Comments on: Adjusted Membership Guidelines

By: Cheryl Scoffield

Cheryl Scoffield — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:51:07 +0000

Thank you to the executive for the work they put in on our behalf. I am confused! I have never seen anything about how the executive works or which member categories are open or closed. I have also heard conflicting information on how member’s are accepted and what other groups I can join. Is there another place beside this website where information is held?

Perhaps having executive meeting minutes would be helpful so we can see what is discussed, who is applying and what the results of those applications are and who is under consideration for removal. I do not have too much experience organizing networking groups but I do have experience taking meeting minutes with Action Items and Follow Up!

I agree I think this group is unique and one of the best and I would be willing to take meeting minutes if that would be helpful.

Transition/Growth/Change is always a pain but this group is worth putting the time and effort into. Thanks for all you do

By: Wayne Lewis

Wayne Lewis — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:10:39 +0000

I agree, to vote is the right way.
I was involved in a business networking group where the executive board decided everyone would be put into teams and points would be given or taken away every week for wearing a name tag, handing in a written testimonial, bringing a guest and providing a referal.
There were some other rules as well not voted on or agreed to. This caused alot of problems within the group as you can imagine.
This Oakville Networking Group is one of the best!
Let’s Vote.

By: Charmaine Idzerda

Charmaine Idzerda — Wed, 06 May 2009 02:11:05 +0000

My suggestion would be to post the membership executive committee and their various functions plus a procedure where members can make suggestions.
I don’t think that we ever discussed the powers of the executive so in order to clarify the situation, I think a vote would be in order.
The question would be; do we want the executive committee to make rule changes with or without the vote of the membership.

By: Boris Mahovac

Boris Mahovac — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:34:05 +0000

Here’s my 2 cents’ worth on the new membership rules.

I for one am open to competition, and I know 6 current members and at least 3 recent applicants have indicated their categories as open.

I indicated so in my application form when I applied for a category change.

I think the executive are confusing the member’s right to control the exclusivity of his/her category with the process of accepting new members. These are two separate issues.

The fact that most people prefer their categories closed doesn’t mean we can simply remove this option.

This very option is one of the things that makes this group unique!

On the subject of membership, the executive’s new ruling for missed meeting makes no sense to me. Theoretically a member could show up once every 2 months and still maintain full membership privileges. I would have voted for 4 consecutive misses and you’re out, or 8 total in a 12 month period (that’s 8 out of 26 in a year).

Also, I don’t remember that the executive were given the power to change the rules unilaterally. My understanding of the executive’s role was the managing and day-to-day facilitation of the group’s activities.

I feel these new membership rules require a vote. However, if no other member objects to the new rules, I will accept them as well.