Constitutional Rights Enforcement & Support Team
Interim National
Council Charter and Local Chapter Bylaws.
This interim
charter will remain in effect for the
C.R.E.S.T. until the first National Council ratifies the
final charter draft.
This interim charter may not be
altered or amended after July 3rd, 2004 . This charter
becomes effective
on July 4th, 2004 in memory of and
dedication to our nation's forefathers who pledged to each
other their
lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor
and to all those who have fought, suffered and died for
our
independence, our liberty and our rights.
Long live the United States of America and may their
banners and
Old Glory forever wave.
The C.R.E.S.T.
Peace and Freedom
is built on a foundation of strength
Preparedness - Esprit De Corps - Patriotism
"Constitutional Rights Enforcement
& Support Team
will be referred to as the "C.R.E.S.T." in this Charter.
PREAMBLE:
Our Mission:
Our Creed:
CHAPTER I: Principles and Organization.
CHAPTER
II: Membership Requirements.
CHAPTER III: Election and Leaders.
CHAPTER IV: Emergency Organization System.
CHAPTER
V: Organization Requirements.
CHAPTER VI: Suggested Weapon and Equipment Guidelines.
CHAPTER VII: Training and Performance
Standards.
CHAPTER VIII: Mobilization Policies:
CHAPTER IX: Limitations and Restrictions:
The C.R.E.S.T. National
Council:
The Interim C.R.E.S.T. National Oversight Committee
The C.R.E.S.T. Seal:
The C.R.E.S.T. Symbol
The C.R.E.S.T. Logo
Official C.R.E.S.T. Colors
PREAMBLE:
To answer our nation’s many security issues
and internal
threats to the United States Constitution, we institute the
C.R.E.S.T. National Charter system. Our
members are
skillfully organized in commitment to the security of self,
family and community. Tracing our security
tradition to the
earliest English colonies in North America, our
organization is oldest and most basic citizen
defense
institution of the United States.
Our Mission: To unite for the defense, restoration and
preservation
of the Constitution for the United States of
America and it’s inseparable Bill of Rights; to unite
American
Patriots and to insure that the usurpers of our
Constitution respect our natural, inalienable, inherent and
God
given rights, which are also guaranteed to us by the
Constitution for the United States of America and the Bill
of Rights.
Our Creed:
The C.R.E.S.T. is not a single
organization but rather an
alliance of independent entities united under this single
unifying charter. Each local
C.R.E.S.T. County Council
sends a representative to their respective State Council.
Each State Council is represented
at the C.R.E.S.T.
National Council for the purpose of jointly coordinating
our efforts nationwide.
The C.R.E.S.T. exists to assist fellow members if his or
her constitutional rights
are violated by any government
power, agency or court. We will use our combined resources
in defense of our members.
We will never abandon our fellow
members facing tyranny and our presence will always be felt
while injustice persists.
We reaffirm our faith in the purpose and principles of the
Declaration of Independence
and the Constitution for the
United States and express our desire to live in peace with
all peoples and governments.
We are determined to safeguard the freedom and common
heritage founded under the
principles of republican
government, individual liberty, personal responsibility,
the rule of law and our unalienable
rights endowed to us by
our Creator. We naturally oppose those that are hostile
toward these principles.
We endeavor to provide an organized means of citizen based
security for our communities
and to prepare for all
possible threats including terrorism, criminal activities,
and internal subversion of the
United States Constitution
and even armed invasions of the United States.
We regard firearm skill and safety as an essential
cornerstone of our organization. We train at regular
intervals to maintain a highly organized and skilled
membership. The armed citizen was essential to the founding
of our nation and we proudly continue this revered American
tradition. Armed citizens are the last line of defense
for
our nation and the first line of defense for our individual
families and communities.
We are dedicated to the freedom and patriotism on which our
nation was founded.
We steadfastly defend the Constitution
of the United States and its inseparable the Bill of
Rights. By protecting
these laws the chains of oppression
have been forever broken.
To
defend Constitution of the United States we will never
use force until every peaceful option to redress our
grievances
are completely exhausted. We will never make a
call to arms except for the purpose of self-defense against
a mortal
enemy either foreign or domestic.
We will always consider those
that wish to disarm the America People our
mortal enemies. Nobody concerned about our life, liberty or
happiness
would want to disarm us and such agendas
explicitly violate the highest law of the land.
Should any government power within the United States decree
citizen disarmament
this will be considered an act of war
on the American people. We maintain an emergency
organization system that
can transform our alliance into a
citizen defense militia capable of responding to this and
other threats facing
our nation.
All C.R.E.S.T. members maintain a strict code of
silence
and this is our highest law. If arrested for any reason we
demand our attorney is present during any and
all
questioning by authorities and we never compromise on this
stance.
Our motto: United we stand, divided we fall.
CHAPTER I: Principles and Organization:
1.1.0 All participating C.R.E.S.T. organizations and
individual
members achieve unity in function and purpose by
agreement with this charter. All those that intend to be
C.R.E.S.T.
members should fully understand this charter
system.
