Bylaws of Straight Edge Punks Cooperative Entertainment
Preamble
Founded in 2010 as Totally Just Hell Cooperative Entertainment, renamed Straight Edge Punks Cooperative Media Group in 2012, and presently known as Straight Edge Punks Cooperative Entertainment, this organization exists as a direct democratic cooperative for the production, promotion, and governance of entertainment and community projects. The name of the organization may be changed by majority vote at any time.

Article I – Purpose
Straight Edge Punks Cooperative Entertainment (SEP Coop Entertainment) is a member-run organization dedicated to providing entertainment, recreational opportunities, and media projects to the community at low cost or free, with a special focus on supporting marginalized communities, upholding democratic principles, and resisting undemocratic control in local entertainment scenes. While the majority of members identify as Straight Edge, membership is not limited by lifestyle or belief.

Article II – Organizational Structure

Current Governance: As of now, SEP Coop Entertainment operates as a fully democratic body where all members, regardless of project affiliation, vote on decisions collectively, as there are not enough members to sustain a Board of Directors.

Potential Governance: Should membership increase, a Board of Directors may be reinstated. This board will consist of representatives elected from each autonomous project. The board will operate under a liquid democracy system, allowing voting power to be reassigned or withdrawn at any time by the represented members.

Continuity: This organization is a continuation of the original 2010 entity, not a successor or new organization.

Article III – Autonomous Projects
SEP Coop Entertainment recognizes multiple autonomous projects, each of which may establish its own additional bylaws in accordance with the master bylaws:

Straight Edge Punks: The namesake and current host project of the Cooperative, focused on music production, video creation, and live streams across various platforms.

The Squeak Speak Hockey Podcast: A hockey-focused podcast hosted by members of the Albany River Rats HC, covering hockey news, analysis, and community topics.

Albany River Rats HC: A recreational hockey club operating under license from Vintage Ice Hockey; this license may change or end in the future, potentially requiring a name change.

Underrated Fest: A music festival elevating underutilized and underground artists, challenging local gatekeepers and monopolistic control of venues.

Fight Nights: A championship governing body hosting diverse contests, including wrestling, video game tournaments, spice challenges, and other unconventional competitions.

Article IV – Values
SEP Coop Entertainment is committed to:

Supporting marginalized communities

Challenging undemocratic and monopolistic practices in entertainment

Providing charitable services, including acts like community card-making (e.g., holiday cards)

Maintaining an official mature audience focus, symbolized by the "Fuck PG" banner displayed at GFYS Studios headquarters; however, individual projects like The Squeak Speak and Albany River Rats HC may be geared toward all-ages audiences

Article V – Amendments
These bylaws may be amended by majority vote of the full Cooperative membership.

Supplemental Bylaws: Albany River Rats Hockey Club
A project of Straight Edge Punks Cooperative Entertainment

Preamble
This agreement outlines the responsibilities, commitments, and expectations of all players who join the Albany River Rats Hockey Club (Albany River Rats HC), a recreational hockey initiative managed by Straight Edge Punks Cooperative Entertainment. The team operates as a non-commercial, cooperative project grounded in teamwork, honesty, accountability, and community representation. This document exists to protect the team’s collective resources and values.

1. Minimum Commitment for Custom Jersey
Players who request a custom jersey (including name, number, and size) must commit to at least one full calendar year with Albany River Rats HC.

If a player leaves before the year is completed and hasn't contributed to the bulk jersey order, they must reimburse the team for the jersey cost.

Excusal from this requirement is possible only with approval from team captains or the Cooperative due to medical, personal, or logistical hardship. Each case will be reviewed collectively and fairly.

2. Non-Committed Players and Emergency Backups
Players without a year-long commitment or those serving as emergency backups won’t receive a full custom jersey.

These players will receive one red t-shirt and one white t-shirt with iron-on River Rats logos and generic numbers.

These t-shirts are only for temporary participation and must be returned if the player leaves or doesn’t commit fully.

3. Jersey and Apparel Fund Policy

Custom jerseys are purchased in bulk orders through the official rights holder.

