Rules and Etiquette
CANS caters to the gay, bi and questioning men of the greater Chicagoland area who enjoy nudism as a way of life in a social, recreational, and non-sexual context. As a social nudist group, members are expected to be nude at all CANS gatherings. Clothing like caps, socks or shoes that protect against sun damage or from cold is always appropriate.
CANS Events
CANS parties, get-togethers, gatherings, outings, etc. are the main focus of the group’s activities. Events are held in members’ homes and in venues rented by CANS.
Members learn about and RSVP to events on the CANS Meetup.com website. Although CANS events may also be announced on our website (CANSguys.org) and on our private Facebook page, events requiring an RSVP must be accessed from our Meetup.com page.
CANS has the following expectations for our members’ behavior before and at CANS events.
• Always RSVP when requested to do so. If you RSPV and are unable to attend, please cancel your RSVP on our Meetup.com page so that wait-listed members can attend.
• If you bring a non-member guest, bringing a guest, you should arrive together, and you are responsible for ensuring that your guest understands and accepts the CANS rules of behavior.
• Always bring and sit upon your own towel. Do not place your bare body in contact with furniture or upholstery.
• For reasons of hygiene and sensitivity to allergies, please arrive bathed and do not wear cologne or fragrant lotions.
• Overindulgence in alcohol and use of illegal drugs at CANS events are prohibited.
• Smoking is permitted only if permitted by the host in a designated area where non-smokers will not be affected.
• Please respect the host's property.
• During the official hours of a CANS event, overt sexual or erotic expressions are not allowed at any home or indoor locations. For outdoor events, this rule applies to all congregating areas.
• Touching, caressing, hugging, kissing, and certain other potentially erotic activities are considered natural expressions of affection. Spontaneous erections are natural expressions of sexuality as may be experienced by healthy men in a context of social nudity. As long as no attention is drawn to such occurrences, this does not violate the CANS’ “Rules and Etiquette”.
• Neither CANS, nor the host, is responsible or liable for loss of any personal items. When attending CANS events, members may want to bring a gym bag or similar container (with lock, if you wish) for clothing and personal articles. Please leave valuables at home or locked in your car.
• Photographs are not to be taken during any CANS function, unless otherwise approved by the Executive Committee, hosts, and/or members. Photographers must obtain a release from members for all photos intended for posting or publication.
Other Matters
• CANS is a volunteer organization, and the success of CANS depends on an active membership. From time to time CANS may need assistance from the membership in a variety of tasks. Members are expected to identify themselves as a resource and be of assistance for events and other activities provided by the club.
• All personal information a member provides CANS regarded as confidential.
• CANS functions hosted by a member should place a minimal financial burden on the host(s) and on the club treasury. If providing refreshments, the host will be reimbursed for those expenses, not to exceed ten times the event entry contribution. After an event, the host will request reimbursement by submitting receipts to the treasurer or another person appointed by the Executive Committee. CANS retains any remaining funds after the reimbursement. Additional funds may be made available to the host at the discretion of the officers.
Reimbursement of Expenses
• CANS functions hosted by a member should place a minimal financial burden on the host(s) and on the club treasury.
• If providing refreshments, the host will be reimbursed for those expenses, not to exceed 40% of the total amount of paid reservations for the event. After an event, the host will request reimbursement by submitting receipts to the CANS Treasurer or another person appointed by the Executive Committee. CANS retains any remaining funds after the reimbursement.
• Prior to the event, the host may submit for consideration by the CANS Executive Committee a request for a different reimbursement arrangement.
Violations
• If any CANS member observes a situation which violates CANS’ “Rules and Etiquette,” the member should voice his concern to the participant(s). If this does not resolve the issue, the member should advise the host(s) or an Executive Committee member. The host(s) and the Executive Committee reserve the right to ask anyone to leave the event for misconduct in violation of the “Rules and Etiquette” or any other inappropriate or illegal activities.
