Article I. Purpose and Intent

Section 1.01 The official name is designated as the "Southern Piedmont Advocates of Negotiated Kink." It is hereafter referred to as SPANK.

Section 1.02 SPANK is a not-for-profit BDSM organization dedicated to providing education, support and a social network for its Contributors in a safe, responsible and discretion-conscious environment.

Section 1.03 SPANK adopts and pledges to support the leather community's creed: "Safe, Sane and Consensual".

Section 1.04 SPANK is not a "sex or swingers club" and we do not make personal referrals.

Section 1.05 SPANK does not condone, suggest, or endorse any activity that is illegal or nonconsensual.

Section 1.06 SPANK does not participate in any political activism as an organization, but may support other organizations that have political goals.

Article II. Board of Directors

Section 2.01 Responsibility of the Board of Directors

(a) The Board is empowered to make all decisions necessary for the operation of SPANK, except those specifically reserved by the Contributorship as a whole. (Article III)

(b) The Board may create committees, either standing or temporary, and appoint Contributors to those committees, as it deems appropriate and necessary to the operation of SPANK.

(c) The Board may bring to any item to the Contributorship as a whole for a vote or discussion that it deems necessary or appropriate.

Section 2.02 Organization of the Board

(a) The Board of Directors shall be made up of five (5) Contributors.

(b) Each position shall be a discreet position with its own title and responsibility.

(c) Each board member shall be responsible for appointing an assistant from the remaining board members to act in the stead of the regular board member when he or she is not available.

(d) The board has the responsibility of designating titles and assigning responsibilities for the board members and the board as a whole.

Section 2.03 Requirements for Board Members

(a) Must be a Contributor in good standing.

(b) No criminal felony record.

(c) In order to be nominated and to serve on the board, the contributor must reside in North Carolina.

(d) If a board member moves and is no longer a resident of North Carolina, he or she must resign the board position and the contributorship will hold a special election to fill the position for the remainder of the term.

Section 2.04 Elections to the Board of Directors

(a) Contributors wishing to run for a Board position must present a written self-nomination to the Board of Directors before the May meeting, to include a statement of compliance with eligibility requirements.

(b) The Board shall be elected to a one (1) year term, by a majority vote to be held at the June meeting each year.

(c) All cardholding Contributors in attendance at this meeting are eligible to vote.

(d) No electronic or proxy voting is allowed.

Section 2.05 In the case of a vacancy on the Board, during the term year, the Board shall conduct a special election to fill the remainder of the term.

Section 2.06 Impeachment of Board members.

(a) A Board member may be impeached for a willful violation or inappropriate use of his or her power as a Board member.

(b) Upon a written complaint of misconduct, the Board shall form a judicial committee of three. This committee shall be composed of one Contributor selected by the accused, one selected by the accuser, and chaired by a third selected by the first two.

(c) The committee shall investigate the allegation, and upon finding cause, shall present the findings to the Contributorship as a whole for a vote. A 2/3 majority vote is required for impeachment.

Section 2.07 SPANK Board members are not bestowed any special considerations. (i.e., Board members shall have the same yearly Contributor rate and social entry fees as other Contributors)

Article III. Powers reserved for the Contributorship as a whole

Section 3.01 Adoption and amendment of Bylaws, Social Rules, and Etiquette Statement. (2/3 majority vote)

Section 3.02 Election of Board members. (majority vote)

Section 3.03 Changes to the yearly minimum contribution. (majority vote)

Section 3.04 Approval of expenditures over $250. (majority vote)

Section 3.05 Authorization of SPANK sponsorship of events which are open to non-Contributors.

Section 3.06 Vote on Contributor expulsion and Board member impeachment. (2/3 majority vote)

Section 3.07 Authorization of SPANK to from an official relationship with another group. (2/3 majority vote)

Article IV. Contributorship Status

Section 4.01 Requirements

Prospective Contributors of SPANK must meet the following requirements:

(a) The prospective Contributor must be at least 18 years of age.

(b) The prospective Contributor must attend 3 munches within a 6 month period.

(c) The prospective Contributor must be sponsored by a current Contributor in good standing.

(d) The prospective Contributor must fill out and sign the application for Contributorship. This includes his or her name, address (for the purpose of receiving the monthly newsletter), scene name (to be used when referencing the Contributor), age (the name and age must be verified by a photo ID at the time the application is submitted), and the prospect's signature.

(e) The prospective Contributor must sign a copy of the SPANK Privacy and Discretion Agreement.

(f) The prospective Contributor must attend one (1) orientation followed by one (1) regular private meeting.

