Bylaws & Guidelines     

For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; for the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
Doctrine & Covenants Section 58:26-28

The name of this general association shall be Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons (AFFIRMATION).

We affirm that homosexuality and homosexual relationships can be consistent with and supported by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Affirmation does charter itself for the purpose and position herein stated, as a charitable, service, educational and religious oriented association.

As members and friends of the gay and lesbian community, it is our intention to work for the understanding and acceptance of gays and lesbians as full, equal and worthy persons within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("the Church") and society, and to help them realize and affirm self-worth.

Affirmation supports and encourages its members by assisting them in dealing with the Church, their families, employers, work associates and social contacts. The association offers its members strength and support in solving personal problems through mutual acceptance and fellowship.

The association is organized to:

• Encourage spirituality, prayer and the practice of all Christ-like and charitable behavior in the recognition of members as whole and complete children of God.
• Provide support for people experiencing difficulty reconciling their sexual orientation with traditional Mormon beliefs and other belief systems about homosexuality.
• Provide a forum for communication and education for members and leaders of the Church and our peers concerning homosexuality.
• Provide support and opportunity for social interaction, intellectual development, emotional stability and cultural exposure with those of similar heritage and background.

Any individual who has paid general association membership dues for the current period shall be considered a member of the general association of Affirmation. An individual may also be a member of a local chapter or the chapter-at-large of Affirmation.

The members of Affirmation, meeting in a general conference, shall be the ultimate governing authority of the general association of Affirmation. The regular activities of the association shall be directed by an Executive Director and an Executive Committee, elected and appointed as provided in the By-Laws. Certain actions of the Executive Director and Executive Committee shall be effective only upon ratification by the Council of Chapter Representatives, the members of which shall be selected as provided in the By-Laws. In general, the Executive Director and the Executive Committee shall serve as the functioning executive of the general association, and shall establish policies, procedures and guidelines for the general association, affiliated chapters and fellowship groups.

The Executive Director shall be elected by the dues-paying members of the general association, in the manner provided in the By-Laws. The Executive Director shall select and appoint, from among the dues-paying members of the general association, two Assistant Executive Directors, one of whom shall be designated the Senior Assistant Executive Director. The Executive Director and the two Assistant Executive Directors shall constitute the Executive Committee. The appointment of the Assistant Executive Directors shall be effective upon ratification by the Council of Chapter Representatives, as provided in the By-Laws. In the event of the Executive Director’s resignation, removal or other inability to act, the Senior Assistant Executive Director shall become the Executive Director, appointing two new Assistant Executive Directors, in the manner appointed above. In the event of the simultaneous resignation, removal or other inability to act of both the Executive Director and the Senior Assistant Executive Director, the other Assistant Executive Director shall become the Executive Director. The Executive Director may remove any Assistant Executive Director at any time and shall appoint (a) successor Assistant Executive Director(s) in the manner provided for the original appointment of such Assistant Executive Director(s).

Each chapter will elect or select a Representative who will be a member of the Council of Chapter Representatives.

A local chapter may become affiliated with the general association by supporting the General Charter, and by applying to and being accepted by the Executive Committee, in the manner provided in the By-Laws.

Proposed amendments to this General Charter, and to the By-Laws, may be submitted by any three or more dues-paying members of the general association to the Executive Committee. Interim amendments shall become effective, and remain effective until the next general conference of the membership of Affirmation, upon adoption by the Executive Committee and affirmative ratifying vote of two-thirds, or more, of the Council of Chapter Representatives. All such interim amendments shall become permanent only upon the ratifying vote of a simple majority of the members of Affirmation in attendance at a general business session of the general conference next following the adoption of the amendment as an interim amendment.

This association is organized exclusively for nonprofit, charitable, educational and religious oriented purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Internal Revenue Code").

The organization claims that donations and funds received shall therefore be exempt and deductible under the foregoing section of the Internal Revenue Code. Upon the dissolution of the association, its assets remaining after payment of all its debts and liabilities shall be distributed to a non-profit fund, foundation or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational and/or religious oriented purposes and which has established its tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

No part of the net earnings of this association shall ever inure to or be for the benefit of or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the association shall be empowered to make reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the exempt purposes for which it was formed.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an association exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The name of this general association shall be Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons (AFFIRMATION).

Affirmation is empowered to perform any and all acts which are defined in the General Charter and the By-Laws of the association and shall do nothing which is inconsistent with their provisions and with resolutions adopted by the Executive Committee and ratified by the Council of Chapter Representatives as provided herein.

Section 1. The term of office for the Executive Director shall be one calendar year, from January 1st through December 31st of the year following the election of the Executive Director.

