Rules and Ethos

Any man or woman of any age who satisfies the membership qualifications shall be eligible to be a member.

An applicant for membership must apply in writing by submitting a signed and dated Membership Agreement and Personal Declaration form to the Secretary (via website) stating:

• the applicant’s name, address, and contact information.
• that the applicant has been given and has read a copy of these Rules and Ethos and supports the object(s) of the Association and agrees to be bound by the Rules and Terms of Use immediately upon admission to membership.
• the applicant’s consent to the holding of relevant data for the purposes of the Data Protection Act as amended 2022.
• the applicant must agree and consent to receiving regular communications and notifications via email and must remain subscribed for the duration of membership.
• the applicant must attend at least one weekly member’s meeting within every 6-month period (i.e. minimum of 2 meetings per year excluding AGM or SGM meetings).
• the applicant must not act, or behave, in a way which is believed to undermine the membership or pose a risk to the integrity and security of the EtP platform (including Intellectual Property), and or is believed to represent a threat to the members of the Association.

Until an applicant is approved for membership, they are not entitled to any of the benefits or privileges of the Association.

The Executive Committee and or any of the Trustees reserve(s) the right to refuse any application where it is believed that such an application would create, or cause to be created, a conflict of interest or compromise the security, or integrity of the membership.

Any person who meets the following qualifications (the “membership qualifications”) may be entitled to apply for membership subject to any further provisions in these Rules:

1. Must be over 18 years old
2. Must be prepared to study
3. Must have the intention to live in harmony and in peace with other private members of society
4. Must have made a personal declaration to the Association, to follow its rules and ethos.

The membership subscription is an ongoing monthly fee. The subscription fee can be paid annually in advance at a discounted amount or by other arrangement (instalments) agreed with the Executive Committee.

As at the 1 March 2023, on being admitted to the Association there is no fee to be paid for the first thirty (30) days which is considered a “Trial Period”. After the Trial Period there is a nominal monthly administration fee (“Administration Fee”) to fund the costs of maintaining the online platform and backend systems. The Administration Fee ceases to be payable when and if a paid Membership Subscription is selected.

The future level of subscription and entrance fee may be changed by a resolution at any General Meeting passed by a majority of those present when the vote is taken.

A new member joining part way through a financial year, on an annual subscription, will pay a pro-rata subscription fee due for the remaining calendar month or year. Likewise, if a member leaves the membership, or is expelled for whatever reason(s), the subscription will be refunded on a pro-rated basis whether paid monthly or annually less any Bank / Payment Gateway Administration Fees.

Where a member has accessed membership Benefits and Privileges, courses or educational materials and content at discounted rates due to a paid membership subscription, that member will become liable to pay the full amount should they downgrade to a free membership, or have their membership revoked for any reason, within 12 months of accessing such. Likewise, if a Member has purchased and subsequently accessed a privilege or benefit, and subsequently requests a refund, no refund shall be payable unless, in the opinion of most of the Trustees, EtP has failed to deliver the service/education promised. The Trustees reserve the right to make any such refund or part refund less Bank / Payment Gateway Administration Fees. In other words, the member agrees that the Trustees retain full discretion for issuing refunds.

Membership renewal is automatically continued each month and year unless:

1. The member resigns, on or before a full calendar month is completed, or on or before the 12-month period has expired, in which case the member is under no obligation to pay any part of the subscription for a new month or year; or
2. The member is expelled or has had their membership revoked for whatever reason.

A member may resign at any time by notice in writing by post or by email to the Secretary. On receiving the notice, the Secretary will immediately remove that member from the Members’ Register, which terminates membership.

The resigning member is not entitled to any return or rebate of subscription and remains liable for any unpaid subscription and any other sums due from him or her to the Association in relation to any Benefits, Privileges, or Educational Content accessed at discount where the full amount now becomes due.

All rights and interests in the Association and its property cease immediately on termination of membership by resignation, expulsion, or death.

Any member who is in serious or persistent breach of these Rules or who otherwise acts in a way which in the opinion of the Trustees or Executive Committee is seriously or persistently inappropriate for a member of this Association, may have their membership terminated with immediate effect and without notice.

Any member who is in serious or persistent breach of these Rules, or who otherwise acts in a way which, in the opinion of the Trustees or Executive Committee, is seriously or persistently inappropriate for a member of this Association, may be disciplined as set out in the Disciplinary Regulations in Annex 1.

Any member who is aggrieved by anything the Association or its members have instigated or actioned, the Association may investigate and deal with the matter as set out in the Grievance Regulations in Annex 1.

The Officers, by their own discretion, reserve the right to remove and/or expel any member believed to be a threat to the security and/or integrity of the Association or its membership without invoking the Disciplinary Procedures. Any member acting, or behaving, in a way which is in serious breach of the Rules, and/or is believed to undermine the membership Rules, Intellectual Property, and/or is believed to represent a threat to the members of the Association, at the sole discretion of the Officers, will have their membership and access terminated, with immediate effect and without notice.

The Officers retain full discretion to terminate memberships; however, the Founding Trustee has the power to overrule any decision made by the Officers where it may not be deemed to be in the best interest of the Association. 36. Access to Unpaid Memberships (including those where the monthly Administration Fee is paid), may be suspended by any of the Trustees, or any Executive Committee where a lack of engagement with the platform / Association has occurred for more than six months in accordance with clause 11.

Any notice required or allowed to be given to any member under these Rules is validly given if:

1. sent by post to that member’s address in the Member’s Register (in which case it is deemed given to the member 2 days after posting); or
2. given to him/her personally; or
3. sent by email to that member’s email address in the Members’ Register.

Any notice required or allowed to be given by any member to the Secretary under these Rules is validly given if sent by post or email to the Secretary at the postal address, email or most recently notified to members by the Secretary. It is deemed given when received at that address or email.