Constitution of the United Cigar Influencer Association

Preamble

The United Cigar Influencer Association (UCIA) is a private, for-profit professional association of cigar content creators, reviewers, and influencers from around the world. The UCIA operates as a subsidiary of Cigar Holdings Ltd., a company incorporated in the United Kingdom.

We exist to protect the rights of our members, promote their businesses, and preserve the global culture of the cigar.

This Constitution establishes the principles, rights, and responsibilities that govern membership in the Association.

Article I — Name, Mission & Purpose

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the United Cigar Influencer Association ("UCIA" or "the Association"), a subsidiary of Cigar Holdings Ltd.

Section 2. Mission Statement. The mission of the United Cigar Influencer Association is to represent cigar influencers worldwide in protecting their rights, promoting their businesses, negotiating advertising and promotional opportunities, and preserving and promoting cigar culture — including advocating for the rights of people everywhere to enjoy cigars.

Section 3. In pursuit of this mission, the purposes of the Association are:

(a) To protect the professional rights and interests of cigar influencers as independent content creators and business owners.
(b) To promote members' businesses by creating opportunities for collaboration, cross-promotion, and collective growth.
(c) To negotiate and facilitate advertising, sponsorship, and promotional deals on behalf of members, leveraging the collective strength of the Association.
(d) To preserve and promote cigar culture globally — its history, craftsmanship, traditions, and the communities built around it.
(e) To advocate and lobby for the rights of individuals to enjoy cigars, opposing unreasonable regulation and defending the freedoms of cigar enthusiasts worldwide.
(f) To unite cigar influencers under a shared commitment to integrity, authenticity, and quality content.
(g) To promote organic, merit-based audience growth among members.
(h) To create a supportive network where members actively help one another grow their platforms and reach.
(i) To uphold standards of decency and professionalism that reflect well on the cigar community.

Article II — Corporate Structure

Section 1. Parent Company. The UCIA is a subsidiary of Cigar Holdings Ltd., a company registered in the United Kingdom. Cigar Holdings Ltd. retains ultimate authority over the strategic direction, finances, and operations of the Association.

Section 2. President.

(a) The President of the Association is appointed by and serves as a representative of Cigar Holdings Ltd.
(b) The President must be a qualifying cigar influencer in their own right.
(c) The President has final authority over all Association matters, including membership, partnerships, advocacy, and the appointment of the Advisory Board.

Section 3. Advisory Board.

(a) The Advisory Board is appointed by invitation of the President.
(b) Advisory Board members serve at the discretion of the President and may be replaced at any time.
(c) The Advisory Board advises the President on matters of membership, industry relations, advocacy, events, and community standards.
(d) Advisory Board members must be active UCIA members in good standing.

Section 4. Country Representatives.

(a) Members may volunteer to serve as Country Representatives, advocating for the UCIA's mission in their respective countries.
(b) Country Representatives are approved by the President and serve in a voluntary capacity.
(c) Country Representatives may organize local events, liaise with local industry, and advocate for causes that further the mission of the UCIA.
(d) Country Representatives do not have governing authority but serve as ambassadors of the Association.

Article III — Core Values

The Association is founded on the following values, which every member agrees to uphold:

Section 1. Integrity Above All. Members shall be honest in their reviews, transparent about sponsorships and partnerships, and truthful in their representation of products, experiences, and credentials. A member's word is their bond.

Section 2. Organic Growth. Members commit to building their audiences through genuine content, authentic engagement, and real relationships — not through purchased followers, fake engagement, bots, or deceptive growth tactics. The Association values a creator with 500 real followers over one with 50,000 hollow ones.

Section 3. Decency & Respect. Members shall conduct themselves with professionalism and respect — toward fellow members, toward brands, toward audiences, and toward the broader cigar community. Harassment, discrimination, bullying, and conduct that brings disrepute to the Association are incompatible with membership.

Section 4. Mutual Support. Members are expected to actively support one another's growth. This includes, but is not limited to: sharing content, engaging with posts, collaborating on projects, providing constructive feedback, and making introductions. We rise together.

Section 5. Independence. The Association respects that every member operates their own business. Nothing in this Constitution or in any Association guideline shall be interpreted to restrict a member's independent business activities, brand partnerships, or creative direction — provided those activities do not violate the core values stated herein.

Section 6. Preservation of Culture. Members share a commitment to preserving the heritage, craftsmanship, and traditions of cigar culture. We celebrate the artisans, the history, and the communities that make this culture worth protecting.

Article IV — Membership

Section 1. Eligibility. Membership is open to cigar content creators, reviewers, and influencers worldwide who demonstrate a genuine commitment to the craft and who agree to abide by this Constitution.

Section 2. Discretion. Membership in the UCIA is granted entirely at the discretion of the Association. The UCIA reserves the right to accept, decline, or revoke membership at any time, for any reason consistent with its values and mission.

Section 3. Application & Admission.

(a) Prospective members must submit an application for review.
(b) Applications are evaluated on the quality and authenticity of the applicant's content, their alignment with Association values, and their potential contribution to the community.
(c) Follower count alone shall never be the sole basis for admission or rejection.
(d) The President or Advisory Board may request additional information or conduct an interview before making a decision.
(e) Admission decisions are made by the President or their designee and are final.

Section 4. Cost of Membership.

(a) Membership in the UCIA is free to join.
(b) Participation in certain events may be subject to a cost plus delegate fee, as determined by the Association.
(c) The Association reserves the right to introduce charges for premium services and/or membership dues in the future. Continued membership may be subject to such charges once introduced.
(d) Members will be given reasonable notice of any new fees or charges before they take effect.