Section 2. Candidates for the office of Executive Director must formally declare their candidacy in writing to the editor of Affinity or a member of the Executive Committee no later than the end of the first day of the annual general conference of Affirmation, but in no event, later than October 15th. Declaration(s) of candidacy should be printed in the November issue of Affinity along with a printed ballot for use by each current, dues-paying member of Affirmation.

Section 3. Ballot votes must be mailed to the General Association's post office box postmarked before November 20th, and marked "BALLOT" on the envelope. Such ballots will be opened and counted by an Election Committee (consisting of the Corresponding Secretary of the Association and two dues-paying members of Affirmation chosen by the Corresponding Secretary) not earlier than November 25th, and not later than December 1st, and the results reported to the current Executive Director. All ballots will be submitted to the Executive Committee for verification.

The Election Committee shall execute a certificate verifying the results of the election, which shall be printed in the next issue of Affinity.

Section 1. The Executive Director shall preside at and conduct the business meetings of the Executive Committee. He/She shall be responsible for timely responses to all mail and telephone inquiries about Affirmation, and forwarding the information to the appropriate chapter, fellowship group or General Association officer.

Section 2. The Executive Director shall report or cause to be reported at each regular meeting of the Executive Committee and each meeting of the Council of Chapter Representatives, the status of the General Association’s budget and operating expenses.

Section 3. The Executive Director shall be empowered to perform any tasks as requested by the Executive Committee and in keeping with the General Charter and these By-Laws.

Section 1. The Council of Chapter Representatives shall be composed of one representative of each voting chapter of Affirmation, plus a member, appointed by the Executive Director, to represent the members of the "Chapter-at-Large." Each chapter shall elect or select such representative in the manner such chapter may determine, and the presiding officer of such chapter or group shall inform the Executive Director of the name and address of the person so elected or selected.

Section 2. The Council of Chapter Representatives shall meet at least annually, in conjunction with the annual general conference of Affirmation. It may meet at other times, and may conduct business by telephonic communications followed by written confirmation of the votes of its members, recognizing nevertheless that as a matter of policy, decisions of the Council should be preceded by full disclosure and discussion to the maximum extent practical, and good faith efforts shall be made by the Executive Committee and any other members presenting matters to the Council for action to fully inform all members of the Council and permit discussion of issues by such members prior to action by the Council.

Section 3. The power of recall and removal of the Executive Director is vested in the Council of Chapter Representatives. Recall and removal of the Executive Director may be initiated by the written request of three or more members of the Council of Chapter Representatives (the "moving parties"). The moving parties shall prepare and deliver to the Corresponding Secretary a written statement of the reason for such request, and copies of such statement shall be mailed to each member of the Council of Chapter Representatives. Not sooner than seven (7) days following such mailing of such statement the Council of Chapter Representatives may meet to consider the action to be taken with respect to such request, or not sooner than fourteen (14) days following such mailing, the Council may act upon such matter through telephonic communications with written confirmation of the votes of the members to be mailed to the Corresponding Secretary, who shall designate an Election Committee with the same qualifications as indicated in Article IV Section 3, which Committee shall count the votes and sign a certificate of the results. Recall and removal of the Executive Director shall require a two-thirds majority vote of all members of the Council of Chapter Representatives voting on the issue. The certificate of voting results shall be published in the next issue of Affinity.

Section 4. The Executive Director shall preside but shall not vote at the meetings or other proceedings of the Council of Chapter Representatives, unless the matter at issue involves the Executive Director, in which case any member of the Council of Chapter Representatives designated by three or more members of the Council shall preside. There shall be no quorum attendance requirement for the Council of Chapter Representatives, but all actions must be taken based upon the voting concurrence of a simple majority of all of the members of the Council eligible to vote, or other majority as specified herein.

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Executive Director and two Assistant Executive Directors selected and appointed by the Executive Director and ratified by a simple majority of the Council of Chapter Representatives as provided in Article VI of these By-Laws. One of the Assistant Executive Directors shall be designated the senior Assistant Executive Director. In the event of the resignation, removal or other inability to act of the Executive Director, the senior Assistant Executive Director shall become the Executive Director, and in the event of the resignation, removal or other inability to act of the senior Assistant Executive Director, the other Assistant Executive Director shall become the Executive Director. The Executive Director, from time to time, may remove any Assistant Executive Director. In any case of vacancy of the office of Assistant Executive Director, the Executive Director shall appoint successor Assistant Executive Director(s) in the manner provided for the original appointment of such Assistant Executive Director(s). Actions of the Executive Committee shall be taken by majority vote (two of the three members) of the Executive Committee.

Section 2. The Executive Committee shall meet at such times and places as may be designated by the Executive Director. A quorum of the Executive Committee shall consist of the Executive Director and one of the Assistant Executive Directors. One member of the Executive Committee shall act as secretary at the meetings of the committee, and records the minutes and actions of the meeting.

