By-laws


of


The Rho Tau Chapter


of


Tri-Ess International




Section 1. Name


1.1. This Chapter of the Society for the Second Self (Tri-Ess International) shall be known as the Richmond-Tidewater or the
RT (Rho Tau) Chapter.

Section 2. Purpose

The purpose of Rho Tau is to:

2.1. Act as a non-sexual support group for heterosexual cross-dressers, spouses and significant others of cross-dressers and their families and to assist its members in developing understanding and acceptance of the qualities essential to their personalities.

2.2. Further our purpose by providing opportunities for cross-dressing, programs, services and social activities for the support of our members. We seek to support the education and enlightenment of our members and society as to the nature of cross-dressing through local, national and international Tri-Ess Outreach programs.

2.3. Assist members with issues related to cross-dressing whenever requested.

2.4. Promote the intent of Tri-Ess as stated in the Tri-Ess By-laws and policies.

2.5. Be an affiliated chapter of Tri-Ess. Therefore, any Chapter By-law, policy or provision thereof which conflicts with any Tri-Ess By-law, policy or provision is hereby declared null and void.

Section 3: Membership

3.1. Eligibility

3.1.1. Membership in Rho Tau is restricted to full members in good standing in Tri-Ess International; however, membership in Tri-Ess does not automatically qualify one for membership in Rho Tau.

3.1.2. All prospective members must be interviewed by two or more authorized representatives of Rho Tau.

3.1.3. All applications from prospective members shall be accepted by invitation. The written invitation to join Rho Tau shall be issued by the membership chairman upon receiving the recommendation of the authorized representatives of Rho Tau.

3.1.4. Prospective members may attend two Chapter meetings or functions before they must declare their intentions to join the Chapter.

3.1.5. If a prospective member's spouse or significant other wishes to attend Chapter meetings and participate in Chapter activities, both must agree to observe the Chapter's rules and standards.

3.1.6. Spouses or significant others of heterosexual cross-dressers may enjoy y all of the rights of full voting members of the Rho Tau Chapter provided they meet all of the criteria for membership.

3.1.7. All participants in the Rho Tau Spouses' and Partners' Support Group must be qualified for membership under the general provisions of Section 3 of these By-laws, including membership in Tri-Ess.

3.2. Non discrimination

3.2.1. The preceding section establishes the sole criteria for membership in Rho Tau.

3.2.2. Membership shall not be denied on the basis of age (except as to minors) , race, color, creed, national origin, religion, physical handicap, sex, gender or gender role.

3.3 Classes of Membership

3.3.1. Full members are entitled to all rights and privileges including the right to vote on Chapter matters that are subjected to a vote.

3.3.2. Affiliate members who are those members in good standing of Tri-Ess International and another chapter of Tri-Ess who may reside part time in the immediate area or who may be visiting the locality on such a regular basis so as to make them available for Rho Tau activities and meetings. Affiliate members shall pay affiliate dues as prescribed by the Executive Committee. Affiliate members are entitled to a copy of the chapter newsletter and may attend Chapter meetings and events; and they may vote on Chapter business. Affiliate members must maintain an active full membership in their home chapter or become full members of Rho Tau. Upon proof of membership in the affiliate member's home chapter, dues shall be 50 percent of the dues for full members.

3.3.3 Provisional Members are entitled to all rights and privileges including the right to vote on Chapter matters that are subjected to a vote. The Membership Chairman may, with concurrence of the Executive Committee, offer a six-month provisional membership to a prospective member when the Membership Chairman or her authorized representatives have reservations concerning the compatibility of that prospective member with other members of the chapter. At any time during the provisional period, the Executive Committee and the Membership Chairman may terminate the provisional membership if they determine that the provisional member is having a detrimental effect on the Chapter. At the first meeting following the provisional period, the question of whether to admit the provisional member to full membership or to remove her from the membership rolls will be considered by members present. For admission to full or affiliate membership, the provisional member must receive an affirmative vote from two-thirds of the members present. The vote will be taken by secret ballot. Annual dues must be paid upon becoming a provisional member; however, if a general or affiliate membership is not granted at the end of the provisional period, dues prorated for the months remaining will be refunded.

