Red Nose Brigade By-laws Adopted June 20, 1994 Revised June 26, 2006
PDF (76K) 2008bylaws
Article 1 – Name
This organization is called the Red Nose Brigade. It is also known as RNB.
Article 2 – Mission
In our volunteerism and service we will honor, respect, and practice established standards of character and appearance knowing as individuals we represent and reflect upon the entire clown world.
Article 3 – Membership
Membership in the Red Nose Brigade shall be open to anyone interested in the honorable art of clowning and showing dedication toward its advancement. Attendance of 3 monthly meetings of the RNB is required before making application for preliminary membership.
Section 1. Preliminary Membership
All prospective members shall be allowed a minimum of six (6) months to fulfill the following requirements: Must pay membership dues for the current fiscal club year. Dues will be prorated if preliminary member joins mid-year. Must attend at least three (3) monthly club general meetings. Support and comply with the RNB Make-up, Costume Standards Policy, and RNB Ethics Policy. Attend or show proof of previous completion of an approved Introduction to Clownology or, demonstrate abilities through the help and training of a designated RNB mentor. If all other requirements of preliminary membership are met, a petition by an active member, for active membership status, may be approved or denied by a simple majority of the active membership. Must participate in at least three(3) club events. Must submit and pass a Washington State Patrol Background Check. The first year of membership, members are considered “First of May” clowns. Preliminary and “First of May” members may not vote or hold office until fulfilling the foregoing requirements. Preliminary and “First of May” members are expected to use their first year to learn and obtain education and training from senior alley members and the RNB education program. During the first year a preliminary and/or “First of May” Clown will not represent themselves as an RNB clown when soliciting fees as a private business.
Section 2. Active Membership
An active member is entitled to all rights and privileges of the RNB. They may vote, hold office and chair events. To retain active status, the following requirements must be met annually. Be current on membership dues. Support and comply with the RNB Make-up, Costume Standards Policy, and with the RNB ethics policy. Participation in at least 5 RNB events and 6 meetings. Two optional events are equal to one RNB event. Verification of attendance may be requested.
By vote of the membership, any long time member may be designated an Active Life Member. Such member has all the privileges of any other active member but is not required to pay dues nor participate in the usual required number of meetings and activities. Such designation is reserved for extremely special circumstances as determined by the membership.
Section 3. Supporting Clowns and Variety Arts Membership
Supporting members are those members who are unable to fulfill the participation requirements for active membership. Supporting members must: Be current on membership dues. Support and comply with the RNB Make-Up, Costume Standards Policy, and comply with the RNB Ethics Policy. May not vote, hold office, or chair events. May participate in all RNB events.
Section 4. Honorary Membership
An active member may nominate a candidate for honorary membership. Approval is to be made by the active membership. Honorary membership will be granted and reviewed yearly by the active membership. Honorary members do not have voting privileges nor do they pay dues.
Section 5. Junior Joeys
A child under the age of 18 may become a member of RNB as a “Junior Joey.” A Junior Joey must be sponsored by an existing adult Active Member. The sponsor is responsible to see that the Junior Joey receive education in RNB make up and costume standards, RNB Ethics, and the types of clowns described in the By-Laws. The sponsor along with the Junior Joey is responsible to see that these rules are followed by the Junior Joey. The dues for a Junior Joey are $5.00 per year plus a first year Badge Fee for an official RNB Badge. Any additional dues may be set by the membership in accordance with Article 4. The Badge will be the standard RNB Badge that all members wear with an additional line identifying the wearer as a Junior Joey. Junior Joeys may participate in all RNB regular events and optional events. Junior Joeys may participate in all RNB meetings and voice opinions, but may not formally vote. They may make an informal advisory, non binding vote. They are not counted as part of a quorum for transacting business. They may not hold office except if a separate office for Junior Joeys is created. Junior Joeys are expected to participate in at least one event per year, and come to one meeting per year. Junior Joeys must present themselves in costume to the active membership at a regular meeting except that in the first year of this section’s approval in the By-Laws, a Junior Joey who is known by the membership and has previously performed with RNB may have this requirement waived. Make up and Costume standards are to grow with the child, that is, the younger the child, the less stringent the standards, but the Sponsor is always responsible for general appearance. Upon reaching 18, a Junior Joey may apply for Active Membership or Supporting Membership and a modified list of Preliminary Requirements shall be drawn up taking into consideration what events, make up, costume and ethics history the Junior Joey has already complied with. Background checks are required for Junior Joeys who have not been known by members or are new to the area.”
Section 6. RNB Support Personnel
Persons may join RNB as Support Personnel. These might be seamstresses, prop makers, float drivers, or others as determined by vote of the active membership on a yearly basis. Such persons are not active performers in any class, but are essential to the smooth operation of the alley. They pay dues as decided by the active membership. If paying full dues, they may vote on other issues not including the items included in this section. They may not preside over meetings, nor be treasurer (Koin Klinker), but can support the alley as secretary (Pencil Pusher), or as an event chair. As non performers they do not wear costumes nor make up but must abide by the Alley standards of cleanliness and presentable wear at any events attended. They must abide by the RNB ethics policy as it pertains to non performers such as items 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12.”
Section 7. Termination of Membership
A member of RNB may have his or her membership terminated for any of the following reasons: Failure to pay dues within 90 days of the due date. Failure to conform to the RNB Make-up, Costume Standards Policy, and the RNB Ethics Policy. If a member is in violation, the following procedure will be followed, which, may result in membership termination. First occurrence of offense: The offending member is given verbal notification of the infraction. The infraction is to be discussed discretely between the offending member and at least two members of the Ethics and Standards committee. Written documentation of the offense and resolution will be put on file. Second occurrence of offense: The offending member is given written notice of probationary status for 1 year. Third occurrence of offense: The offending member is given written notice of termination. This notice will be done within 7 days of verification of offense. Any member issued a warning or a letter of dismissal has the right to challenge the charges in front of the general membership.
Section 8. Probationary Membership
A probationary member is one who has been placed on probation as the result of having two violations of either the RNB Ethics Policy or the RNB Make-up and Costume Standards Policy. A probationary member must: Support and comply with the RNB Make-up, Costume Standards Policy, and with the RNB Ethics Policy. Probationary members do not have voting privileges and may not hold office for 1 year after suspension. Return to active status requires review and approval of the Ethics and Standards Committee.
