The interim Management Committee has established the following Terms and Conditions of Association to ensure transparency and mutual understanding among all stakeholders of BDASA. By becoming an Associate, you agree to abide by these terms and conditions, which govern your rights, responsibilities, and benefits as an associate.

1. Classes and Eligibility

1.1 Individual Association 

1. Associate 

• • Eligibility: Open to business development (BD) practitioners, company founders, CEOs, and others interested in the benefits of BDASA.
  • Benefits: Access to general association benefits, excluding professional development courses.
  • Terms: Cannot participate in professional development assessments or certifications unless associateship is upgraded.

2. Educational Associate

• • Eligibility: BD practitioners aspiring to professional recognition within BDASA.
  • Benefits: Access to training and resources aimed at preparing for professional associateship.
  • Terms: Must complete the South African
    Qualifications Authority (SAQA) aligned Professional Assessment to
    transition to Professional Associateship. BD practitioners with more
    than 7-years’ experience may apply for exemption. 

3. Professional Associate

• • Eligibility: BD practitioners who have successfully passed the SAQA-aligned Professional Assessment or who receive exemption from the Associateship Committee.
  • Benefits: Full access to professional development resources, networking events, and mentorship opportunities.
  • Terms: Must maintain status through participation
    in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities as outlined by
    the CPD Committee.

4. Fellow Associate

• • Eligibility: Senior BD professionals recognised for significant contributions to the field by the Associateship Committee.
  • Benefits: Recognition as leaders in the BD community, access to exclusive fellow events, and opportunities for advisory roles.
  • Terms: May be invited to mentor Educational Associates or participate in BDASA advisory initiatives.

1.2 Business Association 

1. SME Associate

• • Eligibility: Companies with an annual turnover of less than $2.5 million.
  • Benefits: Includes individual associateships for
    all BD practitioners within the company, access to BDASA events, and
    discounted resources.
  • Terms: Must nominate a primary representative for communication with BDASA.

2. Corporate Associate

• • Eligibility: Companies with an annual turnover exceeding $2.5 million.
  • Benefits: Eligible to nominate up to ten
    representatives to participate in BDASA initiatives. Access to tailored
    BDASA services, premium event sponsorship opportunities, and corporate
    recognition.
  • Terms: Must nominate a primary representative for communication with BDASA.

3. Sponsors 

• • Eligibility: Organisations interested in supporting BDASA initiatives through sponsorship.
  • Benefits: Branding and visibility at BDASA events, recognition as supporters in communications, and co-branding opportunities.
  • Terms: Sponsorship agreements are subject to BDASA’s partnership policies.

1.3 Founding Associate

• • Eligibility: Individuals and entities recognised for their foundational contributions to BDASA.
  • Benefits: Associateship in the Advisory Panel to guide the development of BDASA. Acknowledged in BDASA communications and publications.
  • Terms: Founding status is honorary and does not
    confer legal ownership, voting rights, or financial claims within BDASA.
    Participation in the Advisory Panel is voluntary and non-binding.

2. Subscription 

1. Application Submission

• • Submit a completed application via the BDASA website or designated form.

2. Payment of Fees

• • Pay the applicable fee as outlined on the BDASA website.

3. Approval

• • Subscription is confirmed upon receipt of payment and approval of the application by BDASA.

3. Subscription Fees and Renewal

1. Payment Terms

o Subscription fees must be paid annually in advance.

o Specific fees for each associateship class are outlined on the BDASA website.

o Payment must be made through approved payment methods.

2. Renewal

o Associates will receive renewal reminders 30 days before the renewal date.

o Associateships not renewed within 15 days after the due date will become dormant.

o A late payment fee of 10% will be charged on overdue fees.

3. Refunds

o Associateship fees are non-refundable except in cases of administrative error by BDASA.

4. Associate Rights and Benefits

1. Rights

o Access to resources, events, and benefits specific to your associateship class.

o Inclusion in BDASA communications, publications, and networking platforms.

o Voting rights are limited to select associateship classes and will be detailed in the associate portal.

2. Benefits

o Access to professional development resources (where applicable).

o Networking opportunities, events, and AI-assisted matchmaking tools.

o Advisory Panel participation for Founding Associates.

5. Associate Obligations

1. Code of Conduct

o Associates must uphold BDASA’s values, act ethically, and avoid conduct that could harm the association or its associates.

o Associates must not use BDASA resources or platforms for illegal or harmful activities.

o Professional behavior and respectful engagement within the community are expected at all times.

2. Participation

o Associates are encouraged to actively participate in BDASA initiatives, events, and discussions.

o Professional Associates must engage in CPD activities to maintain their professional status.

3. Confidentiality

o Associates must respect the confidentiality of information shared within BDASA platforms.

o Unauthorised sharing or distribution of BDASA resources is prohibited without explicit permission.

6. Use of BDASA Resources

• Access to resources is intended for personal or organisational
development and must not be shared outside of the associate’s entity
without BDASA’s permission.

• Associateship benefits are tied to the specific class and are non-transferable.

7. Termination or Suspension of Associateship

1. Voluntary Termination

o Associates may terminate their associateship by providing 30 days’ written notice to BDASA.

2. Suspension or Revocation

o BDASA reserves the right to suspend or revoke associateship for:

 Non-payment of fees after 15 days past the due date.

 Breach of the Code of Conduct.

 Actions detrimental to BDASA’s mission or reputation.

3. Reinstatement

o Suspended or terminated associates may apply for reinstatement, subject to BDASA’s approval and any applicable conditions.

8. Privacy and Data Protection

• BDASA respects associates’ privacy and will not share personal data
without consent, except where required by law or as outlined in the
associateship agreement.

• BDASA adheres to the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and other relevant data protection laws.

• Associates can access BDASA’s detailed Privacy Policy on the BDASA website.

9. Dispute Resolution

1. Internal Resolution

o Disputes between associates or between a associate and BDASA must first be addressed through mediation facilitated by BDASA.

o Both parties are expected to engage in good faith to reach a resolution.

2. Arbitration

o If mediation fails, disputes may be referred to arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration Act of South Africa.

o The arbitration process will be binding and conducted by an independent arbitrator agreed upon by both parties.

10. Liability and Indemnity

1. Limitation of Liability

o BDASA is not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or
consequential losses or damages arising from participation in its
activities or use of its resources.

2. Indemnity

o Associates agree to indemnify and hold harmless BDASA, its
officers, and agents against any claims, liabilities, damages, or
expenses arising from their actions as associates.

11. Changes to Terms and Conditions

1. Amendments

o BDASA reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions.

o Associates will be notified of any changes via email and the BDASA website at least 30 days before implementation.

2. Associate Agreement

o Continued associateship after notification of changes constitutes acceptance of the amended terms.

12. Agreement to Terms

By completing your registration and paying the applicable
associateship fee, you agree to these Terms and Conditions. BDASA
reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions with prior notice
to associates.

13. Contact Information

For inquiries or assistance, please contact BDASA at:

• Email: [Insert Email Address]

• Phone: [Insert Phone Number]

• Address: [Insert Physical Address]

• Website: [Insert Website URL]

Definitions:

• BD: Business Development.

• SAQA: South African Qualifications Authority.

• CPD: Continuing Professional Development.

• POPIA: Protection of Personal Information Act.