Bylaws
- Membership Benefits
- Membership Requirements
- Pending Members
- Continuing Members
- Organizational Structure
- Code of Conduct
I. Membership Benefits
The primary benefit is being part of a group of exciting, sexy, fun, and diverse women and transfolk who are interested in BDSM. In addition, Mob offers:
A. The Mob E-Mail Lists: The purpose of the lists is to facilitate discussion between members and to provide a convenient way for members to keep in touch. When a new member joins the group, the list administrator adds their names to the e-mail lists, which are also available in digest form. New members are also encouraged to introduce themselves to the lists.
B. Business Meetings: Business meetings are help once per month in a public space and are open to members and anyone who is eligible for membership.
1. The day and time of business meetings will be established by membership vote, with the understanding that there is value in having a consistent meeting day (for example, the third Sunday of every month).
2. In case of emergency when a membership vote cannot be held (for example, an unexpected loss of a regular meeting space), the committee will make arrangements for the next business meeting, making an effort to stay within the parameters of the former meeting space (day and time of meeting, cost of space, accessibility of space, etc.).
C. Other Mob Events: Other Mob Events: Mob holds official social events (including, but not limited to, a quarterly munch, a monthly weekday lunch, and monthly demos) that are open to any Mob-eligible person. Mob members may also organize non-official social events with different attendance qualifications from Mob’s own.
D. Colors: Mob offers group patches for those members who meet the group's requirements.
II. Membership Requirements
Mob is a group for all women, including transsexual/transgender/intersex women who live their daily lives as women, and all female-born transgender/genderqueer persons age 21 and over who have an interest in BDSM. Mob is an organization that very much respects the complexity of gender. Mob will not tolerate anyone taking advantage of our policy in a dishonest or disrespectful manner.
III. Pending Members
A. Pending members will be provided with written information on Mob highlighting the importance of confidentiality, safety, conduct, FAQs, what to expect, an explanation of the relationship of the committee to the membership, and a list of resources, as part of our safety awareness orientation.
B. Prospective and pending members will receive the e-mail address of the new member coordinator and the committee so they can ask questions or get help if they need it. A member will be available to meet prospective members before a business meeting to answer questions and help introduce pending members to other members.
C. To become a Mob member in good standing, and to be added to the e-mail lists, a pending member must:
1. Attend one Mob business meeting.
2. Complete a screening period of no less than three months and no more than six months, during which a pending member must attend one business meeting and perform one service for Mob, such as assisting at a play party, taking meeting minutes, or assisting in a demo.
3. Attend a safety awareness orientation within the screening period. Returning members will be required to complete the three- to six-month screening process as described herein. Returning members who attended the Mob safety orientation (established in 2005) will not be required to re-attend the orientation if rejoining within thirty-six months of leaving the group.
4. Arrange dues. Dues help support the e-mail lists, flyers, and other Mob expenses.
D. A pending member may not join as an associate member. Meeting requirements for joining the group as outlined above will allow all new members to join as members in good standing for the year that they joined.
E. During the three- to six- month screening period, member in good standing may request a review of a pending member. When this occurs, the member should follow the process outlined below:
1. Contact the committee within three months of the pending member's request to join Mob, outlining the issues and concerns, and request a review of the application for membership.
2. Meet with the committee to discuss these issues and concerns.
3. Provide any documents or witnesses to support these issues and concerns.
4. Agree to abide by the decision of the committee. The committee should follow the process outlined below:
a. Meet with the member(s) requesting the review. Failure of a member to follow up on their request for a review by the committee within thirty days will result in that request to be considered as withdrawn.
b. Listen to the member's statement of cause, review any documents provided and hear the statements of any witnesses.
c. Meet privately to discuss the validity of the issues and causes raised.
d. If the committee decides the issues raised are not an obstacle to membership, the contesting member will be advised of the committee’s decision and the matter will be considered closed.
e. The committee will offer the pending member an opportunity to meet with the committee to address these issues and resolve them if possible.
