By-Laws
The Business Resource Network (PDF Version - for printing)
Charter for January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006
Revised: January 6, 2006
Introduction to the Business Resource Network (BRN)
BRN is a collection of motivated business people who use the strength of relationships to grow their business. Active participation and the sincere desire to help everyone prosper make the BRN a dynamic and energetic resource that can increase your word of mouth marketing dramatically.
The BRN meets every Friday, 8:00 AM sharp, at the Harford County Chamber of Commerce. Attendance is mandatory and BRN members must belong to the Harford County Chamber of Commerce. Each member is the only representative of an industry and is expected to contribute a minimum of 2 referrals a month and schedule 1 one-on-one meeting with another member. Fees are $75 per year (July - June) and are prorated based upon date of acceptance. You may not be a member of the Wednesday morning Harford Business Network, which meets at the chamber, due to conflicts in interest.
Roles and Responsibilities
1) BRN Organization
Leadership of the BRN consists of the Chairperson and Co-Chairperson of BRN and 4 committees: Secretary/Treasurer/Referral Committee, Membership Committee, Events Committees, and Marketing/Development Committee. They are structured as follows:
A. Leadership Committee
The Leadership Committee meets every 6 weeks to plan and improve the operations of the BRN. Ideas and suggestions from all BRN members are funneled through the committee, which investigates, consolidates, and presents results to the general membership for a vote. The Leadership Committee consists of the Chairperson, Co-Chairperson, Secretary/Treasurer/Referral Committee, Membership Committee, Events Committee, and Marketing/Development Committee.
B. BRN Chairperson
The BRN Chairperson is the pulse of the BRN. He/She coordinates the weekly meetings and oversees all the committees. In addition, he/she is the contact person for inquires about BRN. The chairperson may make, for the benefit of BRN, purchases with the BRN funds of less than $100 without approval of the general membership or leadership committee. He/She is responsible for communicating a warning and/or the possible dismissal of a member from the BRN for any reason based upon the decisions of the Leadership Committee. He/She is responsible for communicating the dismissal of a member from the BRN for any reason based upon the decisions of the Leadership Committee.
C. BRN Co-Chairperson
The BRN Co-Chairperson is responsible for the BRN Chairperson's duties when the BRN Chairperson is absent. In addition, he/she is in charge of scheduling and organizing the speaker list.
D. Treasurer/Secretary/Referral Committee
The Treasurer/Secretary/Referral Committee monitors the referral activity within the BRN, collects and keeps track of dues, and monitors the group funds that are held by the Harford County Chamber of Commerce. This committee consists of 1 or 2 members, which assists members in improving the quantity and quality of referrals. This committee is also responsible for monitoring monthly bank statements, communicating their balances to the group, and submitting new member packets to new members and visitors with a set of these by-laws & procedures.
E. Membership Committee
The Membership Committee approves new member applications, informs the group of chamber activities, resolves industry conflicts, updating the BRN brochure, communicates recruitment & open industries weekly to the group, and keeps track of weekly attendance issues. The committee is responsible for reporting the attendance to the membership on a monthly basis. Any attendance issues are to be reported to the Leadership Committee immediately. This committee consists of 1 or 2 members.
F. Events Committee
The Events Committee establishes and coordinates all events BRN will hold during the year, creates an Events Budget approved by the Leadership Committee and shares event ideas with the membership. This committee is responsible for organizing one event per quarter and consists of 2 members. Example: Business-to-Business Trade Show, sponsoring Chamber luncheons or breakfasts, hosting after hour events, etc.
G. Marketing/Development Committee
The Marketing/Development Committee consists of 2 members. This committee is charged with developing marketing materials for the BRN, devising systems to market the BRN, developing systems to enhance the effectiveness of the BRN, and examining the wants, needs, and desires of the BRN. They will create a budget for expenditures that will be approved by the Leadership Committee. All of their ideas will be presented to the Leadership Committee for approval and then to the membership for final approval.
2) Procedures
A. BRN Meetings
The chairperson of BRN facilitates the weekly meetings that include activities such as infomercials, committee status reports, special business, referral passing and networking. Decisions that affect the BRN as a whole (such as operational changes, spending of reserve dues, or large scale projects) are put to the general membership vote where each member casts one vote.
