Corporation itself, was responsible to the persons and organizations to whom money was owed for the payment of these bills, and to the State of California in order to maintain its Corporation charter.

Many members have not thoroughly understood the fact that the Mattachine Society is an incorporated body, and that in a corporate body, the Board of Directors and not the general membership are held legally responsible for everything the Society does, including the debts that might accrue. It is normal for a corporation to have debts, but it not normal for a corporation which has less than 300 contributors (members), each paying only ten dollars a year national dues to have a debt of $3,500. Thus it is possible to see the reason for alarm, and to see why the Board of Directors was stimulated to act immediately. If it had not, there would have been no more publications forthcoming from the publications department, and social service and educational programs would have been curtailed seriously, if not stopped altogether. The matter could not wait for a General Convention.

Nothing could be done at that time. about the debt. About the only thing that could be done was to see that it did not increase, and to pay off the most urgent: back rent of about $300, provided that the money could be raised. Fortunately, the money was raised by borrowing it from the mother of one of the directors (God bless her), and at the same time increasing the debt. But at least, the Society still had a place from which to operate and the Mattachine Review, although a little late, was continued.

The question now facing the Directors was why had the Society accrued such a large debt in the first place. The answer was quite apparent by this time, and had been becoming increasingly so during the past few

one

years, especially since the 1960 Convention. It was simply this: the expense of trying to maintain an organization on a national scale without the funds to do so. The solution was also readily apparent—to revoke the Area Council Charters, but at the same time to encourage them to maintain an active but independent existance. There was no schism here. It was simply seen that it is better to stay together in spirit than in name.

Consequently, the Area Council Charters were revoked and the following three points made absolutely clear in formal notification:

1. All "mailing lists," correspondence files, funds, assets and liabilities. etc. of the former Area Councils are, as they always have been, the property of the Mattachine Society, Inc., a California Corporation, and are NOT the property of any individuals or groups within the membership.

2. All members of the Mattachine Society, Inc., who were members of record as of March 15, 1961, continue as members of the Society until their membership status expires. Individuals who might have paid dues to an Area Council which has not forwarded the dues payment to National Headquarters are NOT members of the Mattachine Society, Inc.

3. The name and style of the corporate title, "The Mattachine Society, Inc.," and the Society's official emblem ("M" on a diamond shaped background), including the word "Mattachine, are the registered trademarks of the California Corporation and may not be used by any other individual, group or association, without specific authorization from the California Corporation.

The Denver group acceded almost immediately, actually welcoming the decision. Chicago and Boston seemed confused for the time being, but indicated technical assent in their Newsletters and correspondence by proposing to continue on their own.