AHS By-Laws

Operating Guidelines

 a.   Fees may be charged for AHS events and membership.

        a.  Membership allows you to be identified as an AHS member and includes the newsletter.
          b.  Anyone with interest, 21 years of age or older, will be eligible for membership.
          c.  We reserve the right to deny or revoke anyone membership.
          d.  You must be a member for ninety (90) days to be an eligible voting member.

a.  Individual confidentiality will be respected at all times, which will include (but will not be limited to) exchange of any personal information.
   b. All membership information is private and confidential and access is limited to the Treasurer. The Newsletter Editor will have access only to the mailing address.
   c. The membership list will be maintained by the Treasurer and historical data will be destroyed.

IV) Discussion Group Meetings

a.  Participants must be 21 or older to attend.
   b.  Demonstration will be for educational purposes.
   c.  Are NOT PLAY-PARTIES or SWINGERS PARTIES.
   d.  Will be held in a SAFE, NON-THREATENING environment.
   e.  AHS reserves the right to ask anyone to leave.
   f.  NO illegal substances allowed.

V) Newsletter

a.  The newsletter will accept all submissions & contributions without the guarantee of publication.
   b.  We reserve the right to edit.
   c.  There will be at least two editors at all times to ensure open-mindedness and variety of material.
   d.  Editorial decisions will be final.
   e.  We reserve the right to charge for advertisement.
   f.  The newsletter contains adult material and shall not be distributed to minors under the age of 21.
   g.  The newsletter will be identified as adult material.

a.  AHS sponsored parties & events will promote SAFE, SANE, & CONSENSUAL philosophy/activity.  **  NOTE: Sexual activity is best carried out in private.
   b.  AHS reserves the right to coordinate parties and events with other groups.
   c.  AHS will not sponsor events for the purpose of sexual contact.
   d.  AHS reserves the right to turn anyone away, and/or screen possible attendees.
   e.  No illegal substances are allowed at any AHS event.
   f.  AHS will not endorse any political party or candidate. AHS may provide political information to its members, which in the opinion of the Operating Committee may affect the lifestyle of the members. AHS may make donations or provide assistance to organizations which support issues of interest to AHS members.  AHS will never provide personal member information to any organization. Any donations to or distribution of information from outside organizations to AHS must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of a quorum of the Operating Committee.

a.  A minimum of five (5) members will serve as the Operating Committee.
   b.  The Operating Committee may establish and maintain standard operating procedures for AHS.
   c.  The Operating Committee may approve actions as necessary for the operation of AHS.
   d.  The Operating Committee shall not exceed a maximum of nine (9) members.
   e.  An Operating Committee member may serve a dual role not to exceed eleven (11) months.
   f.  The titles and responsibilities of the minimum five (5) members and member(s) at large will be:

       1.  Meeting Coordinator (One individual)

a. Shall be responsible for facilitating the discussion group meetings.

b. Shall be able to solicit help from other Operating Committee members as well as general members to facilitate discussion group meetings.

2.   Recording Secretary (One individual)

a. Shall be responsible for recording minutes at the Operating Committee meetings.

b. Shall also record pertinent information at the discussion group meetings.

c. Shall also report minutes at the Operating Committee and discussion group meetings.

     3.   Treasurer (One individual)

a. Shall be responsible for keeping financial records for AHS to include, but not limited to, membership fees, party/event fees, and donations.

b. Shall provide a quarterly financial statement to the Operating Committee and the general membership.

         4.   Newsletter Editor (One individual)

a. Shall be responsible for editing the monthly newsletter.

b. Shall also manage producing and distributing the newsletter.

c. Shall be able to solicit help from other Operating Committee members and the general members to help produce and distribute the newsletter.
**  NOTE: The second Newsletter Editor will be from general membership

5.  Sergeant at Arms (One individual)

a. Shall be responsible for maintaining a safe environment for all in attendance at the discussion group meetings, parties, and events sponsored by AHS.

b. Every Operating Committee member shall be expected to help support the Sergeant at Arms.

c. Shall also perform the duties of the Meeting Coordinator in the event of his/her absence.

6.  Events Chairperson (One individual)

a. Shall be responsible for the coordination of AHS events to include but not limited to: AHS Picnic, Obsessive Fetish Ball, Twelfth Night Party, etc.

b. Shall be the liaison between event committees and the Operating Committee.

7.  Member(s) at Large (One or more individuals)

a. Shall be responsible for contribution views and opinions from the general members at the Operating Committee meetings.

b. Shall also perform the duties of the Meeting Coordinator in the event of the absence of both the Meeting Coordinator and the Sergeant at Arms.

c. In the event of two (2) or more Members at Large, one (1) will be selected by the board members to fill the role of Meeting Coordinator due to absence.

d. An AHS Operating Committee Chairperson (one individual) shall be elected to the Operating Committee with the following requirements & responsibilities:

Qualifications:

a. To qualify for election the candidate must have been an AHS member a minimum of two (2) years, must have served a minimum of one full term on the Operating Committee, and been an AHS member for the previous 12 months.

b. The AHS Operating Committee Chairperson serves a one-year elected term.

c. Any incumbent Operating Committee Chairperson  may be re-elected.

d. The Operating Committee Chairperson does not vote, except in the case of a tie vote.

