1.
Name
1.1. This Chapter of the Society for the Second Self, Inc.
(Tri-Ess International) shall be known as Sigma Delta Gamma.
2. Purpose
The purpose of Sigma Delta Gamma is to:
2.1. Act as a non-sexual support group for heterosexual
crossdressers, spouses and significant others of
crossdressers and their immediate families (including
parents, siblings, sons and daughters) 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
crossdressing, programs, services and social activities
for the support of our members. We seek to promote the
education and enlightenment of our members and society
as to the nature of crossdressing through local,
national, and international Tri-Ess Outreach Programs.
2.3. Assist members with issues related to crossdressing
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.
2.5.1. Any amendment of Section 2.5 of these bylaws
shall require a two-thirds majority of all of the
members eligible to vote.
2.5.2. Any such amendment shall constitute a withdrawal
from membership in Tri-Ess and will require immediate
notification be given to that organization in writing by
the Chair or other duly appointed Chapter member.
3. Membership
3.1. Eligibility
3.1.1. Membership in Sigma Detlta Gamma 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 Sigma Delta Gamma.
3.1.2. All applications for prospective members shall be
by invitation of one or more Sigma Delta Gamma members
in good standing.
3.1.3. All prospective members must be interviewed by
two or more authorized representatives of Sigma Delta
Gamma.
3.1.4. Within 90 days of the interview, prospective
members may attend any combination of two Chapter
meetings or functions as guests of the chapter. After
this �free look�, they are expected to join the Chapter.
3.1.4.1. Item 3.1.4. Sigma Delta Gamma encourages any
member in good standing of a sister Tri-Ess chapter to
visit our group. All such visitors should check in with
two members of the governing body of Sigma Delta Gamma,
preferably at least 30 days prior to the visit.
3.1.5. If a prospective member's spouse, significant
other or immediate family member wishes to attend
Chapter meetings and participate in Chapter activities,
all must agree to observe the rules and standards of the
chapter and Tri-Ess.
3.1.6. Spouses, significant others or immediate family
members of the crossdresser enjoy all the rights of full
voting members of Sigma Delta Gamma Chapter provided
they meet all the criteria for membership.
3.1.7. Spouses, partners, significant others or
immediate family members who have lost their partners
may apply to the Executive Committee for a continuation
of their full membership status. The Executive
Committee, by a majority vote, may grant such full
voting membership on a case by case basis.
3.1.8. All participants in Sigma Delta Gamma Spouses'
and Partner's Support Group must be qualified for
membership under the general provisions of Section 3 of
these By-Laws, including membership in Tri-Ess
International .
3.2. Non discrimination.
3.2.1. The preceding section establishes the sole
criteria for membership in Sigma Delta Gamma.
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, or gender.
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. Those who are 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 Sigma Delta Gamma activities and
meetings, or who live so far away as to make regular
attendance impossible, may participate as affiliate
members of Sigma Delta Gamma. Affiliate members will pay
affiliate dues as prescribed by the Executive Committee.
Affiliate members are entitled to a copy of the Chapter
news letter and may attend Chapter meetings and events;
however, they may not vote on Chapter business.
3.4. Establishment of Membership
3.4.1. The membership year shall run from April 1 to
March 31.
3.4.2. An eligible person shall become a member for the
year in which he/she applies by tendering the
corresponding membership application to the Executive
Assistant and the necessary membership fee to the
Treasurer.
3.5. Duties of Members
3.5.1. The members of Sigma Delta Gamma 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, address, telephone numbers) is
confidential and may not be disclosed outside the
Chapter meeting in any way without the express written
permission from
the member involved.
3.5.2. All members of Sigma Delta Gamma shall support
and abide by the By-Laws of Sigma Delta Gamma and
Tri-Ess International.
3.5.3. Members shall conduct themselves in a ladylike or
gentlemanly manner at all times.
3.5.4. Members shall strive to make visitors and
prospective members feel welcome.
3.5.5. Full Sigma Delta Gamma Chapter members may vote,
if eligible, in Sigma Delta Gamma elections and
referenda.
3.5.6. Members are expected to promote Sigma Delta Gamma
and Tri-Ess whenever possible.
3.5.7. Media Relations
3.5.7.1. All contacts with the legitimate news media
must be coordinated through the Chapter Chair.
Individual Chapter members are asked not to represent
themselves as spokes persons for either Tri-Ess or Sigma
Delta Gamma unless authorized to do so in writing by the
Chapter Chair.
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 Sigma Delta Gamma 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. Re: section 3.7.9.
3.7. Involuntary Termination of Membership
3.7.1. Membership may be involuntarily terminated if any
member of Sigma Delta Gamma 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 Sigma
Delta Gamma Chapter By-Laws.
3.7.1.4. Verbal, written, or published statement
detrimental to the security or peace of mind of
individual members of 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 Sigma
Delta Gamma 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 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 any 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 regulation.
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, malfeasance or being a nusience.
