The Association of Yoga Professionals
Bylaws
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this association shall be The Association of Yoga Professionals, also known as “The AYP.”
ARTICLE II
Purpose
The purpose of this association is to offer certification, benefits and support for teachers of yoga, as well as accreditation for yoga schools and yoga teacher training programs in an effort to support the growth and understanding of yoga as a recognized healing practice. In light of this, the association also seeks to connect yoga students with certified yoga teachers.
ARTICLE III
Members
Section 1. Classification. There shall be the following classification of members:
- President. The association shall have a President who is appointed by and accountable to the association’s Board of Directors.
- Board. The association shall have a board of directors.
- Executive. The Board of Directors may appoint executive members to carry out various operations, per the needs of the association.
- Certified. Certified members are members who have submitted a qualified application, taken and passed the AYP certification exam and Karma of Ethics course, and paid their annual dues, as well as any applicable administrative fees.
- Student. Student members are yoga students and yoga enthusiasts who seek to connect with the most knowledgeable, experienced and passionate teachers available to them.
- Studios and/or Yoga Schools. Membership in the association is available to any yoga studio and/or yoga school that submits a qualifying application, as well as applicable annual dues and administrative fees.
Section 2. Eligibility. Any person who has satisfactorily completed The AYP Certified Yoga Teacher Application, and who has taken and passed The AYP Standardized Certification Exam, is eligible to become an AYP Certified Yoga Teacher. Any Yoga Studio or School who has successfully completed The AYP Member Studio or Yoga School Application is eligible to become an AYP Member Studio or Yoga School. Lastly, any person who has completed The AYP Student Member Application is eligible to become a Student Member of The AYP.
Section 3. Ethics Course. All AYP Certified Yoga Teachers must successfully complete the AYP “Karma of Ethics” course within 90 days of becoming an AYP Certified Yoga Teacher.
Section 4. Continuing Education. All AYP Certified Yoga Teachers must complete a minimum of twenty-five (20) hours of continuing education every three years (parameters for what constitutes valid CE credits to be determined upon first meeting of the Board).
ARTICLE IV
Dues and Finances
Section 1. Dues and administrative fees. Annual membership dues and one-time administrative fees shall be set by the Board at a rate commensurate with the services provided by The AYP. The purpose of membership dues and administrative fees is to cover the operating expenses of the organization. Any excess funds at the end of each fiscal year shall be put toward The AYP’s charitable foundation, which shall provide scholarships to students with financial needs in order for them to attend future AYP Accredited Yoga Teacher Trainings, as well as to support other charitable efforts, as agreed upon by the Board.
Section 2. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year shall be January through December.
Section 3. Authorization. The Board may authorize the President, any Executive or agent, or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the association, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the association shall be signed by such President or Executive, member or owners as may be designated, of the association and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board.
Section 4. Audits. Upon request of the Board, the accounts of the association will be audited by a reputable certified public accountant, whose report shall be submitted to the Board.
ARTICLE V
Board of Directors
Section 1. Duties. It is the duty of the Board of Directors to manage the affairs of the association. As such, the Board may vote to hire or designate staff per the needs of the association, as well as vote to amend any of the association’s policies or operating procedures. A minimum two-thirds (2/3) majority vote is needed to approve any amendments. In addition, all Board members are required to attend all official meetings of the Board.
Section 2. Number. There shall at all times be no fewer than three (3) and no more than five (5) Directors. The President of the association may also serve as one of its Directors.
Section 3. Election. Each Director shall be elected by the current members of the Board.
Section 4. Tenure. The term for each Director shall be two (2) years. A Director may be re-elected to subsequent terms without limit, per the recommendation of the other Directors.
Section 5. Qualifications. All Directors must have a track record of success in an area of expertise relevant to the operations of the association, as well as a willingness and ability to serve the interests of the association and its members. In addition, all Directors must engage in a regular practice of yoga.
Section 6. Vacancies. In the event of a vacancy on the Board due to death, resignation, refusal to serve or otherwise may be filled for the unexpired term by the remaining Directors.
Section 7. Resignations. A Director may resign at any time by filing his or her written resignation with the Board. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified, or, if no time is specified, at the time of acceptance as determined by the Board.
Section 8. Removal. Any Director may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the full Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI
Meetings of the Board
Section 1. Regular Meetings. The Board shall meet at least once per calendar quarter at such times and places as the Board shall determine. Of these four (4) annual meetings, at least two (2) shall be face-to-face. Directors are expected to attend all regular meetings of the Board unless extenuating circumstances beyond the Director’s control prevent him or her from attending.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called at any time by the chair or by two (2) or more Directors. The agenda of any special meeting must be announced at the time the notice is given. The business of the special meeting shall be limited to that on the agenda.
Section 3. Notice of Meetings. Regular meetings shall be called with at least thirty (30) days’ notice and special meetings with at least five (5) days’ notice. Notice of regular or special meetings may be provided by electronic transmission, telephone or in person.
ARTICLE VII
Compensation
Section 1. Directors. Directors shall not receive any compensation for their services as Directors, but the Board may, by resolution, authorize the reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. In addition, 10% of The AYP’s annual proceeds will be divided among the members of the Board to be donated on behalf of The AYP to charities of each Board member’s choosing.
Section 2. President. The President of the association shall be compensated in a manner commensurate with his or her service, per the discretion of the Board.
Section 3. Executives. Any Executives hired to assist the association with its operations shall also be compensated in a manner commensurate with their service, per the discretion of the Board and the recommendation of the President.
ARTICLE VIII
Committees
The Board of Directors may call for the formation of various committees to improve the operations of the association and, hence, its ability to carry out its purpose as stated in The Article of Incorporation and these Bylaws. The committees may be but are not limited to executive, governance and advisory in nature. The Board may designate, elect, appoint, hire or dismiss any such committees, task forces, working groups, panels, or advisory bodies of any sort as it shall deem necessary to carry out the purpose, mission, and function of the association in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, and the general policies of the association, or as may be required by law.
ARTICLE IX
Indemnification and Insurance
Section 1. Indemnification. Directors, Officers, and other authorized employees or agents of the association shall be indemnified against claims for liability arising in connection with their positions or activities on behalf of the association to the full extent permitted by law.
Section 2. Insurance. The association shall maintain liability insurance, including Directors and Officers Liability insurance, in such amounts and under such terms as the Board may from time to time determine.
ARTICLE X
Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of the association, the assets shall be liquidated and distributed to AYP accredited schools and member teachers in a manner to be determined by the Board.
ARTICLE X
Amendment
These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all Directors at any regular meeting or special meeting called for that purpose; provided, however, that notice of the proposed amendment, alteration or repeal shall be given to each Director at least five (5) days prior to the date of the meeting at which the Bylaws are to be altered, amended or repealed.