BUSA will be governed by the following guidelines

 Best USA Sommelier Association is a 501C6 organization governed by the rules of IRS designated tax status.

 Members are any sommeliers, past or present, who wish to join and are willing to sign the code of conduct.

The Board of Directors is elected by the membership for three-year terms.

The officers are chosen by the Board of Directors annually.

The membership is capped at 100 members but can also include other non-voting members. BUSA will grow towards a merit-based system for member inclusion, focused upon active and/or competing sommeliers. The membership body will pursue inclusion and diversity; the 100-member cap may be revised in the future.

Sponsorship will be sought from wine, spirits, beer and hospitality industry members and entities to support the work of the organization. Dues will be collected annually from the membership.

No Board members will collect income or wages from its work. Expenses only are reimbursed.

Every two years, BUSA will hold a competition to select its representatives for the Americas competition as well as the World Competition. Each competition allows two persons from each country. The BUSA competition will choose two U.S. representatives to send to each competition.

People of color have long been marginalized within the restaurant and hospitality community — their critical contributions to these industries diminished or forgotten, and their current needs and priorities sidelined. BUSA will advocate for those within the sommelier community who are marginalized and shut out by systems and institutions because they are people of color. BUSA acknowledges that it must address the ways racism manifests in its own community and confront it with intentional engagement and self-reflection. Our staff and volunteer leadership must reflect the great diversity of BIPOC communities. 

We also seek to embody fairness and inclusion with and among other marginalized communities, and to promote tolerance and acceptance throughout the sommelier community and to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Straight youth who share a common vision of social equality.

BUSA advocates for all aspects of diversity, and all marginalized groups, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, LGBTQ, religion, disability or age.

BUSA is committed to providing a safe environment for all its members, candidates and employees free from discrimination on any grounds and from harassment at work including sexual harassment. BUSA has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of sexual harassment in the workplace or competition venue, treats all incidents seriously and will promptly investigate all allegations of sexual harassment. Any person found to have sexually harassed another will face disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from employment, competition or future BUSA activity. Any BUSA employee or Board member must bring any and all complaints of sexual harassment immediately to the ethics group; such complaints will be taken seriously and treated with respect and in confidence. No one will be victimized for making such a complaint.

No member of the examination or competition committees shall serve in that capacity if in a personal or substantial relationship with any candidate or competitor.