:: What is the Spokane Fan Force? ::

The Fan Force is the physical, grass-roots extension of theforce.net's global online presence. We're about getting fans together and helping them meet and interact with other fans in the Spokane and Coeur d'Alene areas. Conventions, movie screenings, book signings, gaming clubs, kids clubs, costuming clubs, charity events, etc., are all a part of the Fan Force experience. Star Wars isn't over! It lives on in its fans and their fandom. The Spokantina holds regular bi-weekly meetings, come join us!

:: How do I join? ::

Joining our Fan Force is simple! Just click on the "Forums" link, register an account at TheForce.net, and come introduce yourself! The Spokane, Washington Fan Force chapter is always looking for new members, What are you waiting for?

The Official By-Laws of The Spokantina
Spokane's Chapter of the Star Wars FanForce
BY-LAWS

Article I. Name
The name of this organization shall be The Spokantina.

Article II. Purpose

The Spokantina is an official Star Wars FanForce Chapter through theforce.net made up of people who enjoy the Star Wars films and their various spin-offs. The Spokantina was created in order to give Star Wars fans in the Spokane area a chance to socialize and engage in activities such as collecting expeditions, movie outings, game nights, costuming, props, conventions, expanding our knowledge of the Star Wars Universe, participating in charitable volunteer efforts, and to encourage the next generation of Star Wars fans. The group was brought together through their love of everything Star Wars. Since we are an internet based group, most of our communication is done through our message forum on theforce.net.

Article III. Policies

• The Spokantina is not affiliated in any way with Lucasfilm, Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
• The Spokantina holds a strict policy on discrimination. The group does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or physical handicap.

Article IV. Membership

Membership is open to all interested persons, regardless of gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or physical handicap. The basic membership requirement is an active interest in Star Wars and signing the group's by-laws. All active members have full voting privileges. Active members are also eligible to serve as officers of the club. And they have the right to attend all club meetings and activities. Active membership constitutes attending meetings and actively participating in the planning process for events. A member is in good standing when they actively participate in club meetings, keeps communication open, shows an effort to assist in planning, and keep a balance of meetings and activities.

Article V. Funding

SUBMITTING ITEMS FOR DONATIONS

1. Any member can offer a donation item to the club for consideration, we can decide whether we vote on its inclusion or just allow all items anyway. Please note that no one is obligated to donate to your suggestion. A submitting member may remove an item for consideration at any time, but only if it has not received any donations.
2. There will be five or less items up for donation at a time. The recording (treasurer) officer will be in charge of the donation funds.
3. Items submitted must have a specific amount of money as a goal, and documentation must be provided as to the actual cost of the item. Items will be purchased by the club, not by members for the club.
4. A member can submit an item they made for the group (example: the cantina table John made or the signs Chris is making for the RadCon table), or an item purchased for the group. There is no guarantee that the club will want to purchase this item, and making items just to try to sell to us is discouraged. Please see "special pots" for other rules.

DONATING TO AN ITEM'S POT

1. While donations will be anonymous to the group the recording officer records who donated what. Donations are recorded for use in the event that the donation pot does not meet its goals and is rolled over into the Galaxy Pot. Please see the "special pot" section below.
2. All donations will be given to the recording officer, who will credit the donation to the item of your choice, and these funds will be directly deposited into the club account.
3. The records officer will then contact the webmaster to update the donation graphics on the website and on the physical graphs.
4. All donations are NON-REFUNDABLE, no exceptions. Therefore, please donate carefully. If a member should leave the group, donations will not be refunded. Also keep in mind that you run the risk of having your specific donation rolled into the Galaxy Pot (see below) if your goal is not met. No complaining if this happens!
5. Non-members or visitors can feel free to donate to a pot, but the donation remains non-refundable.

SPECIAL POTS

1. The Galaxy Pot is a non-specified item pot, to be used for yet unforeseen club expenses, or items that require immediate purchase (flyers, other printing, ?). This pot requires different rules because the use of these funds will require a club vote. All donations to this pot will be used like company shares. $1 equals 1 share. The amount of "shares" you purchase gives you that many votes to cast as to the use of the pot money.
2. In the event that an item's pot does not raise more than 50% of its goal in 1 year (to be specified), that item's pot will be rolled over into the Galaxy Pot. The recording officer will then reference the donations to this pot and inform all donors that they now have shares in the Galaxy Pot and therefore have voting privileges when suggestions are made for those funds.
3. Items that a member submits for purchase from themselves will be treated just as if we were purchasing from any other merchant. Donation pots for these items will not be closed until the entire goal is met, and these items will not automatically roll over. If the seller of the item wants the funds donated toward their item, but the goal has not been met yet, they can only redeem the money by using their own funds to meet the goal and close the pot.
4. Items purchased from other members will become club property and the member selling must provide a receipt of sale to the record officer.

USE OF MET GOAL FUNDS

1. Once a pot is full, the funds will be used by a club officer to purchase the specific item. If for some reason the item costs less than when submitted, the left over funds will be deposited into the Galaxy Pot. All receipts must be given to the recording officer.
2. All items purchased with club funds will belong to the club and will be dealt with according to the by-laws in the event that the club dissolves.
3. The details of each purchase will be made available to all members for review.

