Bylaws

                                                                                                                                               DPOCC Bylaws   

Proposed Bylaws of Deaf People of Color Connecting (DPOCC)

Article I: Name and Mission

• Section 1: Name. The official name of this organization is Deaf People of Color Connecting, legally abbreviated and recognized as DPOCC.

• Section 2: Mission. The mission of DPOCC is to bring Deaf people of color together through social connection. We create spaces of reflection, representation, inclusivity, equity, and social empowerment.

• Section 3: Core Purpose. DPOCC focuses on self-development, social change, self-advocacy, and awareness through resources and educational workshops. Our ultimate goal is to support our communities in addressing and overcoming oppressive forces and systemic barriers.

Article II: Membership and Operational Centering

• Section 1: Leadership Framework. DPOCC is permanently structured as a BIPOC Deaf-ledorganization. All primary decisions and strategic operations must remain under the control of BIPOC Deaf individuals.

• Section 2: Community Eligibility. Core connection spaces and general membership within DPOCC are open to individuals who identify as part of the broader BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community and are:

  • Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, or DeafDisabled.

  • Deaf children of color and CODAs (Kids of Color Connecting – KoCC).

  • People of all genders.

• Section 3: Language Justice. American Sign Language (ASL), Pro-Tactile ASL, and visual/tactile communication systems are the primary operational languages of DPOCC. All official materials, workshops, and gatherings must be structurally accessible.

• Section 4: Allies and Community Partners. DPOCC is an inclusive and collaborative network. Hearing individuals, non-BIPOC individuals, and partner organizations are welcome to join as allies. Allies may participate in public social events, access educational resources, and offer organizational support, provided they respect the BIPOC Deaf-led mission and safe-space rules of the collective.

Article III: Core Leadership Team

• Section 1: Structure. DPOCC is managed by a Core Leadership Team. This team includes a President (Community Facilitator), a Secretary (Operations/Records), and a Treasurer (Finance/Resources).

• Section 2: Term Limits. Members of the Core Leadership Team shall serve a term of two (2) years. They may be re-selected if they maintain the confidence of the collective.

• Section 3: Succession. New leaders are appointed by a majority vote of the current Core Leadership Team. The team will directly review recommendations, nominations, and talent from active community members.

Article IV: Operations and Programs

• Section 1: Connection Events. The Core Leadership Team must organize regular social events to build a sense of belonging, reflection, and true community within DPOCC.

• Section 2: Educational Workshops. DPOCC will host educational workshops focused on self-advocacy, self-awareness, confidence, and resource sharing.

• Section 3: Youth Initiative. The Core Leadership Team must dedicate specific programming and space for the growth and empowerment of Kids of Color Connecting (KoCC).

Article V: Digital Governance and Safety

• Section 1: Platform Moderation. Because this community connects online, the Core Leadership Team holds the authority to create and enforce rules for all official DPOCC social media groups, channels, and digital spaces.

• Section 2: Privacy. Members must respect the privacy of the collective. Unauthorized sharing of internal DPOCC community discussions, media, or personal information outside of the group is strictly prohibited.

Article VI: Safe Space and Accountability

• Section 1: Prohibited Behavior. To ensure members feel safe and seen, DPOCC maintains a zero-tolerance policy for racism, audism, ableism, or lateral violence.

• Section 2: Removal Policy. The Core Leadership Team holds the final authority to pause, block, or permanently remove any individual from DPOCC digital platforms or physical events if their behavior harms the community.

Article VII: Amendments

• Section 1: Updates. These bylaws can be updated or changed by a majority vote of the Core Leadership Team.

• Section 2: Notice. Proposed changes must be shared clearly with the DPOCC community at least fourteen (14) days before they become official.

Public Notice to the Community

These bylaws are currently a working draft published for public viewing and transparency as we prepare for our official community launch. Because DPOCC is in its foundational stage, formal memberships are not yet active.

We have shared this framework publicly so our future members, community allies, and partners can see our structural blueprint from day one.

If you are interested in joining our network or have questions about our mission, please reach out to us directly through our official website contact page.

