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Code of Regulations and Bylaws PDF Print E-mail

1.1 The organization shall be known as Southern Ohio Naturists Society.
1.1.1 S.O.N.S. is an acceptable abbreviation for Southern Ohio Naturists Society.
 
1.2 The purpose and objectives of S.O.N.S. shall be to promote and encourage:
1.2.1. An active interest in non-sexual nudism.
1.2.2. Common social goals and interests within the ranks of the membership.
1.2.3. The distribution of information relating to the activities of similar organizations nationwide, and Gay Naturists International.
1.2.4. The advancement of the fraternal fellowship of its members.
1.2.5. The promotion and enhancement of a positive gay/bisexual lifestyle by networking and
cooperating with other gay and lesbian organizations.
1.2.6. To provide a pleasant, friendly, relaxed and positive atmosphere for nude socialization.
 
Article 2
Membership

2.1 Membership in S.O.N.S. requires endorsement by the Board of Directors, and the payment of the current dues.

2.2 Active members are encouraged to attend at least one of the monthly meetings and all possible organization functions.

2.3 The membership may determine a meeting fee that may be required to be paid at some or all of the membership meetings or organization functions.

2.4 The membership is open to gay, and bisexual men without regard to race, religion, national origin, physical appearance, HIV status, or age (minimum age 21 required).

2.5 Membership requirements and limitations.
2.5.1 Membership is open to all males who are at least 21 years of age, and who subscribe to the objective of S.O.N.S.
2.5.2 New applicants for membership who are sponsored by a member may attend his first meeting as a guest of that member. Other applicants must be interviewed by a member, preferably an officer, before coming to his first meeting as a guest of the Board.
2.5.3 The Board of Directors has the final authority as to whether an applicant will be accepted into the organization.
2.5.4 No membership is transferable or assignable.
2.5.5 The number of active members may be limited, if the membership agrees.
2.5.6 Members will conduct themselves in a manner, which is not harmful or detrimental to S.O.N.S. or to the other members, as determined by the Board of Directors.
2.5.7 The Board of Directors has the authority to enforce rules governing member conduct at/or in conjunction with S.O.N.S. events. These may include, but are not limited to, smoking, use of alcohol and other drugs, sexual activity, and confidentiality. Photography is specifically prohibited unless permission is received from both an officer and the person[s] being photographed.
2.5.8 Whenever meetings or functions are hosted in private homes, the host(s) will have the right to request that certain house rules be respected which may include, but are not limited to, smoking, entrance to pre-determined areas of the residence, and use of particular equipment.
2.5.9 The Board of Directors is empowered to adopt new rules and announce them at least one month prior to inception at a regular meeting of the membership.
Members may challenge such rules and request a vote. Such new rules must be printed and distributed in the monthly newsletter, and kept by the secretary with the by-laws for later inclusion in updates.
 
2.6 Termination of Membership
2.6.1 An active membership shall be considered terminated if the annual dues are not paid within 30 days of the due date.
2.6.2 An active membership may be terminated if there is a violation of these bylaws which may adversely affect other members of the organization.
2.6.3 Members who are terminated, or who are no longer considered to be in good standing, will be notified in writing by the Board of Directors, or through the Secretary of S.O.N.S.
2.6.4 Terminated members may re-apply for re-instatement after a period of 6 months has passed from the time of the termination at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Article 3
Membership Meetings

3.1 Membership meetings shall be held on a regular basis.
3.1.1 Special meetings may be held as determined by the President, or a majority of the active members.
3.1.2 The Secretary of S.O.N.S. shall attempt to give notice to every active member by mail,
telephone, e-mail, or in person at least 48 hours prior to the special meeting.
 
3.2 Unless otherwise provided in these bylaws, all decisions at any meeting shall be decided by a simple
majority, by a show of hands, of the active members who are present with the exception of annual elections which are determined by secret ballot.

