1.This club shall be known as the Northeast Pa. Leathermen.

1.To bring together men for the purpose of mutual support, brotherhood and bear & leather pride.

1.The fiscal year of the club shall begin on January 1.

1. The Northeast Pa. Leathermen designate the 12 Penny Saloon, 3501 Birney Ave, Moosic, Pennsylvania, as their home bar.

1. Membership shall be open to all males aged twenty-one (21) years and over who understand and are in general agreement with the goals and purposes of this club.

2. Membership is intended to include only men who "wear leather or denim in a significant manner." The specific definition of "in a significant manner" may change over time and may be determined as a matter of policy by the voting membership.

3. The Articles of Organization of this club provide for classification of membership and procedures for the acceptance of such applicants.

1. Charter Members are those original organizers of the Northeast Pa. Leathermen on the membership roll as of March 9, 1997.

2. Charter members are Full Members, with all the rights, privileges and obligations pertaining thereto.

1. Full Membership is intended for those who live in or frequent the northeastern Pennsylvania region, who are not Full Members of any other organization of similar intent.

2. Full Members are expected to actively participate in the affairs and functions of the club and to make substantial contributions of time and effort to all club-sponsored functions.

3. Full Members in good standing are entitled, at membership meetings, to introduce and second motions on, and to vote on, any matter before the membership.

4. Full Members in good standing may hold any elected or appointed office within the club, except as provided herein.

5. Full Members in good standing may chair any committee, as defined herein, except as defined herein.

6. Application for Full Membership

   a. An applicant for Full Membership must be sponsored by two (2) Full Members in good standing.

   b. An applicant for Full Membership must submit a written application for membership, in a form, format and manner to be specified by the Executive Committee, signed in ink by the applicant and by the applicant's sponsors and accompanied by a non-refundable application fee in the amount of ten dollars ($10.00).

   c. An applicant for Full Membership must attend at least one (1) club function prior to consideration by the membership of the applicant's application for Full Membership.

   d. An applicant for Full Membership must attend the regular membership meeting at which the applicant's application for Full Membership will be considered by the membership.

   e. It shall be the obligation and duty of the sponsoring members to introduce their sponsored applicant for Full Membership to the membership at the regular membership meeting at which the applicant's application will be considered.

   f. Upon the approval of a simple majority of the voting members present at the regular membership meeting at which the applicant's application for Full Membership shall be considered, the applicant will be accepted as a Pledge.

   g. A Pledge for Full Membership must serve a thirty (30) to ninety (90) day Pledge period, at the discretion of the Executive Committee, before being considered for Full Membership.

   h. A Pledge for Full Membership shall be encouraged to participate in all club activities during the Pledge period.

   i. During the Pledge period, a Pledge for Full Membership shall be required to wear a pledge pin, in the form and format specified herein or by the Executive Committee, at all club functions.

   j. It shall be the obligation and duty of the sponsoring members to aid, assist and educate their sponsored Pledge during the Pledge period.

   k. Upon the approval of a simple majority of the voting members present at the regular membership meeting at which the applicant Pledge's application for Full Membership shall be considered, the applicant Pledge will be accepted as a Full Member.

   l. Upon acceptance, a newly-elected Full Member shall surrender his pledge pin and remit to the club a one-time initiation fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), and be initiated by receiving the large and small patches ("club colors") which identify him as a Full Member. A club nametag, in the form and format specified herein or by the Executive Committee, will also be provided to the newly-elected Full Member, usually at a later time.

   m. A newly-elected Full Member may not serve as an officer of the Executive Committee for a period of six (6) months following initiation.

   n. No person shall apply for Full Membership to another organization with a similar composition.

7. Obligations of Full Membership

   a. Commencing with the first regular membership meeting following his initiation and each month thereafter except as specified by the Executive Committee, each Full Member shall pay ten dollars ($10.00) monthly dues.

   b. If a Full Member shall without excuse by the Executive Committee for good and proper cause miss three (3) consecutive regular membership meetings, or five (5) regular membership meetings in a twelve (12) month period, such Full Member shall be placed on probationary status and will forfeit his voting and other privileges for a period of two (2) months.

   c. Leaves of absence from the attendance obligations of Full Membership may be granted by the Executive Committee for period of up to one (1) year upon written request.