If a player withdraws, they don’t need to return the jersey, but they must pay for it if they haven’t already contributed.

Any t-shirts issued to non-committed players must be returned if the player opts out.

4. Team Fund & Shared Costs
The team maintains a Team Fund that is built through equal contributions from players and, when possible, external community donations.

This fund covers tournament fees, travel, lodging, transportation, and shared equipment costs.

Players contribute equally unless they've contributed sufficiently or have been granted a financial hardship waiver.

5. Attendance and Accountability (Three-Strike Rule)

Strikes are issued for unexcused absences from games, practices, or community events.

Three strikes result in removal from the team.

All strike appeals will be heard at a formal team meeting.

6. Locker Room & Team Communication Conduct

The team enforces a zero-tolerance policy for locker room drama and interpersonal conflict that affects morale.

Conflicts must be addressed respectfully and through formal meetings, mediated by the Cooperative or team captaincy.

Disrespect, gossip, exclusion, or bullying may lead to disciplinary action, including strikes.

7. Team Voting & The Wheel of Bullshit

Decisions are made collectively, with all members having a voice.

In cases of deadlock, the team will defer to the impartial tiebreaker known as The Wheel of Bullshit—a digital app that randomly determines the final decision.

8. Participation Opt-Out Protocol

Players must inform the team or Cooperative in advance if they choose not to participate in an event.

Opting out without transparency may result in a strike or disciplinary review if the absence affects team cohesion.

9. Liability Waiver

Players assume all risks of injury, property damage, or loss related to participation in practices, games, and other events.

By signing the agreement, players agree to hold the Albany River Rats HC and Straight Edge Punks Cooperative Entertainment harmless from any claims.

10. Acknowledgment & Signature

Players acknowledge and agree to the terms outlined in the agreement upon signing.

Supplemental Bylaws: Underrated Fest
A decentralized DIY project powered by Straight Edge Punks Cooperative Entertainment

Article I – Purpose
Underrated Fest exists to uplift underrepresented, underground, and underrated artists by providing accessible, inclusive shows driven by the community. The project centers fairness, autonomy, and direct action—rejecting commercialism in favor of grassroots collaboration.

Article II – Project Activation

Triggering an Event
Underrated Fest activates once a venue is secured. A card is created to organize the lineup.

The Card
The card consists of seven performance slots, offered to the local community on a first-come, first-served basis.

Article III – Slot Assignment & Direct Democracy

Opening Slot Tradition
The first slot is always reserved for Straight Edge Punks Cooperative Entertainment, who open the show by tradition.

Community Slots
The remaining six slots are open to local artists from any genre. Once filled, each act becomes part of the democratic process for that specific show.

Democratic Voting

All decisions (set times, event details, responsibilities) are made through non-negotiable direct democracy.

Straight Edge Punks votes as a bloc, representing the greater SEP Coop Entertainment collective.

Each other act gets one equal vote.

No outside entity, including venues or promoters, can override democratic decisions.

Article IV – Event Structure & Logistics

Set Times
Set times are determined collaboratively by the full card and SEP Coop Entertainment.

Door Price
The door price is typically $7 total or $1 per band, whichever is most appropriate or agreed upon by the card.

Venue Engagement
SEP Coop Entertainment communicates with the venue to ensure transparency, artist safety, and community standards.

Article V – Financial Distribution

Door Split
After the event, the total door intake is divided equally among the seven acts.

If the split isn’t exactly possible, Venmo or CashApp will resolve the remaining cents.

No cuts are taken by venues, promoters, or organizers beyond what is transparently agreed upon.

Article VI – Inclusion, Anti-Discrimination & Accountability

Open to All
Underrated Fest is open to artists and audiences from all genres and backgrounds.

Zero Tolerance Policy
Underrated Fest enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy against any form of discrimination.

Accountability Measures
Discriminatory behavior by any venue or associated party will be confronted, with potential public disqualification from future involvement.

Article VII – Amendments
Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by any card member or SEP Coop Entertainment and must be approved by a consensus of the current card participants and the Cooperative.