§1   Name
The association's name is Tromsø BDSM, abbreviated to TBDSM. The association is independent and based in Tromsø.

§2   Purpose
TBDSM is an association whose purpose is:

§2.1   To work for a safe environment for BDSMs and fetishists where members can get together to have fun, exchange experiences and get a good basis for closer acquaintances. TBDSM shall safeguard this environment rooted in the values of discretion, security, respect and care.

§2.2   To collaborate with associations with related sexual policy goals at home and abroad.

§3  Membership

§3.1  Sign up
To become a member of TBDSM, you must be of legal age and have reached the age of 18. One can apply for membership, regardless of gender, sexual preferences, religion, and orientation. Persons convicted of sexual crimes are undesirable in the association.

§3.1.1  All applications are treated equally, and all memberships are individual.  All members must provide full name, telephone number and email address when registering. This information shall not be shared with third parties unless specifically agreed with the member. The board has a duty of confidentiality with the exception of exclusion decisions vis-à-vis other partner organizations.
 

§3.1.2  Individuals applying for membership should undergo an introductory interview, in person or digitally. This interview should incude a review of Tromsø BDSM’s values, rules, and expectations, in addition to the association’s duties and offerings to its members.

§3.2  Members are obliged to live up to the values of the association.
In BDSM relationships, an imbalance in the power relationship is common and often desired, but such an imbalance should not be abused. 

§3.2.1  The members are obliged to exercise discretion with regard to other members' identities, both internally and externally. This also applies to former members.

§3.2.2  All members are obliged to familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations for TBDSM in force at any given time. These articles of association shall be available at events and meetings under the auspices of TBDSM. It is not permitted to tell outsiders the time / place of closed meetings.

§3.2.3  It is not permitted to tell outsiders about who is attending an event or what is happening there. This applies to both open and closed meetings.

§3.2.4  There is usually a photo ban at Tromsø BDSM's events. The board can grant a dispensation from the photo ban if special reasons exist, and everyone who is photographed agrees.

§3.2.5  It is not permitted to spread malicious rumors or slander Tromsø BDSM , any of the members or others who are connected to the association, or in other ways conduct personal attacks via Tromsø BDSM's forums, on the internet or in social contexts.

§3.2.6  A participant in Tromsø BDSM's events shall in no way inflict any permanent injury or strain physically or mentally. The use of passwords / stop words must be respected. You undertake to use / listen to these at our events.

§3.3  Report
To report is to proceed with suspicion or certainty of reprehensible conditions to someone who can do something about it. Critical conditions mean breaches of Norway's laws, Tromsø BDSM's rules and regulations, or serious breaches of cultural and ethical guidelines. The violation can apply to both personal behavior, or organizational abuse committed within the framework of the association.

§3.3.1  To report is a right and a duty
Tromsø BDSM encourages everyone to report matters worthy of criticism as early as possible because it can be favorable for those involved to clean up such matters as soon as possible. Tromsø BDSM also does not benefit from the fact that criticizable conditions in the organization are kept hidden. The notifier shall not face reprisals for this.
You have a duty to report criminal matters in the organization.

§3.3.2  Shape
In its simplest form, a notice can be given orally during an event.
Notifications otherwise should be in writing and open.
Open notification will normally ensure the best procedure, and a better result for everyone involved. Who the notifier is, however, must be treated confidentially unless the notifier himself wishes to be made known.
Notifier must be given feedback on the further handling as soon as possible.

§3.3.3  Who should it be notified to?
As a starting point, simple matters must be notified to the guard or responsible for the event, or by email to the board.
The leader of the association must - without delay - be informed after receiving notice and will normally be responsible for handling, assistance or consultation.
If the notifier does not achieve a reaction, it may be required that the report be handled by the annual meeting, where the board of the cooperating association will be able to assist.

§3.4  Processing and consequences of warnings, conflicts, breaches of regulations, complaints etc.

§3.4.1  Complaints / cases must be sent to the board in writing, see notification above. Board members can also take up matters for consideration on their own initiative.

§3.4.2  Members the case concerns have the right to be made aware of it. All parties to the case have the right to present their views, orally or in writing.

§3.4.3  The board members have a duty to declare themselves incompetent in matters in which one may have special interests or is unable to be objective. These may be matters concerning close relationships or oneself.

§3.4.4  Possible consequences of violation of regulations, event rules and common practice:
Oral warning, written warning, temporary exclusion, permanent exclusion, loss of trust / suspension and / or police report. Regardless of the form of reaction, all consequences must be logged. The board assesses consistency against action, severity and frequency. Exclusion is assessed in the event of a breach of a point of discretion or opposition to the association's activities or purposes. Excluded will be registered for the duration of the exclusion. The board can also, by a simple majority, make a decision on suspension from positions in the association until the next annual meeting.

§3.4.5  Simplified processing when expelling a member
Board members or someone with the board's authority (party manager) can expel a member from any event in the event of unwanted behavior.

§3.4.6  Exclusion cases must always be dealt with by the board. The board must be full. If this is not possible even when using a deputy, or if the majority of the board is incompetent, the matter shall be dealt with by the board of one of our co-operatives. Exclusion cases shall be decided by a qualified majority.

§3.4.7  All exclusion decisions must be objectively substantiated and written justification must be sent to the excluded member upon request.

§3.4.8  The case can be resumed if new information has emerged. If not, the case can still be appealed within 4 weeks to the co-operation association, or the annual meeting if the case has already been dealt with by the co-operation association. An appeal to the annual meeting will, for reasons of discretion, normally apply to the case processing and not the case. The case itself will have to be sent from the annual meeting to the co-operation association or the new board for new consideration.  The decision is given temporary effect until otherwise decided.

