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AGREEMENT, made this_______________day of____________,
20_____between
________________________________________________(referred to as
Perspective Member),
residing at
_____________________________________________________________________
and Woody Coleman Presents Inc., 490 Rockside Road, Cleveland, Ohio
44131
WHEREAS, PortSort.com is an unincorporated division of Woody Coleman
Presents Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of
Ohio (the "corporation"); and
WHEREAS, the Prospective Member is an established artist of proven
talents; and
WHEREAS, the Prospective Member wishes to have PortSort.com represent
him or her in marketing certain rights enumerated herein; and
WHEREAS, PortSort.com is capable of marketing the artwork produced by
the Prospective Member; and
WHEREAS, PortSort.com wishes to represent the Prospective Member;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the
mutual covenants hereinafter set forth and other valuable consideration,
the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. PURPOSE
PortSort.com is an organization that shall professionally handle the
business affairs of the creative talent it represents; whose members
shall have the power and authority to control the collection and
allocation of funds generated from commissions earned by the Members.
PortSort.com shall endeavor to empower its Members by giving them voting
rights as provided herein, to enable the Members to control management,
to effect changes, to modify and improve policies and to determine the
membership of PortSort.com, all with the goal of creating a database of
the highest quality creative talent available for display on the
Internet, a database that can truly be used as a quality resource tool
by art buyers. The purpose is to perpetuate a Member organization that
all may trust to be equitable, just and effective.
2. ELIGIBILITY
Prospective Members are required to submit one or more professionally
marketable portfolios containing a minimum of 12 sample images of their
work in order to qualify for Prospective Membership in PortSort.com.
Portfolios must be "subject specific" within a selected specialty and
style to be eligible for free display on PortSort.com. Prospective
Members may submit their work by mail or Internet display; or they may
be sent an invitation letter after having been chosen by PortSort.com
personnel. Such an invitation letter, with scan instructions, shall
constitute the authority to develop 12 image scans and a 4in.X 5in.
portfolio for submission to PortSort.com. Prospective Member
illustrators will initially remain on the database for a one year
probationary period.
3. PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS/VOTING RIGHTS
A Prospective Member shall receive voting rights after one year's
participation and display on PortSort.com, and thereafter deemed a full
"Member" with voting rights. Any time after the one year probationary
period, the Selection Committee may make a decision as to whether the
Member talent will remain on the database. The Selection Committee may
remove a Prospective Member or Member at any time for any reason, in its
absolute discretion, including, but not limited to poor professional
performance, dishonesty, copyright or trademark violations, or failing
to inform PortSort.com of any assignments or projects received by a
client that was brought to them through the efforts of PortSort.com and
it's Internet database of illustrators portfolios.
4. METHOD OF GOVERNANCE
A. Code of Regulations
The Corporation has adopted a Code of Regulations, the terms of which
are incorporated herein by reference thereto. In the event of a
conflict between this Agreement and the Code of Regulations, the terms
of the Code of Regulations shall be controlling. The Code of Regulations
will not be changed without the consent of a majority of the Members
present and voting at a meeting at which an amendment or restatement of
the Code of Regulations is to be considered. The Code of Regulations of
the Corporation is available by e-mail request to woody@portsort.com
B. Voting
All votes shall be cast on the Internet within an online forum. Online
meetings of the Members may be called at any time, but not more
frequently than monthly, by consent of 10% of the then total number of
the Members. Elections may also be called by the Chairman of the Board
of Directors of the Corporation, the President of the Corporation, the
Chief Executive Officer of PortSort.com or the Executive Committee at
any time, for any election, procedures or rule changes. Ten (10) days
notice of a meeting of the Members shall be provided by e-mail address
of the members. Notification shall include the text of the proposals
that are to be voted upon. Each member shall be entitled to cast one (1)
vote on each issue presented to the members for voting. The voting
Members present and voting shall be deemed to constitute a quorum.
Changes may be made to the procedures and rules of PortSort.com by the
affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total Members. Removal of a
member of the Executive Committee, a member of the Board of Directors of
the Corporation, the President of the Corporation or the Chief Executive
Officer of PortSort.com (the C.E.O.) shall require the affirmative vote
of three quarters of the total Members. All other votes shall be decided
by a simple majority of the votes cast.
The voting common shares of the Corporation shall be cast in accordance
with and with the purpose of effectuating the intent of the Members as
evidenced by the voting of the Members.
