Policies

Overnight Policy
For those members who are volunteering to help close, or for weekend events, it may be prudent to remain overnight at the Society. In recognition of this, the Board presents the following, which will apply on a case by case basis.

1. If a member finds that they will need to remain overnight to be able to volunteer for either closing or another volunteer opportunity, they should seek out and discuss this with a Board member.

2. A Board member or Trusted member (key and code holder) must remain on the premises overnight as well. It is up to the Board/Trusted member who is staying to make the final determination and that individual has the right to revoke this privilege should they deem it necessary. The Board member/Trusted member who stays will log the event and report any problems and concerns to the Board.

3. All rules of the Society remain in effect while on the premises. There is also NO BDSM PLAY after the Society is closed for the night.

4. Disruptive behavior will not be allowed. Disruptive Behavior could be anything that will disrupt another’s sleep. This will be determined by the Chaperon of the evening.

5. Those who engage in disruptive behavior or violate our rules may be asked to leave immediately or have future overnight privileges revoked.

6. For those members who are granted the privilege, treat this as such and anyone who stays is expected to be respectful and clean up after themselves.

7 Smokers will not be allowed out to smoke once the alarm is set and the Society is closed for the night.

Complaints and Mediation
We acknowledge that interpersonal relations are complex and delicate matters, and that the time and the resources of all attendees of The Society are valuable and should be respected as much as the dignity and discretion of the parties to a complaint are to be respected. All attendees are subject to all By-laws, Rules, and Procedures of The Society.
Keep in mind:

– Not all incidents will be handled in the same fashion. The Governance Panel reserves the right to attempt remedies prior to Full Mediation. The Governance Panel reserves the right to apply appropriate remedy regardless of the filing of any complaint as a response to incidents causing concern for reasonable safety or breaches of By-laws, Rules, Procedures, or general etiquette.

– Members of the Governance Panel are expected to recuse themselves from matters if the situation warrants.

– This policy is limited in scope to incidents occurring at The Society. Incidents happening elsewhere will not be addressed through these proceedings and The Society is not responsible for them, though material facts about them may bear on the matter. The Governance Panel stresses that what is generally referred to as “relationship drama” is not to be brought through this policy. Doing so exposes any or all parties in the matter to the abuse provision(s) of the Policy. With that stated, if you have a concern that your personal safety will be endangered while you are at The Society based on messages you receive or other information you have, the proper avenue to take is to pursue the legal remedies available in the State of Connecticut.

– Self-advocacy is always advised first. If not possible, the assistance of any member of the Governance Panel, and preferably more than one, should be requested in an attempt to find a resolution prior to the use of Full Mediation.

– If you ask for any right(s) under existing Society By-laws, Rules, Procedures, or etiquette in the handling of a complaint or incident, it is expected same will be extended to the other party(ies), and/or that their right to same through the conclusion of the matter is retained.

– Should Full Mediation be chosen, note that it requires a significant investment of time by multiple parties to run its due course, as well as an additional form to begin.

– If pre-mediation attempts to resolve are unsuccessful, or if the person lodging the complaint feels Full Mediation is necessary based on the nature of the complaint (such as, but not limited to, severity or sensitivity):

– Complaints are filed with the Ombudsman, who will acknowledge receipt in some reasonable and definite means. Complaints must be in written form (whether email or the form available on-site), and it is prudent for anyone lodging a complaint to retain a copy.

– Should the Ombudsman be subject in a complaint, the remainder of the Governance Panel will intake the complaint and specify one of its members to handle those communication duties until conclusion of the matter.

– If filing a complaint, every effort must be made to give the fullest information and material facts available about the incident or reason for the complaint, including the desired remedy(ies). Desired remedies will be considered, and will be pursued as the situation allows, but are not guaranteed. Failure to provide full information jeopardizes the case being made.

– Reports on the outcome of the matter are not necessarily guaranteed.

– Anyone found to be abusing the Mediation Policy is subject to immediate and non-refundable expulsion from membership for a period not less than one (1) year from date of decision, based on a two-thirds Governance Panel vote following deliberation in Executive Session (minutes of such will be recorded). The Governance Panel also reserves the right to levy consequences short of that expulsion.

