Mission Statement
The Cabarrus Business Network is a networking, referral and business growth and education group focusing on growing our respective businesses in Cabarrus County and the surrounding areas. Through an emphasis on education, developing skills for business growth, and mutual support, we build strong business relationships with each other in a professional, honest and ethical manner. Our members benefit through qualified referrals, networking and business skill development, an expanded business network, and opportunities to serve our community.
Purpose
We will provide an environment where business people have opportunities to be introduced to each other and to share in common goals and development efforts. We seek to build trust and confidence in each other as business people, so that we can recommend member’s products and services to our respective network of clients, prospects, and partners. Our measurement of success will be based on how our Members’ respective businesses grow due to their involvement with the Cabarrus Business Network.
Meetings
We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month, from 7:45 – 9:15 AM, at the Cabarrus Country Club, located at 3247 Weddington Road in Concord.
Special Meetings
5th Wednesdays (occurs several times per year) will be reserved for special meetings, coordinated by the Education Committee. These meetings will be educational in nature, and may include special speakers covering topics of interest. Attendance is open to both members and guests.
Board
The Board consists of the following positions: President, Treasurer, Membership Committee Chair, Communication Committee Chair, Education Coordinator and Community Involvement Committee Chair. Board positions are based on a 2 year, overlapping term, with 3 positions being up for election in one year, and the remaining 3 in the following year.
The Board meets the 4th Wednesday of every month, from 8:15 – 9:45 at the Bank of the Carolinas branch in Concord, NC.
Following are job descriptions for each Board Position:
President
·Leadership responsibilities for the Board and the group as a whole
·Responsible for defining strategy and driving direction
·Leadership of Board Meetings
·Chair of the Steering Committee
Treasurer
·Responsibility of all funds collected and dispersed by CBN
·Responsibility of any and all bank accounts created by CBN
·Collection of any fees and/or dues from Membership
·Provide Financial Report to Board and to Membership on a monthly basis
·Ownership of legal & tax structure, and requirements for compliance
·Chair of the Finance Committee
Communications Committee Chair
·Ownership of One-on-one, referrals and results tracking
·Provide monthly reports to the Board and to the Membership
·Ownership of all communications efforts related to CBN:
oWebsite design and functionality – work with Board Committees regarding their requirements for the site
oEnsuring that the website content is current – minimum of monthly
oThe development and production of Marketing material, collateral, promotional items
·Chair of the Communications Committee
Membership Committee Chair
·Ownership of recruiting efforts
·Ownership of Guest and Membership policies
·Ownership of Application Process, qualification of candidates, reference checking, Membership Roster, Attendance tracking
·Notification to applicants following Board votes
·Reporting to the Board regarding Applications received, reference checks, recommendations for Membership
·Chair of the Membership Committee
Education Coordinator
·Overall responsibility for coordinating educational opportunities for the Membership. This includes:
oEnsuring a quality educational component and presenter for each meeting
oThe selection and collection/purchase of reference material. Ownership of process for how material is accessed.
oEnsuring tools, worksheets, etc. are available via the website
·Ownership of scheduling speakers for special events, such as 5th Wednesday
·Responsibility for any multi-media equipment owned by CBN
·Chair of the Education Committee
Community Involvement Committee Chair
- Overall responsibility for selecting and recommending opportunities that CBN should consider
- Organizing how CBN Members are to participate, and communicating this to the membership
- Chair of the Community Involvement Committee
- Report monthly to the Board and Membership
Membership Policies
Membership is by invitation only, and is limited to 1 seat per industry. Seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, but the Board reserves the right to make appropriate selections when two or more applications for the same seat are being considered at the same time. The Board commits to making selections based on the overall good of the Network, and will evaluate what each applicant brings to the group, and their level of commitment.
Membership is granted to an individual, not a company. We will attempt to define industry seats as specifically as possible to allow for growth in membership. Members will be asked to limit their networking activities within Cabarrus Business Network to the defined seat, particularly where overlapping could occur. For example, an insurance agent may also provide financial services, but would have to elect which seat they will occupy.
Annual Membership Fee
Membership carries an annual fee of $75.00. This fee is assessed on a calendar year basis, and will be renewed each year. Payments for the upcoming year must be paid by January 30 of each year. Members who join throughout the year will be responsible for a prorated share of the fee for that year. Proration is 25% per quarter:
Join Date Amount Owed
Jan-Mar $75
Apr-Jun $56
Jul-Sep $38
Oct-Dec $19
There is a $25 non-refundable Application Fee for prospective members. This is to be submitted with the Application.
