BY-LAWS OF THE BLACK LESBIAN SUPPORT GROUP (BLSG)
January 5, 2007
Article I
Mission Statement and Purposes of the Organization
The name of this organization shall be the Black Lesbian Support Group (BLSG) funded through Lesbian Services Program (LSP) of Whitman-Walker Clinic, Inc. BLSG is a non-profit peer support organization that provides a safe and supporting atmosphere for discussions, educational forums, workshops and social activities that are geared toward black lesbians and bi-sexual women.
BLSG’s primary role is providing peer support by:
- Discussing topics that are relevant to the lives and experiences of black lesbians and bisexual women.
- Providing open and honest non-threatening dialogue.
- Fostering positive relationships between women through social and cultural activities and education forums designed to heighten awareness and interest in the gay and lesbian communities.
- Creating an atmosphere that is diverse and embraces various social and cultural backgrounds.
Article II
General Membership
A. BLSG welcomes into its membership, all those who identify themselves as black lesbian, bisexual and those black women who are
questioning/discovering their sexuality.
- Membership in BLSG confers the right to vote at all membership meetings and elections; the right to hold elective or appointed office; the right to receive all BLSG publications and reports; participation in the BLSG activities, and all other rights and privileges of memberships as determined by the Steering Committee.
- Each member shall have one vote during annual election. All decisions shall be made by a majority of all members present and voting.
Article III
Code of Ethics General Membership
Section I:
A. Members shall speak in “I” statements
B. Any member’s disruptive behavior under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs will be asked to leave.
C. Each member shall allow each person a chance to complete her statement without interruption.
D. Members shall raise their hand to be acknowledged before speaking.
E. All members shall be respectful of each other and their ideas.
F. Members shall remain quiet while an individual is speaking.
G. Personal information shared during group discussions will be kept in the strictest confidence.
H. Each member shall conduct herself in a manner that is not disruptive, rude or disrespectful.
I. BLSG members or Steering Committee members cannot reproduce, manufacture, sell or distribute materials without the majority consent of the Steering Committee.
Section II: Sanctions
A. Members may be suspended or placed on probation by a majority vote of the Steering Committee from any or all BLSG meetings and activities for violations of the Bylaws and/or the organization’s rules and regulations.
Article IV
Steering Committee
Section I: Nomination Process
BLSG will hold an annual election for positions on the Steering Committee. Elections for positions on the Executive Committee for President and Vice President will be held Bi-annually. Each member will have one vote per candidate. Prior to elections, all nominees must:
- Be nominated by a BLSG member.
- Complete a Nomination and Biographical Information Form.
- Be interviewed by the existing steering committee.
- President and Vice President position(s) will be filled by a Steering Committee member who has served one (1) full year term prior to election.
Section II: Election Process
- All nominees are subject to approval by the existing steering committee.
- All nominees will be notified within 72 hours after interview of their candidacy.
- All approved candidates names will be placed on a slate for general elections.
Section III: Steering Committee
Composition – The Steering Committee (“the Committee”) shall consist of not less than 7 and not more than 11 identified voting members or allies of the black lesbian and bisexual women community.
Appointments – Should the membership fail to elect at least 7 members to the committee (Including a President and Vice-President) during the annual election, a committee member subsequent to elections resigns, or the committee determines more members are necessary to carry out its duties, the committee shall have the authority to appoint additional members of the committee (not to exceed a total committee membership of 11) who meet the qualifications to fulfill the remainder of the respective term(s).
- BLSG shall be structured by the steering committee administration, to facilitate group activities.
- The Steering Committee is comprised of volunteers who are elected by the BLSG membership.
- The Steering Committee shall function to bring the members’ concerns/issues before the full body.
- The Steering Committee shall meet at least once each month for its regular meetings. The date, time and location will be determined by the committee members.
- The Steering Committee members are hereby vested with the power to conduct all the business of the organization to promote the goals and purposes set forth in Article I of these Bylaws.
- The duties of the Steering Committee include but are not limited to the following:
- A willingness to volunteer your time and energy to support BLSG.
- Regular attendance of group meetings (at lease once a month)
- Facilitate (6 discussion per year) group meetings for non-judgmental and stimulating discussions and topics relevant to black lesbians and bi-sexual women.
- Responsible for providing educational forums through which the membership can obtain information pertaining to black lesbian and bi-sexual women issues and concerns.
- Establish operating committees as necessary, defining their jurisdictions, and delegate the appropriate authority to these committees to carry out those purposes.
- Approve and administer the organization’s budget.
- Coordinate and supervise the organization’s activities.
- All Steering Committee members must complete the Whitman-Walker Clinic volunteer application.
- All Steering Committee members must attend Whitman-Walker Clinic’s volunteer training and facilitators training held by LSP.
- Read and sign BLSG Code of Conduct.
- President and Vice President will serve a two (2) year term and all other members will serve a one (1) year term.
- Steering Committee also has the right to hold open and closed meetings upon discretion.
Section IV: Sexual Conduct
Overview:
The principal role of BLSG Steering Committee Officers is to provide services, support and information and to create a safe space, welcoming environment that is in the best interest of the members. Sexual relations between officers and members may undermine the objectivity necessary for providing such services, support, and information or such conduct might prevent the creation of a safe space. Officers are perceived by members as being in a position of authority. Using this perceived authority to pursue a sexual relationship with a member of BLSG is deemed inappropriate.
