Instructor Guild Bylaws and Membership Agreement

This Instructor Guild Bylaws and Membership Agreement, hereinafter referred to as “Agreement,” is entered into and made effective the date the application was submitted from the Mahj Life Instructor Guild Membership page (https://mahjlife.com/instructor-guild-membership/).

Michele Frizzell and the Mahj Life Instructor Guild (“Organization”), organized under the laws of the state of Georgia, has its principal place of business at the following address:

6175 Hickory Flat Hwy, Ste 110-335

Canton, GA 30115

[email protected]

Organization and Guild Member may be referred to individually as the “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”

RECITALS

WHEREAS Organization is designed for the following purpose, elaborated on more fully below: Professional development,

WHEREAS Guild Member would like to join Organization and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions listed herein,

NOW, therefore, in consideration of the promises and covenants contained herein, as well as other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged), the Parties do agree as follows:

Article 1 – GUILD MEMBERSHIP

This Agreement forms a legally binding agreement between Guild Member and Organization and governs the Guild Member’s access and use of the Organization’s services (the “Guild Membership Services”). By applying to join the Mahj Life Instructor Guild, the Guild Member agrees to the content herein, and membership is on an individual basis. This Agreement also covers the Organization’s provision of services (the “Guild Membership Services”). Hereinafter, “you” and other third-person pronouns will refer to Guild Member.

Guild Member agrees to actively maintain their knowledge of the official National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) rules as presented in Mah Jongg Made Easy and the annual bulletins. When incorporating house rules into instruction, Guild Member will clearly distinguish them from official NMJL rules to ensure transparency and support informed play.”

Guild Members will be required to remain in good standing and agree to educate themselves on the following NMJL rules.

• Guild Members will be required to purchase at least one card per annum from the NMJL. This will ensure that Guild Members receive the annual bulletin. Proof of purchase must be emailed to Mahj Life by the end of March of the renewal year.
• Guild Member must own the current edition of Mah Jongg Made Easy. Proof of purchase must be emailed to Mahj Life within 60 days of membership or publication.
• Guild Member must pay annual guild membership dues to renew their membership.

If the requirements are not met before the membership anniversary date, the membership will be rescinded until the requirements are met.

Guild Member is permitted to use the Mahj Life Instructor Guild name and unaltered logo for marketing purposes following these guidelines:

• The logo may be used on your business cards, on personalized letterhead, or in advertising and other promotional materials ONLY if it is directly associated with your name and wordmark. The maximum size of the logo in any printed materials is .35″. The logo may be used in the following manner:
• Guild Member may use one of two Kiko on a Bamboo Stick logos, black (PMS 532 C) or color (red PMS 2350 C; green PMS 363 C). Logos can be found on the Mahj Life Speaking page.
• Do not use the logo on a patterned background or on one too light or dark to read well.
• Do not incorporate or combine the logo into any other graphic element or add any language or design features to the logo.
• The logo may not be used on products or packaging.
• The logo may not appear on any materials that disparage Mahj Life, its partners, its products or services, infringe upon any Mahj Life intellectual property or other rights, or violate any state, federal, or foreign law or regulation.
• The Mahj Life name or any potentially confusing variations may never be incorporated as part of the name of a product or service of your company.

Article 2 – GUILD MEMBERSHIP ANNUAL DUES

Guild Member will be responsible for paying annual dues* (“Dues”) to the Organization before the individual’s membership anniversary. Mahj Life will send a reminder by email 30 days before renewal. The annual Dues are listed below:

• $100 plus transaction fees (i.e., PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, Square).

If Dues are unpaid before the membership anniversary date, there will be a 30-day grace period. After the 30-day grace period, access to the guild dashboard will be revoked, and the membership will be rescinded. Membership may be reinstated within 30 days with a $25.00 late fee.

If a Guild Member wishes to cancel their membership, they must submit a written request via email to [email protected]. Upon receipt of the request, all user permissions, access to guild resources, and associated privileges will be immediately revoked. After cancellation, no further obligations or entitlements will apply.

*Dues may be amended from time to time by the Organization.

