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NORTHERN VIRGINIA BUSINESS REFERRALS BYLAWS
REVISED, ADOPTED NOVEMBER 18, 1997, AMENDED 2/14/01, 7/9/02
I Name. The organization shall be called Northern Virginia Business Referrals (NVBR).
II Purpose. The goal of the NVBR is to provide businesses and professionals the
opportunity to enhance their business, financial and professional interests.
The group will meet each week to: a) familiarize members with each others'
business; b) learn what is a good referral for other members; c) share such
referrals with other members; d) enhance one's presentation techniques.
III Membership.
A. There shall be only one member per business category. Membership shall be stabilized at
40. A member may represent only one category.
B. Membership shall be continuous for as long as the member is an active participant, as
described under Article VI.
C. If an applicant presents a potential business category conflict with an active member, that
member shall be given sole discretion to decide whether the applicant will be considered for
membership.
IV Meetings.
A. Meetings shall be held every Tuesday (except holidays). The day and location may be
changed by a majority vote of the members present, provided that notice of at least one
week is given that such vote will be taken, subject to the quorum rule, as stated in Article
VIII B. Meetings shall begin promptly at 7:00 AM and end promptly by 8:30 AM.
B. Meeting formats may be changed from time-to-time according to the needs of the
membership. A suggested example follows:
1. 7:00 - 7:15 Order breakfast/Informal networking
2. 7:15 - 7:45 One minute timed infomercials
3. 7:45 - 8:10 Seven minute presentations, or a guest speaker. Announcements and group
business may be done in this time frame.
4. 8:10 - 8:30 Give leads, report on referrals received, share successes, make
compliments, etc. No one may say that they have no leads, or
merely "pass."
5. WHEN SPEAKING, EVERYONE MUST STAND
6. In case of inclement weather, NVBR follows the school closing schedule for
Arlington County Public Schools as reported on radio & TV.
V Guests/Applicants
A. Guests may attend three meetings before they are required to submit an application. If they
do not apply after the third meeting, they may not attend any more meetings for six months,
or until they do apply, whichever comes first.
B. Guests may deliver a one minute infomercial, distribute their cards, give and receive leads.
C. If an applicant's business or occupation conflicts with that of an active member, the
applicant's name will be placed on a waiting list.
VI Membership Standards.
A. Members are expected to attend all NVBR meetings. Exceptions can be granted for illness,
unanticipated family obligations, or vacations.
B. Members may be represented by a substitute who is able to deliver the member's
infomercial. If the substitute is not a member of NVBR, the member being substituted for
will not be counted as being absent (amendment of 7/9/02). The substitute may also give
their own infomercial, pass out their own cards and give or receive leads. Acting as a
substitute will not count as a guest appearance.
C. A member may designate another member of his/her company on a permanent, temporary
or alternating basis.
D. A member who fails to make an appearance (as defined in Article VI A., B. or C.) three
consecutive times, or six times in a rolling thirteen week period (holidays, weather
cancellations, or when there is a vote not to hold a meeting, are not counted), will be
considered inactive members, and subject to forfeiture of their membership.
E. Members are expected to give referrals, which will be kept track of. A referral is counted as
giving a lead or need to another member or guest, or bringing a guest.
F. Members are expected to help promote the group, recruit, find speakers, volunteer for
committees and/or assignments, and to lend general assistance to keep the group successful.
Such activities are as valuable as giving referrals.
G. Members are encouraged to take their respective turn in giving a seven minute presentation.
Such presentations shall be on a rotating basis among the active members.
H. Direct Solicitation of other members is prohibited unless invited to do so.
I. Members may not ask for compensation, monetary or otherwise, from another member or
guest for giving referrals.
J. NVBR members are required to conduct themselves in a manner which at least equals the
generally accepted behavior as that expected in the business community.
K. If a member becomes inactive or withdraws, there shall be no refund of dues.
VII Leadership.
A. The elected leadership shall consist of a Chairperson, Membership Coordinator, Marketing
Coordinator (amendment of 2/14/01) and Treasurer. These four, plus the immediate past
Chairperson, shall comprise the Steering Committee. Assistant Leaders may be appointed.
B. The Chairperson shall preside over meetings, chair the Steering Committee, and appoint
committees as may be necessary. The Chairperson may also appoint committees as may be
appropriate, and a master of ceremonies to conduct the non-business portions of the
meetings.
C. The Membership Coordinator shall keep a roster of members, keep a log of attendance, lead
sharing and seven-minute presentations, and chair the Nominating Committee.
D. The Treasurer shall oversee the finances of the group, collect dues, make disbursements,
and make a financial report to the membership on a minimum quarterly basis.
E. The Marketing Coordinator shall be responsible for all outside activities
such as member recruiting, publicity and public relations.
F. The Steering Committee shall meet from time-to-time on issues that affect the viability of
the group. Such matters may involve, but are not limited to, formats, agendas, functions,
etc. All decisions, on any matter, are subject to the will of the majority of the membership
voting at a regularly scheduled meeting, subject to the quorum rule in Article VIII B.
VIII Elections.
A. The Leaders will serve a term of one year.
B. Elections will be held at the second meeting in February, unless inclement weather reduces
attendance to less than 60% of the then active membership, in which case the elections will
be held at the next meeting at which 60% of the active membership shall be in attendance.
C. The Nominating Committee, consisting of the Membership Coordinator and two other non-
elected leaders, will be appointed by the Chairperson at the second meeting in December.
The Committee will make its report at the last meeting in January. The same quorum rule
as stated in Article VII B. will apply, in which case the scheduled election meeting will be
moved back accordingly.
D. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the election meeting.
E. The Chairperson may not serve successive terms.
F. The newly elected leadership will begin serving their respective terms at the meeting
following the elections.
IX Finances.
A. Dues shall be set by the membership from time-to-time.
B. Suggested dues are $5 per month collected semi-annually, due February 1, and August 1, of
each year.
C. New members who join in intervening months shall pay a pro-rata share.
D. Members who do not remit dues within 30-days of the due date shall be subject to forfeiture
of membership.
E. All expenditures over $50 require the approval of the majority of members in attendance at
a regularly scheduled meeting of the group at which at least 60% of the active membership
is in attendance. Expenditures of $50 or less may be approved by the Steering Committee.
X Bylaw changes.
A. Proposed bylaw changes shall be announced and read at two meetings prior to a vote being
taken. Changes shall be approved by a majority of active members in attendance at a
regularly scheduled meeting.
B. In the case of inclement weather, the same quorum rule as stated in Article VIII B. will
apply.
XI Final Authority.
On all matters affecting the NVBR, the final authority rests with a majority of the
members in attendance at a regularly scheduled meeting, subject to the quorum rule
as stated in Article VIII B.
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