1. Associate Membership intended for those who live outside the northeastern Pennsylvania region, and/or those who are Full Members of any other organization of similar intent.

2. Associate Members are encouraged to participate in the affairs and functions of the club, but may not introduce or second motions on, nor vote on, matters before the membership, nor may they hold any elected office within the club, nor may they chair any committee.

3. Application for Associate Membership

   a. An applicant for Associate Membership must be sponsored by two (2) Full Members in good standing, or by one (1) Associate Members in good standing and one (1) Full Member in good standing.

   b. An applicant for Associate Membership must submit a written application for membership, in a form, format and manner to be specified by the Executive Committee, signed in ink by the applicant and by the applicant's sponsors and accompanied by a non-refundable application fee in the amount of ten dollars ($10.00).

   c. An applicant for Associate Membership must attend at least one (1) club function prior to consideration by the membership of the applicant's application for Associate Membership.

   d. It shall be the obligation and duty of the sponsoring members to introduce and/or speak on behalf of their sponsored applicant for Associate Membership to the membership at the regular membership meeting at which the applicant's application will be considered.

   e. Upon the approval of a simple majority of the voting members present at the regular membership meeting at which the applicant's application for Associate Membership shall be considered, the applicant will be accepted as an Associate Member.

   f. Within thirty (30) days of acceptance, a newly-elected Associate Member shall remit to the club an assessment for annual dues in the amount of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), and be initiated by receiving the small patch ("club colors") which identifies him as an Associate Member. A club nametag, in the form and format specified herein or by the Executive Committee, will also be provided to the newly-elected Associate Member, usually at a later time.

4. Obligations of Associate Membership

   a. Annual dues for Associate Membership, in the amount of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), shall be due and owing as of January 1st of each year, such dues to be paid on or before the date of the regular membership meeting for the month of March.

   b. It shall be the obligation and duty of the sponsoring members to aid, assist and educate their sponsored Associate Member.

1. Active Associate Membership is intended for Associate Members who participate more fully in the affairs and functions of the club.

2. Active Associate Members are encouraged to participate in the affairs and functions of the club, but may not introduce or second motions on, nor vote on, matters before the membership, nor may they hold any elected office within the club, nor may they chair any committee.

3. Application for Active Associate Membership

   a. An applicant for Active Associate Membership must, in addition to the requirements for Associate Membership, attend four (4) other club meetings or functions within a calendar year.

   b. An applicant for Active Associate Membership must submit to the Executive Committee, either in writing or in person, a request for change to Active Associate Membership status.

   c. Upon the verification by the Secretary that an applicant for Active Associate Membership has fulfilled the requirements as set forth herein, the Executive Committee shall at the next regular membership meeting present to the membership the request, with or without recommendation or comment.

   d. Upon the approval of a simple majority of the voting members present at the regular membership meeting at which the applicant's application for Active Associate Membership shall be considered, the applicant will be accepted as an Active Associate Member.

   e. Within thirty (30) days of acceptance, a newly-elected Active Associate Member shall be initiated by receiving the large patch ("club colors") which identifies him as an Active Associate Member.

4. Obligations of Active Associate Membership

   a. Annual dues for Active Associate Membership, in the amount of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), shall be due and owing as of January 1st of each year, such dues to be paid on or before the date of the regular membership meeting for the month of March.

   b. Active Associate Members shall be required to meet the obligations of Active Associate Membership each calendar year.

   c. Active Associates who fail to meet the annual obligations of Active Associate Membership shall be notified in January of the subsequent year, and must within thirty (30) days return the large patch which identifies him as an Active Associate Member, at which time his status will revert to Associate Member.

   d. An Active Associate who reverts to Associate Membership may at any time apply for Active Associate Membership once the requirements of Active Associate Membership have again been fulfilled.

