CMG Operating Procedures (1978-2005) Background: The CMG Operating Procedures are policies, which have been adopted by the CMG January Business Meeting, The CMG Board of Directors, the Plenaries held at pre-1994 Gatherings, and by tradition passed down from Planning Committees through the years. There are three forms of policy which the CMG recognizes: Inflexible, Flexible, and Traditions Inflexible Policies are mandates to Planners, the CMG Board, and EC's. The ByLaws are inflexible, as are policies with the words "must," "shall," or simular words in the text of the policy. Flexible Policies are to be reviewed by Planners, but may be used as the Committee sees fit. Most flexible policies have the words "it is strongly recommended," or "CMG Planners are encouraged," in the text of the policy. Traditions are mostly unwritten, but time-honored procedures which are passed down throgh the years, and may be changed, or blissfully ignored by Planners. Please note that the CMG Archive is missing two important documents: the Minutes of the 1995 and 2003 January Business Meetings. Please contact the Archivist, if you locate a copy of these documents. These Operating Procedures are a continuous "work in progress." The CMG has evolved from a meeting of 15 men once a year, to three Gatherings for up to or more than 200 men, per year. This list is dedicated to the men who have made the CMG experience possible, and to the men who will continue making Gatherings possible. CMG Mission and Reference Policy Reference Policy -It is recommended that CMG Planning Committees take specific steps to facilitate an atmosphere at Gatherings that accepts and honors the sexual orientations of all participants, through the use of written language in brochures and verbal language in the Orientation Sessions at Gatherings (1999). CMG Mission (Purpose) Statement (adopted 2002) The primary mission of The California Men's Gathering (CMG) shall be to educate men about men becoming men, and to challenge them to examine their roles in society with the express intention of eradicating the fears and prejudices that separate men from other men and from women, and keep them from honoring and celebrating men and healthy masculinity in all of its diversity. Our educational mission is intended to discover and propose alternatives to practices of unhealthy competition, domination, discrimination, exploitation and violence which promote misconceptions of what it is to be masculine and which prevent men from becoming spiritually and emotionally mature and generative. The activities of The CMG, and, in particular, the community gatherings are designed to inspire creativity and to promote understanding, trust, respect, intimacy, compassion and love among men of varying sexual orientations and identities, differently-abled men, men of all races and ethnic origins, and men of varying religious traditions and spiritual practices. The primary activity of The CMG is to create gatherings in a safe and supportive environment in which men can confront, risk and experience the challenges and discomfort necessary for genuine growth, transformation and empowerment as men. Age Of Attendees (1996) Beginning with the Spring, 1996 (30th) CMG, women and minors are not allowed to attend a CMG. Men, age 18 or older, are welcome to attend a CMG. Age Enforcement (2005) To effectively enforce the CMG age policy, adopted in 1996, Planning Committees must: (1)Print this on the bottom of CMG Registration Forms: I certify that I am 18 years old, or older. (2)Determine how to enforce this policy, which may include photocopying the ID and signature of any attendee who appears to be underage. Female Facilitators at CMG's (1996) Female presenters may be invited to stay for the meal after the workshop they facilitate, but may not stay overnight at the CMG camp. Special focused Gatherings may be planned, for men/women, parent/child, people of color, men with AIDS, etc. Circle Of Concerns and Plenary at A CMG (1) There shall be a Circle of Concerns held at each CMG (1996). (2) Newcomers shall not be allowed to vote during the Plenary of their first Gathering (1996). (3) A weekend CMG shall include a safe and supportive method of receiving attendee feedback that must include a Circle of Concerns and a Plenary, which can be optional. The Plenary can be optional if the feedback process is described in the program booklet. The decision as to whether a Plenary will be scheduled is left to the discretion of the Planning Committee and/or the Circle of Concerns. If a Plenary is held, there will be a minimum of three hours between the end of the Circle of Concerns and the start of the Plenary (1991). (4) CMG Planners must provide an unconflicted one-hour period, for the Circle of Concerns, during the CMG weekend. If a Plenary is scheduled, it may begin ˝ hour past the adjournment of the Circle of Concerns(2005). (5) It is strongly recommended that the Circle of Concerns and the Plenary, if held, be attended by, at a minimum, one Planner and two executive members of the CMG Board