3.3 In the absence of any standing rule to apply to questions before the organization, recourse shall be
held to “Robert's Rules Of Order”

Article 4
Elected Officers

4.1 Officers of S.O.N.S. shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The President will appoint three Members-at-Large to represent West Central Ohio, Greater Cincinnati, and Kentucky areas. The M.A.L. members will serve as consultants to the Board on matters pertaining to their respective areas. The President will also have the authority to appoint a Web Site manager, a Communications Director, etc. as he sees fit.
4.1.1 President
The principle executive officer who shall:
• Supervise and direct all business and affairs of the organization
• Vote on matters of membership
4.1.2 Vice-President
• Shall preside in the absence of the President, and when acting, have all the powers and be subject to all the restrictions of the office of the President.
• Shall be responsible for initiating and coordinating all social activities of the organization as well as arrange meeting locations.
4.1.3 Secretary
This officer shall be responsible for:
• Minutes of the meetings
• Notification of all meetings to members
• Maintenance of membership roster, which includes contact information
• Reception, responding to, and initiating all official correspondence of S.O.N.S.
• Insurance that all mail received by S.O.N.S. from other organizations, vendors or agencies, is made appropriately available to the President and/or the active membership.
• Holding the membership roster in strictest of confidence.
• Assistant may be used if desired and a volunteer is willing to assist.
4.1.4 Treasurer
This officer will be responsible for:
• Shall have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all funds and securities of the organization.
• Shall receive and provide receipts for monies due and payable to the organization from any source whatsoever, and deposit all such monies in the name of the organization, in such banks or other depositories as selected by the members.
• Shall make a financial statement at each regular meeting.
 
4.2 Election, Term of Office, Removal and Vacancy
4.2.1 The officers of S.O.N.S. shall be elected annually by the active membership at the regular meeting in June.
4.2.2 Each officer must be an active member, and will be elected by a majority of the active members present.
4.2.3 Any officer elected or appointed, may be removed by a 2/3 vote of the active membership.
4.2.4 A vacancy in any office, for any reason, may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term, by a majority vote of the active members present at the meeting.
4.2.5 The term of all offices shall begin on July 1, and end on June 30.
 
4.3 It shall be the duty of each officer to maintain correct and complete books, records, or minutes pertinent to their office. All such books, records, or minutes of the organization, shall be made reasonably available for inspection by any active member. When an individual leaves office, these records must be submitted to his replacement. Records may be destroyed with board approval.

Article 5
Fiscal Year

5.1 The fiscal year of the organization shall begin on the first day of July, and end on the last day of June of each year.

5.2 Annual dues are for this period.

5.3 Dues for membership beginning after December will be pro-rated; all others are for the full year.

Article 6
Dues and Assessments

6.1 Membership dues will consist of an annual fee, which is due to the treasurer every July, and a monthly meeting fee, for all active members at the beginning of each meeting. Current members of the board are exempt from monthly meeting fees.

6.2 Assessments may be made when decided as necessary by the organization, to pay expenses for special events and activities.

Article 7
General Rules of Conduct

7.1 Members of S.O.N.S. acting on behalf of the organization, shall not act in a manner which may be offensive to the general membership, or be in contrast to the objectives of the organization.

7.2 Members of S.O.N.S. shall not knowingly commit any unlawful acts when participating in formal S.O.N.S. meetings, events or activities.

7.3 Members of S.O.N.S. shall respect the rights, property and the wishes of those who host meetings, events, or activities, and of each other.

7.4 Non-S.O.N.S. members who wish to attend any organization function may do so only if adequate facilities are available after all members have been accommodated. Non-members may attend ONE meeting, only as guests of members. Prospective members will be treated as guests of the board. An individual may attend as a guest only once, unless the board grants an exception. Members are responsible for the behavior of their guests.

7.5 All expenses necessary for honorary, or non-members to attend organization functions will be solely the responsibility of that individual.

7.6 The names, addresses, telephone numbers, work information, functions and duties of members, must and will remain confidential. Any member freely providing this confidential information to others is in direct violation of these bylaws, and can result in membership termination as decided by the board.

Article 8
Amendments to Bylaws

8.1 The decision to alter, amend, repeal or create new bylaws may be voted upon by a majority of the active membership who are present, or by proxy, at any regular, or special meeting.

8.2 Amendments to the bylaws shall be drafted by a bylaw committee so designated by the President, and upon completion, submitted to the membership at the next regular meeting.

8.3 All changes to the bylaws must be approved by a majority of the active membership, whether present, or by proxy.

Article 9
Voting

9.1 Unless otherwise stated, voting shall be by a show of hands.

9.2 A vote will carry whenever there is a simple majority of the active membership present, or by proxy, at any regular or special meeting.

9.3 In an instance where a decision must be made that requires a vote of the members, and time
is not available to call a special meeting, the President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer, may individually, or in consort, poll the membership. Every effort must be made to reach the entire membership when polling. The polling may be done in person, or by telephone. A tally will be made and entered into the minutes of the next meeting.