B. Committees
Motions are decided by a majority vote of committee members with each member entitled to 1 vote. The chairperson is the leader of the committee and decides any ties. Committee members may step down at any time but may not be removed from their position until there term has ended or their membership in the BRN is revoked. Committee positions are 6 month terms. Terms may be extended for another 6 months if there are no objections from the BRN members. There are no term limits. Elections will be held every June and December. You must be a member of BRN for 3 months to be eligible to hold a committee position. If the member is unopposed for the position, then the 3 month time period is waived.
C. Authority
The following chart details the authority of the BRN. If a member is dissatisfied by the result of a decision, the issue may be put before the next level of authority for another vote (1 is the highest and 3 is the lowest).
1. Majority vote of BRN members
2. Majority vote of the Leadership Committee
3. Chairperson
D. Distribution of Money
Membership dues are escrowed with the Harford County Chamber of Commerce. All checks must be made payable to the "Harford County Chamber of Commerce." Credit card payments will be accepted, but must be handled by the Harford County Chamber of Commerce Administrative Staff. All credit card receipt must be presented to the Secretary/Treasurer/Referral Committee. The Secretary/Treasurer/Referral Committee is responsible for the collection and disbursement of money. Only the Treasurer or BRN Chairperson can deposit money with the chamber. If a member is authorized to spend money on behalf of BRN, and uses his or her personal money, any receipts must be turned in to the Treasurer/Secretary/Referral Committee with two signatures of leadership committee members for reimbursement.
3) Membership Requirements
A. Harford County Chamber of Commerce - In accordance to the Harford County Chamber of Commerce, members and/or their companies must be a member of the Harford County Chamber of Commerce.
B. Attendance - Individuals join BRN, not companies. You may have a substitute from your company fill in if you are unable to attend without it counting as an absence. Members are expected to attend all meetings, which are held every Friday morning at 8:00 AM at the Harford County Chamber of Commerce. Attendance is taken at each meeting. It is the member's responsibility to initial the attendance sheet. Members are allowed to miss 6 meetings in 6 months (January - June and July - December) and may not miss more than 3 meetings consecutively. After the sixth absence, or 4th in a row, the member may be removed from BRN without the refund of dues, at the discretion of the Leadership Committee. This is a no fault policy, so please ensure that your schedule will comply before submitting an application.
C. Referral Requirements - Members are expected to contribute a minimum of 2 referrals per month with a limit of 1 "me" referral, and a minimum of 1 one-on-one. If a member does not pass the minimum amount of referrals for 3 months in a row, their membership may be revoked and their category reopened at the discretion of the leadership committee. You may reapply after 6 months.
D. Change of Employer
If a member leaves their employer the member must reapply for membership, but does not pay any additional dues if their membership is approved. The member's previous employer may send a new representative who must apply for membership and must pay new member dues.
E. Industry Restrictions
Members of the BRN lock out their competition because they are the only representative from their industry. Any referrals passed during BRN meetings relating to an industry go to the member representing said industry. The membership committee reviews potential members for possible conflicts with existing member industries. When a potential conflict exists, then the affected member is consulted to determine the extent of the conflict. If the affected member feels that there is a conflict and his or her reasons are reasonable, the application is denied. On a case-by-case basis, overlap may occur within industries. These situations are the exception and only exist because an agreement was made between the existing member, the potential member, and the leadership committee.
F. Complaint Letters
Complaint letters must detail an instance where a member provided poor service and or products to a referral. Once the leadership committee receives a letter, both members are interviewed to resolve any issues. If a member has 3 complaint letters filed against him/her, by 3 different members, their membership can be revoked at the discretion of the leadership committee.
G. Dues
Members are charged a yearly membership fee of $75 every July. If a potential member joins after July, the fee is pro-rated based upon the remaining time in the BRN year ($6 off per past month). Dues are used to support members through such activities as: trade show booths, after hours networking, and BRN marketing materials. Dues must be submitted at the time you submit your membership application.
4) Guests
Guests may attend BRN meetings twice a year without submitting an application. Guests are not limited to 2 meetings while awaiting approval of their application and are encouraged to attend.
Member Signature _________________________________________
Date___________________
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