3.4. Establishment of Membership

3.4.1. The membership year shall run from July 1 to June 30. For members joining during the year, dues shall be prorated on a monthly basis for the months remaining.

3.4.2 An eligible person shall become a member for the year in which he/she applies by tendering the corresponding membership application and a signed copy of the membership pledge to the Secretary and the necessary membership fee to the Treasurer.

3.5 Duties of Members and Affiliate members

3.5.1. The members of Rho Tau shall hold the personal privacy of all other members in the highest regard. Information about the chapter and chapter members, individually and/or collectively, (e.g., real names, work locations, addresses, telephone numbers) is confidential and may not be disclosed outside of the chapter meeting in any way without the express permission from the member involved.

3.5.2. All members of Rho Tau shall support and abide by the By-laws of Rho Tau and Tri-Ess.

3.5.3. Members shall conduct themselves in a ladylike or gentlemanly manner.

3.5.4. Members shall strive to assist visitors and prospective members and make them feel welcome.

3.5.5. Members and affiliate members may vote, if eligible, in Rho Tau elections and referenda.

3.5.6. Members may promote Rho Tau and Tri-Ess.

3.5.7. Media Relations

3.5.7.1 All contacts with the legitimate news media must be coordinated through the Chapter President. Individual chapter members are asked not to represent themselves as spokespersons for either Tri-Ess or Rho Tau unless authorized to do so in writing by the Chapter President.

3.5.7.2. There are no restrictions on correspondence between or among individual Chapter members and their pen pals. However, members are asked to observe the same rules of conduct in their correspondence with others, specifically, personal information concerning other Chapter members must not be discussed with those outside the Chapter.

3.6. Voluntary Relinquishment of Membership

3.6.1. Any member may voluntarily relinquish membership in Rho Tau at any time by communicating the desire to do so in writing to an Executive Committee member.

3.6.2. If a membership is relinquished, all information concerning the member shall be deleted from the records and any ad hoc fees paid by the member for activities subsequent to the ad hoc relinquishment shall be refunded; however, no portion of the membership fee shall be refunded.

3.7. Involuntary Termination of Membership

3.7.1. Membership may be involuntarily terminated if any member of Rho Tau engages in conduct detrimental to the Chapter as defined by the Board, such as, but not limited to:

3.7.1.1. Unauthorized disclosure(s) of confidential information affecting another member, or the member's peace of mind or that of the member's family.

3.7.1.2. Misappropriation of any funds of the Chapter or moneys appropriated for Tri-Ess.

3.7.1.3. Willful disobedience of the Tri-Ess or Rho Tau Chapter By-laws.

3.7.1.4. Verbal, written, or published statements detrimental to the security or peace of mind of individual members or Tri-Ess as a whole.

3.7.1.5. Any illegal use of a controlled substance and/or abuse of alcoholic beverages.

3.7.1.6. Obtaining admission to Tri-Ess and/or Rho Tau Chapter by false statements, concealment, deception, and/or evasion of facts.

3.7.1.7. Overt sexual behavior or behavior not conducive to the peace of mind of all.

3.7.1.8. Appropriation of the personal property of any member or removal of such property.

3.7.1.9. Refusal to assist in a duly authorized internal investigation of a charged member or willfully suppressing evidence or facts with regard thereto and/or bearing false witness to same.

3.7.1.10. Failure to comply with chapter rules, codes of conduct, or any provision lawfully made by the officers with chapter majority vote, or failure to adhere to any Chapter lawful regulations.

3.7.1.11. Any member holding an office may be charged and removed from office if found guilty by majority vote of the Chapter of any of the following:

3.7.1.11.1. Failure to comply with state or federal laws related to proper functioning of the Chapter.

3.7.1.11.2. Misconduct or malfeasance.

3.7.1.11.3. Any cause rendering continuance in office injurious to the Chapter.

3.7.2. Any member of Rho Tau may request the termination of the membership of another member.

3.7.3. Such a request must be in writing and must set forth in reasonable specificity the basis for requesting the termination.

3.7.4. The President shall forward a copy of the written request to the Executive Committee for a vote to involuntarily terminate Rho Tau membership.

