VanSPC 2025–2026 Membership Agreement

This agreement outlines the responsibilities, participation requirements, and expectations for members of the Vancouver Street Photography Collective (VanSPC). By joining, members agree to the following terms.

What It Means to Be Part of a Collective

VanSPC operates as a member-driven collective. By joining VanSPC, you agree to contribute to its ongoing vitality by participating, showing up for others, and helping shape the direction of our community. The collective thrives when each member brings energy, ideas, and care to the group.

Participation Requirements

To maintain membership in good standing, all members must contribute meaningfully to the life of the collective.

2.1 Minimum Participation

All members must participate in at least one (1) official VanSPC event, function, or initiative within the first six (6) months of joining.

Qualifying activities include:

• Attending a VanSPC meetup, book club, workshop, or virtual event
  
  

• Assisting with event planning or social media (e.g., Instagram moderation)
  
  

• Volunteering during an exhibit or supporting Zine production/curation
  
  

• Coordinating a speaker, workshop, or ongoing activity (e.g., book club)
  
  

• Serving on the Board or in another leadership/facilitation role

Note: Submitting photos to the Zine or exhibiting in shows does not fulfill the participation requirement unless it involves curatorial or organizational support.

2.2 Tracking and Notification

Members are responsible for tracking their participation and must provide documentation upon Board request.

If a member does not meet the requirement within six (6) months:

• A formal notice will be issued via email and/or Slack
  
  

• A one-month grace period will begin from the date of notice
  
  

• If no participation occurs during the grace period, membership will be terminated and the spot offered to the next person on the waitlist.  Refunds on membership dues will not be offered.  

2.3 Exceptions and Temporary Suspension

• Members in good standing who have been active for three (3) consecutive years may request Alumni Status, exempting them from participation requirements. Approval is at the Board’s discretion and will be reviewed annually. 
  
  

• Members facing extenuating circumstances (e.g., health, family, or personal hardship) may request a Temporary Membership Suspension of up to one year or until the next membership renewal period begins, whichever is shorter. During the suspension period, participation is not required, and access to collective resources will be granted at the Board’s discretion. There will be no refunds of memberships fees and reinstatement depends on space availability.

2.4 Oversight and Review

• The Board will review the participation policy annually and communicate any updates to members.
  
  

• The Board may assess individual situations where strict enforcement does not align with the collective’s values.
  
  

Member Responsibilities

Members are encouraged to contribute ideas, time, and energy to support collective initiatives. Members may:

• Suggest and help organize meetup topics or events
  
  

• Propose photography challenges or Instagram content
  
  

• Recommend or lead creative initiatives
  
  

• Join working groups (e.g., exhibitions, Zine, fundraising)
  
  

All proposed activities must be presented to the Executive Board for approval—especially if they require significant time or financial resources.

Members are expected to remain active both virtually and in person. Since most communication happens on Slack, members are asked to check the platform regularly for announcements and updates.

Community Expectations and Disclaimers

• Members must maintain a respectful tone in all discussions. Bullying, threats, or personal attacks will not be tolerated.
  
  

• Concerns about member conduct should be directed to the Executive Board. VanSPC may revoke membership if someone’s behaviour is deemed harmful to the collective.
  
  

• VanSPC does not condone illegal or unethical activity, including unlawful photography. Members are expected to comply with all laws and respect people’s requests not to be photographed or to have photos removed.
  
  

• VanSPC is not liable for injuries, accidents, or equipment damage during events.
  
  

• Members agree that VanSPC is not responsible for the words or actions of individual members unless formally approved by the collective.
  
  

• This agreement may be revised with approval from the Executive Board. Any changes will be shared with members.