Article 1:
Name
The name of this fellowship shall be “Seattle Women of Leather” and, hereinafter, referred to as SWL.
Article 2:
Purpose
A Women’s Social Group; dedicated to claiming space for all members. SWL is designed to provide a forum where women can share play space, serve the community, teach, learn, integrate and socialize. We gather to encourage and empower each other in the greater BDSM/Leather Community.
Article 3:
Membership
Section A: Gender Statement
Membership is open to any past, present or future woman who is eighteen (18) years of age or older and who feels s/he has a place in the women’s community.
Section B: Definition of Membership
Membership in SWL shall be open to all women who understand and support the statement of purpose.
Section C: Membership Dues
Payment of dues is required for membership. The amount, terms, and method(s) of payment shall be determined by the Steering Committee, in accordance with the current Standard Operating Procedures.
A member in good standing is defined as a member who is current with dues payment.
Article 4: Role of Members
The advice, opinions, and preferences of each member will be sought and considered by the Steering Committee to the greatest extent possible. To this end, membership meetings shall be held at least quarterly. At said meetings, ongoing and proposed activities and issues of SWL will be discussed and voted upon by the members who are present and in good standing. The Steering Committee shall be bound by the resolutions duly passed by majority vote of those present at said meetings.
Article 5: Meeting of Members
Section A: Annual Meetings
There shall be an annual meeting of the membership during the month of June each year at a location, date and time set by the Steering Committee.
Section B: Other Meetings
General membership meetings shall be held at least quarterly.
Section C: Notice of Meetings
Notice of all general membership meetings shall be sent out via e-mail, telephone call, or USPS, at least ten (10) days prior to the general membership meeting.
Article 6: Steering Committee
Section A: Steering Committee
A Steering Committee consisting of members and officers shall be elected by ballot each June by the members in good standing. The number of members will exceed the number of officers.
Section B: Terms of Office
Term of the office of elected Steering Committee members shall be one (1) year.
Section C: Vacancies
1. A vacancy shall occur on the Steering Committee in the following events:
a) Resignation or death of a Steering Committee member.
b) If a Steering Committee member misses three (3) consecutive meetings without an excuse satisfactory to the other members of the Steering Committee, that Committee member’s chair may be vacated by vote of the Steering Committee.
c) Any Steering Committee member may be removed by a three/fourths (3/4) vote of the membership present at the meeting called specifically for that purpose.
2. Vacancies of the Steering Committee shall be filled in accordance with Article 7, Section H.
Section D: Regular Steering Committee Monthly Meetings
Regular monthly meetings of the Steering Committee will be held at such time and place as the Steering Committee shall direct.
Section E: Open Meeting Policy
All meetings of the Steering Committee shall be open to the membership at large.
Section F: Quorum
A majority of the Steering Committee members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Section G: Powers and Duties
1. The Steering Committee shall be empowered to conduct all business of SWL, subject to these by-laws and as best realizes the statement of purpose.
2. The Steering Committee shall have the power to establish rules, regulations and/or other procedures consistent with these by-laws to administer SWL.
3. The Steering Committee shall have the power to establish, appoint, remove or approve all other SWL committees. No SWL Committee may act or represent itself as a SWL Committee until after the Steering Committee has approved or appointed it to do so.
4. The Steering Committee shall provide guidelines and directives to administer custody and disbursement of SWL funds and other property as provided in these by-laws.
5. The Steering Committee shall approve the annual budget.
Section: H: Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of SWL shall begin January 1 of each calendar year and shall end on December 31 of the same year.
Article 7: Officers
Section A: Officers
The officers of SWL shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Coordinator and Events Coordinator. They shall serve as and be considered voting members of the Steering Committee. No one person may hold more than one office simultaneously.
Section B: Term of Office
The officers shall be elected by ballot by the general membership each June, and shall hold office for one (1) year. No member shall serve for more than two (2) elected consecutive terms in the same office.
Section C: Duties of the President
1. The President shall perform all ordinary duties of that office, including presiding over all meetings of the members and Steering Committee.