Duties and Responsibilities:

a. Coordinates the activities of all Operating Committee members and acts as the central point of accountability for all Operating Committee duties, projects, and events.

b. Coordinates elections and presides over the voting process.

c. Has the authority to set deadlines in order to insure smooth management of the group.

d. Has the authority to make emergency decisions when necessary. An emergency decision is required when the Operating Committee members are unable or unwilling to respond and a decision is required to meet an external deadline.

e. Has the authority to temporarily add to or reassign duties of members charged with specific responsibilities on an emergency basis, whenever it is necessary to assure that the best interests of the group are protected.

f. Presides over all Operating Committee meetings and rules on points of order.

g. May introduce motions and amendments to the Operating Committee.

h. All members with specific duties report to the Chairperson.

i. The Chairperson is the primary point of account-ability for the AHS Operating Committee to the general membership.

j. The Chairperson will issue to the group a semi-annual report on the status of the AHS Operating Committee.

k. All Operating Committee, assigned committee, and volunteer members will cooperate fully with the efforts of the Chairperson to coordinate AHS business.

l. Should the Operating Committee Chairperson become unable or unwilling to perform their duties, or if the Chairperson is performing in ways unacceptable to the Operating Committee, the Operating Committee will
take a vote of confidence. A two/thirds (2/3) majority of the entire voting Operating Committee members will be required to remove the Chairperson.

m. Should the Chairperson resign, become unable, or unwilling to serve, the Treasurer will fill the position for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days, during which time a replacement must be named.

n. The Operating Committee reserves the rights to create or remove positions and appoint members to those positions for the remainder of the term by a 2/3 majority vote. These positions will then be included or removed from the next election ballot.
 

o. The Operating Committee may appoint standing alternates to represent and assist Operating Committee members.  These alternates shall have proxy voting rights for the Operating Committee member they represent. Alternates must be approved by the member they represent.

p. To be eligible for consideration for a position on the Operating Committee , a candidate must be an AHS member in good standing for the previous consecutive twelve (12) months. The candidate must also be a current AHS member.
 

q. Elections shall be once a year.
 

r. A quorum of sixty (60) percent of the operating committee members will need to be present for a voting session.
 

s. All decisions will be made by a majority rule with noted exceptions within this document.
 

t. The Operating Committee shall meet monthly.  
 

u. Operating Committee members shall attend at least two (2) of every three (3) consecutive Board meetings. Operating Committee members failing to meet this criteria will have their position reviewed by the remaining Operating Committee members.
 

v. If Operating Committee member(s) become unable or unwilling to perform their responsibilities, the Operating Committee, by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote, shall appoint a replacement for that position until the next election.
 

w. Jay & Tess Jackson, original founders of AHS, shall have lifetime membership in AHS and are given honorary membership on the Operating Committee for life.

VIII) Revisions to Operating Guidelines

a. Amendments or revisions to this document must be presented to the general membership by 2/3 of the entire Operating Committee members.
 

b. Members may force any issue before the Operating Committee by referendum supported with a petition signed by two-thirds (2/3) of the members.
 

c. Amendments or revisions must be approved by 2/3 majority of votes cast. A minimum of sixty (60) percent of the eligible membership must vote.
 

d. Voting for an amendment or revision shall be open for a minimum of thirty (30) days.

IX) Interpretation of By-Laws

a. Interpretation of the By-Laws will be done by the Operating Committee.
   

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This document was originated by Jay & Tess in February, 1993, in the Kansas City, KS/MO area.  It has been revised and refined by Jim M.,
Dan S., Jamie S., Marty B., Denise B., Eric W., Cherié W., Jim G., & Kate A. in August, 1995, in the Kansas City, KS/MO area. 
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In August, 1996, the current Operating Committee, revised the By-Laws to include VII - e.   The Operating Committee were:  Nick A., Anne A.,
Marty B., Lois B., Jim M., Denise B., Eric W., Cherié W., Roy H., Mary H., & Tom D..
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In August, 1997, the current Operating Committee, formed a By-Laws Committee tasked with revising the By-Laws to fit the needs of a growing
membership.  The By-Laws Committee was formed by one (1) Operating Committee Member & four (4) general members. The members were:
Operating Committee Member:   Jim M.,   General Members: Kayte B., Marty B., John B., Jodi H.. In September, 1998, the revised By-Laws were
presented to the general membership for approval. An official vote was taken in November, 1998. This document was approved by a simple majority
of two-thirds (2/3) of the voting membership, the revised By-Laws were declared official in December, 1998.

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