C. Selection Committee
The Selection Committee shall ensure that PortSort.com is continuing to
display only the best and most qualified talent available. The
Selection Committee shall review all Member portfolios on the Internet
database and make selections of the talent to be removed. The Selection
Committee is to make recommendations to the C.E.O. of PortSort.com as to
the specialities and styles of new talent that will be added in the
future. The Selection Committee shall endeavor to create the best
creative talent resource tool for the art buyers in advertising
agencies, publishing houses, design firms, entertainment companies and
corporate communication departments. Selection Committee members shall
not necessarily be required to be PortSort.com members, but should have
professional experience with the selection of illustrative talent and
have worked within one or some of the above mentioned industries.
Selection Committee members shall be appointed by the Executive
Committee directly after the January election of Executive Committee
Members. Selection Committee members shall serve for two year periods,
except as hereinafter provided for the initial term. The Selection
Committee shall consist of three members, one initially appointed for a
one year term and two initially appointed for a two year term.
Thereafter, all three members of the Selection Committee shall be
appointed for two year terms. Nominations to the Selection Committee
shall be submitted to the C.E.O. by November 15 of the year prior to
the January election. The C.E.O. shall present the nominees and their
experience via the Internet, to the Executive Committee. Compensation
for Selection Committee members shall be determined by the Executive
Committee.
D. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee of PortSort.com shall serve to improve the
function and value of PortSort.com. Members shall hold a yearly general
election for the election of Executive Committee members in the month of
January of each year, through an on-line forum. Nominations to the
Executive Committee shall be submitted to the C.E.O. of PortSort.com by
November 15 of the year prior to the January election. The C.E.O. of
PortSort.com shall present the nominees and their experience to the
Members, via the Internet, by December 1 of the year prior to the
January election. The Executive Committee will meet online monthly to
review and resolve any issues that have been submitted by the Members or
the C.E.O. of PortSort.com. The Executive Committee shall have the power
to call an election at any time or to make recommendations for changes
to the management policies or procedures and rules of PortSort.com. The
Executive Committee shall serve for two year periods, except as
hereinafter provided for the initial term. The Executive Committee shall
be composed of four eligible Members that shall be elected by a simple
majority of the voting members. Two shall initially be elected for a one
year term and two elected for a two year term. Thereafter, all members
of the Executive Committee shall be elected for two year terms. The
fifth Member of the Executive Committee shall be the C.E.O. of
PortSort.com who will be considered a permanent Member. To be eligible
for the Executive Committee, a Member must have successfully completed
at least $50,000 worth of projects from PortSort.com clients.
E. Chief Executive Officer
The Chief Executive Officer of PortSort.com shall be elected by a
majority of the Executive Committee. The offices of the President of the
Corporation and Chief Executive Officer of PortSort.com may, but are not
required to be held by the same person. The Chief Executive Officer of
PortSort.com shall be responsible for Management of all PortSort.com
operations including, but not limited to, personnel, accounting,
marketing, advertising, contract negotiation, purchasing and leasing of
fixtures and facilities, legal issues, etc. The Chief Executive Officer
shall receive a maximum yearly compensation of $70,000., plus healthcare
insurance, retirement benefits, reimbursement of his or her actual
out-of-pocket expenses and such other benefits as the Executive
Committee shall deem appropriate. The compensation level of the Chief
Executive Officer shall be annually reviewed by the Executive Committee
to ensure that it remains at an equal level with regards to inflation
and any other economic fluctuations.
F. Ownership of the Corporation
Presently, all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the
Corporation are beneficially owned by Preston W. Coleman (the "Sole
Shareholder"). Subject to approval of the sole shareholder of the
corporation an amount of the unissued but authorized common shares, not
to exceed 40% of the total number of issued and outstanding number of
shares following their issuance, may be issued by the Corporation, upon
such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors of the Corporation
may determine, to raise additional funds to further and promote the
business of the Corporation and PortSort.com
5. OBLIGATIONS
PortSort.com shall be obligated to use every reasonable means available
to bring clients with projects to view the portfolios displayed at its
Internet web site and to use its financial resources to that end.
