INDEPENDENT NETWORK CLUB ( Shropshire )

AIMS

To be an independent business network club set up to provide a meeting place where members can interact with the purpose of advancing their business and to provide support and encouragement to businesses.

CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP

• Membership is limited to 2 individuals, organisations or companies from the same type or purpose of business.

•  Meetings to be held fortnightly, alternating between morning and evening meetings. Additional meetings or changes of venue to be publicised on the INC website

•  Payment of the membership subscription will include the provision of one breakfast at the morning meeting.   If multiple representatives of a member organisation or company attend a breakfast meeting, then a charge for additional breakfasts will be made.

•  Each individual, organisation or company attending will normally have the opportunity to introduce themselves to the meeting within a 60 second time slot.   There may be more than one representative from the same organisation or company attending a meeting either as a member or a guest, at the discretion of the committee.   Only one introductory 60 second time slot can be used.   Sharing of this time slot can be allowed if requested.

•  Persons interested in the club may attend two meetings as a guest. Continued attendance at meetings will be allowed whilst an application for membership is being considered, a charge for breakfast will be made at morning meetings attended until full membership fees have been paid.

•  Applications for membership should be endorsed by at least one current member.

•  Details of membership applications received will be announced at the next suitable INC meeting.   All members will also be e-mailed prior to the meeting and advised of membership applications received that month.

•  Existing members can advise the committee if they have any comment to make regarding any membership application, and full consideration will be given to any objections made by members regarding the acceptance of an application, particularly if acceptance of the application would result in the limit of 2 companies from the same type or purpose of business being exceeded, or if a member feels that an individual, organisation, company or type of business would not make a positive contribution to the club.   

•  Members are expected to attend meetings on a regular basis and to send apologies if unable to attend.   Continued absence from meetings without explanation for a period in excess of 3 months may result in a member being asked to resign their membership.

•  Members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.   Any behaviour which can be reasonably construed as bringing into disrepute either the club or any of its members may result in the member company being asked to tender its resignation.

•  Members will be required to pay all membership dues promptly.

•  A committee will be appointed annually by the members.   The committee will be required to carry out those duties on behalf of the membership that are contained in the Notes for Guidance for Committee Members.

•  Committee Members will receive a refund of expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as committee members.

•  Committee Members will be granted a reduction in membership fees. The Secretary, Membership Secretary and Treasurer will receive payment commensurate with the job as agreed by the committee.

•  Members will have the opportunity at an Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting to submit any changes or amendments to the membership requirements detailed above for discussion.   A majority decision by members at an AGM will result in any suggested change being adopted.

•  Members will have access to the guidance notes issued for the committee and amendments to these guidance notes can be raised at the Annual General Meeting for discussion and amendment.

•  EGMs may be called either by the Committee, subject to unanimous agreement of all the committee members or by any member who has the support of at least one third of the total fully paid up membership.  

•  The committee, if unable to reach a decision in respect of any aspect of the membership requirements as stated above, or by reference to guidance notes provided, may request an Extraordinary General Meeting to determine the consensus of the club members.

Revision 3 – 15 March 2008