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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  1. Name
    1. The name of the group shall be Pocono Business Referral Exchange.
  2. Board of Directors and Officers
    1. The Board of Directors shall serve without pay and consist of the following officers:
      1. President, Vice – President, Membership Chairman, Referral Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.
      2. The President shall preside at all meetings, appoint ad-hoc committee members, and perform other duties as associated with the office.
      3. The Vice President shall be in charge of preparing the meeting space by 7AM on meeting days and assume the duties of the President in case of the President’s absence.
      4. The Membership Chairman shall organize mixers, follow-up on prospective members and encourage membership to grow the group.
      5. The Referral Chairman shall keep track of referrals given/received by each member. The dollar value of completed business shall also be tallied.
      6. The Treasurer shall be in charge of the checking account, keep records of the organization’s budget and prepare financial reports as needed.
      7. 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 meetings.
    2. Board members shall serve a term of one year and be elected by the membership at the first meeting each January.
    3. Vacancies shall be voted by the membership, with the recommendation of the President.
    4. A Board quorum is defined as 1 more person than half of the board members being present. In absence of a quorum, no formal action may be taken. A Quorum must be present at board meeting to vote any changes. A Passage of a motion would then require a simple majority of the quorum.
    5. If a Board member fills more than one seat, they shall only cast one ballot on voting matters.
    6. 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.
  3. Committees
    1. The President may appoint standing and ad hoc committees as needed.
  4. Meetings
    1. Regular meetings of the group will be held every Wednesday at a location and time determined by the membership.
    2. Special meetings may be held at any time when called for by the majority of members.
  5. Attendance
    1. Attendance is important to cultivating referrals. 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 weeks. Under extenuating circumstances, the Board may grant additional leave time. Leaves should be requested in email or printed letter.
  6. 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.
  7. Voting
    1. A majority of membership at any regular meeting constitutes a quorum. In 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).
  8. 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 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.
  9. Fiscal Policies
    1. The fiscal year of the board shall be January to December.
    2. Dues shall be collected each month and be used to pay expenses of the group.
    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.
  10. Amendments
    1. 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.

Approved: August 21st, 2012