By Laws
Professional Referral Organization
Mission Statement
Our mission: To facilitate growth of member businesses by generating referral opportunities in an interactive forum at which members present their business vision, develop mutually beneficial referral relationships, find power partners, and interact in a productive way with other like-minded professionals
Attendance
In order to build meaningful business relationships and to successfully promote the group, mandatory attendance will be encouraged. If a member cannot attend a substitute may fill in for the member. If a member’s attendance drops below 50% for a calendar quarter the member may be asked to leave the group by a vote of board of directors (the board) and, if recommended for dismissal by the board, a subsequent vote of the members. To recommend dismissal of a member to the rest of the group, at least 60% of the filled board (not including vacant positions) must vote for dismissal. To dismiss a member at least 75% of the members in attendance must vote for dismissal. Dismissal will be effective immediately.
Membership
Business Classification
Only one member from each professional classification shall be permitted to join the group. The board shall have the final authority relating to classification conflicts. Unless approved by the board, a member can only represent one separate and distinct business. Multiple business classifications may be represented by a single member if approved by the board. This will be done on a case by case basis under the following conditions:
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Approval will be granted only on a temporary basis until such time an application is made by an applicant to join the group under that business classification.
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The member seeking second business classification representation (the member) clearly designated their primary business classification and their second business classification.
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The member is not allowed to switch primary and secondary classifications once an application for membership is submitted.
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The member pays annual dues for two memberships.
Prospective Members
Prospective members will be required to attend two weekly meetings before applying to join the group. Application for membership may then be submitted to the membership coordinator after attendance at the second meeting. If requested, a prospective member will furnish two references and allow for the group’s membership coordinator to visit their place of business. A membership discussion and vote will be held at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Objections may only be raised at that time. After a discussion for admission a vote of the members present will then be held. A simple majority of the members present will be sufficient to admit a new member. Voting by proxy will be allowed if submitted to a board member in writing at any time prior to the vote.
Acknowledgement of Bylaws
New members will be furnished a copy of the bylaws and will submit the assigned acknowledgement form to the secretary upon joining.
Resignation of a Member
A member may resign from the group at any point in time with or without any advanced notice. A resigning member agrees to pay any unpaid dues, accrued as discussed below in membership fees, for the duration of time they were a member until their date of resignation.
Expulsion of a Member
A member may be expelled from the group due to conduct that is deemed to be unprofessional or detrimental to the group. The procedures to follow to expel a member will be the same as discussed above under attendance.
Lead Generation
Lead generation may be monitored in the future and the production of leads will be encouraged however no goals, quotas or fines will be assessed unless approved by the board and a vote of at least 50% of the members.
Weekly Meeting
A meeting of the Professional Referral Organization will be held on a weekly basis at a day, time and location to be decided upon by a majority of the group. Currently, the weekly meeting will be held at 12:00 pm on Thursdays at the Old Chicago restaurant in Mesa.
Membership Fees
Annual Membership Fee
The annual membership fee for inclusion in the Professional Referral Organization will be $40.00 per member. The fees will be assessed on July 1st and will cover the July 1st to June 30th fiscal year. The purpose of these fees will be to cover general operating expenses that arise from time to time as well as to fund potential mixers or other events arranged by the members.
Pro-ration of Fees
The annual membership fee will be prorated based upon the number of months remaining in the fiscal year. All prorated fees will be rounded up to the next dollar increment and charged to the member. The pro-ration will be calculated on a monthly basis.
Example: new member admitted on November 1. The amount of fees due upon membership will be $27.00 calculated as follows:
Total annual fee $40.00
Total annual fee per month $3.33
Number of months remaining in fiscal year 8
Total fees due (8 months at $4.17) $26.64
Total fees due (rounded) $27.00
Refunds
Refunds of membership fees will not be provided unless approved by the board.
Due Date
Annual dues will be due by July 31st of the fiscal year. A member may be expelled by the board for failure to pay dues by the required due date.
Meals
Meals will not be furnished by the group unless approved by the board.
Dissolution of the group
In the event the group is dissolved, the remaining balance in the bank account will be split evenly between the remaining members.
Finance and Accounting
Bank Account
An operating account will be maintained to deposit member dues and to pay group expenses. Since the group is not a formal non-profit organization the bank account will be maintained under the name of the treasurer until a change is authorized by the board.
Annual Accounting
An annual accounting of revenues and expenses will be made by the treasurer to the group on or about the last Thursday meeting in the month of June or at another date and time approved by the board.
Expense Approval
All expenses incurred will be approved by a vote of the board prior to payment being made. The vote will be made during a regular weekly meeting. A simple majority of all board members present will be sufficient to approve the expense.
Audit/Access to Records
Upon reasonable advanced notice the treasurer shall furnish the board with a current accounting and reconciliation of the group’s cash balance on hand.
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
The board of directors of the Professional Referral Organization shall consist of the following positions:
President-Lou Silverman
Vice President- Brigitte Mueller
Treasurer - Joseph CompanikChrista Carey
Secretary - Joseph Companik
Membership Coordinator - BettyAnn Ritter
Term
The term for the board of directors shall be an annual fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30. Upon completion of the term an annual election may be held if requested by members of the group or upon the resignation of a director. New board members may be elected by a simple majority vote of the members of record at the start of the fiscal year. There shall not be any term limits and the positions above may continue indefinitely until an election is held or the member resigns the position.
Resignation of a Board Member
A board member may resign their board position by submitting a notice in writing to the secretary 30 days in advance. A resignation is considered to be made and effective immediately upon the expulsion of a member from the group or the resignation of a member from the group.
Board Approval
Unless stated otherwise in these bylaws, a greater than 50% approval of the board will be sufficient to approve any matter presented to the board for a vote.