(g) A yearly $15 minimum contribution is required in order to receive Contributor status. No prorating is allowed.

(h) A Contributor can sponsor a maximum of 2 potential Contributors at any one time.

Section 4.02 The Contributor applications are considered extremely confidential, and are kept under lock and key by the SPANK Board. The information contained on the applications is only used on a need-to-know basis. (i.e., The Board members involved with Contributor records, dues, and newsletter mailings.)

Section 4.03 Contributorships are valid during the fiscal year. (i.e., ALL Contributorships expire on January 1.)

Section 4.04 Benefits

(a) Contributors may attend all functions sponsored by SPANK. If fees are required for a specific event, the Contributor shall be allowed to pay the SPANK Contributor rate.

(b) Contributors who meet eligibility requirements may run for a position on the Board of Directors.

Section 4.05 Expulsion of a Contributor

(a) May be accomplished by 2/3 majority vote.

(b) For a willful, flagrant or ongoing violation of SPANK Bylaws, Social Rules, or Discretion Policy, the Board may bring the details of the situation to the Contributorship as a whole, for the purpose of an expulsion vote. The Board must decide unanimously that this is warranted prior to doing so. The Board may also give advice and/or warning to the affected Contributor in hopes of remedying the situation.

(c) Expulsion shall be permanent

Article V. Guests of Contributors

Section 5.01 Contributors may bring guests to SPANK events. However, the following rules shall apply:

(a) In order to attend a private SPANK event a guest must have first attended 3 SPANK public munches. (For exceptions, see 5.04)

(b) Each Contributor may bring up to 2 guests to a particular event (For exceptions, see 5.04)

(c) Both the guest(s) and the sponsoring Contributor must sign a Guest's Privacy and Discretion Agreement.

(d) Guests are welcome to attend the Initial Social Segment and the Workshop or Demonstration, but not the business portion of the Contributors meeting (For exceptions, see 5.04)

(e) The sponsoring Contributor is considered responsible for the behavior of his or her guest's adherence to SPANK rules. Violations committed by the guest could result in warnings or more serious consequences for the sponsoring Contributor.

(f) Guests are only allowed to attend a maximum of three private SPANK events without becoming Contributors. (For exceptions, see 5.04)

(g) Guests must be at least 18 years of age.

Section 5.02 Guests have the following fees imposed upon them for SPANK events:

(a) Meetings / Workshops - $3 over any fee for Contributors.

(b) Social Parties - $10 over any fee for Contributors.

Section 5.03 Prospective Contributors (with application in hand) are considered guests for their first meeting, and shall only pay the Contributor fee for that meeting.

Section 5.04 Exceptions to the above rules may possibly be made on a case-by-case basis by the SPANK board when notified at least 48 hours in advance of the event, and does not include persons brought in to conduct or assist in private SPANK presentations.

Article VI. Orientations

Section 6.01 Orientations shall be conducted by at least one (1) Board member.

Section 6.02 Orientations shall include, at a minimum:

(a) Overview of the Bylaws,

(b) Discussion of public scene etiquette,

(c) Discussion of privacy, discretion, and respect issues,

(d) What to expect, and what not to expect.

Section 6.03 A Contributorship packet shall be given at the orientation. This includes:

(a) Copy of the Bylaws,

(b) Contributorship application,

(c) Contact information if the prospective Contributor decides to attend a meeting.

(d) Other orientation information.

Section 6.04 The Board member may request proof of age at the orientation if in doubt that the attendee is 18 or older

Section 6.05 The Board member shall present SPANK in a positive light and be nonjudgmental of the attendee(s).

Article VII. Public and Private Meetings

Section 7.01 Private Meetings are held once a month on a regularly scheduled day and time.

Section 7.02 Private meetings shall consist of an initial social segment, a workshop or demo/discussion segment, the business segment, and then a final social segment.

 Section 7.03 The core of SPANK's educational effort is provided at the private meetings.

Section 7.04 Private meetings are for Contributors and their guests only.

Section 7.05 Public munches will be held once a month at a regularly scheduled date and time.

Section 7.06 Public munches shall be held at a public restaurant.

Section 7.07 Public munches are open to Contributors and non-Contributors alike.

Article VIII. Contributor Voting Other than Elections

Section 8.01 Advance Notice

(a) Items up for Contributor vote shall be announced at least one month in advance both at the meeting prior and in the newsletter.

Section 8.02 Eligibility

(a) All Contributors in good standing and present may vote.

(b) No proxy or electronic voting.

