ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By acknowledging this agreement, you affirm your understanding that these Membership Terms and Conditions, along with the guidelines outlined in our Handbook, govern your relationship with BGSC. These terms delineate the rights and responsibilities of all members, including privileges and obligations associated with membership. 

Your access to and engagement with our organization are contingent upon your acceptance of and compliance with these Membership Terms and Conditions. They are binding for all members and employees alike. 

By joining or continuing your membership with BGSC, you acknowledge your commitment to adhere to these Membership Terms and Conditions. Should you dissent from any aspect of these terms, your eligibility for membership or continued participation in our organization may be affected. 

Furthermore, it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the information provided in the Handbook to ensure you understand and abide by the expectations outlined therein. 

INTERPRETATIONS AND DEFINITIONS

Interpretation. In cases where interpretation is required, BGSC reserves the right to make final determinations based on individual circumstances, policies, and regulations. The following definitions shall have the same meaning regardless of whether they appear singular or plural. 

Definitions.
"You" means the individual accessing or using the service, membership, or other legal entity on behalf of which such individual is accessing or using the service, as applicable. 

"BGSC" (referred to as either “Club," "Organization,” “Company,” “We,” “Us,” or “Our” in this Agreement) refers to The Black Girl Social Club. 

"Website" or "Site" refers to www.TheBlackGirlSocialClub.com. 

"Terms of Service" means the terms and conditions of membership and BGSC website set out below. 

"Member" means the person named on the application for membership and for whom, following acceptance, BGSC has agreed to provide services per these terms. 

MEMBERSHIP

GENERAL CODE OF CONDUCT. Active Members of BGSC must:

• Conduct oneself with integrity and honesty. 

• Uphold the BGSC mission statement of empowering Black women. 

• Maintain a positive attitude and encourage high cultural, intellectual, and moral standards. 

• Ensure public and private behaviors reflect the values and principles of BGSC. 

• Acknowledge and support BGSC's dedication to creating a safe space, respecting differing opinions, and promoting transparency. 

• Maintain timely monthly membership dues. 

• Attend at least one meeting, event, or activity hosted by the chapter per quarter and actively engage in the organization's initiatives regularly. 

• Adhere to a code of conduct that outlines acceptable behavior within the organization, including respect for fellow members, staff, and property. 

• Comply with all organization policies, including those related to confidentiality, safety, and inclusivity. 

• Contribute positively to the organization's mission and goals through volunteering, sharing skills, and supporting fellow members. 

• Maintain open and respectful communication with fellow members and organizational leadership, responding promptly to inquiries and requests for feedback. 

• Uphold ethical standards in interactions and activities within the organization, including honesty, integrity, and transparency. 

• Understand that adherence to the above guarantee's membership in good standing and dedication to the growth, betterment, and evolution of Black women everywhere. 

Events. Members will receive emails and newsletters about upcoming events with pertinent information, such as access codes, locations, etc. Some events will be paid events, some will be free, and some will be discounted thanks to your BGSC membership.

Chapter Transfers. Members wishing to transfer to another chapter within the organization must submit a Member Transfer Request. These requests will undergo a thorough review and require approval from the Executive Leadership Team before the member is authorized to participate in the intended chapter.  

MEMBERSHIP DUES. BGSC members must uphold their active membership status by paying monthly dues, ensuring their continued participation within a chapter and access to the organization's resources. Members acknowledge and consent to covering membership dues, which contribute to operational expenses, including systems, staffing, tools, contractors, media platforms, special guests, professional services (such as legal and tax preparers), programming, initiatives, events, etc. 

Membership dues are automatically debited from members' accounts on a predetermined date each month. It is the member's responsibility to ensure the successful processing of payments by maintaining adequate funds in their designated bank account and promptly updating any changes to billing information. Membership status and payment transactions will be identified on the member's bank statement as "THE BLACK GIRL SOCIAL." 

AUTOMATIC RENEWAL. All membership plans are paid by monthly automatic electronic payment (credit card, debit card, or automatic checking account draft). Monthly memberships will automatically renew at the same payment terms and billing date established at the time of enrollment. 

TRANSACTIONS. In the event of a failed or missed membership dues payment processed by BGSC, the payment processor will undertake an additional attempt to collect the payment within a span of 7 days before considering it uncollectible. If the payment issue persists into the following month without resolution, automatic removal of membership will be initiated at the next payment cycle's end.  In the event of an account cancellation due to non-payment, members will lose their position within the chapter and must reapply as New Members to regain access. This includes the payment of all applicable fees and arrears. 

A fee of $15 will be charged for all instances of insufficient funds, past due payments, and returned checks. Members who have a history of frequent payment failures, billing issues, or membership cancellations may be deemed ineligible to rejoin the organization.  

