DFWLb Bylaws

The focus of the DFW Leatherboys (DFWLb) will be: BDSM and Leather lifestyle, Leather history, education, camaraderie, social gatherings and being a leather boy.

Article III: Membership

The Application process is open to all biological males over the age of 21 who have an interest to participate in a submissive male group.

Section A: Full Member

1. Qualifications: Applicants for Full Membership will reside within the DFW metro-plex. Applicants for Full Membership shall have a 180-day probationary period during which time he must demonstrate his ability to participate at the Full Member level and to allow Full Members to get to know them. Applicants during this period shall be designated as a “Pledge”

2. Application Procedures: Membership applications must be filled out completely, signed and dated. The application will be considered at the next DFWLb general meeting and voted on to accept the application. A “Yea” vote of 3/4 of the voting members present will grant this applicant the status of Pledge. The Pledge must make as much effort as possible to attend all DFWLb events during the probationary period. At the meeting following the 180-day probationary period, members will vote on the Pledge if present. If Pledge is not in attendance, the vote will be postponed to the next meeting. If the pledge is not in attendance for a second consecutive meeting, the application will automatically be rejected and the applicant will have to start over again if they still desire to join. A “Yea” vote of 3/4 of the voting members is required for the Pledge to become a Full Member.

They may also opt to change their status from Full Member to Associate Member at any time without re-application and at the option of the Executive Committee; they may be allowed to continue wearing the large patch.

3. Rights & Privileges: Full Members are entitled to attend and vote at all regular meetings. Full Members are entitled to receive the DFWLb Bylaws and upon payment of any established dues, may attend any DFWLb sponsored event. Full Members are entitled to wear the Club Colors as specified in these Bylaws. All Full Members shall have access to the roster through the “Yahoo! Members’ only” group. All Full Members may be eligible to receive a discount at Leather Masters on all purchases.

4. Responsibilities: Full Members are required to hold a higher standard for attendance and participation. Full Members must make more than 50% of meetings and more than 50% of our monthly events. Full Members are representing DFWLb and therefore should always show respect to others in public, especially while wearing the Club Colors. They are to be familiar with the Bylaws. Attendance shall be excused for health or job-related reasons. Any Full Member not attending any events for any 60-day period (unless with major health issues) will automatically have their Full Member status reviewed.

5. Fees and Dues: DFWLb reserves the right to require annual dues that are due upon submission of the application and paid annually. Dues are refunded on applications that are not approved or if they are withdrawn before voting. Full Members do not have to pay to attend special events when a fee is charged but must assist in putting on the event.

6. Founding Members: Founding Members are Full Members for life and have the right to wear the Club Colors unless the Executive Committee revokes this privilege. If dues are required, the dues must be paid by Founding Members in order to be “in good standing”. A Founding Member must be a current member to have voting privileges for club business.

Section B: Associate Member

1. Qualifications: Applicants for Associate Membership can reside anywhere. Applicants for Associate Membership shall have a 90-day probationary period during which time he must demonstrate his ability to participate and to allow Full Members to get to know them. Applicants during this period shall be designated as a “Pledge”. This membership is meant for those who support the mission of DFWLb but may not have the time to make the commitment of Full Membership.

2. Application Procedures: Membership applications must be filled out completely, signed and dated. The application will be considered at the next DFWLb general meeting and voted on to accept the application. A “Yea” vote of 3/4 of the voting members present will grant this applicant the status of Pledge. The Pledge must make as much effort as possible to attend all DFWLb events during the probationary period. At the meeting following the 90-day probationary period, members will vote on the Pledge if present. If Pledge is not in attendance, the vote will be postponed to the next meeting that they are present. A “Yea” vote of 3/4 of the voting members is required for the Pledge to become an Associate Member.

An Associate Member may choose to become a Full Member, but they must go through the voting process again. The probationary period may be waived if the Associate has already been attending club-sponsored events regularly.

3. Rights: Associate Members are entitled to attend all regular meetings and club-sponsored events. Associate Members are entitled to receive the DFWLb Bylaws upon payment of any established dues and wear Club Colors. Club Colors for Associate Members will be restricted to a small (approx. 3”) patch of the same description as the Full Member patch.

