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Revised 10-OCT-1998
Bisexuals, Gays, Lesbians, and Allies at DuPont (BGLAD)
ARTICLE I. NAME & PURPOSE
Section 1. Name
Section 2. Statement
Section 3. Vision
Section 4. Mission
ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. "Members"
Section 2. Registration
Section 3. Balloting
Section 4. Mailings
Section 5. Discontinuance
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE
Section 1. Chapters
Section 2. Steering Committee
a. Name & Number
b. Responsibilities
c. Nominations
d. Selection Process
e. Term of Office
f. Vacancies
g. Positions
Section 3. Standing Committees
a. Chairs
Section 4. Allies
a. Supporter
b. Advocates
Section 5. Corporate Sponsor
ARTICLE IV. GENERAL AMENDMENTS
ARTICLE V. CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
ARTICLE VI. NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
ARTICLE VII. GLOBAL VALUING PEOPLE PRINCIPLES
ARTICLE I. NAME & PURPOSE
Section 1. Name
The name of this Network shall be:
Bisexuals, Gays, Lesbians, Transgendereds and Allies at DuPont.
For all purposes the acronym BGLAD shall be equally acceptable.
Section 2. Statement
BGLAD is an organization for employees of DuPont and its affiliates, joint ventures, and subsidiaries (hereafter termed "DuPont businesses"), who are bisexual, gay, lesbian, or transgendered or who support bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender concerns.
Section 3. Vision
The maximum potential of bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgendered employees is realized to enhance DuPont's competitive advantage in the global markets.
Section 4. Mission
BGLAD's mission is to help DuPont attract, utilize, and retain talented bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgendered people by:
- Using its collective power to eliminate homophobia and heterosexism within DuPont businesses
- Serving as a resource regarding bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender issues, and as a point of contact between DuPont and the community at large
- Partnering with Human Resources to address mental, emotional, and physical health issues, and to help design compensation and benefit plans accordingly
- Providing opportunities to discuss and advance issues, to expand the network, and to increase the visibility of its members
- Ensuring a safe, healthy, and supportive environment in the workplace that empowers bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgendered employees to be open and authentic about themselves
- Partnering with DuPont businesses to identify and capitalize on the bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgendered market
ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. "Members"
Membership in BGLAD is open to all DuPont full-service employees worldwide who are advocates of the DuPont nondiscrimination statement and global valuing people principles and who agree to uphold the confidentiality agreement of the BGLAD Network
In addition to the "Members" defined above, a limited membership in BGLAD is also open to non-DuPont full-service employees in the capacity of Learning Partners. The purpose of Learning Partners is to jointly share information, experiences and support consistent with BGLAD's mission, vision and critical operating tasks. Learning Partners are required to uphold the confidentiality agreement and all other applicable sections of the constitution and bylaws.
Learning Partners are:
- Individuals who were, at one time, full-service employees of DuPont but whose employment with DuPont has been changed through organizational changes (e.g., outsourcing, alliance partnering, etc.) and whose new employment arrangement involves a majority of their work being dedicated to DuPont and its affiliates, joint ventures and subsidiaries.
- Pensioners of DuPont and its affiliates, joint ventures and subsidiaries.
Section 2. Registration
Persons who wish to become members of BGLAD may do so by contacting the Network Liaison by paper or electronic mail.
Members' names shall be added to the Network's mail distribution list (electronic or paper) after their signed confidentiality agreement has been received. The list of members shall remain confidential. Names of allies will be made available to all members of the BGLAD network. Names of bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgendered members will be made available only to members of the Steering Committee and only on a need-to-know basis. Other than to the Steering Committee, no name of a bisexual, gay, lesbian or transgendered member will be revealed to anyone inside or outside the network without that member's explicit permission.
Section 3. Balloting
Voting rights are accorded to all "Members" of BGLAD. Learning Partners do not have voting rights. The Steering Committee shall determine which items and issues require a full membership vote.
Section 4. Mailings
All BGLAD "Members" will receive information via electronic or paper mail. Learning Partners will receive electronic mail provided BGLAD's e-mail account has this capability. Participation in activities of the Network is not required in order to receive mailings.
Section 5. Discontinuance
Members of BGLAD who wish to resign or Chapters that wish to dissolve shall submit their notice of resignation or dissolution to the Network Liaison by paper or electronic mail.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE
Any member of BGLAD may participate as follows:
Section 1. Chapters
"Members" or Learning Partners who work at a site or within a geographical area who come together for the purpose of working towards the goals of BGLAD shall be known as a Chapter. Each Chapter shall be referred to with the name BGLAD- followed by its site or area name suitable for the Chapter's identification; e.g., "BGLAD-Atlanta" for the members working at the Atlanta, Georgia site or "BGLAD-Delaware" for all sites in New Castle and Sussex Counties.
