PURPOSE & PRINCIPLES

• The IFA exists to promote and foster the fundamental core value of freedom of expression in writing, as well as other creative pursuits.
• The IFA stands against all forms of censorship of adult literary material and against all efforts to restrict literary material available to adults.
• The IFA stands against all efforts to silence or cancel any creative voice.
• The IFA is politically non-aligned.
• The IFA is international.
• The IFA believes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its associated technologies have no place whatsoever in the realm of creative writing. AI is the antithesis of creativity.

THE IFA BOARD

• The IFA is managed by the IFA Board, comprising a Chief Steward and three to five Board Members.
• The founding Board as at May 2024 is as follows:

Chief Steward:                       Alec Cizak

Board Member 1:                    A.B. (Andrew) Patterson

Board Member 2:                    Andrew Miller

Board Member 3:                    Vern Smith

• The Board shall be subject to election by the membership every two years, with the first election to be held in October 2026.
• The functions required to operate the IFA will be determined by the Board on an as-needs basis.
• The Board will meet as determined from time to time, at the instigation of the Chief Steward. A Board Meeting will be considered to have quorum if at least three members are present.
• The setting of agendas and the keeping of minutes are at the discretion of the Board.

MEMBERSHIP

• Membership of the IFA is open to all creative writers, and associated creative persons, who subscribe without reservation to the value of freedom of expression.
• There is no financial charge for membership.
• Any person seeking membership may apply in writing to any member of the Board. The Board will collectively (by majority) make the decision to accept or reject the membership application.
• All members will be credited and included on the IFA website.
• The Board may, upon a majority decision, terminate the membership of any member. Such member will be afforded procedural fairness before any termination decision is made.

MEETINGS

• Ordinarily, the Chief Steward shall convene an IFA Ordinary Meeting on the last Tuesday of each month.
• The meetings will be held virtually and at a time to be set by the Chief Steward,
• All IFA members are entitled to attend an Ordinary Meeting of the IFA.
• The Chief Steward may convene a Board Meeting within or adjacent to the time allocation for an Ordinary Meeting.

CODE of CONDUCT

• All members of the IFA are required to abide by the following standards of conduct:

1. Members will at all times respect the core value of freedom of expression.
2. Members will not publicly attack or criticize another author (or other creative person) for their expressed work.
3. Members will support fellow members when those members are subject to efforts to attack or cancel them.
4. Members will at no time, and in no way, utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the creation of their work.

• Any breach of the Code of Conduct by a member will be considered by the Board, and may lead to the termination of that member’s membership.

IFA AWARDS

• The IFA will each year hold a ballot of members to determine the Chinaski Award for the year.
• The Board may determine to institute other awards.

IFA LOGO

• The official IFA logo is available for all members to use in their published works.
• The IFA encourages members to use the official IFA logo and to promote the IFA in their published works.