These are a few of the key rules of the Etobicoke Business Network…
Purpose
The purpose of Etobicoke Business Network is to bring together business professionals from a wide variety of different businesses. To foster connections between these businesses and to encourage members to refer business to each other.
Executive Committee
The rules of The Etobicoke Business Network are set by the executive committee, and may be changed by them at any time. The Executive Committee of The Etobicoke Business Network shall be elected by the whole association. Only members in good standing shall be eligible to hold office. Elections are to be held on an annual basis.
Product Categories
Each member is given exclusive rights to represent their product category, as defined and agreed to at the time the member joins, or as amended by the executive committee.
Members are not allowed to represent products outside of the boundaries of their product category.
Each member may represent only one product category.
Who is Eligible
Members may be working part-time or full-time in their product category.
Members must be qualified and experienced in the category they represent. They must hold any required licenses or certifications for that product category. (for example an electrician must be a licensed electrician and not an unlicensed handyman).
Process to Join
An applicant may attend one meeting as a guest, and pay a $10 guest fee.
The same person cannot come to meetings repeatedly without joining.
The applicant must complete a membership application.
There must be an open product category to accommodate the applicant. Any potential conflicts need to be reviewed with members in potentially similar categories to agree on the boundaries of their category.
A vote will be held by the existing membership on each successive new member, to ensure they feel this applicant will be a positive addition to the group.
Multi-Level Marketing
Members who are representing a multi-level marketing (MLM) business are welcome to join. They must restrict their activities to the promotion of their products or services and must agree not to recruit other members or their referred clients to join their multi-level marketing network. Members of MLM businesses shall sign a separate agreement with The Etobicoke Business Network to this effect.
Attendance
Regular meeting attendance by all members is required. Members that will be away for a weekly meeting, must inform a member of the executive committee of their absence in advance.
The membership will be in the name of one person from a given business. That member is expected to attend. Alternates may be sent from time to time, to represent a business – but not on an ongoing basis.
Members with 3 consecutive weeks of unexcused absences shall be given a notice of the intention of The Etobicoke Business Network to terminate their membership. After 1 further week if the member is not in attendance, the member shall be terminated from the group and the product category will become open.
Members with 3 un-excused absences in a calendar quarter shall be given a notice of the intention of The Etobicoke Business Network to terminate their membership. After 1 further un-excused absence in the quarter, the member shall be terminated from the group and the product category will become open.
Transferring Membership
A member can transfer to a new product category within the EBN, if that category is open, and with the approval of the EBN executive committee. A transfer fee of $25 may be charged, at the discretion of the executive committee.
A member can transfer their membership to another person, from the same organization, if the member is no longer able to continue with the group. The transfer fee of $25 will charged. The new member must complete an application form. Transfers are permitted at the discretion of the executive committee.
- Rules as of September 29th, 2009
