Membership Clarification

[qorc1944]

Hi all,

I'm a veteran WWII Reenactor (9 years) who is moving out to the West Coast this summer to start working on my PhD in history.

I've already begun contacting some units (and plan to contact some more) and have found that some are classified as "secondary impression units". Now, I certainly understand what a secondary impression is, but find myself a bit confused. On the East Coast, we don't have any mandatory umbrella organizations, so this is a bit new me, so I apologize if this seems like a blatantly obvious question: does a new member to CHG have to join a primary impression group or can they simply join a secondary group? Also, as long as membership dues to CHG and events fees are paid, could I come to an event in my own, accurate kit for that particular theater separate from a pre-existing group?

Really looking forward to continuing my hobby out West and getting to meet all of you over the next few years. Just trying to get a better grip on how things are done

Best,

Andrew Frantz
Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Living History Association

[Brad]

Hello Andrew,
The club requires that a unit has at least 6 members. We used to have people show up and operate alone and it often presented problems with safety, authenticity, etc. I have seen people change interests and move from one unit to another and back again, but that is fine as long as they are falling in with a unit.

Contact one of the unit leaders and once you are checked out and they see that you are squared away it will be more relaxed. If you then want to attend an event as the opposing forces, then contact the other side and see if they will let you fall in.

I'm with the 12th SS and am on my 20th year with that unit. Our unit awards decorations based on attendance with our unit and how much one participates on and off the field of battle.

Take care and we'll see you when you get out here!

[qorc1944]

Brad,

Thanks!

Totally understand the safety concerns. I was just confused by the "secondary impression unit" title.

Andrew

[webmaster]

The CHG is a player organization, which acts like a Co-op to link units together to support each other's members at events. Everyone normally has a primary unit which ETO based that they are a member of. But because of the CHG's player base is so large there are PTO and Russian Front events in additional to the typical ETO Battles. The concept of a Second Impression UNIT devolved over time to support these other single event theaters.

So for example the CHG will only have one PTO Battle and one Desert Battle in a year. So a Japanese UNIT arose based on new. As far as Marines go it wasn't necessary create whole new unit. The same goes for the desert battles. Here primary units, just switch out their pimary impression for event impression.

[rongee]

I don't believe the responses, although informative, answered Andrew's question. 1. "Does a new member to CHG have to join a primary impression group or can they simply join a secondary group?" A new member must join a primary group upon his second battle. On his first battle, he must fall out with a primary unit, or a primary unit doing a secondary impression. In any case, he must be under the direction of a primary group unit leader. At his first battle, he may choose to pay $10 Temp Dues for that event only, or $25 Regular Membership dues. At his second battle, he is expected to become a Regular Member and his $10 Temp Dues payment will be allocated towards his Regular Membership dues. 2. "Also, as long as membership dues to CHG and events fees are paid, could I come to an event in my own, accurate kit for that particular theater separate from a pre-existing group?". No, for the reasons cited.

[fwvredenburg]

Andrew I assume your want to use your British/Canadian kit out here in Southern California, if so you may want to check with British 1st Airborne, but you do need to join the CHG first for Insurance and safety reason, then you can attend events with units and see if you fit with the unit, if no fit at another event try another unit. Most units have loaner gear so one my try them out. But this must not last but a couple of events and you do need to be sponsored by a unit in the Club/CHG, Someone needs to be reasonable for you.
2nd impression is a once or twice a year group, in 2nd FJR we will do the 2nd FJ if they fit the event or just Fallschirmjager if they fit an event, or like the desert event we form the Ramcke Bdg FJs in tropical kit, or the Pacific many guys in our unit do Japanese JIA, or some do U.S. Army. At one early war Russian front battle event we have done Luftwaffe Field Div and regular Heer infantry.
Hope this is helpful and answers some questions.

Prost Jack

[PRESIDENT]

Thanks, gang. All good answers!

Andrew, let me (us) know if you have any further questions. Once you arrive and are ready to fall in, you'll find out the process is actually a lot more flexible than it sounds. We have members that do multiple impressions at different events. Our biggest thing is that you communicate with the unit leaders and that you let them know what you want to do.