Table of Contents
Article I Name………………………………………………………………………………..1
Article II Purpose………………………………………………………………….…………1
Article III Membership and Classification……………….......…………………….…………..1
Article IV Revenue………………………………………………………………………..….2
Article V Termination of Membership…………………………………………….….……......3
Article VI Officers…………………………………………………………………………….4
Article VII Election Procedure of Officers..…………..………………...……………………...5
Article VIII Committees………………………………………………………………………6
Article IX Executive Board…………………………………………………………………....6
Article X Meetings………………………………………………………………………….....6
Article XI Miscellaneous…..…………………………………………………………………..7
Article XII Not-for-Profit Organization……………...………………………………………....7
Article XIII Amendments……………………………………………………………………...7
Article I - Name
This association of business professionals shall be known as NetWork Today.
Article II - Purpose
Section 1. NetWork Today ("Club") is a collection of successful business people dedicated to delivering superior services or products to their customers and who believe in the value of effective networking.
Section 2. The basic goal of this Club shall be to expand each member's business connections through the generation of "business referrals."
Section 3. This Club shall not be used in any way for political purposes nor shall it, as a club, actively participate in the political candidacy of any person or cause.
Article III - Membership and Classification
Section 1. Membership in this Club shall be of the active class only.
Section 2. Definition of Membership and Member.
a. The active membership of this Club shall consist of men and women of good character and community standing residing or having other community interest within the area of this Club. Each shall have one vote.
b. The active membership of this Club shall be composed of members whose business categories are not in conflict with each other. A member may control only one business category. Each occupational endeavor is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed.
c. Prospective members shall submit an application to the Membership Director. After an inspection has been made and the membership application fee has been paid, the Executive Board will vote on that candidate's membership. A quorum (constituting 50% or more of the Executive Board) must be present to vote on a candidate's membership.
d. An alternate may represent the member if that person represents the same company and the company owns the membership. The alternate must be approved by the Executive Board.
e. A member shall pay a membership fee and membership dues, and hold only one membership category.
f. No individual member shall be eligible who holds memberships in a similar club. A company may belong to other similar clubs but must be represented by different individuals.
g. Occasionally, a slight overlap of occupations will occur and conflicts of interest become apparent. In case of conflict, the proposed member must write a letter outlining how he/she will represent the Club. If there is a potential conflict between an existing member in good standing and a potential member, and the existing member objects to the admission of the person seeking to join, admission shall be denied subject to review by the Executive Board.
h. If a person has joined to fill a niche area in particular occupation and there are others in other niche areas in the same occupation, he/she shall not promote any aspect of his/her business outside his/her niche area until approved by the Executive Board.
i. Membership shall be owned by the individual or company that pays the membership fee and dues. If the individual or company leaves the Club in any manner, the rights to the membership are retained by the Club.
j. If the individual member changes the company or category which he/she represents and owns the membership, the Executive Board shall have the right to approve or disapprove the new company or category.
k. If the company owns the membership and changes members, the Executive Board shall have the right to approve or disapprove the new member and shall advise the company in writing.
Section 3. Any person who is proposed and accepted for membership in NetWork Today shall be deemed to have accepted these Bylaws and subsequent changes.
Section 4. Any member may resign from this Club provided that all his/her indebtedness to the Club has been paid. The resignation shall be submitted in writing and shall become affective when accepted by the Executive Board. Membership fees are non-refundable. If a person resigns and returns within a 12 month period, then that member's membership fee may be reduced or waived at the Executive Board's discretion.
Article IV - Revenue
Section 1. Each new member of the Club shall pay a membership fee. The payment of such fee is a prerequisite to admission to membership, payable prior to becoming a member. The membership fee is non-refundable unless applicant is refused membership.
Section 2. Membership fees and dues shall be set by the Executive Board.
Section 3. A member shall be regarded as in good standing if he/she is not more than thirty (30) days in arrears in payment of any indebtedness.