Procedure for Complaints:
1) It is recommended that the parties attempt to discuss the issues and resolve them (self-advocacy, as mentioned above).

2) Complaint form (or same information in an email) is sent to the Ombudsman, including full material facts and desired outcome(s). The Ombudsman will provide constructive receipt.

3) If self-advocacy is not successful or either side declines to engage, the Governance Panel may request each party to meet together, with at least one Governance Panel member present to facilitate the discussion and not to act as a mediator.

4) The Governance Panel reserves the right to pursue other pre-mediation remedies within all the other By-laws, Rules, Procedures, and general etiquette of The Society. As stated previously desired outcome(s) that are expressed will be considered, but are not guaranteed. Likewise, details of any pre-mediation steps pursued are not guaranteed.

Procedure for Full Mediation:
1) The Governance Panel reserves the right to pursue pre-mediation remedies within all the other By-laws, Rules, Procedures, and general etiquette of The Society. As stated previously desired outcome(s) that are expressed will be considered, but are not guaranteed. Likewise, details of any pre-mediation steps pursued are not guaranteed. If pre-mediation resolution is impossible (or in cases where it is not tenable), either party may approach the Ombudsman and request that a Mediation Panel is formed.

2) The Governance Panel will then submit a list of five (5) names for the Mediation Panel. Each party may then reject one (1) of the five.

3) The Mediation Panel will meet with the parties and attempt to resolve the matter in a timely manner.

4) If the Mediation Panel fails to reach an outcome agreed upon by the parties, the matter will then go before the membership at the next Town Meeting, or at a Special Meeting. One (1) person from the Mediation Panel will speak, followed by one (1) person from the Governance Panel. Each of the parties may then address the membership. The speakers will be permitted a maximum of five (5) minutes each.

5) The general membership will then cast a vote as to their agreement with the Mediation Panel’s recommendation of a resolution. This vote is to be cast without any discussion. The membership’s decision is final.

Disruptive Behavior Policy
1. As a private organization The Society retains the right to permanently bar from entrance, any person or persons as determined by the board. The board shall provide the Members with the cause and or reasons for such a ban at the Town Meeting immediately following the determination. A list of those who are barred from entrance (with photographs if available) shall be made available to the door people.

2. The Society acting as a private organization reserves the right to bar from admittance anyone who appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The Society further reserves the right to remove from the premises anyone exhibiting behavior that would lead one to believe they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

3. The Society retains the right to discipline members, associate members, members of sister groups and guests for infractions of the Rules, Bylaws or Code of Ethics on a case by case basis.

4. Members who bring guests are responsible for ensuring their guests comply with the Rules of the space. If a member repeatedly brings guests who violate the Rules of the space that member risks loosing the privilege of bringing guests.

How to handle a situation: If you come across a person who is suspected to be under the influence or otherwise shouldn’t be on the premises, You should

1. Contact a Board Person – or

2. Contact a Committee Chair Person – or

3. Contact a door person.

4. One of these people should ask for support from members on the premises in case things don’t go as smoothly as we’d like.

5. The Board person (or Committee Chair, or Door Person) should approach the offending person, draw them off to the side and discuss the situation. If they decide that they, in fact, should not be on site, they will be asked to leave.

6. They will escort the person to the door and if necessary, find them a ride or contact a cab.

7. If they create a problem or refuse – Contact police. They will get charged with trespassing. (We are a private club, with specific rules)

8. If police are notified, Board person (or substitute) will let other members know that they will be coming in.

Vendor Policy

• $30 per table plus entry for one person, Member = $20.00, Guest = $25.00.
• Vendors to “close up shop” no later than one hour before The Society’s closing.
• The Society does not control any individual sales between people, However there is to be no display of goods without a vendor table.
• Vendor’s need to be pre-approved.

Comp Card Policy
Comp Cards are given out at the discretion of the Governance Panel and Committee Chairs, and are typically awarded for completion of 2 (two) hours of volunteer time. Comp cards must have the name of the member clearly indicated. Comp cards are NOT transferable but may be used to cover the price of admission for a guest as long as the member is physically present at the time the card is turned in.