2. The President or a designee shall have sole authority to speak on behalf of SWL subject to guidelines established by the Steering Committee.
3. The President shall be an authorized signer on all SWL financial accounts.
Section D: Duties of the Vice President
1. The Vice President shall attend all board meetings, understand the responsibilities and duties of the President and, in the absence of the President, perform the President’s duties.
2. The Vice President shall carry out special assignments as requested by the President and/or the Steering Committee.
3. The Vice President shall serve as facilitator at all Steering Committee and general membership meetings in order to keep meetings on time and on agenda, and to maintain order.
Section E: Duties of the Secretary
1. The Secretary shall perform all ordinary duties of that office, including keeping minutes of all meetings, writing and/or delegating action regarding all routine correspondence, and maintaining records of all non-financial SWL business.
2. The Secretary shall be an authorized signer on all SWL financial accounts.
Section F: Duties of the Treasurer
1. The Treasurer shall perform all ordinary duties of that office, including keeping current and maintaining all financial records and accounts, and maintaining all reports pertaining to income and expenditures. The Treasurer shall be required to submit a written report if expenses and revenues to the Steering Committee each month.
2. The Treasurer shall disburse all funds for SWL and coordinate with the membership coordinator regarding dues collection.
3. The Treasurer shall be an authorized signer on all SWL financial accounts.
Section G: Duties of the Membership Coordinator
1. The Membership Coordinator shall maintain the membership roster and mailing list of SWL.
2. The Membership Coordinator shall distribute renewal notices and other membership materials as set forth by the Steering Committee.
3. The SWL shall maintain the confidentiality of the membership roster and other membership documents.
4. The Membership Coordinator shall be responsible for dues collection and transferring dues payments to the Treasurer.
Section H: Duties of the Event Coordinator
1. Coordinator shall attend meetings.
2. Coordinator shall schedule and research venues for parties, events and gatherings.
3. Coordinator shall post events on SWL calendar so everyone is aware of important dates/ events.
4. Coordinator shall communicate with other leather organizations to ensure that events, as much as possible, do not overlap. This is due to individuals that are a part of more than one leather organization, as well as to foster a spirit of support within the community.
Section I: Vacancies
1. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President, the Vice President shall become Acting President until such time as the Steering Committee appoints a new President.
2. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Secretary or Treasurer, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the Steering Committee for the remainder of that officer’s term.
Section J: Removal
Any officer may be removed by three fourths (3/4) vote of the membership present at any special meeting called for that purpose.
Article 8: Committees
The Steering Committee shall have the power to establish such committee(s) as it deems necessary, and assign members to serve on said committee(s). Members may propose the establishment of committees. No SWL Committee may act or represent itself as a SWL Committee until after the Steering Committee has approved or appointed it to do so.
Article 9: Amendments to SWL By-Laws
The by-laws of SWL may be amended by a three-fourth (3/4) vote of the membership present at any meeting provided that notice setting forth the proposed change(s) is given thirty (30) days in advance.
The following procedure shall be used to amend the by-laws:
1. The Steering Committee shall announce proposed changes to the by-laws to the general membership and schedule a special meeting. The Steering Committee shall provide written notice to the membership of this meeting, the proposed change(s) and a written ballot at least thirty (30) days in advance of such meeting.
2. The general membership will respond to the proposed change(s) by the ballot provided. Ballots may be returned at the meeting, or mailed to SWL at its legal address. Mailed ballots will be valid only if received at SWL’s legal address by 5:00 p.m. on the night of the meeting called for that purpose.
3. At least 50% of the members in good standing as of the date of the notice of this special meeting must respond for the ballot measure to be valid.
4. At least 65% of the membership response as defined above must approve the proposed language change(s) before such changes are made to the by-laws.
Article 10: Dissolution
In the event of decision to dissolve SWL, the assets of SWL shall be liquidated and the remaining proceeds shall be distributed to such charitable organizations designated by the Steering Committee.