1.1.1 In the same Spirit and intent of the United States
Constitution each Local C.R.E.S.T. Chapter is
democratically constructed with all organizational powers
vested
in our membership. Becoming a "Member Organization"
is achieved by adopting and adhering to this charter.
Organizations are not required to incorporate but may do so
if beneficial.
1.1.2 This charter may be
modified as needed by each
Chapter to comply with state or local laws. However, such
alterations may not in any
way violate the spirit, purpose
or intent of the C.R.E.S.T.
1.1.3 All C.R.E.S.T. organizations adopting this charter
are independent organizations. Each independent
organization is a member of a single charter community. All
C.R.E.S.T. chapters within a single county or district work
together and must form a county/district council
coordinating
all local organizations together. In turn each
county or district council is to create and be represented
at the
State Council level. A State Council in turn is
represented at the National Council level. (See section
9.4)
1.1.4 All organizations adopting this charter will be named
"Constitutional Rights Enforcement & Support
Team" For
Example: "Constitutional Rights Enforcement & Support Team
of Culver City, California."
Optionally, an organization
mascot name may be added.
1.1.5 All organizations that adopt this charter are
responsible
to maintain the universal integrity and purpose
of the C.R.E.S.T.
1.1.6 An organization may be chartered with
a minimum of
four founding members. Every C.R.E.S.T. chapter is to make
every effort to recruit and maintain a
minimum of sixty
members with a chapter being full at one hundred and thirty
members. A C.R.E.S.T. chapter is
to split into two sister
chapters before reaching one hundred and thirty members.
1.1.7 A chapter with less than
twenty five members is
considered “under construction.” While under construction a
chapter is still
to be represented at their County/District
Council but voting rights are suspended until membership
reaches twenty
five.
1.1.8 Any community-based organization or group may use
this C.R.E.S.T. Unified Standard. Including:
crime
prevention; religious; educational; civic; fraternal;
business; labor organizations; professional associations;
or any group of concerned citizens.
Organization at a glance:
C.R.E.S.T. National Council
Council President
and Vice-President and council members.
National Council members are sent by their respective State
Councils.
C.R.E.S.T. State Councils
Council President and Vice-President and council members.
State Council members are
sent by their respective
County/District Councils.
County and District Councils
Council President and board
of Elected Captains
All Elected Chapter Captains serve on their County Council.
(Note: large metropolitan areas
chapters may divide their
county into districts)
C.R.E.S.T. Local Chapter
One Elected Chapter Captain - Team/Task
Leaders and Member
CHAPTER II: Membership Requirements.
2.1.1
All members must be United States Citizens or in the
process of becoming citizens. Members must own or have
access
to a firearm of their choosing.
2.1.2 There is no maximum age restriction and the minimum
age is 18. All C.R.E.S.T.
members are to maintain the
highest standards of citizenship.
2.1.3 Each local chapter has minimum member dues
of $7.00
per month to help cover required purchase items mandated by
this charter. Members must be able to pay
chapter dues on
time as determined by the chapter.
CHAPTER
III: Elections and Leaders.
3.1.1 The C.R.E.S.T. does not use a military
chain-of-command. There is one elected
officer for each
local chapter and one elected or appointed team leader for
each team within a local chapter.
Within each county or
district area all C.R.E.ST. organizations are to join their
efforts and create a county
or district council.
3.1.2 Each Local C.R.E.S.T. Chapter is required to elect
one organizational officer with
the title of "Captain"
every four years coinciding with the presidential election
cycle. New organizations
may elect an interim Captain prior
to the election cycle. No military style chain-of-command
may be created except
for national emergency or armed
defense of the U.S. Constitution. (See Chapter IV.) A
County Council President
is to be selected from among the
elected Captains within a county or district. Elected
Captains within a county
determine their County Council
President by election or lottery as they choose.
3.1.3 At election time the organization
Oversight Committee
is to be determined. A simple lottery will be used to
determine the committee. Twelve member
names will be drawn
from the lottery to determine the committee. In
organizations with less than thirty members
only eight
members will serve on the committee.
3.1.4 Committee members are to nominate a Committee
Chairman.
If an Oversight Committee member leaves an
organization before the end of term, a replacement will be
drawn by
lottery. If the Committee Chairman leaves office
before end of term, committee members will elect a new
Chairman.
3.1.5 All members of the Oversight Committee will have
access to all organization financial records at all times.
All organization expenditures must have Oversight Committee
approval. The Oversight Committee is to meet a minimum
of
twice a year to review organization financial records. At
the discretion of the committee an outside auditor
may be
hired at organization expense. The committee may call a
hearing anytime to address any issue that may concern
the
organization.
3.1.6 The power to remove an Elected-Captain or other
C.R.E.S.T. member from the organization
resides with the
Oversight Committee. An Elected-Captain may only be removed
by a unanimous vote of the committee.
A three-fourths
majority is required to expel a member.
3.1.7 During any national emergency the power to appoint
officers for a C.R.E.S.T. Chapter resides solely with the
Elected Captain. An appointment may only be stopped
by a
three-fourths majority vote of the Oversight Committee.
3.1.8 In the event an Elected-Captain resigns or is
otherwise removed from an organization the oversight
committee will appoint an interim Captain until a new
election can be held by the organization.
