Four Points Business Association
Membership Guidelines
The Origin of Four Points Business Association:
Goals: The primary goal of the Four Points Business Association (4PBA) is to promote and advertise its members so they can become household name among local businesses and residents. This will be achieved through local advertising for the benefit of the collective group. Members will also receive assistance with business development, and leverage media.
Business Development: The 4PBA will provide members with networking opportunities, guest speakers, group discussions and other experiences that will help business owners and managers grow and develop their best possible business.
Community Events: The 4PBA members will be able to participate in local events and have opportunities to present their business to area residents. Four Points Business Association will place an emphasis on showing the local community that its members are active businesses in the community.
Leverage Media: The 4PBA will use its collective advertising strength for the benefit of each member.
Benefits: The main benefits are access to other local businesses and the increased advertising power of a collective bargaining group. Members will advocate for their fellow business owners, and in return will reciprocate the same benefit.
General Policies:
Four Points Business Association’s policies dealing with the standards expected from its members were created by members, for members.
Qualification: A member must be a Business owner, manager or employee who desires to market and expand their business within the Four Points area. Only one person from each professional classification is permitted to join Four Points Business Association. Members must represent their primary occupation, not a part-time business. Absences and Tardiness: Absences and tardiness mean less business for members; therefore, the Leadership Committee may give warnings to members who are consistently late or leave early. If the problem continues, the member’s classification may be subject to being opened by the Leadership Committee. A member is allowed two absences per quarter.
Meeting Guidelines: Meeting will begin at 8:30 am every other Thursday of the month and are designed to run for one hour. Members must arrive on time and stay for the entire meeting. The meeting agenda will include: the welcome and agenda, upcoming events and advertising, member’s introduction, moment of gratitude, presenter introductions, presentation, discussion/questions, closing.
New Members: A current member must sponsor a prospective business for membership. The member will invite the prospective member to attend the next meeting or event. If the prospective member is interested in joining he or she must contact New Member Coordinator of the Leadership Committee who will verify no other member has the same primary business market. The sponsoring member, New Member Coordinator and another member of the Leadership Team will extend an invitation for membership.
Miscellaneous: Members are encouraged to bring bona-fide referrals and/or visitors to the Four Points Business Association. There are no leaves of absence except for medical leaves. A member may take a medical leave if fees are pre-paid for that period of time and an attempt is made to have someone “fill-in” during the medical leave. Members who wish to change their classification must submit a new membership application and get approval from the Leadership Committee for the classification change. A member’s classification may be opened for failure to comply with the policies and/or the code of ethics of Four Points Business Association.
Leadership Committee: The Leadership Committee will meet once a month to discuss issues, plan the quarterly events, and ensure ethical standards are followed.
The 4PBA Leadership Committee will make the decision on whether a primary business target market overlaps a proposed member’s business market, as well as amendments to membership and guidelines.
The 4PBA Leadership Committee is made up of volunteer local business leaders. The 4PBA Leadership Committee will consist of no fewer than three members and not to exceed seven members.
Elections will be held at the beginning of the fiscal year, i.e. the first meeting held in May.
The 4PBA Leadership Committee shall not be held accountable for the actions other 4PBA members. The members and their respective businesses shall indemnify any member of the Leadership Committee who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, whether by or in the right of the members or any other party, by reason of the fact that he/she is or was a member of the committee, or of any committee of the 4PBA against expenses (including attorney's fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by or imposed on him/her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding.
The 4PBA Leadership Committee shall not be compensated, nor shall any money be loaned to any committee member.
Networking Code of Ethics:
When evaluating members in response to complaints by other members, please apply the following Code of Ethics must be applied to the situation. This is not meant to be a list of specifics, but can be applied in principle to almost any conflict or complaint. Upon acceptance to the Four Points Business Association, I agree to abide by the following Code of Ethics during the tenure of my participation in the organization: I will provide the quality of services at the prices that I have quoted. I will be truthful with the members and their referrals. I will build goodwill and trust among members and their referrals. I will take responsibility for following up on the referrals I receive. I will display a positive and supportive attitude with Four Points Business Association members. I will live up to the ethical standards of my profession. Note: Professional standards outlined in a formal code of ethics, supersede the above standards. (This means that a member belonging to a profession that has a more stringent standard must adhere to that standard. An example of this is the state bar association standards for attorneys licensed to practice law in that state. It should be noted that no professional standards outlined in a formal code of ethics may lower Four Points Business Association ethical standards, or avoid compliance with Four Points Business Association policies.)
Administrative Policies:
There is an initial reserve advertising fee of $50. Quarterly fees of $120 go toward the cost of advertising and events, and fees are due at the first meeting of the quarter.
Fees not paid by the first meeting of the month they are due are considered late. For every meeting the advertising dues are late an additional charge of $10 will be added to fees due. (all late fees are added to the advertising reserve.)
Fees are nonrefundable, except for prepaid fees. Members in good standing may request in writing for the prepaid portion. Fees cannot be transferred from one person to another unless the fees are from the same company. Four Points Business Association has a strict policy on returned checks. A member has five working days in which to contact the 4PBA Treasurer and resolve the matter. Any returned checks not resolved within this period will be turned over to collections. All returned checks will be assessed a minimum $25 returned-check fee. If a member passes a second NSF check, that member will be subject to immediate termination.
Loans shall not be giving to any member of 4PBA.
With majority approval the Leadership Committee may authorize 4PBA members to enter into contract(s) on behalf of the association for the purpose of advertisement or events within the scope of the goals and policies. When a member is authorized they will received reimbursement only for items with receipts. Members will not be reimbursement for mileage, gas, food consumed while completing the contracted task.
Deposits shall be made in a timely manner into the 4PBA business account only.
Two members of The Leadership Committee shall have rights to sign for checks and maintain the account. A third member of the committee will audit the account records on a quarterly basis and report to the members on the first meeting of August, November, February, May.
Acceptance of 4PBA Membership Guidelines:
By signing below I have read and understand the guidelines and ethical standards of the Four Points Business Association and will abide by them. Membership shale commence as of ______________ date.