The GWA
"By-laws"

• Ratified at the Fall Event, 1990
• Revised by membership vote at the Fall Event, 1995
• Additional changes revised by membership vote at the Fall Event, 2001

1. The name of this association shall be: The Great War Association hereafter called "GWA"

2. The object of the GWA:

To foster and perpetuate the memory of all those who served in World War One from all nations, educating both members and the general population through the sponsoring of living history re-creations and encouraging research into the daily lives and material culture of the armies of 1914-1918.

3. Membership in the GWA shall be open to everyone age 18 or over, regardless of race, creed, religion, sex or national origin, provided the following rules are observed:

a. The individual shall join either as a unit member or non-unit member. If as a unit member, the individual shall either join an existing unit which is a recognized member unit of the GWA, or join as a member of a unit forming under the rules of the GWA. A member may be on the membership rolls of only one GWA or forming unit at a time. The sole purpose of non-unit membership is for non- combatants and individuals who do not fit in regular member units, such as nurses, chaplains, pilots or medical impressions.

b. The individual's impression shall be visually authentic for the unit of which they are a member.

c. The individual shall not be a member of, nor associated with, any organization which promotes the violent overthrow of the United States Government or constitution.

d. The individual shall agree to abide by the "BYLAWS OF THE GREAT WAR ASSOCIATION", as well as, other GWA rules and guidelines, uphold the GWA Safety Regulations, and pay event fees and GWA dues each year.

e. The individual shall agree to hold the elected officers of the GWA as non-liable individually or as a part of the GWA for any damage to person or property charged against the GWA which may occur during their term in office.

4. GWA member units shall represent actual organizations of World War One. All member units shall observe the following rules to be recognized by the GWA.

a. A unit shall portray an actual World War One organization which served on the Western Front at any time between January 1, 1918 and November 11, 1918.

b. A unit shall contain no less than 8 GWA members on its roster.

c. A unit shall observe all GWA safety rules, the BYLAWS OF THE GREAT WAR ASSOCIATION and rules concerning site construction and field actions.

5. All member units in existence as of November 3, 1990 shall be considered as charter member unit of the GWA.

6. A GWA member unit or individual member may incur disciplinary action from the GWA for failure to follow GWA safety rules, failure to follow or conform to the standards of site construction or field actions, violations of the BYLAWS OF THE GREAT WAR ASSOCIATION, failure to follow authenticity standards or drug or alcohol abuse. These cases shall be brought before the Administrative Committee for action. The decision of the Committee is binding, with the exception of the removal of a member unit or individual member, which needs a two/thirds vote of all Unit
Representatives for action.

7. New units may be formed and join the GWA by completing the following requirements:

a.  Unit Requirements: 

1. A roster containing at least 8 GWA members.

2. A brief history of the original unit which proves its existence on the Western Front after January 1, 1918. This history shall be supported by at least two verifiable sources.

3. A brief description of the unit's uniforms and weapons: noting any special items of clothing, insignia or arms which are special to the unit.

b. After the application is approved by the President, the unit shall be probationary for a period of two years or four National Events. During this period, at least six members of the unit shall be present at all National Events.

c. The unit shall pass an authenticity inspection to be conducted by the Authenticity Inspector for the army to which the unit belongs.

d. During its probationary period, a unit shall prove its commitment to safety by observing all GWA safety rules.

e. After completion of the above requirements, the probationary unit's admission as a member unit into the GWA shall be voted on by the full membership. This vote shall be conducted by a show of hands at the first National Event following the unit's probationary period. A simple majority shall be required for admission of the unit.

f. Should a forming unit fail to gain acceptance from the GWA, it shall wait two years before it may apply again.

8. Individuals not falling into the normal unit member status may join the GWA as an individual by completing the following requirements:

a.  Individual Requirements:   

1. A brief history proving the existence of that type individual on the Western Front after January 1, 1918. This history shall be supported by at least two verifiable sources.

2. A brief description of the individual's uniforms, accouterments and/or weapons noting any special items of clothing, insignia or arms which are unique to that individual.

b. After the application is approved by the President, the individual shall be probationary for a period of two years or four National Events.

c. The individual is not a unit in their own right and as such, does not have the rights and privileges member units do. The individual shall be placed under the protection and guidance of a member unit.

d. The individual shall pass an authenticity inspection to be conducted by the Authenticity Inspector for the army to which the individual belongs.

e. During their probationary period, the individual shall prove their commitment to safety by observing all GWA safety rules.

f. After completion of the above requirements, the probationary individual's admission as a member into the GWA shall be conducted by a show of hands at the first National Event following the individual's probationary period. A simple majority shall be required for admission of the individual.

g. Should an individual fail to gain acceptance from the GWA, they shall wait two years before they may apply again.