Grand Council Guidelines
For Initiations
Effective August 2000

Listed here are the guidelines for initiations. Feel free to print them out and keep them for future use.

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GRAND COUNCIL GUIDELINES FOR INITIATIONS
Guidelines effective August , 2000.

The Grand Council of E Clampus Vitus proclaims these guidelines for the following purposes; To promote unity among the Brethren and chapters of ECV, To encourage safety and fellowship, To preserve our lore and traditions. To decrease legal liability, and To insure the longevity of our Ancient and Honorable Order.

I. PRIVACY

A   A. The initiation shall be out of the public view. Non-Clampers are not allowed to participate in any portion of the process. A short parade through town is acceptable, if the PBCs are presentable.
     
B   B. The Hall of Comparative Ovations is absolutely private. Only Clampers and PBCs are allowed to view it, hear it or participate in it. It shall not be video or audio recorded and no pictures are to be taken

II. HISTORY

A   A. PBCs should be given an oral history lesson, and written materials, if available.
     
B   B. The lesson should encompass the history of ECV and the chapter.
     
C   C. It should also contain an explanation of Clamper lore and some of our traditions; Red shirts, vests and pins, plaques, no women or guns, chapter names and numbers, etc. and the reasons for them.
     
D   D. The various positions of leadership may be explained and the officers introduced, if possible. This includes information on Grand Council, the Board of Proctors and Sublime officers.

III. HALL OF COMPARATIVE OVATIONS

A   A. The H.O.C.O. should be performed with as much ambient quiet and solemnity as possible.
     
B   B. PBCs should be sober, so they understand and appreciate the ceremony.
     
C   C. The Clampfunctionaries should be sober enough and sufficiently practiced in their respective parts to present an understandable and memorable ceremony.
     
D   D. The text of the ceremony should be adhered to as much as possible, so as to have a consistent initiation throughout Clamperdom

IV. PBC QUALIFICATIONS

A   A. PBCs must be at least 21 years of age.
     
B   B. PBCs should have an interest in history, a good sense of humor and the willingness to be a participating member of the chapter

V. TREATMENT OF PBCS

A   A. The Hangman or Sheriff shall have the custody and control of the PBCs.
     
B   His designated assistants (vigilantes, 601 's, etc.) are responsible to him.
     
C   All must be aware of, and care fo,r any physical ailment or handicap of a PBC. Physical activities must be tailored to the individual's age, condition and the ambient situation (heat, cold, rain, etc.).
     
D   PBCs must be protected from the weather and not allowed to become dehydrated, overheated or chilled
     
E   The PBCs should be treated with equal indignity and respect.
     
F   They should be referred to as PBC or Poor Blind Candidate, not pukes, assholes, scrotas, scum or other epithets.
     
G   No slurs of a racial, ethnic or religious nature shall be used to a PBC. In addition, no PBC to be singled out for "special treatment" due to his race, creed, color or national origin. Everyone gets treated the same.
     
H   Caustic or noxious substance, living or dead animals or mechanical or electrical devices inflicting pain shall not be applied to a PBC in any way.
     
I   No acts shall be performed on or by a PBC of a homosexual nature or connotation, whether factual or simulated.
     
J   PBCs shall not be forced to wear women's clothing or expose their private body parts to view.
     
K   There shall be no penetration, however slight, of any bodily orifice of any PBC by any foreign object.
     
L   In the interest of sanitation and the prevention of disease, PBCs shall not be asked to eat or drink anything from a common cup, container or bowl. (No bobbing for bananas, or passing a beer from one to another.)
     
M   There shall be no physical contact between members and PBCs. PBCs should generally be kept separated from the membership
     
N   Songs sung by PBCs should not be vulgar or in poor taste. They shall not be sung in public
     
O   All items and/or substances used to decorate the PBCs shall be kept away from their eyes, and must be biodegradable and easily washed off.

VI. INTERPRETATION

A   The words "shall", "will", “absolutely”, “no”, and "must" are compulsory.
     
B   B. The words "should" and "may" are suggestive and permissive

VI. ENFORCEMENT

A   These rules are enforceable by all Proctors, Ex-Proctors and Grand Council Officers. They are empowered to stop any activity in violation thereof and/or cite the offending chapter and officers. Violations of these guidelines will be dealt with according to the severity of the violation.

    •  Minor violation may result in a verbal reprimand from a Proctor, Ex-Proctor or Grand Council Officer.
     
    •  Continued minor violations will result in a written reprimand from the Sublime Noble Grand Humbug.
     
    •  More severe violations will result in a written severe reprimand from the Sublime Noble Grand Humbug
     
    •  Very severe violations may result in chapter probation. A chapter on probation will be monitored by the Board of Proctors.
     
    •  Repeated severe violations may result in the pulling of the charter and the dissolution of the chapter.

 

 

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