Membership Dues & Standing Policy

Annual Membership Dues. There will be annual membership dues in an amount to be determined by the EAST Board of Directors (“Board”) from time to time (“Dues”). The membership year will coincide with the calendar year (i.e., January 1 through December 31).  Except for New Members (discussed below), Dues applicable to a membership year are due on or before January 1st of the year to which they apply.  It is anticipated EAST will send renewal invoices to members for the Dues during or about October for the following membership year.  If a member fails to pay the applicable Dues on or before January 1st, member will be considered delinquent in their payment, but remain in good standing and provided a grace period until the end of February of said membership year to pay the  Dues.  If a member fails to pay the Dues on or before the end of February of said membership year, their membership shall be automatically suspended until the Dues are paid in full.  During any period of suspension, the suspended member shall not enjoy any membership rights or privileges.  If a suspended member fails to pay the Dues by June 30th of said membership year, member will be deemed to have voluntarily terminated their membership as of July 1st, without having to provide notice of the same.  Thereafter, the terminated member shall be required to reapply for membership in the same manner as any individual seeking to become a member for the first time. Dues are non-refundable.

Initial Dues for New Members.  Applications for membership are typically considered by EAST in January.  Accordingly, approved applicants will typically receive notification of their approval and their initial Dues invoice in late January or February, and will become members when EAST receives payment of their initial Dues.  If they do not pay their initial Dues by the following June 30th, they will be deemed to have voluntarily revoked his/her membership application without having to provide notice of the same.  Thereafter, they shall be required to reapply for membership in the same manner as any individual seeking to become a member for the first time.

Good Standing.  A member who meets all the requirements of their membership class, has paid all Dues and any other amounts due EAST, and is not in violation of the Bylaws or any of EAST’s other governing documents, shall be considered in “good standing.”  Only members in good standing may exercise the rights, and enjoy the benefits, associated with their membership class.

Record Date.  The fixing of Record Dates for determining: (i) the members entitled to notice of a members meeting; (ii) the members entitled to vote; and/or (iii) the members for any other proper purpose is determined in accordance with Section 3.8 of EAST’s Bylaws.  Consistent with the foregoing, the Record Date used to determine the members entitled to receive the Slate of candidates and/or submit an Alternate nomination petition pursuant to Section 6.1.1.2.3 of EAST’s Bylaws is October 1st.     

Change of Address.  Notices to members regarding their Dues, and for all other reasons required by law,  EAST’s Charter, or the Bylaws shall be provided in accordance with Section 8.4 of EAST’s Bylaws. Consistent with the foregoing, all notices must be delivered to members at their last known address according to EAST’s records. It is the members’ sole responsibility to provide (and update) EAST with their current contact information (including, without limitation, their mailing address, email address, phone number, and facsimile number).   

Adopted: April 30, 2015