[Excerpted from the Palm Springs Boys of Leather By-Laws.]

1. NUMBER

The number of brothers shall not be limited.

2. AGE

No member shall be under the age of twenty-one years (21) except for associate members who may be no younger than eighteen (18) years.

3. CATEGORIES

A. ASSOCIATE

An Associate member is any individual who is approved by a majority of brothers in good standing in attendance of any business meeting. An Associate member is, in general, a friend and supporter of the club and must attend one designated function of the club annually. The brotherhood may rescind associate membership at any time by majority vote of brothers in good standing at any business meeting.

Associate members who were previously brothers may petition the brotherhood for reinstatement without prejudice or probationary period.

B. APPLICANT

Any individual who identifies as a leatherboy may apply to the brotherhood by completing a membership application. That applicant must be sponsored by at least one (1) brother, alumnus or life brother.

C. PROBATIONARY

Applicants may be accepted into probationary status by the approval of a majority of brothers in good standing in attendance of any business meeting. Probationary members must:

· subscribe to the mission and purpose of the club; · attend and participate in no less than fifty (50) percent of all designated functions during the probationary period; · attend and participate in all educational meetings called by the President or his designee unless excused in advance.

The probationary period shall be no less than three (3) months. The brotherhood may rescind probationary membership at any time by majority vote of brothers in good standing in attendance of any business meeting.

Probationary members may petition the Membership Committee to become brothers at the successful completion of their probationary period. Upon petition, the president may extend an invitation to become a brother to the probationary member with the approval of a majority of all brothers in good standing.

D. BROTHER

i) Rights and responsibilities

Brothers represent the heart of the organization. Each brother holds all of the rights and responsibilities of membership, including the right or responsibility:

· to display and respect club colors;
· to attend a majority of designated functions;
· to embody the spirit of the club at community events;
· to recruit and select members;
· to serve as and to elect officers;
· to chair and serve on committees;
· to attend meetings and events closed to non-brothers;
· to attend all business meetings called by the President;
· to vote on club business;
· to pay dues.

Brothers must remain in good standing in order to enjoy these rights.

Brothers who cannot fulfill these responsibilities may elect to become associate members. Should said member petition for reinstatement, said member will be reinstated as a brother after ninety (90) days with a majority vote of all brothers in good standing.

E. ALUMNI

Brothers who maintain membership for no less than five (5) years may elect to become alumni members. Alumni retain all rights and responsibilities, excepting the right to serve as and to elect officers; and the right to vote on club business. Alumni members are expected to remain active, and attend no fewer than one (1) designated club function annually.

F. LIFE BROTHER

Brothers who maintain membership for no less than ten (10) years as a brother, and; who have served no fewer than two (2) years as an officer, may be selected by their peers for Life Brotherhood. Life Brotherhood recognizes members whose longevity, participation, and brotherhood have been instrumental in the history of the club. Any brother may sponsor a brother for said honor and present said sponsorship at the annual meeting. Life brothers may only be selected at the annual meeting, and must be selected by sixty (60) percent of all members in good standing.

Life brothers continue to enjoy all the rights and responsibilities of membership, however they are exempt from paying dues.

Life membership may be revoked by the same procedure outlined for brothers in Article II, Section 2, Subsection D, Number ii.

G. HONORARY MEMBER

The brotherhood may select individuals from the community who have supported the club, its ideals, mission and purpose, to receive honorary membership. The club may extend no more than one (3) honorary membership per year. Honorary members are nominated by the Executive Board on the advice of any member. Honorary members must be selected by (60) percent of all brothers in good standing at the annual meeting.

Honorary members enjoy the following privileges:

· to display and respect club colors;
· to recruit members;
· to serve on committees;
· to attend meetings and events closed to non-brothers.

Honorary members are exempt from paying dues in recognition of their service to the club and the community.

4. GOOD STANDING

A member is considered to be in good standing if that member has:

· paid all dues and monies owed the club within sixty (60) days of notification;
· attended sufficient club functions per their membership category.

Additionally, brothers may not miss more than two (2) consecutive business meetings without receiving an exception from the Executive Board. The Executive Board may make exceptions for hardship at the request of the member.

5. NON DISCRIMINATION

The PS Boys of Leather does not discriminate in the selection of members and the attendance at functions based upon race, creed, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation; unless otherwise noted elsewhere in these by-laws or restricted by law.