1. Honorary Membership is intended as recognition by the club of outstanding contributions to the club or to the greater brotherhood of the leather community.

2. Honorary Members are welcomed to participate in the affairs and functions of the club, but may not introduce or second motions on, nor vote on, matters before the membership, nor may they hold any elected or appointed office within the club, nor may they participate on any committee.

3. Admission to Honorary Membership

   a. A candidate for Honorary Membership must be recommended by a Full Member to the Executive Committee.

   b. The Executive Committee shall at the next regular membership meeting present to the membership the nomination, with or without recommendation or comment.

   c. Upon the unanimous approval of the voting members present at the regular membership meeting at which the nomination for Honorary Membership shall be considered, the nominee will be accepted as an Honorary Member.

4. Obligations of Honorary Membership

   a. There are no dues or attendance requirements for Honorary Members.

1. Accounts due the club which are past due by two (2) or more months shall result in the automatic probation of the member, during which time he is considered to no longer be in good standing and his voting privileges revoked until full remittance is made.

2. Accounts due the club which are delinquent by six (6) or more months shall result in the automatic revocation of membership.

3. Written notices of arrears must be made to the member, who shall have thirty (30) days to appeal to the Executive Committee explaining the reason(s) for the non-payment, which the Executive Committee may accept and waive the automatic probation or revocation if the circumstances so warrant.

4. Members may be expelled by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the Full Members in good standing at a regular membership meeting, the intention to hold such a vote to be communicated to the concerned member in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to the vote.

5. The Executive Committee shall have, upon good and proper cause and proof, the power to impose disciplinary action on any member, such disciplinary action being loss of voting privileges, loss of the privilege to make or second a motion, loss of the right to hold office, loss of the right to represent the club in any capacity, the levying of financial responsibility for one's conduct, or any combination thereof.

1. There shall be five (5) elected officers of this club - President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Road Captain - as hereinafter described.

2. President

   a. The President shall have the executive authority to act on behalf, and in the name of, the club, as specified herein.

   b. The President shall appoint members to those offices of the club which are filled by appointment as herein detailed.

   c. The President shall act as the presiding officer at all affairs and functions of the club.

   d. The President shall set the agenda and order of business at all meetings of the membership.

   e. The President shall act as the spokesman for the club.

   f. The President shall serve as a member ex-officio, without voting privileges, of all committees.

   g. The President may, at the end of his term, confer award(s) on behalf of the club to a person or persons who have by their actions benefited the club in an outstanding manner.

   h. The President shall, at the end of his term, fully assist and cooperate in the orderly transition of authority to his successor.

3. Vice President

   a. The Vice President shall act as the presiding executive officer in the absence of the President, as specified herein.

   b. If the President shall be unable to fulfill his duties, the Vice President shall serve as Acting President in his stead.

   c. If the Presidency shall become vacant, the Vice President will assume the office of President.

   d. The Vice President shall assist the President in the manner and method specified by the President.

   e. The Vice President shall be the Executive Committee's liaison to all committees.

   f. The Vice President shall serve as a member ex-officio, without voting privileges, of all committees.

   g. The Vice President shall be responsible for all club property.

   h. The Vice President shall, at the end of his term, fully assist and cooperate in the orderly transition of authority to his successor.

4. Secretary

   a. The Secretary shall act as the presiding executive officer in the absence of both the President and Vice-President, as specified herein.

   b. The Secretary shall accurately record the minutes of all membership meetings.

   c. The Secretary shall promptly receive and appropriately process all correspondence directed to the club or to the Executive Committee.

   d. The Secretary shall accurately keep an up-to-date record of the membership roster.

   e. The Secretary shall hold and accurately maintain all club records.

   f. The Secretary shall, at the end of his term, fully assist and cooperate in the orderly transition of authority to his successor.