of Directors (2001). Quick review: A one-hour Circle of Concerns must be scheduled during a CMG, in non-conflicted time. A Plenary, which is the decision-making body, that considers proposals presented at the Circle of Concerns, may be formed in accordance with #3 above. The Plenary may be held 1/2 hour after, but no later than 3 hours past the conclusion of a Circle of Concerns. Newcomers to a Plenary are not allowed to vote, but may participate in the discussions leading to a vote. Plenary desicions are made, using CMG Modified Consensus (see Modified Consensus). Budget and Seeding For CMG's (1994) A CMG Planning Committee presents a budget to the CMG Board Of Directors, early on in the planning process. Immediate needs, such as camp reservation fees, often are needed well in advance of the Gathering date. Submitting the budget, and getting it approved is done at a CMG Board Of Directors’ Meeting. The process is important, since the budget confirms that a Planning Committee is serious about creating an upcoming Gathering, and that the next CMG of the same geographic area will indeed occur. A typical CMG budget includes a number of items related to the planning process. It includes specific expenses and projected income. This is based in part, on the income and expenditures of previous CMG’s. A sample budget is included in the Documents Section. The CMG allots $7,000 to each Planning Committee, as “seed money” that is to be accounted for, in the Budget. A Planning Committee has its own bank account, and is responsible for the fiscal needs of its Gathering. The seed money is deducted from the total income, at the end of the gathering, and is kept in the bank account, ready for the next CMG Planning Committee, of the same region, during the coming year. Planners are reminded that the CMG Board encourages each Planning Committee to “break even.” Often, an “excess” (profit) is gained from especially popular Gatherings. Keep in mind that the quality of the CMG and the benefits the attendees gain from the Gathering, is far more important than excess income. Notes: All seeded money, plus any excess, must be returned to the Board Treasurer, no later than 90 days past the closing ceremony date of a CMG. A full accounting report must be submitted with the return of seeded money. Capital Expenses (1991) No entity of the CMG may incur a capital expense (the purchase of an item that will survive the committee or event) of more than $500.00 without the prior approval of the CMG Board of Directors. Modified Consensus and Decision-Making (1996) Background: The CMG has held a long-standing tradition of using consensus, to make decisions in Plenaries, and most recently, January Business Meetings, and CMG Board of Directors' Meetings. Consensus works when all are in agreement, and it allows one man's disagreement about an issue to count. Consensus means that everyone in the meeting agrees to a particular measure, and the measure does not become effective without 100% consensus. This has led to lengthy meetings, in which compromise and debate about one item may take more than a reasonable amount of time. So the CMG Members and Board Members devised "Modified Consensus." Over the years, this form of consensus has worked well, though it is not flawless. At a JBM (as well as Plenary and CMG Board Meeting), a member may block a proposal. The blocker(s) must offer a counter-proposal within 24 hours (one hour for Plenaries). If agreement can be reached, the agreed-upon proposal is adopted. If no consensus is reached, then if the original vote was at least 75% yes/25% no (abstentions not counted), the block is overturned. At CMG Plenaries, the blocker(s) would only have an additional hour of "conflicted" time to come up with an alternative proposal; otherwise, it follows the above model.It is noted that to block means "I can not live with this," and not "I disagree." Multiple blocks on the same proposal are a bit more complicated. Most often, when more than two (or more) Members of the voting body have a block counter-proposal to be considered, the moderator can ask for the "blockers" to consider combining the simular aspects of the two counter-proposals. The moderator can determine which blocked counterproposal has more merit, and thus the first vote from the Members. Upon the defeat of the first counterproposal, the second counterproposal can be considered and voted upon, using the method indicated above, to determine the outcome. If neither counterproposal gains sufficient support, the original proposal is adopted, provided a 75% "Yes" vote was originally tallied. Drug and Alcohol Policy Attendees to CMG's and other CMG-sponsored activities may not use recreational drugs or drink alcohol, during the event (1999). Planners are empowered to immediately expel anyone caught using drugs or drinking alcohol, and offer no refund to such an individual. This policy applies to all CMG events (LTPC, Gatherings, Potlucks, and Meetings of the Board and Members). All promotional materials for any CMG function (including, but