Any member of BGLAD who works at a site or within an area where a Chapter has been established shall not be required to be affiliated with the Chapter in order to maintain membership with the Network. BGLAD members who are not members of any local Chapter shall be termed "Members at Large."
A Chapter may register with BGLAD by submitting a copy of its Purpose Statement to the Network Liaison. A majority vote of the Steering Committee shall admit the group to membership as a Chapter.
A Chapter must provide a representative that will liaise with the Steering Committee and provide status reports of the Chapter's activities. Such reports will be shared with all members of BGLAD.
The Network Liaison shall maintain a list of all Chapters. The list of Chapters shall be a matter of public record. At no time shall a Chapter be required to report a list of its members to the Steering Committee.
Chapters shall be free to determine their purpose, priorities, and agendas within the framework of BGLAD's Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 2. Steering Committee
The Steering Committee is comprised of "Members" and is in place to represent BGLAD and its official positions. Learning Partners are not eligible to be on the Steering Committee. Members of the Steering Committee are accountable to the BGLAD membership for their acitivities and communications. If the BGLAD membership feels that any member of the Steering Committee has failed to perform satisfactorily, that member may be removed from her or his position by a majority vote of no confidence by the membership.
a. Name & Number
BGLAD's Steering Committee shall have the working name of "BGLAD International Steering Committee" (BISC).
The Steering Committee shall consist of not more than ten (10) nor fewer than eight (8) members unless so increased by majority vote of the Steering Committee. Every attempt shall be made to ensure gender parity of the members and as broad a representation as possible of company businesses, sites, etc.
b. Responsibilities
The Steering Committee is responsible for:
- Facilitating the continued growth and well-being of BGLAD
- Determining and carrying out BGLAD's policies and programs
- Controlling BGLAD's funds for the use and benefit of the membership
- Assuming final responsibility for policies and programs
- Maintaining a responsible relationship with the managing staffs of the DuPont businesses
- Ensuring that BGLAD's policies and practices reflect the DuPont Company's commitment to valuing people
- Making possible the growth of "Members" toward understanding the purpose of BGLAD and sharing in its realization
- Communicating the Mission to "Members" and assuring they have opportunities to take part in furthering it
The Steering Committee shall accept input from the membership either in writing or verbally before the Steering Committee for review and discussion and determining those matters to be submitted for vote.
The Steering Committee shall report quarterly to the membership on the work of BISC, Chapters, and Members at Large.
A quorum of 70% (rounded up) of the total Steering Committee membership must be present, either in person or via teleconference, in order for a matter to be voted on.
The Steering Committee will meet on a regularly scheduled basis. General information from all Steering Committee meetings will be shared with all "Members" and Learning Partners.
c. Nominations
When the call for nominations is issued by the Network Liaison, "Members" who wish to hold a position on the Steering Committee may submit a self-nomination request. The request must include the reason(s) why the person feels he or she should hold a position on the Steering Committee.
The nomination period shall be opened upon distribution of the notice by the Network Liaison and shall be closed at the time indicated on the notice (2 weeks).
Self-nomination requests shall be accepted either by paper mail addressed to the Network's P.O. box or to the Network's electronic mail account.
d. Selection Process
Self-nomination requests shall be collected by the Network Liaison and reviewed by the members of the Steering Committee.
By majority vote, the Steering Committee shall select the new member(s) to the committee from the requests received.
e. Term of Office
The term of office is two (2) years. Members may serve a second consecutive term with approval from the Steering Committee. No member may serve more than two (2) consecutive terms unless exception is made and approved by the Steering Committee and the BGLAD membership (majority vote).
Members may resign from the Steering Committee at any time for any reason.
f. Vacancies
Any vacancy occurring in the interim between the first and last day of a Committee member's term shall be filled by nominations solicited from the "Members" of BGLAD. The person selected to fill such a vacancy shall then be eligible for nomination and selection for three (3) succeeding full terms.
g. Positions
The positions of the Steering Committee are a Network Liaison, a Meeting Facilitator, Treasurer, and Official Spokespersons. All positions shall be held by members of the Steering Committee.
Network Liaison
The Network Liaison shall be the lead point of contact for BGLAD and its various committees to individuals and organizations both internally and externally.
The Network Liaison shall be accountable for the strictest of confidentiality.
The Network Liaison is responsible for:
- Distributing communications to the Network
- Maintaining BGLAD's electronic mail distribution list
- Confirming the membership distribution list on an annual basis
- Monitoring the Network's P.O. box and E-mail account
- Creating the agenda for each meeting of the Steering Committee and communicating the agenda to the members prior to a meeting
- Conducting correspondence with external bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgendered organizations
- Calling a special meeting of the Steering Committee in the event of special circumstances
- Initiating a special election when a member of the Steering Committee is unable to complete her or his term
The Network Liaison may delegate some of these duties to other members of the Steering Committee or to members of the Network as appropriate.
