WHO WE ARE

The Brass Tacks Photography Studio is a membership-based photography studio and community. At it’s most basic level The Fleet Membership grants access to use of the studio; at it’s most robust, it is the perfect place to promote your businesses, grow your skillset, and forge genuine connections with other creatives. We champion collaboration. In our community, learning from one another is a constant, and working together becomes a shared journey toward collective growth. Our commitment is to foster an environment where everyone’s success is celebrated, and our community propels us all forward.

MEMBER TIERS & BENEFITS

C L I P P E R

• 6 hrs studio time / mo

• Access to monthly Office Hours

• Input on Seasonal Sets

• Discounted tickets on quarterly workshops

• Early access to booking calendar for sets

• Photo-opportunity calendar

• Access to studio calendar / ability to rent the studio.

• 20% off additional time in studio

G U N D A L O W

• 4 hrs studio time / mo

• Access to Monthly office hours

• Monthly photo critiques

• Photo-opportunity calendar

• Access to studio calendar / ability to rent the studio.

• 10% off additional time in studio

A L B A C O R E

• 2 hrs studio time / mo

• Access to studio calendar / ability to rent the studio.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Although The Fleet’s guiding principles cannot address every issue or provide answers to every dilemma, they can define the spirit in which we intend to operate and should guide us in our daily conduct.

Members agree to abide by the following Code of Conduct:

1. Encouragement. Inspiration. Community

Encourage, inspire and support fellow Members and visitors. Members provide a strong sense of community where others feel welcomed and valued.

2. Build Trust and Credibility

The success of our community is dependent on the trust and confidence we earn from our fellow Members, visitors, clients and referrals. We gain credibility by adhering to our commitments, displaying honesty and integrity and reaching our goals solely through honorable conduct.

When considering any action, ask: will this build trust and credibility for the Fleet? Will it help create an environment in which the Fleet can succeed over the long term? The only way we will maximize trust and credibility is by answering “yes” to those questions and by working every day to build our trust and credibility.

3. Integrity

Do the right thing. Be truthful. Be honest and fair to Members.

4. Professional Compliance

Members must be in good standing in their respective professions, hold current licenses and certifications and maintain appropriate insurances, if required. The Fleet reserves the right to verify this information.

5. Flexibility with Accountability

Members are responsible for their behavior. Members understand that the benefit they receive from their Fleet Membership is a direct result of the effort they put in. Members agree to treat each opportunity with appropriate urgency and attention.

6. Respect

We all deserve to collaborate in an environment where we are treated with dignity and respect. The Fleet is committed to creating such an environment because it brings out the full potential in each of us, which, in turn, contributes directly to our success.

Have respect for Members, Brass Tacks Photography staff, visitors, vendors and clients. Treat one another respectfully, avoiding any action that may discredit The Fleet, Members, or their clients.

The Fleet Members must refrain from any act of harassment or bullying which creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for other Members, visitors or staff. The Fleet Members agree to work together to provide a Membership experience that is free from all forms of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, bullying, or intimidation. Respect the confidentiality of other Members and their referred clients.

7. Confidentiality and Intellectual Property

It is important that we respect the property rights of others. We will not acquire or seek to acquire improper means of another’s trade secrets or other proprietary or confidential information. We will not engage in unauthorized use, copying, distribution or alteration of intellectual property.

You may not use or share information that is confidential, proprietary or trade secret in nature relating to the business of the Fleet. When it comes to prospective Members, referrals or business opportunities, The Fleet encourages you to make introductions and promote fellow Members. However, do not give out any information about a fellow Member without prior approval from that Member.

You agree that you will keep confidential all the Fleet’s Confidential Information and that you will not, directly or indirectly, either while you are a Member with The Fleet or at any time after: (i) use, publish, or otherwise disclose to any third party any of The Fleet’s Confidential Information in any format or medium, or (ii) use, publish, or otherwise disclose The Fleet’s Confidential Information in any format or medium for your benefit to compete with The Fleet or to use for spamming or other unauthorized contact with Members, or for the benefit of any other person or entity to compete with The Fleet or to use for spamming or other unauthorized contact with Members, or (iii) publish or allow to be published or disclosed, any The Fleet’s Confidential Information to any person who is not affiliated with The Fleet.

“Confidential Information” means information, whether or not marked as “confidential” or “proprietary” and whether or not in electronic or documentary form, relating to, without limitation, past, present, or future research, development, financial, technological, or business activities of The Fleet, including, but not limited to, The Fleet’s Member handbook, Member lists, strategic partner lists, data about Members and their businesses, marketing information, The Fleet’s website content and design, computer software, research, designs, know-how, inventions, methods of operation, copyrightable material, patentable material, trademarkable material, and other intellectual property and trade secrets (as defined in the Massachusetts Uniform Trade Secrets Act).

MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Create a Culture of Open and Honest Communication

At The Fleet everyone should feel comfortable communicating, particularly with respect to ethics concerns. Members and staff have a responsibility to create an open and supportive environment where Members feel comfortable raising such questions. We all benefit tremendously when Members exercise their power to prevent mistakes or wrongdoing by asking the right questions at the right times.

Members are encouraged, in the first instance, to address such issues with the respective Member, as most problems can be resolved swiftly. If for any reason that is not possible or if a Member is not comfortable raising the issue with another Member, then speak to the Chapter Leader or a Brass Tacks Photography staff Member.

Brass Tacks Photography will investigate all reported instances of questionable or unethical behavior. In every instance where improper behavior is found to have occurred, Brass Tacks Photography will take appropriate action.

2. Participation

Members will get to know the other Members of the fleet. Members will RSVP with the Brass Tacks Photography staff and submit photos and critiques of others work in advance of critique meeting.

3. Collaboration

Members will support other Members to promote their personal brand, expand their referral network, and widen their community connections. Members will achieve success through meaningful relationships, exchanging ideas and knowledge and providing opportunities to Members.

4. Working Together

If Members purchase products from or engage the services of another Fleet Member, Members will resolve any disputes regarding such products or service (including fees) directly with that Member. Members will not involve the Brass Tacks Photography staff, other Members or the community in any such disputes.

5. Relationships First

Members should focus first on building trusted relationships with other Members and allow business between each other to grow organically.

6. Privacy

Access to The Fleet’s Opportunity Calendar, Member Lists, directories or other information is an exclusive benefit of Membership in the Fleet. Members shall not sell, rent, or share The Fleet’s information or allow non-Fleet Members to view said information.

7. Membership

Membership is non-transferable, and non-refundable. Membership is subject to approval by Brass Tacks Photography.

8. Ethics

I have read the The Fleet Code of Conduct and agree to abide by it.

BREACH of MEMBERSHIP

All Members must confirm they accept the Fleet Code of Conduct and Fleet Member Responsibilities prior to joining or renewing. Brass Tacks Photography Staff will attest that a Member is in good standing prior to their annual renewal.

Enforcement of the Code of Conduct is the responsibility of the Brass Tacks Photography Staff. Decisions as to termination of Membership are made by Brass Tacks Photography Staff.

Please note: Brass Tacks Photography only investigates claims of a breach of the Fleet’s Code of Conduct and Member Responsibilities. Complaints about a Member’s professional competence should be directed to the relevant professional governing body. The Fleet will not investigate disputes about products sold or services rendered, including but not limited to, fee disputes. However, should such disputes be recurring, The Fleet, in its sole discretion, may decide to terminate the Membership of the offending Member.

One or more breaches of the The Fleet’s Code of Conduct or Member Responsibilities are cause for immediate termination of Membership without reimbursement of any dues or fees previously paid to The Fleet.

COMPLAINTS

Making a Complaint

If you witness or experience a Member violating the Code of Conduct or Member Responsibilities, report the infraction to a Brass Tacks Photography Staff member for initial investigation.

If the violation has been committed by a Staff Member, then the alleged infraction should be reported to the Brass Tacks Photography’s CEO for investigation.

If the issue cannot be resolved by the staff, that staff member will report the complaint to the Brass Tacks Photography’s CEO.

Investigation

Brass Tacks Photography will investigate the allegations of a complaint by speaking to the relevant parties. If Brass Tacks Photography determines that a Member has violated the Code of Conduct or Member Responsibilities, the appropriate consequence will be given in the form of either a warning or termination of Membership.

If the investigation is not conclusive, a notice will be provided to the Member that any future confirmed breach will result in termination of Membership.

Confidentiality will be maintained in the investigation process to the extent practical and appropriate under the circumstances.

MEMBERSHIP POLICIES

1. MEMBERSHIP BASICS

Memberships are non-transferable, and non-refundable. There are no corporate rates and no shared Memberships. Membership is active upon payment being received in full. Annual renewal is based on the date that the member's application was approved

2. NON-SOLICITATION

The Fleet puts relationships first and is committed to providing a comfortable environment for its Members. The hope is that once Members get to know each other, they will exchange business and make referrals to each other. However, this should be a natural progression and Members should avoid a ‘hard sell’ to other Members.

