Terms and Conditions

FOR VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS:

A. ELIGIBILITY

Membership is open to all persons and organizations who are, are planning to be, or refer to themselves in some way as an Assistant or Online Business Manager (OBM) / Digital Business Manager (DBM) or anything therein.

B. MEMBERSHIP FEES

Membership fees will be paid by credit card or bank transfer via the ways indicated on AVA’s website.
Membership fees shall be set by the Executive Team. The Executive Team may create different categories of membership and variable levels of membership fees, if they so desire. Alterations to the categories of membership or the schedule shall be decided by the Executive Team.

C. START, DURATION, AND END OF MEMBERSHIP

Membership starts on the date the membership fee has been received by AVA for either one year from payment date or on a month-to-month basis, as indicated in the subscription by the member. Beginning in March 2021, membership fees will be paid upfront for three (3) months if on the Professional or Evolve membership tier, prior to moving to a month-to-month basis or upfront for six (6) months on the Visionary membership tier, prior to moving to a month-to-month basis.
Membership fees renew automatically and it is up to the AVA member to cancel on their own prior to automatic renewal. Should the AVA member fail to cancel out of negligence, this does not constitute any right of reimbursement of membership fees.
Members will receive three automatic default emails prior to their next charge, whether monthly or annually, from AVA's payment processing system with a reminder that their membership will be renewed.
Membership ends upon cancellation by a member within the three or six-month pre-payment plan. Should the member cancel their subscription within the three or six month prepayment period, all benefits of AVA shall remain until their membership reaches the end of the pre-payment period.
End of membership, either at the end of the prepayment period or by intermediate termination within the month-to-month cycle does not constitute any right of reimbursement of membership fees.
Should the member cancel their monthly subscription, all benefits of AVA are immediately terminated upon cancellation date. End of membership, either at the end of the membership period or by intermediate termination does not constitute any right of reimbursement of membership fees.
Membership also ends if the membership period has ended and the member has not renewed membership by canceling automatic payments.
In case membership fees due are not paid, AVA has the right to terminate the membership of the member involved.
In case a member deploys activities that may harm the interests of the AVA significantly, or in case a member acts in a way that is in severe contradiction with AVA’s aims and nature, AVA withholds the right to end the membership of the member involved.

D. RIGHTS

Both individual and organizational members shall have the right to participate in webinars & activities of AVA, subject to the rules established by the Executive Board. In addition, individual members shall have the right to:
- Submit announcements via AVA’s slack channel with prior approval from a member of the Executive Team,
- Display their AVA member logo on their personal webpage or social media accounts,
- Have their logo, headshot, and any other business information displayed on AVA’s Virtual Assistant directory, if it's part of their membership.

We reserve the right to modify this privacy policy at any time, so please review it frequently. Changes and clarifications will take effect immediately upon their posting on the website. If the Association of Virtual Assistants is acquired or merged with another company, your information may be transferred to the new owners.

E. AVA MEMBER CODE OF CONDUCT AGREEMENT

An association's reputation for integrity is its most valuable asset and is directly related to its officers and members' conduct. Therefore, we ask our members to agree never to use their membership unprofessionally (below or contrary to the standards expected). It may be perceived as shedding a bad light upon the association. At the Association of Virtual Assistants, we want to adhere to the highest standards when a VA engages with a client member, clients obtained through members of the AVA, as well as with your fellow AVA members. The integrity of each VA member is of the utmost importance.

You agree to abide by these guidelines with your paid membership to the AVA.

When engaging or contracting with client members, you have been introduced to as a benefit of your membership; via the "Clients of AVA" Slack channel, VA Directory, or job postings on the AVA website, you agree to provide top-notch services to the best of your ability;
You agree to be responsive and communicate in a timely manner to your AVA clients;
You agree to communicate professionally (keeping your word, being honest, supporting, and flexible). You will have regular check-ins in accordance with your business policies and procedures so that there is no reason for the client to contact the AVA in your absence;
You agree to reach out to the AVA Executive Team or an AVA Advisory Board member if you are unable to fulfill your own contractual obligations (that you set forth) with any client obtained through the AVA. This includes changing your mind or an unforeseen event that disallows you to continue supporting them.

