Forest Hills Nudist Club

Member's Guidebook

Adopted March 14, 1998

Revised October 9, 2004

I. Purpose

This guidebook is intended to assist you in enjoying your experience as a member of the Forest Hills Club. Parts of this guidebook are provisions of the Club's Constitution. Other parts are taken from motions passed by the Board in response to specific situations. Much of it is nudist tradition, common sense and good manners.

The Club's Constitution is the final authority on all matters related to membership at Forest Hills Club. If any part of this guidebook is found to be in conflict with the Constitution, the Constitution will take precedence.

While the Board of Directors is charged with interpreting and enforcing the provisions, rules and regulations contained in this guidebook, every member of the Club should be willing to help by reminding others of their obligations when necessary. During the months that the Club's office is open there will be a Board member "on call" on weekends.

Of course, no guidebook can be expected to provide specific guidance for every possible situation. As a member of Forest Hills Club, you should govern your behavior in the spirit in which this guidebook is intended as well as according to the specific rules and regulations set forth within it. That spirit is expressed in Article II, Section 1 of the Club's Constitution and bears repeating here:

“To provide the proper locale and atmosphere for the practice of social nude recreation activities for its members. To encourage membership in the development of healthy minds and bodies. To enlist the organized support of the membership for the encouragement of acceptable progressive ideas and activities. To encourage general good health and well being among the members and assist their children in attaining the state of normal manhood and womanhood.”

If we all govern our relationships and actions by the spirit in which this guidebook is intended (and in which this club was organized), the rules and regulations set forth in it will not be oppressive; they will be your guide to many happy days at Forest Hills Club.

This guidebook will be reviewed annually and revised as needed for distribution to the membership by the time of Spring General Assembly.

II. The Co-op Concept.

Forest Hills Club is a cooperative venture and every member is expected to contribute toward its operation. Exactly how you contribute depends on your talents and skills. You can contribute by doing anything from helping with grounds maintenance, organizing or helping with a social activity, serving on the Board, helping in the office, donating needed items, and in many other ways. If you listen to your fellow members, attend the meetings of the Board, or talk with your representatives on the Board, you will be sure to find a way to contribute.

III. The Family Nudist Club Concept.

Forest Hills Club is a family nudist club. Our focus is on providing the facilities and atmosphere that will make nude recreation a safe and delightful experience for the entire family. While we count many single people among our membership, we do limit single membership as a way of maintaining a balance that contributes to the fulfillment of the family nudist club ideal.

IV. The Clothing Optional Concept.

Forest Hills Club is a nudist club and we seek members who wish to enjoy their recreation and socialization in the nude. While nudity is encouraged, wearing clothes at Forest Hills Club is optional except in the swimming pool, hot tub, and sauna where nudity is both traditional and mandatory.

V. Citizenship

Forest Hills Club members are expected to practice good citizenship. This means showing consideration for your fellow members, our visitors and guests in every way possible. Courtesy and common sense will help you be a good citizen. The following examples are intended to provide a starting point.

Clean up after yourself, empty your ashtray, dispose of your beverage containers, turn off the shower, clean the sink, etc.

Replace the cover on the hot tub when the weather is cold.

State law requires a shower with soap before swimming or entering the pool, hot tub, or sauna. Replace the cover on the hot tub when the weather is cold.

Keep the volume of your music and your "partying" to a reasonable level, and wear headphones in the common areas.

Don't curse or swear or be disruptive or offensive.

Respect the rights, privileges, convictions, and feelings of others.

Do not start or spread rumors or be argumentative or condescending. Seek ways to avoid or solve problems.

Respect the commonly owned property of the Club. It belongs to all the members. If you abuse it, everyone suffers.

Respect the property of your fellow members. They trust you.

Respect the provisions of the Constitution, the decisions of the Board, and the provisions of this guidebook. If you are uncertain about how any aspect of the Constitution or this guidebook applies to you, consult with the Board member on duty.

Treat our visitors as prospective members. Do everything you can to make them welcome and to show them the benefits of belonging to our Club. Many visitors have joined our club and become valuable members and good friends.

Issues addressed in this guidebook are intended to prevent the disruption of our Club caused by people who exaggerate issues, distort the truth, or attack other peoples’ character in order to express their dissatisfaction or disagreement. If you disagree with a Club policy or Board action, please express your disagreement in a mature fashion and with the goal of improving our Club. Do not use your disagreement to create discord, distrust, or animosity.

VI. Rules and Regulations

The following rules and regulations apply to all members, as well as visitors and guests, and are intended to ensure the safety and enjoyment of everyone.

General Behavior

Overt sexual behavior in public, unwanted advances of a sexual nature toward other members, visitors, and/or guests, and voyeuristic behavior is prohibited.

Provocative clothing is not in keeping with the family nudist club concept and is generally prohibited. While such clothing might be appropriate at costume parties, it is not appropriate for general attire in the common areas of the Club. Bikinis, thongs, or panties may be worn except in the pool, hot tub, or sauna. Overt sexual behavior in regard to wearing such garments is prohibited.

