Pocono Business Referral Exchange

Creating business opportunities by introducing fellow members to clients, customers, family and friends who can use their products and services.

PBRE Bylaws

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BY–LAWS

POCONO BUSINESS REFERRAL EXCHANGE

I. Name and purpose

    1. The name of the group shall be Pocono Business Referral Exchange, an unincorporated non-profit association organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
    2. Pocono Business Referral Exchange is organized for the following purposes: To promote the best practices of business, encourage the highest standards of competence and service, as well as the highest levels of professional integrity for our members, all of which will benefit the Pocono Business community and its consumers, through the following;

To serve as a think-tank for members; To promote better business methods; To promote better public speaking; and

To educate sales departments in new sales techniques, and to enhance marketing skills.

II. Board of Directors and Officers

  1. The Board of Directors shall serve without pay and consist of the following officers: President, Vice-President, Membership Chairman, Referral Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, and Secretary/Librarian.
    • The President shall preside at all meetings, appoint ad-hoc committee members, and perform other duties as associated with the office.
    • The Vice-President shall be in charge of preparing the meeting space by 7 AM on meeting days and assume the duties of the President in case of the President’s absence.
    • The Membership Chairman shall organize mixers, follow-up on prospective members and encourage membership to grow the group.
  • The Referral Chairman shall keep track of referrals given/ received by each member. The dollar value of completed business shall also be tallied.
  • The Treasurer shall be in charge of the checking account, keep records of the association’s budget and prepare financial reports as needed.
  • The Secretary shall facilitate a weekly e-newsletter to all members and prospective guests and be responsible for the agenda and minutes of the Board
  • The Secretary/Librarian shall receive and retain all documents necessary to the existence and operation of the
  1. Board members shall serve a term of one year and be elected by the membership at the first meeting each January.
  2. Vacancies shall be voted by the membership, with the recommendation of the President.
  1. A Board quorum is defined as 1 more person than half of the board members being present. In the absence of a quorum, no formal action may be A Quorum must be present at a board meeting to vote any changes. A passage of a motion would then require a simple majority of the quorum.
  2. If a Board member fills more than one seat, they shall only cast one ballot on voting matters.
  3. Any Board officer who fails to perform his/her task may be dismissed from the Board by the two-third vote of members present at any meeting, provided a quorum is present.

III. Committees

The President may appoint standing and ad hoc committees as needed.

IV. Meetings

  1. Regular meetings of the group will be held every Wednesday at a on and time determined by the membership.
  2. Special meetings may be held at any time when called for by the majority of

V.  Attendance

  1. Attendance is important to cultivating Each member shall attend at least three meetings per month. Failure to meet this requirement over a three­ month period shall result in the termination from the group.
  2. Leave of Absence – Leaves are granted at the Board’s discretion at a limit of 4 Under extenuating circumstances, the Board may grant additional leave time. Leaves should be requested in email or printed letter.

VI. Membership

  1. Membership approval requires no more than 2 NO votes from membership. 3 plus No votes triggers a review of the prospective member application by the Board of Directors. Upon review, the Board can reinstate the application of the prospective member for one additional opportunity for approval.
  2. Any member voting NO on an applicant need not state their name; however, the Board will require a reason for declining the prospective member.
  3. Membership may be terminated for any of the following reasons: failure to pay dues; 3 consecutive months of under attendance; unpopular business practices brought to the Board’s attention by at least three members; ethical issues. The Board is not limited to the aforementioned reasons when terminating a member.

VI. Voting

  1. A majority of membership at any regular meeting constitutes a quorum. In the absence of a quorum, no formal action shall be taken.
  2. passage of a motion requires a simple majority (one more than half the members present).

VIII. Conflict of Interest

  1. Any officer of the board who has a financial, personal, or official interest in, or conflict (or appearance of a conflict) with any matter pending before the Board, will offer to the Membership to voluntarily excuse him/herself and will vacate his/her seat and refrain from discussion and voting on said item.
  2. Each category (as defined by the products or services offered by the member) may be filled by one member at the time of application.

IX. Fiscal Policies

  1. The fiscal year of the board shall be January to
  2. Dues shall be collected each month and be used to pay expenses of the
  3. Treasurer Transitions – as a new treasurer is elected to the Board of Directors, a review of the monthly bank statements will be reviewed and cross­ checked with the checkbook ledger.

X. Income and Assets

No part of the net earnings of the Association shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the Association shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in paragraph 1B above. No substantial part of the activities of the Association shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Association shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these By-Laws, the association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an Association exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code or (b) by an Association, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2).

Upon the dissolution of the Association, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Association, dispose of all of the assets of the Association exclusively for the purpose of the Association by donating them to the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce or, if that shall not be in existence at that time, any other qualified 501(c)(6) organization.

XI. Amendments

These by-laws may be amended by a majority vote on the Board of Directors or a two-third vote of members present at any meeting, provided a quorum is present and provided a copy of the proposed amendment(s) are provided to each member prior to said meeting.

updated 7/11/2025