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La Fraternité du Loup-Garou
The Brotherhood of the Were-Wolf
BYLAWS
Contents:
Article I--General
Section 1--Name
Section 2--Motto
Section 3--Emblem
Section 4--Definitions
Article II--Purpose
Section 1--Statement of Purpose
Section 2--Specific Purposes
Article III--Membership
Section 1--General Membership
Section 2--Membership Types
Section 3--Alpha Members
Section 4--Beta Members
Section 5--Cubs
Section 6--Honorary Members
Section 7--Inactive Members
Section 8--Suspended Membership
Article IV--Colors, Uniforms & Insignia
Section 1--Club Colors
Section 2--Uniforms
Section 3--Insignia
Article V--Meetings
Section 1--General Meetings
Section 2--Special Meetings
Section 3--Emergency Meetings
Article VI--Officers
Section 1--Officers & Duties
Section 2--Terms and Eligibility
Section 3--President
Section 4--Road Captain
Section 5--Secretary
Section 6--Treasurer
Section 7--Sergeant at Arms
Section 8--Cub Master
Article VII--Committees
Section 1--Standing Committees
Section 2--Executive Committee
Section 3--Activities Committee
Section 4--Fund Raising Committee
Section 5--Special Committees
Section 6--Court of Honor
Article VIII--Elections and Voting
Section 1--Voting
Section 2--Officer Elections
Section 3--Membership Elections
Article IX--Finances
Section 1--Fiscal Year
Section 2--Dues & Fees
Article X--Rules & Procedures
Section 1--Standing Rules
Section 2--Parliamentary Authority
Article XI--Amendments
Article I
General
Section 1 Name
The name of this organization shall be "La Fraternité du Loup-Garou, The
Brotherhood of the Were-Wolf", also know as "La Fraternité du Loup-Garou"
and "La Garou".
Section 2 Motto
The motto of La Garou shall be "Courage, Unity, Pride".
Section 3 Emblem
The emblem of La Garou shall be a transgender symbol, black, surrounded by a
wolf’s head outline, black, on a circular yellow field.
Section 4 Definitions
For the purpose of this document, "masculine gender outlaw" shall be defined as
any person born female or intersexed and raised female, who currently has a
masculine gender presentation.
Amendment to Article I, Section 4 Definitions.
The words "masculine gender outlaw" in the bylaws shall be replaced by
"transmasculine." Accepted on December 10th, 2007 CE.
ARTICLE II
Purpose
Section 1 Statement of Purpose
It is the purpose of La Garou to provide social and
service opportunities in the levi/leather community for transmasculine.
Section 2 Specific Purposes
Within in the scope of the Statement of Purpose, it is the purpose of La Garou
to:
1. provide camaraderie and support for transmasculine and their allies;
2. provide masculine gender outlaws with identity and recognition in the
traditional levi/leather community;
3. promote solidarity with and within the levi/leather
community;
4. raise awareness and understanding about masculine
gender outlaws within the levi/leather community; and
5. engage in various charitable and educational activities.
ARTICLE III
Membership
Section 1 General Membership
A. Membership in La Garou shall be open to all interested
persons over the age of 18 who agree to uphold the Bylaws, Rules and Traditions
as adopted by La Garou.
B. Any person over the age of 18 shall be eligible for
membership in La Garou and shall become eligible for initiation as a member upon
the fulfillment of all requirements as set forth by the Bylaws, Rules and
Traditions of La Garou.
C. Any member who is found in violation of the Bylaws, Rules
and Traditions of La Garou, or who otherwise jeopardizes the well being and
security of the organization may be subject to disciplinary action including
censure, suspension and/or having their membership revoked by a 2/3 vote of the
membership.
Section 2 Membership Types
There shall be three regular types of membership in La Garou:
Alpha, Beta and Cub and one special type of membership: Honorary.
Section 3 Alpha Members
A. Full members of La Garou shall be known as Alpha members.
B. To qualify as an Alpha member, a person must:
1. be a transmasculine person;
2. not be a full member of another backpatch levi/leather
club;
3. express an interest and show by deeds and actions a
desire to be a member of La Garou;
4. successfully complete the pledge period as a Cub
unless the pledge period is waived under special circumstances as provided
in these Bylaws;
5. be voted in by the General Assembly;
6. attend such meetings and events as required of an
Alpha member as established by the Bylaws, Rules and Traditions of La Garou;
and
7. pay all dues and fees required of Alpha members as
established by the Bylaws, Rules and Traditions of La Garou.