5. Treasurer

   a. The Treasurer shall receive and collect all funds due and owing to the club and promptly deposit all funds received in a financial institution approved by the Executive Committee.

   b. The Treasurer shall keep and maintain accurate records of all financial business transacted in the name of or on behalf of the club.

   c. The Treasurer shall notify the Executive Committee of any member in arrears of dues payable and other funds payable to the club.

   d. The Treasurer shall provide a recapitulation of the club's finances, including income and expenses, at each regular membership meeting.

   e. The Treasurer shall provide a quarterly financial report to the Executive Committee, a year-end financial report to the membership at a regular membership meeting, and any other financial reports as required.

   f. The Treasurer shall fully assist and cooperate with the annual Audit Committee, as specified herein.

   g. The Treasurer shall, at the end of his term, fully assist and cooperate in the orderly transition of authority to his successor.

6. Road Captain

   a. The Road Captain shall maintain a listing of events of interest to the membership, which may be reported on at any regular membership meeting.

   b. The Road Captain shall have responsibility for the coordination of club members engaged in club-oriented activities at out-of-town club functions.

   c. The Road Captain shall be the primary liaison for all club functions which involve interaction between the club and other clubs.

   d. The Road Captain shall have full charge over and responsibility for the club's insignia pennants, flags and/or banners (commonly known as "club colors").

   e. The Road Captain shall be the coordinator and/or primary liaison for Parades of Colors, Parades of Titleholders and similar, related processions of honor and dignity.

   f. As the primary "hospitality officer" of the club, the Road Captain shall be provided by the Treasurer with a revolving expense fund in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00), which may be used by the Road Captain as needed to benefit the club, its members and/or its guests, said fund to be replenished by the presentation to the Treasurer of receipts for expenses incurred.

   g. The Road Captain shall, at the end of his term, fully assist and cooperate in the orderly transition of authority to his successor.

1. Only Full Members in good standing who were initiated as Full Members more than six (6) months prior to the opening of nominations are eligible to stand for elective office within the club.

2. Nominations for each office shall be made at the regular membership meeting for the month of March or at the next regular meeting of the membership if no regular membership meeting is held in March.

3. Nominations shall be valid only when seconded and accepted by the nominee.

4. The election of officers will be held at the next regular membership meeting following the month in which nominations were made.

5. In the event only a single candidate is set forth for an office, the President shall cast a single pro-forma vote on behalf of that candidate, except in the case of but a single candidate for the office of President, in which case the Vice President shall cast the single pro-forma vote.

6. Absentee ballots to be cast on behalf of a voting member otherwise excused by the Executive Committee for good and proper cause from attendance at the regular membership meeting at which the election of officers is to be held shall be accepted when dated and signed by the member from whom the vote will be cast and listing the name(s) of the candidate(s) for whom the member not in attendance wishes his vote(s) to be cast, said absentee ballots to be received by the Secretary and confirmed by the Sergeant at Arms prior to the call to order of the regular membership meeting at which the election of officers is to be held.

7. The election of officers will be held by secret ballot, the results to be tabulated by the Sergeant at Arms and a member chosen at random from those in attendance.

8. In the event of a tied vote, a second vote will be taken. Should the second vote result in a tie, the winner will be determined by a random coin toss by the Sergeant at Arms and a member chosen at random from those in attendance.

9. Newly-elected officers shall take office as of the next regular membership meeting following the regular membership meeting at which elections were held.

1. All elected officers and the immediate past president shall constitute the Executive Committee, having general administrative powers as defined herein.

2. The Executive Committee may, in its discretion and with the approval of the President, waive any requirement, duty or penalty herein stated upon good and proper cause.

3. Any action of the Executive Committee may be overturned upon a three-quarter (3/4) affirmative vote of the entire voting membership of the club.

1. When a vacancy other than the presidency occurs among the elected officers for any reason, the remaining members of the Executive Committee shall appoint a replacement within thirty (30) days subject to the approval of a simple majority of the voting membership.

1. If an elected officer of the club fails to carry out the duties of his office and proof is in evidence thereof, he may be impeached upon a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the entire voting membership of the club.

2. Any officer being considered for impeachment or other disciplinary action must be informed in writing of the charges against him; said officer shall then have a minimum of thirty (30) days in which to defend himself, rebut the charges, undergo an impeachment vote or resign from office.

