BE IT KNOWN
That we, the Avengers, have banded together to protect and safeguard the planet Earth, its inhabitants and resources, from any and all threats, terrestrial or otherwise, which might prove to be beyond the power of conventional forces to handle.
That we shall tolerate no interference in the growth of humanity in meeting its rightful destiny.
That we dedicate ourselves to the establishment, growth, and preservation of peace, liberty, equality, and justice under law.
This is our solemn oath.
United Nations Charter
This was the charter given the team by the United Nations Security Council, putting specific procedures into place for the team, requirements for what was by then a respected and powerful superteam, truly Earth's Mightiest Heroes.[2]
Article One: Organization
The Avengers is hereby chartered as a peace-keeping force of the security arm of the United Nations answerable only to the Security Council.
Headquarters shall be in New York City and there shall be established facilities for the use of Avengers in the current eleven member nations of the Security Council.
Article Two: Jurisdiction
The Avengers, as a group, are enpowered to act as an agency of enforcement on duly recognized and approved missions in all lands, territories and protectorates of member states of the United Nations, providing that the threat in question is super-powered, extra-terrestrial, extra-dimensional, subterranean, sub-oceanic, or occult, and engaged in an invasion, infestation, limited incursion, piracy, enchantment or any flagrant violation of international law not instigated, sanctioned, or abetted by a member nation.
Article Three: Funding
Major funding for the major operations of the Avengers - for upkeep of the New York headquarters, transportation, and equipment shall be provided by a grant from the Maria Stark Foundation - Anthony Stark, Director - with the understanding that the Foundation shall have no say in Avengers operations, policy, membership or the deployment of funds within the Avengers organization.
Article Four: Operations
The day-to-day operations of the Avengers shall be governed by a set of bylaws as put forth by the founding members.
Avengers Bylaws
Section One: Policy and Operations
A.: All Avengers shall, at all times, endeavor to adhere to the principles of the Avengers Charter and follow the rules and regulations of these bylaws.
1. The bylaws may be amended, when necessary, by the active members of the Avengers. Amendments may be proposed by any active Avenger. Amendments shall become a binding part of these bylaws upon approval by two-thirds of the active membership.
1a. Active membership shall be further defined to mean the seven serving members of the primary team and their seven specific reserve substitutes.
B. No Avenger shall be required to surrender knowledge of his or her civilian identity or personal affairs to the membership at large or the United Nations Security Council.
C. The Avengers shall be led by a duly elected chairbeing. It shall be the duty of this leader to coordinate all Avenger activities whether business or tactical in nature.
1. The position of Chairbeing shall be open to any active member who has passed his/her probationary period (see Section Two - Membership).
2. The Chairbeing shall serve for a term of one year, with no limit to the number of successive terms a leader may serve.
3. It shall be a privilege of the Chairbeing to determine the format of meetings and to call special meetings as he/she sees fit.
4. In the event of the absence, incapacity of resignation of the Chairbeing, an interim leader shall be chosen by a two-thirds vote of the active membership.
5. In the event of incapacity or death during action, chairbeingship shall pass in orderly succession among the primary team in a predetermined chain of command arrived at by majority vote among the primary team.
Section Two: Membership
A. Recognizing that the membership of the Avengers may be subject to, and, indeed, might profit from change, procedures for the addition of members shall be set forth.
B. Candidates for membership in the Avengers must be legal adults, possessing at least one skill, power, ability, or talent which is deemed valuable by a majority of the active membership.
1. Membership shall not be denied on account of race, color, creed, sex, or condition of birth or origin.
2. Candidates for membership must be nominated by one active member in good standing at a regular or special meeting. Election for membership must be held within one week of nomination and be attended by a simple majority of active members. A two-thirds vote is necessary for election to membership.
3. Newly-elected Avengers shall serve a probationary period of not less than six months.
3a. During the probationary period, a special committee consisting of one primary team member, one reserve substitute, and two members of the Avengers support crews shall investigate the candidate's public record for any violations, breaches of trust, or depredations, legal or moral, which may preclude said candidate from assumption of full active status.
3b. While on probation, the new Avenger shall have limited access to Avengers facilities and records.
3c. At the end of probation, the new Avenger shall assume full active status, unless objections are raised by any active member, or by the United Nations Security Council.
C. The Avengers shall select new members whenever the Chairbeing or two-thirds of the active membership determines that the ranks are not at optimal strength, or when there is a vacancy in the ranks.
1. It shall be the prerogative of the Chairbeing to limit the number of active members.
D. Active Avengers shall be the designation given to those Avengers who are full-time members.
1. Active Avengers shall be required to log all individual cases into the main computer file, that the entire membership may benefit from the individual's experience.
2. Active Avengers shall be required to attend all regular business meetings. Members who miss more than one meeting per month without submitting an acceptable excuse may face suspension for a period to be determined by a consensus of the other active members. (See Paragraph 3)
3. Active Avengers shall be issued an Avengers identification card and an emergency signal device.
3a. Active Avengers shall be required to meet all CALLS TO ASSEMBLE. If unable to respond, the active Avenger must notify that specific member's reserve substitute. Failure to respond coupled with failure to notify the reserve substitute is ground for immediate suspension of privileges and must be dealt with by a tribunal of all active members.
3b. Active members who miss an emergency call without good reason may be subject to disciplinary action.
4. Active Avengers shall be expected to cooperate with other law enforcement agencies. Although granted certain legal immunities by the Avengers priority clearance, no Avenger shall be considered above the law.
5. Active Avengers shall be paid a stipend of one thousand dollars ($1000) per week. Members may choose not to accept their stipends, in which case the money shall be placed into their retirement fund.
5a. Active members shall be entitled to free medical and life insurance benefits.
5b. Active members shall be provided with private quarters where they, if so choosing, may reside. Unlimited meal privileges shall be provided for live-in members.
6. Active Avengers shall be granted unlimited access to the Avengers Mansion headquarters, vehicles, computer records files, and any other facilities of the organization.
7. Active Avengers shall, at all times, act in a manner befitting that of a guardian of the public trust.