CHARTER OF THE ORDER OF THE GOLDEN FUZZ v.1.

Propter Civitatis Dignitatem - Excellence for the Community

MISSION STATEMENT

The Order of the Golden Fuzz (known hereafter in this document as O.G.F.) is a formal group of
furry fans dedicated to improving, facilitating and protecting the experience and expression of all
participants throughout furry fandom. The O.G.F. is based loosely on historical fraternal societies and
chivalric orders that emphasize service to others and moving beyond political differences, with a bit of
a playful furry flair.

Our primary activities revolve around the concept of mutual aid. These include organizing (or helping
to organize) meets and conventions, providing lodging and transportation to those unable to afford the
same, mediating conflict resolution, and pooling resources for special events such as reserving
gathering space or theaters for viewing newly released films. This list is not intended to be exhaustive;
members should use their imagination to find out new ways of helping furries be furry and participate
in fandom to the fullest extent possible. Of course, social support as a group of friends or colleagues is
always beneficial.

The O.G.F. also seek to encourage all furries to engage in their preferred method of expressing
themselves within furry without unfair interference. This includes the ability of fans to participate fully
within fandom regardless of their political views. So long as a furry fan believes that no one should be
ostracized from fandom based on demographics, or opposing social and/or political viewpoints, they
are in harmony with the O.G.F. ideals. The emphasis here is on pushing back against specific behaviors
that manifest from beliefs, rather than the mere beliefs themselves or the people holding them. Furry is
about furry, and we must rise above political differences so long as an individual holding those views
does not want to purify fandom by removing those with whom they simply disagree, no matter how
passionately. This does not mean anyone should feel forced to be friends, hang out, or attend private
events with someone they do not want to. Our emphasis is on acceptance and tolerance of differences
in public venues such as convention space, meets, social media sites, and forums.

While O.G.F. members are free to socially and politically participate in their community and nation as
private citizens, they should minimize or cease political partisanship and social activism when in a
public furry venue, and promote the same among others when appropriate. In this way, we can give
furry fans breathing room from the turmoils of political life, which most prefer to escape when
engaging in this hobby anyway. The personal need not be the political, and no one should force the
latter onto the former.

Along with equal opportunity, the O.G.F. also believe in free expression. Through our art, literature
and fursuits, we should be able to explore the entire range of human experience good and bad
through the medium of anthropomorphic animals, without harassment, violence or threats. It is
important to remember that to portray is not necessarily to endorse, and in a large enough group,
someone will be bound to be offended by something. Therefore mere offense or discomfort alone is
not enough to justify the prevention of free expression, since such standards can be used against anyone
unjustly. If political, violent, or adult oriented displays are to be banned, covered up or allowed at non-
O.G.F. events, such a rule should apply to all such displays without exception. Consistency rather than
arbitrariness is key. At official O.G.F. meetings and events, no member is to wear political symbols.
If a furry is perceived to be engaging in behavior or displays to 'troll' others, the O.G.F. advocate for the
best and most mature response: to ignore them entirely and deny them the attention (good and bad)
they seek. This also improves the character of furry fans, as it increases their ability to adapt and show
resilience and tranquility in the face of those who would crassly attempt to rile them up.

ORGANIZATION AND MEMBERSHIP

The O.G.F. has no formal regional organization at this time, although members within convenient
travel distance are encouraged to meet in order to coordinate service efforts and enjoy each others'
company. Membership consists of two aspects that represent increasing commitment, responsibility
and oversight: Supporter and Companion.

A Supporter of the Order of the Golden Fuzz is not officially a full fledged member of the O.G.F., but
is someone who wishes to go on record declaring their public support for the goals of the order, or else
one who is unsure if they should become a formal member. Supporters are not obligated to actively
assist or socialize with members of the O.G.F., but can if they so desire to the extent they wish. Any
furry can be a Supporter, although the O.G.F. does not vouch for their behaviors or beliefs, and
egregiously illegal or disgraceful behaviors may be grounds for disavowal by the O.G.F. Supporters
can identify themselves by adding the letters (G.F.) at the end of their furry names when possible,
and a Supporter can drop their affiliation at any time.