Article 3 – GUILD MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

The Guild Membership Services are described on the Organization’s website, Guild Membership page.  The Organization owner/operator is not an expert in business administration, nor does she have a formal education. She is a microbusiness advocate who provides mentorship and resources based on her experiences and research. She shares what she has learned and what has worked for her business. Members should take advantage of the opportunities to research and seek professional advice.

Guild members in good standing are eligible to participate in optional referral programs. Guild members participating in these programs are independent entities, not employees of Mahj Life.

Article 4 – CODE OF CONDUCT POLICY

We expect to modify this policy as we continue to learn the best ways to ensure instructors and students experience a safe and welcoming environment.

Harassment is any behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or maliciously offensive environment for any participant. This may include but is not limited to sustained disruption of talks or presentations, inappropriate or unwelcome physical contact, stalking, unwelcome photographing or recording, bullying, and abusive verbal or written comments. Harassment does not include respectful disagreement or critique made in good faith. Mahj Life also does not tolerate discrimination, treating someone less favorably based on a protected class.

No physical, verbal, or online harassment or discrimination will be tolerated based on the following:

• Race or color
• Ethnic or national origin
• Age
• Religion
• Gender
• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity or expression
• Nationality, immigration status, or citizenship
• Marital status
• Military or veteran status
• Physical or mental disability or other medical condition
• Political views or activity
• Status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking
• Any other basis prohibited under federal, state, or local law.

Freedom and Expectations

Guild Member is an independent business owner who has the freedom to design and run their programs in alignment with their individual values, vision, and teaching style. While the Guild encourages creative freedom, all members are expected to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and respect in their interactions with students and fellow instructors. Additionally, members who opt into the Pride in Excellence Initiative must disclose any house rules they teach to ensure clarity and alignment with the initiative’s mission of quality and informed instruction.

Guild Leaders

Mahj Life is committed to providing all members with a respectful, inclusive, and safe environment at all Mahj Life-sponsored events. We expect all members to be able to learn, network, and enjoy the company of colleagues in an atmosphere of mutual respect and free of harassment. Any participant attending a Mahj Life event will be asked to indicate their willingness to abide by this policy as they sign up for it. Anyone asked to stop hostile or harassing behavior is expected to do so immediately. Mahj Life reserves the right to refuse admission to or remove any person from any event at any time at its sole discretion. This includes but is not limited to participants behaving disorderly or failing to comply with this Code of Conduct Policy.

Guild Members

We hold members to the highest conduct standard possible: treat everyone with respect, including when expressing disagreement or a difference of opinion. Members must abide by this code of conduct in all personal interactions.

Guild Member-Led Events

Participants at a member-lead event who experience harassment or are otherwise made to feel uncomfortable or have any other concerns about conduct that may violate this policy should immediately report the problem to Mahj Life leadership using this form. Reports should include the substance of the complaint, the date, and, whenever possible, a list of witnesses or a reference to the relevant URLs if the offense occurred online. Additionally, participants are empowered to intervene if they witness harassment. If a person is unaware of the discomfort they are causing, drawing attention to the problem behavior is encouraged.

Incident Investigation

A person’s membership in the Mahj Life Instructor Guild can be terminated due to violating the guild’s rules, code of conduct, or engaging in behavior deemed detrimental to its reputation or well-being. It includes a process for investigating alleged violations, providing the member an opportunity to respond, and ultimately deciding whether to revoke membership if necessary.

Mahj Life will begin investigating every report that violates our Code of Conduct Policy within three days of learning about an incident. It will attempt an amicable resolution or consult with Mahj Life leaders to determine appropriate action steps. Action steps may include removing members from leadership positions or the Mahj Life Instructor Guild, or barring non-members from participating in future events.

Mahj Life will take steps to protect a complainant’s confidentiality to the extent possible; however, confidentiality may not always be feasible. Those with a legitimate reason to be informed during the investigation of a complaint will be asked to treat the matter with discretion and respect for all parties involved. If a complaint is made anonymously, Mahj Life may not be able to follow up directly with the complainant.

