The Exemplars are a subsidiary of X-Men Inc.,a corporate body whose objective is to pursue the Xavier Vision of peaceful co-existence by opposing terrorism inspired by genetic differences and by upholding the public good.
The corporation is composed of a body of employees (the Exemplars) who are grouped into franchises. In the past, there have been as many as three franchises: at present, there is only one. The X-Men team Joseph and Rogue founded on Genosha is not part of X-Men Inc.
Each franchise is administered by an executive officer, under the oversight of the board of directors.
All employees of X-Men Inc. are expected to support the aims of both X-Men Inc. and X-Works Inc. to the best of their abilities. Any conduct that is considered detrimental to X-Men Inc. may result in the individual's employment being terminated. If an employee of X-Men Inc. believes that have been unfairly dealt with, they may lodge an appeal.
Individual Exemplars are employed by X-Men Inc. on a contractual basis. People who wish to join the organisation must complete basic training as a probationary employee before becoming a provisional employee in either a field or a support role, according to their personal preference and ability.
All employees must meet several basic requirements, including:
At the conclusion of their period of provisional status the employee undergoes peer review, and if approved becomes a regular employee of the corporation.
Regardless of status (regular, provisional or probationary), all Exemplars are paid at the same flat rate of pay (as of April 2000, US $1,200 per week after tax) unless they receive a pay loading for taking on the responsibility of being executive officer (+50% loading), deputy executive officer (+25% loading), or team leader (+25% loading). However, only regular members have formal voting rights, allowing them to vote on decisions made by their franchise, participate in the annual elections to the board of directors, and sit on appeals panels. Executive officers and members of the board of directors must be regular employees.
An franchise must have at least five regular field employees, and may have any number of other employees (support, provisional, or in training). One regular member of the franchise is the executive officer. This person does not have to be field leader: field leader and any deputy field leaders deemed necessary may be appointed by the franchise as its members see fit, subject to the approval of the board of directors.
A new franchise may be added to X-Men Inc. by the decision of the board of directors if there are at least five regular field employees available for the proposed new franchise. Should the number of regular field employees in a franchise be reduced to fewer than five, other regular field employees should be transferred from another franchise and new recruits sought as a matter of urgency. Otherwise, a franchise may be disbanded and its members reassigned to other franchises by the board of directors in consultation with the affected franchise.
The executive officer is responsible for the day to day running and organisation of their franchise. They must be a regular member of their franchise, and are chosen by vote of the regular employees of that franchise, subject to the approval of the board of directors. Executive officers hold office for a one year term, unless they resign or are removed by a decision of the board of directors. There are no term limits.
The position's responsibilities include managing budgetary spending, maintaining records of operations, informing the board of directors of any changes in personnel, and preparing the annual summary of operations for review by the board of directors. They are required to notify the board of directors of any appeals that have been lodged by a member of their franchise. The executive officer may delegate specific tasks to other members of their franchise.
Complaints by any member within X-Men Inc. about the performance of an executive officer are to be put in writing and sent to the board of directors for consideration. Likewise, disputes between executive officers of different teams are resolved by the board of directors.
The board of directors is composed of four regular employees of X-Men Inc., chosen annually by vote in separate ballots. Temporary or permanent vacancies must be filled by exceptional ballots at the earliest possible opportunity. Executive officers cannot be members of the board of directors.
The principal responsibility of the board of directors is to perform strategic planning for X-Men Inc., including approving budgets for each franchise within the organisation, preparing the annual report of operations and expenditures, and making strategic policy decisions. The board of directors also has the right to veto any appointment within the organisation except membership of the board of directors, and must approve all terminations of employment. It is the only body that can create or add a new franchise to the organisation, hear complaints about an executive officer, or arbitrate disputes between two executive officers. Finally, ownership of the corporate identity of X-Men Inc. rests equally with all of the members of the board of directors, though this is mostly a legal requirement.
All decisions of the board of directors require a majority vote.
An employee may be terminated for performing in a particularly unsatisfactory manner, for bringing X-Men Inc. into disrepute, or otherwise being deemed unsuitable to continue working for X-Men Inc. The executive officer must notify the employee and the board of directors that the employee is to be considered for termination, giving the reason or reasons for termination. The board of directors decides whether or not to terminate employment.
During the time between being notified by the franchise's executive officer and receiving word of of the board of directors' decision, the employee shall not be a part of any field actions, missions or other public activities as an employee of X-Men Inc., and does not have any voting rights. If the board of directors endorse the executive officer's recommendation, the terminated employee may appeal the decision.
Employees who believe they have been unfairly dealt with by any person or group within X-Men Inc. may appeal against any decision. To lodge an appeal, the employee must notify the officer or group that has the authority to review the decisions of the original decision-maker.
Once notified, the appeal must be heard at the earliest possible opportunity. The original decision remains in force until the appeal is heard. If the appealing employee is unhappy with the decision of the reviewing officer or group, they may appeal to the next reviewing officer or group, except that decisions of a meeting of all regular employee cannot be appealed.