C. An Alpha member who is current in all dues and fees is
accorded all rights, privileges and responsibilities as established by the
Bylaws, Rules and Traditions of La Garou, including full parliamentary rights.
D. An Alpha member is entitled to wear the backpatch with
rockers and the small insignia patch of La Garou.
E. An Alpha member is entitled to attend all meetings,
functions and events of La Garou. Further, Alpha members are required to attend
at least one national meeting, function or event per year in the absence of a
local chapter.
F. An Alpha member is expected to wear club colors and/or
dress uniform when attending a meeting, function or event sponsored by La Garou
as established by the Bylaws, Rules and Traditions and/or as indicated by the
Road Captain.
Section 4 Beta Members
A. Associate members of La Garou shall be known as Beta
members.
B. To qualify as a Beta member of La Garou, a person must:
1. be supportive of transmasculine people;
2. express an interest and show by deeds and actions a
desire to be a Beta member of La Garou;
3. be recommended for membership by a current member of
La Garou in good standing;
4. complete and submit a membership application;
5. be voted in by the General Assembly; and
6. pay all dues and fees required of Beta members as
established by the Bylaws, Rules and Traditions of La Garou.
B. A Beta member who is current in all dues and fees, is
accorded the rights, privileges and responsibilities of such members as
established by the Bylaws, Rules and Traditions of La Garou.
C. A Beta member is entitled to wear the small insignia patch
of La Garou.
D. A Beta member is entitled to attend all meetings,
functions and events of La Garou, however, Beta members may be asked to withdraw
from meeting during certain discussions.
Section 5 Cubs
A. Prospective members of La Garou shall be known as Cubs.
B. To qualify as a Cub of La Garou, a person must:
1. be a transmasculine person;
2. express an interest and show by deeds and actions a
desire to be a member of La Garou;
3. be recommended for membership by a current member of
La Garou in good standing;
4. complete and submit a membership application;
5. be voted in by the General Assembly;
6. make an honest attempt to complete all tasks set by
the Cub Master;
7. attend such meetings and events as required of a Cub
as established by the Bylaws, Rules and Traditions of La Garou; and
8. pay all dues and fees required of Cubs as established
by the Bylaws, Rules and Traditions of La Garou.
C. A Cub who is current in all dues and fees, is accorded all
rights, privileges and responsibilities as established by the Bylaws, Rules and
Traditions of La Garou.
D. A Cub is required to wear a pledge pin when attending
meeting, functions and events of La Garou.
E. A Cub is entitled to attend all meetings, functions and
events of La Garou, however, Cubs may be asked to withdraw from meeting during
certain discussions.
F. Cubs are required to assume service roles at meetings,
functions and events as directed by the Cub Master.
G. Cubs shall fulfill all reasonable requests made by Alpha
members. Cubs may consult with any officer to determine the appropriateness of
any request.
H. If a prospective Cub has been a full and active member of
another levi/leather club and has left that club on good terms, that person may
elect to forego the pledge period, subject to approval by a vote of the
membership.
Section 6 Honorary Members
A. An individual who has preformed special service for La
Garou and who shows support and commitment to the group and its ideals may be
awarded Honorary membership.
B. Any Alpha member in good standing may nominate such an
individual who is not already an Alpha member of the group for Honorary
membership in La Garou by submitting a written nomination outlining the reasons
the individual is being nominated to the executive committee. The executive
committee may request further information from the nominator and gather
additional or verify submitted information as necessary to determine an
individual’s suitability for Honorary membership.
C. Once the executive committee deems a nomination complete,
it shall be submitted to the membership for closed debate and vote.
D. An Honorary member must be voted in by a 2/3 majority of
Alpha members present at the meeting whose the nomination is presented.
E. An Honorary member is not required to pay dues; however a
Beta member who is awarded Honorary membership must pay such dues and fees as
required of a Beta member to maintain the privileges of Beta membership.
