CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BUSINESS REFERRAL NETWORK

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to provide a weekly forum for Chamber members to enhance their businesses by building strong relationships through communication and exchange of leads, referrals, and information.

I. GROUP POLICIES

A. There will be no more than 35 non-competing businesses in each BRN group.
B. A firm may join no more than two groups, with a different representative in each group.
C. The representative’s seat belongs to the member firm as listed in the Chamber
Membership data base. (newly added revision – 2/10/05)
D. The representative from each firm must be “permanent,” one (1) representative per company per group.
E. A prospective member may visit each BRN group no more than two times. The prospective BRN member need not necessarily be a current member of the Chamber. For planning purposes, the prospective member (or his/her sponsor) shall call the Chair prior to attending a meeting.

II. MEMBERSHIP POLICIES

A. Applications must be processed and approved by the Chair or his/her designated representative. Restrictions may apply at the discretion of the Chair regarding the number of categories a group member may represent. All applicants must be members in good standing of the Chamber.
B. New BRN members will receive an outline of the Business Referral Network guidelines, along with an application to be signed and returned with the application fee of $55.00.
C. Full participation in bringing “leads and/or referrals” to exchange is required, but quotas or limits are up to the individual group.
D. Regular attendance is required, allowing no more than a total of three (3) unexcused absences quarterly and no more than five (5) total absences quarterly, either excused or unexcused. No more than five (5) tardies in a quarter are allowed, regardless of attendance records. (Exceptions to the attendance policy, i.e., illness, leave of absence, etc., may be approved by the Chair with group consent.).
E. At the discretion of the Chair, a letter of membership termination will be sent by the Chair to any BRN member who has violated the Business Referral Network policies as approved by the BRN Chairs and the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce.

III. GENERAL

A. Meeting location is at the discretion of the individual BRN group. Any member may visit another BRN group twice a year to get fresh ideas and to assist in furthering communication among groups. For planning purposes, the visiting member shall call the Chair prior to attending the meeting.

B. Any Chamber Membership Development representative or other staff member may visit any BRN, without limit, as a guest for the purpose of giving information and/or familiarizing themselves with the BRN; they shall be ex-officio members, acting in the capacity of consultant and Chamber liaison, and shall have no voice, direct or implied, in the group’s activities.

IV. OFFICERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CHAIR PERSON
· Responsible for conducting weekly meeting.
· Delegates responsibilities to Co-chair and other members as needed, including coordinating meeting details with restaurant/facility.
CO-CHAIR*
· Presides over meetings in the Chair’s absence or when necessary.
· Assists in any other support functions when needed.
MEMBERSHIP/TREASURER*
· Keeps records of attendance, forwards information to Chamber. Verifies Chamber membership. With Chair and Co-chair, creates or arranges group brochure/website, etc.
LEADS/REFERRALS*
· Monitors, tracks, and defines leads.
.
* One or more of these positions may be combined and handled by one individual member at the
discretion of the chair.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS
· The Chair Person and other officers of the BRN groups are chosen by the membership of that group. Term of service is one (1) calendar year. Officers will be reviewed in November of each year, and either replaced or renewed for a second year, at the consent of the individual officer and the majority of the members in good standing.
· Election of all offices shall take place yearly at the beginning of the new year. Officers may repeat years of service, but their official election shall be repeated yearly.
· Any Chair, Co-chair, or other officer may resign at any time, without cause, and be replaced for the remainder of the term by an individual chosen by the group.
· Any Chair or other officer may be removed, for cause, by a two-thirds majority vote of the members in good standing.
· All elections, or other actions taken, must be preceded in writing by a notification to all members no less than thirty (30) days prior to the action. Voting may be done by either open or secret ballot at the discretion of the group.

V. FINANCES

The BRN membership initiation fee of $55 shall be used for the following:
(Chamber members at the Gold level includes one free BRN membership)
· Membership badge
· Business card-holder
· Chamber support services, including upkeep of Chamber website BRN page, etc.
The annual renewal fee of $35 shall be collected annually and shall be used for the aforementioned.
· Renewal fee shall be billed to each member in January of each year. BRN members joining a group in October, November or December are exempt from paying the renewal fee for the following year.
· Billing shall be facilitated by group’s Chair working with Chamber staff.

Approved 01/12/05