Guest Policy
If you are looking to join the Society you will need to have a sponsor to visit your first time.

Getting a sponsor is not difficult. If you go to a local munch and meet a member of the Society, they may be willing to sponsor you. And the Society has its own munch every second Saturday from 6 to 9 PM. Its a potluck, so please bring a dish. At this potluck, you are sure to find someone that will be interested enough to sponsor you.

After your first visit, you can either still have a sponsor, or if you received a card to count your visits and Society 101 class, and you have the Society 101 class marked off, that card can act as your sponsor for subsequent visits.

If you are a card carrying member of an affiliated group. Present that card and that card will act as your Sponsor.

After you have visited the Society for at least three times as a guest, You can choose to apply to be a member. Once you complete the application, and complete a Society 101 class and finally pay the membership fee, you will then be accepted as a member

INCIDENT RESPONSE TEAM (IRT) POLICY
This policy statement is presented as a starting point for the Incident Response Team (IRT). We present it with the stipulation that this policy is just that, a starting point, and will evolve and grow with the IRT and with input from the membership.

MISSION STATEMENT:
The IRT’s mandate is to provide support and attempt conflict resolution if or when a conflict arises within the confines or between the members of the club.

IRT MAKE UP
The IRT will be comprised of an IRT Leadership team and designated IRT members. Ideally the members of the IRT will be volunteers who have an educational and professional background in Social Services, Law, Education, and/or Conflict Resolution, however not limited to just these parameters. Individuals who do not possess the appropriate background will be offered the opportunity to join the IRT and to work with a seasoned member.

The Board has agreed to provide a liaison to the IRT, in an effort to facilitate communication. This will be the Ombudsman. The purpose of the liaison would be to let the Board know that there is an ongoing investigation.

ASSIGNING IRT MEMBERS TO INVESTIGATE

IRT members must be impartial and unbiased. If there is a relationship between any parties and an IRT member, that member must recuse themselves from the investigation.

The IRT leadership would assign two IRT members to run the investigation. These members would be chosen based on the needs of the parties involved, whether cultural or gender or other basis.

Any Society member in good standing can apply to be a volunteer of the IRT Committee. Board Members can also be part of the IRT, however will recuse themselves from the consequence phase (if chosen by IRT leadership to participate in an investigation) in effort to maintain a conflict free resolution process.

HOW IS A COMPLAINT FILED?

A complaint can be filed 3 ways:
Via a dedicated email (IRT@thesocietyct.org) which will be accessible to the IRT leadership.
Via a Google Voice number which will be accessible to IRT leadership.
Members/guests can also file a complaint in person to any member of the IRT.

INVESTIGATION

In response to a complaint, the IRT Leadership will assign a team of at least two IRT members. The IRT will then respond within 7 days. The following investigation needs to be done quietly and discreetly. This team will speak with the person filing the report, and then with the person with whom the complaint is about. These meetings need to be summarized in writing by the IRT.

The IRT will work to engage in a quiet and calm discussion with each side to a conflict (separately) and attempt to bring a measure of understanding about the issue to both sides and hopefully bring about a resolution preventing any further escalation or repetition of the conflict. In general, if both sides agree to a resolution then the issue will be considered settled and the parties will agree to no further antagonism. If the parties do not agree to a peaceful settlement, then the IRT may refer the matter to the Board for further consideration and or consequences.

Any IRT investigation should be completed within a 45 day period and presented to the Board at the next available Board Meeting.

During such IRT inquiry as described above, no involved parties will be involved in active scene(s) within the organization’s property. This sanction applies to the parties filing the complaint and the parties the complaint is filed about. It does not apply to any witnesses.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO BOARD

If both sides agree to a resolution then the issue will be considered settled and the parties will agree to no further antagonism. If the parties do not agree to a peaceful settlement, then the IRT may refer the matter to the Board for further consideration or consequences

When matters are referred to the Society Board for further consideration, the IRT will present the situation in general terms, along with a report of which square on the consent table the situation/violation appears to fall, and will include any extenuating or mitigating circumstances.

