4. Hospitality
a. Hospitality and personal attention to the guests throughout their visits must be the priority of the innkeepers. The keynote of each inn should be the individual, hospitable and gracious atmosphere presented by the innkeeper.
5. Ethical Business Standards
a. Ethical behavior on the part of inn owners and inn staff is paramount to maintaining, promoting and enhancing the image of the Bed & Breakfast industry in New Mexico. As members of the New Mexico Bed & Breakfast Association, innkeepers, inn owners and staff are expected to exhibit the highest standards of professional and business ethics. Specifically, all agree to be fair and truthful in dealings with customers, vendors and other members of the industry and to present a positive attitude as ambassadors for the Bed & Breakfast industry in New Mexico. All agree that while competition is healthy, appropriate cooperation is the key to success. Further, when one fails to behave professionally, courteously or ethically, such behavior tarnishes the entire industry.
b. When questions arise concerning difficult choices and disturbing situations with customers, vendors or other innkeepers, member inns are encouraged to seek advise from respected members of the industry, members of the Standards Committee and industry associations such as the Professional Association of Innkeepers International.
C. Approval of Membership
1. After review of the application and an on-site inspection by an appointed inspector, a majority vote of the membership will be needed to approve a new member. The Membership Chair will send pertinent information on applicant to the General Membership.
2. Applicant will be notified of the membership’s decision within sixty (60) days of receipt of application. Reasons for rejection will be given and rejected applicants may re-apply once at no additional fee.
D. Current Member Status
1. In the event of any changes in services provided, number of rooms, ownership, etc., the Standards Chairperson must be contacted immediately.
2. In the event of change of ownership a membership transfer fee and reinspection fee will apply as stated in Association Financial Policy.
3. Each member inn is responsible to report change of mailing address and any change in e-mail address to a member of the Board of Directors as soon as change is in effect.
E. Reinspection
1. Each property holding membership in the Association will be reinspected every three (3) years by Standards Chairperson or an appointed inspector to assure continued compliance with the high standards required for membership in this Association. The Standards Chair will notify each inn due for their inspection (by phone, mail or e-mail) that this requirement is to be fulfilled within the next twelve (12) months. Members must acknowledge receipt of this request to the Standards Chair and set the date of inspection with the inspector.
In order for an inn to qualify for the three (3) year inspection rotation:
a. the inn must have been in operation under the current ownership for more than two (2) years,
b. the inn is an NMBBA member in good standing (current on dues payment, etc.) and has passed an NMBBA inspection without any major deficiencies and has annually provided proof of fire and health inspections and proof of current insurance coverage,
c. there have not been any guest complaints against the inn during the past three (3) years.
2. An inspection within the year would occur for inns changing ownership, inns receiving major deficiencies during an NMBBA inspection, and inns not submitting proof of inspections and/or insurance annually. This procedure would also require the NMBBA inspector to define recommendations for improvements as "major" or "minor". Inns receiving guest complaints concerning safety or cleanliness issues would be inspected within two (2) months of the complaint. Except for inns changing ownership, the inn would be responsible for the re-inspection fee and mileage for the re-inspection.
3. Items required for reinspection may be found in 2.A.1.a, b, c, d, and g.
F. Enforcement of Standards
1. Inspectors will turn in any written report requiring action to the Standards chair within ten (10) days of the date of inspection.
2. After the inspectors turn in their written report to the Standards Chair, noting any problems existing that do not meet the MINIMUM standard, the Standards Chair will contact the innkeeper within thirty (30) days of date of inspection to discuss the remedies needed.
3. Innkeepers have sixty (60) days from notification by the Standards Chair to correct the infractions and provide documentation either through photos and copies of paid invoices, or other documentation from appropriate government inspectors, or in the case of some larger issue, by the visit of a nearby member who will sign off that the problem(s) has been fixed.
4. If the innkeepers do not meet the sixty (60) day time frame, the Standards Chair contacts them by certified letter that they have thirty (30) more days to present proof of compliance in order to remain members in good standing or they will be placed on inactive status and removed from the NMBBA website and other marketing materials until compliance has been met. If compliance is not met after six (6) months from the date of inspection, the member may be dropped from the Association. Return to the Association will then require re-applying as a new member with associated costs of new membership.
5. Members may appeal to the Board with a letter to the Standards Chair and the President outlining their case and why the problem hasn’t been resolved within the above mentioned sixty (60) day period. The Board will meet in person (by phone if a face-to-face meeting isn’t possible) to discuss the issue and make a determination. The Board will document in writing to the innkeepers their choice of action (i.e., extending the time line, placing them on inactive status or discontinuing the membership) and their reasons for so doing.
6. If a re-inspection is required, the innkeeper will pay a fifty dollar ($50.00) re-inspection fee.
G. Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion: Failure to comply with any of the conditions stated in these Standing Rules or the Bylaws may result in suspension or expulsion from the Association. Any member held in non-compliance will be granted a thirty (30) day grace period from day of notification to comply. Non-payment of any fees is also grounds for suspension or expulsion.
H. Dues
1. Due upon billing, but in no event later than thirty (30) days after billing. Annual dues are set by the Association at regular meetings and published in the Association’s Financial Policy.
2. A twenty-five dollar ($25.00) late fee will be imposed on any Association bill which is delinquent thirty (30) days after the due date.
3. Optional advertising shall be billed by the Treasurer on an as-needed basis.
4. At sixty (60) days past due, member inns are in a state of non-compliance and will be placed on the inactive list and removed from the website until dues are paid in full. At six (6) months past due, members will be expelled from the membership. Return to the Association will then require re-applying as a new member with associated costs of new membership.
A. Standards: Charged with on-site review and compliance to the Bylaws, Standing Rules and Standards for Membership by new or current members.
B. Marketing: Responsible for all forms of publicity and advertising for the Association.
C. Board of Directors: Charged with the day-to-day functioning of the Association pursuant to the Bylaws and Standing Rules and may act on matters not delegated to the responsibility of the membership or matters needing action between regular meetings. Vote may be by mail, e-mail, fax or phone.
