Ottawa Business Builders Referral Group is a business referral sharing group. The group meets at the Fairfield Inn on Etna Road in Ottawa, from 12:00 – 1:00 PM every other Tuesday. Call 815-431-1400 for directions. Group meetings last one hour. At each meeting each participant will have the opportunity to present a thirty second commercial providing insight into their respective business, and be expected to periodically share business leads with group participants with a minimum of thirty-six (36) business leads per year. Each meeting will additionally consist of a member, selected on a rotating basis, presenting a more complete ten minute commercial, or at times outside speakers providing presentations as an alternative. The group is limited to thirty members, with no two providing primary service in the same industry. A majority of the group will determine whether such an industry conflict exists.
For more information contact: Katherine Corcoran, President, (815) 252-9039
AUTHORITY FOR OPERATION:
The group is sponsored by the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chamber) and draws its authority for operation from the Chamber. Any formal action of the group will require the affirmative vote of a majority of all of the participants of the group. Any modification to this Policy and Structure Statement must be filed with the Chamber and will not be effective until forty-five days thereafter.
MEMBERSHIP AND OFFICERS:
Membership in good standing with the Chamber is required to be a participant of the Ottawa Business Builders Referral Group. The group will elect, for a six (6) month term a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Sergeant at Arms. The term of Treasurer shall be ongoing until the Treasurer requests to step down or a majority vote of the group asks the Treasurer to step down. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at meetings of the group. It shall be the duty of the Vice President to assume the duties of the President in his or her absence. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep such records, and disseminate such communication, as is required by the group. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to oversee the finances of the group. It shall be the duty of the Sergeant at Arms to keep the meeting flowing in the times frames required.
ABSENTEEISM:
Attendance is a priority. All group participants depend on each other for business. To be effective, participants must attend regularly.
Six unexcused absences in six months or three unexcused absences in a row will constitute a violation of the attendance policy. Following the sixth absence or third consecutive absence, a vote will be taken to determine whether or not the participant can remain in the group. The president may contact the participant in order to obtain information regarding the circumstances behind absences, and present that information to the group prior to the vote.
TARDINESS:
Each meeting will start promptly at noon and will end at 1:00 PM. Once the 30 seconds commercials start, any tardy participant will be precluded from presenting his or her 30-second commercials at the meeting.
COURTESY:
When anyone is speaking there should be no interruptions. .Questions and comments are to be restricted to the end of a 10-minute commercial or after the meeting. All ancillary conversation is prohibited during any presentations.
10-minute commercials are to be limited to 8-9 minutes, allowing enough time to answer questions. Commercials should be practiced so that delivery of the message is precise.
By respecting all time lines, meetings should conclude in 45 – 50 minutes. This allows time after the meeting for further questions and conversations.
REFERRAL SHARING:
This is the most important reason for participation. Without referral sharing, this group will not serve its purpose. Ottawa Business Builders Referral Group requires an average of 3 referrals per month for each participant to be in good standing.
PROCESS FOR REMOVAL:
A majority vote of all of the participants is sufficient to remove a group participant for any purpose.
BROCHURE TABLE:
Each week there will be a designated table to:
- Promote any specials your company is running.
- Publish any announcements or upcoming events.
- Offer any coupons or discounts.
Most importantly, please do not pass brochures at the group table unless it’s part of your 10 minutes commercial.
COST:
Group participation fees of $30 are due at the beginning of each quarter. Chamber membership dues are separate and distinct from the group participation fees. If fees are not paid by the third group meeting of that quarter, a $10 late charge will be added. In the event a participant feels they are not benefiting from the group, they may withdraw from the group in good standing and receive a pro-rated refund for their dues. All monies collected go towards paying for a brochure that will be designed with business cards and upcoming events for sponsorship consideration. Any money remaining at the end of the year will go towards a Holiday party for the group.