3. In the event of an impeachment, a hearing will be held by the remaining members of the Executive Committee to determine the action to be taken.

1. There are three (3) appointed offices within the club - Sergeant at Arms, Pledgemaster, and Webmaster - as hereinafter described.

2. Sergeant at Arms

   a. The Sergeant at Arms shall be responsible for the maintenance of order at all meetings and club function.

   b. The Sergeant at Arms shall bar attendance to all club functions to all unauthorized persons.

   c. The Sergeant at Arms shall be responsible for the tabulation of votes and the resolution of tie votes during the election of officers as provided herein.

   d. The Sergeant at Arms shall fulfill any other similar duties specified by the Executive Committee. e. The Sergeant at Arms shall, at the end of his appointment, fully assist and cooperate in the orderly transition to his successor.

3. Pledgemaster

   a. The Pledgemaster shall take charge of the new pledges and make their presence known to the existing members of the club.

   b. The Pledgemaster shall ensure that all duties assigned the pledges are fulfilled.

   c. The Pledgemaster shall report to the Executive Board on the progress of each Pledge.

4. Webmaster

   a. The Webmaster is charged with the skillful execution of all those duties normally associated with the creation and maintenance of a website, and is responsible to the membership for its contents.

   b. The Webmaster may delegate to assistants as deemed necessary.

   c. The Webmaster shall fulfill any other similar duties specified by the Executive Committee.

   d. The Webmaster shall, at the end of his appointment, fully assist and cooperate in the orderly transition to his successor.

5. Other offices may be appointed as deemed necessary by the President with the advice of the Executive Committee.

1. Committees may be constituted as deemed necessary by the President, with the advice of the Executive Committee.

2. Committees shall be headed by a chairman, appointed by the President with the advice of the Executive Committee.

3. Committees, via their chairmen, shall report to and otherwise coordinate with the Vice President on their affairs and progress.

4. It shall be the responsibility of all committees to do the necessary planning and research and to secure the tools necessary to achieve the purpose for which they were constituted.

5. An Audit Committee, consisting of three (3) Full Members, excluding the Treasurer, shall be appointed each January for a term of one year, to audit the finances of the club and the related records of the Treasurer, and to provide an audit report to the membership at the regular membership meeting during which nominations for the club's elected offices are scheduled to be made, and to supervise the timely, efficient and appropriate transfer of all club records, property and equipment between any outgoing officers and their successors.

1. The club's bar night, an official club function, shall be held monthly at the club's home bar on the night of the third Saturday of the month, from 9:00 o'clock PM till 2:00 o'clock AM.

2. All Full Members excepting those who have been excused by the Executive Committee for good and proper cause are required to be present at the club's bar night from 10:00 o'clock PM till midnight.

3. Members in attendance at the club's bar night are required to wear appropriate leather/denim attire and to wear their club colors, nametags and badges of office.

1. The regular membership meeting of the club shall be held on immediately before the club's monthly bar night, at a time and place agreed by the membership at the previous regular membership meeting.

2. Meetings shall be held monthly.

3. Meetings may be suspended for a period of no longer than three (3) months by a simple majority vote of voting members present at the preceding regular membership meeting.

4. Special meetings for the consideration of matters of emergency may be called by the Executive Committee upon notification of the membership prior to said meeting, but no business other than that specified shall be transacted at such emergency meetings.

5. A quorum shall consist of fifty-one percent (51%) of the total membership.

6. Attendance shall be kept by the Secretary or his designate.

7. The agenda and order of business of the regular membership meeting will be determined by the President.

8. A loose interpretation of Robert's Rules of Order shall be used in conducting meetings unless otherwise specified herein.

9. Any matter to be voted on by the membership must be brought by motion and seconded.

10. Guests may be invited into a regular membership meeting following the Treasurer's report.

1. Only Full Members in good standing have the privilege to vote.

2. No votes may be taken without a quorum present.

3. Any matter to be voted on by the membership must be brought by motion and seconded.

4. Except as otherwise specified herein, a properly-seconded motion shall be carried by a simple majority vote of the Full Members in good standing present.

