Introduction
Trusted Business members receive the greatest benefits of the membership types including public recognition as a trusted seller, free posting of online classified ads, an extended biographical profile with links to their external website, and access to a broad and diverse group of members.
Trusted Business members enjoy access to the private GMA social network (messaging, forums, groups), access to a rich library of content, voting rights, author status, uploading their collections to CoMets, and other benefits listed below.
Dues
Trusted Business dues are $60 per year. The membership renewal period begins Nov. 15 of each year and the membership expires on Dec. 31.
How Your Dues Are Used
The Global Meteorite Association, Inc. is a registered nonprofit and uses your dues to service programs like education and outreach, manage the operation of the organization including costs associated with the website, and other activities run by the Board. No board member or volunteer receives any compensation for their time or efforts. Your dues are used strictly for the benefit of GMA members and the community at large. The GMA adheres to a strict Conflicts of Interest Policy and accounts for all monies spent in its annual financial statements.
Benefits & Limitations
| Business | General Member | ||
| 1 | Biographical Profile | Extended biographical profile accessible by members only. Includes business logo, description and link to business’ web page. | Standard profile accessible by members only |
| 2 | Visibility | Listing on public “Trusted Business” and membership page page. Includes business logo, description and link to business’ web page. | Basic listing on public membership page only |
| 3 | Selling | Unlimited sales/trades | Unlimited sales/trades |
| 4 | Groups / Forums | Create group and business-related forums for your business. Limit access to your groups or forums if desired. | Create general meteorite-related groups and forums. |
| 5 | Onsite Classified Ads | Free posting of items for sale (any number of items per posting) limited to once per day, no more than 2 classifieds per week and 8 times per month. (visible to all members except Explorer) | None |
| 6 | Private Messaging | To all Trusted Business & General Members | To all Trusted Business & General Members |
| 7 | CoMets (Catalog of Meteorites) | Unrestricted – create new entries, add to existing entries | Unrestricted – create new entries, add to existing entries |
| 8 | Access | Access to all content except content locked by a Trusted Business member. | Access to all content except content locked by another business owner. |
| 9 | GMA Membership Logo & Badge | Yes: Personalized membership logo with member ID Yes: Trusted Business badge | Yes: Personalized membership logo with member ID Yes: General Member badge |
| 10 | Voting Rights | 1 vote per membership | 1 vote per membership |
Responsibilities
Trusted Business members must adhere to the Website Terms of Service, Code of Ethics, Bylaws and all associated documents.
Businesses or dealers may register as General Members if they do not wish to gain the added benefits, or may register as Supporters if they do not wish to be limited in their activities by the Organization’s governing documents.
Requirements
Business membership requires two (2) recommendations, review by GMA Membership Committee, then a vote by full Board of Directors. All requirements listed in Membership Descriptions & Requirements.