Private Membership Commitment Agreement

3. Member Acknowledgments

3.1 Required Member Acknowledgments

By becoming a Member of 508 Ministry PMA, each Member makes the following acknowledgments:

3.2 Additional Member Acknowledgments

Each Member further acknowledges and agrees that:

• The Association does not provide licensed professional services of any kind, including but not limited to legal, tax, accounting, financial planning, or investment advice
• All information provided by the Association is for educational and informational purposes only within the private membership context
• The Member is solely responsible for ensuring their ministry's compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
• The Member has read and agrees to the PMA Terms of Service, Terms of Service, Terms of Agreement, Privacy Policy, Payment Policies, and Software Policy
• The Member understands that membership may be terminated for violation of Association policies
• The Member's relationship with the Association is a private contractual relationship between consenting parties

3.3 Waiver of Government Oversight

Each Member acknowledges and agrees that:

• As a private membership association, 508 Ministry PMA is not subject to the same regulatory framework as public businesses or commercial enterprises
• The Member voluntarily waives any expectation of government regulatory oversight over the private membership relationship between the Member and the Association
• Disputes between the Member and the Association are to be resolved through the private dispute resolution mechanisms established in this Agreement and the PMA Terms of Service, not through government regulatory agencies
• The Member understands that this waiver does not affect the Member's right to pursue legal remedies in a court of competent jurisdiction after exhausting the dispute resolution procedures described herein

6. Member Commitments to the Association

6.1 Membership Responsibilities

Each Member commits to the following responsibilities:

• Abide by Association Policies. I will comply with the PMA Terms of Service, Terms of Service, Terms of Agreement, Privacy Policy, Payment Policies, Software Policy, and this Member Commitment Agreement.
• Maintain Accurate Information. I will provide truthful and accurate information to the Association and keep my membership information current.
• Pay Membership Contributions Timely. I will pay all membership contributions and fees when due, and communicate proactively if I anticipate difficulty making a payment.
• Protect Account Security. I will maintain the confidentiality of my login credentials, enable security features, and immediately report any unauthorized access.
• Use the Platform Appropriately. I will use the software platform only for legitimate ministry management purposes and in accordance with the Acceptable Use Policy and Software Policy.
• Respect Other Members. I will treat other Members, Association staff, and support personnel with courtesy and professionalism.
• Protect Association Property. I will not copy, share, distribute, or misuse the Association's software, intellectual property, or proprietary materials.
• Maintain Data Backups. I will regularly export and back up my ministry data as recommended by the Association.
• Seek Qualified Professional Advice. I will consult with qualified attorneys, tax professionals, and other licensed professionals for legal, tax, and compliance matters, and will not rely on the Association for such advice.
• Communicate Through Proper Channels. I will direct concerns, complaints, and disputes through the Association's established resolution procedures rather than public forums.
• Uphold the Private Nature of the Association. I will respect and maintain the private membership character of the Association and will not publicly represent the Association's services as commercial products available to the general public.
• Provide Constructive Feedback. I will share honest feedback about the platform and services to help the Association improve for all Members.

6.2 Compliance Obligations

Each Member is solely responsible for:

• Ensuring their ministry complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws
• Maintaining proper 508(c)(1)(A) status and documentation
• Filing required reports and returns with the IRS and other agencies
• Complying with data protection and privacy laws applicable to the Member's jurisdiction
• Obtaining and maintaining any required licenses, permits, or registrations

9. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

9.1 Governing Law

This Agreement is governed by the general principles of contract law and the constitutional protections applicable to private membership associations within the United States of America, without regard to conflict of laws principles.

9.2 Dispute Resolution Procedure

Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the membership relationship, or any Member's use of the Association's platform or services shall be resolved as follows:

1. Step 1 -- Internal Resolution (Required): The Member and the Association shall first attempt to resolve the dispute through direct communication and good-faith negotiation. The Member shall submit a written description of the dispute to legal@508ministry.com. The Association shall respond within fifteen (15) business days. The parties shall engage in good-faith efforts to resolve the dispute for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of the initial written notice.
2. Step 2 -- Mediation (Required): If the dispute is not resolved through internal resolution, the parties shall submit the dispute to mediation. The mediator shall be a neutral third party mutually agreed upon by the parties, or if the parties cannot agree, appointed by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA"). The costs of mediation shall be shared equally between the parties. Mediation shall be conducted in Cheyenne, Wyoming, or at another location agreed upon by the parties, and shall be completed within sixty (60) days of the request for mediation.
3. Step 3 -- Binding Arbitration (Final): If mediation does not resolve the dispute, the dispute shall be finally resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under its Commercial Arbitration Rules then in effect. The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The arbitrator shall have authority to award any remedy that a court of competent jurisdiction could award. The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding on both parties, and judgment on the arbitration award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.

9.3 Class Action Waiver

The Member agrees that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted on an individual basis only. The Member waives the right to participate in a class action lawsuit, class-wide arbitration, or any other consolidated or representative proceeding against the Association. All claims must be brought in the Member's individual capacity, and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class, collective, or representative proceeding.

9.4 Statute of Limitations

Any claim or cause of action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the membership relationship must be filed within one (1) year after the date on which the claim or cause of action arose. Claims filed after this one-year period are permanently barred and may not be pursued through any dispute resolution procedure or court of law.

9.5 Costs and Fees

Unless the arbitrator determines otherwise, each party shall bear its own costs and attorney fees in connection with any dispute resolution proceeding. The prevailing party in any arbitration may be awarded reasonable attorney fees and costs at the arbitrator's discretion.

9.6 Survival

The dispute resolution provisions of this Agreement survive termination of membership and shall apply to all disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the membership relationship, regardless of when the dispute arises.