3.1.9 Any C.R.E.S.T. Team Leader has the power to remove or
suspend
a member from the organization pending a hearing
from the Oversight Committee. The Oversight Committee may
overturn
or affirm such actions by majority vote and/or
assign members to new teams.
3.1.9.1 The elected C.R.E.S.T. Captain
may optionally
receive financial compensation for service in the
C.R.E.S.T.
3.1.9.2 If the Captain is given
financial compensation from
the chapter the Oversight Committee determines and approves
these benefits.
3.1.9.3
The office of Captain is not term limited.
3.2 The duties of C.R.E.S.T. Captain:
3.2.1 C.R.E.S.T. Captain is the
elected Senior Officer for
a local C.R.E.S.T. Chapter. The Elected-Captain has the
full power to delegate, organize
and direct a C.R.E.S.T.
Chapter during all organization activities. The
Elected-Captain is to ensure compliance
with state and
Federal laws and the bylaws of this charter.
3.2.2 The Elected-Captain may appoint a Treasurer/Secretary
and all other organizational officers. Except during a
national emergency all appointed officers within the
C.R.E.S.T. must have titles that are civilian in nature.
3.2.3 Each C.R.E.S.T. team consisting of 6 to 15 team
members is to have one “Team Leader.” Team members elect
their own Team Leader and this election must
be approved by
the Elected Captain to become valid. In the event of a
dispute this leader will be assigned by
the Elected Captain
to a team. Team leaders coordinate with the Elected Captain
for all organization activities.
3.2.7 The Elected - captain shall be sworn in by the
Chairman of the Oversight Committee.
3.2.8 Upon
election as C.R.E.S.T. Captain, the following
oath of office shall be taken:
"I (state your full name) the
Elected-Captain of
Constitutional Rights Enforcement & Support Team of (your
town/community) do solemnly swear
(or affirm) that I will
support and defend The Constitution of the United States; I
will maintain the integrity
of the C.R.E.S.T. Charter, and
the bylaws set-forth within; I now accept this office in
good conscious and without
reservation; So help me God.
3.4 The duties of Team/Task Leader:
3.4.1 Team leaders are the primary training
officers for a
C.R.E.S.T. organization and should be well versed in
firearm safety and able to teach others. Team
members
should take skill and leadership qualities into
consideration when electing a task leader for their team.
This leader may also be appointed by the organization
Captain. (See 3.2.3)
3.4.2 Team leaders will record
and report all team
activities, performance and attendance to their Elected
Captain. Team Leaders are accountable
to the Elected
Captain for all team activities and functions.
3.4.3 The admission of new members as well as dismissals
is
to be submitted in written form by team leaders to their
Elected Captain.
CHAPTER IV: Emergency Organization System.
Peace is always our mission and in this purpose
we bear no
shame in our aggressive defense of the U.S. Constitution.
Such defense is the obligation of every U.S.
Citizen and a
cornerstone of our organization. Apart from an event that
would justify organizing in a military
fashion the
C.R.E.S.T. will always remain a completely civilian and in
every respect a peaceful entity.
In
the event that the government begins to disarm America
as has been done in England and Australia it will be an act
of war blatantly declared upon the American people. The
C.R.E.S.T. will then automatically be transformed and all
local organizations will become a United States
Constitutional Militia and Local organizational hierarchy
will become a chain-of-command with members taking oaths to
obey and follow this authority. All authority to appoint
officers will be vested in the Elected Captain of each
Local Chapter.
The C.R.E.S.T. reserves the right to
organize itself as a
United States Militia under the following circumstances:
a.) A complete and irreversible overthrow
of the United
States Constitution or the disarming of citizens in
violation of that document. b.) National civil
unrest that
threatens our families, communities or nation. c.) An armed
invasion of the United States or imminent
threat of such
invasion. d.) Any lawful purpose protected under the U.S.
Constitution not foreseen by this charter.
1.) If citizens are ordered to disarm we will not wait for
a knock on the door or ever turn in our arms. We will grow
our ranks in defense of the U.S. Constitution and
inseparable Bill of Rights. Our members will act in unison
and never as individuals.
2.) We will organize a command structure for our
resistance. Each local Chapter will
implement ONLY the
following U.S. Army ranks: Private, Corporal, Sergeant,
Staff Sergeant, First Lieutenant and
Captain. One Master
Sergeant Insignia will also be kept to designate the
Sergeant at Arms for a C.R.E.S.T. Chapter.
Each chapter is
to maintain a supply of these insignias to cover double
their membership.
3.) Only individuals
elected as a C.R.E.S.T. Captain may
hold the military rank of Captain during any resistance.
All lower ranks within
a local organization will be
appointed by this officer after a swearing-in ceremony is
held by the organization.
A Captains term does not expire
while the emergency organization system is active.
4.) All C.R.E.S.T. members must
be willing to assume a
leadership role during any armed resistance in defense of
the U.S. Constitution. Therefore,
all C.R.E.S.T. members
that entered the organization before a call to arms
occurred will automatically hold the
minimum rank of
Sergeant. This allows more citizens to join the resistance
with command leadership already in
place.