not limited to, Gatherings, LTPC events, Members' and CMG Board Meetings), shall include the following statement: "All CMG Functions are Alcohol and Drug-Free" (1999). The CMG prohibits the use of all alcohol and recreational drugs at its Gatherings, Board Meetings, Planning Meetings, and Events Committee meetings. This policy will be printed in all promotional and advertising materials regarding the events listed above (2001). The CMG also prohibits the use of recreational drugs at any EC event it's associated with. Alcohol may be acceptable at some of its EC functions, such as potlucks or dining out events; however, it may be prohibited at the discretion of event planners or potluck host(s). If the use of alcohol is prohibited at a potluck, etc., it must be clearly stated in the promotional materials (2001). CMG Officers (1) Data Diva -A Data Diva, a volunteer to keep our data base updated, shall be selected.(1996) Note: In 1997, this volunteer position became recognized as a Board Officer. -The Data Diva will submit all requests for the CMG "Outside" Mailing List to the Board of Directors for approval. The CMG Board is authorized to charge up to $50.00 for the use of this list.(1999) On-Line Registration (2004) It is noted that the men who attend the CMG predominately access CMG information via our website. The repository for our attendees contact information is also web-based. The CMG shall create a user-friendly online registration and payment system that will also update the CMG database and provide the reports the registrars require in producing their event. For 2004, a budget of $2,500 will be allocated, with the following understandings: (1) The Database Manager supervises the project, and goes to the BOD for approval of expenditures. (2) Programming specifications are to be written by someone other than the database manager (but with his input). (3) Draft specs are to be passed by the 49th, 50th, and 51st registrars for their input. (4) Specs are to be shopped, to get CMG the most for its money. (5) The ultimate goal is to produce a system that we can modify as needed, that will serve out needs for many years. (6) The Director of Communications shall be responsible for ensuring that paper notices are sent to CMG’ers without computers. (2) CMG Archivist (2000) The position of CMG Archivist shall be added as a non-voting position to the CMG Board of Directors. The Archivist shall provide a line-item budget, for the CMG Board to approve, for the purpose of duplicating, packing, and storing of archival materials. The Archivist shall provide two roles; keeping original and digital records of CMG meetings, and important documents, and to educate CMG attendees of the history of the CMG. In addition, a special webpage will be designed, for showing historical memorabilia (photos and other public documents of past CMG's). In November, 2001, the Archivist and the CMG Board finalized the "Duties of the CMG Archivist." This description of responsibility is still in effect. -CMG Archive Roadshow In 2001, the first CMG Archive Roadshow was unveiled, at the 42nd CMG, at the Fall Gathering, in Julian. The Archive Roadshow has since travelled to all but the 45th CMG. The display was redesigned in time for the 25th Anniversary of the CMG (2003). Planners are encouraged to provide space for the Roadshow, in a prominent destination, typically where most of the attendees pass through, such as outside the Assembly Hall, or near the Dining Room. It is necessary that the Roadshow be placed indoors, since the displays are fragile and easily toppled by wind, and can suffer water damage. Contact the Archivist for details related to the CMG Archive Roadshow. The CMG Archivist shall periodically encourage historical items relevant to the Archive, to be donated to the CMG. It will be the Archivist’s responsibility to review the donated material(s) and accept or reject the offered item(s). (2004) (3) CMG Webmaster (1997) The first website for the CMG was designed (1997), and approved by the Board of Directors. Since that time, the CMG.org website was moved to its current server (2000). Plans are underway to improve the website, by offering on-line registration, and other features. The CMG Webmaster is a non-voting officer of the CMG Board Of Directors. He currently serves in communication with both the Director of Communications and the Data Diva, as well as others who serve on the CMG Board. (4) Director of Communications (2004) The CMG Board of Directors shall create a Board-appointed position called Director of Communications (DOC). This newly-created position will assume certain duties previously assigned to the Vice President. The Director of Communications will chair a marketing and outreach committee, which will include the Board Representative from each Planning Committee and Events Committee, to address diversity, relationship-building, new membership and promotional needs. Additionally, this position will replace the current NewsInk editor as an appointed, non-voting member of the CMG BOD. The