Membership Guidelines

Purpose

CPNG’s purpose is to maintain a group of professional business leaders comprised of small business owners and commissioned sales people with the sole purpose of furthering the business of CPNG members.

Prospective Members

A Prospective member is someone who is not a current member, has not attended a meeting and has not been presented to the group to attend a meeting. Prospective members should be presented to the group prior to being invited. See Membership Tab for a full explanation of the Member Application Process.

The member inviting the prospective member should have met one on one with the prospective member to explain CPNG and determine if it is a good fit for both parties.

• Visit the prospective members’ web site.
• Ask them what their ideal prospect looks like.
• Ask them what industries they have been successful doing business with.

If it appears the prospective member is a good fit and interested in CPNG, please refer them to the online submission form (Membership Tab) and will the Member Application Process will be conducted.

Membership in the Group

Your membership in the group is based on you the individual first, as well as the product/service category you are applying. The company you represent is not a member. If for whatever reason you leave the company you were with when you joined, you may still be eligible to continue your group membership provided your new company (product/services) is not in conflict with another existing member’s product/service category. Your continued membership will need to be approved by the Board and/or group majority vote. Your previous category may then be opened for members to invite new candidates to apply. The new candidate will be required to fulfill all of the Member Application Process requirements.

Attendance

A CPNG member’s attendance and participation within in the group is highly valued and needed to foster a thriving networking group. Effective networking can only be accomplished when members consistently attend and interact with others. It is expected that those who desire to be members and those who are members will make CPNG meetings a priority in their schedules. The Board periodically reviews membership participation and addresses those who have a high non-attendance rate. Members who consistently demonstrate a high non-attendance rate may be asked to leave the group and their category made available for candidacy.

Weekly Meeting Guidelines

• Make it a priority to attend the weekly meetings
• Be on time for the meetings
• Stay for the entire meeting
• Turn off cell phones for the duration of the meeting
• Follow the meeting agenda
  • Stay on the topic at hand
  • Keep other topics at bay until their time

Meeting Tips

• Bring a supply of business cards (25) and promotional materials for distribution and display.
• Stick to your 30 to 60 second business commercial. If necessary, have it written down. Know your target market and prospect.
• Have your leads written down and with you for distribution.
• Have your list of targeted prospects and the accounts you would like an introduction to written down and with you.
• Always come with a focus and positive attitude.
• Let someone know if you are not attending.
• Make guests feel welcome by taking the initiative to introduce yourself.
• Have your calendar with you.
• Come to the meeting as if you are meeting with your best prospect or customer.
• Leave your issues in the parking lot

Good Lead

A good lead is defined as a business or person that is aware of and waiting for the referred group member to make contact. The referring group member should have discussed with the potential lead the services of the group member being referred and a warm invitation by the lead is made.

Referrals

It is understood that each member will make every effort to create referrals for the members of the group. It only stands to reason that if you are not giving referrals, you will not be getting referrals. A sincere effort should be made by each group member to generate referrals, however it is also understood that some members will simply not have referrals for some members because of their respective business disciplines. It is also understood that other members may receive a larger number of referrals because of the nature of their respective businesses.

One on One Networking Meetings

One on one networking meetings are important and members are encouraged to make this a regular part of their relationship marking within CPNG. Referrals and introductions to potential leads is often a function of getting to know each other well and the services that each provide. Without spending time together and learning about each other’s background, experience, and services, we cannot effectively generate quality leads and referrals.

Dues and Expenses

CPNG is a non-dues group. However, our lunches and tips compensate the location where we meet for the room, the rooms set up and tear down, and the dedicated servers we enjoy. Please consider making a meal/beverage purchase and tip generously at our weekly meetings. Having a suitable location for regular meetings is highly valued. Meals, beverages, and tips are the sole decision and responsibility of each member.

There are times when CPNG may conduct a group event involving costs. These events are often led by group members and are voted on by the group. Any expenses as a result of these activities are the responsibility of those who voted for and/or participated in the event. Failure to pay your allotted amount will result in termination from the group.

Membership in the Group

• Membership is by invitation only and membership approved by a majority vote of group members attending on Pledge day.
• Members are expected to value their participation in the group by
  • Attend the majority of meetings held
  • Not sharing leads from CPNG in other networking groups
  • Be mindful of category overlaps
• Conduct your business professionally and in a manner that positively reflects on CPNG.
• If you have a conflict with another member in the group while doing business together, it is expected that you will make every attempt to resolve those differences with the individual first. If you are unable to resolve the issue between yourselves, please privately contact one of the Board members. DO NOT take the issue before the group or broadcast negative comments or concerns among the group. The Board will provide direction and guidance through the situation.
• Agree to support both Board decisions and/or decisions made by the group.
• By becoming a member of CPNG you agree to follow the standards as outlined here in the Member Guidelines. You also agree that if you do not follow the guidelines, your membership can and will be terminated. Termination is at the sole discretion of the Board..

The CPNG Board

The CPNG Board consists of six (6) members who attend a high percentage of the weekly meetings. The Board members are responsible to organize and lead the weekly meetings, oversee and facilitate the Membership Application Process, and meet when necessary to review membership attendance and discuss other CPNG concerns.

Current board members are: Tom Dardick, Joe Henriques, Nick Montagnese, John Nicrone, Stephanie Shirley and Laura Souders.