F. An Honorary member is entitled to wear the backpatch with
rockers with the addition of a rocker indicating honorary status and the small
insignia patch of La Garou.
G. An Honorary member is entitled to attend all meetings,
functions and events of La Garou, however, Honorary members may be asked to
withdraw from meeting during certain discussions.
Section 7 Inactive Members
A. An Alpha member who is unable to attend at least one
national meeting a year in the absence of a local chapter may request to go
inactive.
B. A request to go inactive must be submitted in writing
before the passage of one year since the last meeting attended.
C. An inactive member does not pay dues or have parliamentary
privileges pertaining to club business.
D. An inactive member who is in all other regards still in
good standing is still entitled to wear the insignia and uniforms of La Garou
E. Inactive status shall last for no more than two year.
F. If after two years, an inactive member does not attend a
national meeting, that member shall be suspended.
Section 8 Suspended Membership
A. Any Alpha member who does not attend at least one national
meeting a year and who does not submit a written request to go inactive shall be
suspended.
B. Any member who is in arrears more than one year in dues
and fees shall be suspended.
C. Any member who is found in violation of the Bylaws, Rules
and Traditions of La Garou, or who otherwise jeopardizes the well being and
security of the organization may be subject to suspension.
D. A suspended member has no privileges and is not allowed to
wear club colors until the conditions precipitating their suspension are
resolved.
E. Suspension shall last for no more than one year.
F. If at the end of one year, the conditions precipitating
suspension are not resolved, the member may be removed by a 2/3 vote of the
membership.
Article IV
Colors, Uniforms & Insignia
Section 1 Club Colors
The official club colors for La Garou shall be the emblem
rendered as a large patch worn centered on the back of a black
leather, rubber or vinyl motorcycle style vest.
Section 2 Uniforms
A. The casual uniform of La Garou shall be described as blue
denim pants or shorts, a plain yellow or club t shirt and club colors. The
casual uniform shall be the default uniform of the day.
B. The dress uniform of La Garou shall be described as black
leather footwear, black pants with yellow stripe, black basket
weave belt with a brass buckle, grey uniform shirt with club insignia,
name badge, officer pin if applicable and shoulder cord. The dress uniform shall
be worn on all formal occasions, both La Garou and non La Garou sponsored events
as appropriate.
Section 3 Insignia
A. Dress uniform insignia shall be the emblem rendered as a
small patch, worn centered on the left sleeve, with the top edge of the patch
one inch from the shoulder seam and a leather pride flag, worn centered on the
right sleeve, with the top edge of the flack one inch from the shoulder seam.
B. Name badges are to be worn centered 1/8" above the
left pocket of the dress uniform shit and on the left side of the club colors.
C. Officer pins are to be worn centered 1/8" above the
name badge on both the dress uniform and club colors.
Article V
Meetings
Section 1 General Meetings
A. At least two national meetings of La Garou will be held,
one in the winter and one in the summer.
B. The national meeting held in the summer will be the Annual
Meeting, and shall be for the purpose of electing officers, receiving annual
reports, electing new members and conducting any other business that may arise.
C. The Secretary or his representative shall provide members
with notification or reminders of meetings, functions and events at least one
week in advance.
D. A quorum consisting of one half of the current Alpha
membership is necessary to conduct official business.
Section 2 Special Meetings
A. A special meeting may be called on the written request of
any three Alpha members of La Garou
B. Alpha members must be given at least two weeks notice of
any special meeting. The purpose of the meeting shall be set forth in the
notice.
C. A simple majority of all Alpha members present is necessary represented is required for approval of action.
D. A full report of the special meeting and any action taken
shall be presented at the next national meeting.
Section 3 Emergency Meetings
A. In the occurrence of matters that require immediate action
by La Garou, an emergency meeting may be called by any two officers.
B. An emergency meeting may be held via conference call or
electronic chat.
C. A simple majority of all Alpha members represented is
required for approval of emergency action.
D. A full report of the emergency meeting and any action
taken shall be presented at the next national meeting.
Article VI
Officers
Section 1 Officers & Duties
A. The officers of La Garou shall be the President, Road
Captain, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant at Arms, and Cub Master.
