This criteria of SPA membership types is to be used in analyzing an applicant for SPA membership or SPA Member’s request to be considered for a different membership type. The criteria is broadly provided and should be considered as a whole in a case-by-case analysis, to be determined by the Membership Committee in its sole discretion. An applicant who has been referred by a SPA Member, member of the Board of Directors, or Community Ally will be given additional weight in the membership analysis. There is no entitlement to membership in SPA.

Criteria for membership are as follows:

A. FULL MEMBERSHIP: 

1. Members exhibit candor in all communications.

2. Members clearly articulate a comprehensive set of religious beliefs. Members can clearly describe their religious beliefs, either in reference to established lineage and traditions or based on their own practices.

3. Members demonstrate sincerity of beliefs through practices and internal and public communications.

4. Members demonstrate financial stability, accountability, and transparency.

5. Members have established fully functional internal governance structures and procedures - such as a corporate board or other leadership positions with accountability mechanisms equivalent to that which is required as an incorporated church operating consistent with Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3).

6. Members demonstrate exemplary safety protocols.

7. Members can demonstrate protocol to address serious adverse events (such as serious complaints, ethical concerns, or emergencies); further, in such cases where serious adverse events have occurred, Member has ethically addressed them and made appropriate changes to its operations and protocols in order to minimize future such serious adverse events.

8. Members have established ethical guidelines within their organization and are committed to providing ethical accountability within its community, which may include an ethics process.

9. Members demonstrate procedures for safe, respectful handling of all sacred medicines and anti-diversion protocol.

B. INITIATE MEMBERSHIP

1. Members exhibit candor in all communications.

2. Members clearly articulate a comprehensive set of religious beliefs. Members can clearly describe their religious beliefs, either in reference to established lineage and traditions or based on their own practices.

3. Members demonstrate sincerity of beliefs through practices and internal and public communications.

4. Members demonstrate or are working toward financial stability, accountability, and transparency.

5. Members have established basic internal governance structures and procedures - such as a corporate board or other leadership positions with accountability mechanisms equivalent to that which is required as an incorporated church operating consistent with Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3). Alternatively, they can satisfactorily explain why these are not the best route for their organization.

6. Members demonstrate or are working toward exemplary safety protocols.

7. Members can demonstrate or are developing protocols to address serious adverse events (such as serious complaints, ethical concerns, or emergencies); further, in such cases where serious adverse events have occurred, Member has ethically addressed them and made appropriate changes to its operations and protocols in order to minimize future such serious adverse events.

8. Members have established or are developing ethical guidelines within their organization and are committed to providing ethical accountability within its community, which may include an ethics process.

9. Members demonstrate or are developing procedures for safe, respectful handling of all sacred medicines and anti-diversion protocol.