Purpose

Greater Peoria Area Coffee Club (GPACC) is comprised of individuals who desire to build their businesses through networking. Members of the group have the opportunity to tell others about the benefit of their businesses, exchange business cards, and learn how member businesses might benefit them.

Monthly meetings feature a guest speaker presenting on a business related topic or a member of the group speaking about their business and how their products and services benefit their customers. The speakers are allowed 10 minutes total to present.

Members are asked to; meet outside of the group to better learn about each other’s services, make referrals to others in the group, and to report on the results of those referrals at meetings.

Mission Statement

The goal of the GPACC is establishing professional relationships built on integrity and ethics in business practices. Representatives from their individual fields of industry serve as a community of references, enabling members to reach new clients while building worthwhile friendships. Industry exclusivity within the group provides a commitment of trust and reliable referrals fostered by a casual meeting environment for professionals striving to succeed.

Membership

Membership application is open to all members of the business community. Applicants for membership must apply for membership using a GPACC application form. Membership applications will be reviewed by the members at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Applicants must be voted on by the members and receive a majority vote to become a new member. Members must declare their professional focus. Members can represent one profession and make requests for referrals towards that business. Fees submitted with a prospect’s application are fully refundable if the application is denied. Upon acceptance of the application no fees will be refunded at any time. If a member changes professions they must apply as a new member. If the individual paid the initial membership the prorated fee may be transferred with the new application. If the fee was paid by the company of their previous profession the fee remains with the company and any designated member they send.

It is the intention of the members to accept as many applicants as possible without duplicating the service or industry of the current members. Applicants will be notified of their application status, by GPACC President or highest ranking Officer involved in the voting process, within one week of the membership’s decision.

Dues

GPACC’s membership fee is to be determined by a majority vote of the membership in attendance at the time the fee is voted on. The current membership is a one time fee of $200, collected with a prospective member’s application.

Dues are used to pay GPACC expenses including: the cost of meeting areas, annual membership drives, special events and supplies approved by the Officers. Upon giving 5 referrals that lead to sales members receive $100 of their fee back.

Officers

The Officers shall consist of the following:

President – Guides and directs the group, and presides over meetings.

Vice President –Assists the president and runs meetings in his or her absence.

Treasurer – Manages and reconciles the checking account, collects dues, provides a monthly treasurer’s report to the Officers, oversees the membership process, and assists the secretary in keeping the membership database.

Secretary – Keeps records, distributes communications, maintains attendance list and oversees communications to members who miss a meeting; manages the membership database; maintains an e-mail database of visitors and sends separate e-mail communications to encourage visitors to join the group.

Educational Director – The Educational Director will provide brief educational information to the group with the intention of producing better referrals and networkers.

Officers terms are for six months, beginning in December and June. A mid-term vacancy will be filled by special election of the members.

Officers upon missing a fourth consecutive meeting within an election period, will be removed and replaced.

Elections

Elections shall be held in May and November of each year. Candidates will be nominated preceding elections by a current active member of GPACC and/or self-nominated.

Guests

Members are asked to invite guests to attend monthly meetings and join. Guests may attend up to two meetings but must apply for and be accepted as a member before being allowed to attend any future meetings.

Guests will participate in the one minute introductions and may leave or distribute materials about their products or services.

Participation

Members are asked to attend weekly meetings or send a designated representative in their place. Upon missing a fourth consecutive or 8 total meetings within a six month term the member will be considered inactive, and will need to reapply and pay for membership. The Officers may make amendments upon notification by a member of extenuating circumstances surrounding an absence.

Any member may obtain a leave of absence from active participation in the functions and purposes of the organization for any reasonable cause, upon the approval of a quorum of the members.

Each member will individually be offered one minute to address the group with an introduction to his or her business. The one minute introduction should be limited to information about the member’s products or services.

Members are encouraged to invite guests who will extend the referral base and act as good ambassadors for GPACC. Visitors are invited to come as guests twice at no charge to check out the organization and see if the group would be beneficial to them.

Officers will provide coffee and set up the meeting facility, except in the event of an offsite event, when the host will make all arrangements.

GPACC Membership Database

The current GPACC membership database shall be available to any member on the website www.gpacc.com. Members may use this database to contact other members.

Bylaws

GPACC bylaws may be amended during a regularly scheduled meeting by a majority vote of the membership in attendance at the time a bylaw issue is voted on. Amendments will be put on the agenda by the president and brought before the membership for a vote and approval.

Meetings

Meetings are held on Thursday except on designated holidays. Meetings begin promptly at 7:00am and end promptly at 8:00am.

An approximate agenda for each meeting is as follows: 30 minutes for GPACC business, 10 minutes for the presenter, 20 minutes for referrals.