Mission Statement

The Chicago Gender Society is organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes in accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. More specifically, CGS is an educational organization for all members of the transgendered community, their supporters and for the benefit of the public. Transgender is used as an umbrella term that includes female and male cross dressers, transvestites, drag queens or kings, female or male impersonators, all transgender identified intersexed individuals, pre-operative, non-operative and post-operative transsexuals, masculine females, feminine males, all persons whose perceived gender or anatomical sex may be incongruent with their gender expression, and all persons exhibiting gender characteristics and identities which are perceived to be androgynous. The goal of CGS is to provide educational activities for its members, the transgendered community and its supporters and the general public. It seeks to promote a positive self-image for transgendered individuals in the business community, in the media, and general public. CGS is not a therapy group or a dating service. Each member is responsible for their own conduct.
CGS exists to serve the members in four areas:

A. To offer safe semi-public educational activities for members and the opportunity to meet others with similar interests, build their confidence, and perfect their presentation.

B. To educate the general public in order to dispel fear, ignorance and promote acceptance of the transgendered.

C. To provide educational programs to educate, assist and support all its members.

D. To develop a growing leadership and volunteer base that will expand this work.

Meeting Schedule

A. Regular business meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month at a time and place to be established by the board of directors.

B. Regular community outreach nights will be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at a time and place to be established by the board of directors.

C. The membership will be notified in writing of any changes in the meeting or events schedule.
Membership Eligibility

A. Membership is open to all members of the transgendered community and their supporters as set forth in Article II, Section 1.

B. An individual who wishes to join CGS may do so by submitting an application to the board of directors.
Membership

A. Membership privileges include:
1. Admittance to the monthly meetings and other CGS functions at no charge, except where a special event fee is in effect to the general membership.
2. Full voting rights within guidelines.
3. Eligibility to run for all offices within guidelines
4. Subscription to monthly newsletters and other publications.

B. Non-member’s privileges include:
1. Attendance at the first meeting at no charge.
2. Payment of prevailing meeting fee at each meeting attended there after.
Dues

A. Membership dues are fifty dollars per year.

B. Membership dues for couples, including a spouse or significant other, will be one and one-half times the membership rate, i.e. seventy five dollars per year.

C. The meeting fee for a member’s spouse or significant other, if not a member, will be one-half the prevailing meeting fee, with no fee for attendance at the first meeting.

D. The prevailing individual meeting fee for applicable categories as set down in Article IV, Section 3 of the Constitution, is five dollars per meeting.
Eligibility to Vote

An eligible voting member must:

A. Be a member in good standing for the six month period prior to and including the March business meeting.

B. Be current in all dues.

C. Have attended a minimum of three regular business meetings as a member in the twelve-month period prior to and including the March business meeting.