Register your guests at the office in advance or immediately when they arrive, or notify the caretaker or the Board member on duty if the office is closed. Use the “honor envelopes” during the months that the Club is officially closed.

Members are responsible for the behavior of their guests and must be on the grounds throughout their visit.

Taking pictures is discouraged in the common areas of the club, and is prohibited without the expressed written consent of everyone who is present. Use of cameras by non-members is prohibited.

The use of binoculars, telescopes or telephoto lenses for the purpose of observing or photographing the activities of others without their knowledge is prohibited.

Giving the gate combination to non-members jeopardizes the security of the Club's facilities and your fellow members and is prohibited. Visitors who camp on the grounds will be offered the use of a remote gate opener upon payment of a deposit.

Glass containers are prohibited on the pool deck for safety reasons.

Smoking, drinking, and eating are prohibited in the pool, hot tub, and sauna for sanitary reasons.

Noisy activities, loud music, and the use of power tools and equipment are not permitted before 8:00 AM on weekdays and 10:00 AM on weekends and holidays out of courtesy to others except for Club projects. Quiet time starts at 1:00 AM.

The dumpster(s) provided by the Club are not to be used for refuse brought from off the Club's property.

Hunting and the use of firearms on Club property is prohibited. Firearms may be possessed on Club property for use elsewhere, but must be kept from public view. Loaded firearms on Club property is prohibited.

The clubhouse is not to be used for overnight accommodation except with Board approval for certain events during the off-season, such as seasonal parties, or for shelter from hazardous weather conditions.

Members and guests who use their vehicles in the parking lot as an overnight camping facility must pay daily camping fees.

Children

Children under the age of 14 are not permitted inside the pool fence without the direct supervision of a parent or an adult who has agreed to supervise the child with the parent's permission. The supervising adult must be inside the pool fence and must be attentive to the child's activities.

Children under the age of 13 must be at their campsites by 11:00 PM, teens by midnight. This curfew may be extended to allow children to be present at Club sponsored activities when such attendance is appropriate. This curfew does not apply to activities on member’s sites with permission from the parent(s) and the site holder. Children at such activities are restricted to the site on which the activity is taking place.

At all times, parents should be aware of their children's whereabouts and activities and make every effort to supervise their activities and ensure their safety.

Pets

Pets are not permitted in the inner circle with the exception of the "T" lots. All pets must be tied or leashed or under the direct control of their owner at all times.

Animals that are deemed to be a nuisance (excessive barking, destruction of property, etc.) or a threat to the safety of others are not allowed on the Club's property.

All pets must be vaccinated according to law.

Pet owners must clean up after their pets.

Vehicle Use

All vehicles, including golf carts, snowmobiles, and ATV's, must have headlights on at dusk, must remain on designated roads and must be parked in designated parking areas.

The speed limit is 10 MPH for all vehicles everywhere on Club property.

Children must be 14 years of age or older to drive golf carts, ATVs, etc. on Club property, and must demonstrate competency and good judgment with the vehicle when they are driving.

Reckless operation of any vehicle will result in restrictions being placed on the driver, the use of the vehicle, or both.

Fires

Campfires may be built only in fire pits deemed safe for them and must be extinguished when not attended including the center circle fire pit.

The burning of leaves is prohibited outside of approved fire pits and may be prohibited on windy days.

No fires of any kind are permitted when the Club's water distribution system is not in operation or when such fires are banned by State or local authorities.

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs

Consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted in moderation. Disruptive or offensive behavior resulting from the excessive consumption of alcohol is prohibited.

Members performing duties that make them representatives of the Club to the public (working in the office, staffing trade shows, acting as convention delegates, etc.) are not to consume alcoholic beverages and must be free of their effects during the performance of such duties.

No alcoholic beverages are permitted at meetings of the Board of Directors or the General Assembly.

Smoking is prohibited in certain areas of the Clubhouse and everywhere in the Clubhouse during meetings of the Board of Directors or the General Assembly. Smoking is also prohibited everywhere in the Clubhouse between the hours of 7:00–11:00 AM and 4:00-8:00 PM on days when the kitchen is serving meals during those hours.

The possession, use, sale, and/or distribution of any illegal substance (marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, etc.) is prohibited and will result in termination of membership.

VII. Site Licensees and Annual Site Lessees

The following rules and regulations apply to site license holders and annual lessees. They are intended to help ensure their rights and privileges and to help keep our grounds safe and attractive.

Eligibility

You must be a member for one year before you are eligible for a site license or an annual lease.

A list of applicants for site licenses and annual leases will be maintained by the Club's Recording Secretary in the chronological order in which the applications were received. When a site license or annual lease becomes available it will be offered to the member on the top of the list. If the license or lease is refused, it will be offered to the next member on the list, until it is accepted. Refusal of a site license or annual lease will not affect a person's position on the list.

All site license transfers must be approved by a majority of the Board of Directors.

Sites purchased or leased from the Club may not be occupied until the site license and transfer fees or lease fees are paid in full.

Members who make arrangements to purchase a site license from another site license holder during their probationary (first) year as a member do so at their own risk both in regard to their arrangement and in regard to approval of the transfer by the Board of Directors.

