Constitution of The Sons of The Desert

[Angus McLaurel]

Sons of the Desert is one of Laurel & Hardy's best films and is also the name of the official Laurel & Hardy appreciation society, as set up by Stan Laurel and his biographer John McCabe.



This is the constitution of the SONS OF THE DESERT


Article 1

The Sons of the Desert is an organization with scholarly overtones and heavily social undertones devoted to the loving study of the persons and films of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.


Article II

The founding members are Orson Bean , Al Kilgore , John McCabe , Chuck McCann and John Municino


Article III

The Sons of the Desert shall have the following officers and board members who will beelected at an annual meeting

Grand Sheik

Vice - Sheik [ Sheik in charge of Vice ]

Sub - Vice Vizier [ Sheik Treasurer , and in charge of sub - vice ]

Grande Vizier [ Corresponding Secretary ]

Board Members - at - large [ This number should not exceed 812 ]


Artice IV

All officers and board members - at - large shall sit at an exalted place at the annual banquet


Article V

The officers and board members - at - large shall have absolutely no authority whatsoever


Article VI

Despite his absolute lack of authority , the Grand Sheik or his deputy shall act as chairman at all meetings and will follow the standard parlimentary procedure in conducting same. At the meetings, it is hoped that the innate dignity, sensitivity, and good taste of the members assembled will permit activities to be conducted with a lively sense of deportment and good order .


Article VII

Article VI is ridiculous



Article VIII

The annual meeting shall be conducted in the following sequence

1- Cocktails

2- Business meeting and cocktails

3- Dinner [ with cocktails ]

4- After - dinner speeches and cocktails

5- Cocktails

6- Coffee and Cocktails

7- Showing of Laurel and Hardy film

8- After film critique and cocktails

9- After - after - film critique and cocktails

10- Stan has suggested this period . In his words :"All members are requested to park their camels and hire a taxi ; the return for ' One for the desert '! "


Article IX

Section ' 4 ' above shall consist in part of the following toasts :

- " To Stan "

- " To Babe "

- " To Fin "

- " To Mae Busch and Charlie Hall - who are eternally ever - popular ".


Article X

Section " 8 " above shall include the reading of scholary papers on Laurel and Hardy . Any member going over an 8 1/2 minute time limit will have his cocktails limited to fourteen


Article XI

Hopefully , and seriously , the Sons of the Desert, in the strong desire to perpetuate the spirit and genius of Laurel and Hardy, will conduct activities ultimately and always devoted to the preservation of their films and the encouragement of their showing everywhere .


Article XII

There shall be member societies in other cities called "Tents " , each of which shall derive its name from one of the films


Article XIII

Stan has suggested that members might wear a fez or blazer with an appropriate motto . He says " I hope that the motto can be blue and grey , showing two derbies with these words superimposed :'Two minds without a single thought '

[Hives (aka Billy Gilbert)]

regards to article X111, Stan suggested that members wear a fez, to honour Stans wishes, when we get settled and get on with our monthly meetings, might I suggest members do wear a fez/bowler. Failure to do so would incur a fine of ....say... 50p, which will go into tent funds.

Hives runs for the door.....................

[Angus McLaurel]

Sept 8, 2008 10:04:59 GMT Hives (aka Billy Gilbert) said:

regards to article X111, Stan suggested that members wear a fez, to honour Stans wishes, when we get settled and get on with our monthly meetings, might I suggest members do wear a fez/bowler. Failure to do so would incur a fine of ....say... 50p, which will go into tent funds.

Hives runs for the door.....................

it's a possibility Hives, but let's get some new members settled in first!

I think we could at least ask for 'voluntary contributions' at our meetings though for tent funding.

[mgm]

Think the tent needs bedding in before things like that

People will come for free...and maybe contribute...but Knowing it'll cost 'em...they may not

[Hives (aka Billy Gilbert)]

Please read Article x111 again dirty workers, it states MEMBERS to wear a fez.
should we get any newcomers to our tent, I think they will be impressed seeing members wearing a fez and hopefully they will sign up and then get their own headgear.