B. It is the duty of these officers to
1. represent the ideals of the organization;
2. to uphold the Bylaws, Rules and Traditions of La Garou;
3. carry out the will of the membership as directed by
majority rule; and
4. perform those duties generally expected of such
officers of a voluntary organization, as described in these Bylaws and the
parliamentary authority adopted by La Garou.
Section 2 Terms and Eligibility
A. To be eligible to hold an office, a candidate must be an
Alpha member in good standing.
B. Officers shall serve beginning the first meeting following
the Annual meeting at which they are elected, for a period of two years or until
their successors are elected.
C. Officers are not necessary for the existence of La Garou.
In the even that an office is vacant, La Garou shall continue to exist, but
shall act in a timely manner to fill any vacancies.
D. In the event that there are not enough qualified
candidates for office, such officers as there are shall fulfill all duties as
needed for La Garou to function.
Section 3 President
The President is the executive officer of La Garou and shall
perform all duties ascribed to such an officer of a voluntary organization, by
these Bylaws and the parliamentary authority adopted by La Garou. These duties
include but are not limited to:
1. presiding at all meetings of La Garou; and
2. representing La Garou, in the leather community and to
the general public;
Section 4 Road Captain
The Road Captain is the second executive officer of La Garou
and shall perform all duties ascribed to such an officer of a voluntary
organization, by these Bylaws and the parliamentary authority adopted by La
Garou. These duties include but are not limited to:
1. representing La Garou, and preside at meetings,
functions and events when the President is unavailable;
2. assuming the chair at meetings when called upon to do
so.
3. outreach to other levi/leather clubs and groups who
share common interests with La Garou;
4. coordinating all non-meeting events of La Garou; and
5. calling the uniform of the day for all events.
Section 5 Secretary
The secretary is the recording officer of La Garou and shall
perform all duties ascribed to such an officer of a voluntary organization, by
these Bylaws and the parliamentary authority adopted by La Garou.
Amendment to Article VI, Section 5 Secretary: Additional duties ascribed to the Secretary.
Accepted December 10th, 2007 CE.
1. The Secretary is responsible for taking the minutes of every LaGarou meeting.
This will be done with a pen and paper.
2. The Secretary will assign minutes to be taken by an Alpha member of LaGarou should
he be unable to attend the meeting, or he is rendered unable to write due to injury.
3. Upon the completion of the meeting the Secretary has two weeks to post a copy of the
minutes to the online LaGarou group. The minutes should be stored in the LaGarou files.
4. If the Secretary is unable to tranfer the minutes to the electronic files then he must
assign the duty to another alpha member, or cub.
Section 6 Treasurer
The treasurer is the financial officer of La Garou and shall
perform all duties ascribed to such an officer of a voluntary organization, by
these Bylaws and the parliamentary authority adopted by La Garou.
Amendment to Article VI, Section 6,Treasurer: Additional duties ascribed to the Treasurer.
Accepted December 10th, 2007 CE.
1. The Treasurer must keep all receipts, and bank transactions in a designated file
that must be made available for the Alpha membership of LaGarou to see at any reasonable
time requested, and the files must be present at every meeting.
2. Purging of dated information about LaGarou finances will be decided upon by the
Alpha members of LaGarou.
3. The Treasurer will keep a hand printed ledger of the financial transactions of
LaGarou. The Treasurer may also keep an electronic filing system in tandem with the
hand printed ledger.
4. The hand printed ledger must be made available to the Alpha membership at any
reasonable time the membership should ask to see it and must be present at every meeting.
5. The hand printed ledger must be updated on a quarterly basis. The fiscal year for
La Fraternitie du Loup-Garou begins on the lastSaturday of July of every year.
6. As of the adoption of this amendment the fiscal record for La Fraternitie du Loup-Garou
will be kept in this manner, and the first Quarter of reporting will take place on the
last Saturday of January, 2008.
Section 7 Sergeant at Arms
The Sergeant at Arms is responsible for the security and
order of La Garou and shall perform all duties ascribed to such an officer of a
voluntary organization, by these Bylaws and the parliamentary authority adopted
by La Garou. These duties include but are not limited to:
1. maintaining order at meetings, functions and events of
La Garou;
2. coordinating security at functions and events
sponsored by La Garou; and
3. presiding over the Court of Honor.
