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Bylaws
Articles
- Name
Section(s):
1
- Purpose
Section(s):
1,
2,
3
- Membership and Classification
Section(s):
1,
2
- Termination of Membership
Section(s):
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6
- Officers
Section(s):
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7
- Directors
Section(s):
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6
- Election Procedure
Section(s):
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7
- Meetings
Section(s):
1,
2,
3
- Materials and Supplies
Section(s):
1,
2
- Revenue
Section(s):
1,
2,
3,
4,
5
- Committees and Chairpersons
Section(s):
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7,
8,
9
- Professional Fees
Section(s):
1
- Miscellaneous
Section(s):
1
- First Year Chapters
Section(s):
1,
2,
3,
4,
5
- Not for Profit Organization
Section(s):
1
Network Professionals International, Inc.
Rules & Regulations for Local Chapters
January 2003
Article 1. Name
Section 1:
Each chapter shall be known as Network Professionals of________________ chapter (insert locality name) and shall be entitled to such name as long as Network Professionals International, Inc. a Florida corporation consents to such use.
Article 2. Purpose
Section 1:
Network Professionals International, Inc. is an organization of business persons dedicated to the ideals of improving their careers through interchange of social and professional contacts and referrals. Each business or professional occupation is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are not allowed. Some businesses or occupations are divided into subcategories on the condition that conflicts will not occur between the subcategories. For example, the occupation or business profession of insurance will be divided into areas such as property/casualty and life/disability.
Section 2:
A "referral" is defined as a contact between two members or when one member generates a contact between another member and nonmember, which could potentially lead to a business transaction. "Referrals" may be amended to include definitions agreed on by the local chapter with the approval of the Regional Director.
Section 3:
The goal of NPI is to expand each member's business contacts through the generation of referrals. No guarantees are implied or expressed after the first year with regard to generation of referrals, business, revenues or related items.
Article 3. Membership and Classification
Section 1:
(a) Membership of chapters shall consist of men and women of good character and community standing, residing or having other community interests within the area of the chapter.
(b) When a chapter is over 20 members, prospective members must attend two (2) consecutive meetings, and submit application with payment to the Membership Chairperson. A membership vote will be taken at the third meeting for the applicant(s). Three (3) no votes will reject an applicant. Each member is entitled to one vote. Neither NPI, the Board of Directors, officers nor voting members of each chapter can be held legally responsible for rejection of an applicant. The following criteria will be utilized to evaluate an applicant for membership:
- Professionalism;
- Category of Business/conflicts with members
- Negative character reference
- Past business experience
- NPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, religion, sex, national origin or sexual orientation.
(c) An alternative may represent the member if that person represents the same company or the company owns the membership.
(d) A member shall pay a membership fee annually and hold only one membership category. The individual, or the company, which pays the annual membership fee and annual renewal fee, shall own membership.
(e) A company may belong to any number of chapters. A separate membership fee is required for each chapter. An individual may belong to more than one chapter with approval by Regional Director.
(f) Occasionally, a slight overlap of occupations will occur and conflicts of interest may arise In case of such conflicts, the Board of Directors will approve membership application upon due consideration with appropriate restriction on the overlapping business.
(g) If the individual member changes the company or category, which they represent, the chapter members shall have the right to approve or deny the new company or category by vote in section (b) above.
(h) When transferring to a different chapter a transfer fee of $100 is payable to NPI. The new chapter and the Regional Director must approve transfer of a membership from one chapter to another.
(i) If the company owns the membership and changes members, the replacement member once approved must be in active attendance within 30 days. The Board of Directors shall have the right to approve or deny the new members and shall advise the company of its decision in writing through the Regional Director.
Section 2:
Any member may resign from a chapter provided that all indebtedness to the chapter has been paid. A resignation shall be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors and shall become effective when received by the Board. Membership fees are nonrefundable. Quarterly meal fees will be refunded on a prorated basis.