f. The pending member will have thirty days to respond to the committee offer. Failure of a pending member to follow up with the committee after notification that their membership has been contested will be considered as a voluntary withdrawal of the request for membership. In this case, the pending member may reapply after one year.
g. The committee will meet with the pending member to discuss the issues raised.
h. If the committee feels it is necessary, they may request a joint meeting including all parties involved.
i. The committee will meet privately to discuss the issues raised and reach a decision on how to best resolve the situation. The matter of resolution is up to the discretion of the committee. Resolution may consist of refusal of membership, dismissal of the issues, probationary membership status, or any other action deemed suitable.
j. The committee will notify all parties involved of the resolution.
IV. Continuing Members
A. Members in good standing: To continue as a member in good standing, a Mobster:
1. Must attend two official Mob events each membership year, at least one of which must be a business meeting. Mob’s membership year runs from the day after the June meeting to the day of the next June meeting. Mob is an active and dynamic regional organization and will remain such only with the ongoing participation of its members.
2. Must arrange annual dues. If a member does not arrange annual dues by the end of the June meeting, that member will be removed from the membership list. It is the member’s responsibility to arrange dues.
3. Members in good standing are eligible to make nominations for the committee, be nominated for the committee, vote in committee elections, vote on bylaws changes, vote on statement of purpose changes, and vote on issues.
B. Associate Members: To become an associate member, a Mobster:
1. Must have been a member in good standing for at least one year.
2. Must arrange annual dues (see section IV. A. 2.).
3.Will retain benefits such as access to Mob e-mail lists and committee meetings.
4. Associate members are eligible to vote on issues, but are not eligible to make nominations for the committee, be nominated for the committee, vote in committee elections, vote on bylaws changes, or vote on statement of purpose changes.
C. Tracking membership requirements
1. To retain status as a member in good standing, a member's attendance at Mob events will be tracked by the following means:
a. Attendance at business and committee meetings will be taken to be included in the meeting minutes to reflect who contributed to the discussions and voting.
b. It will be the responsibility of the hosts/organizers of Mob events to track attendance and post to the Mob list. Members attending non-meeting Mob events will have the option to decline to have their attendance tracked. If a member declines to have their attendance tracked at a non-meeting Mob event, their attendance at the event will not count toward their membership requirements. Failure of a host/organizer to track attendance may result in committee review.
c. Attendance records will be reviewed at the end of the membership year.
2. Mob events that count toward membership requirements
a. In order to be considered a Mob event, an event must be open to all Mob members, and must only be open to Mob-eligible persons.
b. Mob events will be voted on by the membership. Voting will follow the procedure for issues (see section V. B. 1.).
c. Mob events currently include but are not limited to:
• Annual Mob barbeque
• Presenting or attending Mob classes/demos/panels/workshops (counted as separate tracked events) held for the group or presenting for other groups/venues (example: Good Vibrations) promoted as Mob classes/demos/panels/workshops (tracking attendance for this type of event would depend on the availability of a Mob host/organizer)
• Monthly Mob lunches
• Monthly Mob socials
• Quarterly Mob munches
• Volunteering for Mob at Fetish Fair Fleamarkets
• Volunteering at Mob parties
V. Organizational Structure
A. Decision Making: The major decision-making body of Mob is the whole group. The committee carries out routine tasks and reports to the group at business meetings and through e-mail. All members in good standing and associate members may attend committee meetings, and minutes of committee meetings are posted to the e-mail list.
B. Voting
1. Issues: Group decisions can benefit from discussion of issues. Issues are any decisions that affect the group other than committee elections, bylaws changes, and statement of purpose changes. Issues may be voted on throughout the year as they arise. Whenever possible, issues should be presented to the group in advance of a vote. Discussions may take place at business meetings or online.
Voting Process:
a. An issue is presented by a member in good standing or an associate member
b. A deadline is set for voting
c. Members in good standing and associate members may vote on issues.
d. Votes are tabulated and results are announced
e. Committee members may at their discretion request than an issue be carried over to the next business meeting.