Availability

The number of sites available for site licensing is limited to the number of site licenses as of January 1, 1997.

Site licenses held by the club shall be offered for sale to eligible members for not less than $1000. Licenses for sites with significant improvements may be offered at an appropriately higher price or sold to the highest bidder. The Board will determine the appropriate price or the minimum bid, and may reject any or all offers deemed not to be in the best interest of the Club, regardless of the price or bid.

Any site license holder may apply to the Board of Directors to trade his or her site license for a site license held for sale by the Club by placing his or her name on the list maintained by the Recording Secretary. The Board of Directors may deny such an application or negotiate terms other than an even trade based on the relative value of the sites involved and the best interest of the Club.

Owners of site licenses or lessors of sites not maintained according to the standards provided in this guidebook and the Club's Constitution will be notified by the Board of Directors, in writing, what they must do to be in compliance and how much time will be allowed to accomplish such directives. If such a site is not brought into compliance as directed and in the specified period of time the Board of Directors may cause the site to be brought into compliance by hiring contractors to perform the work required. All costs incurred by the Club will be charged to the account of the site licensee or lessee.

Utilization

Sites may be occupied for no more than ten (10) days per month between November 1 and May 1.

Local, State and Federal laws regarding the use of the Club's grounds and the building or alteration of structures on the Club's grounds must be followed.

The Club’s electrical distribution system, including the panel provided at each site, is commercial property owned by Club, and has been designed, built, inspected, and approved to comply with local, state, and federal codes. No part of the electrical distribution system, including the site panels, may be modified in any way, or opened by anyone for any reason with the exception of properly licensed electricians performing work on the Club’s behalf as directed by the Club’s Board of Directors or its designated representatives. Use of the Club’s electrical distribution system is limited exclusively to cord and plug connections using the receptacles provided at the site panel (except for the existing cabins, which are wired directly into the electrical distribution system), or receptacles provided for such purposes at various places within the facility. Direct wiring of any equipment into the site panels is prohibited.

Any electrical wiring or equipment installed by or for members on their sites, cabins, or anywhere on Club property, including (but not limited to) decorative lighting, convenience outlets, and electrical service to outbuildings, must be approved by the Electrical Committee prior to starting any work in order to assure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal codes, and the safety of the Club’s members and visitors. All such work must be inspected and approved by the Electrical Committee, and any other authority with jurisdiction, upon completion.

The Club’s water distribution system has been designed, built, inspected, and approved to comply with local, state, and federal codes, and is the property of the Club, including the spigots provided at each site. No connection may be made to the system other than to the spigots provided. Site license holders and annual lessees are required to provide approved backflow prevention devices at each of their connections to the water distribution system. The Club will provide such devices for connections in the transient camping area and the common areas.

No modifications may be made to the water distribution system without a permit from the Michigan Department of Public Health and permission from the Club’s Board Of Directors. Any modification to the water distribution system that is approved by the Board Of Directors must be completed according to all applicable local, state, and federal codes, and must be inspected and approved by the Health Department and any other authority with jurisdiction, upon completion.

Alterations of a major and permanent nature to any site must be approved by the Board of Directors.

No new cabins may be built on any site. Alterations to existing cabins must be approved by the Board of Directors and must meet State and local building codes. Obtaining permits is the responsibility of the site license holder.

Existing septic systems are grand fathered by state law until they fail according to Michigan Health Department standards, at which time the septic system must be replaced with a gray-water-only system.

Occupancy of buildings not approved for that purpose by the Board of Directors is prohibited.

No more than one travel trailer, tent, and/or cabin is allowed on any site for more than three days in any ten day period without approval by a majority of the Board of Directors.

No trees with a main trunk of 6" or more in diameter at ground level may be cut down without permission from the Club's tree committee.

The Club's storage area is not to be used for storage of travel trailers, motor homes, etc. for more than 6 months in any calendar year. Availability of the storage area is on a first-come-first-served basis, and the Club is not obligated to provide additional storage area.

Site Maintenance

Sites must be kept neat, clean, and free of trash and junk including, but not limited to, unused and/or inoperable appliances and vehicles, improperly stored hazardous chemicals, household refuse, etc.

Refrigerators, freezers, and any other appliances or storage containers large enough to be trap hazards and that cannot be opened from inside must be locked.

Trash and garbage must be kept in an appropriate container until it is deposited in the dumpster provided by the Club or removed from the grounds.

Trailers and cabins must be kept in safe and liveable condition as determined by the Board, and are not to be used primarily for purposes unrelated to the Club's stated purpose such as operating a business, long-term storage, etc.

Guests

Relatives of site license holders or annual lessees may visit without being charged grounds fees if they limit their visit a to the host member's site unless the visitor has been prohibited from entering the property. Such visitors must still be registered with the office, or with the caretaker or the Board nenber on duty if the office is closed. Full grounds fees will be charged to the account of any member who fails to register his guest(s) with the office or to notify the caretaker or the Board member on duty that he/she has a guest on the grounds.

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