Travel Industry Association (TIA) 

 

Membership at Large
Expectations, Responsibilities, and Consequences

 

This document summarizes the obligations, expectations, rights, and consequences applicable to Members at Large of the Travel Industry Association of Florida, Inc. (TIA), as derived from the Association’s Constitution and Bylaws. This document is intended for member guidance, orientation, and compliance reference.

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1. Membership at Large – Defined

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Members at large are not governing authorities of the Association. Governance authority resides exclusively with the Executive Board of Directors and the Board Council. Members at large may exercise only those rights expressly granted in the Bylaws, including participation in Association activities and voting in elections.

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2. Expectations of Members at Large

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a. Eligibility and Credentials

• Members must maintain valid and current industry credentials appropriate to their membership category.

• Travel Advisor members must maintain ARC, IATAN, CLIA, TRUE credentials, or a Seller of Travel license.

• Industry Partner members must provide credentials verifying their professional role within the travel industry.

• All required applications and renewals must be submitted in accordance with Membership Committee procedures.

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b. Financial Obligations

• Members must pay annual membership dues in full by the established deadline.

• Membership dues are non-refundable in cases of suspension or termination.

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c. Participation Requirements

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• Members must attend a minimum of five (5) Association meetings per calendar year.

• Members are expected to engage constructively in Association activities and programs.

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d. Conduct and Professional Standards

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• Members shall conduct themselves in a professional, ethical, and respectful manner.

• Members shall not make false, misleading, malicious, defamatory, or disparaging statements about the Association, its officers, Board members, committees, partners, or programs.

• Concerns or complaints must be raised through appropriate internal Association channels.

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3. Rights of Members in Good Standing

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Members in good standing may:

• Vote in Association elections.

• Seek eligibility to run for Board Council or Executive Board positions, subject to qualification requirements.

• Participate in Association-sponsored events, committees, and educational programs.

• Access Association records as permitted by the Bylaws.

• Members at large do not possess authority to bind the Association or direct governance actions.

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4. Consequences of Failure to Maintain Membership Requirements

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a. Loss of Good Standing

• Failure to meet credential, financial, attendance, or conduct requirements may result in loss of “Member in Good Standing” status.

• Members not in good standing may be excluded from Association-sponsored events and lose voting or candidacy eligibility.​

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b. Removal from Membership Roster

• Members not in good standing may be removed from the official membership roster until compliance is restored.​

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c. Suspension or Termination

• The Executive Board and Board Council may suspend or terminate a member for just cause.

• Grounds include but are not limited to failure to meet membership requirements, harassment, intimidation, abusive conduct, defamation, or repeated disruptive behavior.

• No refunds shall be issued following suspension or termination.

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5. Final Authority

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All determinations regarding member compliance, discipline, suspension, or termination rest exclusively with the Executive Board and Board Council, in accordance with the Association’s Bylaws.

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