2. Election of Committee:
a. The voting period begins at the end of the June meeting and ends at the July (annual) meeting. Special elections will be scheduled as needed.
b. Only members in good standing may run for committee. Eligible candidates may be self-nominated or nominated by a member in good standing. All nominations require a second by a member in good standing. Nominations must be made, seconded, and accepted by the candidate by the end of the June meeting in order to be included in the election to close at the July meeting.
c. At least fifty percent of members in good standing must vote in order for the election to be valid. Only members in good standing will be eligible to vote. All candidates are encouraged to provide a statement of candidacy (including why they should be elected, what skills they bring, etc.) to the e-mail list prior to the election. Members in good standing who cannot be present at the meeting may vote via online ballot. The voting period ends at the end of the July meeting.
3. Bylaws:
a. Any suggestions for amendments or additions to the bylaws must be presented in ballot form by the end of the June meeting.
b. At least fifty percent of members in good standing must vote in order for the outcome to be valid. Only members in good standing may vote. Members in good standing who cannot be present at the meeting may vote via online ballot. The voting period ends at the end of the July meeting.
4. Statement of purpose:
a. Any suggestions for amendments or additions to the statement of purpose must be presented in ballot form by the end of the June meeting.
b. At least seventy-five percent of members in good standing must vote with at least seventy-five percent of votes received in favor of the same option in order for the proposal to pass. Only members in good standing may vote. Members in good standing who cannot be present at the meeting may vote via online ballot. The voting period ends at the end of the July meeting.
C. The committee
1. Committee mission statement: The mission of the committee is to uphold the mission of Mob, oversee the completion of tasks, and mediate organizational conflicts.
2. Basic definition of the committee:
a. The committee consists of five elected members in good standing.
b. All members of the committee have an equal voice regardless of their self-defined role within the scene.
c. The committee term is one year, beginning at the end of the July (annual) meeting. Should a committee member not be able to complete the full term, a special election will be held.
d. The committee meetings will be open to all members in good standing and associate members who wish to attend. While members are welcome to attend and participate in discussion at committee meetings, only members of the committee may vote. Members may request that an issue up for vote be carried over to the next business meeting.
e. The committee meetings will be open to all members in good standing and associate members who wish to attend. While members are welcome to attend and participate in discussion at the committee meetings, only members of the committee may vote. Members may, if necessary, request that an issue up for vote be carried over to the next business meeting.
f. The overall objective of the committee is to lead the group and to ensure the completion of projects and tasks, not necessarily to do the work themselves.
3. Responsibilities of the committee:
a. Act in the best interest of Mob as a whole.
b. Money management and handling of all financial issues.
c. Meeting facilitation: Ensure that we have a meeting space, facilitator, minutes-taker, and any other items needed to conduct the meeting.
d. Publish minutes of the committee meetings to the Mob list.
e. Report to the general membership at each business meeting.
f. Gather items and prepare the agenda for the business meeting.
g. Maintain an inventory of Mob possessions and their locations.
h. New membership coordination.
i. Communications: Website, e-mail lists, calendar listings.
j. Tracking Mob's projects.
k. Mediate organizational conflicts and discussions.
l. Vote counting.
m. Uphold the membership standards.
4. Authority of the committee: The committee has the authority to make the day-to-day decisions necessary for Mob. Important decisions affecting the group as a whole are put before the group for a vote. When in doubt, the committee should bring decisions to the group. Specific authorities are as follows:
a. To spend up to $100 from Mob funds without prior approval from the general membership. The group must approve amounts over $100.
b. To enforce the bylaws.
c. To arbitrate/mediate conflicts within the group as they pertain to the organization.
5. Limitations of the committee: Cannot change the bylaws or the statement of purpose, although they can propose changes to the group, which would be discussed and voted on by the members in good standing per the process outlined in the bylaws.
