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The National Leather Association - Central Florida Chapter


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BYLAWS

Preamble

The National Leather Association - Central Florida (also referred to herein as "Chapter") is a chartered chapter of NLA-International (NLA-I). As such, it subscribes to the same Statement of Purpose as NLA-I and is a nonprofit, educational, social, political, and charitable organization.

ARTICLE I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

  1. To establish and maintain a communication, information, education and support network for members of the Leather/BDSM/Fetish alternative lifestyle community in the state of Florida .
  2. To promote with power and pride the right of all adults to engage in Safe, Sane, Consensual, or Risk-Aware Consensual Kink, expression, including support for the decriminalization of such acts between consenting adults.
  3. To facilitate political activism, visibility and education aimed at the eradication of stereotypical beliefs, misconceptions and media misrepresentations about the alternative lifestyle in the community at large.
  4. To provide, through our publications, educational material, and conferences, a forum for the sharing of knowledge, viewpoints, and practices of a diverse network of people.
  5. To build, strengthen, and defend individuals, organizations, publications, and businesses within the community against threats to freedom of expression, freedom of the press, right of free association, and right to equal protection under the law.
  6. To develop an outreach to all people who traditionally have been discriminated against or who are poorly represented within the alternative lifestyle community.
  7. To facilitate fund raising for deserving projects, organizations, defense funds, and/or charities which have given direct service to the alternative lifestyle community.
  8. To preserve a record of our history, traditions, and culture.

ARTICLE II. NLA-CENTRAL FLORIDA MEMBERSHIP

  1. Membership is open to any person of legal age who is a member of NLA-I and who supports the Statement of Purpose. A one-year sponsorship provision will be added to the Chapter's Policies and Procedures for those members who are 18-21 years of age.
  2. Persons who join will have all rights and privileges granted under the bylaws of NLA-I.
  3. Members will pay annual chapter dues and/or assessments in an amount determined by a vote of the membership. Any person not paying by their renewal date will lose their membership privileges until his/her account is current. Dues are addressed in the Policies and Procedures.
  4. Local dues may be waived in instances of hardship by the Executive Council for a period of one year. Waivers will be reviewed annually.
  5. The records pertaining to Membership will be maintained according to the Policy and Procedure.
  6. Only NLA-Central Florida members are eligible to make motions, vote, nominate members for office, hold office, and receive NLA-Central Florida publications free of charge.
  7. Members may indicate on business cards, stationary, and in advertising their membership in NLA-Central Florida . They may not present themselves as spokespersons for the association unless the Executive Council, the bylaws, or a vote of the membership specifically authorizes them.
  8. Membership in NLA-Central Florida is confidential, and member's names will not be released, other than to officers and directors of NLA-Central Florida and NLA-I, without the member's written approval.
  9. Members may resign by submitting a letter to the NLA-Central Florida secretary.
  10. Revocation of membership shall be performed in accordance with the NLA-I Policies and Procedures.
  11. Revocation of membership in NLA-I will automatically result in a revocation of NLA-Central Florida membership.

ARTICLE III. CONDUCT OF CHAPTER BUSINESS

  1. A public meeting, open to anyone of legal age, will be conducted monthly at a time and location to be determined by the Executive Council. Members will be notified of the time and place of all meetings at least one week in advance, preferably in writing. For special meetings, members will be notified of time and place at least thirty-six hours in advance, if possible.
  2. Special meetings to address a single issue may be called by any two members of the Executive Council or by petition of twenty-five percent of the membership.
  3. A quorum, consisting of at least two members of the Executive Council, will be necessary to conduct all meetings. Business may be conducted at that meeting, with the exception of:
    1. Amendments to the Bylaws
    2. Amendments to the Policies and Procedures
    3. Election of Officers
    4. Any vote requiring a two-thirds majority for approval
  4. Unless specified elsewhere, issues will require a simple majority of members voting. Abstentions will be noted.
  5. The Executive Council or the Co-chairs will determine the agenda of all meetings.
  6. Minutes of all meetings will be made available for referral to any member. A copy of the approved minutes will be sent to NLA-I.
  7. Unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws, meetings will be conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order, current revised edition.
  8. At any open meeting guests may be asked to leave the room during discussion and voting on "sensitive" issues. A request that an issue be declared "sensitive" does not require a second. The issue will be debated and voted on before any other business is conducted.

