Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

Dave Melson

Bylaws Change Proposed
It Will Be Voted On during the Affirmation Conference

by Dave Melson
August 2009

A change to Affirmation’s bylaws has been proposed, and will be voted on during the upcoming conference in Salt Lake City. The changes would reduce the minimum number of meetings from twelve a year (monthly) to four (quarterly), change the requirement for a monthly newsletter to a quarterly “communication” that may be either electronic or printed, and simplify requirements for cash handling and leadership selection. The full wording of the amendment was sent to all chapter leaders last month, and will be available at conference.

The change requires the approval of the Executive Committee, two-thirds of the Council of Chapter Representatives, and a majority of members attending the business session at this month’s conference. Chapters are encouraged to have their registered representative in attendance at the Council of Chapter Representatives (Leadership Council) at 2:00 PM on Friday, September 18, in Salt Lake City. The exact location of the meeting will be listed in your conference registration materials.

Proposed Amendment to the By-Laws of Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons

Proposed that ARTICLE VIII – MAINTAINING CHAPTER AFFILIATION, SECTION 3 be amended as follows:

(Note: If the text below doesn't display correctly, please visit http://www.affirmation.org/pdf/proposed_amendment.pdf)

That Section 3 regarding chapter obligations which now reads:		be changed as follows:
“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.”		“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~~ once every three months. A ~~monthly~~ quarterly ~~newsletter~~ written or electronic communication should be published. ~~The chapter should maintain an independent checking account in a bank or financial institution.~~ The chapter ~~should~~ shall have ~~a constitution or charter and~~ by-laws or other written documentation setting forth the method of selection of a chapter leader and method of accounting for chapter funds; a copy of the this by-laws or documentation shall be filed with the Secretary of the General Association. The chapter shall provide contact information for the chapter leader to the Editor or Secretary of the General Association in a format to be determined by the Editor or Secretary. 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.”

(Additions are underscored, deletions are struck through.)