Guidelines for Membership

Our Purpose

The Business Networking Group (BNG) provides members with an atmosphere of friendship, personal, and professional support. BNG offers a resource system for meeting business challenges and a network of businesses to further our entrepreneurial endeavors.

Membership

Any person interested in the purpose of this group who is willing to subscribe to its basic guidelines may become a member upon:

- Payment of a one-time registration fee;
- Payment of applicable dues; and
- Approval of the membership, signified by a majority vote of those present.

A guest may attend two consecutive meetings before applying for membership. The entire membership has the right to vote on prospective members.

Each member is guaranteed a business category free from competition within the organization.

A member must notify any Board member of an upcoming meeting absence. This is considered an “excused absence.” More than two consecutive unexcused absences and/or continuous, long-term absence will be reviewed by the Board and can lead to membership termination.

Board Members

The Board consists of the four elected officers (president, vice president, secretary and treasurer), past presidents, and committee chairpersons.

All members are eligible to run for elected office. Officers are elected by the entire membership at the first meeting in September. Election is by a simple majority of those present.

Officers shall assume their duties at the first October meeting. The term of office is one year and there is no limit on the number of consecutive terms.

There is no monetary compensation for serving as a member of the Board.

In the event of an Officer vacancy, a special election will be held to fill that vacancy.

Officer and Committee Duties:

- The President presides over meetings and ensures all guests are introduced. The President coordinates and oversees press releases and publicity for the group.

- The Vice President assists the President and in the absence of the President, serves as President, assuming his or her duties. The Vice President may also keep historical archives; oversee committees, and manages social obligations, as needed.

- The Secretary records proceedings of all meetings, including attendance. He/she makes available minutes of the previous meeting. If the Secretary is absent at a regularly scheduled meeting, he/she appoints someone to function as Secretary.

- The Treasurer keeps the financial records of the group, receives all moneys, pays all bills, preserves all vouchers and is responsible for collecting registration fees and dues. The Treasurer reports the financial status of BNG at each regular meeting. The Treasurer’s report will be officially presented to the membership at the second meeting in October and a written financial report presented every six months. The Treasurer ensures that enough money is collected at each meeting to cover gratuities.

- The Membership Committee manages all membership activities within BNG. The Membership Committee is responsible for following up with guests by phone or email, accepting new member applications and monies, presenting new member applications to the group, recording approval or denial of the prospective member, notifying the prospective member of their status, and forwarding collected monies to the Treasurer.

Dues

Dues are $35 payable semi-annually on October 1 and April 1. Non-members applying for membership must also pay a one-time $25 registration fee. Dues are not prorated according to joining date for the six-month period.

Membership will be terminated if dues are not paid. If membership is terminated, the non-member must reapply for membership and pay both the $25 registration fee and the semi-annual dues in order to rejoin.

Dues do not include the cost of breakfast and gratuity of at least $1 each, which must be paid whether breakfast is ordered or not.

Dues are not waived for officers, board members, committee chairpersons, or any other members.

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