ARTICLE IV. ADMINISTRATION OF NLA CHAPTER

  1. NLA-Central Florida shall be governed by these Bylaws and the Policies and Procedures under the leadership of an Executive Council. The Executive Council will consist of two Co-Chairs, with diversity parity observed when possible; a secretary; a treasurer; Members At Large, the number of which shall be determined according to the Policy and Procedure; and the chairpersons of the standing committees.
  2. The Executive Council will be elected by the membership for two-year terms. Co-Chairs will serve staggered terms.
  3. Members may nominate candidates for office in May and June. Elections will be held at the public meeting in July.
  4. The newly elected officers will assume office at the first business meeting following elections.
  5. Should an office become vacant before the expiration of the term, the EC shall appoint a member to fill the position until such time as the position shall be fill by an elected member.
  6. An officer may resign by submitting a written resignation to any member of the Executive Council.

ARTICLE V. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DUTIES

  1. The Executive Council of NLA-Central Florida is responsible for the management, activities, and goals of the chapter as approved by the membership.
    1. The Executive Council will meet at least once monthly as announced at the public chapter meetings.
    2. Meetings of the Executive Council are open to all members and invited guests having business with NLA-Central Florida . The Executive Council may limit participation.
    3. The Executive Council may approve expenditures of up to $200.00, provided it does not exceed fifty percent of the available funds, without a vote of the members.
  1. Any member of the Executive Council may be removed from office by a three-fourths majority of the voting members in accordance with the established policies and procedures.

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES

  1. The Executive Council may establish or dissolve any and all standing or ad hoc committees deemed appropriate.
  2. Committee membership shall be open to any current member of NLA-Central Florida on a voluntary basis, and at the discretion of the specific committee chair. Committee membership shall have no specified term limit. Committee members may resign by written or verbal notice to the specific committee chairperson.
  3. Standing Committees may include, but are not limited to, Membership, Program, Newsletter, Social, Publicity, Fund-Raising, Sociopolitical Action, etc.
    1. Standing Committee Chairs shall be elected by the membership.
    2. Standing Committee Chairs shall be subject to all provisions for other Executive Council members, including qualifications, voting, and removal.
  4. Committee Chairs shall be appointed by the Executive Council, and serve on a voluntary basis until such time as chairperson is removed by a majority vote of, or the committee is dissolved by, the Executive Council.

 ARTICLE VII AMENDMENT PROCEDURES

  1. Proposed amendment(s)/revision(s) of the Bylaws will be filed with the Executive Council and presented at two consecutive public meetings. These will be published to the membership a minimum of thirty days prior to voting. Amendment(s)/revision(s) of the Bylaws require the approval of a two-thirds majority.
  2. Proposed amendment(s)/revision(s) of the Policies and Procedures Manual will be filed with the Executive Council and presented at the next public meeting. These will be published to the membership a minimum of thirty days prior to voting. Amendment(s)/revision(s) of the Policies and Procedures must receive the approval of a simple.

ARTICLE VIII. INITIAL ESTABLISHMENT PROCEDURES

  1. These Bylaws will become operational with the approval of the Chapter Charter status by the Executive Council of NLA-I.
  2. Until such time of approval from the Executive Council of NLA-I, the officers of NLA-Central Florida shall serve in accordance with the procedures set forth herein and in the Policies and Procedures.

ARTICLE IX. DISSOLUTION PROCEDURES

  1. Payment or provision of payment of all liabilities of the chapter shall be made prior to any dissolution of the chapter.
  2. Disposal of all assets will be made in such a manner as to comply with any and all State and Federal statutes and regulations.
  3. Where possible, transfer of any assets shall be made to other not for profit organizations whose purpose is sympathetic to the NLA Statement of Purpose.