Membership Process

Before inviting a guest, please check with our Membership Chair to ensure that there is no category conflict with another member or that another member has not already invited someone from the same category to attend a meeting. In addition to members inviting guests, we also have guests who request to attend/join meetings through our SECBN website. Coordinating all guests is paramount to maintaining our categories. Once approved via the Membership Chair, you may invite a potential member to a meeting.

The Membership Chair keeps a log of the date, guest, email, category, referred by, dates meeting attended, letters, application submitted, approval, etc. The potential member is invited to attend two meetings before submitting their application to join SECBN. The potential member will be sent an email from the Membership Chair thanking them for attending, answering any questions, and inviting them to attend once more before applying. After the second meeting, the Membership Chair will send an email inviting the potential member to submit an application.

The application is considered complete once the Membership Chair collects ALL of the following:

• • A completed application
  • A business description that will be used on the SECBN website
  • Pre-payment of dues for six months (checks will not be cashed until approved by general membership)
  • A copy of a business license

Once all elements of the application are received, the approval process begins. The Membership Chair maintains copies of the application and business license. Approval takes about two weeks. During the approval process, the potential member is welcome to attend meetings.

The Membership Committee will approve the potential member, followed by approval via general membership. Any objections should be voiced at this time.

Once approved as a member, the Membership Chair will:

• • Submit a copy of the application and dues to the Treasurer
  • Communicate new member information to the group
  • Update all member documents and distribute them
  • Recognize the new member at the next meeting

Attendance is crucial to the SECBN, and members are urged to attend all meetings. If you are unable to attend, please arrange for a representative from your organization to take your place.