Organizational guidelines

Organizational Guidelines

Corporate Governance

Business Connections of Central Florida, Inc (hereafter named BCCF) is incorporated in the State of Florida USA.

Mission Statement

BCCF is an Orlando Florida based networking & referral organization, founded on trust and integrity.
Our mission is to be the largest, most successful business networking organization in Central Florida. Through our dynamic and structured referral groups, we aim to grow our member businesses, one referral at a time.

Membership

Clients can join BCCF by paying a membership fee. The membership fee is $200 per year commencing at the date of joining. Membership is not transferable (No MLM or Pyramid sales).

Payment

Payment of membership fees by the client is required to become a member and join a group in one location. The client can visit a group once in a 12 month period as a guest. If the client does not want to become a member, they cannot attend any group in the following 12 month period. In order to become a member, the client must complete the required application form, either online or by hard copy, and send it back to BCCF.

Membership is subject to receiving the mentioned fee, fully cleared and free in addition to the checking of references. Refunds will only be made if membership is denied due to unsatisfactory references or any other item contrary to the policies and procedures, as set forth in this manual. BCCF has full discretion to deny membership for any other reason it deems appropriate which will be detrimental to the organization or its members. Once membership has been approved, membership fees are nonrefundable.

Member benefits

A member will receive the following benefits

  • Business listed on BCCF website. Members must provide the following in order to be listed: member photograph, business contact details.
  • Access to group to provide a structured meeting agenda to enable members to pass business connections and leads to other members of the group with the aim of developing and growing member businesses.
  • Free online educational tutorials.
  • Additional networking/training & education sessions and Affiliations.
  • International connections.

Membership rules and regulations

Membership is dependent on the member adhering to the following rules and regulations, membership is not transferable.

Attendance

Groups are scheduled once a week, every week excluding public Bank Holidays. BCCF will notify members regarding the public Bank Holidays. Members must attend the group each week. Should a member not be able to make the group, they need to arrange for a substitute to attend in their place. Substitutes can be any business professional who can represent the member at the group, apart from another member of the same group. An example of a good substitute is a colleague, client, family/friend or a member of another group. A substitute cannot be used for more than two consecutive meetings.

Members can only miss 3 meetings in a 6 month period. This does not include meetings whereby a substitute attending in the members place. Failure to comply with this will result in the membership being terminated, without any fee refund. BCCF will review this policy in view of extenuating circumstances. Members must be in good standing if they require transferring to another group and may only transfer once per member year. As from 1st April 2011 should a member wish to transfer to another group, they must be in good standing and pay a $100 transfer fee  provided  there is no conflict of interest with the existing positions within the new group.

Existing members who wish to transfer click here (PayPal Payment option).

Members must be present at the meeting for the full time allotment of 90 minutes. Failure to comply will result in an absence being recorded for that meeting.

Each business category must be approved by BCCF before joining. Certain business categories that do not meet the approval of BCCF and are not limited to multi level marketing & pyramid selling. Members are reminded that they should not be attempting to sell their products to members but to educate them so they maybe able to refer their business.

Visitors

We welcome visitors to any meeting and the first visit is FREE. Existing BCCF members who wish to visit other BCCF group locations can do so only once and provided there is no conflict of interest.

Group Structure

Each group has a maximum membership of 50 members. Each member can only represent one profession in the group as displayed on the member information on the BCCF website and application form. No group can have conflicting professions. Certain industries can be divided into different specialists categories without a conflict arising. For example, Real Estate can be Residential or Commercial. This decision will be made by BCCF should any apparent conflicts arise.

Only members in good standing can request change of location or category. Members applicable to change category will only be allowed one change in each membership year provided there is no conflict of interest within the group and provided that the position is in accordance with the group`s structure.

Leadership

Each group consists of the following positions:

  • Chair
  • Vice Chair

Each position will be determined by BCCF and the position will run from January 1st through December 31st for a period of 1 year. One year’s free membership will be provided for Chair and Vice Chair subject to them carrying out their duties as stipulated in the roles and responsibilities. (Subject to full completion of one term)

Venue

Each group will meet at the same location every week. The venue will be determined by BCCF. Certain venues may charge a cover charge which includes light breakfast, this is separate to the fees charged by BCCF but must be paid by members should they wish to attend the group meeting.

Agenda

Each meeting will run according to the BCCF agenda (as distributed to the Chair’s of each group). Any deviation away from this agenda must be authorized by BCCF. All groups are power networking groups where time management and attendance is the key to a successful meeting.

Responsibilities

Chair

  • Chair the meeting and ensure correct time management is followed.
  • Ensure meeting is conducted in professional manner.
  • Ensure that each member profession is protected by limited membership.
  • Review with the Vice Chair the member professions marketed within group to ensure there is no conflict of business interest.
  • Ensure meeting venue is prepared for each meeting.
  • Assist all leadership team members with duties.
  • Ensure group documentation is updated continually.
  • Liaise with all BCCF groups.
  • Maintain business card folder.
  • Assist other BCCF start up groups.

Vice Chair

  • Run meeting in absence of the Chair.
  • Update group spreadsheet with new members.
  • Collect and collate membership names on group spreadsheet.
  • Collect and collate Leads/Referrals, Business Meeting and Money in the Bank forms on group spreadsheet.

Member

  • Attend weekly meeting on time.
  • Assist with greeting and introducing visiting members during open networking section.
  • Help promote the BCCF externally.
  • Complete and return Business meeting, Leads/Referrals and Money in the Bank forms when required.
  • If unavailable for a meeting attempt to arrange a substitute.
  • Ensure meeting is conducted in professional manner.
  • Keep the business card file stocked with member business cards.

Complaints

All complaints must be submitted to BCCF in writing. BCCF will investigate any complaint and get back to the member in 7 working days. BCCF will do all in its power to try and resolve any issue which will be detrimental to the organization or its members.

Conflicts

Any member conflicts must be brought to BCCF immediately. BCCF will review the conflict and get back to the originator in 7 working days.

Advertising

Members in good standing can advertise on BCCF website according to the fee schedule and conditions.

Members will be invoiced on a monthly basis and payment must be submitted by the date specified on the invoice via the only payment page on the BCCF website. Failure to complete payment in specified time will result in the advertizement being terminated and removed from the website.

Sponsorship

Businesses outside BCCF membership can sponsor a page on the website according to the fee schedule and conditions.

Sponsors will be invoiced on an annual basis and payment must be received by the date specified on the invoice. Failure to complete payment in specified time will result in the sponsorship being terminated and removed from the website.

BCCF holds the right to terminate any member for failure to comply with the policies and procedures of the organization, as set out in this manual, or for any other circumstance which is deemed by BCCF to be detrimental to the organization and its members.

Business Connections growing your business one referral at a time.

Copyright Notice

All BCCF documentation distributed within the meetings or displayed on the web site is copyright protected to be used by BCCF members only and cannot be reproduced or distributed to any other network or leads group that a member may also be a member of. Any violation will result in the termination of membership together with legal action for copyright infringement.

 
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