Grounds for Revocation

• Violating guild rules or policies
• Unethical conduct (e.g., mistreatment of others, plagiarism)
• Failing to fulfill membership obligations (e.g., paying annual dues)

Investigation Process

• Reporting procedure: Member-led participants must use this form
• Preliminary review: initial assessment by a designated individual or committee
• Formal investigation: Gathering evidence and interviewing relevant parties
• Due process: Providing the accused member with notice of allegations and an opportunity to respond

Disciplinary Actions

• Warning or reprimand
• Suspension of membership
• Membership revocation

Article 5 – TERMINATION

This Guild Membership Agreement shall continue until terminated by either Party.

To cancel a guild membership before renewal, Guild Members must provide a written notice to Organization thirty (30) days before renewal. If your guild membership expires, you will not have access to Mahj Life services. If you choose to reinstate your guild membership, you may do so by paying back dues and dues for the next year.

This Agreement may also be immediately terminated if there is a material breach of this Agreement by either Party. If this occurs, Guild Membership Dues will not be refunded, and you will receive written notice by email with the reason for termination.

Article 6 – RESTRICTIONS

You are prohibited from and expressly agree that you will not:

(i) circumvent or disable any content protection system or digital rights management technology used with any Guild Membership Services,

(ii) decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble, or otherwise reduce any Guild Membership Services to a human-readable form,

(iii) remove identification, copyright, or other proprietary notices in or on the Guild Membership Services,

(iv) access or use any Guild Membership Services in an unlawful or unauthorized manner with our content, products, services, or brands, unless you have an executed agreement with us that allows for such activity,

(v) alter, copy, modify, store, sell, reproduce, distribute, republish, display, post, transmit, create derivative works of, or exploit any Guild Membership Services or any part thereof, except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or as part of the Guild Membership Services provided to you,

(vi) introduce a virus or other harmful component, or otherwise, tamper with, impair, or damage any Guild Membership Services or connected network, or interfere with any person or entity’s use or enjoyment of any of the Guild Membership Services,

(vii) access, monitor, or copy any element of the Guild Membership Services using a robot, spider, scraper, or other automated means or manual process without our express written permission, or

(viii) sell, resell, or make commercial use of the Guild Membership Services or content unless you have an executed agreement with us that expressly allows for such activity.

Article 7 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Certain Guild Memberships Services may integrate, be integrated into, or be provided in connection with third-party websites, services, content, and/or materials (“Third-Party Services”). We do not control any Third-Party Services. We additionally make no claim or representation regarding the third-party services and accept no responsibility for the quality, content, nature, or reliability of Third-Party Services accessible from our websites, applications, software, or any other element of the Guild Membership Services. There is no implied affiliation, endorsement, or adoption by the Organization of these Third-Party Services, and we shall not be responsible for any content provided on or through these Third-Party Services. You should read the terms of use and legal agreements for these Third-Party Services.

Article 8 – MEMBER CONSENTS

Guild Member agrees to hold the Organization, its owners, affiliates, and representatives harmless from any tangible or intangible damage that may happen to Guild Member while participating in the Guild Membership Services.

Guild Member agrees that the Organization offers its guild membership program without guaranteeing results. Guild Member agrees that any results that occur during their guild membership, whether positive or negative, are the effects of Guild Member’s personal choices.

Guild Members agree to verify that all of the information they have given the Organization and its representatives is accurate and current without omitting any requested information.

Guild Member agrees and verifies that even if they have omitted any necessary personal information, whether knowingly or unknowingly, they will hold the Organization harmless against all liability for any damages that may occur to Guild Member or others because of Guild Member’s actions or inactions.

Guild Member agrees to notify the Organization Guild Membership Group of any changes or upcoming changes concerning their personal information.

Article 9 – ASSUMPTION OF RISK

Guild Member agrees and understands that their participation in the Guild Membership Services may involve risks. These risks may lead to tangible or intangible harm, and Guild Member agrees that these risks may result not only from their actions but also from the actions of others. With the knowledge and understanding of these risks, Guild Member chooses to continue participating in the Guild Membership Services of their own will and volition.

Article 10 – INDEMNIFICATION

Guild Member agrees to defend and indemnify Organization and any of its affiliates (if applicable) and hold them harmless against any legal claims and demands, including reasonable attorney’s Dues, which may arise from or relate to Guild Member’s use or misuse of the activities, Guild Member’s breach of this Agreement, or Guild Member’s conduct or actions. Guild Member agrees that Organization shall be able to select its legal counsel and may participate in its defense if so desired.