5. Proxy votes will be accepted from Full Members in good standing provided they are in writing, dated and signed by the Full Member for whom they will be cast and giving the specifics of the vote to be cast by said proxy.

1. Any non-financial obligation made by the club, on its behalf or in its name must have the approval of the Executive Committee and a majority affirmative vote of the voting members present at a regular membership meeting.

2. Any expenditure or commitment of funds in an amount over one-hundred dollars ($100.00) shall require approval of the Executive Committee.

3. Any expenditure or commitment of funds in an amount over five-hundred dollars ($500.00) shall require an affirmative vote by a simple majority vote of the Full Members in good standing present at a regular membership meeting.

4. All checks or other disbursement documents must be signed by both the Treasurer and President.

5. All checks or other disbursement documents must clearly identify the specifics of the payment or disbursement.

6. All invoices or other bills rendered to the club must clearly identify the specifics of the check or other disbursement by which they were paid or otherwise satisfied and the purpose thereof.

1. The club emblems, "colors," name and insignia shall be respected at all times.

2. A Pledge for Full Membership shall be required to wear a pledge pin, bearing the name of the club and the word "Pledge" prominently placed, and/or otherwise in the form and format specified by the Executive Committee, at all club functions.

3. The club shall have two (2) patches, large and small (commonly known as "club colors"), in the form, format and design specified by the Executive Committee.

4. Only Full Members and Active Associate Members shall be entitled to wear the large patch.

5. The small patch should be worn respectfully at the discretion the individual entitled to wear it, however, the wearing of club colors with gender-inappropriate attire is strongly discouraged.

6. Members shall also receive a nametag, bearing the name of the club and their own name, nickname, moniker or alias, and/or otherwise in the form and format specified by the Executive Committee, such nametag to be worn at all club functions.

7. Holders of offices within the club shall additionally receive and be entitled to wear a tag denoting their office, in the form and format specified by the Executive Committee, such tag to be worn at all club functions.

8. No person shall use the club name or insignia for other than strictly club-oriented purposes without the affirmative vote of two-third (2/3) of the voting membership at a regular membership and confirmed in writing by the President and Secretary, except as herein provided.

9. Members of the club will be provided upon request with a small graphic image file containing the club insignia and text identifying them as members, suitable for display upon their World Wide Web homepage(s), which they are free to use for that purpose.

10. Members of the club will be provided upon request with a graphic image file containing the club insignia and text identifying them as members, suitable for use on personal calling cards, which they are free to use for that purpose.

1. Any Full Member missing a regular membership meeting without excuse by the Executive Committee for good and proper cause shall be fined $2.00.

2. Any Full Member missing a scheduled bar night without excuse by the Executive Committee for good and proper cause shall be fined $2.00.

3. Any member guilty of any infraction of meeting decorum without good and proper cause shall be fined $2.00.

4. Any member who fails to wear leather or denim at a scheduled bar night without good and proper cause shall be fined $2.00.

5. Any member who fails to wear his club colors at a scheduled bar night or other club function without good and proper cause shall be fined $2.00.

6. Any member who fails to wear his club nametag at a scheduled bar night or other club function without good and proper cause shall be fined $2.00.

7. Any officer who fails to wear his officer's badge or other insignia of office at a scheduled bar night or other club function without good and proper cause shall be fined $2.00.

8. Any member who knowingly allows his club colors to be worn by any person not entitled to wear them shall be fined $100.00.

9. Any member who knowingly uses the club name, colors and/or insignia in such a way as to cast disrepute on the club or its members shall be fined $100.00.

10. The imposition of any fine hereinfor provided may be waived by the Executive Committee or by a simple majority vote of the voting membership at the next regular membership meeting.

1. These Articles of Organization may be amended by the affirmative vote of three-quarters (3/4) of the voting membership at the regular membership meeting next held following the regular membership meeting which results in a seconded and approved motion to amend these Articles of Organization.