4. Responsibilities: Associate Members have no requirements for attendance or participation, though it is appreciated. They are to be familiar with the Bylaws. Associate Members should show respect in public at club-sponsored events.

5. Fees and Dues: DFWLb reserves the right to require annual dues that are due upon submission of the application and paid annually. Dues are refunded on applications that are not approved or if they are withdrawn before voting. Associate Members do have to pay to attend special events when a fee is charged.

Section C: Honorary Member

1. Qualifications: Honorary Memberships are meant to recognize members of the Leather Community who have made long-term, outstanding contributions to the mission of DFWLb and to its members. This membership status is granted only to those who have offered exceptional service to the Leather Community.

2. Application Procedures: No application is made for this status. A nomination of the Executive Committee must be made. A unanimous vote of the EC is necessary to grant the Honorary Membership.

3. Rights: Honorary Members are entitled to attend all regular meetings and club-sponsored events. Honorary Members are entitled to receive the DFWLb Bylaws. They may wear the Club Colors. Club Colors for Honorary Members will be restricted to a small (approx. 3”) patch of the same description as the Full Member patch.

Responsibilities: Honorary members have no requirements for attendance or participation, though it is appreciated. They are requested to fill out the application for our record keeping. They are to be familiar with the Bylaws.

Fees and Dues: In recognition of the contribution to the club by these persons, no dues are ever required of an Honorary Member. DFWLb will raise the money for the Club Colors to be given to the member. Honorary Members do have to pay to attend special events when a fee is charged.

Section D: Termination of Membership

Membership in DFWLb may be terminated as provided. Upon termination, all club property, including but not limited to, Club Colors, Club Records and equipment shall be returned to a current club officer.

Voluntary Termination: Resignation should be in writing, submitted to an officer and accompanied by any club property as designated above.

Failure to Pay: Failure to pay dues (if required) within a 60-day period from when due will result in an involuntary termination of membership unless the Executive Committee grants an extension or a waiver.

Disciplinary Actions: Violations of these Bylaws, lack of attendance by Full Members, or other actions deemed inappropriate by the Executive Committee, may require a review of a members standing. Membership may be terminated by a 3/4 vote of the Executive Committee.

Failure to return Club Colors, records and/or equipment shall ban the former member from all future events until such time as item(s) are returned to the club. The club will reimburse those turning in their colors based on the condition of the colors.

Article IV: Offices and Appointed Positions

Lifetime Offices

Executive Committee: To start, the Executive Committee shall consist of five elected Full Members that are also Founding Members. Once there are fewer than five Founding Members within the club willing to hold the position, open positions will be filled by election process from the Full Members. These positions do not expire, however, a vote of 4/5 of the EC can remove a member from this position. These persons can also hold a Term Office.

The EC shall be responsible for making decisions on disciplinary action of members. The EC may make recommendations for changes to the bylaws as deemed necessary, but must bring these recommendations before the membership for voting. The EC shall be in charge of making sure the club is functioning according to the Bylaws and take steps necessary to maintain the Bylaws.

Term Offices

Officers: These positions listed below are six-month terms.

Alpha boy: Will be in charge of presiding over the meetings. He will implement and enforce all decisions, resolutions and procedures enacted by the membership. He will also represent DFWLb at all public and private functions when necessary. He has authority to authorize and sign checks, but does not maintain nor write the checks.

Beta boy: Will stand in for the Alpha in his absence and work on getting information about DFWLb events out to the public through posters, personal contact, and email blasts. He will be given Moderator responsibilities for the Yahoo! Groups. He will be in charge of all necessary planning and production of monthly workshops. It will be his responsibility to invite presenters, collect bios and media products for advertising from the presenters, submit said items for printing and distribute posters at least three weeks prior to the workshop date. He will also be responsible for confirming at least one week prior to the workshop the planned attendance of the presenter and arrange for any special props or effects the presenter may need. He has authority to authorize and sign checks, but does not maintain nor write the checks.

Events Coordinator: Will be in charge of event coordination for bar nights, and working with other community organizations on community calendars, fund raising events, volunteering opportunities, meetings and other events. He can request assistance as needed from other members.