6. Responsibilities of the membership to the committee:
a. Nominate and elect those individuals whom they believe will best serve and represent the group as a whole.
b. Review the minutes of the committee meetings.
c. Bring issues to the committee when necessary.
d. Raise questions regarding the actions of the committee when necessary.
e. Support and assist the committee by volunteering for tasks.
7. Administrative policies:
a. Committee members will not engage in scene roles/role-playing during meetings or while engaging in official business.
b. Each committee member is expected to attend and participate in 75% of the committee meetings.
c. Each committee member is expected to attend 75% of the business meetings.
8. Qualifications for committee members: A member is qualified to run for election if that member has been a member in good standing of Mob for at least six months and has access to e-mail.
9. Transition of committee members:
a. Committee members will be voted in at the July meeting. Their transition period with previous committee members will be at least two months, during which time both new and old committee members will be expected to attend all committee meetings. After two months, old committee members will be removed from the committee e-mail list.
b. Only new committee members may vote on issues before the committee during the transition period.
c. All records relating to the operation of Mob will be turned over to the new committee within two months after the election.
VI. The Mob Code of Conduct
In order to provide a safe and supportive environment for all members, Mobsters are expected to adhere to this code of conduct. Mob is not, however, responsible for any problems resulting from participation in the group.
A. Respect: All members should be treated with respect, and it is this respect that forms the basis for the Mob code of conduct. Mob is a diverse group of women and transfolk with a variety of backgrounds, interests, experiences, attitudes, and it is this diversity that makes the group lively and exciting. Open-mindedness toward and respect for this diversity are fundamental to the success and longevity of Mob. Discrimination on any basis is not acceptable. All members are deserving of respect and one’s BDSM role does not affect that. Bottoms should not be treated as less valuable than tops, and tops should not expect special treatment.
B. Confidentiality: Membership within Mob and participation in activities or discussions that take place at Mob events or on the Mob e-mail lists are considered confidential. All Mob members should feel confident that they can comfortably share as little or as much information about themselves as they wish.
1. Mobsters have the right to be as public or as private as they choose. Mobsters do not reveal the identities or names of our members to people outside the group. While e-mail addresses and scene/first names of members in good standing and associate members are available to the membership, no other identifying information may be shared inside or out of Mob without the member’s explicit consent.
2. Mobsters do not assume it is acceptable to bring up Mob, or scene-related activities, with people from Mob whom we see in public at non-scene events.
3. Mobsters avoid gossiping about scene activities, even with other members of Mob.
C. Consent: Participation in any activity is voluntary and based on the consent of all individuals involved.
D. Safety: Protecting the physical and psychological safety of our members is essential. Education about safety is encouraged for Mob members. Mob will provide safety information (reading sources, workshops, referrals to other venues, etc.) to members. Ultimately, each individual's safety is their own responsibility.
E. Unacceptable Behavior: Non-consensual behavior in the forms of outing, assault, battery, rape, harassment, and/or any other type of non-consensual behavior will not be tolerated. The committee will address complaints or concerns with respect to an individual's conduct within Mob.
Specific behaviors which are not allowed include the following:
1. Contacting another member’s non-scene friends, family, or work associates in order to out them about scene/Mob activities. This may result in suspension from the group pending committee review.
2. Verbal threats/abuse of another member that relate to Mob somehow (i.e., takes place at a Mob meeting or event, or involves trying to prevent someone from going to a Mob event). This may result in suspension from the group pending committee review.
3. Repeated direct contact at Mob events with another member who has requested no contact. This may result in suspension from the group pending committee review.
4. Physical abuse that takes place at Mob events. This may result in suspension from the group pending committee review.
F. Drug and Alcohol Policy: Members shall refrain from use of drugs or alcohol during official Mob events.
Although Mob will do its best to enforce this code of conduct, Mob is not and cannot be responsible for the behavior of its members or for any injury or harm that might result from participation in Mob or from the actions of its members.