Purpose of Group
We are an established networking group comprised of business professionals whose purpose is to assist each other in obtaining referrals and contacts to enhance and expand each other's business.
Procedures Definition
Procedures instruct a group on how activities in their group are accomplished in keeping with their Bylaws (or Policies). Procedures may not conflict with the Bylaws.
Meeting Agenda Example
8:15 Open networking, Breakfast selection
8:30 Meeting called to order
8:31 Introduction of leadership team
8:32 Introduction of guests
· Business card box is passed for member card replenishments and taking cards
· Guests add to front of the box
8:35 30-second commercial
8:45 60-90 second guest commercial
8:50 Education minutes
9:00 3 minute break
9:03 10-minute presentation
9:13 Brainstorming: How the group can find referrals for the speaker
9:18 Solicit volunteer for next week’s education minutes
9:21 One-to-one count off
9:26 Referrals, sales leads, testimonials, thank-yous, general business announcements (30 seconds)
9:42 Thank you visitors, we will contact you
9:45 Thought of the day and adjourn
Member Expectations
1. Attendance
a. Attendance is expected at every meeting. This demonstrates that a person keeps their commitments as a businessperson, which helps us feel confident with referrals. Once someone joins the group, attendance should be at every meeting.
b. Members should be seated when the meeting is called to order.
c. RSVP attendance on the Meet-up site: Peninsula Connections Meetup
2. Substitutions
a. If there is a reason not to attend, please let one of the leaders know.
b. Substitutes are encouraged if you must miss a meeting. The substitute should NOT have a business category that is currently filled by someone in the group. If you are unsure, contact the leadership team.
c. If a member misses more than two meetings a quarter without a substitute, they may lose their membership status.
3. Dues
a. Members are expected to pay dues on time. If chronically late, a member may lose their membership status.
b. The mandatory annual fee is $100, due on your anniversary.
4. Website
· Members will be included in the website after three consecutive months in the group.
5. Weekly Expectations
a. Each week, every member is expected to do at least a one-to-one or bring a qualified referral or bring a visitor to the group.
b. At least two one-to-one meetings are expected per month. Referrals can only occur if members know each other well.
6. Leadership Rotation
· Each member is encouraged to do a Leadership rotation.
Meeting Etiquette
· Members are encouraged to arrive for 15 minutes of open networking before the meeting is called to order.
· Respect for staying within the time allotted for 30-second commercials and 10-minute presentations helps the meeting run smoothly.
10-Minute Presentations
Members will have opportunities to deliver 10-minute presentations with the objective of educating the group about your business, what makes a good referral for you, and answer questions.
· After attendance at three meetings, a new member is eligible to do a 10-minute presentation.
· Send a description of your presentation a week in advance (email via Meet-up site)s and the description will be posted on the Meetup site.
Definitions
1. 30-Second Commercial: tells who you are, describes your business, your perfect client and can include announcements about your business
· Example of Announcements:
· Industry awards, getting a article published, an event you are planning for your business
2. Referral: Contact information for a person or business potentially interested in purchasing a product or service. ‘Inside’ is a referral for someone within the group and ‘outside’ is a referral to someone outside the group.
3. Tardiness: If a member is not in their seat when the meeting is called to order, they are late for the meeting.
4. One-to-one: a meeting between two members with the purpose of getting to know how each other’s business operates, build trust and learn who their client base is.
5. Business Group: a subset of members that have a common or overlapping client base and typically share a certain type of business field (e.g. financial, health).