PortSort.com shall conduct all business in an honorable and ethical way
and shall keep accurate records of all projects and the rights
transferred. PortSort.com shall provide an annual report of all income
and expenses to all Members via the Internet. As the Member appoints
PortSort.com to act as his or her non-exclusive representative, the
Member and Perspective Member, as well as PortSort.com, shall be
obligated to the following rules.
a. PortSort.com agrees to use its best efforts in submitting the
Members portfolios for the purpose of securing assignments for the
Member. PortSort.com shall negotiate the terms of any assignment that
is offered, but the Member shall have the right to reject any assignment
if he or she finds the terms thereof to be unacceptable.
b. Portfolios - The Member shall provide PortSort.com with such
samples of work as are from time to time necessary for the purpose of
securing assignments. These samples shall remain the property of the
Member and be returned upon termination of this Agreement. PortSort.com
shall take reasonable efforts to protect the work from loss or damage,
but shall be liable for such loss or damage only if caused by
PortSort.com's intentional act or gross negligence.
c. Term - This Agreement shall take effect on the _______day
of____________, 20__, and remain in full force and effect for a term of
one year and automatically renew itself at that time, unless terminated
as hereafter provided.
d. Commissions - PortSort.com shall be entitled to the following
commissions: On assignments obtained by PortSort.com during the term of
this Agreement, twenty-five (25%) percent of the billing. It is
understood by both parties that no commissions shall be paid on
assignments rejected by the Member or for which PortSort.com or the
Member fails to receive payment, regardless of the reason payment is not
made. Further, no commissions shall be payable for any part of the
billing that is due to expenses incurred by the Member in performing the
assignment, whether or not such expenses are reimbursed by the client.
In the event that a flat fee is paid by the client, it shall be reduced
by the amount of expenses incurred by the Member in performing the
assignment, and PortSort.com's commission shall be payable only on the
fee as reduced for expenses.
e. Billing - PortSort.com shall be responsible for all billings.
f. Payments - PortSort.com shall make all payments due to Members
within ten (10) days of receipt of any fees covered by this Agreement.
g. Accountings - PortSort.com shall send copies of invoices and payment
checks to the Member when rendered. PortSort.com will provide a U.S.
Government form 1099 in a timely manner as required by law. If
requested, that party shall also provide the other party with annual
accountings showing all assignments for the period, the clients' names,
the fees paid, expenses incurred by the Member, the dates of payment,
the amounts on which PortSort.com commissions are to be calculated and
the sums due less those amounts already paid.
h. Inspection of the Books and Records - PortSort.com shall keep the
books and records with respect to commissions due at its place of
business and permit the Member to inspect these books and records during
normal business hours on the giving of reasonable notice.
i. Termination - This Agreement may be terminated by either party by
giving thirty (30) days advanced written notice to the other party. If
the Member receives assignments after the termination date from clients
originally obtained by PortSort.com during the term of this Agreement,
the commission specified in Subparagraph d shall be payable to
PortSort.com under the following circumstances: If PortSort.com has
represented the Member for six months or less, PortSort.com database
shall receive a commission on such assignments received by the Member
within ninety (90) days of the date of termination. This period shall
increase by thirty (30) days for each additional six months that
PortSort.com has represented the Member, but in no event shall such
period exceed one hundred eighty (180) days.
j. Assignment - This Agreement shall not be assigned by either of the
parties hereto. It shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the
heirs, executors, personal representatives, successors and permitted
assigns of PortSort.com and the Member.
k. Arbitration - The parties agree to mediate any disputes arising
under this Agreement with the Members of the Executive Committee. Any
disputes arising under this Agreement which can not be resolved by
mediation shall be settled by arbitration under the commercial
arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association in the City of
Cleveland, Ohio. Any award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in
any court having jurisdiction thereof and shall be final and
non-appealable.
l. Notices - All notices shall be given to the parties at their
respective addresses set forth below or by e-mail as provided herein.
m. Independent Contractor Status - Both parties agree that PortSort.com
is acting as an independent contractor. This Agreement is not an
employment agreement, nor does it constitute a joint venture or
partnership between the Members and PortSort.com. Nothing in this
Agreement shall authorize any Member to enter into an agreement on
behalf or in any way bind PortSort.com or the Corporation.
n. Amendments and Mergers - All amendments to this Agreement must be
written and signed by the person to be charged therewith. This
Agreement incorporates the entire understanding of the parties and
supersedes all prior oral and written representations and
communications.
o. Governing Law - This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Ohio.
In witness whereof, the parties have signed this Agreement as of the
date first above written
Dated:_________ _____________________________________________
Perspective Member
_____________________________________________
(Address)
Dated:_________ Woody Coleman Presents Inc.
_____________________________________________
Preston W. Coleman, President, C.E.O., PortSort.com
490 Rockside Road, Cleveland, Ohio, 44131
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