Coalition Participation MOU

§1Purpose

This MOU sets forth the Parties' general understanding regarding Participant Organization's participation in the Rights of Nature Initiative ("RONI"), a coalition project of Standing for Nature.

RONI exists to support collaboration, education, relationship-building, and coordination among organizations and professionals who support the advancement of rights of nature concepts and stronger legal protection for ecosystems and natural communities.

RONI is a project of Standing for Nature and is not a separate legal entity.

§2Nature of Participation

Participant Organization's participation in RONI is voluntary and non-exclusive.

Participation in RONI:

1. does not require dues or financial payment;
2. does not create statutory membership in Standing for Nature;
3. does not confer governance or voting rights in Standing for Nature;
4. does not require support for any specific legislation, ballot measure, campaign, or policy position; and
5. does not limit Participant Organization's independent mission, positions, or activities.

Participant Organization remains a fully independent organization at all times.

§3Role of Standing for Nature

Standing for Nature agrees to:

1. convene and facilitate the RONI coalition project;
2. provide reasonable coordination, communications, and opportunities for coalition participants to connect, share information, and collaborate;
3. maintain the project in a manner consistent with Standing for Nature's mission and 501(c)(3) status; and
4. clearly distinguish RONI coalition activities from any separate advocacy or lobbying activities conducted by other organizations.

§4Role of the Participant Organization

Participant Organization agrees to:

1. support, in general, the purposes of RONI and participate in good faith;
2. designate a primary contact for coalition communications;
3. remain responsible for its own statements, decisions, activities, and legal compliance;
4. decide independently whether and how to participate in coalition discussions, projects, statements, events, or other public-facing efforts; and
5. promptly notify Standing for Nature if it no longer wishes to be identified publicly as a current RONI coalition participant.

Nothing in this MOU requires Participant Organization to take part in any particular project, statement, event, campaign, or advocacy effort.

§5Relationship to Standing for Washington

Standing for Nature and Standing for Washington are affiliated organizations, but they are separate legal entities with separate governance, finances, and legal obligations.

This MOU is solely between Standing for Nature and Participant Organization. It does not create membership in, or any formal relationship with, Standing for Washington.

If Participant Organization chooses to participate at any time in advocacy or lobbying activity conducted by Standing for Washington, that participation must be voluntary, independent, and handled separately from this MOU.

§6Independent Relationship of the Parties

Nothing in this MOU creates:

1. a partnership;
2. a joint venture;
3. an agency relationship;
4. a fiduciary relationship; or
5. authority for one Party to bind or speak on behalf of another Party.

Participation in RONI does not constitute endorsement by Standing for Nature of every statement, activity, or policy position of Participant Organization, nor does it constitute endorsement by Participant Organization of every statement, activity, or policy position of Standing for Nature.

Unless expressly agreed in writing, neither Party may represent that the other Party sponsors, directs, controls, or is legally responsible for its activities.

§7Names, Marks, and Logo Usage

"Rights of Nature Initiative," "RONI," and related RONI names, marks, and logos are the property of Standing for Nature.

Standing for Nature grants Participant Organization a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable, royalty-free permission to use approved RONI participant logos solely to identify itself truthfully as a current RONI coalition participant, and only while this MOU remains in effect.

Participant Organization may use approved RONI participant logos only:

1. in accordance with any written logo or brand guidelines provided by Standing for Nature;
2. in connection with truthful identification of its participation in RONI; and
3. in a way that does not imply governance authority, agency, sponsorship, or endorsement beyond coalition participation.

Participant Organization may not:

1. alter the approved logo except for proportional resizing;
2. create derivative marks based on the RONI logo;
3. use the RONI logo in a misleading, unlawful, defamatory, disparaging, or confusing manner;
4. use the RONI logo in a way that suggests Standing for Nature or RONI sponsors or endorses an event, campaign, publication, or policy position unless Standing for Nature has given prior written permission; or
5. continue using the logo after participation ends or permission is revoked.

Standing for Nature may revoke or limit logo usage permission at any time upon written notice.

§8Public Identification

Standing for Nature may publicly identify Participant Organization as a RONI coalition participant unless Participant Organization requests otherwise.

Participant Organization may describe itself publicly as a "RONI coalition participant" or "participant in the Rights of Nature Initiative," but not as an agent, chapter, subsidiary, or legal representative of Standing for Nature or Standing for Washington.

§9Good Faith

The Parties agree to work together in good faith and to communicate directly about significant concerns related to this MOU or participation in RONI before publicly mischaracterizing the relationship.

Nothing in this section limits lawful speech or either Party's right to maintain independent positions.

§10Costs

There is no cost or dues requirement for participation in RONI.

Each Party will bear its own costs and expenses related to its participation unless the Parties agree otherwise in writing.

§11Amendments

This MOU may be amended by written agreement of the Parties.

Standing for Nature may also adopt reasonable administrative guidelines for coalition participation, communications, and logo use, provided those guidelines do not materially alter the basic nature of this MOU without Participant Organization's consent.

§12Term and Termination

This MOU becomes effective upon signature and remains in effect until terminated by either Party.

Either Party may terminate this MOU at any time upon written notice to the other Party.

Upon termination:

1. Participant Organization will no longer be identified publicly as a current RONI coalition participant, unless otherwise agreed;
2. any permission to use RONI names or logos will cease; and
3. no further obligations will remain except those that by their nature survive termination.

§13Intent of the Parties

This MOU is intended to reflect the Parties' shared understanding regarding participation in a collaborative coalition project.

Except for provisions relating to names and logo use, authority to bind, and any other provision that by its nature is intended to survive, this MOU is not intended to create legally enforceable obligations.

§14Signatures