FOCUS CHARTER

What is "FOCUS?"

Focus is anon-profit professional women's group. Our group meets once a week, Thursday at 8:30AM - 9:30AM.

MISSIONSTATEMENT

Sharing OurKnowledge Skills Support,Caring Through FriendshipNeverEnding

PURPOSE

The purpose of this group is tomeetand share business ideas and successes in a friendly and caring atmosphere. Inthis way a member will be encouraged to share new concepts in their development stages.

GUIDELINES FORSUCCESS

  • Positive Attitude-First Impressions Count
  • EnthusiasticParticipation
  • Honest Business Ethics
  • Regular Attendance
  • Business Attire-Dress for Success
  • Active Lead Generation
  • Ask forSpecific Business

MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT

Each member willpromote theirindividual product or service,continuing to inform and update Focus members. In orderto ensurethat this promotion is ongoing,at each meeting weeach present a 30-secondcommercial in the most innovative manner. We should also remember thatany meetings which occur outside theweekly members’ meeting will enhance relationships with other members.

DECISIONS

Introduction and changes toprocedures/activities will be approved by a simple majority vote of members in attendance.(Fifty percent of membership must be present).

ATTENDANCE

Each member is responsible for attending a minimum of 50% of the meetings per year. If a member doesnot meet this requirement,the boardwill contact the member individually andthe category will become available if no action istakenby the member.

Eachmember willnotifythe President of any upcoming extended absence or vacation.

There is a sign-in sheetat all meetings to check attendance.

RECRUITING

Each member is encouraged to pursue new members in new categories. A potential member willbe given an invitationto attend ameeting alongwith brief information about the group and its current membership.

Membership is limited to only oneperson perbusiness category so that there is no competitionfor referrals. Ifthere isa question as to whether there might be a category conflict, please discuss this with the respective member.

Guests are free their first visit andmust pay $15.00 for their second visit. After that, they must join to continuecoming to the meetings.

Past members are always welcome as guests and they mustpay a $15.00 guestfee to cover the cost of their breakfast.

HARDSHIP/LEAVEOFABSENCE

If a member needs special consideration for ahardship, we will allow up toa 3-monthgrace periodwith the member continuing topay dues. During that period, a member will enjoy full membership benefits andwill be requiredto keeptheir monthlyfees current. If a member is experiencing a financial hardship, the membership fee may be reconsidered.

MEMBERSHIP FEES

The initial fee to join is $46.00. A monthly fee of $46.00 is payable on the first Thursday of each month. The fees cover the expenses of the meetings, birthday gifts and small supplies agreed to by all members.

There is a $5.00 late fee if the monthly feeis not paid on the first Thursday ofthe month.

Advertising, Christmas party, approved events, breakfast and website-related costs are paid from the treasury. Thebalance ofthe money at year end is donated toa local charity. Asmall balance is kept in the account to begin thenext year.

Any member whois 3 months in arrears ontheir dues will be dropped and their category will become available.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Associate membershipwill be at rate of 50% of regular monthly dues andwill be represented as a separate listing on the website. If dues are increased,the associate rate automatically rises to keep pace.

An Associate whowishes toattend breakfast will get onefree breakfast per month andwill be included in Socials and the Holiday party alongwith active members. Should they wish tocome to breakfast more than oncea month, they willpay for the additional breakfasts.

Associate membership is only open to pastmembers and is a great way for themto be associated withthegroupwhile being inactive.

FOCUS LEADS

Preparation is required to giveuseful leads. This means getting complete information andhaving it ready at the meetingto be givento the interested member. We do not formally pass leads at the meetings but time is allotted for sharing leads and all members are encouragedto generate leads for the other group members. A follow-up email should be sent as follow-up for any leads given verbally at a meeting.

We as a group make an effort to keepour business cardsavailable to facilitate leads.

OFFICERSAND ELECTION PROCESS

Terms are for six months. Each term begins on March 1and September 1. The outgoing President becomes the new Vice President.

DUTIES OF BOARDMEMBERS[N1]

President:Presides over weekly meetings.

Sets meeting agenda.

Communicates withthe restaurant manager.

Provides sheet with member information.

Manages New Membership process.

Keeps business card box and timer.

Vice-President:Presides over weekly meetings during President’s

absence.

Presents birthday gifts.

Secretary:Arranges calendar of speakers.

Updates web content as needed.

Treasurer:Collectsmonthly dues.

Makes bank deposits and reconciliations.

Is responsible for allcash disbursements.

Webmaster:Keeps content of website up-to-date.

Manages relationship with hosting provider.

Manages and updates Facebook page.

MIXERS

This is ouropportunityto enjoy each memberin a new environment.The Vice- President will set up a mixer in the currentquarter.

Read and approved Charter:

Member:Date:

[N1]Now that we are creating a website that we can manage, who will have responsibility for keeping it up to date? The Secretary or will there be a new Webmaster position on the Board?