I. Residency - A member must have been residing in the Sedona/Northern Arizona area for a minimum of one year. Applicants living outside this area will be considered on a "case by case" basis.

II. Experience - The member must be in the pertinent business one year prior to application.

III. Licenses - If the profession of the applicant requires licensing to practice legally, the applicant must have and produce a current license.

IV. Participation - Attendance of meetings is encouraged, but not required.

V. Voting - One dues-paying business owns one vote, regardless of the number of attending partners or employees in that business. A member is allowed a handwritten or electronic proxy vote ONE time per year.

VI. Equality of Memberships - All memberships shall be equal. There will not be various 'types' or 'tiers' of memberships.

VII. Dues - Membership dues are $225.00 per year, paid not less that semi-annually. A $30 one-time setup fee is required. If a membership lapses for over 30 days, the member will become inactive and the member may re-activate their membership (within 3 months) for a re-instatement fee of $30 plus dues. After 3 months, the member will make application as a "New Member". Dues should be mailed to:

SWPA - DUES
P.O. BOX 4269
SEDONA, AZ 86340

VIII. Categories - One paid membership fee entitles that business to be listed in up to three appropriate categories on the SWPA directory. Listings in additional categories will be $50.00 each, per year. If a member has more than one business, and wants membership for additional businesses, the annual membership fee shall be $112.00 each.

IX. Elections - The Leadership Team will be nominated and elected by SWPA members during the regular general membership meeting in May each year.

X. SWPA Officers - Leadership will select their own Officers and Committee Liaisons.

XI. Application Committee - A five member Applicant Committee shall be appointed to review all new membership applicants.

XII. Mediators - Leadership will appoint two mediators.

XIII. Charter Members - The businesses that met and participated in the formation of this organization, and who paid their membership dues by May 28, 2003 are considered Charter Members. Charter Members were requested to fill out a membership form to be kept on file.

XIV. Right of Refusal - The Application Committee has the right to refuse membership to an applicant that does not meet the requirements, or that is found to be unprofessional, and therefore a liability to the reputation of the Association.

XV. Appeals Process - Any applicant that is refused membership by the Application Committee has the right to appeal that decision within thirty (30) days of rejection notification. The refused applicant may request in writing to be reconsidered by the Leadership Team at their next regular meeting. A refused applicant may re-apply in one (1) year.

XVI. Complaints, Mediation & Removal - If any SWPA member receives three "strikes" within one year of the first complaint, their membership(s) will be revoked without membership fee(s) refunded. The member will be allowed to re-apply for membership after one year.

Procedure

a) The plaintiff will be requested to put the complaint in writing. Our complaint form will be made available at that time.

b) Leadership will inform the two appointed mediators.

c) The mediators will inform the member of the complaint. Each member will be asked to agree to resolve any and all conflicts/complaints against him or her in a timely and mutually beneficial manner.

d) Failing resolution, the mediators will be asked to step in to actively mediate between the two parties.

e) If the complaint is further unresolved the mediators may award the member one "strike."