Behavior:
BLSG Steering Committee members are prohibited from initiating, accommodating and/or maintaining sexual relations with any member of BLSG.
Sanctions:
- Any BLSG Steering Committee member may be suspended and/or placed on probation by a majority vote of the committee.
- The Steering Committee may suspend or place on probation an individual member who has violated the Sexual Conduct Section IV.
- A Steering Committee member who initiates or engages in a sexual relationship with a member may opt to or be asked to resign from her position effective immediately.
Exclusions:
Any Steering Committee member currently in pre-existing relationship with a regular BLSG member at time of elections.
Definitions:
Steering Committee Officer/member – A person elected to manage the day-to-day operations of BLSG.
Member – Any black lesbian or bi-sexual woman who has attended or attends a BLSG meeting.
Prohibit – To forbid by authority: to prevent from doing something.
Suspend – to cause to stop temporarily.
Section V. Officers/Committees
A. The officers of the Steering Committee shall consist of the following:
- President
- Vice President
- Outreach Coordinator
- Financial Manager
- Administrative Officer
- At least two (2) At-Large Representatives
a. President – The President shall give administrative guidance and direction to the structure and programming of the organizations body.
The elected official must:
i. Be an openly black lesbian or bi-sexual woman.
ii. Serve as liaison to Lesbian Services Program
iii. Attend all meetings of the Steering Committee
iv. Execute all contacts and agreements authorized by the Committee
v. Make sure that all other officers duties are properly performed and aid as needed
vi. Sign the Code of Conduct contract
vii. Complete the volunteer application
viii. Serve two (2) year term
b. Vice-President – The Vice-President shall assist the President with the structure of the organization’s body.
The elected official must:
i. Be an openly black lesbian or bi-sexual woman.
ii. Attend all meetings of the Steering Committee
iii. Maintain the web site
iv. Perform all the duties of the President in her absence,
v. Sign the Code of Conduct contract
vi. Complete the volunteer application
vii. Serve two (2) year term
c. Administrative Officer – The Administrative Officer is responsible for all administrative functions of the steering committee.
The elected official shall:
i. Record minutes at all the Steering Committee meetings.
ii. Review the minutes of the Steering Committee.
iii. Keep records of group discussions, activities, ideas, and philosophies.
iv. Sign the Code of Conduct contract.
v. Complete the volunteer application.
vi. Serve one (1) year.
d. Financial Manager – The Financial Manager is in charge of finance.
The elected official shall:
i. Serve as chief fiscal officer.
ii. Receive and review the monthly financial records and reports of funds from Whitman–Walker Clinic.
iii. Present quarterly financial report to the Steering Committee.
iv. Advise the Committee of the financial status of the budget.
v. Keep an accurate record of group funds, purchase necessary supplies/equipment for the group
vi. Sign the Code of Conduct contract
vii. Complete the volunteer application
viii. Serve one (1) year
e. Outreach Coordinator – The Outreach Coordinator is in charge of the public relations of BLSG.
The elected official shall:
i. Be an openly black lesbian or bi-sexual woman.
ii. Be responsible for the organization of newsletter
iii. Maintain a current list of members’ names and addresses
iv. Be responsible for advertising and handling correspondence for the organization
v. Stimulate growth and development of BLSG by advancing the ideas and philosophies of the organization
vi. Sign the Code of Conduct contract
vii. Complete the volunteer application
viii. Serve one (1) year
f. At-Large Members – The At-Large members will help as needed with the overall maintenance of BLSG.
The elected official shall:
i. Assist with other Committee duties as assigned
ii. Participate in the decision making process
iii. Sign the Code of Conduct contract
iv. Complete the volunteer application
v. Serve one (1) year
g. Ad-Hoc Committee – Other committees may be formed as needed.
B. Section VI. President and Vice-President
The President shall serve as the external liaison for all Lesbian Services Program (LSP) and Whitman-Walker Clinic (WWC) related functions and shall ensure effective and efficient communication and coordination between BLSG and LSP. The Vice-President shall serve as the internal chair for all committee function and will convene and facilitate all BLSG meetings or appoint such other Steering Committee member(s) as she from time to time may deem necessary to carry out this function. Elections of the President and Vice-President shall be held once a year by the membership during a month and date selected by the Committee subject to subsection D.
Section VII. Administrative Responsibilities – All members of the governing body
In addition to the roles and responsibilities as outlined in sections I, II and III of the Article IV, the Steering Committee shall ensure the following duties are carried out:
A. Records – Maintenance of records of each Committee meeting, including the taking of meeting minutes and recording of all BLSG discussion topics, workshops and other activities.
B. Methods of Contact – Maintenance of appropriate methods of contacts for BLSG members and others including, but not limited to, the maintenance of the BLSG voicemail, processing of correspondence, and maintenance of the website.
C. Fiscal – Submission of annual BLSG budget to LSP, record keeping of BLSG’s monies, purchases, and other expenditures. Submission to and coordination with LSP of necessary paperwork and information for payment of BLSG expenses.
D. Mailing List – Maintenance of the current BLSG mailing list.
E. Community Outreach – Coordination of advertising, BLSG mailing, including newsletters, and other activities necessary for effective public relations and outreach.
Article V
Adoption of the By-Laws
These By-Laws shall be deemed adopted when approved by a simple majority of voting Steering Committee members and shall become effective immediately.
Amendment and addenda to ratify the By-Laws shall be made through a simple majority of the Steering Committee members, and shall become effective immediately.