Attendance
Members are expected to attend regularly. The strength of the group is highly dependent upon Membership faithfulness and participation on a consistent basis. When members are not present, they will miss out on potential leads and referrals, as well as deprive the rest of the Membership of the same.
While some absences are unavoidable (out of town, sickness, etc.), Members are requested to treat meetings as a priority in their schedule.
Should a Member miss 2 meetings in a row, the Membership Committee Chair (or designated member of the Membership Committee) will contact them to validate their situation and determine ongoing interest.
Should a Member miss 3 meetings in a row, or 3 meetings in a single quarter, the seat will become open once again. Interested parties much go through the Membership process to fill the vacant seat.
Members who must miss a meeting may send a substitute in their place to avoid being counted as absent.
Any exceptions to these policies must be approved by the Board.
Membership Process
1. Guests must be invited or sponsored by a current Member. The sponsoring Member will introduce their guest(s) during the meeting.
2. After their first visit, Guests may download a Membership Application and a Membership Agreement (Click on the form name to download). Applications, along with the $25 Application Fee, can be submitted for consideration after the first meeting, but applicants must attend 2 of 3 consecutive meetings before being considered by the full Board.
3. Upon receipt of the application, the Membership Committee will review, validate an available seat, and contact references. Should there be a potential overlap with an existing filled seat the applicant should work with that seat occupant to determine if there is room for the seat. The Membership Committee will provide a report to the Board with a recommendation regarding potential membership.
4. It is the duty of the Guest Sponsor, the Membership Committee and the Board to determine if applicants bring value to the organization and are committed to active participation. Each prospective Member will be asked to review and sign a Membership Agreement (attached) reflecting this commitment.
5. The Board considers new applicants at each monthly Board meeting. Upon completion of #1-#4 above, the applicant will be asked to attend the next Board meeting. Board members will be given the opportunity to ask questions of the applicants.
The Board will vote on new members at each Board meeting, and new members will be announced at the first meeting of the next month.
New Members are required to submit payment of the annual fee (or prorated amount, whichever is appropriate) to the Treasurer within 30 days of becoming a Member.
Guest policy
Guests are invited to attend, as long as the seat they may wish to occupy is vacant. Guests may visit twice, and they would be expected to go through the Membership process to continue participating. Guests that have submitted an application for membership may continue to attend meetings until the Board votes on their potential membership.
Members may invite guests for seats that are currently open. No guests may be invited who would fill a seat that is currently occupied. Should a potential overlap exist, it is the responsibility of the inviting Member to determine if the guest should attend.
Members should notify the Membership Committee via email of their intention to invite, along with the invitee’s contact information and business specialty or focus.
Sponsorship of Guests
A Member should be prepared to sponsor Guests the Member personally invites. This is known as Sponsorship.
The Sponsor of a Guest is expected to ensure that the Guest is clear on requirements for Membership. This includes ensuring the Guest is introduced to Board members, attends 2 of three consecutive meetings, and submits their application in a timely manner.
Code of Conduct
·As business people, it is paramount that we conduct ourselves with integrity and honesty in our business dealings. We wish to lead by example, to treat each other and our respective clients and customers in the way we would wish to be treated.
·Business between members, where appropriate, is encouraged. However, simply prospecting the group with sales pitches is discouraged. This tactic is short sighted, distracting to the goals of the group, and not welcome. It misses the real benefit of participating in a networking group.
·When Members conduct business with each other, it is expected that they do so in a fashion that keeps the reputation of the Cabarrus Business Network untarnished. Ethical behavior is expected, and the Board is committed to a high level of expectation in this area.
·We seek to create an environment that is professional, honest, and ethical in all our dealings. As Members, our dealings with each other, with our customers, vendors, and partners should reflect these goals.
·Issues between members should be addressed by and between the Member’s themselves, in a professional way, with a commitment to preserve the reputation of the Cabarrus Business Network in the community.
·Concerns may be raised for the Board’s consideration, but the Board will seek to review any issues in light of the overall good of the Network, not individual members. Where the reputation of the Cabarrus Business Network is at risk, the Board reserves the right to take appropriate action, which can include active involvement in resolution of the issue (when and where the issue can affect the reputation of the group), up to and including removal of Membership.