Membership Information

The Santa Clara County Leather Association is a social and educational leather club. To nurture the club and support community, we perform outreach to new leather folk and sponsor some fundraising events for charity. The SCCLA is a pansexual group, rooted in the gay and lesbian leather community. We are open to all orientations and genders.

As a member of SCCLA you have the right to:

• Carry an SCCLA membership card

• Wear an SCCLA patch

• Identify yourself as a member of SCCLA

• Vote on SCCLA club decisions

• Conduct, on approval of the club, "official" business for the SCCLA, such as facilitating the SCCLA Business Meeting, entering into a business contract on behalf of the SCCLA and handling money at SCCLA events.

How do I join?

1. Complete the MembershipApplication Form. (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).

2. Read and agree to a Code of Conduct

3. Sign the Membership Oath

4. Pay annual dues of $10 due June 1st of each year

5. Submit your completed, signed membership application in person along with a picture ID (that verifies you are 18 years of age or older) and a check for annual dues made out to: SCCLA

SCCLA dues are allocated to fund SCCLA operating expenses and are not pro-rated. No person will be denied membership due to an inability to pay annual dues. Members and potential members can apply for a Fiscal Hardship Waiver by requesting it on their membership application or renewal.

Code Of Conduct

• All SCCLA members are equal in status within the club.

• We treat each other with common courtesy and respect.

• We respect the privacy and confidentiality rights of others.

• We refrain from participating in gossip.

• We agree that no means no.

• We uphold the good name of the SCCLA in public and present a positive image of our club.

Membership Oath
By my signature below I agree to abide by the common standards of the Santa Clara County Leather Association, including the Code of Conduct. I promise never to bring dishonor to the SCCLA, and to hold as first priority in all SCCLA activities the well being of my fellow members, my community and my club. I understand that SCCLA is a participatory organization and therefore to ensure the health, success and well being of the club I commit to meet, at a minimum, the annual service requirements of club membership. I understand the SCCLA is an adult leather/BDSM social organization and certify that I am legally 18 years of age or older. I also understand that SCCLA from time to time sponsors events with legally-required attendance age restrictions, and acknowledge that if I am underage for an event, I am not eligible to attend, even though I am a member.

Service Commitment
SCCLA is a participatory organization and therefore to ensure the health, success and well being of the club all members are expected to commit to and meet an annual membership requirement of providing service at a minimum of two SCCLA events for a minimum of one hour at each event.

Fulfillment of this requirement can also include moderating or scribing at business meetings, hosting schmoozes, volunteer efforts in support of other organizations, membership, treasury, website/server maintenance, other on going club duties and donations of auction items, prizes, or other items that contribute to the production of an SCCLA event.

Age/Identity Verification
SCCLA is an adult leather/BDSM social organization. To become a member you must be 18 years of age or older. The SCCLA Membership Application process requires that all new applications must be submitted in person along with a picture id in order to verify that the member applicant meets the SCCLA age requirement.

Signature Referrals
SCCLA is a distinct community of like-minded leather people who operate within a bond of friendship and familiarity. It is therefore important that we know those that seek to become members of the club and that they know us. To facilitate this knowledge, the SCCLA Membership Application process requires that all new member applications include two signature referrals from current SCCLA members.

The decision to sign a referral for a member applicant is an individual one, but the club suggests that the *only* criteria current members apply in deciding whether or not to sign a referral are: a) do I know the applicant to the extent that I will recognize them and greet them at events b) do I believe the applicant has a basic familiarity with the SCCLA.

To member applicants who are not able to obtain the required signature referral we suggest they attend at least 3 club functions in order to make an informed decision about feeling comfortable with the group, and subsequently ask a current member to sign a referral for them.

Download our Application Form. (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).