Tri-Ess Policies For Chapters

by Jane Ellen Fairfax
Tri-Ess Chair of the Board

1. A Tri-Ess Chapter is by definition a local organization of Tri-Ess members, united by a central vision known by the acronym FIBER:
   
   F - Full personality expression, in a blending of both our masculine and feminine characteristics. We do not wish to destroy our birth gender but to develop all our human potentials and be all we can be.
   
   I - Integration of our masculinity and femininity to create a happier, more complete person as we use our enhanced understanding of ourselves in our daily lives.
   
   B - Balance between masculinity and femininity in our total personalities.
   
   E - Education of crossdressers toward self-acceptance, education of our families toward understanding, education of society toward the acceptance of crossdressers as ordinary people with a special gender gift.
   
   R - Relationship building in the context of crossdressing. This means it is an absolute requirement that all members of a Tri-Ess Chapter be members of Tri-Ess.
   
   
2. A Tri-Ess Chapters focus is support and education on behalf of heterosexual crossdressers, their spouses, partners and families.
   
   
3. A Tri-Ess Chapter must provide a family-friendly atmosphere at its meetings and set forth and maintain standards for ladylike and gentlemanly dress and behavior.
   
   
4. A Tri-Ess Chapter will promptly answer all inquirers.
   
   
5. A Tri-Ess Chapter may not deny membership on the basis of race, religious preference, physical appearance, disability, genetic sex, marital status, inability to pay, amount of time spent crossdressed or lack of "passability".
   
   
6. Spouses, partners, parents and adult children of heterosexual crossdressers are eligible for full Chapter membership and, as such, are entitled to full membership in Tri-Ess.
   
   
7. A Tri-Ess Chapter may, but is not required to, offer an associate ("Friends") membership to those having legitimate constructive interest in the Chapter and Tri-Ess, but whose focus lies outside the primary focus of Tri-Ess. Such Friends members must also be Friends members of Tri-Ess. Friends members may not vote or hold any Chapter office.
   
   
8. A Tri-Ess Chapter shall have a system of screening and orienting prospective members. This process should include but not be limited to supplying the prospective member with information about Tri-Ess and the Chapter, and for interviewing the prospective member to determine suitability for membership.
   
   
9. A Tri-Ess Chapter shall appoint a Liaison Officer to facilitate communication with Tri-Ess. In any case, a Tri-Ess Chapter must reply promptly to all communications from Tri-Ess that require a reply.
   
   
10. It is strongly recommended, but not required, that a Tri-Ess Chapter adopt the Rudd Plan for annual collection of Chapter and Tri-Ess fees.
    
    
11. A Tri-Ess Chapter must maintain By-Laws and Policies consistent with those of Tri-Ess, amending them as necessary to reflect any changes in Tri-Ess policies.
    
    
12. A Tri-Ess Chapter shall report a financial statement on a semi-annual basis. Such statement shall include income, expenses and bank balances.
    
    
13. No officer or contact person of a Tri-Ess chapter shall serve as an officer or contact person of any transgender organization not affiliated with Tri-Ess.
    
    
14. Failure to abide by these Policies may result in action by Tri-Ess up to, and including, revocation of the Chapter's Charter and loss of its affiliation with Tri-Ess.

For more information, visit the Tri-Ess Website.

This newsletter is a labor of love for of our contributing editrixes. Please join the staff by submitting your own insights into the world of cross-dressing. Send your input to: Rachel Boyd, or R.R. Boyd, P.O. Box 2252, Ashburn, VA 20146-9152.

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Updated: 05/08/04