• In accordance with the CANS By-Laws, the Executive Committee reserves the right to suspend or terminate the membership of anyone who violates the CANS “Rules and Etiquette.”
Adopted 2014
Chicago Area Naturist Sons (CANS)
First Approved by the Membership on March 1, 2014
Amended 07-12-15, 02-20-16 and 08-07-21
Articles of Association
Article I: Name
The name of this organization is Chicago Area Naturist Sons, abbreviated as CANS.
Article II: Purpose
2.1
2.2
The Purpose of CANS is to provide an outlet for social and recreational nudity in a non-sexual context among gay, bisexual, questioning or affirming men in the Chicagoland area.
CANS will not discriminate based on age, race, skin color, creed, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or physical appearance.
Article III: Membership
Any male age 21 or over is eligible for membership in CANS.
Membership may be initiated by a) submission of name and email address at the CANS website, email list or to the Executive Committee, or b) joining via meetup.com or other social media sites selected by the Executive Committee.
Suspension and revocation of membership: The Executive Committee may suspend or revoke the membership of any member for good cause, which may include violation of the Acticles of Association, "Rules and Etiquette," or other conduct harmful to the interests of CANS and its members.
3.1
3.2
3.3
In cases of alleged violations, the Secretary/Treasurer will issue a written or electronic notice to the alleged offender with specified reasons and notice of the appeal process. The notice will contain the names of the Executive Committee.
The alleged offender may file a written or electronic appeal with the Executive Committee within fifteen (15) days after the date of notice. The Executive Committee will respond in writing within thirty (30) days after the appeal date, to either sustain or revoke membership and state its reasons.
If the alleged offender declines to appeal the charges, membership is automatically suspended.
3.3.1
3.3.2
3.3.3
Article IV: Executive Committee
4.1
4.2
The Executive Committee (hereafter referred to as the EC) is comprised of three elected officials: President, Secretary/Treasurer and Program Coordinator.
DESIGNATION AND DUTIES OF THE EC MEMBERS: The respective duties of the EC members consist of the following:
4.2.1
4.2.2
4.2.3
President: The President shall preside over all meetings and shall have overall responsibility for the affairs of CANS, including representation of the organization to the public. The President may have other responsibilities as determined by the EC.
Secretary/Treasurer: The Secretary/Treasurer shall maintain minutes of all CANS meetings and the financial records and transactions of CANS. The Secretary/Treasurer may have other responsibilities as determined by the EC.
Program Coordinator: The Program Coordinator shall publicize and provide overall management of CANS events and maintain the membership roster in a database. The Program Coordinator may have other responsibilities as determined by the EC.
4.3
4.4
4.5
VACANCIES: In the event of inactivity, resignation or suspension of an EC member, the remaining members of the EC may appoint a replacement to serve until the next regularly scheduled election. If the office of President becomes vacant, the Program Coordinator shall serve as Acting President until the next regularly scheduled election, or at a special election called by the remaining members of the Executive Committee. A special election requires a 30-day advance notice to the membership.
The EC shall have access to the CANS’ member database, social media sites, website and financial accounts at all times.
The EC may solicit and appoint active members to serve on special long or short term assignments.
The duties will end when the tasks are completed or by directive of the EC.
Section V: Election of Officers and Terms of Office
The nomination and election of EC members shall occur at the Annual Meeting. Any member of CANS is eligible to serve on the EC. Candidates are nominated from the floor and voting is by voice vote.
Terms of office are for two years and shall begin upon adjournment of the annual meeting. No officer may serve more than two consecutive terms in the same position on the EC.
Candidates receiving a simple majority of votes of members present are elected to the respective positions. A runoff election will occur for each position until one candidate receives a simple majority of votes. For unfilled positions; the position is considered vacant and shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the EC. If no members agree to be appointed, the remaining EC members shall decide how to manage the responsibilities of the vacant position until it can be filled by appointment. The appointment term will end when a candidate is elected at the annual meeting. If the member filling the appointment agrees to run for the office and is elected, the term of the appointment will not count against the two consecutive elected terms.
