TAS Membership Agreement

As Members of The Angelfish Society, we are responsible for conducting the business affairs of the organization in accordance with all applicable laws and in a moral and honest manner.

To be sure that it is understood what is expected of us, the

TAS Board of Directors has adopted certain policies as set forth in this agreement.

Compliance with these policies, the TAS bylaws, the laws regarding not-for-profit organizations, and ethical standards

are conditions of membership. It is absolutely essential that

the policies are complied with fully.

We want to be proud of TAS and to know that it enjoys a reputation for fairness and honesty and that it is respected. TAS's reputation depends on its people. Let's keep that reputation high.

Certificate of Compliance - this is an agreement to comply with the policies & agreements enacted during the term of membership with the organization. These policies are not an employment contract. TAS does not create any contractual rights by issuing these polices. TAS reserves the right to amend, alter, and terminate policies by majority vote of the Board of Directors.


Vision:

The Angelfish Society's vision is to become a respected educational source for angelfish genetics, proper care of freshwater angelfish and proper identification of wild angelfish species.

As a not-for-Profit Corporation, we are organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes specified in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and as per the New York Not-for-Profit Corporation Act.

Values:

Respect - We treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves. We do not tolerate abusive or disrespectful treatment. We believe in treating all members fairly,

regardless of gender, race, color, language, religion, age,

ethnic background, political or other opinion, national origin,

or physical limitation.

Integrity - We work with each other and members openly, honestly and sincerely. When we say we will do something,

we will do it; when we say we cannot or will not do something,

then we won't do it. We are dedicated to conducting the

business affairs of the organization according to all applicable laws and with the highest professional and ethical standards.

Communication - We have an obligation to communicate. We believe that information is meant to move and that information moves people.

Excellence - We are satisfied with nothing less than the very best in everything we do. We will continue to raise the bar for everyone. The great fun here will be for all of us to discover

just how good we can really be.


Code of Ethics : All persons associated with The

Angelfish Society, including but not limited to its members,

directors, officers, and committee persons, are expected to

abide by high ethical standards in all dealings relating to the

business affairs of the organization or participation in any

aspect of the organization. All members, officers and directors

should understand that conflicts of interest & detrimental

behavior are not in the best interests of the organization and

can diminish the integrity and quality of decision-making

required by TAS and may jeopardize the organization's

reputation and public support.

Confidentiality:

Membership privileges include access to areas for TAS

members only.  As a member, you agree to not share your personal access information with others, to respect the

privacy of the information contained in membership lists

and to not abuse, harass, spam, use the information for

your own personal benefit, or otherwise use the content or information of those Members Only areas in a manner that

is disrespectful of the privacy of other members, in violation

of the copyrights of the organization, or in violation of any federal, state or local laws.

Certain information is not "public" in the sense that it is not published or widely available to the public or general membership. As a result of membership, election to an officer position or board of directors, members may also from time to time have access to, or knowledge of, confidential business information such as change of management and personally private issues that have been discussed by attendees during the course of such meetings. Members agree to respect the privacy of such information until it is publicly disclosed by the appropriate parties.

Ownership of Information & Property:

If during membership with the organization, the member creates any original work of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression which is the subject matter of

copyright (such as videotapes, written presentations, databases, drawings, manuals, brochures) relating to organization, The Angelfish Society, whether such work is

created solely by the member or jointly with others, TAS

shall be deemed to be the author or owner of such work. If

the work is prepared in the scope of membership, requested

as a contribution to collective work, as a supplementary work, as a compilation, or an  instructional text, such work shall be considered to be work made for hire and TAS shall be

deemed to be the author of the work and the work shall be

the sole and exclusive property of TAS. Members agree to assign, and by this agreement do assign, to TAS all of the member's worldwide right, title and interest in and to such work and all rights of copyright therein.

All materials purchased for the furtherance of the objectives

of the organization either for committees or members shall

remain the property of the organization and shall be returned

to TAS upon termination of the function for which the

materials were purchased or upon termination of membership.

Any TAS business records that members are in possession of during the performance of their work or duties remain the property of TAS. The documents shall be returned to TAS and any copies destroyed at the specific request of the Board of Directors or Committee Chairpersons upon termination of the function for which the records were made available or upon termination of membership.

Consequences:

The agreements, policies and compliance with same are therefore part of the terms of membership in order to avoid harm to the goodwill and public image of the organization and to better ensure the expected high ethical standards.

These policies apply to all members of TAS. They are intended to provide guidance to members. They are not intended to result in the imposition of liability on members that would not exist in the absence of such policies.
 

Any person whose acts, statements, or conduct is considered detrimental to the welfare of TAS will be subject to the loss of membership in accordance with the procedure outlined in Article VIII of the TAS Bylaws relating to loss of membership, suspension and expulsion and/or will be subject to the loss of privileges of membership including but not limited to registration and access to TAS sponsored areas as per the registration polices of such areas.

Certificate of Compliance:
You hereby agree that the remittance of dues by yourself or

on your behalf to the Treasurer of The Angelfish Society for

membership in this organization and/or by your registration

in TAS official website areas, either the website or the TAS

Official Forum, signifies your agreement to comply with the

TAS bylaws, the laws regarding not-for-profit corporations,

high ethical standards and the policies or agreements

enacted relating to same during the term of your membership

with the organization.

Adopted by TAS BOD June 4, 2004

     www.theangelfishsociety.org