DISPUTES AND FRAUD. BGSC operates as a membership-driven organization, where the integrity of our community is paramount. membership status is determined through a meticulous application process designed to ensure the authenticity and commitment of our members. We understand that occasional disputes may arise, and we handle them with diligence and fairness. 

Any disputes filed under false pretenses or involving fraudulent actions compromise the trust and integrity of our organization. Therefore, such behavior will result in immediate membership cancellation. Additionally, the individual will be subject to inclusion on the Blacklist. 

Members involved in repeated disputes will be flagged, potentially leading to legal actions by BGSC to uphold the standards and values we stand for. 

CHARGEBACK POLICY. In the event of a decline, chargeback, or rejection of payment for any payable fees related to a BGSC membership, it will be considered a violation of payment obligations outlined in the Membership Terms and Conditions and may result in automatic disabling or termination of membership.  

Privileges will not be reinstated until the member re-enrolls for their BGSC membership and settles any outstanding fees in full. This includes covering any fees and expenses incurred by BGSC due to the chargeback, such as fees for services provided before the chargeback, as well as handling and processing charges imposed by the payment processor. 

Before initiating a chargeback or reversal of payment with their financial institution, we advise members to contact Member Support at help@bgscmail.com or by submitting a Member Support Request Form for assistance and to express specific concerns or dissatisfaction with membership benefits.  

We retain the right to challenge any chargeback received and may provide the relevant credit card company or financial institution with documentation proving that the member requesting the chargeback authorized the transaction and continued to use the services provided thereafter. 

CANCELLATION PROCESS. To initiate the cancellation of membership, members can login to their Stripe profile, follow the prompts for access, and click Cancel Plan. Members can also submit a Member Support Request Form for assistance with their cancellation.  

CANCELLATION BY MEMBER. Requests must be submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled payment date. Cancellation requests made within this time limit will be promptly processed, however, any requests received after this deadline will result in the membership remaining active for the subsequent billing cycle. In such cases, a final payment deduction will occur on the established auto-draft date, with the cancellation taking effect from the following payment cycle. 

Members are responsible for ensuring timely submission of cancellation requests within the specified time limit to avoid additional charges. Requests should be directed to the designated method provided by the organization. 

Note that failure to adhere to this policy may lead to continued membership charges for the subsequent billing cycle. 

Upon cancellation or termination for any reason, members are promptly removed from the chapter's member List and unsubscribed from all chapter emails, group chats, newsletters, and any other events and activities associated with a BGSC membership. 

NEW MEMBER CANCELLATION GRACE PERIOD. New Members who wish to cancel their membership must do so within 14 days (about 2 weeks) of their initial enrollment to be eligible for a prorated refund of their membership dues payment. Cancellation requests received within this time limit will be processed, and the member will receive a refund proportional to the remaining unused portion of their membership term. Application fees remain non-refundable. 

Cancellations should be self-processed or submitted via a Member Support Request Form. Members are responsible for ensuring the cancellation request is received within the specified 14-day period. Any cancellation requests received after the 14-day period will not be eligible for a refund, and the membership will remain active until the end of the current billing cycle. 

TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP. Members whose dues fall into arrears, resulting in cancellation, will be removed from their chapters' member list. Consequently, they will be unable to participate in local chapter or national BGSC events and will not be recognized as a member. 

MEMBERSHIP HOLDS. BGSC does not provide the option to pause or hold monthly membership payments. If, for any reason, a member needs to temporarily discontinue their membership due to personal or financial hardship reasons, they are encouraged to utilize the cancellation and rejoining process as needed to align with their individual circumstances.  

MILITARY AND ACTIVE-DUTY CONSIDERATIONS. Members who are deployed/deploying can have their positions reserved within their chapter for a maximum period of six months upon the completion of the designated process. Deployed service members are encouraged to utilize the Member Support Request Form to submit their request. Throughout their deployment, they are not permitted to participate in individual or national chapter events and activities.  

Should a deployment exceed this time limit, members are advised to seek further assistance by contacting help@bgscmail.com. Also, if there is a chapter where the member will be deployed, they can transfer to the local chapter to maintain their involvement. BGSC recognizes that unusual circumstances may occur, and we are committed to carefully considering them. 

REFUSAL, SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP. We may, in our discretion, immediately restrict, suspend or terminate your membership and access to the Site if we consider you in breach of these Membership Terms, any other Site rules, or applicable law.

We reserve the right to refuse membership in our discretion.

MEMBER GRIEVANCES. A complaint or concern raised by a BGSC Member regarding perceived unfair treatment, violation of policies, or any other matter affecting their participation or experience within the organization, should first be directed to their Chapter Leadership.  