Article VI. Voting Regulations

All active members shall be entitled to one vote in all elections held within the club.
Two-thirds (2/3) active members constitute a quorum. Email voting is allowed for officer elections. The Chapter Representative shall state the terms and rules of email voting prior to each election. Absentee ballots may be used for those unable to attend a meeting.

• Regular Voting
• 2/3 Vote
• Show of Hands
• Amendments to Bylaws
• 2/3 Vote Required to Pass Amendment
• Show of Hands
• Officer Elections
• Simple Majority
• Secret Ballot
• Email voting will be allowed,

Article VII. Leadership

The leadership of The Spokantina shall consist of a Chapter Representative, President, Recording Officer (Secretary/Treasurer), Recruitment Officer, and Webmaster. An Active Member may hold more than one office. If a vacancy of any leadership position should occur, the group shall nominate and vote for a replacement to serve out the remainder of the term.

FanForce Chapter Representative (Elected: Serves 1 year, may run for re-election.)

• Serves as liaison between FanForce and The Spokantina
• Prepares announcements for posting on the FanForce forum
• Chairs meetings
• Sets meeting agenda items
• Coordinates the production of promotional materials
• Establishes and maintains contacts with outside organizations for the promotion of the club
• Coordinates promotional activities

President (Elected: Serves 1 year, may run for re-election.)

• Serves as a mediator in major group issues
• Will only be called upon in times of need or when a major rule has been broken
• Serves as a back-up to the FanForce Chapter Representative when dealing with sensitive issues
• Must have reasonable access to respond in a timely manner
• Keep ongoing communication with other the entire group

Recording Officer [Secretary/Treasurer] (Elected: Serves 1 year, may run for re-election.)

• Writes and publishes meeting minutes
• Records attendance and reports to the City Representative
• Coordinates the announcement of meetings/activities
• Determines if quorum is met at each meeting
• Collects dues
• Maintains finances
• Keeps records of finances and reports account balance at meetings when applicable
• Makes payments to charities after event, and writes checks for payment of supplies needed for club events

Recruitment Officer (Elected: Serves 1 year Ð may run for re-election.)

• Recruiting new members
• Acclimate new members (signing by-laws, payment of dues, etc.)
• Work public relations

Webmaster (Elected: Serves 1 year Ð may run for re-election.)

• Coordinates the production of promotional materials
• Maintain website
• Prepares announcements for posting on the The Spokantina website

Article VIII. Underage Members

Star Wars has always been a story for all ages. The Spokantina is comprised of members that reflect many of those ages. However, it is important for parents to be aware of several things if they choose to let their minor child (under 18 years of age) join the club:

• No one will be supervising minors. While it is never the club's intention to allow a minor to get into trouble, the responsibility of the child's actions lay with the child and his/her parents or guardians.
• The club encourages parents to attend meetings to get to know the members of the group and the types of activities the club engages in.
• The group attempts to maintain all discussions at the PG level. However, some inappropriate language might inadvertently be used.
• Members of the club will not be responsible for transporting a child to meetings and/or social events. If a parent chooses not to attend a meeting or event with his/her child, it is the parent's responsibility to ensure that the child has a safe mode of transportation to and from the meeting or event.
• A parental waiver must be signed by a parent or guardian and the child before that child is allowed membership in the club.
• While no alcohol will ever be served to a minor by the club, non-kids club meetings may take place in venues where alcohol is served. Therefore it
  is at the discretion of each adult member whether or not he/she chooses to consume.

Article IX. Costuming Standards

As an active fan club celebrating the Star Wars saga, our members recreate costumes of their favorite characters to wear during events and charity functions. The costumes range from Òmovie accurateÓ to individual creations. We understand that while in costume, we are representing the Star Wars community and therefore acknowledge that we will perform with both civil and professional attitudes while in public. It is recognized that costuming characters is a hobby and, for most characters, takes a bit of imagination to make happen. Costumes must be perceived by any reasonable person as fitting the requirements of being appropriate for all ages. Costumes must be in good working condition at all events.

Article X. Representation of Group

When any member is actively representing The Spokantina it is asked that they have full control of their actions and that they represent the group in a positive manner.

Article XI. Expulsion of Members

While it is hoped that no member must be expelled from the group, it is prudent to have measures in place should the need arise. If any member of the club feels that another member should be expelled, that person may approach any of the club's officers with his/her complaint. At that time, the officers will meet to determine the best course of action.
Conduct that justifies expulsion

• Engaging in any illegal activity while attending a club function
• Threatening another member either verbally or physically with severe injury or death.
• Harassing or stalking another member via e-mail, phone, or written letter
• Repeated unwanted sexual advances toward another member
• Serving alcohol to a minor

While we do not attempt to monitor what a group member may choose to engage themselves in outside of organized group meetings, we will enforce a total absence of any illegal/illicit controlled substance use while in the presence of any group meetings and or functions. Any violation of this rule as it puts the entire group into severe jeopardy with Federal law, will lead to the immediate termination of group membership for the using member.

We will actively pursue the legal avenues necessary to obtain a No Contact or Anti-Harassment order to be served up to any expelled member of the group who fails to cease any harassing behavior.

Article XII. Dissolution of the Club

If, for any reason, The Spokantina should ever be disbanded, the leadership shall be charged with the liquidation of all club assets, settlement of all liabilities, and taking down the website, and dispersing club funds equally among the Active Members.

These by-laws were approved by the membership of The Spokantina on March 24, 2006.