3.7.5. Prior the Committee's vote to terminate, the complaining member shall present evidence of the misconduct and the accused member may present a defense.

3.7.6. Deliberation by the Executive Committee will be in closed session.

3.7.7. At the request of the accused member, a secret ballot and vote tally shall be held and witnessed by any member chosen by the accused member and the vote certified by the Secretary of the Chapter.

3.7.8. A vote of sixty percent of the Executive Committee members present shall result in the termination of the accused membership.

3.7.9. Upon such termination, all information concerning the member shall be deleted from the records and there shall be refunded any ad hoc fees paid by the member for activities subsequent to the relinquishment. No portion of the membership fee, however, shall be refundable.

3.7.10. An involuntary termination of membership in Tri-Ess automatically terminates membership in Rho Tau.

Section 4. Executive Committee

4.1 General Requirements

4.1.1. Each member of the Executive Committee shall be a member of Rho Tau in good standing and shall remain as such throughout tenure in office.

4.1.2. A member may hold only one office at a time.

4.1.3. For each office on the executive committee, the duties and responsibilities shall be vested in a single person, and each officer has one vote. An officeholder may have assistants, but the officeholder shall have primary responsibility for executing the duties of her office.

4.2 Powers of Executive Committee

4.2.1. The executive and administrative powers of Rho Tau shall be vested in an Executive Committee consisting of the following officers:

a. President

b. Vice President

c. Secretary

d. Treasurer

e. Past President

f. Parliamentarian (nonvoting member)

4.2.2. The Executive Committee reserves the right to restructure offices and officers during a term of office so long as every committee member has been elected by the membership.

4.2.3. The Executive Committee has ultimate authority over any Chapter matters not specifically addressed by these by-laws.

4.3. Duties of the Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall:

4.3.1. Be responsible for the effective administration of the Rho Tau Chapter.

4.3.2. Hold monthly meetings scheduled at the discretion of the President to discuss and act on administrative matters.

4.3.3. Appoint committees and delegate authority as necessary to perform tasks required for the fulfillment of Executive Committee responsibilities.

4.3.4. Make recommendations for action to be voted upon by full members of the Chapter.

4.4. Executive Committee Meetings and Quorum.

4.4.1. The Executive Committee shall meet monthly.

4.4.2. Three members of the Executive Committee being present constitutes a Quorum.

Section 5. Chapter Officers

5.1 Duties and responsibilities

5.1.1 President:

a. To serve as the presiding officer at all meetings of the Rho Tau Chapter and the Executive Committee in accordance with Roberts=92 Rules of Order, Newly Revised

b. To serve as the spokesperson for Rho Tau Chapter with National Headquarters, Tri-Ess, with sister chapters, and with other organizations (including the media), ensuring that the Chapter=92s collective feelings are fully and properly expressed.

c. To provide the necessary vision for the Chapter and its members through both times of growth and periods of stress so as to ensure that the goals of the organization are strived for continually.

d. To call for meetings of the Executive Committee as deemed necessary.

e. To serve as the Past President during the year following the term of President.

5.1.2 Vice President

a. To participate as a member of the Executive Committee.

b. To serve in the stead of the President when necessary.

c. To provide day-to-day management of the Chapter in accordance with long term objectives and goals.

d. To provide resolution where possible and when necessary among or between conflicting view points or positions within the Chapter and when resolution does not appear possible, to brief the Executive Committee on the details of the issue without bias or prejudice.

e. To serve as the President during the year following the term of Vice President.

f. Other duties as assigned.

5.1.3 Secretary:

a. To participate as a member of the Executive Committee.

b. To maintain all records, paper and electronic, of the Chapter=92s proceed ings to include detailed notes of the Executive Committee meetings for the b enefit of members not attending.

c. To maintain the chapter post office box

d. To provide summarized minutes (including decisions and tasking) to the Ed itor of the Newsletter in a timely and coherent manner.

e. To serve as the liaison between the Executive Committee and the Newslette r Committee and Editor.

f. To ensure that e-mail messages of importance are provided in a timely man ner to Chapter members who do not have e-mail access.

g. To be prepared to handle formal correspondence between the Chapter and ot her parties if so requested by the President.
Other duties as assigned.