duties of the DOC include both internal and external communications. Examples of internal communications would be leadership conferences, working with the CMG leadership, monitoring leadership, transition of leadership and facilitating communications throughout the CMG communicating network. In this capacity, the DOC will interface with the existing appointed officers. External communications will include outreach, diversity, and promotions (e.g., E-Notify and NewsyMale). The Director of Communications, at the directions of the CMG BOD, shall research and enact a Planned Giving Program, so that CMG Members can support the CMG. Gatherings recently overseen by the DOC: Adventure Communities (2004, after the 49th and 50th CMG's) Visioning Gathering (2005, after the 52nd CMG) (5)CMG Board Representatives (2005) CMG Planning Committees (PC’s) and Events Committees (EC’s) may select one of their members to represent their committee to the CMG Board of Directors. In addition, a second “deputy” can be chosen, to represent the committee, in the Board Representative’s absence. CMG Members, at a CMG January Business Meeting may determine whether any newly-formed planning committee, shall have representation at the Board of Directors’ Meetings. Representative Members of CMG PC’s or EC’s, or any newly-formed committee, shall hold office until: -A succeeding PC or EC has designated a new Board Representative. -The current Board Representative resigns, is replaced, or dies. -The PC or EC has been disbanded, or is combined with another PC or EC. -CMG Members, at a January Business Meeting, have determined that representation is no longer needed. Diversity of Men at A CMG (1) Planning Committees are challenged to include and encourage dialogue between men of color, young men, elders, and other under-represented groups (1997). (2) The CMG will encourage, actively solicit, and intentionally outreach to bring men of all colors together at all CMG events, on all Planning Committees, and its Board Of Directors. The CMG will increase this effort, during Gatherings and throughout the year. The CMG will assist in breaking the barriers that exist in society, will provide a space for healing our racial boundaries, and will provide an opportunity to challenge racism. It is also believed that ideally the Gatherings, the CMG Board Of Directors, and all of the CMG Planning Committees shall reflect the same ethnic diversity as the State of California. IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT: •During each Gathering, at least one specific culturally-informed Community Gathering or event will be created that ensures a participatory, experiential, and educational opportunity for the cross-cultural exchange and the exploration of the differences that separate us. •The CMG EC's and CMG PC's will identify and perform direct outreach to communities of color. •This outreach process will include information to men of color about the availability of financial assistance. A number of spaces will be reserved to enable specially-recruited men to attend each Gathering as long as these registrations are received by two weeks prior to a CMG. •The CMG Planning Committees will create themes that encourage a diverse forum and that lend themselves to a diversity of food, dance, and entertainment. •Support Groups for men of color and their friends will be encouraged to form at all Gatherings. •The Buddy Program and other mentoring efforts directed towards first-time attendees will be sensitive to and address those issues that men of color face in a Gathering (1999). Community Outreach Committees (Now designated as "Events Committees," or "EC's") The CMG Members authorize the creation of committees to create an ongoing outreach program in specific regions of California. These committees shall be responsible to: (1) Develop and publicize ongoing events in the committee's region (Examples: potlucks, dances, workshops, support groups, & rap groups), for CMG attendees and their guests. The events planned by the committee may also include sponsoring programs developed by other men's groups. (2) Research, create, and distribute a list of acceptable sites for all-weekend CMG events in the committee's region. (3) Promote and advertize CMG activities, including a CMG presence at gay pride festivals and through a speaker's bureau, in the committee's region. A "Committee's Region" is defined as any metropolitan or geographic area in the state of California (Examples: San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Far North), in which the majority of committee members live, and where most of the aforementioned events will take place. CMG Community Outreach Committees shall initially be formed at the 30th and 31st CMG's, which are held in Malibu (S. CA), and Enchanted Hills (N. CA.), in 1997 respectively. These committees will continue on a year-round basis, or until the committee is disbanded. New members may join the committee at any time. A CMG Community Outreach Committee ("COC") shall be made up of no less than 2 past CMG