§3.4.9  When the exclusion period is over or after 5 years, the person can apply for a new membership. The application must contain information about the exclusion and is processed by the board.

§3.5  Ordinary termination of membership
Membership can be canceled in writing - Paid membership fee is non-refundable.  The board may consider membership to have ceased in the event of non-payment.

§4   Annual meeting

§4.1   The annual meeting is the association's highest authority where all members with valid membership can attend. The annual meeting is quorate with the number of members who attend.

§4.2   The board is obliged to convene an ordinary annual meeting with min. 1 month notice and by the end of March.
Notice of agenda is given at least by posting on the association's website and by email to registered members.

§4.3   Any member can request an item on the agenda. Such a matter must be received by the board no later than 14 days before the meeting.  Case documents must be available to members no later than 8 days before the meeting. Only matters included in the issued agenda can be considered at the annual meeting. Matters can be rejected by the annual meeting by a simple majority.

§4.4   All members with valid membership may be represented by another member by written power of attorney to be submitted at the start of the annual meeting. Advance votes are not accepted.

§4.5   The Annual General Meeting shall be held in accordance with at least the following agenda as described below in the specified order.
The chairman of the board acts as chairman of the meeting until the annual meeting elects the chairman of the meeting.

1. Constitution of the meeting:
  - Information on the number of eligible voters / proxies
  - approval of the notice / agenda.
  - election of chair of the meeting
  election of rapporteur and 2 members to sign the minutes
  - selection of counting corps
2. The board's annual report
3. Presentation of accounts and auditor's report
  - including any decision on discharge from liability for the board.
4. Any amendments to the regulations
5. Selection of: (operating time in parentheses)
  - Chairman of the Board (2 years) or Deputy Chairman (2 years)
  - treasurer (2 years).
  - 1 board member  (1 year)
  - 1st deputy and 2nd deputy  (1 year)
  - auditor who is not a member of the board (1 year)
6. Information on work program and budget
7. Contingent
8. Any incoming cases
9. Any briefings

§4.6   Election

§4.6.1   When choosing a manager and deputy manager / treasurer, it must be alternated so that one is chosen in even numbers and the other in odd-numbered years to ensure continuity.

§4.6.2   All members with paid membership fees are eligible.

§4.6.3   It is not necessary to be present at the annual meeting to be elected, but no one can be elected to office without having said themselves willingly before the election is made.

§4.6.4   If someone present requires it, personal elections must be made in writing.

§4.7   Amendments to the regulations

§4.7.1   Amendments to the regulations are adopted by a 2/3 majority.

§4.7.2   Changes are adopted / rejected as they have been sent out.


§5   Extraordinary annual meeting

§5.1   The board is obliged to convene an extraordinary annual meeting as soon as possible with 2 weeks' notice if a majority of the board or at least 1/4 of the members so require.

§5.2   Notice shall state the reason for the notice, e.g. mistrust or urgency.

§5.3   Routines for the ordinary annual meeting are followed as far as they are appropriate - the notice specifies the agenda.

§6   The board

§6.1   TBDSM is chaired daily by a board elected by the annual meeting.

§6.2   The board constitutes itself with any guidelines given by the annual meeting. The board decides who represents the association in various contexts.

§6.3   It is the board's responsibility to ensure that the association's articles of association, purpose and guidelines are followed and, if necessary, formulate guidelines (for example party and house rules) to achieve this.

§6.4   All members must be made aware of the regulations before or in connection with registration. The regulations must be available on the website.

§6.5   The board holds meetings when necessary following a notice from the chairman. The board shall hold a meeting when one of the board members so requires. Notice of the agenda must be received by the board well in advance of the meeting. The deputy member shall also receive the notice and has a duty to attend on an equal footing with other board members

§6.6   The board's treasurer shall ensure that the auditor receives the necessary information to present an audit report well in advance of the annual meeting.

§6.7   All board decisions are recorded in the minutes.  The minutes are normally approved by the subsequent board. Information from the board is posted online after each meeting.

§6.8   Board meetings require at least 3 participants to be quorate. The board makes decisions by a simple majority. In cases where there is no majority for any alternatives, the chairman of the board is given a decisive double vote.  Deputy member has the right to speak in all board meetings. A deputy member who acts on behalf of a board member also has the right to vote. If a board meeting is not quorate, a subsequent board meeting may, if necessary, approve actions adopted in the previous one. Care must be taken when using this rule.

§6.9   Board members are obliged to inform about possible incapacity, e.g. in matters affecting family or close friends.  The majority of the board decides who is competent.

§6.10   The board can recommend to the annual meeting about free membership (honorary membership) to members who have especially deserved it.
Members who make a greater effort for an activity / party can be given free admission to that activity or party by the board.
 

§7   Property law obligations

§7.1   The chairman or the person appointed by the board can oblige the association with their signature up to NOK 8000. The board otherwise disposes of the association's funds in line with the annual plan / budget presented for the members' meeting.

§7.2   The association is liable for its obligations with its assets alone.

§7.3   The association's board does not have an independent right to raise debt on behalf of the association.

§7.4   The annual general meeting may, in specific cases, by a 3/4 majority, authorize the board to raise debt, as well as buy or sell real estate.
 

§8   Dissolution of the association

§8.1   Proposals for dissolution shall be considered at two consecutive annual meetings at least 6 weeks apart, where both times a 3/4 majority of those present is required to be valid.

§8.2   In the event of dissolution, the last annual meeting is obliged to approve the distribution of any excess funds after all debts have been settled.