Center for LGBTQ Economic Advancement & Research
Membership Policy
Last Updated: June 25, 2020
Part I: Qualification for Membership
Qualification Authoritative. The Center for LGBTQ Economic Advancement & Research (“CLEAR” or the “Organization”) shall have a single class of non-voting members (each, a “Member” and together, the “Members”), who shall participate in the furtherance of the goals of the Organization. All Members shall affirm their support for CLEAR’s mission and vision, and pay dues, as provided for herein. The eligibility requirements for membership, and the rights and duties of Members, as provided for herein, and as otherwise established by action of the Board of Directors of the Organization (the “Board”) from time to time, shall be authoritative, and no individual shall be deemed a Member without satisfaction of such qualifications.
Membership Roster. This Organization shall maintain a membership list containing the name of each Member and the last address provided to this Organization by the Member for purposes of notice. The list shall indicate whether a Member is in good standing from time to time.
Nominating Committee Representation. Members of the Organization shall collectively be entitled to a majority of seats on the Nominating Committee of the Organization (the “Nominating Committee”), as descried in Article IV, Section 3 of the Bylaws of the Organization.
Meetings. Members shall have the opportunity to participate in the Organization and communicate with the Organization’s leadership via meetings of the membership:
(i) Annual Meetings. Members shall be entitled to meet at least annually, at a date and in a manner as determined by the Board of the Organization (the “Annual Meeting”). The agenda for the Annual Meeting shall be established in consultation with the Board.
(ii) Special Meetings. Additional membership meetings may be called for by the Board, or by Members accounting for 1/3 of the total membership of the Organization. The Board shall appropriately schedule the Special Meeting and cause the meeting notice to be given to Members not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting. The agenda for a Special Meeting shall be established by the Board or, if called by the membership, in consultation with the Board.
Participation in Sponsored Activities. In addition to participation in membership meetings and the opportunity to participate on the Nominating Committee, Members shall be eligible to participate in activities sponsored by the Organization from time to time, including community outreach and educational activities.
Non-liability of Members. No Member of the Organization shall be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or obligations of the Organization.
Transferability of Memberships. Membership in the Organization, or any right arising therefrom, may not be transferred or assigned. Any attempted transfer shall be void.
Part III: Obligations of Members
Affirmation of Organizational Mission: Each Member must affirm their support for the mission and vision of the organization.
Membership Dues. Each Member must pay to the Organization, within the time and on the conditions set by the Board, a financial contribution (“dues”) in the minimum amount of ten dollars ($10) or as otherwise fixed from time to time by the Board, or else obtain a financial hardship waiver. Such dues and fees shall be equal for all Members of the Organization, provided that the Board may determine the conditions under which any payment of dues shall be waived, or refundable, including but not limited to a Member or potential Member’s financial hardship.
Other Requirements; Good Standing. Those Members who have paid the required dues, fees, and assessments, if any, who are not suspended, and who have otherwise fulfilled the requirements of membership as promulgated by the Board from time to time shall be members in good standing of the Organization.
Part IV: Termination of Membership
Termination of Membership. Membership in the Organization shall continue until terminated as provided in this Part, or until the Member dies, or resigns in a writing delivered to the Secretary or President of the Organization. No such resignation shall relieve the resigning member of any accrued but unpaid obligations of such Member to the Organization.
Basis for Termination. Membership in the Organization shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following events or conditions:
(i) Failure to Qualify. On a good-faith finding by the Board that a Member no longer meets the qualifications of the organization for membership, the Member’s membership in the Organization shall terminate.
(ii) Interests of Organization. On a good-faith finding by the Board that continued participation by the Member in the Organization as a Member is not in the best interests of the Organization and the furtherance of its purposes.
Termination Procedures. In the case of proposed termination of a membership of the Organization, the following procedures shall apply:
(i) Notice. This Organization shall send a written notice to the Member, setting forth the proposal for termination, the reasons for it, and the date on which the proposed termination shall become effective. Notice may be sent by first-class or registered mail or electronic mail, to the last address provided by the Member to the Organization for purposes of notice.
The Organization may, in its sole discretion, provide for a hearing regarding the termination of a membership, provided that no Member shall be entitled to such hearing prior to having their membership terminated. If the Organization determines that a hearing is warranted, the notice shall include the date, time, and place of the hearing that may be provided to such Member, and shall be sent at least fifteen days before the proposed date of termination, and at least ten days before