Part 4: The SLSA has a Constitution?

Welcome to Part 4 of our series covering the Second Life Surfing Association (SLSA) Constitution in an on-going quest to familiarize and understand the constitution in bite-sized chunks.  Please refer to the earlier posts as this series will build on prior Parts*.

The Constitution:

1. Structure
1.1. Association Structure (covered in Part 2 of this series)
1.2. Mission Statement (covered in Part 3 of this series)
1.3. Membership
1.3.1. Membership is open to any SL resident, provided they have not previously been ejected and banned by the SLSA.
1.3.2. There are no fees for membership.
1.3.3. Termination of membership. The sitting SLSA board of Directors is granted the authority to remove any member from the SLSA in a board vote with no more than one dissenting director. The authority shall be exercised, in cases where:
1.3.3.1. the reputation and mission of the SLSA (not the board) is compromised or publically slandered or libeled,gain affiliation.
1.3.3.2. where an expulsion severity breach of the SLSA Sportsmanship code is observed and corroborated,
1.3.3.3. where an expulsion severity breach of the SLSA Event Rules is observed and corroborated,
1.3.3.4. where SLSA assets, funds or equipment are misappropriated,
1.3.3.5. where a member solicits for money or business in the SLSA Group chat or SLSA forum.
Break Down:

Membership is open to any SL resident that has not previously been ejected or banned from the Association.  We'll have to explore further to get the details on ejection and banning.  I know of one incident many years ago that resulted in a 1 year ban but are there others?

It costs nothing to join and there are no fees to remain in the group.

Termination of membership is where it gets tricky.  The Board has authority to remove any member from the Association in a Board vote with no more than one dissenting director.  So if more than one director disagrees on a membership termination, even if they are not the majority, it's a no go.  The cases this applies to are:

  • While the actual Board is specifically excluded from this section, if the reputation and mission of the SLSA is compromised or publicly "slandered or libeled".  Are there any examples where this happened in the past?  What actions would specifically "compromise" the broad mission of the SLSA?  Would unsavory behavior by a sitting Director who represents the Board constitute compromising the reputation of the SLSA?  "Compromise" is a nebulous word.  Does anyone who criticizes the SLSA or discusses areas of disagreement face the possibility of expulsion for "compromising" the SLSA's mission? 
  • Where an expulsion severity breach of the SLSA Sportsmanship code is seen and corroborated.  Where is the actual code?  Is that an addendum to the Constitution?  What would constitute "observed"?  If it's seen or known to have occurred by a number of members?  What about non-members - do they get a say if they see or suffer from a violation of this code?  Would actual evidence constitute corroboration of a code violation?
  • If SLSA assets, money or equipment are misappropriated.   Is this referring to use for something other than a direct benefit to the SLSA?  Does this include use by the sponsors?  Does this include personal use by any sitting Directors?  Would the membership list and access to send notices be considered an SLSA asset?
  • If a member solicits for money or business in group chat or on the Forum.  Does this exclude sponsors?  If so, all sponsors or just Gold level?  What about members with their own activities that have not been sanctioned by the SLSA that post in SLSA group chat?  Are activities that have been sanctioned by the SLSA allowed to use group chat?  Who monitors this?  
We'll continue to explore the SLSA Constitution for clarity and possible areas of improvement, as well as search for answers to our running questions in the upcoming text. If you have a question or an answer to any of the questions, please add it to the comments, no anonymous comments please.

Questions from Part 4:  
  • While the actual Board is specifically excluded from this section, if the reputation and mission of the SLSA is compromised or publicly "slandered or libeled".  Are there any examples where this happened in the past?  What actions would specifically "compromise" the broad mission of the SLSA?  Would unsavory behavior by a sitting Director who represents the Board constitute compromising the reputation of the SLSA?  "Compromise" is a nebulous word.  Does anyone who criticizes the SLSA or discusses areas of disagreement face the possibility of expulsion for "compromising" the SLSA's mission? 
  • Where an expulsion severity breach of the SLSA Sportsmanship code is seen and corroborated.  Where is the actual code?  Is that an addendum to the Constitution?  What would constitute observed?  If it's seen to have occurred by a number of members?  What about non-members - do they get a say if they see or suffer from a violation of this code?  Would actual evidence constitute corroboration of a code violation?
  • If SLSA assets, money or equipment are misappropriated.   Is this referring to use for something other than a direct benefit to the SLSA?  Does this include use by the sponsors?  Does this include personal use by any sitting Directors?  Would the membership list and access to send notices be considered an SLSA asset?
  • If a member solicits for money or business in group chat or on the Forum.  Does this exclude sponsors?  If so, all sponsors or just Gold level?  What about members with their own activities that have not been sanctioned by the SLSA that post in SLSA group chat?  Who monitors this?  


*This is not an SLSA sanctioned series.  SurfWatch is exploring the SLSA Constitution as a long time member, supporter, former sponsor and participant in the SLSA over the years with the goal of understanding and education.  We invite SLSA and public comment for clarity and discussion.

Previous posts in this series:
Part 1: We Have a Constitution? Take a bite of the SLSA's Constitution
Part 2: The SLSA has a Constitution?
Part 3: The SLSA has a Constitution?

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