The MILITARY SOCIETY OF THE WAR OF 1812
Constituting “The Veteran Corps of Artillery in the State of New York”
Military Society War 1812 Application Process
A. Approval of the Candidate
- An applicant is either proposed by a member by filling out the Society’s proposal form or an applicant may contact a member via US Mail or via the Internet.
o A member may propose an applicant by completing the formal Proposal Form for Prospective Member which is sent via email to the Registrar who then forwards it to the Membership Committee for approval or disapproval
o If the Applicant is not known by a member a Proposal Form is emailed to the applicant by the Registrar t with a request to complete and send it back along with a resume or bio to the Genealogist. The Registrar then forwards the materials to the Membership Committee for approval or disapproval.
(Proposal Form attached)
- If the Proposal Form is not approved the Membership Committee informs the Registrar who in turn notifies the applicant.
- If the Proposal Form is approved, The Registrar sets up the applicant’s contact information in the Society’s Roster.
B. Verification of Descent
(**current General Society War of 1812 members may skip to Section C below)
- Upon approval of the proposal form, the Registrar then notifies the Genealogist who sends an email to the applicant requesting the first-year membership and administrative application fees ($235.00) ($75.00 first year membership and $160 administrative fees).
- Life membership $750.00, Annual membership Fee: $75.00
- Upon receipt of the fees the Genealogist then sends the Society’s Application Form and application requirement document. (See attached forms). The Genealogist then scans the check for the records and forwards the original check to the Treasurer to be processed.
- Applicant then completes the application to conform to the requirements and emails Application form back to the Genealogist and simultaneously US Postal Service the proofs to the Genealogist.
- The Genealogist reviews the Application Form against the proofs making sure that all information meets the Society’s requirements. The Genealogist either approves or contacts the applicant for further documents.
- Once approved the Genealogist scans both the Application Form and proofs. He then forwards the documents to the Membership Committee for review and approval or disapproval by the Society’s Council of Administration at its next scheduled meeting.
- Upon approval the Application, Secretary then sends a formal letter to the applicant confirming their Membership and the membership number. He also notifies the Registrar who updates the Society’s Roster.
C. General Society War of 1812 Members
- Upon approval of the Proposal form, the Registrar sends an email to the applicant requesting a completed Application and a record copy of the approved General Society War of 1812 membership evidencing lineage back to the qualifying ancestor and the first-year membership and administrative application fees ($235.00) ($75.00 first year membership and $160 administrative fees). (Life membership $750.00, Annual membership Fee: $75.00)
- The Registrar then verifies that the application lineage is identical to the record copy of GSW 1812 membership and, if identical, submits the documents to the Council for consideration.
- The Council, upon deliberation, may either, in its discretion, approve the Application based on the record copy or request that additional backup documentation and proofs be provided to the Genealogist to be verified in the process described in section B above.
VCA Membership & The Military Society
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- The Military Society of the War of 1812 is linked with the Veterans Corps of Artillery of the State of New York (VCA), one of the few Historic Militia Units recognized by Congress in the early 20th century as having continuing existence from the period prior to 1792 (the passage of the Militia Act). The VCA has a hereditary component for those whose ancestors served during the Revolutionary War – thus the name ‘Veteran’.
- If you also are qualified to join the VCA, you may simultaneously join the Society and the VCA as a Joint Life Member at a reduced cost. Joint Life Members living more than 50 miles from Manhattan have no training or participation obligations within the VCA, but may do so if they wish, and may participate in VCA social and ceremonial functions, and obtain and wear the distinctive 1812-era Artillery uniform.