BiUnity By-Laws

As amended on January 1, 2004

Article I. Name and Mission

1.1 The organization shall be known as BiUnity
1.2 BiUnity is the Philadelphia-area social, educational, and support network for bisexual people, their families, and friends.

Article II. Members

2.1 Membership. Membership is open to all interested people and becomes active upon payment of dues.

2.1.1 Dues paying members are eligible for certain benefits that are set by the Steering Committee. Current benefits of dues paying membership include:

2.1.1.1 Ability to vote in BiUnity elections.
2.1.1.2 Ability to run for BiUnity elected positions.
2.1.1.3 Ability to participate in the BiUnity Steering committee.
2.1.1.4 Ability to hold BiUnity appointed positions.
2.1.1.5 Ability to receive discounts on specified BiUnity merchandise and events.
2.1.1.6 Ability to receive paper mailings if you wish.
2.1.1.7 Receipt of a BiUnity membership card.
2.1.1.8 Participation on BiUnity maintained email lists and events.

2.1.2 BiUnity mailing list and event participants are welcome to participate on-line and to attend events, but are subject to guidelines for appropriate behavior that are set by the Steering Committee. They do not enjoy the benefits of dues paying members aside from participation.

2.2 Dues.
The Steering committee may determine annual dues.
2.3 Non-Payment of Dues.
Dues are to be paid by January 1 each year, unless extended by the Steering Committee. Nonpayment of annual dues suspends all dues paying membership benefits, but maintains all mailing list membership benefits, until such time as dues are paid.
2.4 Expulsion/Suspension.
The Steering Committee may. by consensus, suspend or expel a member for cause after an appropriate hearing.
2.5 Reinstatement.
Upon written request signed by a former member who was suspended or expelled for reason other than non-payment of dues, the Steering Committee may reinstate former members by consensus.

Article III. Annual Meeting.

3.1 BiUnity shall host an Annual meeting of its membership known as Death Bi Chocolate (DBC).
3.2 Death Bi Chocolate shall be held on January 1st of each year unless rescheduled by the Steering Committee.
3.3 DBC shall be organized by an appointed position known as DBC Coordinator, whose primary responsibility is to ensure that there is chocolate present at the event.
3.4 Officer elections shall be announced at DBC.

Article IV. Governance.

4.1 BiUnity Steering Committee.
4.1.1 In addition to fulfilling their individual responsibilities, our elected and appointed officers will also play a key role on the BiUnity Steering Committee, which is devoted to carrying out continuous organizational improvements and planning major events and initiatives. The Steering Committee's interactions will take place via the e-mail list, occasional ad-hoc meetings, and planned meetings.

4.1.2 The Steering Committee will be open to all BiUnity dues paying members and shall operate by consensus. However, only elected BiUnity officers will have the power to block consensus on proposals that are under consideration. As such, officers will be entrusted with protecting the best interests of our membership and of BiUnity.

4.2 Officers.
BiUnity will have a number of elected and appointed volunteer officers who will be responsible for carrying out the needs of the organization.

4.2.1 Elected Officers.
4.2.1.1 Minister of Finance (a.k.a. Treasurer) -- makes sure our checks get deposited, our bills get paid, and our bank balance stays healthy.
4.2.1.2 Julie, Your Cruise Director (a.k.a. Social Coordinator) -- takes care of scheduling and organizing social events. 4.2.1.3 List Moderator -- manages our discussion, announcement, and steering committee email lists.
4.2.1.4 Publicity/Visibility Coordinator -- keeps local media apprised of BiUnity events and makes sure our brochures are readily available in lots of places.
4.2.1.5 Receptionist -- receives and responds to e-mails sent to BiUnity; takes care of incoming snail-mail.
4.2.1.6 Merchandise Queen -- supervises fundraising efforts; orders bi merchandise (buttons, etc.) and sells it at events.
4.2.1.7 Membership Coordinator -- keeps track of our membership database, enters new members, sends out renewal reminders, and sends out snail-mail announcements.

4.2.2 Appoined Officers.
4.2.2.1 Webmaster -- maintains and updates our web site.
4.2.2.2 Death Bi Chocolate coordinator -- plans and supervises this major annual event.


4.2.3 Term of Office.
All of the elected positions carry one-year terms except for the Minister of Finance, which carries a two-year term.

4.2.4 Vacancies.
The Steering Committee shall have the power to fill Officer vacancies by appointment until the next Officer election cycle.

4.2.5 Removal.
Any Officer or Steering Committee member may be removed from office by consensus of the Steering Committee minus the consensus of person in question. The person being considered for removal from Office or Steering Committee may participate in the proceedings, but may not block consensus.

Article V. Committees and Events.

5.1 The Steering Committee may establish such standing committees as it deems necessary. Each committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Steering Committee.

5.2 The Steering Committee may appoint individuals to organize or coordinate events that contribute to the social, educational, and/or support mission of the organization. Event coordinators shall serve at the pleasure of the Steering Committee. They may be invited to participate on the Steering Committee mailing list for the duration of their tenure, but are not considered to be Officers for purposes of blocking consensus.

Article VI. Elections.

6.1 Elections are open to all dues paying members.
6.2. Election timetable:
6.2.1 Email list participants are invited to become official members: by October 31st
(Note: People who have paid to receive snail mail are already considered to be paid members.)
6.2.2 Individuals nominate themselves for elected positions: by October 31st
6.2.3 Printed ballots are sent out to all members: November 10th
6.2.4 Ballots are counted and winners announced: December 1st
6.2.5 New officers are sworn in: January 1st (at Death Bi Chocolate)
6.2.6 The Steering Committee may, by consensus, alter the election timetable.

Article VII. Amendments.
The Steering Committee may adopt, amend, or repeal any portion of the bylaws by consensus.

 Last updated 08/22/2007
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