ARTICLE I

MISSION STATEMENT

IMAS ( Indiana Masters and Slaves/Subs/Switches) is a private organization of individuals who are actively interested in BDSM activities.  Upholding, Honor, Integrity, Trust and Honesty above all else, we have founded this organization upon the principals of tolerance, acceptance of diverse lifestyles and practices.  We shall continuously strive to provide a safe, supportive, social and educational environment for people interested in alternative lifestyle practices, while differentiating between abusive behavior and the many different expressions of TPE within a consensual relationship

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 

Member Levels

IMAS shall be comprised of three (3) membership levels.

MASTER LEVEL membership shall include (all born as and currently identifies as male) Masters / Tops / Dominants (hereto referred to as “Masters”). This level of membership shall have voting rights in matters brought before the entire membership and be able to hold office on the Board of Officers.

FEMALE DOMINANT LEVEL shall include all female Dominants / Tops / Domina / Dominatrix / Dommes as well as all other dominants of any sex not eligible for Master Level membership (hereto referred to as “Female Dominants”.  This level of membership shall have voting rights in matters brought before the entire membership but will NOT be able to hold office on the Board of Directors. 

GENERAL LEVEL membership shall include all slaves/submissives/switches of any sex (hereto referred to as “slaves”). This level of membership shall have voting rights in matters brought before the entire membership.    

Prospective members are considered guests of the organization

Section 2 

Membership Profile

Membership is open to any person eighteen years of age or older, without regard to their heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered orientation. However, membership shall not be open to anyone who has non-consensual sexuality as a focus of interest, has been convicted of a sex crime or are currently in violation of group policy, including the Safe Space Policy and the Code of Conduct

Section 3 

Membership Process

Prospective members may attend up to 3 private IMAS meetings or events as a guest. After that he/she is required to submit an application for membership.

To submit an application for membership, a person must complete the application, the event waiver, sign the Code of Conduct, and pay the membership fee.  If an individual submits paperwork and fees, then chooses not to join IMAS, his/her paperwork will be destroyed to protect the confidentiality of the individual. There shall be no refund of fees.

A person who has submitted an application for membership may attend IMAS meetings and events as a guest of the organization while his/her application for membership is considered. During this time he/she may participate as a guest in discussions, participate in group meetings and activities and learn more about the IMAS group. As a guest, he/she does not have voting rights.

All applicants will be subject to a background check and possibly a reference check. Sexual offenders and predators will not be presented to the membership for approval, and will be notified that approval for membership has been denied. There shall be no refund of fees. Any person who is denied membership is no longer able to attend IMAS meetings and events.

Information about applicants will be presented to the membership on the Members Only listserv board for solicitation of any objection to a proposed member and at monthly meetings where a quorum of Officers is present. Admission to membership shall be by affirmative vote of not less than 2/3 of the membership attending the meeting and participating in the vote.

The purposes of the membership process are: (a) to ensure that prospective new members are genuinely interested in BDSM and are attuned to the core values of the BDSM community; (b) to discourage curiosity seekers; and (c) to identify those who, for any other reason, might not be a good match for the existing membership.  If your membership is revoked, you cannot re-apply for membership.

Section 3.1 

Members Only Listserv Review

The membership shall, be presented with a “Notice of Application for Membership” after the background check has been completed by the Board of Officers.  The membership shall have until one (1) business day prior to the next scheduled business meeting, to privately email (imasboard@yahoo.com) any personal objections to an applicant.  Any objections will be reviewed and considered, if necessary investigated before said applicant is presented for a final vote by the membership.

Note:  Personal objection is/are not grounds enough for denial of membership, however any/all objection(s) will be weighed and considered as to the ultimate affect to the organization as a whole.

Section 4 

Dues

Section 5 

Records of the Membership

A copy of all approved applications and signed waivers will be on file with the Treasurer.

In the interest of discretion and confidentiality, the organization shall not keep a public roster of members' full names or their addresses.

The private roster of membership (available only to the Board of Officers) shall include the member’s: (a) name, (b) address, including city, state and zip, (c) nickname used within the organization, (d) telephone number, (e) emergency contact, and (f) email address. (Email address is optional.)  

If a member’s personal information is found to be false, that person’s membership will to be suspended, pending an investigation, and possibly revoked

Section 6 

Membership Transfer

Membership is not transferable or assignable.

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