CHAPTER BY-LAWS

AND

MISSION STATEMENT

PHI EPSILON MU (FEM), is a not-for-profit, non-sexual support and social group of Heterosexual Crossdressers and their wives or partners and friends. Our mission is to provide a secure, friendly atmosphere where cross dressers and their partners can associate with others involved in this lifestyle and explore their transgender behaviors in order to help understand and accept this often difficult and confusing situation.

GENERAL RULES

Any event or action which contradicts the above mission statement shall be in violation of the basic rules of operation of the chapter.  These include but are not limited to breaches of the security of the members or guests, any action that may discredit the chapter, or any action harmful to the well being of any member or the chapter in general so deemed by the board of directors.

MEMBERSHIP POLICIES

Membership with the chapter shall run January through December of each year. Annual membership dues shall be decided by a majority vote of members present and are payable prior to January 1st of each year.  The dues include both the crossdresser and partner.  New members joining after March 1st shall remit to pro-rated dues.  A separate schedule is maintained for this purpose by the treasurer.  Members not paying by March 1st shall be dropped.  Members are entitled to unlimited attendance of the monthly meetings, any group activities, and a copy of the monthly chapter newsletter.  They have the right to vote on chapter business, and use the chapter letter forwarding service. 

All prospective members shall be interviewed by a board member prior to being invited to attend a meeting.  All guests must be cleared by a board member and the President.

Members attending monthly meetings are required to pay a meeting fee at each meeting they attend.  The partner is required to pay a meeting fee at each meeting they attend. Visitors from other chapters or first time visitors need not pay the meeting fee.  Non-members must join as a full member before attending their second meeting.

TRI-ESS MEMBERSHIP

Membership to TRI-ESS NATIONAL is required.  It is to everyone’s advantage to support our National Organization, which represents a significant voice in transgender activities.  Contact any Phi Epsilon Mu officer for assistance in joining TRI-ESS.

ELECTION / APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS

The President shall be elected by vote of the entire membership at a specified meeting with one months prior notice in the newsletter. 

The President will hold that office until she decides to step down.  At that time if The President is unable to remain in office until a proper election can be held, the incumbent Vice President shall assume the office until an election is held.  If the Vice President declines the office, then the presidency shall succeed to the treasurer, first director at large, second director at large, etc.  The order of directors is determined by their seniority.  Every second November, an affirmation vote for the president shall be held.  Votes may be cast by email prior to the meeting or in person at the meeting.  The treasurer shall record the voting which will be decided by a simple majority of voting members.  Notification shall appear in the October newsletter.

Once in office, the President shall choose a Vice President, Treasurer, and Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors shall consist of the Vice President, Treasurer, and a number of additional directors not to exceed eight, two of which must be wives or partners.  Confirmation by a vote of the majority of the membership attending at the next regular meeting is required.  Board meetings shall occur as called by the president.  A quorum is necessary for any decisions affecting membership.

The Board of Directors may recommend the removal of the President from office for cause they have deemed appropriate.  The recommendation must be submitted to the membership at the next scheduled meeting and a vote of 2/3 of the members present at the next meeting is required to enact such recommendation.

A member of the Board of Directors may be recommended for removal from office for cause deemed appropriate.  Such recommendation shall be submitted to The President for investigation, then submitted to the Board of Directors for review before being placed before the membership of the next scheduled meeting where a vote of 2/3 of the members present is required to enact this recommendation.  As with the president situation above, a vote of the entire membership may be necessary in event of too many conflicts.

HOUSE RULES and DRESS CODE FOR MEETING

All persons attending monthly meetings or other functions shall display good manners and dress.  Outrageous or inappropriate clothing, loud and obnoxious conduct, etc. are not permitted.  No Alcoholic beverages will be served.  Phi Epsilon Mu and it’s officers or directors are not liable for any actions occurring from such behavior.  We are using a motel room where inappropriate behavior may be cause for complaints to the manager and could cause considerable trouble.  Failure to comply may result your being asked to leave.

The motel room is made available for members wishing to stay over after the meeting at a nominal fee set by the board of directors.

Facial hair is not permitted when crossdressed.  Please remember we are often in the presence of some very sensitive persons.  Unless there are extenuating circumstances, members must dress en femme after the first meeting.

SECURITY

Members or visitors may not disclose any information about another member that may compromise that member (or partner) in terms of male identity, occupation, or locale.  Photographs may not be taken without the express permission of the subject(s) except by the chapter photographer .  Photographs may not be posted to the internet without the express permission of the subject(s).  Members may not disclose the location of the meeting without permission of the President or Vice President.