Terms and Conditions

Welcome to Black Association Executives ("BAE," "we," "our," or "us"). By applying for membership, joining BAE, accessing our website (thebae.org), participating in BAE programs, events, communities, or services, or otherwise engaging with BAE, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
 

Membership

• Membership in BAE is open to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements for the selected membership category.

• Membership dues are non-refundable and non-transferable unless otherwise required by applicable law.

• Memberships purchased between August 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026, will remain active through December 31, 2027. Memberships purchased on or after January 1, 2027, will remain active through December 31 of the membership year purchased.

• BAE reserves the right to establish, modify, suspend, or discontinue membership categories, dues, benefits, eligibility requirements, and related policies at any time and in its sole discretion.

• Membership in BAE is a privilege and not a right. BAE reserves the sole and absolute discretion to determine membership eligibility, renewal, participation, standing, and compliance with its policies, standards, mission, values, and best interests.

• Membership does not confer any ownership interest, vested right, property right, entitlement, agency relationship, partnership, joint venture, employment relationship, fiduciary relationship, voting right (except as expressly provided in BAE's governing documents), or continued membership status.
   

Member Conduct

• Members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional, respectful, ethical, and lawful manner in all BAE activities, programs, events, communities, and communications.

• Members shall comply with all applicable BAE policies, procedures, codes of conduct, standards, and requirements, as may be adopted or amended from time to time.

• Members shall not engage in unlawful, discriminatory, harassing, threatening, disruptive, fraudulent, misleading, abusive, defamatory, or otherwise inappropriate conduct.

• Members shall not engage in any unauthorized solicitation, marketing, advertising, promotional activity, lead generation, fundraising, commercial outreach, mass communication, or other conduct that BAE determines, in its sole discretion, to be inconsistent with the intended purpose of membership or detrimental to the interests of BAE or its members.

• Members shall not misuse BAE resources, events, communication channels, directories, member information, intellectual property, or other organizational assets for unauthorized purposes.
   

Violations, Enforcement, and Appeals

Any violation of these Terms and Conditions, BAE policies, codes of conduct, membership standards, or other requirements established by BAE may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to a written warning, restriction of privileges, removal from events or programs, suspension of membership, denial of membership renewal, or termination of membership.
 

BAE reserves the sole and absolute right, in its discretion, to investigate complaints, review member conduct, and determine whether any act, omission, communication, or activity violates BAE policies, standards, mission, values, or the best interests of the organization.
 

BAE may take any corrective, disciplinary, or protective action it deems appropriate, including but not limited to warnings, restrictions, suspension, non-renewal, or termination of membership.
 

Grounds for disciplinary action include, but are not limited to:

• Violation of these Terms and Conditions or any BAE policy;

• Misuse of BAE resources, programs, events, communication platforms, or member information;

• Unauthorized solicitation, marketing, advertising, fundraising, or commercial activity;

• Misrepresentation of affiliation with, endorsement by, authorization from, or representation of BAE;

• Conduct that exposes BAE, its members, staff, volunteers, directors, officers, programs, operations, or reputation to legal, financial, operational, cybersecurity, or reputational risk; or

• Any conduct that BAE determines, in its sole discretion, to be inconsistent with its mission, values, standards, or best interests.
   

The examples of prohibited conduct and disciplinary action contained herein are illustrative and not exhaustive. BAE reserves the right to address any conduct it determines, in its sole discretion, to be inconsistent with its mission, values, governing documents, policies, or best interests.
 

A member whose membership has been suspended, restricted, denied renewal, or terminated may submit a written appeal to BAE within fifteen (15) calendar days of receiving notice of the action. The appeal must state the basis for the appeal and include any supporting documentation the member wishes BAE to consider.
 

Upon receipt of a timely appeal, BAE will conduct an internal review through a process determined by BAE in its sole discretion. BAE may uphold, modify, or reverse the action taken.
 

The filing of an appeal shall not stay, suspend, or otherwise delay the effectiveness of any disciplinary action unless expressly authorized by BAE.
 

The appeal process is an internal administrative review and does not create any contractual, property, constitutional, due process, or other legal rights beyond those expressly provided herein.
 

Except as otherwise required by applicable law, BAE's decisions regarding policy violations, disciplinary actions, membership eligibility, renewal, suspension, restriction, non-renewal, or termination shall be made in BAE's sole discretion and shall be final and binding.
 

Events and Programs

Registration fees for events, programs, educational offerings, certifications, or other services may be subject to separate terms, conditions, and cancellation policies.
 

BAE reserves the right to modify, postpone, reschedule, substitute, or cancel programs, events, speakers, venues, content, schedules, or offerings at any time and without liability.
 

Participants voluntarily assume all risks associated with participation in BAE programs, events, meetings, conferences, educational offerings, and activities.
 

Photography, Video, and Media Release

By attending or participating in BAE events, programs, meetings, webinars, conferences, or activities, participants grant BAE and its designees the irrevocable right and permission to photograph, record, livestream, reproduce, publish, distribute, display, and otherwise use their name, likeness, image, voice, statements, and appearance for educational, promotional, marketing, fundraising, archival, and other lawful organizational purposes in any media now known or later developed, without compensation or further approval, except where prohibited by law.
 

Intellectual Property

All content available through BAE, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, trademarks, service marks, resources, publications, recordings, videos, educational materials, program content, website content, and other materials, is the exclusive property of BAE or its licensors and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws.
 

Such content may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, modified, published, sold, licensed, or otherwise used without BAE's prior written consent.
 

Privacy and Electronic Communications

BAE respects your privacy and will handle personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy.

By joining BAE or using its services, you consent to receiving membership-related communications, operational notices, announcements, invoices, renewal reminders, policy updates, disciplinary notices, and other communications related to your participation in BAE.
 

Members consent to receive such communications electronically. Electronic notices shall be deemed delivered when transmitted to the email address or other contact information maintained by BAE.

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Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, BAE, its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, agents, contractors, affiliates, and representatives shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, punitive, or other damages arising out of or relating to membership, participation in BAE activities, attendance at events, use of the website, reliance upon BAE content, or any services provided by BAE.

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No member shall have any claim against BAE, its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, agents, or representatives arising from or relating to any good-faith membership determination, investigation, disciplinary action, enforcement decision, or other action taken pursuant to these Terms and Conditions or BAE policies.
 

Indemnification

Members agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless BAE, its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, agents, contractors, affiliates, successors, and assigns from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, judgments, settlements, penalties, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or relating to the member's conduct, actions, omissions, misuse of membership, violation of these Terms and Conditions, violation of BAE policies, infringement of intellectual property rights, or violation of applicable law.
 

Governing Law and Venue

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the District of Columbia, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.
 

Any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to these Terms and Conditions, membership in BAE, or participation in BAE programs, services, or activities shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in the District of Columbia, and members consent to the jurisdiction of such courts.

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Relationship to Governing Documents

In the event of any conflict between these Terms and Conditions and BAE's Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, or other governing documents, the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws shall control.

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Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall be construed to limit any authority granted to BAE under its Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, policies, or applicable law.
 

Changes to Terms

BAE reserves the right to modify, amend, update, or replace these Terms and Conditions at any time. Continued membership, participation, or use of the website following the effective date of any revision constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms and Conditions.
 

Contact Us

Black Association Executives (BAE)
Website: thebae.org
Email: info@thebae.org
 

By applying for membership, becoming a member of BAE, participating in BAE activities, or using thebae.org, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.