Article 11 – REPRESENTATION

Guild Member agrees that they are over 18 (eighteen) years of age and may legally consent to and enter into this Agreement.

Article 12 – ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Guild Member and the Organization regarding any use of the activities and facilities. It supersedes and replaces all prior or contemporaneous agreements or understandings, written or oral, regarding the parties’ relationship.

Article 13 – COUNTERPARTS

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, constituting a single agreement. The Agreement shall be effective as of the date set forth above.

Article 14 – SURVIVAL

Any provision of this Agreement which by its terms imposes continuing obligations on either of the parties shall survive termination of this Agreement.

Article 15 – SEVERABILITY

Suppose any part or subpart of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by a court of law or competent arbitrator. In that case, the remaining parts and sub-parts will be enforced to the maximum extent possible. In such condition, the remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force.

Article 16 – DISPUTE RESOLUTION

In case of a dispute between the Parties relating to or arising out of this Agreement, the Parties shall first attempt to resolve the dispute personally and in good faith. If these personal resolution attempts fail, the Parties shall submit the dispute to binding arbitration. The arbitration shall be conducted in the county and state noted in the GOVERNING LAW provision of this Agreement. The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator, and such arbitrator shall have no authority to add Parties, vary the provisions of this Agreement, award punitive damages, or certify a class. The arbitrator shall be bound by applicable and governing federal law and the law of Georgia. Each Party shall pay its costs and Dues. Claims necessitating arbitration under this section include but are not limited to contract claims, tort claims, claims based on federal and state law, and claims based on local laws, ordinances, statutes, or regulations. Intellectual property claims by the Organization will not be subject to arbitration and may be litigated as an exception to this sub-part. The Parties, in agreement with this sub-part of this Agreement, waive any rights they may have to a jury trial regarding arbitral claims.

Article 17 – GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed by the internal laws of Georgia without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule. Each Party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the federal and state courts located in the following county: Cherokee County.

Article 18 – NOTICES

All notices, requests, consents, claims, demands, waivers, and other communications hereunder (each, a “Notice”) shall be in writing and addressed to the parties at the addresses set forth on the first page of this Agreement. All notices shall be delivered by email or at the address which the parties may designate to each other, personal delivery, nationally recognized overnight courier (with all Dues pre-paid), or certified or registered mail (in each case, return receipt requested, postage pre-paid). Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a Notice is effective only if (a) the receiving Party has received the Notice and (b) the Party giving the Notice has complied with the requirements of this Section.

Article 19- HEADINGS

Headings to this Agreement are for convenience only. Headings shall not affect the provisions themselves and shall not be construed in any way that would limit or otherwise affect the terms of this Agreement.

By submitting this application form, you agree to abide by the contents herein.

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Phone *

Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State / Province / Region

Postal Code

Username (one word) *

Password *

Password

Confirm Password

Website / URL

Instructor Bio (third-person point of view in fewer than 500 words) *

Visual Text

To help get your creative juices flowing, we recommend using the Mahj Life EZ Instructor Bio Framework(https://mahjlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Mahj-Life-EZ-Instructor-Bio-Framework.docx). This resource walks you through the process of crafting a compelling bio using proven best practices. Once your draft is refined and polished with the help of ChatGPT, you’ll receive it back for your review and final approval.

Instructor Profile Photo (no 3rd party branding)

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Current Business Model *

• Undecided
• For-Profit - provide products and services to earn a profit.
• Not-for-Profit - provide services or benefits with no intention of earning a profit.
• Nonprofit 501(c)(3) - provide services or benefits to earn a profit for a specific mission or charity purpose.

This information helps me serve you better and will not be made public.

Future Business Model *

• Undecided
• For-Profit - provide products and services to earn a profit.
• Not-for-Profit - provide services or benefits with no intention of earning a profit.
• Nonprofit 501(c)(3) - provide services or benefits to earn a profit for a specific mission or charity purpose.

This information helps me serve you better and will not be made public.

