Constitution and Bylaws

Alpha Zeta Sorority - Constitution And Bylaws Approved June 17 2000
Article I - NAME AND AFFILIATION
The official name of this organization shall be the Alpha Zeta Chapter of the Society for the Second Self and may be referred to as Alpha Zeta.
Section 2 Alpha Zeta is formed according to the policies of the Society for the Second Self (also known as Tri-Ess) and is a member chapter of that organization.
Article II - PURPOSES AND GOALS
Section 1 To act as a non-sexual support group to all heterosexual crossdressers (CDs), single or married, and their significant others (SOs),assisting its members in developing understanding, acceptance and confidence in the expression of the feminine aspects of their personalities.
Section 2 To assist in the dissemination of information about crossdressing to the public in order to increase general acceptance.
Section 3 To act as a center for educational and social information, and as a referral service for the crossdressing community.
Section 4 To enhance and fulfill the lives of the members through friendship, programs and social activities.
Article III - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 Full membership in Alpha Zeta Chapter of the Society for the Second Self shall be limited to heterosexual crossdressers and their significant others who are current members of the Tri-Ess Sorority. Full members are crossdressers and their significant others whose dues and assessments are fully paid as required herein to the Tri-Ess sorority and the Alpha Zeta Chapter. Significant others are defined as the spouse or partner of crossdresser members. Full membership to Alpha Zeta shall not be denied because of race, color, religion, physical disability, sex, or marital status.
Section 2 Associate membership in Alpha Zeta is available for any person ineligible for full membership in Alpha Zeta who has a genuine interest in and sympathy for the visions and goals of Alpha Zeta and Tri-Ess. Dues and assessments for an associate member shall be the same as the chapter dues and assessments for full members.
Section 3 Only full members whose dues and assessments are fully paid or current may vote on an issue before the membership, vote in elections or hold elected office. They shall be considered and referred to as members in good standing. Associate members do not have the right to vote or hold elected office.
Section 4 All prospective members shall be screened by at least one member of the membership committee prior to being invited to a meeting. After attending two meetings or after 90 days, whichever comes first, the prospective member will be invited to join the membership. Upon paying the required dues, the prospective member may then join Alpha Zeta and become a full or associate member.
Section 5 Any member whose conduct may be deemed generally unsuitable may be suspended from the membership. This may be done by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. The member may appeal the vote of the Board to the membership. The ballot containing the notice of appeal must be mailed to all members, per Article V, Section 2. The member must get a favorable majority vote of the votes cast for retention of membership. During the appeal process the member shall be considered an associate member and retain the rights thereof. If an unfavorable vote is obtained, the member shall then be removed from the membership. A suspension that is not appealed within 60 days shall convert to removal from membership.
Article IV - DIRECTORS, COMMITTEES, AND APPOINTED POSITIONS
Section 1 Alpha Zeta shall be administered by a Board of Directors. The board shall be composed of seven full members as elected by the full membership. Only members in good standing may vote for the Board of Directors.
Section 2 The Board of Directors shall include the treasurer, an SO and five members elected at-large. The Board shall then select a First Lady Elect from the Board and other positions as desired from the membership of the Chapter to efficiently administer the Chapter. If no SO chooses to run for the Board, the Board shall temporarily fill the SO position by appointment.
Section 3 The Board of Directors shall be responsible to set local policy, appoint the First Lady Elect and other committee chairs as needed, and administer the Chapter in accordance with the goals of Tri-Ess and as stated herein.
Section 4 The Board shall select one of its members by majority vote as First Lady Elect. The selected person shall then be granted a three year tenure on the Board. The first year she will serve as First Lady Elect, aiding the First Lady in her duties. The second year she will serve as First Lady. The third year she will become Past First Lady. All other Board members will serve a one year term and must stand for re-election if they wish to remain on the Board.
Section 5 The presiding officer of the Chapter shall be designated the First Lady. She shall preside over all meetings, oversee all planning and activities of the chapter, and act as the official representative of the chapter when conducting chapter business with Tri-Ess.
Section 6 The second officer of the Chapter shall be designated the First Lady Elect. She shall act as presiding officer in the absence of the First Lady and assist the First Lady in her duties.
Section 7 The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial operations of the chapter, keeping adequate records of all income and expenditures of the chapter. She shall insure meeting fees and yearly dues are collected on a timely basis and accounted for. She shall meet all chapter financial obligations from the chapter treasury.
Section 8 A newsletter editor shall be appointed by the Board. She will have the responsibility of publishing a monthly newsletter to inform all members of chapter business and items of interest.
Section 9 A Pledge Mother shall be appointed by the Board. She will chair the membership committee and be responsible for administering the new member program.
Section 10 Other committees shall be formed and appointed by the Board as necessary.