5.1.4 Treasurer:

a. To participate as a member of the Executive Committee.

b. To maintain all financial records, paper and electronic, of the Chapter i n an accurate and timely manner.

c. To provide a written report at all Exective Committee meetings and a ver bal report at each chapter meeting on the status of chapter finances.

d. To ensure that an annual audit by a disinterested member is accomplished and that the results of the audit are made known to the Executive Committee.

e. To ensure that all dues and accounts-payable are made to the Chapter in a n accurate and timely manner.

f. To pay all duly and properly presented bills in an accurate and timely ma nner.

g. To ensure that the Executive Committee, for the purposes of its deliberat ions and decisions, is aware in a timely manner of the current and projected budget issues including projected debits and credits.

h. To serve as the liaison between the Executive Committee and the Membershi p Committee.

i. Other duties as assigned.

5.1.5. Past President:

a. To participate as a member of the Executive Committee.

b. To serve at the direction of the chapter President in positions as reques ted.

c. To assist in maintaining continuity within the Executive Committee.

d. To chair chapter and Executive Committee meetings in the absence of the P resident and Vice President.

5.1.6. Parliamentarian:

a. To insure that all chapter and executive committee meetings stay within t he constraints of the by laws and issues outside the by laws are conducted w ithin Roberts Rules of Order, newly Revised.

b. To have the final say on all procedural matters.

5.1.7. The mailing and membership lists are confidential. Only the Executive Committee shall be permitted access to either list, except in response to d uly constituted judicial process. These lists (other than email addresses) a re not to be stored in any electrical format other than on removable media. No member shall reveal any information of another member, except with the ot her member's express permission.

5.2 Terms of Office

5.2.1. The President serves a one year term and then serves as Past Preside nt the following year.

5.2.2. The Vice President serves a one year term and then serves as Preside nt the following year.

5.2.3. The Past President serves a one year term.

5.2.4. The Secretary serves a one year term.

5.2.5. The Treasurer serves a one year term.

5.2.6. The Parliamentarian serves a one year term.

5.3. Elections A three-member Nominating Committee shall be appointed ninety days prior to the election by the Executive Committee. The Nominating Comm ittee shall present a slate to the Chapter at the May meeting. Nominations c an be made from the floor; however, if no nominations are made and seconded, the slate will stand as presented. if nominations for any or all positions are made and seconded, each nominated individual may present points favorabl e to his/her selection. A vote will then be taken on those positions for whi ch nominations have been made. A simple majority of members present will det ermine the victor.

Section 6. Amendments of By-laws Purpose

6.1. Process.

6.1.1. The By-laws of Rho Tau may be amended as set forth herein, with the exception of Section 2.5.

6.1.2. All voting members must be advised in writing of any proposed amendme nt a minimum of twenty days prior to the meeting at which the matter is to b e voted on. A vote of two-thirds of those present can suspend the two-third s rule.

6.1.3. Each amendment to be made must be voted on independently.

6.1.4. Members will vote in person, unless an emergency arises and then by e mail, and voting shall be conducted during the business portion of a chapter meeting by secret ballot and tabulated by the Treasurer and another person as determined by the members present.

6.1.5. A two-thirds majority vote of those present shall be required for any amendment to pass.

6.1.6. Typographical or grammatical correctness shall not be considered amen dments.

6.2. Amendments to Section 2. Purpose, Section 2.5.

6.2.1. Shall require a two-thirds majority of all of the members eligible to vote.

6.2.2. Shall constitute a withdrawal from membership in Tri-Ess and will req uire immediate notification be given to that organization in writing by the President or other duly appointed Chapter member.

7.0. For procedures not covered in the by laws or standing rules of Rho Tau, Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall be the authority.

Legislative hist ory


May 22,1999. Drafted by Lucy, Joan, Cathy, Sue, Catherine, Nikki, Jennifer a nd Bobbi Jean.

June 19, 1999. Presented to the full membership for review and comment: Comm ents received and corrections made. Approved by the membership present.

Copyright 1999, All Rights Reserved