Article 4. Termination of Membership
Section 1:
Members are required to abide by the following:
(a) Have a fellow member satisfy their personal needs whenever possible
(b) Recruit one new member for NPI per year
(c) Attend weekly chapter meetings; two consecutive unexcused absences, or three absences in a three month period may result in membership forfeiture subject to majority vote of Board of Directors, quorum required
(d) Provide a minimum of (2) qualified referrals per month or (4) points
(e) Be current with NPI fees and chapter meal fees paid quarterly in advance. Meal fees are paid whether you attend meeting or not.
(f) Conform to NPI Bylaws and any subsequent modifications to NPI Bylaws. Violation of the above may result in membership termination at the direction of the Regional Director.
Section 2:
The Regional Director will terminate a member from the chapter for the following
Any conduct that brings the chapter into public disrepute or violates the purpose for which the chapter is formed
- Any willful failure or refusal to abide by the chapter's Bylaws.
- Any willful failure or refusal to pay any assessments levied pursuant to the provisions of Bylaws.
- Any willful failure or refusal to abide by Article 4, Section 1
- Conviction of any felony or crime involving moral turpitude
- Any conduct that causes sever embarrassment, personally or in business community, to any member, or causes that member any public disrepute;
- Misconduct or breach of the chapter's ethics in such a nature as to render members continued presence in the chapter either personally or professionally obnoxious or detrimental to other members of the chapter.
Section 3:
All rights of the terminated member in the chapter or in its property shall cease upon the member's termination.
Article 5. Officers
Section 1:
The officers of the chapter shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The officers shall be elected annually by the membership. Officers may hold an office for not more than two (2) consecutive terms or until the successors are duly elected or appointed as provided by these bylaws. In the event any office, aside from the office of President, becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the President. If the office of the President becomes vacant for any reason, the Vice President shall fill the vacancy. If the VP cannot or refuses to fill the vacancy, the Regional Director will go to the board of directors with suggestions.
First year Chapters will abide by Article 14)
Section 2:
The President shall serve as the Executive Officer of the chapter, presiding at all meetings of the membership. The President shall also be the Ex Officio member of all committees, and exercise general supervision over affairs and activities of the chapter. The President shall also chair all Board of Directors meetings and shall appoint persons to positions not filled by the chapter's organizing director. The President further oversees responsibilities of the remaining Board of Directors' members, and handles any guest conflicts at membership meetings. The President shall perform such other duties as are ordinarily incumbent upon a President and report to the Board of Directors.
Section 3:
The Vice President shall call for chairperson reports at membership meetings and chair membership meetings in the absence of the President or when the President is making a presentation. The VP shall also keep weekly attendance records and notify Regional Director to send appropriate termination notices.
Section 4:
The Secretary shall keep and maintain the minutes of all Board of Director meetings and shall be responsible for all correspondence of the chapter as required by the President, VP or Board of Directors. The Secretary also supplies and retrieves referral forms from each membership meeting and explains the referral forms and the definition of a referral. The Secretary shall also provide chapter members with a monthly report of referrals given and received. The Secretary shall also generally perform such duties that are ordinarily incumbent upon a Secretary.
Section 5:
The Treasurer shall keep and maintain records of all financial actions of the chapter including, but not limited to, opening a chapter bank account, billing and collecting quarterly meal fees, paying meal charges and other bills of the chapter, including socials and other chapter events, send new member applications and checks to NPI's Regional Director, and coordinate ordering supplies from NPI. The Treasurer shall also generally perform such duties that are ordinarily incumbent upon a Treasurer.
Section 6:
Officers shall not be held legally responsible for actions of the Chapter.
Section 7:
The Regional Director NPI should be advised of all board meetings and make effort to attend.
Article 6. Directors
Section 1:
Each chapter shall be governed by a Board of Directors. Any director or committee person may be removed from office at the discretion of the Regional Director.
