ARTICLE III Organization

Section 10. Incorporation

DIGNITY is a not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of the District of Columbia.

Section 20. Executive Office

The registered office of DIGNITY shall be known as the Executive Office.

Section 30. Categories of Membership

A. Regular Member

A Regular Member is any individual who pays any required Dues for Regular Membership and endorses the Statement of Position and Purpose of DIGNITY. Each Regular Member shall be entitled to only one vote in all elections and matters requiring a vote of the membership. Regular Members shall have full voting rights on those matters granted within these Bylaws.

B. Chartered Chapter

A Chartered Chapter is an affiliation of Regular Members that endorses the Statement of Position and Purpose and are granted Chapter status by the Board of Directors. A Chapter Charter may be revoked by the Board of Directors, with special regard for due process, for any conduct or action on the part of the Chapter that is considered in violation of the Statement of Position and Purpose, these Bylaws or contrary to the best interest of DIGNITY.

Chartered Chapters shall be granted two votes on those matters requiring a vote of the membership as stated within these Bylaws.

C. Organizational Member

Organizational Members shall be any organization that endorses the Statement of Position and Purpose of DIGNITY and pays the established Dues for Organizational membership.

Organizational Members shall have the right to participate in the discussion of all matters brought before the membership of DIGNITY for a vote but shall not have the right to vote on these or any other matters.

D. Honorary Members

An honorary member is a person who has made outstanding contributions in support of the mission and ministry of DIGNITY and the advancement of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered causes. Honorary members shall be exempt from the payment of dues but shall not have the right to vote.

Section 40. Friends of DIGNITY

Other individuals and organizations may be classified as Friends of DIGNITY or Contributors to DIGNITY, according to rules established by the Board of Directors, but shall not be Regular Members and therefore shall not be eligible to vote in any vote of the membership.

Section 50. Responsibility and Authority of the Membership

All Regular Members and Chartered Chapters shall have the responsibility and authority to vote in the following matters:

  1. Election of Directors except those Directors who are Board-elected.
  2. Election of the President and Vice President of DIGNITY.
  3. Recall of A Director, including Officers.
  4. Amendments to the Statement of Position and Purpose.
  5. Rescinding of an action of the Board of Directors.
  6. Bylaw amendments.

Section 60. Membership Meetings

There shall be a general membership meeting held at each biennial convention of DIGNITY. In addition there shall be membership meetings held at other times between conventions at locations throughout the country facilitated by the Board of Directors.

The purpose of these meetings shall be:

  1. For attendees to receive information and reports from the Board of Directors.
  2. For attendees to express themselves on any matters of interest to them.
  3. To provide for the educational and spiritual development of the membership, friends and supporters of DIGNITY.
  4. To provide opportunities for social gathering and community building among the membership, friends and supporters of DIGNITY.