Planners; others in the COC are attendees from past CMG's. All COC members are volunteers. In 1999, the Community Outreach Committees became LTPC's, or "Long Term Planning Committees." In 2004, the name changed to "Events Committees," or EC's. EC's are to be designated in all CMG literature and documents in this manner: "EC-(name of city or region)." There is no limit to the number of letters in a city or region's abbreviation, but EC Members are asked to be terse. To this date, we have four EC's recognized by the Board of Directors: EC-SD (San Diego), EC-LA (Los Angeles); EC-SF (San Francisco), and EC-SAC (Sacramento). A new desert-based EC is scheduled to meet Board approval. In 2000, an "LTPC" Manual was adopted, by the Board of Directors. It has since seen several revisions, and the 2005 edition is currently available. EC's are no longer responsible for finding camp locations, though they may be asked to assist PC's in their local area, to help find suitable locations for a CMG. Financial Assistance (FA) (1995) In a long-standing tradition, prior to the CMG becoming incorporated, financial assistance has been offered to men unable to pay the lowest fee on a CMG sliding scale. To offset any imbalance in costs, Planners offer financial aid in the form of offering the "camp cost," or the minimal acceptable fee, to men who request financial assistance. Financial assistance money comes from a few sources, such as donations to Financial Aid, and by excess income from CMG's. Fund-raising has also benefitted FA accounts. Some Planning Committes may have an abundance of FA money to offer, while there may be "droughts" of FA funds available, to other Planning Committees. Planners are encouraged to offer FA to underserved populations of men, such as men of color, heterosexual men, or other underserved communities of men. FA is typically offered to low-income men, or men who have had a recent "financial disaster." First-timers may also qualify for FA. Typically, those who ask for FA are offered some sort of assistance. A Planning Committee is allowed to determine the qualifications for a FA recipient, and the amount of FA that can be granted to each qualifying recipient. Planners must provide the method of application for FA, in the invitation, and on the website promotion for a Gathering or EC event. Planners are encouraged to process FA applications in a timely manner. CMG Planner's Manual (1997) The CMG Planners' Manual, and any other printed materials to guide Planners, shall be copied and made available to a CMG Planning Committee, a COC, and Planners of "Mini" CMG's. It shall be improved, provide explicit details, and shall be updated regularly, based on feedback from Planners. The Manual shall also contain the CMG ByLaws, as well as current CMG Policies which concern the Planning of a CMG, and other important documents. CMG Planning Committees may consider designating a Planner to keep the binder during the Planning Committee's term. This person then passes the binder on to the next Planning Committee. The Vice-President of the CMG Board shall be responsible to oversee the process of revision, copying, and distribution of these binders. The contents of the Manual shall also be copied to digital form, and made available via the CMG Website. This guide reflects the mission of CMG Planners, and includes CMG traditions, requirements for Planners (such as “boilerplate” statements), and aspects of a CMG a Planning Committee is free to decide upon (theme, workshop selection, program structure of a gathering, etc.). In addition, helpful tips from Past Planners, and a list of recent policy changes shall be included. (1998) CMG Mailing List Policies -In order to reduce the cost of mailing the CMG Newsletter, and to reduce return postage costs, the CMG mailing list shall be pruned, effective after the Spring, 1998 "NewsInk"is mailed. Men who have not attended a CMG during the past two years will be deleted from the current mailing list. Men, who remain on the list, and those who attend at least one CMG after the list is trimmed, will remain on the mailing list for four more years(1998). -The following statement shall be printed in CMG Program Booklets and on the address list provided to CMG attendees: "For Personal Use Only. This list is to facilitate personal contact between attendees. Use of this list for solicitation of any kind is forbidden." (1999) -It is strongly recommended that an announcement is made at all Gatherings, to remind attendees of the appropriate use of the Attendees' Address List, and the CMG Mailing List.(1999) -Any abuse of the Attendees' Address List or the CMG Mailing List, including Email SPAM, shall be reported to the CMG Board of Directors. The CMG Board is authorized to take any action necessary, up to and including exclusion from being admitted to future CMG or EC events.