Bylaws of Rock City Defense

Article I: Name & Purpose

Section 1: Name

The official name of this organization is Rock City Defense.

Section 2: Purpose

Rock City Defense is a community-based organization dedicated to safeguarding vulnerable populations, businesses, and essential infrastructure from extremist threats, vigilante violence, and systemic failures. Through structured training programs and preparedness initiatives, Rock City Defense equips members with skills in self-defense, medical aid, emergency response, and tactical coordination.

The organization operates independently from the state and its institutions, maintaining direct accountability to the community while adhering to a disciplined, hierarchical command structure modeled after military principles.

Article II: Leadership & Governance Structure

Section 1: Executive Command Structure

Executive Director (Commanding Officer)

  • Holds ultimate decision-making authority over all operations, strategy, and resource allocation.
  • Issues orders that flow down the chain of command to Command Officers for execution.
  • Has final authority over financial matters and leadership appointments.
  • Directly answerable to the community and the Board of Directors in financial integrity and leadership conduct.

Board of Directors (Senior Command Advisors)

  • Functions as an advisory body providing strategic guidance and financial oversight.
  • Holds veto power in extreme cases (e.g., financial mismanagement or executive misconduct).
  • Does not interfere with field command but provides structured review of leadership actions.
  • Consists of a minimum of three (3) appointed members, selected by the Executive Director and existing Board members.

Command Officers (Operational Leadership)

  • Serve as direct field leaders, overseeing tactical units and ensuring mission success.
  • Responsible for implementing orders from the Executive Director and maintaining unit discipline.
  • Can recommend promotions, demotions, and disciplinary actions within their command structure.

Article III: Membership & Disciplinary Procedures

Section 1: Membership Structure

Supporting Members

  • May contribute financially through a membership program for access to training programs and resources.
  • Supporting Members do not have command authority or voting rights.

Active Personnel (Troops/Operators)

  • Join as trained personnel, subject to a military-style hierarchy.
  • Must follow orders, maintain discipline, and adhere to organizational protocols.
  • Subject to performance reviews and merit-based promotions.

Section 2: Code of Conduct & Disciplinary Process

Misconduct Reports & Review Process

  • Any officer or superior recommending demotion or removal must submit a formal misconduct report, detailing:
    • The offense committed.
    • The impact on unit cohesion or mission integrity.
    • Supporting evidence or witness testimony, if applicable.

Review and Action

  • The Executive Director and Board of Directors review serious misconduct reports before deciding on removals.
  • Minor infractions may be handled at the command level, with punishments like demotions or suspensions.
  • Immediate dismissals (dishonorable discharge) may occur for:
    • Mutiny or insubordination.
    • Abandonment of duty.
    • Endangering the security of the organization.

Section 3: Military Justice Committee (MJC)

  • Reviews serious misconduct cases, leadership disputes, and community grievances.
  • Composed of five (5) members:
    • Two (2) senior Command Officers (appointed by the Executive Director).
    • One (1) Board member (selected by the Board).
    • Two (2) rotating community representatives (chosen from local advisory panels).
  • Meets at least quarterly and has authority to recommend discipline, resolve disputes, and audit financial records.

Article IV: Financial Oversight & Use of Funds

Section 1: Revenue & Funding Sources

Rock City Defense may generate funds through:

  • Membership fees
  • Training programs & classes
  • Merchandise sales
  • Donations & fundraising initiatives

Funds must be used for:

  • Operational needs (equipment, training, venue rentals).
  • Supporting Active Personnel (stipends, logistics).

Section 2: Financial Oversight & Spending Approval

Initial Financial Management (Revenue Below $50,000 Annually)

  • The Executive Director has full control over organizational funds.
  • Spending approvals:
    • Over $500 requires Executive Director approval.
    • Over $1,000 requires approval from the Board.

Scaling Financial Oversight (Revenue Over $50,000 Annually)

  • A Financial Officer is appointed to manage funds.

Advanced Oversight (Revenue Over $100,000 Annually)

  • The Board establishes formal auditing procedures for financial integrity.
  • Spending over $5,000 requires Board approval.

Article V: Meetings & Decision-Making

  • Command Strategy Meetings: The Executive Director & Command Officers meet regularly to assess threats and community needs.
  • Board Meetings: The Board convenes as needed to provide advisory input and financial oversight.
  • Community Transparency: Rock City Defense holds public review panels every six months for feedback.

Article VI: Gun Trust & Firearms Management

Section 1: Establishment of the Rock City Defense Firearms Trust

  • Until revenue reaches $50,000, the Executive Director is the Trustee of the Gun Trust.
  • After exceeding $50,000, a Firearms Officer will be appointed.

Section 2: Firearm Issuance & Storage

  • Until a centralized armory is established, firearms may be stored at the Executive Director’s residence.
  • Firearms must be:
    • Stored in a locked safe when not in use.
    • Issued only to vetted personnel with proper training & background checks.

Section 3: Firearm Sign-Out Process

  • Members request firearms for approved use.
  • The Firearms Record System logs:
    • Member’s name & date of checkout
    • Firearm serial number
    • Purpose & expected return date
  • Firearms must be returned within the agreed timeframe.

Section 4: Firearm Policy Violations

  • Unauthorized access, misuse, or loss of a firearm may result in:
    • Suspension or expulsion from Rock City Defense.
    • Financial liability for lost/damaged firearms.
  • Lost or stolen firearms must be:
    • Reported to law enforcement within 24 hours.
    • Documented in Firearms Trust records.

Section 5: Transition to Centralized Storage

  • When Rock City Defense reaches $50,000, firearms are moved to a dedicated armory.

Article VII: Amendments to Bylaws

  • Amendments require approval by the Executive Director & a majority vote from the Board.


Article VIII – Definitions & Interpretations

Section 1: Definitions

  1. Community – Rock City Defense recognizes "community" as a grassroots, directly engaged body of individuals, defined by active participation in decentralized decision-making structures. The community is not a passive population but a collective of individuals who engage in democratic self-governance through assemblies and direct participation.

  2. Community Assembly – An open decision-making body composed of at least 20% of the geographical community, where decisions are made through direct engagement and consensus-based or majoritarian processes. Community assemblies serve as the primary method of governance that Rock City Defense acknowledges and interacts with.

  3. Delegates – Individuals selected by community assemblies for the purpose of communicating and carrying out collective decisions. Delegates are not representatives and may only convey the decisions of the community assembly. They may be recalled at any time if they fail to uphold the directives given to them.

  4. Representative Government – Rock City Defense does not recognize traditional representative government structures (e.g., state representatives, municipal officials) as legitimate expression of community will. Instead, all recognized decision-making must emerge from grassroots assemblies and direct democratic participation.

 

Disclaimers:

Rock City Defense operates independently from the state and does not recognize government-appointed representatives as legitimate decision-makers for community affairs. All community engagement is based on direct, grassroots participation. These definitions are subject to legal review and may be refined to ensure alignment with the organization's principles and legal compliance.

As of March 10, 2025, these bylaws are currently under legal review and do not yet constitute legally recognized documentation for Rock City Defense. They are subject to modification, refinement, and legal approval before becoming binding organizational policies. Any references to governance, financial oversight, firearms trust management, or disciplinary procedures are provisional and should not be interpreted as legally enforceable until officially adopted.