All C.R.E.S.T. National Council members will hold the rank
of Brigadier General and may elect
higher ranking generals
from among themselves. All C.R.E.S.T. State Council
members will hold the
rank of Lt. Colonel and may elect
Colonels from among themselves. The President and the Vice
President of
the C.R.E.S.T. State Council shall will hold
the rank of Brigadier General. All C.R.E.S.T. County
Council
members will retain the rank of Captain. The
President and the Vice President of the C.R.E.S.T. County
Council
shall will hold the rank of Major.*
5.) A high-command (anything above the rank of Captain) may
also be
created by an election process performed by a
united group of Captains. For example, a group of three
C.R.E.S.T.
Captains will have the power to elect among
themselves a Major to coordinate a broader effort. Such
elections
will be binding for all C.R.E.S.T. members and
organizations during any resistance. Promoted officers
retain the
voting powers of an elected C.R.E.S.T. Captain.
6.) Only members that have been elected as Captain in a
local Chapter
will have the power to elect officers above
that rank. Each Captain supporting a promotion must provide
a signed
endorsement of the promotion with all signatures
on a single document.
7.) A minimum of three elected C.R.E.S.T.
Captains are
required to elect an officer of the rank of Major.
8.) A minimum of six elected C.R.E.S.T. Captains
will be
required to elect an officer of the rank of Lt. Colonel.
9.) A minimum of twelve elected C.R.E.S.T. Captains
will be
required to elect an officer of the rank of Colonel.
10.) A minimum of 24 elected C.R.E.S.T. Captains
will be
required to elect an officer of the rank of General or
above.
11.) Military law will be applied to
all members within the
resistance during a call to arms. All C.R.E.S.T. members
will strictly observe the Geneva
Conventions for the
humanitarian treatment of prisoners of war. All C.R.E.S.T.
members will be accountable to
elected C.R.E.S.T. officers
and officers appointed over them by those officials.
12.) A C.R.E.S.T. organization
DOES NOT train-in or use
military battle dress uniforms during regular C.R.E.S.T.
functions. However all members
are required to purchase an
emergency BDU that is universal to their Chapter or per
guidelines stipulated by the
National Council.
Organizations may use member dues to fund the uniform and
insignia purchases eliminating the
need for new members to
come up with a larger sum. The first financial goal of
every C.R.E.S.T. Chapter should
be to warehouse enough
emergency uniforms and insignia to cover double their
membership. Each C.R.E.S.T.
member is encouraged (but not
required)
to purchase another emergency BDU of the same size to be
reserved
for a new member.
13.) Maintaining the emergency BDU uniform: The United
States Flag emblem patch will be
sewed on left shirtsleeve
of all uniforms. All uniforms will be imprinted U.S.
Militia with state abbreviation
over the left shirt pocket.
For example: U.S. MILITIA-NV if your organization resides
in Nevada. Member names
are printed above the right shirt
pocket only if the emergency system is activated.
14.) If the Emergency Organization System has been
activated all C.R.E.S.T. Captains
will paint an olive drab
or black stripe (as shown) across their Captain’s bars to
show their C.R.E.S.T.
affiliation. Those appointed as First
Lieutenant will also paint an olive drab or black stripe
(as shown) across
their Lieutenant’s bars to designate
their C.R.E.S.T. affiliation.
15.) The following military insignia
are stored and
maintained by the C.R.E.S.T. to support and prepare for the
C.R.E.S.T. emergency organization system.
Private no
insignia; Corporal; Sergeant; Staff Sergeant; One Master
Sergeant insignia to be used as Sergeant at
Arms; First
Lieutenant; with an olive drab or black painted bar and one
Captain insignia with an olive drab or
black painted bar.
All insignia are purchased by members and kept in the
possession of the Elected C.R.E.S.T.
Captain unless the
emergency organization system is implemented by the
C.R.E.S.T.
Images: (Download the PDF file to see
the images)
Rank insignia recognized by the C.R.E.S.T.
emergency organization system. Officer insignia above the
rank of Captain are to be warehoused by County and State
Councils. As general rule The C.R.E.S.T. warehouses
uniforms for emergency purposes and as a political
statement but does not wear uniforms during regular
C.R.E.S.T.
activities.
CHAPTER V: Organization Requirements.
5.1.1 Each Local C.R.E.S.T. Chapter is to be a private
non-profit
organization and may optionally incorporate.
Each chapter is to collect a minimum of $7.00 per month
from each
member to purchase required charter items and
materials for their chapter. Minimum dues are determined by
the
National Council and each local chapter may increase
dues from time to time as needed. Dues are collected by
team
leaders and recorded by the Oversight Committee before
being passed to the elected Captain or Chapter Treasurer.
Items purchased with members dues include: emergency BDU
uniforms, insignias, and all other supplies that may be
needed by the chapter during an emergency or for training
purposes. Organization supplies are stored in a manner
dictated by the Elected Captain and supervised by the
Oversight Committee. Each chapter is to provide a written
inventory of supplies to the elected Captain and Oversight
Committee once per year.
The first financial goal
of every C.R.E.S.T. Chapter should
be to warehouse enough emergency uniforms and insignia to
cover double their
membership.