(1999) -The CMG Board of Directors shall start enforcing the current mailing list policy. The policy and its enforcement shall also include EC’s which use the “CMG Enotify” web service (2005). Orientation For Newcomers -Orientation Script (1996) An orientation "script" is to be included in materials mailed out to registrants (confirmation letter or pre-gathering packet), and is to be printed in the program booklet. All attendees are required to attend an orientation session, or shall sign a document that the attendee agrees to the points covered by the orientation session, and shall attend an orientation session, which is held during the first workshop time slot. The orientation shall include these items: 1. A differentiation between and private displays of affection. 2. Sex areas, nudity areas, and massage areas shall all be clearly deliniated, pertaining to each Gathering. Also, include the concept that there is no true privacy here, the entire camp is public space. 3. The CMG is a safe, "sacred" space. Physical and psychological safety is necessary, to encourage personal growth and affirmation, during a CMG. 4. Individuals are encouraged to be responsible for their own safety and protection. There are no "sex police" at a CMG. The CMG recommends that Planning Committees institute a one-on-one buddy system made up of past CMG attendees and CMG newcomers. A newcomer will be assigned to a past-CMG attendee. The past-CMG'er assigned to a newcomer is asked to orient the newcomer to the CMG, and to provide support to the newcomer during the course of the CMG.(1997) Purpose: To provide a safe and welcoming environment for all CMG attendees (2001) There will be a separate first-timer orientation on or before the first evening of each gathering with the goal of having most first-timers attend. Suggested topics could include: Guidelines for respecting boundaries, e.g., hugging, nudity; CMG Traditions, e.g., twinkling, "Pass the shush;" Using "I" statements; Sexual behavior discussion including intimacy locations and safer sex practices; How to "Do" a CMG, e.g., going off schedule, stretching self; Expectations for personal growth, e.g., involvement; Governance, i.e., the Circle of Concerns and Plenary; Emergency planning, e.g., hazards, assembling points; Housing and facilities problems; Drug, alcohol, tobacco and photographic policies. Prior methodologies to consider: Buddy System: personal, one-to-one contact; pre-gathering contact best, geographic matching best; Support Groups: by interest, demographics; Heart Circles; Ceremony making first-timers part of the tribe. The CMG Vice-President will supervise this policy through coordinating with the Planning Committee. Meeting Minutes and Other Records -Meeting Minutes from all Planning Committees shall be mailed to each CMG Board Member, and to all Board Reps. The Minutes shall be mailed within 30 days after each scheduled meeting. E-mail posting of the Minutes may be made to Board members who have E-mail addresses (1997). -Records Management (2002) Once a Gathering is over, the records of that Gathering, including invoices, receipts, etc., will be passon to the Board for retention by the Treasurer or Archivist. The next local PC will be given the relevant banking materials (checkbook, ATM deposit cards, etc.), a list of major vendor contacts used (copies of invoices listing actual products purchased, may be the best way to do this). and a copy of the final budget with actual figures to aid in planning the next Gathering. -All minutes from any CMG activity which generates minutes shall be presented to the Archivist in electronic form (2001). -Meeting Minute Format (2005) Planners are strongly encouraged to adopt these simple Minutes procedures. --Meeting Minutes Format In order to efficiently process, record, store, and retransmit Meeting Minutes, the Secretary recommends that "minute-takers" adopt a common format for Meeting Minutes, which are produced by the JBM, The CMG Board, Planning Committees and Events Committees. Meeting Minutes shall be taken at each JBM, CMG Board, PC and EC meeting, and then shall be distributed, via email attachment, to everyone who is currently an officer, an elected Director, or an appointed Board Rep., with the CMG Board of Directors. It is requested that two versions, one in MS Word, and one in plain text, be used, for all Minutes, so that all Board Members are able to open, read, and save the Minutes. The plain text version may be pasted into the "body" of the email message. Meeting Minutes shall be posted or sent by snail mail, preferably no later than after the meeting in which the Minutes were approved by the PC, EC, or other Board-recognized committee. So that it's simple for a note taker to remember, PC's are reminded to provide the CMG ID #, and both EC's and PC's provide the location of the PC or EC, and date of the meeting, as well as time the meeting began and was adjourned, at the top of the Minutes. Following this information, include the names of the meeting's facilitator, note taker, time keeper, treasurer, etc, and the names of voting members, and visitors to the meeting. -------------------------- Example: Meeting Minutes of the 106th CMG, InyoKern, CA, 3-26-15 Meeting called to order 7:30 PM, Adjourned 