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall appoint the following executive officers ("general association officers") of the general association:

• Managing Editor of Affinity--the general membership publication of AFFIRMATION
• General Conference Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons
• Treasurer
• Corresponding Secretary
• Publications Director — (publications other than Affinity)
• Public Relations Director

Any dues-paying member may be appointed to one or more of the foregoing positions. The appointment of each of the foregoing named officers shall be effective upon ratification by a simple majority of the Council of Chapter Representatives. Any of the foregoing officers may be removed by action of the Executive Committee, and successor officers appointed in the manner provided for the original appointment of such officers. In addition, the Executive Committee may appoint such other adjunct officers and committees, from time to time, as it may deem appropriate, including, but not limited to:

• Family Service Director(s)
• Chapter Development Director
• Women's Issues Director
• Fund Raising Committee
• Area Representatives
• Liaison Assistants for other related support groups

The appointment of any such adjunct officers and committees shall not require the ratification of the Council of Chapter Representatives. All adjunct officers and committees shall serve at the pleasure of the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Prior to April 1st of each year, the Executive Committee shall prepare and forward to the Council of Chapter Representatives for ratification an annual budget for the activities of Affirmation for the current calendar year.

Section 3. The Executive Committee each year shall select, and give notice to the general membership of the Association of, a date and place for a general conference of such membership at a location reasonably convenient to the general membership of the association. The general conference shall be held over a period including a weekend, and shall be held on or prior to the last weekend in October in each year.

Section 4. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for:

1. directing the general activities of the Association;
   
2. promoting the formation of new chapters within Affirmation;
   
3. publishing or causing to be published a national newsletter;
   
4. organizing or causing to be organized an annual national conference;
   
5. defining and promoting the general goals for Affirmation for the term of office of the Executive Committee.

Section 5. The Executive Committee shall review the income and expenses and determine the General Association annual fee to be assessed of each voting member of the Association. Said fee shall be sufficient to cover a subscription to the national newsletter and the operation expenses of the General Association. Any change in said fee shall be subject to ratification by the Council of Chapter Representatives. Chapters may add to the membership assessment an additional local chapter membership fee sufficient to cover chapter operating costs.

Membership dues, in an amount to be determined by the Executive Committee, shall be assessed of any member not belonging to any voting chapter. Said fee shall entitle such members to be represented on the Council of Chapter Representatives by an appointee of the Executive Director, as well as to an annual subscription to the national newsletter. Said fee shall also be transferable to a local membership in the event of a formation of a new chapter in his or her area.

Section 1. Area Representatives who are dues-paying members of the General Association, may be appointed by the Executive Committee to coordinate the activities of, and communication with, members and potential members who live more than thirty (30) miles from any organized chapter. The Area Representative will maintain contact with the Executive Director and receive referrals from individuals within his/her geographic area. The Area Representative will work toward the organization of a local chapter by active promotion of Affirmation and fellowshipping of potential members.

Section 2. Non-voting chapters of Affirmation shall consist of any number of persons choosing to associate under a single designation, but which have less than three members paying dues to the General Association. Non-voting chapters shall be governed by the Executive Committee, or an appointee thereof, who shall report to the Executive Committee. Non-voting chapters shall not be autonomous and may be reorganized or disbanded at the discretion of the Executive Committee at any time. The right to use the designation of Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons, or any part thereof, is also at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

Section 3. Voting chapters of Affirmation shall consist of any number of persons choosing to associate, not less than three of whom have paid dues to the General Association for the year. Qualification will occur when the dues are received by the national treasury. The chapter must maintain a regular meeting schedule, meeting at least monthly. A monthly newsletter should be published. The chapter should maintain an independent checking account in a bank or financial institution. The chapter should have a constitution or charter and by-laws. Chapters maintaining the above criteria will receive all referrals in their geographic area, and will be listed in the Affinity directory. Voting chapters shall be governed by locally elected or appointed leaders, subject to the goals and objectives of the General Association as outlined in this Charter and By-Laws.

Section 4. The Executive Committee shall periodically review and determine the status of affiliated chapters. Any group of persons desiring to affiliate with Affirmation will make application to the Executive Committee with the following:

1. the name by which the chapter will be known
2. the status (voting or non-voting) desires
3. the name of the chapter director and voting representative
4. a mailing address and a phone number for chapter business
5. a copy of the chapter’s mission statement, constitution or chapter and by-laws.

Section 5. A chapter’s voting privilege shall be in effect as of the receipt by the national treasurer of not less than three paid General Association memberships for the year, subject to acceptance by the Executive Committee. If affiliation is disallowed, the individuals will become members of the Chapter-at-Large. Voting rights shall remain in effect until the chapter’s affiliate status is withdrawn or revoked, subject to the conditions outlined in section 6, following.