Official membership is earned by the title of Companion of the Order of the Golden Fuzz These
individuals have decided to actively assist the O.G.F. in some way in a long term fashion, in a far less
casual manner than a Supporter. They are available for organizing, leading and participating in service
projects and diplomatic overtures, and will be listed by fan name or legal name (as they prefer) on our
official roster. To become a Compation, a furry must be recommended by two existing Companions
and undergo a brief interview with the Executive Committee, who will then make the final decision to
accept them based on their character and dedication. To identify themselves, the O.G.F. recommends
they add the letters (O.G.F.) at the end of their furry names when possible. Companions may leave
and rejoin the O.G.F. at any time.

While the O.G.F. believes fandom as a whole should be open to all, our actual membership requires a
certain level of standards to maintain itself as a functioning organization, and screen out those who
would besmirch its reputation. Disqualifying criteria include violent felony convictions without
rehabilitation, promoting or engaging in illegal activities, and a history or intent to harass, intimidate,
assault, slander or libel others. Self proclaimed identification as a national socialist, fascist, antifa, or
any criminal or terrorist group is also grounds for refusal, since these groups by their nature promote
violence or active exclusion of others based on demographic or political differences. Other labels like
Marxist or Alt Right are too nebulous to blanket ban, so the O.G.F. will refuse membership to
anyone holding the following beliefs: overthrow of their legally constituted government, secession,
treason, holocaust denial, support for genocide of any demographic (regardless of the political, social
or economic power of said demographic), promoting or engaging in political violence, desire to see
specific demographics or political viewpoints denied legal and civil rights (specifically free speech,
voting, and property ownership again regardless of that demographic's power), and support for
chattel slavery as an institution. As always, the final decision is up to the Executive Committee. A
Companion who violates these rules is subject to dismissal from the O.G.F. and the loss of their
Companion status.

The Executive Committee consists of between three and five permanent members (generally those with
long dedicated service or the original founders), as well as two Companions who serve on the
Committee on a rotating basis every three months. The Executive Committee provides policy guidance
and final arbitration for the direction and activities of the O.G.F.. The permanent members are
responsible for nominating the two Companions to fill the temporary slots, and Companions may
volunteer or nominate each other, but it is preferable that a Companion does not serve two consecutive
terms. If one of the permanent members leaves O.G.F., the Executive Committee as a whole choose a
suitable Companion volunteer as a replacement.

REGALIA

Supporters are not required to wear any sort of device or clothing associated with the O.G.F.
Companions are encouraged to wear a yellow or gold shoulder cord at furry or O.G.F. events.
Inexpensive cords can be found at :

https://www.demoulin.com/marching-band/marching-in-stock-uniforms/shoulder-cords/1-color-
citation-cord

http://www.jrotc.com/shouldercords_frenchfourragere_yellow-brass

INTERNET CHATROOM RULES

The O.G.F. currently has a chatroom on Telegram open to Supporters and Companions alike. While
free discussion of any topic is encouraged, political arguments that last longer than several minutes (or
any argument that becomes emotionally charged or descends into drama) must be taken to private
messaging in order to maintain decorum and the spirit of the O.G.F.. The chat is also 'safe for work' at
this time to comply with local laws in the event any minors are admitted. These rules are specifically
for the management of the chatroom and should in no way be inferred as intended for universal
application outside of this context. Executive Committee members, and/or those whom they delegate,
function as the moderators.

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP ROSTER

This list is subject to change with new Companions and Supporters. The Executive Committee will be
able to confirm or deny membership of any individual.

Companions of the Golden Fuzz Angriff*, BaltO, Carbon Klex, Charkkk, Cookie*, Etsuya*, Jwoulf,
Neal*, Niko, Pnut*, Shredwolf, Slash, Soro

Supporters of the Golden Fuzz AlphaWolf, Azrael, Kiyo, Lily, Nocturnal, Shio

* denotes permanent members of the Executive Committee