Section 8 Cub Master
The Pledge Master is responsible for the education of
prospective members and is the executive officer in charge of the incoming
members and the pledge classes, and shall perform all duties ascribed to such an
officer of a levi/leather club. These duties include but are not limited to:
1. maintaining applications and overseeing the
application process;
2. supervision of Cubs during their pledgeship;
3. educating Cubs about the Rules, Traditions and history
of La Garou;
Article VII
Committees
Section 1 Standing Committees
The standing committees of La Garou shall be: the Executive
Committee, the Activities Committee and the Fund Raising Committee. These
committees shall be composed of such members who are interested. It is the
function of the committees to ensure the smooth operation of La Garou.
Section 2 Executive Committee
A. The Executive Committee is composed of the elected
officers of La Garou.
B. The Executive Committee is responsible for the smooth
operation of La Garou and shall perform all duties ascribed to it in the Bylaws
and Rules adopted by La Garou. These duties include but are not limited to:
1. authority over the affairs of La Garou between meetings;
and
2. making recommendations to the membership;
C. The Executive Committee shall act as directed by La Garou.
No action taken by the Executive Committee shall conflict with action taken by
La Garou
Section 3 Activities Committee
The Activities Committee shall be in charge of planning
events and functions for La Garou. The Road Captain shall be the chair of the
activities committee.
Section 4 Fund Raising Committee
The fund raising committee shall over see all fund raising
events of La Garou. The Treasurer shall be the chair of the fund raising
committee.
Section 5 Special Committees
Such other committees as deemed necessary for the conduct of
business shall be appointed as the need arises.
Section 6 Court of Honor
A. The Court of Honor is a special committee charged to
investigate and adjudicate questions of honor and discipline.
B. A Court of Honor will be appointed as the need arises,
disbanding once the question of honor is settled.
C. No member except the Sergeant at Arms may sit on two
consecutive Courts. The Sergeant at Arms shall be the chair of the Court of
Honor.
D. It is the duty of the Court of Honor to investigate all
charges of misconduct and advise the membership of their findings, making
recommendations as to what actions are deemed necessary to resolve those
charges.
Article VIII
Elections and Voting
Section 1 Voting
Voting is restricted to Alpha members who are current in all
their dues and fees.
Section 2 Officer Elections
A. Officers shall be elected at the Annual meeting of La
Garou. Nominations shall be taken in writing beginning two months before the
Annual meeting. Any Alpha member in good standing may make a nomination.
B. All elections will be by secret ballot. The secretary
shall prepare and distribute the ballots, and shall over see the official count
of all ballots.
Section 3 Membership Elections
A. The election of Cubs to membership shall take place during
a closed discussion at the Annual meeting.
B. Any member who discusses the proceedings of the membership
elections with any person outside the closed discussion shall be expelled
permanently from La Garou.
Article IX
Finances
Section 1 Fiscal Year
A. The fiscal year of La Garou shall run from Annual meeting
to Annual meeting.
B. All dues and fees shall be payable by year, half or
quarter as dated from the Annual meeting.
Section 2 Dues & Fees
A. Dues for Alpha members shall be assessed at a rate of $50
a year or $30 a half or $20 a quarter, member's choice, payable from the Annual
meeting.
B. An initiation fee of $25 is payable by all Cubs upon their
entry into the pledge class. Cubs pay one half the regular dues of an Alpha
member.
Amendement to Article IX, Section 2, Dues & Fees
B. The Initiation fee shall be $15 for all Cubs upon entry into the pledge
class.
Accepted December 10th, 2007 CE.
C. Dues for Beta members are a one time payment of $25.
D. Dues are not reimbursable.
E. Such other fees as deemed necessary for the operation of
La Garou may be assessed by the membership from time to time.
Article X
Rules and Procedures
Section 1 Standing Rules
Such rules as deemed necessary for the operation of La Garou
shall be created from time to time. Such rules may not conflict with these
Bylaws.
Section 2 Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order, the Modern
Edition shall govern all cases where they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws
and any special rules of order adopted by La Garou.
Article XI
Amendments
A two-thirds vote of the current voting membership is
required to amend these Bylaws. All amendments must be presented in writing at
least one meeting prior to any vote and posted to the membership via La Garou’s
electronic mailing list.
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