The AVA will note any breach of this code, and if the code is breached on more than one occasion, you will no longer have access to the Clients of the AVA Slack channel, #job-postings Slack Channel, VA Directory, or job postings on the AVA website, and that assisting a client through the AVA will no longer be an option for you. You agree to conflict resolution between the client and an AVA Advisory Board Member, should the client request.

You agree to adhere to this AVA Member Code of Conduct as outlined. This Agreement shall be in effect for the duration of your membership.

FOR CLIENTS:

A. ELIGIBILITY

Membership is open to all persons and organizations who are, are planning to be, or refer to themselves in some way as an Assistant or a Client.

B. MEMBERSHIP FEES

Membership fees will be paid by credit card or bank transfer via the ways indicated on AVA’s website.
Membership fees shall be set by the Executive Team. The Executive Team may create different categories of membership and variable levels of membership fees, if they so desire. Alterations to the categories of membership or the schedule shall be decided by the Executive Team.

C. START, DURATION, AND END OF MEMBERSHIP

Membership starts on the date the membership fee has been received by AVA one year from payment date, as indicated in the subscription by the member.
Members will receive three automatic default emails prior to their next charge from AVA's payment processing system with a reminder that their membership will be automatically renewed.
Membership automatically renews one year after payment has been received.
Should the member cancel their yearly subscription prior to the full year of completion, all benefits of AVA shall remain until their membership reaches the start date of their membership payment, one year later. End of membership, either at the end of the membership period or by intermediate termination does not constitute any right of reimbursement of membership fees.
In case membership fees due are not able to be billed automatically, the AVA has the right to terminate the membership of the member involved.
In case a member deploys activities that may harm the interests of the AVA significantly, or in case a member acts in a way that is in severe contradiction with AVA’s aims and nature, AVA withholds the right to end the membership of the member involved.

D. RIGHTS

Client members shall have the right to participate in webinars and activities of AVA, subject to the rules established by the Executive Team. In addition, individual members shall have the right to:
- Submit announcements via AVA’s Slack channel with prior approval from the Chief Executive Officer at (melissa@associationofvas.com).
- Post a job through the “Job Listings” page.

E. DISPUTES

Client and Virtual Assistant AVA Members are encouraged to sign a mutually beneficial contract between both working parties prior to any work being performed by the Virtual Assistant. For disputes arising between a Client and Virtual Assistant, it would be preferable for an agreement to be reached if refunds or cancellations of service are necessary and to pursue the dispute independently.
If the dispute cannot be resolved, Client acknowledges and agrees that the Association of Virtual Assistants (AVA) will not and is not obligated to provide any dispute assistance. There will be no refunds unless otherwise obtained in writing from the CEO, Melissa Smith. A 50% refund of the client’s membership fee will be provided should a dispute arise within the first three (3) months of signing a contract and working with a virtual assistant hired through AVA. Proof will need to be obtained should a refund be requested. Refund request will have to be approved in writing from the CEO, Melissa Smith.
If Virtual Assistant or Client intends to obtain an order from any arbitrator or any court that might direct AVA or our Affiliates to take or refrain from taking any action with respect to hiring a virtual assistant through AVA, the party will (a) give AVA at least thirty (30) business days’ prior notice of the hearing; (b) include in any such order a provision that, as a precondition to obligation affecting AVA, we be paid in full for any amounts to which we would otherwise be entitled; and (c) be paid for the reasonable value of the services to be rendered pursuant to such order.
AVA is not responsible for the personal views and beliefs of it’s Virtual Assistant members. AVA will not be involved in a dispute if Client disagrees with a Virtual Assistant’s personal views or beliefs.