# Proposed Bylaws of the Deaf Entertainment Awards (DEA)

## Article I: Name and Vision

*   **Section 1: Name.** The official name of this initiative and event program is the Deaf Entertainment Awards, legally abbreviated and recognized as DEA.

*   **Section 2: Purpose.** The purpose of DEA is to celebrate, honor, and elevate the creative achievements of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) individuals within the entertainment, arts, media, and digital creation industries. 

*   **Section 3: Vision.** We strive to maximize BIPOC Deaf representation in entertainment, create networking opportunities with industry professionals, and inspire the next generation of creators, performers, and storytellers.

## Article II: Operational Centering and Access

*   **Section 1: Cultural Core.** DEA operates as a permanently BIPOC Deaf-led entertainment program. All executive decisions regarding event production, nomination criteria, and branding must be directed by BIPOC Deaf leadership.

*   **Section 2: Language Justice.** American Sign Language (ASL), Pro-Tactile ASL, and visual/tactile communication systems are the foundational languages of DEA. All awards ceremonies, promotional media, digital streams, and live content must be structurally accessible.

*   **Section 3: Inclusivity.** DEA honors creators of all genders, backgrounds, and intersectional identities across the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and DeafDisabled BIPOC entertainment community.

## Article III: The DEA Executive Committee

*   **Section 1: Structure.** DEA operations are managed by a specialized Executive Committee appointed by the core leadership. This committee includes an Awards Director (Chair), a Talent & Nominations Coordinator, a Media & Marketing Coordinator, and a Finance & Sponsorship Coordinator.

*   **Section 2: Term Limits.** Members of the Executive Committee shall serve a term of two (2) years, with options for re-appointment based on performance and alignment with the mission.

## Article IV: Submission, Nomination, and Judging

*   **Section 1: Eligibility.** To be considered for a DEA award, nominees must identify as part of the broader BIPOC community and be Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, or DeafDisabled. Content submitted must celebrate or positively reflect the community's creative excellence.

*   **Section 2: The Judging Panel.** To guarantee fairness and integrity, the Executive Committee will select an independent, diverse panel of judges comprised of experienced BIPOC Deaf creators, artists, and industry professionals.

*   **Section 3: Voting Process.** The Judging Panel will evaluate all submissions based on pre-established, objective artistic rubrics. The core leadership reserves the right to include a "Community Choice" voting category to encourage public fan engagement.

## Article V: Financial Ethics and Sponsorships

*   **Section 1: Revenue Management.** All funds generated by DEA—including ticket sales, merchandise, corporate sponsorships, and donations—must be used exclusively to cover event production costs, artist stipends, and future programming.

*   **Section 2: Ethical Partnerships.** DEA welcomes corporate sponsors, allies, and donors. However, the Executive Committee will reject any sponsorship that compromises the group’s values, exploits the community, or introduces audist/racist practices.

## Article VI: Ethics and Accountability

*   **Section 1: Artistic Integrity.** DEA expects all participants, nominees, and committee members to maintain high ethical standards. Plagiarism, copyright theft, or fraudulent submissions will result in immediate disqualification.

*   **Section 2: Professional Conduct.** DEA maintains a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, lateral violence, or toxic behavior at official events or across digital platforms. The Executive Committee holds the final authority to revoke nominations or bar individuals from attending ceremonies.

## Article VII: Amendments

*   **Section 1: Updates.** These bylaws can be updated or changed by a majority vote of the DEA Executive Committee in collaboration with core leadership to adapt to the evolving needs of the entertainment industry.

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### Public Notice to the Community

These bylaws are currently a working draft published for public viewing and transparency as we prepare for the official launch of the Deaf Entertainment Awards (DEA). Because this specialized arts and entertainment program is in its foundational staging phase, submission portals, nomination periods, and ticketing are not yet active. 

We have shared this framework publicly so future creators, nominees, judges, and corporate sponsors can review our strict standards for artistic fairness and representation from day one. 

*If you are an artist, digital creator, or sponsor looking to collaborate or stay updated on the inaugural DEA gala, please reach out to us through our official website contact page.*

📞 Contact DPOCC - VP Line: (702) 472-6904)  Email: Jewel@deafpeoplecolorconnecting.org