Section 6. The status of a chapter may be revised or recognition revoked by the Executive Committee for any of the following reasons:

1. a failure to remit individual membership fees to the General Association
   
2. a six-month lapse in the functioning of the chapter
   
3. gross non-compliance with the General Charter, By-Laws or the chapter Guidelines
   
4. the inability of the Executive Committee to establish contact with a chapter representative for 90 consecutive days
   
5. a failure to represent Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons in a manner consistent with these Charter & By-Laws.

Upon dissolution of any affiliate chapter, the membership records and any remaining funds shall be sent to the Executive Director and become part of the general funds of the Association, in accordance with the 501(c)(3) requirements imposed by the internal Revenue Service. Any individual member of a dissolved chapter shall become a member of the Chapter-at-Large and entitled to the privileges thereof until membership expiration.

Section 1. Affirmation hereby adopts the following statement of its mission, objectives and ideology, which will be reviewed and updated, from time to time, as deemed appropriate by the members assembled in general conference, upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee or Council of Chapter Representatives.

Section 2. The mission of Affirmation shall be to provide gay and lesbian Mormons and former Mormons with opportunities to make their own choices by helping them deal with issues regarding sexual orientation, spirituality, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Section 3. The objectives of Affirmation are as follows:

(1) Affirmation will provide opportunities for gay and lesbian Mormons and former Mormons to:

1. Work through sexual orientation issues—especially issues of being gay or lesbian and Mormon.
   
2. Discover their own values and develop a way of living in harmony with those values.
   
3. Network with each other.
   
(2) Affirmation will interact with the extended Mormon community to:

1. Eliminate the prejudices and misconceptions about sexual orientation.
   
2. Educate family and friends about being gay or lesbian and Mormon.
   
(3) Affirmation will interact with other gay and lesbian organizations to:

1. Share our values and views.
2. Encourage our members to serve the community.

Section 4. Affirmation expresses the following ideology:

1. Sexual orientation is an inherent part of each individual.
2. Many Mormons—gay and straight—have prejudices and misconceptions about sexual orientation. Eliminating those prejudices and misconceptions is in everyone’s interest.
3. Although Affirmation is not a religion, Mormon cultural, spiritual, and religious heritage is an intrinsic part of Affirmation. We encourage our members to develop personal spirituality.
4. Affirmation is one voice in a chorus of many. We respect the right of individuals to organize to meet their own needs.
5. Friendship, learning, healing and support are inherent in our gatherings. Family and friends are welcome.
6. Affirmation functions provide a safe place to affirm our humanity. Beliefs about religion, spirituality, sexuality and other private issues are respected as personal values. We honor each individual’s process without judgment.
7. Affirmation remains politically neutral, but encourages its members to follow their consciences.

Section 1.The Executive Committee may establish an Affirmation Endowment Fund which shall receive contributions from members and friends of Affirmation. The objective of the Endowment Fund will be to receive and invest principal funds and to earn an income which shall be used to further the purposes of Affirmation as stated in the organization's Charter.

Section 2.The Endowment Fund shall be governed by an Administrative Committee comprised of not less than three nor more than seven members sho shall be appointed the the Executive Director and ratified the by the Executive Committee. The term of service shall be three years with terms staggered so approximately one third of appointments expire each year. Shorter terms may be made to fill vacancies and maintain a rotation of appointments.

Section 3. The Administrative Committee may appoint an Endowment Fund Administrator to administer the affairs of the Fund in accordance with policies and rules which the Administrative Committee will establish.

Section 4. The Affirmation Treasurer shall be the custodian of the monetary assets of the Endowment Fund. Funds are to be invested and disbursed in accordance with the directions of the Administrative Committee.

Section 5. A report of Endowment Fund finances and activities shall be made regularly to the Affirmation National Director and Executive Committee. Annually, a financial report of the Endowment Fund shall be made available to the general membership of Affirmation.

(Revised Sept. 1998)

Addendum: Affirmation's Youth Services Mission Statement

Ratified into Affirmation's Bylaws on September 5, 1998 at the Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon

Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons endorses community-based and national initiatives which assist youth and young adults who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, or questioning their sexuality (GLBTQ). Affirmation's Youth Services relies upon such initiatives to promote positive emotional, spiritual, and psychological development among Mormon affiliated youth and young adults who struggle with their sexual orientation. By providing information about and referral to such initiatives, Affirmation serves as a link between community resources and young individuals in need.

Affirmation believes health and wellness is possible for Mormon affiliated GLBTQ people of all ages who accept themselves. By supporting those service initiatives that believe similarly, we hope to preserve the physical and spiritual lives of GLBTQ youth, and thereby reduce risk behaviors including intra-personal violence (suicide and other self-destructive acts), alcoholism, HIV transmission, sexual and emotional exploitation, substance abuse, dropping out of school, running away, and exposure to unhealthy adult role models and environments which seek to exploit youth sexually, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.