company Records, and minutes for all
Council meetings and any other related matters.
The Shaman
The Shaman will be a Free Trapper in good standing, who shall act as advisor to the Pilgrims and to the council. This position
will normally be filled by the outgoing Booshway. In the event that he or she does not wish this position, or will be holding a position
within the a Clan, a Shaman will be elected by popular vote of the Council.
The Public is always welcome and Invited!
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