Article V - Termination of Membership
Section 1. Members are required to abide by the following "Code of Ethics and Commitments:"
a. A commitment of loyalty to NetWork Today. The Bylaws prohibit you from being in another networking organization. Remember, if a member is going to actively solicit referrals for you, he/she deserves your business.
b. Maintain a high degree of professionalism. Your fellow members are honoring you by referring you to their clients. Do they deserve anything less than the best?
c. Attend every meeting. Four absences in a consecutive three-month period subjects you to being suspended or expelled from the Club. Courtesy requires that you inform the Membership Director when you will be absent. Any extended absence requires advanced Executive Board approval.
d. Arrive at all meetings promptly and stay until their conclusion. Repeatedly being tardy or leaving early subjects you to being suspended or expelled from the Club.
e. Turn off all pagers and phones.
f. Solicit new members. Your responsibility is to bring guests to meetings and encourage guests to become members.
g. Pass business referrals at each meeting. Seek out referrals for your fellow members and they will do the same for you!
h. Attend and participate in activities sponsored by the Club. An informal atmosphere will often enhance your sales contacts.
i. Give professional presentations about business when scheduled to do so.
j. Participate in enhancing the Club's purpose and activities.
k. Pay your membership dues and other charges promptly.
Section 2. Any member being in arrears in payment of dues and/or financial obligations, per Article IV, Section 3, shall be suspended and shall be notified forthwith in writing by the Secretary of the Club. Such member, upon payment of arrears within ten (10) days of the date of aforesaid written notice, and upon making application for reinstatement to the Executive Board, may, by majority vote of the Executive Board, quorum required, be reinstated. Unless reinstated, the member shall be dropped from the membership and shall be so notified forthwith in writing by the Secretary of the Club.
Section 3. The Executive Board shall review the individual active membership of this Club based on the following criteria: regular attendance at Club meetings, which is vital to the successful functioning of the Club; individual membership participation in Club activities; and quality of services rendered and referrals passed.
Section 4. Suspension or Expulsion. The Executive Board is authorized, as herein provided, to suspend from membership for a period of not more than one (1) year, or expel from membership any member of this Club for Good Cause.
Section 5. "Good Cause," as used in Section 4 of this Article, means:
a. Any conduct that brings the Club into public disrepute or violates the purpose for which this Club is formed;
b. Any willful failure or refusal to abide by these Bylaws or rules of this Club;
c. Any willful failure or refusal to pay any assessments levies pursuant to the provisions of these Bylaws;
d. Any willful failure or refusal to abide by the Code of Ethics and Commitments in Section 1 of this Article;
e. Conviction of any felony, or any crime involving moral turpitude;
f. The filing of any voluntary or involuntary petition in bankruptcy or making any assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the doing or performing of any act constituting bankruptcy or insolvency, in such action, petition, or thing is not cleared up and released within thirty (30) days;
g. Any conduct that causes any member to come into public disrepute;
h. Any conduct unbecoming of a professional person, or which causes severe embarrassment, either personally or in the business community, to any other member; or
i. Engaged in a professional breach of the Code of Ethics and Commitments of this Club of a serious nature as to render his/her continued presence as a member of the Club personally or professionally obnoxious or detrimental to the other members of the Club.
Article VI- Officers
Section 1. The officers of this Club shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer who shall be elected for terms of one (1) year. Officers may hold the same office for not more than two consecutive terms or until their successors are duly elected or appointed as provided by these Bylaws.
Section 2. The President shall serve as the executive officer of the Club, preside at all meetings of the membership, be an ex-officio member of all committees, exercise general supervision over affairs of the Club, perform such other duties as are ordinarily incumbent upon a President and report to the Executive Board.
Section 3. The Vice-President shall perform such duties that are ordinarily incumbent upon the Vice-President, collect Network Today referral forms (“NetChecks”) to be used by members to exchange referrals and leads, keep records of and report to the Club the referrals and leads passed within the Club, and such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board. The Vice-President shall appoint a nominating committee in October of each year to provide a slate of proposed officers to the Executive Board in November and after Executive Board’s approval, to the membership in December.
Section 4. The Secretary shall keep and maintain the minutes of all meetings of the Executive Board and business meetings, shall conduct all correspondence as may be required by the President or Executive Board, and shall generally perform such duties that are ordinarily incumbent upon a Secretary.
