Dallas Bears New Membership Application

Please complete the form below if you would like to apply to become a New Member of the Dallas Bears.


General Information

General Qualifications of Membership: 

All Members

The primary outreach of this organization is to gay men, specifically the “Bear” Community, their admirers, and friends. To be eligible to apply for membership, candidates must be males of at least 21 years of age. There will be no physical characteristics required for membership in the determination or definition of a “bear.” All members will be called “Bears.” The Dallas Bears will not discriminate regardless of race, creed, color, religion, or physical handicap.  (Dallas Bears welcomes our Trans Brothers to be part of our organization).

The Dallas Bears offer two levels of membership (Full & Associate), which is based on your desired level of participation and your pledge of commitment. 

Full Member –
Residency: Open to persons living in the Greater Dallas area or other areas, as individually approved by the membership.
**If you are not living in the Greater Dallas area, please email our Secretary at [email protected] for instructions.***

Participation Requirements: Active involvement and participation in club events and activities. Specifically, regular attendance in: 

•    membership meetings,
•    club socials,
•    fundraisers,
•    community events, special events
•    and, at least, the minimum required volunteer hours at Texas Bear Round-Up.

Benefits: Voting privileges, ability to hold office, club t-shirt, use of sanctioned club paraphernalia, included on the email list; possible discounts at events.

Restrictions: Attendance requirements at meetings to retain active status and participation at events.

Voting Rights: A Full Member retains their voting rights by regular attendance at the monthly Membership Meetings. A Full Member who misses three consecutive membership meetings will have their voting rights suspended. A Full Member may regain their voting rights by attending two consecutive Membership Meetings in their entirety, and the voting rights of the Full Member are then automatically restored following the adjournment of the second consecutive attended Membership Meeting. 

Annual Dues: $50


Associate Member - 

This is for persons living outside the Greater Dallas area or persons within the Greater Dallas Area that do not want to or cannot commit to the attendance and participation requirements of Full member status. 

Residency: Open to persons living outside of the Greater Dallas area or persons within the Greater Dallas area that do not want to or cannot meet the participation requirements of Full Member status.

Participation Requirements: None. This is the hand of friendship – an associate status.

Benefits: Included on the email list; included on social media member-only apps, and possible discounts at events.

Restrictions: No voting privileges, cannot hold office, no club t-shirt, or use of sanctioned club items.

Annual Dues: $25

New Membership Types

  • Required active participation in events, meetings, and projects.

  • The hand of friendship for those with limited participation, but would still like to be associated with the group.

Personal Information

Information About You

Application Process

You will submit your membership application and annual dues electronically. 

Full Member Application
In order for your application to be presented, please attend a monthly in-person membership meeting. At that meeting, you will be introduced to the membership and assigned a Bear Mentor.  It is the job of the mentor to help you get connected to the organization and answer questions. Membership will take note of your participation in events and meetings. 

At your second attended meeting, your application and participation will be reviewed by the membership, and then you will be presented to the membership for approval of your membership application.

Associate Member Application
You are not required to attend a meeting for your application to be presented.

For questions, please contact:
Hank, Secretary - [email protected]
Lonnie, Membership Care Director - [email protected]

Emergency Contact

Acknowledgements

Image Release
As a member of the Dallas Bears I grant permission to be photographed for group portraits or individually during any Dallas Bears-related activity. I further permanently and irrevocably release any personal rights and/or royalties for any and all photographs or images made of me by Dallas Bears and agree that any such photographs or images remain the property of Dallas Bears and may be displayed or reproduced by Dallas Bears for promotional, marketing, or other purposes in printed or electronic form.
Official Communications
Official Dallas Bears information and announcements are disseminated through a combination of systems. It is my responsibility as a member of Dallas Bears to take note of this information when it is provided to me. I also understand that some communications are restricted to the Membership only and should not be disclosed or discussed with non-Members. I acknowledge and will keep confidential any information regarding the Dallas Bears when confidentiality rule is invoked or need for confidentiality is disclosed. Current communications systems include:
• Dallas Bears Websites – The primary website for the Dallas Bears where all information about meetings and events will be posted along with news of the organization and its activities.
• Membership and Event Planning Meetings – Monthly membership meetings provide a great deal of information that is important to the functioning of the Dallas Bears. Event Planning Meetings talk about business specifics and many times contain private and confidential information.
• Dallas Bears Email List – an email distribution tool. (example: Google Groups, etc…)
• Dallas Bears Social Media and Telephony – includes public social media sources such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, SnapChat, YAPP, etc. Telephony includes text messaging services.
Indemnity Waiver
I shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Dallas Bears, its officers, and directors from any and all claims, loss, damage, injury, and liability of every kind, nature, and description arising directly or indirectly from my participation in Dallas Bears (whether it be at meetings, events, or otherwise), even if such claim may be groundless, fraudulent, or false, except to the extent such indemnity is void or otherwise unenforceable under applicable law and except where such claim, loss, damage, injury, or liability is the result of the negligence, or recklessness, or willful misconduct of Dallas Bears, its officers or directors. I specifically acknowledge and agree that I have an independent obligation to defend Dallas Bears, its officers and directors from any claim which actually or potentially falls within this indemnification provision even if such claim may be groundless, fraudulent, or false.
Full Member - Regular Attendance & Active Participation
I understand that regular attendance at and active participation in Dallas Bears events is what makes the organization successful. I acknowledge that the Dallas Bears understand that due to many influences, no person can attend every meeting or participate in every event. However, as a Full Member of the Dallas Bears, I will commit to regular attendance in: membership meetings, club socials, fundraisers, community events, special events, and serve at least the minimum required volunteer hours at the Dallas Bears Texas Bear Round-Up event.
I understand that if my membership application is accepted by the Dallas Bears, I will be expected to abide by all By-laws, Operating Instructions and regulations of the club. I understand that all members are expected to promote a respectful, positive, and caring environment for the benefit of all members.
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Billing Information

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