VACANCIES: In the event of inactivity, resignation or suspension of an EC member, the remaining members of the EC may appoint a replacement to serve until the next regularly scheduled election. If the office of President becomes vacant, the Program Coordinator shall serve as Acting President until the next regularly scheduled election, or at a special election called by the remaining members of the Executive Committee. A special election requires a 30-day advance notice to the membership.
Members of the EC may be removed from office for failing to fulfill the duties of the office or for “good cause” with a simple majority vote of members at a special open meeting called for this purpose. A minimum of 10 members are needed to request a meeting for this purpose. In the event an EC member is removed, a successor may be elected at this time.
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
Section VI: Meetings
ANNUAL MEETING: An open Annual Meeting shall be held in the first three months of each calendar year at a date, place and time decided upon by the EC. The Annual Meeting shall be used to review and evaluate the past year's activities, to formulate ideas for the coming year, get the financial report, to elect the EC and to conduct any other necessary business.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS: The EC shall meet in person or via conferencing technology at least quarterly to conduct the organization’s business. In addition to the Annual Meeting, the EC will conduct an open meeting at least twice yearly at a date, place and time announced to the membership by the President.
OTHER MEETINGS: The EC may call other meetings as the need arises. The EC may call emergency or “closed” meetings (or sessions) at any time for urgent and/or sensitive matters.
NOTICE: Notice for all open meetings shall be sent electronically to the membership at least 15 calendar days in advance.
QUORUM: A quorum must be present at all meetings where decisions are taken. For membership meetings, a quorum is defined as a body comprised of at least one EC member and at least 10 other members. For EC meetings, a quorum is defined as a simple majority of the EC.
MEETING FORMAT: All meetings that require formal decisions shall be conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order. The President shall function as, or shall appoint, the Parliamentarian.
MINUTES: Minutes shall be kept for the Annual meeting and all meetings of the Executive Committee as described in 6.2 and 6.3. Minutes and reports will be available on the CANS website.
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
Article VII: Rules and Etiquette
7.1
7.2
All participants at CANS events will adhere to CANS’ “Rules and Etiquette.”
Proposed changes to the "Rules and Etiquette" shall be presented to the membership at the annual or a special meeting called for this purpose and shall be ratified with a simple majority vote of members present.
Article VIII: Finances
CHECKING ACCOUNT: CANS will maintain a checking account over which the President and Secretary/Treasurer have signature authority. Both authorized signatures are required for all checks written for more than $100. Monies collected from or on behalf of CANS shall be deposited promptly to this checking account.
PETTY CASH: The Secretary/ Treasurer may maintain a petty cash fund of no more than one hundred dollars ($100).
MEMBERSHIP DUES: In lieu of membership dues CANS is self-supported by event fees for most activities or by special fund raising.
8.1
8.2
8.3
Article IX: Amendments
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
Proposed amendments to the By-Laws shall be reviewed and approved by the EC prior to submission to the membership for ratification.
Amendments approved by the EC shall be submitted to the membership at least 15 days prior to a vote.
Ratification of amendments to the By-Laws requires a simple majority vote in the affirmative of the membership voting at the Annual meeting or at an open meeting called for this purpose.
Amendments to the By-Laws may be voted upon as a block or individually.
Article X: Fiscal Year
CANS’s fiscal year shall be January 1 through December 31 of each year. All minute books, correspondence and other records of CANS shall be preserved by the Officers. Records that have ceased to be of use for the conduct of the affairs of CANS may be turned over for preservation to a depository designated by it, or discarded.
10.1
Article XI: Accounting and Records
11.1
CANS’s fiscal year shall be January 1 through December 31 of each year. All minute books, correspondence and other records of CANS shall be preserved the Officers. Records that have ceased to be of use for the conduct of the affairs of CANS may be turned over for preservation to a depository designated by it, or discarded.