Section 5. The Treasurer shall keep and maintain records of all financial actions of the Club which shall include all records of membership fees, dues, charges, fines and all monies collected and disbursed. The Treasurer shall bring to each Executive Board meeting the most recent monthly bank statement and cleared checks (if available). The Treasurer shall be responsible for the administration and collection of all monies owed. The Treasurer shall prepare monthly and annual statements for the Club and generally perform such duties that are ordinarily incumbent upon a Treasurer.
Article VII - Election Procedure of Officers
Section 1. The election of officers shall be held at the first regular meeting of the Club in December with all officers serving one-year terms commencing on January 1 of each year.
Section 2. Voting shall not be cumulative. There shall be no voting by proxy.
Section 3. In the case of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice-President shall succeed to the office.
Section 4. If an officer or committee member cannot fulfill his/her obligation, the President shall appoint a successor to complete the remainder of the term.
Section 5. Only members in good standing shall be eligible to hold office or vote.
Section 6. Alternates may not hold office but may vote if regular member is absent.
Article VIII - Committees
Section 1. The Officers shall appoint the committee members who shall serve for one-year terms commencing on January 1 of each year. No committee member may hold the same position for more than two consecutive terms unless prior to such appointment, the Executive Board members who are present at an Executive Board meeting unanimously nominate a committee member to serve for an additional term. The committee members shall consist of a Social Director, Membership Director, Ethics Director, Program Director, Web Master, Members at Large, and Inspector(s).
Section 2. The Social Director shall promote at least four events per year with members and guests. Under no circumstances shall the Club sell liquor to members or guests. Another event may replace the weekly breakfast meeting.
Section 3. The Membership Director shall use NetWork Today membership categories for classification of new members. Only one category per member. Conflicts of interest are prohibited.
Section 4. The Ethics Director will be composed of an active member who, with the aid of the President, will settle any and all complaints.
Section 5. The Program Director shall designate members in an orderly fashion to present a topic of interest to the Club members.
Section 6. The Web Master shall be responsible for maintaining and updating the NetWork Today website.
Section 7 Members at Large shall serve as the Club’s ambassadors, and as such welcome new Club members and be mentors to members of the Club.
Section 8. The Inspector(s) shall inspect and submit a report to the Executive Board on all prospective members.
Article IX - Executive Board
Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of the Officers, immediate past-President, and committee members identified in Article VIII, Section 1.
Section 2. The Executive Board shall meet at least once each month to conduct the business of NetWork Today.
Article X - Meetings
Section 1. This Club shall hold a weekly breakfast meeting on such day and place as shall be determined by the Membership. Except when approved by the Executive Board in advance, each meeting shall feature one or two members presenting a topic of interest to the Club members. A nonmember may be invited to speak if such would benefit the members of the Club and the Executive Board approves. Problems or complaints will not be aired at the regular meeting, but will be referred to the President. All regular Club meetings, except for special events, shall be held within the territorial limits of the Club. The regular weekly breakfast meetings shall not exceed 1 hour and 30 minutes in length, subject to the approval of the members.
Section 2. Club issued badges shall be worn at all weekly morning meetings.
Article XI – Miscellaneous
Section 1. NetWork Today shall provide badges, notebooks, and when available literature, brochures, and banners for new members.
Section 2. Any advertising program or publication to the public must be submitted to the Executive Board for approval.
Section 3 - Definitions.
a. A qualified business referral is defined as a prospective buyer with whom the referrer has had a discussion of the member's product or service and the prospective buyer is expecting to hear from the member.
b. A lead is the name, telephone number and other information which may be a business source.
Article XII - Not-For-Profit Organization
Section 1. This Club is organized and shall operate as a not-for-profit organization for personal improvement and other similar non-profit purpose. Any income received shall be applied only to the non-profit purposes of the organization and no part of the income shall inure to the benefit of any officer or member.
Article XIII - Amendments
Section 1. Any amendment of these Bylaws in conformity with the Bylaws may be adopted by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active members present at any meeting of this Club, provided written notice of the proposed amendment shall have been given the members at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting in this respect. The Bylaws may be posted on the Network Today website. There shall be no voting by proxy.
