Statutes of SLM Oslo
(This is an English translation of the authoritative Norwegian text)
Adopted at the Club’s Extraordinary General Meeting on 09 April 1988 and revised at Ordinary General Meetings on 11 March 1989, 20 October 1990, 23 October 1993, 22 October 1994, 25 November 1995, 18 January 1997, 17 January 1998, Extraordinary General Meeting on 07 November 1998, and Ordinary General Meetings on 06 February 1999, 15 February 2003, 14 February 2015, 24 March 2018, 19 March 2019 and 21 March 2026.
§ 1 Name and Purpose
1.1 The name of the club is Scandinavian Leather Men Oslo, abbreviated to SLM Oslo.
1.2 The purpose of the club is to promote camaraderie among fetish and BDSM-interested homosexual and bisexual men, and to care for and support one another in our development as leathermen. The club shall work for human rights relevant to our community. Members’ attire consists of leather, rubber, uniforms, sportswear, and other fetishes as specified in the club’s dress code.
The club shall encourage and facilitate safe, secure, and consensual sex.
The use of narcotic substances at the club, or at events or trips organized by the club, is not acceptable. Use of narcotic substances may result in expulsion from the premises, and repeated violations may lead to exclusion.
Racist and Nazi attitudes, expressions, actions, and symbols are incompatible with membership in SLM Oslo.
The club is politically independent.
1.3 The club is domiciled in Oslo.
1.4 The club is affiliated with Top of Europe (ToE), a cooperative body for leather clubs in the Nordic and Baltic countries, and ECMC, an association of leather clubs in Europe.
1.5 All positions in SLM Oslo are unpaid.
§ 2 Membership
2.1 Membership is open to any self-identifying man who has reached the age of 18 (eighteen) and who supports the club’s purpose.
2.2 Membership grants access to the club’s gatherings, and access to Norwegian and foreign clubs subject to agreements with those clubs.
2.3 The Board may establish events directed only at parts of the membership.
§ 3 Membership Fee
The membership fee is determined by the General Meeting and follows the calendar year.
§ 4 Termination of Membership
Membership terminates upon written resignation. If the membership fee is not paid by the deadline set by the Board, the rights associated with membership are suspended until payment is made.
§ 5 General Meeting
5.1 The General Meeting is the club’s highest authority and shall be held annually before the end of March.
5.2 Notice of an Ordinary General Meeting shall be given with at least one month’s notice. Notice is given by email unless the member has notified the Board at least three months prior that they wish to receive notice by letter.
5.3 Matters and proposals for amendments to the statutes to be considered by the General Meeting must be submitted to the Board no later than 1 December so they can be included in the notice of the Ordinary General Meeting.
5.4 The agenda of the General Meeting shall include:
5.4.1 Election of chairperson
5.4.2 Election of secretary and vote counters
5.4.3 Election of two (2) signatories to the minutes
5.4.4 Approval of notice and agenda
5.4.5 The Board’s annual report
5.4.6 The Control Committee’s report
5.4.7 Accounts
5.4.8 Budget
5.4.9 Membership fee
5.4.10 Matters submitted by the Board and/or members
5.4.11 Election of Board, Control Committee, and Election Committee
§ 6 Extraordinary General Meeting
An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be held when 50% of either the Board, the Control Committee, or the members request it in writing. Notice shall be given with at least three (3) weeks’ notice and must include the agenda.
§ 7 Board
7.1 The club is led by a Board consisting of a President and at least two additional members, elected for a one-year term at the General Meeting. The Board constitutes itself. In doing so, it should appoint a Secretary and a Treasurer. The role of Secretary may be combined with another role, but not with that of President. If the President is unable to fulfill their duties, the Secretary shall assume them.
7.2 The Board is elected annually at the General Meeting before the end of March.
7.3 The Board has a quorum when at least half of its members are present.
7.4 The Board is responsible for maintaining, revising, and enforcing the house rules.
7.5 The Board nominates members to the Election Committee for the General Meeting.
§ 8 Executive Committee (Working Committee)
8.1 The Executive Committee consists of at least four members elected by the General Meeting. In case of vacancies or increased needs, the Board may appoint additional members.
8.2 The Executive Committee assists the Board in tasks such as coordinating volunteers, member follow-up, public relations, and bar operations. The Board may delegate other tasks to the committee.
8.3 The Executive Committee reports to the Board and has the right and obligation to attend Board meetings, with speaking and proposal rights.
§ 9 Control Committee
9.1 The committee consists of five members with long-standing affiliation and good knowledge of the club.
9.2 The committee constitutes itself and elects a chair.
9.3 Members serve for two years, with approximately half elected each year.
9.4 The Control Committee shall:
9.4.1 Ensure that the Board performs its duties in accordance with the statutes and regulations
9.4.2 Receive notice and minutes from Board meetings
9.4.3 Ensure that finances are managed in accordance with applicable laws and the club’s purpose
9.4.4 Approve and authorize the Board’s use of funds allocated for long-term savings
9.4.5 Handle reports or complaints concerning the Board and/or Executive Committee, collectively or individually
9.4.6 Submit a report, including internal audit, to the General Meeting on the club’s operations and their assessments; at least one member must attend the General Meeting
§ 10 Election Committee
10.1 The Election Committee consists of at least two persons.
10.2 The Election Committee presents nominations to the General Meeting for the Board, Executive Committee, and Control Committee.
§ 11 Financial Year
The club’s financial year follows the calendar year from 1 January to 31 December.
§ 12 Mr Leather Norway
12.1 The Board may decide to organize the Mr Leather Norway contest. The contest may not be held more than once per year. The titleholder has the right to participate in international contests and use the title in that context. The Board decides whether the club will financially support participation in Mr Leather Europe or other international contests.
12.2 Members wishing to stand as candidates must notify the Board by the end of March each year. Candidates must be members of SLM Oslo at the time of application and throughout the year they hold the title.
12.3 If there are multiple candidates, the Board decides the method of selection. If there are at least three candidates, a competition shall be held. The winner shall represent the club and the fetish/BDSM community in Norway in a positive manner.
12.4 The titleholder holds the title for one year from the award date or until a new titleholder is selected. Thereafter, the person may use the title with the addition of the year in which it was awarded.
12.5 If the titleholder behaves in a way that reflects negatively on the club or the fetish/BDSM community in Norway, or otherwise harms the club, the Board may, by unanimous decision at a properly convened meeting, revoke the right to use the title.
§ 13 Exclusion
The Board may exclude a member for breaches of the statutes or house rules. The decision may be appealed to the General Meeting.
§ 14 Amendments to the Statutes
Amendments require a resolution at a General Meeting with a 2/3 (two-thirds) majority.
§ 15 Dissolution
The club may be dissolved if a written vote with a 2/3 (two-thirds) majority is adopted at two consecutive General Meetings, one of which must be an Ordinary General Meeting.