The only exception regarding a referral to the Board would be in the case of a serious violation of consent, boundaries, or ethics, or a concern of a pattern and practice of repeated violations. These issues may be referred to the Board based on the decision of the IRT leadership.

BOARD CONSEQUENCES

The Society Board has developed a guideline of possible consequences for each of the 9 squares. Once the IRT has made their presentation, it is for the Board to decide a reasonable consequence. Two designated Board members will then speak and deliver the consequences.

APPEALS

Any consequences may be appealed to the membership at the following months Town Meeting. IRT will then present their summary in general terms, The Board will then present their reasoning. The appellant will then be allowed to speak their part, and then the membership will then discuss whether to uphold or change the consequence levied.

AFTER THE INVESTIGATION

Documentation gathered and kept during the conflict resolution will be deleted and shredded after the issue is resolved. The issue is considered resolved after the following months Town meeting allowing for the possibility of an appeal. Confidentiality is necessary in order to implement the IRT, and members of the IRT committee are expected to maintain strict confidentiality.

BANNING POLICY for the Society

Intent
This policy (hereinafter “the/this Society ‘Banning Policy’” is intended to serve as the process for the banning of a person from the Society. This policy is to be applied on a case-by-case basis, with consideration for the parties involved, the impact on the Society and the members of the organization.

This is implemented in providing a safe environment for all members engaged in activity within the Society’s physical structure(s).

Governance / Scope / Limitations
The Board of Directors (hereinafter the “Board” will charge an Incident Response Team (hereinafter “IRT”) to execute a quiet investigation process with findings and recommendations to be reported to the Board for immediate implementation and recording in organization corporate memory. If the investigation and recommendation suggest a ban, The Board shall then schedule a vote to revoke membership and to ban. This vote to be held at the next upcoming Town Meeting, wherein the IRT will report base details and circumstances, being sensitive to the names of members involved, so as to inform the present members so that informed vote casting can take place.

Due to the nature of this Policy as a case-by-case framework, there is no incident wherein precedent can be claimed or demanded by the organization and/or membership present and future.

Process
Upon information and belief brought to the attention of the Board by one or more members of the organization, the Board will direct the IRT, within 45 days, to collect and summarize the substance of the circumstances to determine if person(s) should be subject to banning from the organization. Collection and summary will include written statements from any claimant(s) and any other directly involved parties.

Included in the IRT summary will be, as details are provided when available, the following:
the accusations/behaviors experienced;
Dates and times of attendance/completion of Consent Class workshops;
the person’s’ knowledge and ownership of accused behaviors;
the steps made to potentially rectify the undesired behavior(s);
and the perceived discomfort level of the membership immediately prior to and after events leading to Board knowledge as described above;
past involvement in IRT management of the person(s) subject to IRT inquiry, including incidents of being placed into probationary periods and/or restorative measures; and
inclusion of any other known banning effects in-place from other venues and organizations.

During such IRT inquiry as described above, no involved parties will be involved in active scene(s) within the organization’s property. This sanction applies to the parties filing the complaint and the parties the complaint is filed about. It does not apply to any witnesses.

Existing Bans
As of December 31, 2017, there are __6__ existing bans in place, as follows:
1) Reveant_Deka, Deka
2) Tattooed Sailor
3) Sam
4) Kallel
5) unnamed local person who consistently tried to gain access.
6) Chasing Amy — Suspended until March 2022

Finality

Any person who has been banned can never become a member of the Society again. Upon realization that a banned member has somehow re-gained membership and access to the Society and/or the property, they will be immediately escorted from the structures and barred from re-entry.

A suspension may be imposed as opposed to a ban, but this would be a specified time limit.

Recordkeeping / Administrative
For the sake of privacy, parties involved will be detailed according to the names known in organization records.

This Policy will survive the renaming of the Society entity and any of its offices, agencies and/or sub-groups.

Should future banning results occur, the banned member will be listed in organization corporate memory along with those individuals as afore-stated.