II. MEMBERSHIP

Maximum membership will be at 50 members.

Full membership means absence from not more than 3 meetings in a calendar year, participation at meetings, other activities, and a willingness to seek and to fulfill the duties of office. It is understood that we will try to do business with each other and to promote each other professionally whenever possible. Membership is the person not the company.

There will be a mentoring system in place for new members for the 1st two months of them joining to orient them into the group. Their mentor will be the recruiting member.

If an existing member changes categories, they must resign in their current category and re-apply for the new category. If that category is already filled they must go on the waiting list.

A. BMW Business Directory

The Membership Coordinator will compile and update the “BMW Membership Directory and name and address list ” and distribute it at the February meeting. Member Profiles will be mailed to the members for updating once a year. Membership information is to be regarded as privileged and for members’ reference only.

B.    Eligibility for Membership

• Members should be in executive or decision-making positions within their respective firms.
• Membership is limited to one member per category or classification of goods sold or services provided.
• The Membership Coordinator is responsible for maintaining the “Membership Business Category Listing”, presenting any new categories to the membership and screening prospective members for conflicts with other member categories.
• In dealing with proposed new member categories, any concerns of existing members regarding a proposed new member category should be expressed to any member of the Executive. The Executive is responsible for contacting any member that is not in attendance who may have a potential conflict. The final decision of the eligibility of new members is left up to the Executive.
• The business categories listed are the approved BMW Membership Categories. If a member resigns the position the category remains approved and a new member may apply for that position to the Membership Coordinator. In cases of several applications, the first application received by Membership Coordinator will be accepted.
• When a new unapproved category is requested, a formal written profile will be mailed to the membership and the proposed category will be announced at the next monthly meeting. If approved, the category is then added to the Business Directory. The final decision of the eligibility of new members is left up to the Executive.

C. Application Procedure

Members interested in bringing a prospective member as a guest must notify the Membership Coordinator in advance of any meeting to which they propose to bring the guest. The Membership Coordinator will mail an invitation inviting the guest to the next monthly meeting.

A guest is welcome providing the “Business Category” that they are applying for is approved and vacant.

The prospective member must complete the BMW Profile Form, and submit to the Membership Coordinator prior to attending the meeting.

There is no membership application fee, however, the guest fee is $10.00 per meeting. It is the responsibility of the inviting member to see that this fee is paid to the Treasurer.

A guest may attend up to two meetings before deciding whether or not to become a member.

D.    Fees

The annual membership fee, which is prorated quarterly, includes the monthly breakfasts and business card file. Membership fees must be paid in full by February 28th in any given year to maintain membership in the organization.

Effective January 1, 1998, the additional fee paid by members towards the cost of a photograph mounted on a display board for display at the BMW Charity Fashion Show will be paid directly to the photographer if the new member chooses to have such photograph done. The total cost of retakes will be paid by members themselves.

E.    Attendance

• Since each member’s business category is unique and protected within this organization, we must adhere to our attendance standards and regret that we cannot grant leaves of absences.
• Members who miss 4 meetings in a calendar year, without sending female representation from their business, will receive a letter from the membership chair advising that they are required to attend all meetings to the end of the year or their resignation will be automatic on the next missed meeting and the business category will be declared vacant and open. No fees will be refunded. A substitution from the member’s company can be sent to replace the member but not more than 3 meetings in a calendar year.
• Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive Committee may exercise its discretion to grant an exemption to this requirement where the member has been absent for legitimate reasons such as family tragedy. In choosing to exercise its discretion, the Executive may take into account whether the member notified the Secretary in advance with respect to her absence. Responsibility lies with members to report in writing to the Executive.
• The resignations of members in good standing will be accepted and with regret and fees paid for any remaining full quarters of the year will be refunded.
• The number of meals ordered for each meeting is based on the assumption that all will be present. Members must notify the Secretary at least 48 hours before any meeting if:

• 1. a guest (previously cleared through the Membership Coordinator) will be attending or
• 2.    the member, herself, is unable to attend.

F.    Social/Founding Member

The social/founding member is an honorary “Social Position”. The number of participating Social/Founding members is restricted to no more than 10% of the full membership. The criteria and guidelines for the position are:

• The member must be a founding member and/or held an Executive position.
• If the member is in conflict with any other member category, the Social Member will not be allowed to Network their business.
• The position is a voting membership.
• The fees are the same as the current membership fees.
• There are no restrictions on attendance.