Section 11 All full members and associate members in good standing shall be eligible to serve in an appointed position. Only full members in good standing may hold an elected position.
Article V - ELECTIONS
Section 1 Nominations for Board of Director shall be opened at the October general meeting and closed at the November meeting. Elections shall be by ballot per Article V, Section 2 at the December meeting. Candidates for Treasurer and SO position shall be selected separately from candidates for at-large positions. Each voter will cast a number of votes equal to the number of positions being filled, with no more than one vote cast for any one candidate. Candidates who receive a plurality of votes shall be elected to office. Candidates will take office January 1 and serve through December 31 except wherein provided for.
Section 2 Ballots for elections, to remove an officer, to retain a member suspended by the Board, or to amend this Constitution and Bylaws must be mailed to all members and postmarked at least ten days prior to the meeting at which the election or vote is to be conducted. Ballots for election shall include provisions for write-in candidates. Absentee ballots may be mailed to the First Lady in care of the chapter mailing address but must be received prior to the meeting at which the vote is being conducted. The First Lady and two non-candidate members selected by the Board will collect and count the ballots, and certify the election.
Section 3 In the event any Board member is no longer able to serve, a special election will be held within 60 days of the vacancy to fill the vacated position, per Article V, Section 2.
Article VI - MEETINGS
Section 1 A specific time and date shall be set for the general meetings of the membership. This time and date will be set by the Board of Directors.
Section 2 Special meetings or party dates may be set by the Board of Directors.
Section 3 All members of other Tri-Ess chapters who are not members of the Alpha Zeta chapter may attend meetings as visiting members. Except for official guests, every person attending a meeting is subject to all meeting fees and assessments, regardless of membership status or time of arrival.
Section 4 All Board members shall attend all business and general meetings whenever possible. A general meeting shall consist of: A) A business meeting. B) An educational or informational program. C) A period for socialization and entertainment.
Section 5 Any member attending a meeting or party whose conduct is deemed to be unsuitable by the presiding officer or the hostess shall leave the meeting immediately when requested by the presiding officer or hostess.. Failure to do so will mean automatic consideration of suspension by the Board.
Section 6 Guests who are not prospective members may attend any meeting if they have been approved to do so by a Board member prior to the meeting. Conduct of the guests will be the responsibility of the member bringing them.
Section 7 Dress for meetings may be en femme or DRAB but shall not be such as to be considered disruptive to the meeting.
Section 8 Alcohol consumption will be permitted at the monthly meetings only with the hostess' approval and only after the business portion of the meeting. Excessive consumption will not be tolerated.
Article VII - FINANCES
Section 1 The financial records shall be maintained at all times by the Treasurer and shall be open for inspection by any member at any general meeting.
Section 2 A financial report of all income and expenditures for the current year to date shall be prepared by the Treasurer, submitted to the Board each month and available to the membership at the general meeting.
Section 3 Yearly dues and monthly assessments shall be set by the membership at the May meeting. Yearly dues are payable at the beginning of the fiscal year, which begins on July 1st and ends the following June 30th, and shall be paid to the Treasurer. New members who join during the year will have their dues prorated. Tri-Ess dues are the responsibility of each individual member. Meeting assessments are payable upon arrival at each general meeting. Members may be required to show a Tri-Ess membership card as proof of paid-up membership in Tri-Ess.
Section 4 Special assessments may be set by the members present at any meeting by a favorable majority vote.
Section 5 All business for the Chapter shall be on a cash or check basis only. Any member incurring indebtedness in the name of the Chapter shall be responsible for the payment of that debt if it is not authorized by the Board. No purchases in excess of the current funds on hand in the treasury shall be made.
Section 6 The Board of Directors shall have the sole responsibility for authorizing the expenditure of Chapter funds.
Article VIII - THE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
Section 1 This Constitution and Bylaws shall be submitted to the membership for their final approval. It must be approved by a favorable majority vote of the membership voting.
Section 2 Alpha Zeta being an affiliated member chapter of Tri-Ess, any bylaw, policy or provision thereof which conflicts with any Tri-Ess bylaw, policy or provision, is hereby declared null and void.
Section 3 Amendments to this Constitution and Bylaws may be passed by a favorable vote of the membership voting except that any amendments to Article VIII, Section 2 shall require a two-thirds majority favorable vote of all members eligible to vote. Any amendment to Article VIII, Section 2 shall constitute a withdrawal from affiliation with Tri-Ess and require immediate notification be given to that organization.
Section 4 A copy of this Constitution and Bylaws shall be given to every member. A copy shall be held by the First Lady Elect at every meeting for reference.
Section 5 This Constitution and Bylaws shall be effective immediately upon ratification by a favorable majority of Alpha Zeta Chapter members voting. At the time a new Board of Directors shall be elected, serving through December 31, 2000. The current First Lady shall continue to serve in that position through December 31, 2000.