Skill Levels Taught *

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced

Lesson Setting *

• Online
• In-Person

Lesson Format *

• Social play
• Tournament play

In-Person Group Size (i.e., 1-4; up to 8; any size with assistants) *

Online Group Size (i.e., 1-4; up to 8) *

Which mah jongg versions do you teach? *

• American/National Mah Jongg League
• American/Wright-Patterson Mah Jongg
• Chinese/Hong Kong Old Style
• Japanese/Riichi
• Other

Other mah jongg version

If you are a NMJL Card Collector, enter your chosen charity, order open/close dates, and how people can place an order.

The NMJL has a program for members of the community who are interested in raising funds for a charity that resonates with them. People who register for the program are called “collectors.” To learn about the application process, search the wiki for HOW TO BECOME A NMJL CARD COLLECTOR (Article 84).

What are your top three challenges? *

What are your expectations of the guild? *

List any instructor programs or partnerships you currently participate in.

Our primary goal is to gain a deeper understanding of your background and training, with no expectations of exclusivity.

Are you interested in collaboration opportunities with other members? *

• I'm not interested at this time.
• Yes, I'm interested in virtual and local collaborations.
• Yes, I'm interested in virtual collaborations only.
• Yes, I'm interested in local collaborations only.

One of the benefits of joining the instructor guild is the ability to collaborate with other members. Opportunities may include in-person or virtual workshops, social games, and tournaments.

Would you like to receive email reminders and notifications for BizDev workshops? *

• I'm not interested at this time.
• Yes, please!

BizDev workshops are held quarterly and they are designed to help instructors who are interested in building a sustainable and scalable mah jongg lesson business. If you opt out and change your mind, just send an email to [email protected].

Are you interested in the merit program for instructors? *

• I'm not interested at this time.
• I'm not sure so I will dig deeper to learn more.
• I am interested but I still have questions so would welcome a call.

The instructor merit program for instructors has a competency-based framework with a microcredential as the award for passing scores. This program is ideal for instructors who want to test their knowledge of the game and increase their credibility.

Would you like to opt into the Pride in Excellence Initiative, committing to teaching beginner lessons using established guidelines and official rules while staying informed about variations to ensure a consistent learning experience—while maintaining the freedom to structure advanced lessons as you see fit? *

• Yes, I opt in
• No, I do not opt in at this time

The Pride in Excellence initiative supports instructors who deliver high-quality lessons with consistency and passion. By joining, you commit to the First Principles Promise—teaching by established guidelines and official rules—and the Variation Awareness Pledge—staying informed about common house rules to raise awareness of their impact on the game. This community fosters growth, student success, and sets the standard for impactful teaching. Learn more at https://mahjlife.com/pride-in-excellence-initiative

Are you interested in the Mahj Life Stages Program? *

• I'm not interested at this time.
• Yes, and I have experience as a public speaker.
• Yes, but I have no experience as a public speaker.

Mahj Life Stages is a program open to guild members interested in scaling their businesses through public speaking. The pilot program is open to instructors with public speaking experience and includes Improv sessions for skill-building, rehearsals, and speaking engagement referrals. The program fee is $97 per year and will be prorated to synchronize with annual membership dues. To apply, send an email with three days and times for a one-hour interview and mock talk with Michele. If accepted, your directory profile will be added to the public speaker category. A public speaking training course is in development and will be available at an additional cost ($197) and is tentatively scheduled for release in 2024.

Would you like to be publicly listed on the instructor directory? *

• I'm not interested at this time.
• Yes, please!

Would you like a Mahj Life Facebook Shout-Out (photo required)? *

• I'm not interested at this time.
• Yes, please!

How did you first hear about us? *FacebookYouTubeGoogleReferralWord of mouth

Referred by (i.e., name; family member, friend, colleague)

Payment Method Name (i.e., email, @name) *

Preferred Payment Method *

• Check via snail mail
• PayPal via invoice
• Venmo via request
• Zelle via banks
• Square via phone call

The non-refundable annual membership dues are $100 per year plus transaction fees.

Offer Code

S-Signature (full name between forward slashes i.e., /First-Name Last-Name/) *

Submit

Mahj Life, LLC
Instructor Guild Bylaws and Membership Agreement Version 20250419.1