Lunchtime Networking Group (LNG)

Below you will find our group bylaws and common practices, along with other information.
This networking group is comprised of select members of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce. Any business in the Delaware area is eligible to participate, subject to these and other conditions. If your company is not yet represented, you are encouraged to contact us for more information.

Lunchtime Networking Group of NCCCC

Bylaws

The New Castle County Chamber of Commerce has developed this group to foster and develop the business growth of member companies. The intent is to foster business and personal development of members through mutual support and educational opportunities; realizing that the only path to success is through the activities of each individual member, and at the individual pace of each. The guidelines by which this group is to operate include, but are not necessarily limited to the following:

Membership:

• Membership is open to employees of member companies of the NCCCC.
• A member can represent only one profession or trade, and it must be the member’s principle, full time occupation.
• Membership in the group will be limited to one member per profession or trade.
• Current members have the right to challenge a guest’s entry into the group if the member’s business interests have a potential conflict with the guest’s business.

Admission:

• Prospective members must attend 3 consecutive meetings and verify business category by filing out the "short form".
• A prospective member may attempt to make their 3 consecutive meetings for no longer than a period of 6 months from their first meeting. After 6 months time, if they have been unable to attend three consecutive meetings, they may no longer be considered for membership in the LNG.
• Executive Committee will decide to accept or decline membership and advise the prospect.
• Prospect must attend the 4th meeting to be accepted.

Meetings:

• 90 MINUTES.   11:30am until 1:00pm on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday.
• Your presence is required for each meeting is crucial to your success, and that of the group as a whole.

Attendance Responsibility:

• Absences must be "announced" by contacting an officer or Chamber representative prior to the meeting.
• Be on time, stay for the entire meeting.
• Send a surrogate if you can’t make it. ANYBODY can sit in for you, not just someone from within your business.
• 2nd absence in 2 quarters results in a warning (from the Chair).
• 3rd absence in a 2 Quarter results the loss of your seat. After a six month period, you may rejoin one.
• Arriving Late: an unexcused late arrival after the meeting begins at 11:45am will count as 1/3 of an absence.
• You may notify the group of an extended absence, such as vacation, medical situation, or extended business related conflicts. Make sure to specify the dates of such extended absences and verify that they are noted in the attendance log. No extension will be made for more than 6 meetings.

Obligations:

• Develop and deliver warm and legitimate referrals. If not averaging 1 referral a month for a complete quarter, member will receive an email or phone call from the chair as a warning. By the end of each quarter, 3 referrals must be recorded, if not you will lose you seat.
• Bring guests/prospective members for NCCCC and or the group – Number of guests per meeting is limited due to seating capacity- Please contact the chair prior to the meeting to verify seating arrangements.
• Follow-up timely on referrals received, deliver promised quality and pricing.
• Maintain high standards of integrity in business conduct.
• Cost of membership in LNG is $160 per year, payable quarterly at $40 per quarter Guests do not pay to attend the 1st meeting, but will be responsible for paying the pro-rated amount the remainder of that quarter.
• If a member business changes jobs and business type conflicts with other business in the group, a non-compete arrangement will have to be made between the affected parties, or the newer business may be asked to leave the group.
• If a member business is found to have misrepresented itself (i.e. if he/she does not do what they originally declared as a business, or found to be part time, misleading or fraudulent) that person will be asked to leave the group.

Executive Committee:

• Made up of 4 members, plus the Chair, and the Chair elect for a term of 6 months.
• Responsible for overall success of the group.
• Nominates Chair elect and new Committee after term served.
• • Committee is in charge of timely communications, attendance, speaker schedule, any monetary payments, welcoming new members, bylaw enforcement, member categories, and track leads.
• Chair is responsible for groups overall performance.
• Chair elect becomes chair after 6-month term.

Agenda:

11:30 AM to 11:45 AM - Mingle and/or eat lunch

11:45 AM to 12:00 PM - Continue eating and participate in “Heard it on the Street” and Chamber Report

12:00 PM to 12:30 PM - 30 Second intros, visitation reports, interactive introductions, special sales or networking programs, etc.

12:30 PM to 12:50 PM - Spotlight Speakers: two 8 minute presentations

12:50 PM to 1:00 PM - Accountability, Testimonials, Thank Yous, Referral Follow-ups