Mission and Goals
The mission of the Network Exchange Team is to build relationships which, in turn, create networking and business referral opportunities resulting in business development as well as to help those less fortunate in our community through service work or donations. NExT is an organization of businesspersons dedicated to the ideals of improving their careers through the interchange of business activities and professional contacts. One member represents each occupational endeavor – the breadth of this endeavor listed on the member’s original application, and conflicts of interest are disallowed. The basic goal of NExT is to expand the business contacts of members through a system of referrals. NExT shall not be used in any way for political purposes, nor shall it, as an organization, actively participate in the political candidacy of any person, party, or cause.
The active membership of NExT shall consist of persons of good character and community standing, residing, or having other community or business interest within the area of NExT and have one vote. There shall be no inactive memberships. A membership is defined as a specific business or business category. Founder Catherine Lockey determines which categories are open and which are closed. A business or business category is defined as the typical line of work/products normally covered/sold within the scope of that type of business. All current and renewal applicants to NExT are required to list without omission all services their business provides. If an applicant’s business provides any services which cross over a current member’s category, that applicant must get permission to join from said member before the group may vote to accept him/her. Businesses whose services expand or change over time must be aware that if their added services cross over the category of a member with seniority, they may be ineligible for renewal of their membership. Individuals who own more than one type of business must purchase memberships for each category they wish to represent. No one person may own more than two business categories.
Membership and Visitors
Visitors may attend NExT meetings as guests for up to three meetings. NExT will buy new guests lunch one time only. An application to join must be completed and approved by Catherine Lockey as well as voted in by the group before becoming a member. Prospective members will not attend the meeting during which the entire group votes on their admission. Referrals cannot be given to non-members. Three (or ten percent rounded up, whichever is greater) “NO” votes will be considered sufficient to deny membership. The use of a “NO” vote in an attempt to keep a category open for another like business, or for any type of religious, racial, ethnic, sexual, or age bias is prohibited. Each business has only one vote, even if a business sends more than one business representative to group meetings. Occasional slight overlaps in categories may occur with member permission.
Members are required to abide by the commitment listed in this paragraph. Failure to abide by these commitments will constitute a review of the member by NExT Founder Catherine Lockey, possibly resulting in termination of membership. Have a fellow member satisfy my business or personal needs whenever possible. Arrive on time (no later than 11:45 a.m.) regularly and stay for the entire meeting. Display organization brochures and/or business cards at place of business where appropriate. Participate in the activities of NExT, including presenting qualified referrals to fellow members. Follow up on all referrals in a timely fashion. Provide satisfactory service, products, or work to all referrals. Remember that the regular meetings are for networking and building relationships. Comments regarding the rules of membership or comments regarding another member should be emailed to Catherine Lockey at cl@oz2designs.com.
Attendance is vital to the success of NExT If a member is unable to attend, sending a substitute is encouraged. Continued unexplained absences may render a member inactive. Members are required to attend 66% of all meetings per quarter. If a member does not meet the attendance requirement, he/she may no longer be eligible for membership.
Founder Catherine Lockey is authorized, as herein provided, to expel from membership any member for any of the following: Any conduct that brings the organization into public disrepute or violates the purpose for which NExT was formed. Any conduct that causes another member to come into public disrepute Any willful refusal to abide by the core values or rules of NExT. Conviction of a felony or crime.
Membership Fee
Annual membership fee is $120.00 per year. Current members must renew their membership yearly by filling out the official renewal application which is subject to approval by Catherine Lockey. A member may switch their category at any time during the membership year by going through the application process. Once approved, said member will not be required to submit an additional membership fee. Annual membership fees are non-refundable. Membership fee provides for the following: general organization of the group, group marketing, quarterly web site updates, business card booklet (one per business) referral slips, guest lunches, and charitable donation(s).
Chairman/Chairwoman Positions
From time to time Founder Catherine Lockey will ask members to chair a committee. These chairmen/chairwomen will serve at the founder's discretion.
The Community Chair will solicit ideas weekly from the group for community service or donations and bring those ideas to the regular group for approval. It is expected that one event or donation will be selected by the group by majority vote per quarter. All members of NExT may freely choose whether or not they would like to participate in our quarterly community service donation/event. The community Chair will organize these events with the group.
Meeting Structure
Meetings are scheduled for 1.5 hours although the actual sit-down meeting may last no more than one hour, may begin no earlier that 11:45 a.m. and may end no later than 12:45 . If a member fails to attend 2/3 of all meetings per quarter, said member may be ineligible for membership. The facilitator will follow the official weekly meeting agenda.
*These rules of membership are subject to change at any time at the discretion of NExT Founder, Catherine Lockey.
