Membership

Being a Member
Industries
  • Membership is limited to one representative per industry.  
  • ​Some industries overlap, and we ask that members in this situation choose once aspect of their profession to represent at the meetings to avoid stepping on another member's toes.

Attend as a guest  
  • People may sign up to attend a meeting as a guest, or be invited by a current member to attend as a guest.
  • Guest lunches can be purchased in the store on the website for $30.00.  Registration must be complete two days before the date of the meeting.
  • An individual can come as a guest to two meetings before they will be asked to decide on committing to the group.

Apply to join us  
  • A prospective member can fill out the membership application form on the website to request joining Corporate Connections.
  • The board will receive the application and make a vote to ensure there is no conflict with an existing member's industry.
  • The prospective member will receive an email from the board letting them know if they have been placed on a wait list, or if there is a space for them.
  • In the case where a spot becomes available, the wait lists will be kept in chronological order, but who applied first will not be the only factor involved in the decision.

Become a member  
  • If the individual applying to join has been approved, they will be asked to fill out the membership form, which provides us with better contact information, a biography, and a headshot for the member's page on the website.
  • The individual who applies to join Corporate Connections is the member, not the company they represent.
  • Should that member decide to leave the group, they cannot simply transfer their membership to a coworker.

Leaving the group
  • Please let the board know if you need to end your membership.
  • Keep in mind that membership fees are non-refundable.
  • Membership cannot be transferred to a different individual. Wait lists and application forms will be consulted.
Fees
Amount
  • Membership fee: $150.00 
    • Members will receive a non-transferable Christmas event ticket so long as they pay/join before the event has sold out.
    • Members joining January or later will pay $75.00
  • Total fee for meetings: $400.00
    • Can be paid all at once, or per month for $50.00 ($25 in the months with only one meeting).
  • Guest meeting fee: $30.00
  • These fees are paid online in the store via PayPal.
 
  • NOTE: If you choose to order an alcoholic beverage during a lunch, please keep in mind that you will be required to pay for this separately.

Attendance

Mandatory
  • Membership belongs to the individual, not the company they represent.  It is expected that the individual who filed the application will be present at all meetings.

Absences 
  • ​Four meetings can be missed throughout the year with no consequence.  
  • A fifth absence is assumed forfeit of the spot in the group, and may be reassigned to the next person on the wait list from that industry.
  • Keep in mind that membership fees are non-refundable, regardless of early termination of membership.

Substitutes
  • A member may send an employee or representative to a meeting in their place to avoid being marked absent.
  • We ask that members do not abuse this option however, and make an effort to attend most meetings themselves.

Meetings

Dates, times and agenda
  • Meetings will generally take place on the second Wednesday of the month and the last Friday of the month (unless otherwise stated on the website).
  • Meetings will start at 12:00pm and end at 1:30pm.
  • Agenda: Mingling, lunch, introductions, housekeeping, 10 minute presentation, referrals, door prizes, mingling.
  • Attendance will be taken by a board member as members arrive.
  • The second November meeting tends to be replaced by the Christmas Event, and the second December meeting falls in the holidays and is therefore skipped.

Presentations
  • Members can sign up to do a presentation to the group about their business.
  • Sign up will be done at the first meeting to set the calendar.
  • Names of presenters will be listed with the dates of the meetings on the website calendar.
  • Presenters have 10 minutes and may use a projector and screen if they choose.
  • If the use of a projector or screen is required, please look into whether the venue has one already, or arrange to borrow from someone.
  • It's helpful at the end to give people an idea of what a good referral to you looks like.

Referrals
  • A big part of being an active member is participating in giving referrals for your fellow members.
  • Each meeting we will share the referrals we've given.
  • It's fine to include services you've used yourself as a referral, however please refrain from doing only this.
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Socials

Social Events
  • Socials will occur outside of the normal meetings.
  • Typically happen in the evening.
  • Open to any guests, regardless of industry.
  • If you have a suggestion for a social, or would like to host, please contact our Social Director on the board.

Christmas Charity Event 
  • This is our biggest social of the year, so it is expected that every member participates in some way.
  • Attendance isn't required, although highly encouraged.
  • Groups of tables can be bought to ensure you and your friends sit together.  Careful, these sell out quickly!
  • Prior year table purchasers have priority.
  • Each member is required to make at least one donation to the silent auction.
  • We will also need smaller items ($25-$50 value) for the balloon pop.  ie: Giftcards to restaurants, cafes, for services, etc
  • There will be a list of sought after silent and live auction items for members to go acquire, either via purchase, or donation from the business supplying the product or service.  
  • Various tasks such as table assignment, balloon sales, auctioneering, etc will be up for volunteer positions amongst members.
  • Lots of planning and organizing goes into this event; there are plenty of jobs that can be helped with leading up to the big night.
  • Members must RSVP by September 30th.
  • If you cannot make it to the Christmas Event, your ticket will be donated back to the charity.
Board Meetings
  • Board meetings will occur once a month.
  • The date and time of the meetings may be reoccurring, or month dependant - this will be decided by the new board once it has formed.