Rules

The name of the network is “Laois Business Network”

2.1. The Laois Business Network is run by a number of individuals (the committee) who freely give of their time to help the network to grow, create business leads and address any issues or problems any of our members may be having in their own business.
2.2. Laois Business Network is a lunch time networking group set up and run for the benefit of its members
2.3. The network shall remain independent until such a time that the majority of the members agree that the network should become part of another organisation.
2.4. The network’s activities shall be funded by membership fee’s (standing order paid each month or cheque paid in full in advance). And or fundraising events. Membership fees runs from March to February inclusive
2.5. The network will be managed by the officers, committee’s and secretary of the group.

3.1 To provide a networking opportunity
3.2 To provide a business referral opportunity
3.3 To provide an opportunity for business support between members
3.4 To facilitate business growth of members

4.1. Membership of the network shall be vetted by the membership committee.
4.2. One shall be deemed an official member once:
(a) they have been approved by the membership committee
(b) they have completed and signed a membership form
(c) they have paid their membership fee in full.
4.2. Membership is valid for a period of 12 months before having to be renewed.
4.3. Fortnightly meetings will be open to members only and invited guests.
4.4. Each member may choose a profession or service that they exclusively represent. No other member or visitor may take a representation of this profession or service without agreement from the original member.
4.5. Each member may state roles or professions that they consider to be part of their exclusive area of representation.
©Laois Business Network
4.6. Members will commit to attending fortnightly meetings.
4.7. A member can appoint a substitute in event of their absence from a meeting. If a member appoints such substitute, then the secretary will need to be informed in advance of the meeting.
4.8. If a member cannot attend the meeting or produce a substitute, then they must send their apologies to the secretary in advance of the meeting.
4.9. A member cannot miss more than 4 consecutive meetings, with or without apologies. If a member misses more than 4 consecutive meetings (2 months), the membership committee reserve the right to remove them as a member without prejudice.
4.10. Point 4.9. above shall not apply when extenuating circumstances apply. What constitutes “extenuating circumstances” is at the discretion of the membership committee.
4.11. Any member who has been dismissed from the network due to non attendance at meetings, can reapply for membership. This will be considered and granted or declined at the discretion of the membership committee and is again without prejudice.
4.12. A company may be represented by no more than 2 members.
4.13. Any member whose conduct is, in the opinion of the majority of the committee, of injury or discredit to the group, may be expelled from the group. Such member may appeal against their expulsion at the next meeting of the Network.
4.14. All members are obliged to provide, along with their membership form, a complete information sheet and a copy of their logo for inclusion on our website www.laoisbusinessnetwork.com
4.15. The company breakdown and logo which are to be emailed to Andrew.tobin@t2.ie  b y the company for inclusion.

5.1. Members will pay a yearly membership fee via a standing order of €30 per month total €360 per annum. In the event of 2 individuals per member company the standing order will be €50 per month total €500 per annum. Membership runs from March to February inclusive.
5.2 In exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the Treasure a cheque can be paid instead of standing order and same fees apply. The cheque must be paid in advance for the year.
5.3. Guests may be invited to speak from time to time and these guests may be paid for by the network at the discretion of the committee.
5.4. Expenditure of group funds must be agreed by the Treasurer and the Chairperson or by the  committee.
5.5. Networking events may be organised to raise additional funds for the network if necessary.
5.6 Any member who fails to pay fees are falls behind in fees by 2 months shall be deemed as removed as a member without prejudice.
5.7. Any member whose membership is terminated within the 12 months of their membership, will not be entitled to a refund on all or any of their membership fees.

6.1. The group will be managed by a committee consisting of:
(a) Chairman & Vice Chairman
(b) Secretary
(c) Treasurer
(d) Membership Committee
6.2. The committee will be elected at a meeting of all the members. By-elections and co-options may take place throughout the year subject to the agreement of the committee.
6.3. The Management of the Network shall be under the control of the committee, which shall consist of the full members of the group.
6.4. The secretary shall minute the proceedings of the meetings. These records shall be open for inspection by any member upon request at reasonable time. Minutes of meetings shall in any case be circulated to members by email.
6.5. The secretary shall also keep a roll of members of the network.
6.6. The officers and committees shall be elected annually at a meeting of the group.
6.7. Current officers may stand for re-election.
6.8. In the event of an officer of the committee failing to attend 3 consecutive meetings without a satisfactory reason being given, the committee shall have the power to declare the post vacant.
6.9. In the event of a vacancy occurring for an officer during the year, it shall if necessary be filled by another member of the committee who will stand until the next general meeting of the group.
6.10. The treasurer shall keep an account of all monies received and paid by him/her on behalf of the group and shall pay all accounts approved by the committee. Cheques drawn shall bear the signatures of two pre-approved officers.
6.11. The Chairman will chair all meetings. In his/her absence, the Vice Chair will preside. In any other circumstances, the vice chair may elect a chair in their place.

• This policy can be changed by a majority of members.  Changes are to be proposed via email – so the quorum is the full membership (as opposed to the attendees at a particular network meeting).
• Two types of guests are welcome – those who want to see what the network is about with the view of joining, or a guest speaker who wants to share their expertise with the group on a once-off basis.
• Disclosure
• If the network is considering inviting a guest (non-speaker) OR speaker, it is the network’s responsibility to ask that person for full disclosure on their varied business interests.
• If a person approaches the network wishing to attend as a guest (non-speaker) OR speaker, it is the guest coordinator’s responsibility to get full disclosure from the person on their varied business interests.
• Full disclosure is essential here – so that the network is aware of a guest’s varied business interests – not just the label they’re using.
• The guest coordinator then provides the network with 2 weeks’ (email) opportunity to object to proposed guests. 
• All network members have right of veto.
• Such vetoes should be directed to the guest coordinator.
• The identity of those who veto will not be revealed by the guest coordinator.
• If a person is deemed an acceptable guest, then they are also deemed (by the membership) to be an acceptable member, subject to the normal membership eligibility requirements.

• This policy can be changed by a majority of members.  Changes are to be proposed via email – so the quorum is the full membership (as opposed to the attendees at a particular network meeting).
• There’ll be a speaker for at least every second network meeting.
• There’ll be a speaker at every event unless there is a planned discussion on a topic of interest to members. 
• Speakers are of three types :
• Network members
• Guest speakers who wish to speak to the network – see also the section on “Guest Policy”
• Speakers whom the network seeks out
• Finances : We will aim for speakers to speak for no fee.  If a speaker does charge,  we will consider the value of that speech and the Network’s budget.
• Competition : We do not want any speakers who would be direct competitors of a member.  This is consistent with the membership policy.  Members are asked to be mindful of this when suggesting speakers.
• No external speaker will be scheduled unless the Network has given their approval.. 
• Proposals for external speakers will typically be put to the group by the speaker coordinator via email rather than at a meeting to ensure that those not present have a chance to offer i/p.  This avoids the possibility of someone not present (for a good reason) failing to get the opportunity to lodge an objection.  The speaker coordinator will sometimes use discretion to avoid the need for such emailing by having some discussions with a smaller group.
• Speakers are not to plug :  We do not want any hard-selling.
• There will be only one speaker per meeting.
• Members will have priority in schedule over external speakers
• Talks are to be limited to 25 minutes including Q&A.  It typically takes 2 minutes to cover a slide.  So 25 minutes allows for upwards of 10 slides at two per slide + 5 minutes for Q&A. 

Except where noted, no alteration to this constitution may be made, except by a resolution by two thirds of the full members present and voting at a meeting of the network.

•  original
• 190410 : updated to incorporate new guest & speaker policies and to reflect the monthly payment scheme