CenterSphere Bylaws
ARTICLE I
NAME AND PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
Section 1: Name
This organization shall be known as Center Sphere.
Section 2: PURPOSE
General:
The principal purpose of Center Sphere is to provide members of various professions the opportunity through fellowship to further their business and financial interests. This purpose shall be accomplished through the exchange among members of leads, ideas, and information.
Specific:
Center Sphere is a unique organization with special loyalties among its members; each member is specifically screened for acceptance, and makes a commitment to help Center Sphere and its fellow members grow. To this end, the specific objectives of Center Sphere are to:
Allow each member to provide weekly “leads” that may provide fellow members an advantage over their competition. To be most useful, leads should include what, who (with telephone number,) where and when. It is recognized that timeliness is an essential element, which greatly enhances the quality of a lead.
Encourage members to have “one on ones” to foster fellowship and understanding of each members business. This will create a better awareness of what each business is looking for in a qualified referral.
It is not the purpose of this organization to exchange business between members, although this practice will be acceptable for those who wish to do so. Membership in the organization, however, doesn’t impose such responsibility. The organization is neither a civic nor social organization, but may undertake such activities upon approval by a majority of active members.
Provide a forum for the continued education and growth of its members in such areas as sales, marketing and business. This may be done through various means such as presentations by members on their own businesses, on topics in which they have particular expertise, talks by authoritative guest speakers, and other initiatives, which may be useful to members.
Article II - Membership
Section 1: Qualification
Center Sphere is an exclusive association, open only by invitation with acceptance on an individual basis only to the following types of people:
1. Business Owners
2. Senior Managers of companies
3. Proven sales personnel
Advise the secretary of their intention to improve their attendance to a point of compliance with the bylaws.
The active involvement of individual members is the fundamental “building block” upon which Center Sphere is founded. Such active participation by each member is important to his/her benefit from Center Sphere and to each of the other members in the organization.
Only one member per business or profession category is allowed. Any person engaged in a business or profession not in conflict with the primary business of an existing member may become a prospective member of Center Sphere by being sponsored by a member in good standing Members may be engaged in a secondary business. Decisions as to conflicts will be made by Center Sphere on a case by case basis.
If one member representing a business or profession changes said profession to one which is represented by another member, this situation will be handle by the Executive Board.
The replacement of the resigning member will not automatically come from a resigning member’s company. A proposed replacement member from the resigning member’s company will be treated like a new member applicant.
A member or a club facilitator may sponsor a prospective member and present him/her to the group as a guest at any weekly meeting. Each prospective member must fill out an application. If a member knows any reason why the prospective member should not be allowed to join, it is her/his responsibility to immediately inform the sponsor.
Members in good standing have a veto to disapprove the application of a prospective member if, in their judgment, the applicant is engaged in a competitive market.
Membership roles shall be limited to 35 members in good standing.
An orientation for members will be held once a month.
Consistent attendance is required of each member.
Section 2: Attendance
A member who is absent for 3 consecutive weeks or fails to maintain an overall attendance record of no more than two unexcused absences in any three month period will be sent a letter requesting they:
Advise the secretary of their intention to improve their attendance to a point of compliance with by-laws.
Request a leave of absence consistent with the appropriate by-laws provisions. (In the event of absence by a member, a substitute may be sent. It is highly desirable that the substitute complete the standard orientation provided to all members.)
Advise Center Sphere of their ongoing inability to maintain attendance and resign from Center Sphere. After first letter is sent a member has one week to respond and to take one of these three actions. Failure to do so will result in a letter from the secretary advising the termination of membership. Two actions by the secretary in a 3 month period or three actions will automatically result in termination to membership.
Article III – Fees
$199.00 annually – Non-refundable.
Article IV – Delinquent Members
A member whose dues are more than 45 days overdue shall be contacted by the group’s facilitator for immediate payment. If the delinquent dues are not paid on or before the weekly meeting following such contact, the member shall be dropped from the membership roster and his / her business category reopened.
After a three month waiting period, a member who has been dropped from membership for non-attendance may request reinstatement if that members category has not been filled with a $20 reinstatement fee. A former member may reapply for membership and such application shall be considered in the same manner as application for a new membership.
Not with standing, the above, a member may obtain a leave of absence from active participation in Center Sphere for any reasonable cause upon approval by the Executive Board.
Article V – Termination of Membership
Poor business ethics, unethical, disruptive behavior at meetings, events or “one on ones” is just cause for termination. Members representing Center Sphere at social events are required to conduct themselves in a professional manner. The Executive Board will determine termination.
Article VI – Meetings
Meetings will be held on a weekly basis with exception of holidays.
Guests are welcome at any meeting with a maximum of two visits per person.