Secretary/Treasurer: Will serve as record keeper for the meetings, and issue and serve all notices on behalf of the club. He will be in charge of all records and papers of the club that are not assigned to another member. All meeting minutes must be posted to the Yahoo! Members group within 10 days of said meeting. He will maintain accounting for the club’s income and expenses but does not have the sole authority to sign checks.

Web boy: Will maintain the website and update it as information is available. He will assist in getting DFWLb linked to other sites and act as Secretary for meetings in the absence of the Secretary/Treasurer. He will also be given moderator privileges for the “DFW Leatherboys Yahoo! Members Only” group.

Article V: General Membership Meetings and Voting

Section A: Quorum

A quorum will be defined as at least two current officers and at least three eligible voting members. Current officers are also Full members and can be counted as either for a quorum.

Section B: Nomination Meeting

Nominations for Offices will be held at the general meeting in November and May. Nominations may be submitted via email prior to the Nomination Meeting.

Section C: Bi-annual Election Meeting

Elections will take place at the December and June meetings. Elected officers will take office January 1 and July 1 respectively.

Section D: Meetings

Meetings will be conducted on a monthly basis, at a time and location determined by a 2/3 vote of current members.

Section E: Special Meetings

Special Meetings may be called by the Alpha, Executive Committee, or upon written request submitted to an officer signed by five members of the club. The purpose of the special meeting shall be stated in the call, an agenda must be published and no other business shall be brought to the floor.

Section F: Voting

Full Members in good standing shall have the power to vote and to constitute a quorum. The procedure for voting shall be determined by parliamentary authority. Any motions pertaining to membership status will require the positive vote of at least 2/3 of the members present and voting. Proxies will not be accepted, however those who have to work can email in their vote from an email address known to be theirs.

Section G: Closed Meetings

On all matters regarding membership and other matters as determined by the members, Full Members in good standing shall have discussion and voting in a closed session.

Article VI: Club Colors

Section A: Colors

Club Colors for Full Members are a 9” round patch. Background is hunter green with a black trim and red-letter embroidery “DFW Leatherboys” at top and “honor. respect. trust. integrity. love” on the lower portion. Inset is a black circle with the image of a submissive facing away with head bowed and hands crossed behind back holding a red heart. Club colors for Associate Members and Honorary Members will be a small (approx. 3”) patch of the same description.

Section B: Rules Governing Usage and Display

Only members in good standing may wear or display the large Official Club Colors. Members shall be required to return Club Colors upon termination of membership status.

While wearing Club Colors, members must show be respectful to others as well as to the club and Club Colors. Members should do their best to use “Sir” and “Ma’am” accordingly as well as calling persons by their appropriate title if known. Be courteous and polite. No lewd or illegal acts may be performed while wearing club colors. Remember, you are representing our club while wearing our colors!

Article VII: Code of Conduct

Section A: Etiquette

Be courteous, polite and respectful in all communications. If you are getting frustrated, do not “vent” in public or in an open forum. Phone or email a club member if you need to talk to someone. Club business stays within the club!

Section B: Quality

Use the Yahoo! Groups for communications that might need to be brought up between meetings. This will help to shorten meetings and to resolve some things more efficiently and quickly. Members’ only posts should be used to communicate information to all members. If you are only speaking to one person, email them directly or call them. All posts should be no more than 20 lines of text unless giving specific details that are necessary for communications. Be short and to the point!

Section C: Misconduct

All cases of misconduct should be reported to the Beta boy as head of membership, who will investigate the matter. Misconduct is defined as but not limited to altercations, lewd acts, or drunken/disorderly behavior while wearing Club Colors. The Beta will report the details of his investigation to the Executive Committee and may recommend disciplinary action including termination of membership if deemed appropriate. If the Beta is the offending party, please report to the Alpha.

Article VIII: Suspension of Bylaws

Any section of these Bylaws may be suspended for a single specific term of business by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members in good standing present and voting at a meeting legally constituted under these Bylaws.

Article IX: Amendment of Bylaws

These Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the club by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members in good standing present and voting providing that the amendment has been submitted in writing and read at the previous regular meeting.

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