Kinksters at Ohio State University

Article I: Name, Mission Statement, And Non-Discrimination Policy

Section 1: Kinksters at Ohio State University

Section 2: Kinksters at Ohio State University is an organization for people who enjoy both alternative sexual practices and sexual practices that are granted more mainstream visibility. The group’s purpose is to create a culture of radical consent, provide a space where individuals feel safe talking about their interests and experiences, and to connect people with each other and resources in the greater kink/sex-positive community. We strive to educate people about all kinds of sex and to encourage critical thinking about the way sex is stigmatized in our society.

Section 3: Kinksters at Ohio State University and its members shall not discriminate against any individual(s) for reasons of age, color, (dis)ability, gender identity or expression, romantic identity national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Article II: Membership Requirements

Kinksters at Ohio State University is open to any individual who is looking for a safe space to learn about and discuss matters associated with sexual practices, sexuality, and sex-positivity. Non-Ohio State students, alumni, faculty, and professionals are welcome to attend meetings and events, but will not be able to apply for a leadership position.

Article III: Organization Leadership, Elections, And Officer Responsibilities

Section 1: Organization leadership will consist of one president, one vice president, and a treasurer.

Section 2: At the end of each spring semester leadership will be required to run in an election for their positions if they wish to hold them again. Leaders may hold their positions for as long as they are re-elected. Elections will consist of an anonymous vote by current membership.

Section 3: The president will be in charge of facilitating meetings and organizing meeting topics and events. The vice president will assist the president in their organization and facilitation of meetings and events. The treasurer will be in charge of handling monetary responsibilities associated with funding.

Article IV:

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Article V:

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Article VI: Officer Requirements And Grounds For Removal

Section 1: Members who have attended for at least one full semester will be eligible to become officers. New officers are elected during spring semester.

Section 2: Kinksters at Ohio State University will have a non-discrimination policy, which includes a zero tolerance policy for any discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. If any discrimination or hatred occurs, our advisor will be notified so that we may take the necessary actions to prohibit the individual from our organization. If a member conducts themselves in such a manner as to violate our organization bylaws or is in violation of the OSU Student Code of Conduct, they can be removed through a majority vote of the other voting membership or through a unanimous vote of the officers (with the consultation of the advisor). If an officer conducts themselves in such a manner as to violate our organization bylaws, is delinquent in performing their officer duties, or is in violation of the OSU Student Code of Conduct, they can be removed through a majority vote of the voting membership.

Article VII: Advisor Involvement

Officers will meet regularly, at least one time per semester, with the group’s advisor. Additional consultations or meetings with the advisor will be scheduled at the request of either the officers, members, or advisor.

Article VIII: Meetings

Meetings will be held no less than one time per month during autumn and spring semesters. The meetings may be cancelled if necessary (e.g. illness, speaker cancellation, etc.) by consensus of the leadership. Meetings will be suspended during summer terms.

Article IX: Proposed Amendments

Proposed amendments should be in writing, should not be acted upon but read in the general meeting in which they are proposed, should be read again at a specified number of subsequent general meetings and the general meeting in which the votes will be taken. Approval should require at least two-thirds of voting members present (and to conduct any business an organization should have quorum present at a business meeting, which is at minimum 50% + 1 of total organization members).

Article X: In Case Of Disbandment

Should the organization disband, the treasurer will consult with our advisor and with OSU’s student organization leaders about how to repay debts and take care of any additional credit.

Bylaws:

  1. Respect the privacy of members. Do not take photos during meetings and events and don’t out people in public. Also be conscious that the name someone uses in a kink-positive space may not be the name they go by outside of that space.
  2. Respect people’s identities (race, gender, sexual orientation, romantic orientation) and gender pronouns. Sometimes people have kinks that you do not personally share. Please don’t disrespect people based on their kink.
  3. Ask before you touch people, even in a nonsexual way (i.e. hugging).
  4. Learning should leave the room, not specific stories. Respect that people may share incredibly personal information and don’t share their stories with others that weren’t at that specific meeting.