Members should state their name and company before giving their referral.
Referrals given are to be noteworthy and viable accounts of happenings that hopefully result in new business to one or more members of the organization.
Referrals should include name, nature of business, events, and names of contacts and phone numbers.
Each member should remember to state if possible, if she / he does not wish to be referred as the source of contact.
A member shall acknowledge any referrals that were successful in that they resulted in new business for that member.
Meeting Agenda:
15 minutes meet and greet
President Welcome
Member & Guest Introductions – Elevator speech (30 seconds or less)
Program for the week – or small groups
Concise Referrals – Thank You’s – One on Ones (Explanation of point system - $1 collection)
Old or new business – announcements
Adjournments – such as how much is in the monthly collection from the $1 basket.
Meetings should never last over one hour and 15 minutes. Be respectful of others time! Meals are not required and discouraged. Bring your own drink if desired.
Article VII Other
All leads are confidential and are to be closely held by Center Sphere members. Distribution of Lead Sheets to “non-members” directly violates the relationship of the informal but confidential communication between Center Sphere members and may, at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors result in termination.
Article VIII Amendments
The By-Laws may be amended by majority vote of the Executive Board, Presidents and founders present at a regular or special meeting. Any proposed amendment must be submitted to the members at a regular meeting one week in advance of the voting and be contained in the Lead Sheets during the week prior to the voting.
Article IX Acknowledgment of the By Laws:
All members must sign a receipt for a copy of the By-Laws along with a statement that they have read, understood, and agree to all the terms, conditions, and provisions of the same. Furthermore, the original executed receipt shall be maintained by the Secretary.
Article X Organization and Duties:
Founders
Executive Board of Directors – Chosen by founders to help set up policies, govern groups
President – Preside at all meetings
Membership Vice President – Schedule speakers, assume duties of President when President is absent, identify “open categories,” develop programs to recruit as necessary, notifying candidate members of their approval for membership, indoctrinating and orientating new members, maintaining the “Guest Register”
Treasurer – Responsible for identifying and recommending to the Board of Directors for review, those members whose dues are in arrears, and be accountable for the weekly “dollar” basket. Collect new member’s dues.
Secretary – Responsible for maintaining attendance records and identifying to the Board of Directors those members whose attendance falls below the accepted standards. Responsible for sending “Thank – you notes” to each guest within two days after each meeting.
ARTICLE I
NAME AND PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
Section 1: Name
This organization shall be known as Center Sphere.
Section 2: PURPOSE
General:
The principal purpose of Center Sphere is to provide members of various professions the opportunity through fellowship to further their business and financial interests. This purpose shall be accomplished through the exchange among members of leads, ideas, and information.
Specific:
Center Sphere is a unique organization with special loyalties among its members; each member is specifically screened for acceptance, and makes a commitment to help Center Sphere and its fellow members grow. To this end, the specific objectives of Center Sphere are to:
Allow each member to provide weekly “leads” that may provide fellow members an advantage over their competition. To be most useful, leads should include what, who (with telephone number,) where and when. It is recognized that timeliness is an essential element, which greatly enhances the quality of a lead.
Encourage members to have “one on ones” to foster fellowship and understanding of each members business. This will create a better awareness of what each business is looking for in a qualified referral.
It is not the purpose of this organization to exchange business between members, although this practice will be acceptable for those who wish to do so. Membership in the organization, however, doesn’t impose such responsibility. The organization is neither a civic nor social organization, but may undertake such activities upon approval by a majority of active members.
Provide a forum for the continued education and growth of its members in such areas as sales, marketing and business. This may be done through various means such as presentations by members on their own businesses, on topics in which they have particular expertise, talks by authoritative guest speakers, and other initiatives, which may be useful to members.
Article II - Membership
Section 1: Qualification
Center Sphere is an exclusive association, open only by invitation with acceptance on an individual basis only to the following types of people:
1. Business Owners
2. Senior Managers of companies
3. Proven sales personnel
Advise the secretary of their intention to improve their attendance to a point of compliance with the bylaws.
The active involvement of individual members is the fundamental “building block” upon which Center Sphere is founded. Such active participation by each member is important to his/her benefit from Center Sphere and to each of the other members in the organization.
Only one member per business or profession category is allowed. Any person engaged in a business or profession not in conflict with the primary business of an existing member may become a prospective member of Center Sphere by being sponsored by a member in good standing Members may be engaged in a secondary business. Decisions as to conflicts will be made by Center Sphere on a case by case basis.
If one member representing a business or profession changes said profession to one which is represented by another member, this situation will be handle by the Executive Board.
The replacement of the resigning member will not automatically come from a resigning member’s company. A proposed replacement member from the resigning member’s company will be treated like a new member applicant.