5.1.2 Each local C.R.E.S.T. Chapter is to be represented at
their County Council when the council meets.
5.1.3 Each local C.R.E.S.T. Chapter is to actively invite
new members to join the C.R.E.S.T.
5.1.4 Each local
C.R.E.S.T. Chapter will require all new
members take the following oath of membership:
"I (state your full
name) will support and defend The
Constitution of the United States; I will follow the bylaws
set-forth
within the C.R.E.S.T. Charter; I understand the
C.R.E.S.T. is a brotherhood of citizens and I am willing to
bear that responsibility; in good conscious and without
reservation I affirm my membership in the C.R.E.S.T.
5.1.5
One major function of the C.R.E.S.T. is to be
preparing for natural disasters and civil unrest and to be
able
to provide security for their communities during and
after such events. Therefore, all organizations must have a
universal method that identifies members as private
security. A full uniform is not required but a single cap,
shirt, vest and/or jacket with the word "SECURITY"
imprinted plainly for the public will suffice. The uniform
that is adopted is determined by each individual
organization. Also, “C.R.E.S.T.” may be printed on
the
front of a jacket with member name.
CHAPTER VI: Suggested
Weapon and Equipment Guidelines.
6.1 Weapon ownership/access and training is a requirement
for all C.R.E.S.T. members
physically able to do so.
Conforming to charter weapon guidelines is strongly
suggested but not mandated. Members
are encouraged (not
required) to participate in NRA high power rifle matches
and take a basic pistol safety or
defensive course. Similar
training and competition provided by the C.R.E.S.T. is also
desirable.
C.R.E.S.T.
Suggested Weapon Guidelines. Members are free to
choose ANY rifle or handgun they choose but should when
possible
add a conforming arm to their collection.
Any auto-loading rifle in .223 Remington, 7.62x39, .308
Winchester,
9mm or .50 BMG is included as a charter
guideline standard.
Suggested standard member model: Scoped Ruger Ranch
or
Mini-14 .223 Remington. Spare magazines should total a
minimum of 40 rounds for model used. For example: Four
10/round magazines, or two 20/round magazines.
6.1.4 Members may choose to train as tactical-shooters
using
bolt-action rifles.
6.1.7 Members are not required to own a handgun. However,
members are encouraged to select
models in 9mm or .45ACP if
they choose to keep a side arm.
6.2 C.R.E.S.T. Suggested Standard Equipment:
6.2.1
Each C.R.E.S.T. member will keep ready, a minimum 200
rounds ammunition; two days water and non-perishable food;
pocket knife; small flashlight; compact binoculars; first
aid kit; personal hygiene items such as soap and toothbrush
and small carrying bag or pack.
Other useful items may include waterproof matches;
lighter; needles
and thread; fishing line, hooks &
sinkers; water filtration system/purification tablets;
compass;
entrenching tool; gun cleaning equipment; spare
gun parts; helmet; field jacket; 3 pairs of socks; poncho;
fixed blade knife; batteries; toilette paper, small am/fm
pocket radio with earphone.
Security
uniforms should be kept updated for the current
weather conditions. A minimum of one night vision device
should
be kept by each team. Each team member should have a
minimum of one hand held radio universally used by the team
and organization. Members are encouraged to have access to
a video camera for video-surveillance activities aimed
at
curbing crime.
6.2.2 Highly desired C.R.E.S.T. organization equipment:
cell phones; field glasses; body
armor; night vision; ham
radios; road flares and cones; shovels; GPS, chemical light
sticks, generators; medical
and first aid supplies etc.
These and other needed items may be purchased for a chapter
using organization funds.
CHAPTER VII: Training and performance standards.
Training and participation
in the C.R.E.S.T. is flexible
but consistent.
7.1.1 Each team is to meet a minimum of once per month.
This
can be a brief meeting lasting about one half hour or
as long as desired. The team meeting should include
community
information exchange, physical education or other
training. The team's leader directs the focus of each
meeting.
Team leaders are responsible to see that all
members meet organization-training standards.
7.1.2. Two hours minimum
required rifle and/or pistol
practice is to be verified by team leaders every ninety
days as a team activity.
Team leaders once per month are to
verify phone tree updates. Phone trees will include home,
work, cell phones
and pagers. Updated phone trees are
passed up the to the organization's Captain.
7.1.3 Each organization is encouraged
to conduct a minimum
of four simulation exercises per year. Simulations may
include search and rescue of missing
persons; first aid
training; simulated conflicts such as paintball matches and
other beneficial training activities.
7.1.4 Organization leaders are to meet a minimum of once
per month to maintain the organization. In small
organizations
this can be a combined team and organization
meeting.
7.1.5 Each chapter is to hold an organization wide meeting
a minimum of five times per year as determined by the
elected chapter Captain.
CHAPTER VIII: Mobilization Policies:
Activation: The C.R.E.S.T. is not designed to be an
organized militia unless an overt overthrow of the U.S
Constitution is implemented by force of arms. We are only a
defensive organization and training simply consists of
basic firearm skills. The C.R.E.S.T. will never mobilize
in
a military fashion except as provided under the Emergency
Organization System. (See Chapter IV)
8.1 Security
is a primary function of the C.R.E.S.T. Our
constitutionally guaranteed right to not only "keep" but
also
"bear" arms is rooted in our common law right to an
individual and collective self-defense. Organizations
are
to be well prepared to provide armed security and defense
within their community.