Meeting Facilitator
The Meeting Facilitator is responsible for:
- Keeping accurate minutes of Steering Committee meetings, including a record of all actions taken
- Distributing the minutes to the members of the Steering Committee by electronic mail
- Preparing the Steering Committee meeting agenda and sending it to the Committee members prior to the meeting
- Ensuring that action items are congruent with BGLAD's Mission, Principles and Critical Operating Tasks.
- Facilitating the Steering Committee meetings
Treasurer
The Treasurer shall keep the finances of BGLAD. The treasurer is responsible for:
- Disbursing funds upon the request of the Steering Committee
- Providing a status of funds each quarter to the Steering Committee
- Providing a full accounting annually of all funds to the Steering Committee
Official Spokespersons
The members of the Steering Committee shall hold the position of Offical Spokesperson. No other member of the Network may speak officially on behalf of the BGLAD membership.
The Steering Committee shall sanction additional Spokespersons if needed in a geographic location unattainable by a member of the Steering Committee.
Spokespersons may relate only the official positions and mission of BGLAD. Spokespersons may not claim to speak for all bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgendered people at DuPont or at large.
When members of the Steering Committee (together or separately) speak officially on behalf of the membership, they must speak from a clearly defined set of organizational positions, arrived at by a membership vote.
The Offical Spokespersons shall:
- Serve as the point of contact between the DuPont Company and the BGLAD membership
- Communicate the concerns and official positions of the BGLAD membership to the DuPont Company
- Communicate the official positions of the BGLAD membership in media releases, public contacts, and diversity-awareness activities
- Address non-routine BGLAD correspondence
Section 3. Standing Committees
There shall be such standing and special committees of the Network as are required to accomplish the Network's Critical Operating Tasks.
Standing Committees of BGLAD may include:
a. Education
b. Publicity
c. Fundraising
d. Policies and Procedures
e. New Business Opportunities
The Steering Committee shall call for the formation of a special committee of the Network for specific studies or events when such responsibilities are not being performed by a standing committee of the Network.
Special committees are subject to all normal provisions of BGLAD's Constitution and Bylaws, including communications and conducting business.
a. Chairs
The Chairs of all committees of the Network shall be members of the Steering Committee. The Chairs may delegate any of their duties, but shall remain responsible for the results and activities of the committee.
Section 4. Allies
Members of the Network who are neither gay nor bisexual, shall be termed "allies." With regards to BGLAD, an ally is defined as "one that is associated with another as a helper". The allies of BGLAD may choose to help either as a Supporter or as an Advocate.
a. Supporter
The Supporters shall provide emotional support to members and continue to learn about issues of concern to people who are gay, and educate others.
b. Advocates
Advocates perform the same functions as Supporters but in addition they:
- Are available to intervene on members' behalf
- Exercise their influence
- Commit time to BGLAD activities and events
- Visibly work to advance the mission of BGLAD
- Publicly speak out on behalf of people who are bisexual, gay, or lesbian
Section 5. Corporate Sponsor
A Corporate Sponsor shall be named upon the completion of the work being performed by the Diversity Network Alliance (DNA).
ARTICLE IV. GENERAL AMENDMENTS
This document may be amended by a majority affirmative vote of the "Members" of the Network, provided the following requirements have been met:
1. The amendment was approved by the Steering Committee.
2. Copies of the amendment, or amendments, were made available to the "Members" of the Network at least two (2) weeks in advance of the voting.
3. The notice attached to the amendment, or amendments, stated that the document would be considered and voted upon.
ARTICLE V. CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
The purpose of this agreement is to ensure that the privacy and confidentiality needs of all members of the group are being met and respected.
- I agree to respect each individual's need for privacy and where he/she is in terms of being "out."
- I will not share/repeat the names of individuals participating in this group outside of this group without that individual's explicit permission.
- I will not share another's personal experience or confidence (inside or outside of this group) without that individual's explicit permission.
- When talking about the group or sharing general learnings from the group, I will exercise extreme caution and discretion to protect the group, as a whole, and the individuals involved.
ARTICLE VI. NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
Resolved, that it is the policy of E. I. du Pont de Nemours Company not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age (within statutory limits), race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, or veteran status with respect to hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, recruitment, termination, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation and selection for training.
ARTICLE VII. GLOBAL VALUING PEOPLE PRINCIPLES
DuPont can achieve its corporate vision only through and with the full support, commitment, participation, and cooperative spirit of its increasingly diverse work force. It is essential to obtain that commitment and spirit by respecting each and every individual, valuing their uniqueness, and treating them fairly. | 