Article IX. Discretion Policy / Privacy Statement

Section 9.01 SPANK understands and embraces its obligation to safeguard Contributor's privacy to the very best of its ability. With this in mind the following procedures are established:

(a) Willful disclosure of a Contributor's identity without express permission from that Contributor may be grounds for expulsion. (Section 4.05)

(b) Contributor applications are considered extremely confidential. The information contained therein shall be only shared with Board of Director members, and only then on a need-to-know basis.

(i) A Contributor may elect to provide a scene name on their Contributor application, which will be used to reference him or her in the SPANK newsletter. The Contributor may also elect not to be mentioned at all.

(c) Newsletters shall be handled in a discreet fashion:

(i) Mailed rather than emailed (emails can be forwarded too easily to non-Contributors),

(ii) Mailed in a plain envelope, with nothing showing to indicate the nature of the correspondence. The SPANK PO Box # shall be the only return address,

(iii) If the Contributor desires a newsletter to be mailed, it shall be mailed to the address provided by the Contributor.

(d) Cameras, tape recorders, or any other types of recording devices are NEVER allowed at any SPANK sponsored event without the expressed permission of the Board of Directors.

Section 9.02 Discretion is absolutely necessary. Some members' family, friends and/or jobs may be threatened if their lifestyle were known. We expect people's privacy and identities to be protected. Being mindful of discretion is strongly encouraged.

 Section 9.03 Use your common sense. Don't approach other scene people in public and make a reference to any lifestyle topic. They may very well be with someone who does not know of their interests.

Section 9.04 When in doubt, err on the side of caution.

Section 9.05 Don't give out someone else's personal information (name, address, phone number, occupation, etc.). It is not yours to give out.

Article X. Etiquette Statement

Section 10.01 SPANK recognizes that "Scene Etiquette" is dynamic and personal. It differs depending on the individual and the situation. SPANK hereby adopts and promotes the practice of "Scene Etiquette" which fosters courtesy and respect among individuals within the leather community. Being mindful of "Scene Etiquette" is strongly encouraged.

Section 10.02 Willful and ongoing disrespect of other Contributors may be grounds for expulsion. (Section 4.05)

Article XI. Social Rules (These apply to ALL SPANK sponsored play party events)

Section 11.01 All play shall be consensual.

Section 11.02 All SPANK sponsored play party events must have at least one Dungeon Master/Mistress (DM), appointed by the Board, on duty at all times

(a) The DM shall not be encumbered with any other duties that may distract him/her from the role of DM.

(b) The DM will have access to all areas during an event.

(c) All concerns should be brought to the attention of the DM. Only DMs may interrupt a scene.

(d) The decisions made by the DM are final.

(e) SPANK reserves the right for the DM to stop or disallow play if the players are deemed to be impaired.

 Section 11.03 No illegal substances of any kind are allowed on the premises. No alcohol is to be consumed during a SPANK party.

Section 11.04 Firearms may not be brought into an event, unless "House Rules" specifically permit them.

Section 11.05 All attendees must present their Contributor card for admission, or be a guest of a card-carrying Contributor.

Section 11.06 Upon entry, all guests shall read, sign and agree to abide by the SPANK rules for play party events and in addition present a valid photo ID to verify their identity.

Section 11.07 Prostitution, solicitation, and negotiation of compensation for sexual services ARE ILLEGAL and are not tolerated. Violations shall result in immediate removal and banning from future events. Scene professionals may not accept payment for any services rendered at a SPANK event.

Section 11.08 Normal scene etiquette is required (i.e.: Do not interfere with a scene, do not invade scene space, etc.). Please keep conversation, laughter and comments to a minimum in the play area. Do not monopolize the equipment. Do NOT join a scene unless specifically asked to do so!

Section 11.09 Please clean up after your scene. Leave all equipment free of sweat, blood. other bodily fluids, wax, toys, etc. Bring bodily fluid concerns to the attention of the DM. Wax, fire. and scenes involving bodily fluids need prior permission of the DM, unless a designated area has been set aside for those purposes.

Section 11.10 Cameras and other types of recording devices are NOT allowed at any SPANK sponsored event without the expressed written permission of the Board of Directors.

Section 11.11 Additional "House Rules" may also apply, depending on location, host, and/or other circumstances

Article XII. Disclaimer

Section 12.01 Neither the Southern Piedmont Advocates of Negotiated Kink (SPANK), it's Board of Directors, nor the management, owners, or operators of event space, nor any agents, successors or assigns of any of the foregoing shall be held liable to any attendee for injury to person or property incurred as a result of attendance at any SPANK event.