DOCUMENT ID: LODGE-05
TITLE: Lodge Membership Guidelines
VERSION: 1.0
STATUS: Active Draft
APPLIES TO: Charity Helpers Foundation (501(c)(3)) and Civic Helpers Network (501(c)(4), planned)

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LODGE MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES

PURPOSE

This document defines participation expectations, behavioral standards, and membership boundaries for lodges.
Its purpose is to protect participants, preserve function, and ensure lodges remain safe and productive spaces.

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VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION

Participation in a lodge is voluntary.

Individuals may:
- join a lodge
- leave a lodge
- disengage temporarily or permanently

No individual is required to:
- remain in a lodge
- agree with others
- participate in projects
- contribute money or labor

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WHO MAY PARTICIPATE

Lodges are open to individuals who:
- agree to basic participation standards
- act in good faith
- respect others
- accept lodge boundaries

Participation is not restricted by:
- political belief
- religious belief
- background or identity
- economic status

Compatibility with lodge function is the determining factor.

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BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

Participants are expected to:
- communicate respectfully
- avoid harassment or intimidation
- refrain from hate-based language or conduct
- respect meeting processes
- allow disagreement without disruption

Disagreement is permitted.
Disruption is not.

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IMMEDIATE AUTHORITY TO ACT

Lodges have immediate authority to address disruptive or harmful behavior.

This may include:
- asking an individual to leave a meeting
- suspending participation
- revoking membership locally

No warning is required when behavior threatens safety, dignity, or function.

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ZERO TOLERANCE CONDUCT

Lodges do not tolerate:
- harassment
- intimidation
- hate-based ideology or symbols
- advocacy of violence or exclusion
- persistent disruptive behavior

Such conduct is incompatible with lodge participation.

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INDIVIDUAL ACTION VS STRUCTURAL RESPONSIBILITY

Individual misconduct does not automatically reflect the lodge.

A lodge is evaluated based on:
- how quickly it responds
- whether behavior is addressed
- whether harmful conduct is tolerated

Failure to act may result in structural consequences.
Prompt action protects the lodge.

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MEMBERSHIP VS AFFILIATION

Membership refers to participation within a lodge.

Affiliation refers to recognition under the broader framework.

Affiliation applies to the lodge structure, not to individuals, and is conditional on continued compatibility.

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SEPARATION AND EXIT

Lodges may separate from individuals when alignment is lost.

Separation:
- does not imply moral judgment
- does not follow individuals elsewhere
- affects only lodge participation

Individuals may also choose to exit voluntarily at any time.

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SUMMARY

Membership exists to support cooperation.

When participation undermines function, separation is appropriate.
When cooperation ends, exit should be clean and respectful.

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END OF DOCUMENT
