Membership Documents

Georgetown Business Network
Guidelines and Principles Overview


Introduction

We are an independent business to business networking organization. We desire to provide a positive, encouraging, friendly and energetic environment for networking. Our members have similar goals and aspirations of building relationships through networking and referral processes. Membership is by invitation. If someone wants to become a member they must go through the membership application process to be considered for membership. Interested and qualified individuals may also request to be placed on the waiting list – Advisory Board of Directors.
Mission
Grow by referring

Objective
To help others grow their business and to help grow our own businesses through high quality referrals.

There are no quotas for referring; however, members are expected to actively participate in this process according to their business parameters. Actively conducting one-on-ones is also strongly encouraged.

Membership Criteria
  1. The opportunity for synergies of your business with our membership's businesses
  2. Commitment to engagement, participation and attendance regularly
  3. Commitment and willingness to become a valued referral resource
  4. Feedback from Executive Board based on your one-on-ones and references you provide.
    A waiting list – the Advisory Board of Directors or ABOD - will be maintained for those interested and qualified individuals who are seeking membership and they may act as substitutes for absent members.

Membership Application Process

  1. Attend 3 consecutive meetings
  2. Conduct one-on-ones with 3 members
  3. Have the member who referred you act as your sponsor or ask a member to sponsor you
  4. Complete an application and submit it at the 4th meeting attended.
  5. Approval of the Executive Board and payment of annual dues.

Membership:
We are a non-specific, non-segmented networking group with some limited restrictions on membership. Membership status is qualified by regular attendance, professional, ethical, constructive behavior and participation including being an active referral partner for the group. To build relationships we encourage you to follow the networking best practices on our website including 30 Second Infomercials, one-on-ones, providing qualified referrals, business presentations and training. Membership will be capped at 40 members in good standing but may be expanded if business synergies exist. A waiting list – Advisory Board of Directors – is available for interested and qualified non-members who may be waiting for open positions..

Benefits
Building long lasting relationships is the greatest benefit of membership. Personal growth, friendships and camaraderie are also paramount. Other benefits include:

  1. Your business name and contact information will be on the GBN roster online
  2. Your contact information will be on the mobile ap roster for easy reference.
  3. Place your business cards in the Book of Cards for members.
  4. You may place a link to your website on the rosters
  5. You may join the social media sites that GBN maintains– Facebook, etc.
  6. Your name will be on the Member Attendance Sign-In sheet for ease of checking
  7. Presenting your business at meetings for edification of members.
  8. Volunteering to conduct training that others may benefit from.
  9. You may join our waiting list – Advisory Board of Directors - and act as a substitute for absent members, have benefits 3 and 5, and provide and receive referrals from members.

Cost
An annual, non-refundable membership fee of $50 is due upon acceptance and annually thereafter (payable upon membership acceptance). We make every effort to contribute 80% or more of aggregate annual dues to a worthy community outreach supported by the GBN. This is our way as a group to support our community and as a group to give back to worthy causes. For instance, GBN has First Wednesdays where we contribute pantry items to The Caring Place Food Bank. Your only weekly cost is the meeting lunch. We request that you tip the wait staff, even if you don't eat or have tea/water. We offer very low cost network marketing. However, it is expected that you will commit time and energy to becoming a valued referral resource.

Membership in Good Standing
Members will remain in good standing with regular attendance of meetings, participation in presentations and one-on-ones, payment of annual dues and actively providing referrals. Members are encouraged to pursue synergies within industries directly or indirectly related to theirs which complements our combined organization. Members representing multiple industry designations may chose one to promote at GBN and avoid the remainder or promote their product lines on a rotating basis.

Attendance must be maintained and if/when absent you may have a substitute. The goal is to build long lasting, deep relationships and this can only be accomplished through regular attendance. So it is in your best interest to maintain regular attendance. We also encourage members to bring guests to introduce them to GBN and expand the local coverage.

Leadership
The GBN is led by an Executive Board (EB). General responsibilities are:

Chairman - Promote GBN as a valued community resource, plan for growth, lead the Executive Board, direct the organization according to the Principles and Guidelines, and coordinate activities as appropriate. Act as the assistant to each Executive Board member. Lead meetings.

Director of Community Outreach – Promote GBN as a valued community resource in Georgetown and surrounding areas for small business owners through outreach and events helping promote GBN and its members. .

Director of Training – schedule world class training of a current and appropriate nature to help members grow personally, professionally, and financially advancing network marketing and small business ownership. Members may volunteer or be asked to provide appropriate training.

Director of Membership – Maintain and grow membership of a like mind who desire to make a commitment to GBN. Monitor membership requirements and maintain a Waiting List. Also, to have “fun events” that promote camaraderie and developing more meaningful relationships

Director of Social Media and Technology – Maintain the website, Face Book page and any other social media appropriate to promote GBN. Send out meeting notices and any other notices of importance for general information to the members, prospects and other interested parties.
Executive Board Meetings: BOD² will meet on the first Wednesday of the month following the BOD meeting to discuss issues, opportunities and membership. Quorum is Chairman + 2 attending.

Each Director will serve a one year term and at the pleasure of the Chairman and members. There are no restrictions on length of term served in these roles. Members are encouraged to serve in these roles if/when requested.

At the end of the one year term or if someone in Leadership resigns, the Executive Board will make every effort to meet within 14 days to consider nominations for the open position(s). Nominations may come from any member of the group and must be seconded by another member. After consideration of all nominations, the Executive Board will elect a member to serve in the position in question.


The Executive Board must meet within 14 days to discuss and take appropriate action if ethical issues or allegations are raised by a group member. By a simple majority vote of the Executive Board, any member, including members in Leadership may be asked to resign.
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