Section 5. Good Standing. A member is in good standing when they:

Abide by this Constitution and Association guidelines
Participate in the community in good faith
Have not been subject to active disciplinary action

Article V — Member Rights

Every member in good standing shall have the right to:

(a) Participate in all Association activities, events, and forums.
(b) Access the member directory, messaging, and collaboration tools.
(c) Use the UCIA member designation in their professional profiles, subject to brand guidelines.
(d) Benefit from collectively negotiated advertising, sponsorship, and promotional deals facilitated by the Association.
(e) Volunteer to represent the UCIA as a Country Representative.
(f) Conduct their own business freely, without interference from the Association, so long as their activities do not violate the core values of Article III.
(g) Due process in any disciplinary matter, as outlined in Article VIII.

Article VI — Member Responsibilities

Every member accepts the following responsibilities:

(a) Disclose partnerships. Clearly identify sponsored content, gifted products, and paid partnerships in accordance with applicable laws and platform guidelines.
(b) Be authentic. Provide honest opinions. Do not misrepresent products, experiences, or credentials.
(c) Support fellow members. Actively engage with and promote other members' content. Lift others up.
(d) Represent the Association well. When identifying as a UCIA member, conduct yourself in a manner consistent with our values.
(e) Respect confidentiality. Private discussions, member information, and internal Association matters shall not be shared publicly without consent.
(f) Participate in collective efforts. When the Association undertakes advocacy or collective negotiation on behalf of members, members are encouraged to lend their voice and support.
(g) Stay active. Participate in the community. Members who are inactive for extended periods may be contacted to confirm their continued interest.

Article VII — Advocacy & Industry Relations

Section 1. Collective Negotiation. The Association may negotiate advertising, sponsorship, and promotional deals on behalf of its members. Participation in any collectively negotiated deal is voluntary — no member shall be compelled to accept terms they find unfavorable to their business.

Section 2. Lobbying & Advocacy. The Association shall actively advocate for:

(a) The rights of individuals to enjoy cigars without unreasonable government restriction.
(b) Fair treatment of cigar content creators on social media platforms.
(c) The recognition of cigars as a legitimate cultural tradition and craft.
(d) Sensible regulation that distinguishes premium cigars from other tobacco products.

Section 3. Country Representatives & Advocacy. Country Representatives are encouraged to advance the Association's advocacy goals within their jurisdictions, including engaging with local regulators, industry bodies, and media on behalf of the UCIA and its mission.

Section 4. Political Neutrality. While the Association advocates on cigar-related issues, it shall remain nonpartisan and shall not endorse political candidates or parties. Advocacy efforts shall focus solely on issues directly affecting cigar culture and the rights of cigar enthusiasts.

Article VIII — Conduct & Discipline

Section 1. Zero Tolerance Policy. The Association maintains a strict zero tolerance policy regarding the following conduct by any member, whether on Association platforms or in any public forum where the member is identifiable as a UCIA member:

(a) Public display, promotion, or glorification of narcotics or illegal drug use.
(b) Criminal activity of any kind.
(c) Pedophilia, child exploitation, or any conduct endangering minors.
(d) Racism, racial hatred, or racially motivated harassment.
(e) Any other activity that, in the judgment of the President, places the reputation of the Association or its members at serious risk.

Members found to be in violation of this policy will be expelled from the Association immediately and without hesitation. No warning, probation, or appeal process applies to zero tolerance violations. This policy exists to protect every member of the UCIA and the community we represent.

Section 2. Additional Guidelines. The President and Advisory Board may publish additional guidelines on conduct, content standards, and use of the UCIA name. These guidelines supplement but do not override this Constitution. No guideline shall restrict a member's independent business activities unless those activities directly violate the core values of Article III.

Section 3. Complaints. Any member may submit a complaint regarding another member's conduct. Complaints shall be submitted in writing and treated confidentially.

Section 4. Process.

(a) The accused member shall be notified of the complaint and given a reasonable opportunity to respond.
(b) The President or Advisory Board shall review the matter and may request additional information from either party.
(c) A decision shall be reached by the President, with input from the Advisory Board.

Section 5. Actions. For conduct violations not covered by the zero tolerance policy, the following actions may be taken:

Warning — a private notice to the member
Probation — temporary restriction of certain privileges
Suspension — temporary removal from the Association
Expulsion — permanent removal from the Association

Section 6. Appeal. A member subject to suspension or expulsion under Sections 2–5 may submit a written appeal to the President within thirty (30) days. The President shall consider the appeal with input from the Advisory Board and issue a final decision. No appeal is available for zero tolerance violations under Section 1.

Article IX — Intellectual Property & Brand

Section 1. The UCIA name, logo, and associated marks are the property of Cigar Holdings Ltd.

Section 2. Members in good standing may use the UCIA member badge and designation in their profiles and content, subject to brand guidelines published by the Association.

Section 3. Use of UCIA marks must cease immediately upon termination of membership.

Article X — Amendments

Section 1. This Constitution may be amended at the discretion of the President, with input from the Advisory Board.

Section 2. Members shall be notified of any amendments at least fourteen (14) days before they take effect.

Section 3. Members may propose amendments in writing to the President for consideration.

Article XI — Dissolution

In the event of dissolution of the Association, all assets and intellectual property shall revert to Cigar Holdings Ltd.

This Constitution represents the founding principles of the United Cigar Influencer Association, a subsidiary of Cigar Holdings Ltd. It is a living document, meant to grow with the community it serves.