Member Guide - Yucatan Initiative Foundation

Membership Overview

This guide summarizes the rights and obligations of YIF members as set forth in the Bylaws (Articles VI and VII). It is intended for orientation; the Bylaws control in case of any discrepancy.

                Open membership (Article VI, Section 6.1)
                Membership is open to all interested persons without discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, age,
                sexual orientation, national origin, handicap, or political party affiliation.
            

Foundation files: SharePoint document library (working documents; access per board policy).

The Corporation is not allied with any sect, denomination, political organization, or institution. It neither endorses nor opposes causes or positions. No member may make statements advocating or denouncing any point of view on behalf of the board or the Corporation.

Bylaw reference: Article VI, Section 6.1; Article III, Section 3.2

Membership Categories

The Corporation has four types of members (Article VI, Section 6.3):

Category	Rights (summary)	Obligations (summary)
Active	Participate and vote at Member meetings; speak, propose, and make motions; be nominated for board, committees, and other positions; other rights per Corporation regulations.	Pay membership and renewal fees; pay extraordinary fees approved by Members; attend Member meetings and summoned working sessions; serve in elected or appointed positions; do not use the Corporation name for political or promotional purposes.
Emeritus	Same rights as Active Members.	Exempt from membership fees (granted for notable and meritorious service).
Inactive	Remain part of the Corporation; no vote, motions, or office.	Cannot fulfill minimum attendance requirements but wish to stay affiliated.
Tal Ti'ol	Volunteer participation; may submit written requests or comments to Member meetings (no vote).	Volunteer service (“voluntarily, from the heart, gladly” in Maya).

Bylaw reference: Article VI, Section 6.3

Active Members — Rights (Detail)

Per Article VI, Section 6.3, Active Members have the right to:

Participate in all meetings of Members, speak during meetings, propose, make motions, discuss, and comment on matters presented;
Vote on all matters submitted for voting at a Meeting of Members;
Be nominated for positions on the Board of Directors, committees, and/or any other positions within the Corporation;
Exercise other rights as stipulated in the regulations of the Corporation.

Each Active Member has one (1) vote. Voting by proxy is prohibited at all meetings of the Corporation.

Bylaw reference: Article VI, Section 6.3; Article VII, Section 7.7

Active Members — Obligations (Detail)

Per Article VI, Section 6.3, Active Members must:

Pay membership fees and renewal fees determined by the Board of Directors from time to time;
Pay extraordinary fees approved by a majority of Members at a Meeting of Members;
Attend Meetings of Members;
Attend working sessions to which they are summoned by the Board of Directors;
Hold the positions to which they are elected or appointed;
Refrain from using the name of the Corporation for political or promotional purposes.

                Attendance and status
                An Active Member who, without justification or prior notice, has three absences from any Assembly
                or working session (whether called by the Board or in a Committee or Commission in which they participate) becomes
                an Inactive Member. Active status may be regained through continuous participation for six months
                from the date the status was lost.
            

Bylaw reference: Article VI, Section 6.3

Membership Dues

Annual membership dues for each Regular Member (and Corporate Member, if applicable) are determined by the board, including the collection schedule. The Board may delegate to the President and Executive Director the authority to approve waiver or reduction of fees for any member or guest (Article VI, Section 6.5).

Bylaw reference: Article VII, Section 7.1 (Dues); Article VI, Section 6.5

Ethics & Standards of Trust

All Members must comply with rules, regulations, procedures, and policies proposed by the Board of Directors (Article VI, Section 6.4).

Respect: Recognize, accept, appreciate, and value the freedom and dignity of all people, especially Maya communities.
Accountability: Commit to consistency of actions, accountability for results, and responsibility for participation.
Responsibility: Direct Corporation resources toward fulfilling institutional commitments, with asset management dedicated to benefiting the community.
Solidarity: Prioritize understanding causes and motives of initiatives, focusing on high impact and development of residents in targeted communities.

Members must support the Corporation’s 501(c)(3) status: no private inurement, no substantial lobbying, and no participation in political campaigns (Article III, Section 3.2).

Bylaw reference: Article VI, Section 6.4; Article III, Section 3.2

Meetings of Members

Topic	Requirement
Regular meetings	Quarterly — last Friday of each quarter at 9:00 AM Central Time. Location set by the Board (Texas or elsewhere). Regular meetings do not require notice.
Annual meeting	First regular meeting in June: financial statement, election of board members, and related annual business.
Quorum (regular)	First call: majority of all Members. Second call: meeting may proceed with those present. Virtual attendance permitted.
Special meetings	Called by two (2) or more Directors, or ten (10) Members in writing. Purpose must be in the notice; only stated business may be transacted.
Notice (annual/special)	10 to 50 days before the meeting, to all Active Members (mail, email, fax, in person, or other board-approved lawful method).
Bylaw amendments	Two-thirds (2/3) vote of Active Members present at a regular, annual, or special meeting.

Bylaw reference: Article VII, Sections 7.1–7.5, 7.7; Article XV, Section 15.1 (bylaw amendments)

Records & Inspection

All records of the Corporation are available for members' inspection; financial information is open to the public upon request. Books, records, and annual reports are kept at the registered or principal office for at least three (3) years after the close of a fiscal year, subject to reasonable copy fees during regular business hours.

Bylaw reference: Article XIII, Sections 13.1–13.2

            Full Bylaws & questions
            For complete provisions, use the Bylaws Navigator on the Board Portal (Articles VI, VII, and XIII).
            Questions: contact the Secretary or President of the Corporation.
        