I.  The officers of the chapter shall be:
The Noble Grand Humbug (similar to a corporation president)
The Vice Noble Grand Humbug (similar to a corporation vice president)
The Noble Grand Recorder (similar to a corporation secretary)
The Gold Dust Receiver (similar to a corporation treasurer)
The Damn Fool Doorkeeper (similar to a corporation sergeant at arms).

II.  The governing board, with duties and responsibilities similar to that of a board of directors, shall be known as the Council of Venerable Court Jesters.

III.  The Council shall consist of nine members including the Noble Grand Humbug, the Vice Noble Grand Humbug, the Grand Noble Recorder, the Gold Dust Receiver, and the Damn Fool Doorkeeper, who are members of the Council by virtue of their of offices.

IV.  The Noble Grand Humbug, Vice Noble Grand Humbug, Grand Noble Recorder, Gold Dust Receiver, and the Damn Fool Doorkeeper, shall be elected in the month of January of each year.

V.  Three members of the Council shall be elected each year for a term of two years, except at the initial election when three shall be elected for a term of one year and three elected for a term of two years.

VI.  The X Noble Grand Humbugs' shall be ex-officio members of the Council.

VII.  When vacancies occur in the Council, replacements shall be made by a committee consisting of the Noble Grand Humbug, Vice Noble Grand Humbug, and the Noble Grand Recorder.

VIII.  In the event of the death, incapacity, or abdication of the Noble Grand Humbug, Vice Noble Grand Humbug, Grand Noble Recorder, Gold Dust Receiver , or the Damn Fool Doorkeeper, his successor shall be chosen by the Council.

IX.  The Council shall have the power to provide for dues and assessments.

X.  No regular meetings of the Council shall be set, except for January of each year, but meetings shall be called by the Noble Grand Humbug or a majority of the Council.

XI.  Five members of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

XII.  The Council and the officers shall serve without pay.

XIII.  The Noble Grand Humbug shall appoint committees as he may deem fit, and prescribe their duties.

XIV.  The Council shall have power to amend the by-laws; which shall require a two-thirds affirmative vote at two successive meetings.

XV.  There shall be only one class of member in this chapter, namely active member.

XVI.  The present members of Lord Sholto Douglas Chapter are automatically members of the corporation, and hereafter men interested in the history of California shall be admitted to the chapter upon approval of the Council, or a committee thereof.

The foregoing by-laws, consisting of sixteen sections set forth on three pages, were approved at a meeting held on January 22, 1977, at the community center, Auburn, California.

Addendum to by-laws

Adding sections XVII and XVIII approved at the board meetings of 9 April and 14 May 1991 in accordance with section XIV of the foregoing by-laws

XVII.  In order to vote in LSD 3 elections, members must attend five (5) general meetings and two (2) functions, and be in attendance at the election meeting.  All X Humbugs are exempt from the five meeting two function requirement, but must be in attendance at the election meeting to vote.  No proxy votes, period.

XVIII.  The Hangman, by virtue of his office shall be a voting member of the Council of Venerable Court Jesters (governing board)

Adding section XIX approved at the board meetings of 10 Sep & 8 Oct 1991 in accordance with section XIV of the foregoing by-laws.

XIX.  Attendance at the adopt-a-highway work parties will count as a general meeting attendance toward voter qualification

Adding section XX approved at the board meeting on 8 June and 13 July 1993 in accordance with section XIV of the foregoing by-laws.

XX.  The official chapter hawker (singular) by virtue of his appointment shall be a non-voting member of the Council of Venerable Court Jesters.

Adding sections XXI and XXII approved at the board meetings of 3 Nov. and 13 Dec. 1996 in accordance with section XIV of the foregoing by-laws.

XXI.  If a member is on probation they will not be allowed to bring in any new members nor run for office.

XXII.  All new intiates will be on probation for 333 (three hundred thirty three) days.

Adding sections XXIII approved at the board meeting 12 Aug. 1997 in accordance with section XIV of the foregoing by-laws.

XXIII.  No money, income, allowance, tender or bills of credit shall be moved, transferred, or withdrawn and redeposited from any banking, savings, or holding account to any other banking, savings, or holding account, except by a two thirds majority of the sitting board and X Humbugs.  A quorum for this amendment shall be composed of six (6) members or more of the voting board and X Humbugs; no special or recall election may be held to bypass this amendment.