8.1.2 Citizen's Arrest
by C.R.E.S.T. Members:
C.R.E.S.T. members will never participate in assisting any
government agency intent on enforcing
laws that violate the
United States Constitution. Many unconstitutional laws
exist at local, state and Federal
levels of government at
the time of the original writing of this charter.
In the event of legitimate crimes the
following procedures
will be followed. If not making an arrest doesn't pose a
danger to the community, or the
suspect doesn't appear to
be in flight, C.R.E.S.T. members should call and wait for
law enforcement authorities.
Citizen's arrests by the
C.R.E.S.T. will be conducted strictly observing local,
state and federal laws. Suspects
are to be turned over to
law enforcement authorities without delay.
CHAPTER IX: Charter Limitations and Restrictions:
9.1.1 Each C.R.E.S.T. member must be a United States
Citizen
before serving under this charter or be in the
process of becoming a citizen.
9.1.2 Those advocating a creed,
organization or movement,
that is clearly hostile to United States Constitution, must
never be admitted as C.R.E.S.T.
members. Clearly hostile
means a diametrical opposition to United States
Constitutional or any portion thereof.
9.1.3 Unless employed for temporary state or national
emergency, no C.R.E.S.T. organization or member may accept
payment from any governmental or private entity, related to
service organized by the C.R.E.S.T. or under the C.R.E.S.T.
Charter. All service conducted under this charter is to be
performed on a volunteer basis and no member may work
as a
paid security guard or similar function under direction
and/or supervision of a C.R.E.S.T. organization.
9.1.4 Local modifying charters may be created to comply
with local, state or federal laws, and appended to this
charter. Amendments to this charter are limited to a
Captain's term and must be voted upon every four years to
remain an organization bylaw.
9.1.5 Restrictions for team formation: It is the intent of
this charter that standard
teams maintain between six and
fifteen members. However, larger or smaller teams may be
created for any purpose
deemed beneficial to a C.R.E.S.T.
organization.
9.1.6 Teams must be fully functional in the absence of
members
having other civil obligations in time of crisis
such as firefighters and law enforcement officers.
9.1.7 C.R.E.S.T.
organizations may share a legal defense
fund, or share expenses for services provided by third
parties that benefit
the C.R.E.S.T. Charter Community as a
whole. However, such joining must not blur or compromise
the independent
organizational authority of each C.R.E.S.T.
Chapter.
9.1.8 The primary intent of this charter is to create a
highly respected civilian security force for the defense of
the United States Constitution. Such organizations also
function as an emergency security force during local, state
or national emergencies. In this respect the C.R.E.S.T.
may
at times function to bolster or relieve National Guard
forces or act as a local first response prior to the
arrival of National Guard manpower.
9.1.9 The C.R.E.S.T. will hopefully never need to act in
armed defense.
However, it is mandated in this charter,
that members keep and bear arms. No modifications may be
made to this
charter that weakens the armed defense
capabilities of the C.R.E.S.T., or lessens the training
requirements for
such defense.
9.2.1 It is the intent of this charter that the C.R.E.S.T.
work toward and take advantage of every
peaceful means of
Constitutional restoration possible.
9.2.2 It is the intent of this charter that all C.R.E.S.T.
organizations welcome, and actively recruit like minded
patriots.
9.2.3 It is the intention of this charter
that C.R.E.S.T.
function as a citizen security network and as a very last
resort the basis of armed restoration
of the United States
Constitution.
9.2.4 The C.R.E.S.T. will only organize itself as a trained
and organized
Militia in the event of a complete and
irreversible overthrow of the United States Constitution OR
the disarming
of citizens in violation of that document.
9.2.5 The CREST is a civilian entity. Active duty members
of the armed
services may not serve in the C.R.E.S.T.
National Guard members may be admitted as in any other
civilian
organization but will be excused from C.R.E.S.T.
meetings and functions if there is a conflict of schedules.
Should
there be an order given by any government to disarm
the American people and the C.R.E.S.T. is consequently
transformed
into a United States militia, then those
members of the National Guard, who are C.R.E.S.T. members,
should
declare where their loyalty belongs and decide whose
side they will fight on. National Guard members may not
officially
participate in defense of members who are
having their rights violated but they may train and prepare
as a last
resort defense of our second amendment right to
keep and bear arms.
9.2.6 Under this charter, service in the C.R.E.S.T.
is
voluntary and not compulsory. No C.R.E.S.T. organization
may draft contracts, or enlistment agreements
for members.
9.2.7 Members must be seven years a United States Citizens
to be eligible for the office of Captain
in the C.R.E.S.T.
Those maintaining dual-citizenship status are not eligible
for the office of Captain in the
C.R.E.S.T.
9.2.8 The C.R.E.S.T. reserves the right to defend any
member that has had his/her constitutional rights
violated
by law enforcement and more importantly the courts.
