Article 1: Philosophy of Stamporama

1. The goal of Stamporama is to promote the hobby of stamp collecting as an ethical, educational, and socially constructive activity. Through its activities and internet presence, Stamporama seeks to make it possible for collectors of any age or economic circumstances to acquire and exchange stamps and philatelic knowledge, and to facilitate contact among stamp collectors.

2. Membership is free and open to all stamp collectors of good character.

3. All Stamporama publications are provided at no cost, via the website, to all members of Stamporama.

4. Any Stamporama member may engage in any activity offered by Stamporama.

5. Stamporama members are encouraged to comment on or participate in any aspect of the operation of Stamporama, within the established framework of the organization.

1. While the purpose of Stamporama is to promote and enjoy the hobby of collecting philatelic material we believe it should be pursued in an honorable way:
   1. No member should knowingly defame Stamporama or its members.

   2. Stamporama MAY not be used for a member to participate in any illegal activities and MAY not be used for the promotion of such activities by other persons or organizations. Any such activities or actions by a member of Stamporama using SOR's website, its database, or any other element WILL result in Stamporama Volunteer Committee's exercising its right to DISCIPLINE THE MEMBER, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO limiting that member's access to Stamporama or to expel that member.

   3. No member should knowingly misrepresent the material that they list for auction or trade.

   4. Members should always conduct themselves honorably in their dealings with other stamp collectors.

2. If a member is charged with violating this Code of Ethics, the charge must be presented to the Chairperson in writing, with the pertinent details stating specifically why the charges are being leveled against the member. The Chairperson, or his delegate, will review the charges and will try to resolve the problem informally. If the Chairperson finds there is justification in the charge and cannot resolve the problem, then he will present it to the Volunteer Committee, who will determine if a written warning is sufficient or if expulsion from the club is warranted.

3. Upon determination that an action is warranted, any member so charged has the right to review those charges and defend him/herself before the Volunteer Committee.

4. Any action taken by the Volunteer Committee may be shared with other authorities in the event of independent criminal action or as prescribed by law.

5. The following actions are subject to being brought before the Volunteer Committee:
   1. Misrepresenting the quality, genuineness, or authenticity of any item.

   2. Failing to pay debts, acquired under the auspices of Stamporama, within one month of the date the debt is incurred.

   3. Failing to send material paid for by other members, under the auspices of Stamporama, within one month of the time payment payment is received.

   4. Failing to complete a trading agreement to the satisfaction of one or both parties to the trade.

   5. Making libelous statements about other members through any Stamporama vehicle.

   6. Using the membership list or any other collection of Stamporama member email addresses (i.e. from the Discussion Board, or the auction) for the purpose of sending unsolicited mass e-mails. (It is a mass e-mail if you are mailing the same email to many people who have not expressed a specific interest in what you are offering).

   7. Attempting to defraud members of their property or money, whether via the auction, trades, sales, or any other activity.

   8. Using aliases or multiple mailing or email addresses or any other efforts to conceal one's identity or create multiple identities, especially, but not limited to concealing expulsions from this or any other stamp organization of any kind or for efforts to in any way defraud members through multiple persona in the auction, etc.

Article 3: Officers

1. The Volunteer Committee, also termed the "VC", is the governing body of Stamporama. The VC is composed of a number of individuals who dedicate time to maintaining and improving Stamporama.

2. To maintain its effectiveness, the VC recruits new members, as needed, by invitation from the general membership on the basis of the interest the member has shown in Stamporama and his or her level of activity.

3. Positions of special responsibility (Webmaster, Secretary, Treasurer, Auctioneer, co-ordinators for the Mentor List and the Round Robin, etc.), are created as needed by the VC; VC members are appointed to fill those roles on a voluntary basis.

4. The Chairperson is the spokesperson for Stamporama and makes all day-to-day decisions in consultation with the VC. The Chairperson is elected from within the ranks of the VC on an annual basis, or at any time that the VC feels a change is required.

5. The VC is responsible for determining the services that Stamporama provides to its membership. It will consider Stamporama's overall direction, and the availability of skills and time in carrying out new projects. The current services of Stamporama will all be found with an exploration of the website.

Article 4: Rights and Responsibilities of Members

1. The public is free to view the openly available services of the Stamporama website without registering for membership.

2. Registration (membership) is required to engage in "members only" activities. Registrants will be governed by the Code of Ethics.

3. If a member is in agreement to trade, and receives the other member's trade, the member who receives the stamps is honor bound to complete the exchange, and to do so in a timely manner.

Article 5: Changes to the Statement of Goals and Principles

1. Any member of Stamporama may recommend a change or addition to this Statement of Goals and Principles by submitting the proposed changes to the Chairperson.

2. The Chairperson will send the proposed change(s) to all the members of the VC with his/her comments attached.

3. A simple majority vote of active VC participants is required to approve change(s) in the Stamporama Statement of Goals and Principles.

Article 6: Disciplinary Actions

1. The auctioneer may at any time expel a member for violations of our code of ethics made via the auction.

2. Violations of the code of ethics may be brought to the attention of any officer of SOR.

3. The officer, if s/he judges the accusation to be valid, will take it to the sergeant of arms, who will determine if it violates the code of ethics as stated in Article 2 and will either issue a warning or expel the individual. The sergeant of arms maintains a list of violations and corresponding penalties, ranging from a single warning to expulsion.

4. Any individual who wishes to contest an expulsion may do so by writing any officer within one week of the expulsion. Said officer will bring the appeal to the full Volunteer Committee, who will hear any evidence. All members of the VC, except those who are party to the original dispute, may vote. A simple majority of the VC voting to override the expulsion reverses that expulsion.