Section 2:
The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, the immediate past President, the Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Membership Chair, and the Sergeant at Arms. The President shall preside over the Board of Directors and be the Chair of the Board. In the event of a vacancy on the Board of Directors, when such vacancy has been filled, the appointee shall serve for the duration of the term for the individual being replaced. Each director shall be an active member in good standing and not an alternate.
Section 3:
The Board of Directors shall have control and management of the chapter's activities, in accordance with these Bylaws, and general supervision of the affairs of the chapter in accordance with the Bylaws.
Section 4:
The Board of Directors shall meet at least bi-monthly. A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. A majority vote of those present in the quorum shall be necessary to give effect to any action of the Board. Board meetings may be held at the request of any Board Member, or NPI representative subject to availability of Board Members.
Section 5:
Board Members shall not be held legally responsible for action of the Chapter.
Article 7. Election Procedure
Section 1:
After the first full year of a Chapter's existence, the election of Officers/Board Members shall be held at a regular meeting prior to December 20th of each year and the new Officers/Board Members will assume their responsibilities at the first regular meeting in January.
Section 2:
The voting shall be by ballot and shall be cumulative. There shall be no voting by proxy.
Section 3:
At a regular meeting of the chapter, at least four weeks prior to the date of the annual election, the President shall appoint a nominating committee. The nominating committee shall consist of three Chapter members and the Regional Director. The Regional Director shall designate a chairperson for this committee. The duties of the committee shall be to make nominations with consent of those nominated, and to prepare a ballot for the election of such officers. Nominees for the Officers/Board Members consist of a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Membership Chair, and a Sergeant at Arms.
Section 4:
At least three weeks before the annual election, the nominating committee shall submit a list of nominees. At least two weeks before the annual election, open nominations at a regular meeting of the membership of the Chapter may be made for any office submitted with the list generated by the nominating committee. The entire list of nominees shall then be submitted to the chapter for an election of officers and board members.
Section 5:
On Election Day, the Regional Director, in conjunction with the Sergeant at Arms will distribute, collect and count the ballots and report the results to the President, who shall announce the results to the Chapter. A majority of votes cast is necessary to determine election of an Officer/Board Member. In the event that no candidate for a particular office or board member position receives a majority vote, the President shall designate a time and place for further balloting for such office/position. Prior to the second ballot, the nominee with the lowest vote on the first ballot shall be eliminated from the second ballot. This same procedure shall be followed until one nominee receives a majority of all votes cast.
Section 6:
Only members in good standing shall be eligible to hold office or vote. Such members must not be in arrears on dues.
Section 7:
Alternates may not hold office, but may vote if regular member is absent.
Article 8. Meetings
Section 1:
The chapter shall hold weekly meetings lasting for an hour and fifteen minutes or less. To change the day and time of the meeting 100% approval of the membership and approval by the Regional Director is required. The meetings shall feature chapter members as speakers. Problems or complaints will not be aired at the regular meeting but will be referred to the Board of Directors.
Section 2:
The discussion of politics, religion, discriminatory statements, or inappropriate language will not be tolerated.
Section 3:
Badges and lapel pins shall be worn at all weekly meetings.
Article 9. Materials and Supplies
Section 1:
The Regional Director shall provide literature, brochures, badges and advertising supplies to each of the chapters.
Section 2:
Any advertising program or publication for the public must be submitted to the Regional Director for approval.
Article 10. Revenue
Section 1:
Each new member of the chapter shall pay a membership fee. The payment of the fee shall be a prerequisite to admission to the chapter. It must be paid prior to becoming a member. The membership fee is nonrefundable unless the applicant is refused membership. The membership fee is paid to NPI, Inc. or the appropriate licensee.
Section 2:
Annual renewal fees shall be due on the anniversary month of a member's joining of the chapter.
Section 3:
A member shall be regarded in good standing if she or he is not more than thirty (30) days in arrears on payment of indebtedness. However, nonpayment of the fines set forth in Article 12 is not covered in this section.