9.4 The C.R.E.S.T. National Council:
9.4.1 Each
local C.R.E.S.T. Chapter is to be represented at
their County or District Council. Each County or District
Council
is to create and be represented at the State
Council level.
9.4.2 Each State Council may send one representative
to the
National Council per 30,000 active C.R.E.S.T. members
within their state, up to a maximum of three
representatives per state. Each representative has one vote
at the council. For example: A state with less than 30,000
members has one vote at the National Council while a state
with 60,000 to 90,000 members will have two votes at
the
council and so-forth up to the maximum of three votes.
9.4.3 The official meeting location for the National
Council is determined by the council each year.
9.4.4 The National Council is to elect a President and
Vice-President
from among the participating council
representatives. Elections are to take place one month
after the presidential
election cycle or interim election
as needed. The National Council President has the power to
appoint all other
National Council officers,
representatives and speakers.
9.4.5 The purpose National Council is to insure all Local
Chapters are focused on the same task at the same time. All
Chapters are to come to the defense of all other member
organizations and the National Council directs this
support.
9.4.6 The National Council has the power to
create bylaws
for the council; to create all offices needed to organize
the council; to raise funds to be used
for the universal
benefit of all C.R.E.S.T. Chapters; to purchase property
and equipment for the C.R.E.S.T. and
appoint trustees for
such property.
9.4.7 The National Council may permanently amend or alter
this charter
by unanimous consent. Temporary four year
amendments may be added to this charter by majority vote of
the National
Council. Such amendments expire after four
years if not reinstated.
9.4.8 The National Council has the power to
expel
organizations that do not conform to the intent of this
charter. Once expelled by the council no C.R.E.S.T.
Chapter
may provide support to the expelled Chapter. The Council
also has the power to reinstate an expelled C.R.E.S.T.
Chapter.
9.4.9 In the event that the C.R.E.S.T. is transformed into
a United States Militia, all National
Council members will
automatically become brigadier generals and will elect
among themselves higher ranking generals.
9.5 Although the C.R.E.S.T. is steadfastly against
initiating the use of force against others, it will not
restrict it's members from using whatever force is needed
to defend themselves and each other against violence or
violations of their rights by those who would enforce
unconstitutional laws. However, members that carelessly
get
themselves in trouble with government authorities must
understand our response must be measured to insure
the
continuation of the C.R.E.S.T.
9.5.1 We will never resort to the use of firearms or
explosives in defending
our members, these options we
maintain solely for the defense of our nation. However, we
maintain and will use
every nonviolent option to defend or
rescue our members from government wrongdoing.
9.6 The Interim
C.R.E.S.T. National Oversight Committee:
9.6.1 Until the first C.R.E.S.T. National Council has
been
elected with representatives from all states there
shall be an interim C.R.E.S.T. National Oversight
Committee.
The function of the Commitee is to to keep the
C.R.E.S.T. on course and to insure that members and
chapters are
abiding by the charter. The Committee will be
Internet based and for the most part will operate through
the
C.R.E.S.T. Yahoo group at
http://www.groups/yahoo.com/thecrest . The Committee will
have the authority to remove members from the
C.R.E.S.T. as
well as expose and remove renegade chapters. The Committee
does not have the authority to
call defensive actions.
That authority resides with the Council members on the
County or State level.
No defensive actions may be called
or ordered without County and State Council approval..
9.6.2 Quicksilverdime,
the founder of the C.R.E.S.T. ,
shall be the interim Chairman of the C.R.E.S.T. National
Oversight Committee
and shall appoint commitee members
and/or remove them at his discretion. Committee members
must either have
started a local C.R.E.S.T chapter or
belong to an active chapter that is following the charter
guidelines.
They must also have fullfilled all membership
requirements.
9.6.3 The interim National C.R.E.S.T. Oversight
Committee
shall be disolved upon formation of a C.R.E.S.T. National
Council with representative members from every state.
9.6.4 The C.R.E.S.T. official website will be at http://www.thecrest and will also be the Committee's primary meeting place.
Any other websites that claim to be
the sole representative of the C.R.E.S.T. are imposters
and/or renegades.
Individual C.R.E.S.T. chapters may have
their own websites but must not claim to represent all of
the C.R.E.S.T.
The National C.R.E.S.T. Council may select
a different url for the website and appoint a webmaster
etc. if they
choose. The domain names, thecrest.org, ** thecrest.us,
thecrest.info and thecrest.mobi shall
be
tranfered to the either the President of the National
C.R.E.S.T. Council or to an organization within the
council. The C.R.E.S.T. Seal:
A red-tailed hawk
carrying an olive branch symbolizing
American independence and our pursuit of peace through
strength.
May
be worn on right shoulder or front of jacket or on
front of hat on civilian clothing to show your
C.R.E.S.T.affiliation.
To be used on all official C.R.E.S.T. stationary and seals
and C.R.E.S.T. websites.
The C.R.E.S.T. Symbol:
A red feather (quill) -
symbolizing freedom and independence through sacrifice.
The C.R.E.S.T. LOGO:
To be determined by poll in
TheCREST Yahoo group when the group reaches 1,000 members
and then will be added to
this charter.
Official C.R.E.S.T. Colors: Black or Navy Blue background
with yellow/gold letters C.R.E.S.T.
