SPIRIT OF WELLNESS
UNIVERSAL MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT (Applies to ALL Members, regardless of role)
Private Membership Agreement
This Private Membership Agreement (“Agreement”) exists between Spirit of Wellness, a Private Membership Association (“Association”), and any individual who participates in services, programs, events, offerings, or makes a purchase through the Association (“Member”).
By participating in any service, program, activity, event, or by making any purchase, donation, or contribution through Spirit of Wellness, the individual knowingly, voluntarily, and willfully agrees to become a Member of this Private Membership Association and to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.
1. Private Domain and Jurisdiction
The Member acknowledges and agrees that Spirit of Wellness operates strictly within the private domain, under the constitutionally protected rights of private association, contract, expression, and spiritual practice.
All services, activities, communications, teachings, offerings, and interactions occur privately, not publicly. Participation is voluntary and occurs by private agreement between Members of the Association.
The Member understands and agrees that:
• This relationship is governed exclusively by private contract
• No public jurisdiction, regulatory agency, or statutory framework applies unless expressly adopted in writing by the Association
• Participation constitutes entry into a private, non-statutory association
Association and to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.
2. Non-Employment Relationship
Membership in Spirit of Wellness does not create employment.
The Member is not an employee, contractor, agent, or representative of any public entity. No wages, salaries, or statutory compensation are offered or implied. All participation is voluntary and governed solely by private membership and the Association’s internal governance.
3. Acceptance of Bylaws and Private Governance
Spirit of Wellness maintains internal bylaws, customs, policies, and procedures governing its private affairs.
By choosing to participate or make a purchase, the Member:
• Voluntarily submits to the Association’s private governance
• Accepts decisions made by the Trustees or designated governing body • Acknowledges that bylaws may be amended as needed
Continued participation constitutes ongoing acceptance of all internal governance.
4. Hold Harmless, Indemnification, and Waiver of Liability
The Member agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Spirit of Wellness, including its Trustees, Officers, Directors, Staff, Members, Agents, and Affiliates, from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or actions arising from participation.
All participation is undertaken voluntarily and at the Member’s own discretion and responsibility.
The Member waives any right to bring claims in public court regarding private activities, services, programs, or interactions within the Association.
5. Non-Disclosure of Private Information
All internal matters of Spirit of Wellness are confidential.
The Member agrees not to disclose, distribute, or publish any private communications, documents, teachings, or member information without written authorization.
This obligation survives termination of membership.
6. Internal Dispute Resolution and Exhaustion of Remedies
All disputes must be addressed privately within the Association before any external process is considered.
Required process:
1. Submit the issue privately in writing to the Trustees or designated committee
2. Participate in internal discussion or mediation
3. Accept the binding decision of the Trustees or internal council
Only after exhausting internal remedies may a Member seek private arbitration.
7. Binding Private Arbitration
If a matter remains unresolved after internal remedies, the dispute shall be submitted exclusively to binding private arbitration, conducted by an arbitrator selected by the Association or mutually agreed upon.
The arbitrator’s decision is final and enforceable.
Public courts may only be used to enforce an arbitration award.
8. No-Sue Provision
The Member agrees not to initiate any lawsuit, complaint, or regulatory action in any public forum regarding matters arising from membership or participation.
Violation of this provision constitutes immediate termination of membership.
8. Termination of Membership
Spirit of Wellness reserves the right to suspend or terminate membership for conduct that is disruptive, harmful, or inconsistent with the mission, values, or private governance of the Association.
Membership may also end voluntarily by discontinuing participation.
10. Voluntary Agreement and Assent
By participating in any service or making any purchase, the Member affirms that they:
• Are joining voluntarily
• Understand Spirit of Wellness is private and self-governing
• Accept all risks associated with participation
• Waive access to public jurisdiction for internal matters
• Agree to private governance and arbitration
SERVICE PROVIDER APPENDIX
(Applies ONLY to Members who provide services or receive distributions)
This Appendix applies to Members who offer teaching, facilitation, administration, healing services, or other contributions within Spirit of Wellness.
Participation as a Service Provider:
• Does not create employment
• Occurs solely within the private domain
• Is voluntary and Member-to-Member in nature
The Association may, at its discretion, provide private Member Distributions, allocations, or reimbursements. These are not wages, salary, or public compensation, and no payroll or employment system exists.
Members are responsible for their own personal financial and tax decisions.
PRIVATE MEMBER DISTRIBUTION POLICY (Internal Record)
Spirit of Wellness may issue private Member Distributions based on:
• Contribution to the mission
• Value provided to Members
• Trustee or Board decision
• Internal assessment of merit or need
Distributions:
• Are not wages or salary
• Do not create employment
• May be modified or discontinued at any time
The Association does not maintain payroll or issue W-2s.
“Spirit of Wellness operates as a Private Membership Association. Everyone participates as a Member first.
Some Members also provide services or support and may receive private Member Distributions. These are not wages or payroll.
By participating or making a purchase, you agree to be part of this private association and to resolve all matters privately.”