A member or a club facilitator may sponsor a prospective member and present him/her to the group as a guest at any weekly meeting. Each prospective member must fill out an application. If a member knows any reason why the prospective member should not be allowed to join, it is her/his responsibility to immediately inform the sponsor.
Members in good standing have a veto to disapprove the application of a prospective member if, in their judgment, the applicant is engaged in a competitive market.
Membership roles shall be limited to 35 members in good standing.
An orientation for members will be held once a month.
Consistent attendance is required of each member.
Section 2: Attendance
A member who is absent for 3 consecutive weeks or fails to maintain an overall attendance record of no more than two unexcused absences in any three month period will be sent a letter requesting they:
Advise the secretary of their intention to improve their attendance to a point of compliance with by-laws.
Request a leave of absence consistent with the appropriate by-laws provisions. (In the event of absence by a member, a substitute may be sent. It is highly desirable that the substitute complete the standard orientation provided to all members.)
Advise Center Sphere of their ongoing inability to maintain attendance and resign from Center Sphere. After first letter is sent a member has one week to respond and to take one of these three actions. Failure to do so will result in a letter from the secretary advising the termination of membership. Two actions by the secretary in a 3 month period or three actions will automatically result in termination to membership.
Article III – Fees
$199.00 annually – Non-refundable.
Article IV – Delinquent Members
A member whose dues are more than 45 days overdue shall be contacted by the group’s facilitator for immediate payment. If the delinquent dues are not paid on or before the weekly meeting following such contact, the member shall be dropped from the membership roster and his / her business category reopened.
After a three month waiting period, a member who has been dropped from membership for non-attendance may request reinstatement if that members category has not been filled with a $20 reinstatement fee. A former member may reapply for membership and such application shall be considered in the same manner as application for a new membership.
Not with standing, the above, a member may obtain a leave of absence from active participation in Center Sphere for any reasonable cause upon approval by the Executive Board.
Article V – Termination of Membership
Poor business ethics, unethical, disruptive behavior at meetings, events or “one on ones” is just cause for termination. Members representing Center Sphere at social events are required to conduct themselves in a professional manner. The Executive Board will determine termination.
Article VI – Meetings
Meetings will be held on a weekly basis with exception of holidays.
Guests are welcome at any meeting with a maximum of two visits per person.
Members should state their name and company before giving their referral.
Referrals given are to be noteworthy and viable accounts of happenings that hopefully result in new business to one or more members of the organization.
Referrals should include name, nature of business, events, and names of contacts and phone numbers.
Each member should remember to state if possible, if she / he does not wish to be referred as the source of contact.
A member shall acknowledge any referrals that were successful in that they resulted in new business for that member.
Meeting Agenda:
15 minutes meet and greet
President Welcome
Member & Guest Introductions – Elevator speech (30 seconds or less)
Program for the week – or small groups
Concise Referrals – Thank You’s – One on Ones (Explanation of point system - $1 collection)
Old or new business – announcements
Adjournments – such as how much is in the monthly collection from the $1 basket.
Meetings should never last over one hour and 15 minutes. Be respectful of others time! Meals are not required and discouraged. Bring your own drink if desired.
Article VII Other
All leads are confidential and are to be closely held by Center Sphere members. Distribution of Lead Sheets to “non-members” directly violates the relationship of the informal but confidential communication between Center Sphere members and may, at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors result in termination.
Article VIII Amendments
The By-Laws may be amended by majority vote of the Executive Board, Presidents and founders present at a regular or special meeting. Any proposed amendment must be submitted to the members at a regular meeting one week in advance of the voting and be contained in the Lead Sheets during the week prior to the voting.
Article IX Acknowledgment of the By Laws:
All members must sign a receipt for a copy of the By-Laws along with a statement that they have read, understood, and agree to all the terms, conditions, and provisions of the same. Furthermore, the original executed receipt shall be maintained by the Secretary.
Article X Organization and Duties:
Founders
Executive Board of Directors – Chosen by founders to help set up policies, govern groups
President – Preside at all meetings
Membership Vice President – Schedule speakers, assume duties of President when President is absent, identify “open categories,” develop programs to recruit as necessary, notifying candidate members of their approval for membership, indoctrinating and orientating new members, maintaining the “Guest Register”
Treasurer – Responsible for identifying and recommending to the Board of Directors for review, those members whose dues are in arrears, and be accountable for the weekly “dollar” basket. Collect new member’s dues.
Secretary – Responsible for maintaining attendance records and identifying to the Board of Directors those members whose attendance falls below the accepted standards. Responsible for sending “Thank – you notes” to each guest within two days after each meeting.