(for T-shirts,
jackets, hats, etc. Other colors may be worn if so
desired.)
Court cases and quotes we reflect on:
1. "The claim and exercise of a constitutional
right cannot
be converted into a crime. Miller v. U.S. 230 F 486 at
489"
2. "Where rights
as secured by the Constitution are
involved, there can be no rule making or legislation which
will abrogate
them.
Miranda v. Ariz., 384 U.S. 436 at 491 (1966)."
3. "The general rule is that an unconstitutional
statute,
though having the form and name of law, is in reality no
law, but is wholly void, and ineffective
for any purpose;
since unconstitutionality dates from the time of it's
enactment, and not merely from the date
of the decision so
branding it. No one is bound to obey an unconstitutional
law, and no courts are bound
to enforce it." - Sixteenth
American Jurisprudence, Second Edition, Section 256 137,
180"
4. "Since
an unconstitutional law is void, the general
principles follow that it imposes no duties, confers no
rights,
creates no office, bestows no power or authority on
anyone, affords no protection and justifies no acts
performed
under it. No one is bound to obey an
unconstitutional law and no courts are bound to enforce it.
16 Am Jur 2nd
Section 177
5. "Where rights as secured by the Constitution are
involved, there can be no rule making or legislation
which
will abrogate them. Miranda v. Ariz.,
384 U.S. 436 at 491 (1966)."
6. "All laws,
rules and practices which are repugnant to
the Constitution are null and void. Marbury v. Madison
7. "The
United States is entirely a creature of the
Constitution. Its power and authority have no other source.
It can
only act in accordance with all the limitations
imposed by the Constitution." Reid v Covert 354 US l (1957)
8. "When a legislature undertakes to proscribe the exercise
of a citizen's constitutional rights it acts lawlessly
and
the citizen can take matters into his own hands and proceed
on the basis that such a law is no law at all."
- Justice
William O. Doug
Starting a C.R.E.S.T. organization:
Any community-based organization or group may use this
C.R.E.S.T. Unified Standard. Including: crime prevention;
religious; educational; civic; fraternal; business; labor
organizations; professional associations; or any group of
citizens.
End Charter.
FAQ:
Is the C.R.E.S.T.
a vigilante group? No. The C.R.E.S.T.
never takes justice into it’s own hands. Our members do
reserve the
right to obstruct injustice when a fellow
member is having his/her rights violated under the color of
law.
Does the C.R.E.S.T. support domestic terrorism like what
happened in Oklahoma City? Absolutely not, we are an
anti-terrorist organization. We work within the existing
political process to restore constitutional law and to
promote a more secure America. If you believe terrorism is
the way to restore constitutional government don’t
expect
safe harbor with us.
Is the C.R.E.S.T. planning a war against the government?
Definitely Not. Although
our members keep and bear arms our
stance is completely defensive. The question should be is
why is government
acting in ways that we feel we may need
to defend ourselves?
Why does your organization warehouse military uniforms?
We
believe in hoping for the best while preparing for the
worst. Just like we don’t keep and bear arms merely
for
“hunting and sporting purposes” our organization doesn’t
exist to appease those that aim
to disarm the people. Make
no mistake, we will fight if given no other choice, we
believe self-defense is a natural
and God given right that
cannot be compromised.
Is the government against the C.R.E.S.T? We are a peaceful
and law abiding organization and a law abiding government
has no reason to ever be against us or fear us.
Isn’t
the C.R.E.S.T controversial? We are no more
controversial than the Bill of Rights today.
Is the C.R.E.S.T associated
with the NRA? No. Many of our
members may also be members of the NRA but as an
organization we make no endorsement
of the NRA nor does the
NRA endorse the C.R.E.S.T.
Ok, how do I join the C.R.E.S.T.? You can contact the
webmaster
of the website posting this charter to see if a
chapter exists in your area. If not you can use the charter
to
form your own chapter.
CORRECTION NOTICE: The founder, Quicksilverdime,
corrected an error
in the charter on July 20th, 2004 under
Chapter 4 - Emergency Organiztion System. ( 04. It is
now corrected to read,
"All C.R.E.S.T. County Council members will retain the rank
of Captain.
The President and the Vice President of the
C.R.E.S.T. County Council shall will hold the rank of
Major."
instead of "All C.R.E.S.T. County Council
members will hold the rank of Major. The President
and the
Vice President of the C.R.E.S.T. County Council will
hold the rank of Lt. Colonel." Since all
the elected
Captains are on the County Council there would be no
Captains if they were all promoted to Major.
The mistake
was mine and I corrected it. The County Council of
C.R.E.S.T. Captains may still elect
higher ranking
officers from among themselves as needed. -
QSD NOTE: One more
change was made on August 10, 2007.
TheCREST.org was just recently purchased by us and that is
now our primary
URL rather than TheCREST.us which is
currently being redirected to TheCREST.ws. and may soon be redirected to
the TheCREST.org
TheCREST.org is also temporarily being redirected to TheCREST.ws URL
at this time,
but the site's new home will eventually be at TheCREST.org. once we get
it all put together (that's the plan anyway).
- QSD
