Colorado Division Knights and Dames of the Confederacy

1.0  Purpose: To document the requirements for the Colorado Division of the SCV Knights/Dames of the Confederacy Award,  the procedure for nominating Compatriots, and award approval.
 

2.0  Award Description:
 

This award is the highest form of recognition to a man or woman for Confederate service within The COLORADO SCV DIVISION. Award of the Knights/Dames of the Confederacy will be for Colorado Division Compatriots who have:

A.  Distinguished themselves above and beyond that which would be expected of a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV), (or a friend of SCV, or UDC member)  in defending and protecting the Godliness, Honor, Chivalry and strong Code of Conduct of our Confederate Ancestors. Hey also will have defended and protected the legacy and memory of our Confederate Ancestors and our Southern Heritage through acts of exceptional service, sustained commitment, or public demonstration and speaking. Candidates for nomination must be a member in good standing within their Confederate organization.

B.  Guarded the Truths and Heritage of the South.

C.  Are recognized and esteemed by fellow Compatriots as a Confederate of the highest caliber.
 

3.0  Nominations

A.  The Division Lt. Commander ( or a Div elected Awards Chairman ) will manage the nominations process.  He is the chair of a committee of three ( assigned by SCV Div Commander ) to oversee selection process. First requests for nominations will be sent out to all Colorado Division Camps the first week in September.  Follow up requests for nominations will be sent out at the Lt. Commander’s /Awards Chair discretion. Nominations are due back by the end of the second week in October.  Camps are responsible for ensuring nominations are submitted by the deadline.

B.  Nominations will be discussed and voted on at the Fall Colorado Division Business Meeting (normally the third week in October) at a special session of the committee of three. All current and past Knights/Dames are allowed to be part of this meeting, however the committee of three have the only votes to determine a winning candidate. Two of the three committee votes are required for a candidate to win a nomination. In the case of the highest award “ Grand Knight/Dame of The Confederacy, a nomination must receive all three committee votes to win the nomination.

C. If nominated candidate is on the three person division award committee, the other two members should vote in private, and if it is for the highest award “ Grand Knight/Dame of The Confederacy “, SCV division must vote , or appoint a fourth person to vote on nominated candidate.

D.  Award is to be presented at the Lee-Jackson Banquet in January.  If the award cannot be presented at the Lee-Jackson Banquet, it will be presented at the next appropriate SCV event.

E.  One award may be given to one Compatriot every year or less often as deemed appropriate by nominations submitted and vote by the current Knights of the Confederacy.  If there are no nominations or the nominations are not deemed worthy, the award will not be given that year. One to three awards are allowed each year for each level of advancement for both Knights and Dames. SCV division leadership should strive to find at least one eligible nomination for the first two levels of the award in both DAMES and KNIGHTS categories each year.

F. To advance to the next level of the award, recipient must have held previous level of award for minimum of one year.

G. Posthumous awards should be kept to a minimum, with preference given to living eligible candidates.

H. To be eligible for the highest level of award “ Grand Knight/Dame of The Confederacy “, candidate must be a member in good standing ( in their primary Confederate organization ) for at least FIVE consecutive years immediately prior to their nomination.

I. to be considered for nomination, an official Knights/Dames Div application needs to be filled out entirely, and submitted to the Lt Div Commander/Awards Chair for consideration.

J. Changes to The Awards Program shall be channeled through the Committee Chair/Lt Div Commander and presented for voting at any Division Meeting.

4.0  Form of Award 

This award consists of three items:
 

(1) A replica Southern Cross of Honor Medal: The Southern Cross of Honor recognizes loyal, honorable service to the South and is given in recognition of this devotion; it’s wearing is encouraged on civilian or reenactment clothing, and tells the public of that devotion
 

(2) An engraved Pewter Cup: The engraved pewter cup is symbolic of fellowship, and is also used to salute others; the Knights/Dames’ cups should be brought to those Division events where a toast to those who served the Confederacy is expected, or to salute fellow – and newly recognized – Knights/Dames of the Confederacy (it’s symbolism would be diminished if used as a common drinking cup).
 

(3) A Certificate: The certificate is a constant reminder, in home or office, of the unique status and dedication to the SCV/Confederacy and should be proudly framed and displayed.

5.0 Levels of Award

LEVEL ONE: Knight/Dame of the Confederacy………………with the recognition of ONE GOLD STAR before and after their title

LEVEL TWO:       SR. Knight/Dame of The Confederacy…………with the recognition of TWO GOLD STARS before and after their title

LEVEL THREE:     GRAND Knight/Dame of The Confederacy…….with the recognition of THREE GOLD STARS before and after their title

       IE:      JOHN DOE                                              JOHN DOE                 
* Knight of The Confederacy *     ** SR. Knight of The Confederacy **  

                                               MARY DOE

                       ***GRAND Dame of The Confederacy ***

YEARLY

One to Three new Knight/Dame of The Confederacy ………Level One

One to Three new  SR. Knight/Dame of The Confederacy ………advanced to Level Two

One to Three new GRAND Knight/Dame of The Confederacy……….advanced to Level Three ( if candidates available )