3.7.1.11.3. Any cause rendering continuance in office
injurious to the Chapter.
3.7.2. Any member of Sigma Delta Gamma may request the
termination of the membership of another member if they
they have grounds for termination.
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 Chair shall forward a copy of the written
request to the Executive Committee for a vote to
involuntarily terminate Sigma Delta Gamma 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, excluding the plaintiff and the
defendant.
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 Executive Assistant 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 member.
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 Sigma
Delta Gamma.
4. Executive Committee
4.1. General Requirements
4.1.1. Each member of the
Executive Committee shall be a member of Sigma Delta
Gamma in good standing, and shall remain as such
throughout tenure in office.
4.1.2. A member shall hold only one office at a time.
4.2. Powers of Executive Committee
4.2.1. The executive and administrative powers of Sigma
Delta Gamma shall be vested in an Executive Committee
consisting of the following officers:
4.2.1.1. Chair
4.2.1.2. Vice Chair
4.2.1.3. Executive Assistant
4.2.1.4. Treasurer
4.2.1.5. Director
4.2.1.6. Information Director
4.2.1.7. Activities Director
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 Sigma Delta Gamma chapter.
4.3.2. Hold monthly meetings scheduled at the discretion
of the Chair 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.
4.4.3. Notification of results and decisions made by
said Quorum shall be
sent by the Chair or member appointed by same, to all
Executive Committee
members not in attendance.
5. Chapter Officers
5.1. Duties and responsibilities
5.1.1. The Chair shall preside over all meetings and is
responsible for the daily administration of affairs of
Sigma Delta Gamma. The Chair shall become the Director
upon completion of the elected term of office as Chair.
5.1.2. The Vice-Chair shall assist the Chair in matters
related to Chapter administration and act on behalf of
the Chair during the Chair's absences from any meeting.
The Vice-Chair shall become Chair upon completion of the
elected term of office as Vice-Chair.
5.1.3. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of
Chapter funds, receive all revenues, pay all Chapter
expenses, maintain the membership roster, determine the
existence of a quorum prior to the opening of any
business meeting, and submit semiannual accounts of
revenues and expenses to Tri-Ess with no errors.
5.1.4. The Executive Assistant shall keep a written
record of the proceedings of each meeting of the Chapter
and shall responsible for forwarding meeting minutes to
the information director in a timely manner for
publication to members.
5.1.5. The Director (Past Chair) shall serve only as a
counselor to the Executive Committee. They may be asked
to perform other duties as assigned by the Chair.
5.1.6. The mailing and membership lists are
confidential. Only the Executive Committee of Sigma
Delta Gamma and the appropriate officers of Tri-Ess
shall be permitted access to either list, except in
response to duly constituted judicial process. These
lists are 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 other
member's express permission.
5.1.7. The information director shall publish a monthly
electronic newsletter to the Sigma Delta Gamma
Membership that includes, but is not limited to, minutes
of the previous month's Executive Committee and
Membership meetings, as well as Articles submitted by
members and other interested parties that support the
Tri Ess purpose and position.
5.1.8. The Activities Director will oversee the planning
and implementation of all Sigma Delta Gamma activities,
either at meetings or additional chapter functions,
solicit the membership for ideas for activities, and
appoint a Chair from the membership to plan and
implement such activities, oversee the Vendor Review
Committee, and verify that all speakers, guests or
vendors have been approved by the Vendor Review
Committee before scheduling them for an event. Maintain
a calendar of events.
5.2. Terms of Office
5.2.1. The Chair serves a one year term and then serves
as Director the following year.
5.2.2. The Vice Chair serves a one year term and then
serves as Chair the following year.
5.2.3. The Director serves a one year term.
5.2.4. The Executive Assistant serves a one year term.
5.2.5. The Treasurer serves a two year, maximum three
year term.
5.2.6. The Information Director serves a one year term.
5.2.7. The Activities Director serves a one year term.
5.3. Elections. The Executive Committee shall present a
slate to the Chapter at the December meeting.
Nominations can 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 favorable to his/her selection. A vote
will then be taken on those positions for which
nominations have been made. A simple majority of members
present will determine the victor.
5.4. Sigma Delta Gamma will submit to the Financial
Officer and the Chair of the Board of Governance of
Tri-Ess a semi-annual accounting of income and expenses.
The first of these will be submitted on or before July
15, and will cover the period from January 1 through
June 30. The second will be submitted on or before
January 15 and will cover the period from July 1 through
December 31.
6. Amendments of By-laws Purpose
6.1. Process.
6.1.1. The By-laws of Sigma Delta Gamma 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 amendment a minimum of twenty days prior to
the meeting at which the matter is to be voted on.
6.1.3. Each amendment to be made must be voted on
independently.
6.1.4. Members may vote in person or by mail, but 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 votes received
shall be required for any amendment to pass.
6.1.6. Typographical or grammatical corrections shall
not be considered amendments.