Section 4:
The fiscal year of the chapter is from January 1 of each year until December 31.
Section 5:
Quarterly meal fees shall be set by the Board of Directors and paid by all members regardless of whether they eat or attend meetings.
Article 11. Committees and Chairpersons
Section 1:
NPI shall determine the number and purpose of all committees necessary to achieve the objectives and purposes of the chapter.
Section 2:
The President shall, immediately following election, appoint the Chairs and members of all committees, and shall announce such appointments not later than February 1 following the election.
Section 3:
The Sergeant at Arms shall maintain order at weekly meetings, circulate the referral bucket, collect professional fees, monitor each member's commercial and monitor the speaker's time limit.
Section 4:
The Social Chairperson shall be responsible for organizing chapter socials on at least a semiannual basis. Such socials may also be held on a monthly, bimonthly or quarterly basis. The Social Chair shall coordinate with other chapters' Social Chair and Executive/Regional Directors in planning combined chapter socials and area-wide socials. The socials may replace the weekly meeting of the chapter for that week. The chapter/NPI shall not sell or serve liquor to members or to guests at any social event.
Section 5:
The Program Chairperson shall arrange and maintain a list of speakers for three (3) to four (4) weeks in advance, announcing speakers during the weekly meetings. In the event a speaker is unable to attend his scheduled speaking engagement, the Program Chair is responsible for filling such time with various activities or another member speaker.
Section 6:
The Hospitality Chairpersons shall arrive at the meeting and greet guests at least 20 minutes prior to start. The Hospitality Chair shall set up the meeting area, hospitality table for business card holders, brochures, nametags, and guest cards. The Hospitality Chair shall set up a display table for the members' brochures and materials and insure that each guest receives a nametag and guest information packet.
Section 7:
The Publicity Chairperson shall compile information for the chapter newsletter on a quarterly basis and submit appropriate press releases to local newspapers regarding chapter events.
Section 8:
The Historian shall keep copies of all appropriate information for the chapter and assist the Publicity Chair with newsletter publications and maintain a scrapbook of the chapter's yearly events and its history.
Section 9:
The Membership Chairperson shall explain to guests the process and cost of joining the chapter and follow up by contacting each guest.
Article 12. Professional Fees
Section 1:
Fees are assessed at the weekly breakfast meetings. Non-payment of the fees may result in immediate loss of membership. IOUs are not acceptable. The fees are as follows:
- .25 No Guest
- .50 No Badge and/or Lapel Pin
- .25 Missed Mystery Guest
- 1.00 No Referral
- 1.00 Late to meeting
- 1.00 Per Minute for President Running over Time Limit
- 1.00 Leaving Meeting early
- 1.00 Cellular Phone or Pager Ringing
- 5.00 Per Week for Late Meal Fees
- 5.00 No Show Speaker without 72 Hours Notice to Program Chairperson
Fees will not be eliminated or reduced without approval of NPI.
Article 13. Miscellaneous
Section 1:
Any person who is proposed and accepted in membership in any NPI chapter shall be deemed to have accepted these Rules and Regulations and any subsequent changes as prepared by NPI and shall be bound by them in all respects.
Article 14. First Year Chapters
Section 1:
The Regional Director of NPI shall be the acting President and appoint all officers and committee people.
Section 2:
The Regional Director shall settle all conflicts of interest, determine membership categories, and give final membership approval.
Section 3:
Article 3, Section 1(d) may be waived only by the NPI Regional Director.
Section 4:
The NPI Regional Director may replace any board member or committee person and appoint the replacement.
Section 5:
The NPI Regional Director will no longer act as president of the chapter once the representative has appointed all officers and committee members necessary to conduct the newly-formed chapter.
Article 15. Not for Profit Organization
Section 1:
Each NPI chapter is organized and shall operate as a not-for-profit organization for personal improvement and other similar not-for-profit purposes. Any revenue received shall be applied only to not-for-profit purposes of the organization.
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