BGSC has instituted a new Chapter Leadership Grievance Process for Chapter Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Members to follow. This new conflict resolution process will result in better formal documentation that can be revisited, increased efficiencies, more transparency with key members of the Executive Team and more effective solutions that will benefit chapters in the end.  

All Chapter Leaders and members experiencing a grievance must submit a formal grievance via a Chapter Leadership Conflict Resolution Form.  

NON-HAZING POLICY. BGSC maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards hazing. This policy explicitly prohibits all forms of hazing at any time, requiring members to refrain from engaging in any illegal or unsisterly conduct. The organization unequivocally condemns any acts of hazing perpetrated by leaders or any other members of the BGSC community. 

Hazing, as outlined in this policy, pertains specifically to activities related to pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership within any organization. It is defined as any activity that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers an individual, irrespective of their willingness to participate, or is otherwise prohibited by BGSC. 

Both leaders and members are prohibited from: 

• Actively participating in any hazing-related activities. 

• Passively participating in or possessing knowledge of any hazing-related activities. 

Members are expected to make every effort to safeguard the organization from such conduct and are obligated to promptly report any instances of hazing to the appropriate chapter, divisional, or Executive Leadership member(s). 

ADDITIONAL RULES AND GUIDANCE

BGSC values the positive representation of its members on social media platforms. Members and leaders are encouraged to highlight their affiliation with BGSC and advocate for our Sisterhood within their personal networks.  

Members and leaders must adhere to broader policies, code of conduct, and decorum. They should present themselves as individuals and refrain from acting as official spokespersons for BGSC, unless explicitly authorized. Members should engage in respectful and considerate communication, avoiding harassment, discrimination, or offensive language, while respecting the privacy and confidentiality of fellow members and the organization. 

 When using official logos and materials, members should ensure alignment with the organization's branding guidelines. Additionally, when sharing official events, or expressing support for the organization, members should avoid disclosing sensitive information such as event addresses, zoom links, or internal matters to the public or non-members. 

Members and leaders of BGSC are prohibited from establishing social media profiles or websites solely for representing their individual BGSC chapters. Any instances of misuse or misrepresentation of BGSC on public platforms should be reported to Chapter Leaders or Executive Leadership for appropriate action. 

BGSC ONLINE COMMUNITY SPACES AND FORUMS. The Executive Leadership Team utilizes Slack for direct, real-time communication with Chapter Leadership. This platform is exclusive to authorized leaders and is monitored and managed by BGSC. 

Each chapter utilizes platforms like Slack, Band, and GroupMe to share chapter-specific information. Access to these platforms is restricted to active members in good financial standing. BGSC reserves the right, but is not obligated, to monitor content posted on these platforms. The organization is not responsible or liable for material posted by others; however, we reserve the right to edit, refuse to post, or remove content that, at our discretion, is objectionable or violates Membership Terms and Conditions, our policies, this Handbook, or applicable law.  

MODIFICATIONS AND INTERRUPTIONS. BGSC reserves the right to change, modify, or remove the site's contents at any time or for any reason at our sole discretion without notice. However, we have no obligation to update any information on our site. We also reserve the right to modify or discontinue all or part of the site without notice. We will not be liable to members or any third party for any modification, price change, suspension, or discontinuance of the site. 

BGSC cannot guarantee uninterrupted availability of the site. There may be instances of hardware, software, or other issues beyond our control, or the need for maintenance, leading to interruptions, delays, or errors. We reserve the right to modify, suspend, discontinue, or otherwise change the site at any time and for any reason without prior notice.  

It is acknowledged that BGSC shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or inconvenience resulting from members' inability to access or use the site during any downtime or discontinuance. Nothing in these Terms of Use shall obligate BGSC to maintain, support, or provide any corrections, updates, or releases for the site. 

LINKS TO OTHER WEBSITES. Our service may include links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by BGSC. BGSC has no control over these external sites and assumes no responsibility for their content, privacy policies, or practices. Members acknowledge and agree that BGSC shall not be held responsible or liable, directly, or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods, or services available on or through these third-party websites or services. 

GOVERNING LAW. Membership Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Georgia, and you irrevocably submit to the exclusive authority of the courts in that State or location. 

CONTACT DETAILS AND COMPLAINTS. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these Terms, your membership, or our services, or if you wish to submit a complaint, please contact help@bgsc.us. 

AMENDMENTS. The Executive Leadership Team may amend the Membership Terms and Conditions, or any Club policies at any time. Members shall receive written notice of all board approved changes to the bylaws. 

Complete Member and Leader Handbook. This policy is effective as of 4.4.2024. 

BGSC’s ADA/ADAA Policy. This Policy is effective as of 4.24.2024.