Emailing other Members is a privilege of Membership. You must obtain permission from the Member and confirm they agree to opt in to receive newsletters or announcements sent to a bulk distribution mailing list.

3. POLICY AGAINST HARASSMENT and DISCRIMINATION

As stated in the Code of Conduct, The Fleet prides itself on guiding principles that include integrity, accountability, confidentiality, and respect. Members who engage in acts of harassment and/or discrimination directly violate these guiding principles.

The Fleet Members must refrain from any act of harassment which creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for other Members. The Fleet Members agree to work together to provide a Membership experience that is free from all forms of harassment, discrimination, retaliation or bullying.

Harassment includes conduct that reasonably could be expected to and/or does interfere with an individual Member’s ability to avail the Member of all the benefits available to The Fleet’s Members or creates an intimidating or hostile environment at any Fleet event or meeting. Below are some examples of harassment:

If you witness or experience any such conduct, please report the situation to a Brass Tacks Photography staff member as soon as possible. The process previously discussed above in Complaints will be also be applied by The Fleet when investigating any complaint related to harassment, discrimination, retaliation.

4. CLASSIFICATIONS

The Fleet is mindful of the need for all to succeed and will balance the overall needs of the Fleet with the needs of each Member.

The key is to find and emphasize the differences, rather than automatically assuming the two Members are competitive.

5. ALCOHOL

Alcohol will not be served by Brass Tacks Photography at events or any meeting sponsored by Brass Tacks Photography. Any alcohol consumption at the appropriate meetings will be the sole responsibility of the Member.

6. NEW MEMBER BONUS

For every new Member referred by a current Fleet member, the referring Member will receive a $25 bonus via Venmo (or check). The new Member must put the referring Member's name on their application. There is no limit to the number of bonuses a Member can accrue. Payment via Venmo (or check) will be made to the referring Member once the new Member has paid their membership dues.

7. NON-FLEET EVENTS

Fleet members may have the opportunity to participate in events and activities that are organized by other Fleet members that are neither sponsored nor planned by Brass Tacks Photography (“Non-Fleet Events”). Brass Tacks Photography does not take responsibility for such events, including the safety, equipment, supervision, or training of those involved. By participating in a Non-Fleet Event, Fleet members (as well as the hosts of the Non-Fleet Events) assume all risks of loss, damage or injury that may occur to them as a result of such participation, without limitation or qualification, and they waive all claims against Brass Tacks Photography and its members arising from or related to such assumed risks. The Fleet may list Non-Fleet Events on The Fleet’s calendar and send electronic mail announcements or reminders of scheduled Non-Fleet Events, which does not modify or affect in any way the assumption of risk and waiver by Fleet members when attending Non-Fleet Events.

8. BRASS TACKS PHOTOGRAPHY IS NOT LIABLE

Brass Tacks Photography, its officers, members, employees, contractors, agents and the like are not responsible in any way for the products, services, representations or advice of its Members. This includes but is not limited to, fees, pricing, quality or customer service.

9. ARBITRATION

Any controversy or claim (“Claim") you (the “Member”) may have arising out of or relating to your Membership in The Fleet (“The Fleet”) shall be resolved by final and binding arbitration. The arbitration shall be held in New Hamsphire and shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Federal Arbitration Act. The arbitration shall be administered by JAMS pursuant to its Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures. All submissions to the arbitrator, the arbitration proceedings and the award shall be confidential.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, either the Member or Brass Tacks Photography may, in aid of the arbitrator’s jurisdiction, bring a proceeding seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunctive relief in either federal or state court with appropriate jurisdiction. Such an order shall remain in effect until a final award is made in the arbitration described above. The arbitrator shall have the power to award permanent injunctive relief as part of the arbitration award. Additionally, a court action may be brought to enforce any arbitration award.

10. FAXED or ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES

Faxed, scanned, electronic signatures and/or electronic acknowledgment of this agreement, as well as on any amendments, modifications or ancillary agreements, shall be considered as binding as original signatures and may be relied upon.

11. VIDEO and PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography, and/or audio-visual recordings may be made of any Fleet program, offering or event, including your participation, presentation or statements. By joining, attending and continuing to be in the program, offering or event you are consenting to be recorded or photographed. You consent to the Fleet’s rebroadcast or other use of the photo, audio or video recordings of any program, offering or event and any information disclosed or shared. The views expressed or presented by panelists and participants of the program are those of the speakers or authors and do not necessarily represent the views, policies or approved positions of Brass Tacks Photography, its officers and are not endorsed by Brass Tacks Photography, its officers.