FOR JOB BOARD:

A. RULES

The Job Board of the Association of Virtual Assistants (AVA) website is provided as a service of the Association. Any information posted by users must be related to the purposes of the Job Board. AVA reserves the right to remove postings deemed not in the best interests of AVA.
The Job Board is to be used only by individuals or organizations interested in filling job opportunities. Opportunities include a Virtual Assistant (VA) role for employment/remote work, part-time jobs, contract or freelance roles.
1. Full-time and part-time employment consists of an employer hiring an employee. The employer is responsible for equipment, possible insurance and filing taxes on behalf of their employee.
2. Contract and freelance roles place the VA as a contractor, not employed by the individual or organization. The VA would be responsible for their own benefits, equipment, and taxes.
Those using the Job Board for the purpose of posting job opportunities shall abide by all local, state, and federal laws with regard to hiring contractors or employees. Such users shall be prohibited from posting any franchise, pyramid scheme, “club membership,” distributorship, or sales representative agency arrangement or other opportunity that requires an up-front or periodic payment or recruitment of other members, sub-distributors or sub-agents.
Users shall exercise both common sense and courtesy when posting information and shall not use the Job Board to transmit defamatory, disparaging, obscene or offensive materials or communications.
Users are prohibited from uploading or distributing any information subject to trademark, copyright, or other proprietary rights except with the express consent of the owner of the rights.
Posted information will not be treated as confidential.
The Job Board is not to be accessed to conduct any activities that may be illegal. For example, the Job Board shall not be used to encourage software infringement, spreading of computer viruses, breaking into private computer forums, gambling, or other crimes.
The Job Board is not to be used in a manner that violates the bylaws or any other policies, procedures, rules or regulations of AVA.
Users are responsible and liable for anything posted with the use of their private AVA password. The AVA does not encourage sharing passwords with third parties and does not grant its permission to do so. Users share their passwords at their own risk.
Users shall respect the security of the Job Board and shall not attempt to delete or revise material posted by any other user or to gain access to areas private to AVA or its members.
Individuals have 30 days from purchase to post their open position.

B. REFUND AND EXPIRATION POLICY

Once a job has been posted, there is no refund for the posting. Job listings expire after 30 days of posting.

C. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY

AVA makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy, sufficiency, or security of information posted or transmitted by users and assumes no responsibility or liability in connection with the use or misuse of such information. AVA assumes no liability or responsibility for the quality, safety or legality of the employment opportunities or biographical information posted, the truthfulness or accuracy of the listings, the ability of employers to offer employment opportunities to candidates or the ability of candidates to fill job openings. NEVERTHELESS, AVA RETAINS THE RIGHT TO MONITOR POSTED INFORMATION AND REMOVE MESSAGES OR MATERIALS THAT IT BELIEVES ARE NOT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
AVA, ITS EXECUTIVE TEAM, CONTRACTORS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE HOST OF THE JOB BOARD, ASSUME NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOST PROFITS, OR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM LOST DATA OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) RESULTING FROM THE USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, THE ENTIRE AVA WEBSITE, WHETHER BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, AND WHETHER OR NOT THE USER IS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
USERS ACCESSING THE JOB LISTINGS BOARD SHALL INDEMNIFY AND HOLD AVA HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LOSSES, COSTS AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES) RELATING TO ANY ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF THE USERS OR TO MATERIALS OR INFORMATION TRANSMITTED BY USERS IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR USE OF THE JOB BOARD.

D. CHOICE OF LAW

This Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Georgia regardless of its choice of law rules. In addition, users consent to be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts of Illinois in the event of any dispute between the parties.

D. AMENDMENT

AVA reserves the right to modify or change the rules of the Job Board as it determines from time-to-time in the best interests of the Association.

CODE OF CONDUCT:

You agree to abide by these guidelines with your paid membership to the AVA.

When engaging or contracting with client members, you have been introduced to as a benefit of your membership; via the "Clients of AVA" Slack channel, or job postings on the AVA website, you agree to provide top-notch services to the best of your ability;
You agree to be responsive and communicate in a timely manner to your AVA clients;
You agree to communicate professionally (keeping your word, being honest, supporting, and flexible). You will have regular check-ins in accordance with your business policies and procedures so that there is no reason for the client to contact the AVA in your absence;
You agree to reach out to the AVA Executive Team or an AVA Advisory Board member if you are unable to fulfill your own contractual obligations (that you set forth) with any client obtained through the AVA. This includes changing your mind or an unforeseen event that disallows you to continue supporting them.

You agree to adhere to this AVA Member Code of Conduct as outlined. This Agreement shall be in effect for the duration of your membership.