10:00 PM Faciltator, Joe Smith; Note Taker, Barney Rubble; Timekeeper, "Howie" Howard Johnson; Treasurer, Bill Money, Board Rep., Vladimir Scherzo. Attendees: Joe Smith, Barney Rubble, Howard Johnson, Bill Money, Vladimir Scherzo, Jimmy Hoffa, Fred Flintstone, George Jetson, Donald Duck, William Manson, Manyon Flotsam, Ed Canyon, Abe Lincoln, Max Carbunkle, and Rolf Matilda. Two non-voting visitors, Patrick Swayze and Rudolph Nureyev, were also present. -------------------------- After this, all business that was considered, discussed, or voted on, can be presented. A common format is to use proposal title, name of the presenter, notice of whether a vote was called for, and the outcome of the vote, followed by details of the proposal, and any further notes about discussions, etc. -------------------------- Example: New Business Lollipops In Workshops (presented by Rolf Matilda) Vote: 12 Yes, 4 No, 0 Abstain (This proposal passes). It is proposed that lollipops, in a variety of flavors, be distributed by workshop leaders, to all who attend a workshop. $50 will be added to the budget, listed as a "workshop supply," to cover the cost of lollipops. The original proposal, calling for strawberry lollipops to be the sole flavor, was blocked, and a revision, to include all flavors, was considered. Despite the pleas of the presenter, and others who favored strawberry lollipops, the counter-proposal was adopted. -------------------------- It is requested that E-mail which contains Meeting Minutes have this information in the subject header: CMG ID #, Date of Meeting, and Meeting Title, so that the email can be processed, stored, and retrieved efficiently. (Example: 54thCMG_01-23-05_PCMeeting, or CMG_ECSF_Meeting_4-12-05). Photography and Video Production Policy Photographs and videos may not be taken without the explicit permission of those being photographed. This includes identifiable man in the background of the picture. Photographs or videos taken at a CMG may not be published in a Newsink, on the Internet, or in any other medium without the written permission of those in the photograph or video. The Planning Committee is strongly discouraged from restricting when and where photos and videos may be taken. Invitation to the Gathering Background: Planners may freely design a brochure, a logo, a webpage, and other materials which promote the Gathering. Brochures, themes, and logos have been a long-standing, most often colorful tradition of the CMG. In the recent past, the registration forms have become uniform, along with signature "lines." These are the requirements for registration forms: Opt-Out (2001) All registration form yes/no questions that ask whether or not an applicant wants to be included or excluded from a particular category or group of men, shall be worded in such a way that a "yes" is an opt-out decision, for example: --- I do not want to be included on the roster of attendees instead of --- I want to be included . . . Registration Form Notice (2001) The following will be on the registration form for CMGs: Our goal at the CMG is to provide a safe, supportive atmosphere for all men. By attending the gathering, I agree to the following: (1) I will not use alcohol or recreational drugs nor will I bring weapons to the CMG. (2) I will only take photographs of men who have given me permission and will obtain written permission from the subjects before posting them on the Internet or publishing them. (3) I will only use the CMG address and e-mail roster for personal use. The CMG Attendee Agreement can be accepted at the Gathering if the participant did not sign the registraion form when submitted (2002). Storage Facilities (2005) -The CMG shall grant rental money, for adequate storage space for large items, signs, tents, sound apparatus, Pride festival booth supplies, and other items. Storage spaces may be located in any city in which a CMG PC or an EC exist. EC's and PC's which are in the same metropolitan area share the expenses of a common storage facility. When an EC or a PC is the sole representative of a local area, the cost of storage will be borne by that Committee alone. -Disposal of Stored Items (2004) Materials stored by a Planning Committee or Events Committee can dispose of such property any way they see fit; property valued over $250 or greater, shall require BOD approval for disposal. Any money collected from the sale of stored items shall be returned to the current respective PC or EC. Sex Spaces and Sexuality at The CMG (Revised 2004) Planners are strongly recommended to provide a space for sexual expression, at each Gathering. In the past, the space has been outdoors, in tents, or in unheated spaces, or indoors, in a space dedicated to sexual activities. Planners are encouraged to provide condoms, lube, and "safe sex" literature, in or near the Sex Space. Planners are also encouraged to designate the sex space(s) on the camp map in the program booklet, and to place a sign on the door (or tent flap) indicating that the room (or tent) is reserved for sexual expression.